MUSIC | Allison Brown, Nancy Dutra & Willow Rutherford Songs & Stories
Allison Brown, Nancy Dutra, and Willow Rutherford are three singers who found a great blend, and a natural chemistry together last year around this time, when they did a short tour from T.O to Montreal with a few small town stops along the way. Their love of great songs and great stories won them many friends and fans on that particular excursion, and they're doing it again. Tonight launches this short tour, and they will be hitting Campbellford, Perth, and Ottawa before doing the final show in Montreal. The group's sound is rooted in roots, jazz, gospel, cabaret, and folk. Come to the Tranzac tonight and give them a send off to remember!
The Tranzac (292 Brunswick Avenue) 7:30PM PWYC

Victoria Day events in Toronto 2012:

FOOD & DRINK | The Brewer's Backyard
Following the success of the Evergreen Brickworks' Brewery Market, the creation of the Brewer's Backyard was inevitable. This is a "beer series," and today's kickoff event has been named after Victoria Day, with a little added intrigue: Queen Victoria's Secret. Yes--there is some mystery that goes along with this event! This much we do know: Great Lakes Brewery will be featured, but the exact nature of their offerings is not being revealed and word has it that a number of "one-offs" is a strong possibility. We also know that Fidel Gastro's is providing sandwiches... but what kind? Some loose lips have let it slip that it will be a unique sangweech created specifically as a knockout pairing with Great Lakes Beer, and allegedly also made with this beer. Inquiring minds will be at Koerner Gardens today ready to savour the truth when it comes out. This is the first of six Brewer's Backyard events this summer.
Evergreen Brick Works, Koerner Gardens (550 Bayview Avenue) 12PM 

BOOKS & LIT | Short Story Shindig
Tonight, Coach House Books, House of Anansi, and Vehicule Press present a literary event that will make your week, and it's all about the short story! Three great authors will read from their new spring releases in an evening hosted by Kerry Clare. You'll hear from Journey Prize winner Heather Birrell, who will read from her latest, "Mad Hope," Daniel Griffin will share some of his debut short story collection, "Stopping for Strangers," and Carrie Snyder will tempt you with excerpts from "The Juliet Stories." It promises to be a great evening for short fiction lovers in Toronto.
Type Books (883 Queen Street West) 7PM

CULTURE | Leonard Cohen Tribute at Massey Hall
Tonight at Massey Hall, Leonard Cohen--one of Canada's cultural treasures--will be honoured. The poet/singer/songwriter will be presented with the Ninth Glenn Gould Prize, and will himself present the City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize winner. Various speakers, and an all-star lineup of the country's finest musical performers will pay tribute to Cohen at this great celebration: The Cowboy Junkies, Basia Bulat, James McMurtry, Serena Ryder, Greg Keelor, and others will take the stage. The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson is promised to make an appearance, as well.
Massey Hall (Victoria Street) 8:30PM $34.95 - $149.95

MUSIC | Autorickshaw - 10th Annual Small World Asian Music Series
Toronto's acclaimed Indo-fusion group, Autorickshaw, will take the stage at Lula Lounge tonight as part of the 10th Annual Small World Asian Music Series. Although there have been slightly different configurations of this project over the years, this group, twice-nominated for the Juno Award of World Music Album of the Year, is helmed by vocalist Suba Sankaran and tabla player Ed Hanley. Some new faces will take part in the Autorickshaw lineup tonight, and things will definitely be taken up a notch! The 10th Annual Small World Asian Music Series runs until May 31st.
Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas Street West) 8PM $20

BOOKS & LIT | Playwrights Canada Press Spring Launch
Playwrights Canada Press holds its spring launch tonight at Revival with readings from new works. Maja Ardal, an Iceland-born Canadian playwright holds the 2002 George Luscombe Award for Mentorship in the Theatre, will be reading from her latest, "The Cure for Everything," while award-winning Nova-Scotian playwright Catherine Banks will be sharing "It Is Solved by Walking." In addition, Ronnie Burkett, a puppeteer since the early age of fourteen will read from his latest celebrated work, "Penny Plain," and two-time Dora Mavor Moore Award winner Anusee Roy will read from "Brothel #9." Jon Kaplan and NOW Magazine's Susan G. Cole are this evening's hosts.
Revival Bar (783 College Street) 6:30PM