Victoria Day events in Toronto, 2013

FOOD & DRINK | Brewer's Backyard: Queen Victoria's Secret
This afternoon, the Brewer's Backyard returns to Evergreen Brick Works to begin a new season of beer drinking at its finest, in the lovely Koerner Gardens and and Holcim Gallery. "Queen Victoria's Secret" is the Brewer's Backyard's 2013 kickoff event, and was a royal success last year! The idea here is one where the element of surprise is at work: the details of the food and beverage selection for today will not be revealed until the event begins, but the brewers can be revealed: Great Lakes, Oast House, Granite, and Left Field, with edibles coming from FeasTO. Brewer's Backyard regulars know that only selections fit for "royalty" will make the cut, so let yourself enjoy the suspense, and the afternoon!
Evergreen Brick Works, Koerner Gardens (550 Bayview Avenue) 12-4PM

Victoria Day weekend events rounds up what's going on in Toronto this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

COMMUNITY

We Should Know Each Other
After a successful launch last month, We Should Know Each Other returns to connect Torontonians in ideas and conversation. Host Liz Hollick invites you to expand your social circle and bring along someone the group doesn't know or someone you'd like to know better. WSKEO takes place at #Hashtag Gallery on Sunday evening and all are welcome to join in for free.
#Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas Street West), May 19, 2013, 7PM Free

Toronto events on Thursday, May 16, 2013

MUSIC | Boy
The Swiss-German pop duo Boy embarked on their first North American tour this past March and are wrapping up this week. The second last stop on the tour is The Great Hall, where Valeska Steiner and Sonja Glass will perform music from their 2011 debut album Mutual Friends. Performing their song "Little Numbers" and the new single "This is the Beginning", the German indie folk artists will be a popular destination for the Queen West crowd tonight. Tickets are still available through Collective Concerts' Facebook page.
The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West) 9PM $17.50

Toronto events on May 15th, 2013

MUSIC | Flying Lotus with Thundercat at the Sound Academy
Flying Lotus is considered by many to be one of the great musical minds of recent times. Boasting Alice Coltrane as his aunt, FlyLo certainly lives up to this distinguished musical lineage in creating a new voice and direction for electronic music, evolving in an almost 'psychedelic' direction for instrumental hip hop, or "beat" music, as he calls it. Be warned, though: Flying Lotus live is a very different, much more upbeat and party-style experience than the deep cerebral tracks that are found on his albums. Tonight at what should be a rager at the Sound Academy, frequent collaborator and bass wizard, Thundercat, whose new single, Oh Sheit's It's X is making waves, will be in the house as well. This one will be heavy!
Sound Academy (11 Polson Street) 8PM $24

Toronto events Tuesday, May 14, 2013

FILM | Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
Multi-disciplinary artist, activist and filmmaker Ai Weiwei is known for his defiance of the Chinese government. In this award-winning documentary that opened the 2012 Hot Docs Film Festival, director Alison Klayman follows Ai Weiwei as he prepares for art exhibitions while continually clashing with the government of his home country over his public statements and critical pieces. Screening at the Toronto Reference Library this afternoon, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is a compelling film that looks at human rights and a government that wants to silence free speech. This screening is free and open to the public.
Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street) 2PM Free

Toronto events on May 13th, 2013

MUSIC | Youth Lagoon, Majical Cloudz at The Great Hall
Youth Lagoon hits The Great Hall tonight. Singer/songwriter Trevor Powers performs under the moniker Youth Lagoon, and has been gaining popularity with critics and fans alike since his 2011 debut album The Year of Hibernation. His sound is energetic and poppy, yet atmospheric and sonically rich with sounds that are different and somewhat enigmatic. Youth Lagoon just released a new album entitled, Wondrous Bughouse, produced by Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter), so new material is likely to be featured tonight. Majical Cloudz is also on tonight's bill. Should be good!
The Great Hall Toronto (1087 Queen Street West) 8PM $16.50