Radar: August 28, 2009

Photo: "Untitled" by jp.sebastian, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for FRIDAY AUGUST 28, 2009... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar.

PARTIES | Dial "F" For Fake Prom
This is the event that many Torontonians look forward to all summer. It's a chance to get dressed up in cheesy vintage suits and recreate all those good/bad/hazy high school dance memories. This year's event has a murder mystery theme, and although we're not quite sure how that's going to play out, all the partygoers who signed up for the matchmaking service have already been matched up with a fake date! Advance tickets are almost gone but there are 300 set aside at the door if you show up early.
Palais Royale, 1601 Lakeshore Blvd. W., $15 advance, 9 pm

MUSIC | Still Life Still CD Release - "Girls Come Too" Gang Bang
Young trio Still Life Still have been tipped to blow up since Arts and Crafts co-founder and indie godfather Kevin Drew decided to sign them and personally produce their record. Tonight they release Girls Come Too, their debut full-length, with support from fellow newbies Dinosaur Bones and the Paint Movement.
Horseshoe Tavern, 368 Queen St. W., $10, 9 pm

BOOKS AND LIT | 1234V Launch Party
1234V is a vajournal, a literary journal about vaginas. Why would two women from Winnipeg start a journal about vaginas, you ask? Because vaginas "are weird and hilarious creatures" that "do things that can't always be explained." This isn't your Women's Studies, Vagina Monologues, let's explore our feminine selves kind of journal. It's crass, at times disgusting, but usually funny. This is the third issue of the journal and its official launch here in Toronto. In case you're wondering this volume's theme: maintenance.
Tightrope Books, 602 Markham St., $5, 9 pm, BYOB

COMMUNITY | Salaam/Peace Iftar
We're in the midst of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar and as daylight fades Muslims across the city will be breaking their fast with the Iftar dinner. Since 2003 the Salaam: Queer Muslim Community organization has hosted a dinner open to people of all gender identities, sexual identities, racial identities, and religions. This year's event is especially unique as Pamela K. Taylor, the founder of Muslims for Progressive Values and the first Muslim woman to lead mixed gender prayers at a mosque will be leading the Maghrib prayer.
Steelworker's Hall, 25 Cecil St., Suggested $10-20 donation, 8:04 pm

CONVENTION| Fan Expo 2009
Stormtroopers, zombies, Vulcans and even Dragonballers (hope that's not as dirty as it sounds) are descending on Toronto this weekend for the 15th Fan Expo Canada. This year's Expo has a long list of stars from sci-fi including Spock himself Leonard Nimoy, Billy Dee Williams (a.k.a Lando Calrissian), Linda Hamilton, Tony Curtis, and for some reason the guy who played the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. Grab your wookie costume and come on down. Runs til Sunday.
Metro Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., $25 and up, 4pm - 9pm

ART | Sunnyside Beach Art Show
One of the summer's biggest art shows is happening this weekend along the Lakeshore. The picturesque Sunnyside Pavilion will be filled with the work of new and emerging painters, sculptors, photographers and clothing designers. This is a juried show and there is guaranteed to be some high quality work available for purchase, but if you're just looking to enjoy the art the $50 ticket price also gets you hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and dancing under the stars. Runs til Sunday.
Sunnyside Pavillion, 1755 Lakeshore Blvd. W., $50, 6 pm - 9 pm

FILM | The Elegance of Evil - An Evening with Horror Film Icon Barbara Steele
In 1960 British actress Barbara Steele starred in Black Sunday, an Italian horror film that redefined the genre with its graphic depictions of sadism and sexuality. Steele went on to feature in a string of successful horror movies throughout the 60s, cementing her status as that decade's beautiful gothic goddess. Tonight as part of the Rue Morgue Festival of Fear the 71-year old Steele, who has been quoted as saying she never wants "to climb out of another fucking coffin again" comes to the Bloor Cinema to discuss her career. Black Sunday and a trailer reel from Canadian horror revival company Vagrancy Films will also be screened.
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., $15, 9:30 pm

For full listings, head on over to our events calendar.

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