After reading last week's Toronto Star article, Ten reasons to ride a motorcycle this year, I was intrigued enough to check out The National Motorcycle Show at Exhibition Place this weekend.

There were lots of custom and exotic motorcycles, a handful of scooters and plenty of accessories for those who ride. Since getting my M1 license last week, it's just a matter of time before I get my first real bike. The show gave me a look-see into the thrilling world of motorcycles I had previously only held a passing curiosity for.

L'Orchestre d'Hommes-Orchestres is a must-see act if you're at all a fan of Tom Waits' music. Even if you've never heard of Tom Waits, you're sure to find their show a complete delight.

This four-piece (six avec Les New Cackle Sisters) from Quebec City embody the spirit of Tom Waits, nailing his gruff delivery and showmanship alike. They make good use of about 100 objects as invented instruments. They fall over each other as they play, creating collaborative cacophonies and plenty of LOL scenarios.

After seeing Billy Elliot and Black Swan, going to see the Kirov Ballet perform Swan Lake made a lot more sense.

Not that you need to see either the aforementioned musical or movie to fully appreciate the elegance and grace of this performance. But recent familiarity in story themes surely helped. The lack of audience etiquette didn't.

It's Billy Elliot opening night in Toronto and Elton John is ushered into the Canon Theatre, eventually landing a mere seven seats away from me.

Sir John wrote the music for Billy Elliot (the Musical), and his partner, David Furnish, grew up in Scarborough. So it seems apt for them to be enjoying the Toronto debut together, along with the two menacing, beefy security guards who sit behind the couple throughout the show. The packed house even gives them a standing ovation. Twice. At the conclusion of the first act and at the show's finale.

The Auto Show has taken over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre once again. And if you're fascinated by fast cars or intrigued by new automobiles and concept cars, you may find this year's installment particularly worthwhile.

After attending last year's Auto Show, I was hoping to see some progress from an auto industry that still has a long way to go to get up to speed with greener vehicles. Unfortunately, there was scant progress evident, with the bulk of the flash given to fancy sports cars that very few of us will ever be able to afford. The do make for some nice photo ops though.

The Next Stage Theatre Festival is underway, with eight plays running until January 16. It's a more refined extension of the Toronto Fringe Festival. I caught the opening night of Tom's a-cold on Thursday at the Factory Theatre Mainspace.

Tom's a-cold is about two Englishmen lost in a ship in the Arctic. Quite the Canadian experience. The story is told by two formidable actors, who have both spent at least a couple of years at the Stratford Festival.