BOOKS & LIT | FUNNY STRANGE: Satire after Mordecai Richler
New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin and comedian/author Seán Cullen host a live discussion about Canada's most provocative novelist tonight at the ROM. Funny Strange will cover the life and times of Trillin's friend and fellow writer Mordecai Richler and his association with satire and comedy. Moderated by Richler's biographer Charles Foran, the evening will be a meeting of funny minds and compelling idea.
Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park) 7PM $40

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

PHOTOGRAPHY | Photography in Public
The CONTACT Photography Festival is an excellent arena in which to explore the public's reaction and engagement with the printed image, and the social and political roles photography plays in the daily lives of the viewer. In conjunction with the festival and the Toronto Photography Seminar, U of T opens its art centre to said public to listen in as experts engage in discussion regarding these impacts. Joining panelists Sarah Parsons, Sharon Sliwinski and Andres Zervigón, moderator Matthew Brower will lead the discussions on art, activism and propaganda, which will hopefully shed light on the complex relationship between photography and its audience.
University of Toronto Art Centre (15 King's College Circle) 7PM Free

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

Weekend events in Toronto is our guide to events happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Watch for it here on Fridays around midday. Here's what's happening in Toronto this weekend, May 11-13, 2012.

FILM | 2012 Bootleg Film Festival
Yet another film festival is coming to Toronto. A traveling film festival now in its 4th year, the 2012 Bootleg Film Festival focuses on showcasing international indie films and this is its first year going abroad. With beginnings in the UK, things are done a bit differently at the Bootleg--films are screened in blocks of 6-8 with evening events like karaoke and stand-up comedy happening at the end of each day. The films are gritty, underground and non-conformist; only true cinephiles need apply. The festival runs from today until Saturday.
Tranzac Club (292 Brunswick Avenue) 4PM PWYC