Mark Seymour, former front man of successful Australian band Hunters & Collectors, has been playing some intimate solo gigs around Toronto lately.

I saw him during his North By North East gig at The Rivoli last week. I caught up with him before his gig Friday night at the Balmy Beach Club, of all places. We chatted about touring around Toronto, a song about Mississauga, and the transition of performing with his old band in front of 80,000 adoring fans to intimate, acoustic shows for audiences of 150.

The Dyke March, part of Pride Weekend's festivities, attracted thousands of participants, supporters and gawkers yesterday.

While I've attended Pride Day almost every year for the past 12 years, this was the first time I attended the Dyke March. It was a similar vibe as the Pride Day parade, but with less crowds and fewer noisy floats. And, of course, a lot more women than men.

The weather was perfect for going topless. Many took advantage of this as they paraded across Bloor St. from Church St. and down Yonge St., getting enthusiastic cheers along the way.

What the 2009 Edgefest suffered with inclement weather it made up for in spirit, as the wet and muddy but energetic crowd proved on Saturday at Downsview Park.

I avoided the late morning rain and got to the park just in time to catch Metric on the main stage at 3 p.m. Emily Haines (pictured below) was in fine form this time. Buoyed by the success of her radio-friendly hits Gimme Sympathy and Help I'm Alive, she got the audience singing along in no time.

There was no doubt that Gwen Stefani was back with her old band, No Doubt, and in fine form Tuesday night at the Air Canada Centre.

The moment a giant white scrim was lifted from the stage, the capacity crowd rose to their feet as the band launched off with Spiderwebs with a futuristic white stage set and matching costumes. The audience kept cheering on throughout the band's 100-minute set, which included the hits Hey Baby, Hella Good and Underneath It All.

The backdrop included a huge screen, upon which was projected a variety of images, including early footage of the band at times and animated videos of what can be described as Tokyo circa 2020. When green lights were shone under the elaborate catwalk-like stage construction it looked like a huge spaceship had just landed, with the drum kit on top and a backup keyboardists/horn players/back-up vocalists Stephen Bradley and Gabrial McNair on each side.

Bringing your band's rented RV to a party, along with your own red carpet to roll out in front is one way to ensure a good time.

Things started out pretty tame at the our NXNE Opening Night Party last night at The Berkeley Church, but once I hit the road with White Cowbell Oklahoma along with the band and fellow photog Pete Nema, things started happening. After a ceremonial swig of the Jäger, off we went to places unknown. More on that in a bit.

Back at the church, I bumped into CBC Q's Jian Ghomeshi and asked him for a quick NXNE recommendation. He told me to check out Deep Dark Woods at The Dakota Friday night at 10 p.m. before he had to split. But not before handing me his last drink ticket.

Woofstock, North America's largest dog festival, took over the streets of Toronto in front of the St. Lawrence Market this weekend.

OVer 200 companies pedaled their wares, including every conceivable pooch paraphernalia from food, fashion and furnishings to toys, gadgets and specialty services. Dogs were sniffing each other, parading in silly outfits and frolicking in the fountain.

If you're a dog person, you'd have loved the variety of canine companions wagging their tails at strangers, making new friends and posing for the puppyrazzi.