SATURDAY, MARCH 12TH

MUSIC | Wake For The White Stripes
The writing was on the proverbial wall for a while, but now that it's official, there must be closure! To this end, a group of local rockers will gather tonight to share their favorite songs by this great duo. Performers will include Foxes In Fiction, Ruby Coast, and more. A screening of "Under The Great White Northern Lights", a documentary about The White Stripes' 2007 cross-Canada tour, will follow.
Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Road) 9PM $10 / CMW wristband

MUSIC | CMW: Zoombombs + CATL + The Mercy Now + Hands & Teeth
Canadian Music Week continues! One of the great things about this fest is when international acts drop in, mid-tour, and are supported by compatible local groups. Japan's edgy rock combo The Zoobombs are no stranger to TO, and they are currently on their "Forward, MARCH! on America" tour. They will be headlining a cool gig tonight, supported by locals Hands & Teeth, The Mercy Now, CATL and more.
The Comfort Zone/Silver Dollar (480 Spadina Avenue) 8PM $10 CMW wristband

MUSIC | Pop Montreal at CMW
An interesting aspect of CMW is its mandate to bring the entire music industry to town for a week with big names giving lectures and workshops, and emerging talent being exposed. Many Canadian festivals, such as the Halifax Pop Explosion, also use this opportunity to make their presence known to music lovers and makers alike. In some cases, such as tonight's showcase at The Silver Dollar, a festival will 'curate' an evening of music. Pop Montreal, an established annual Fall music fest, presents some talent from their neck of the woods: USA Out Of Vietnam, the headliner, is a new project for alt-rock vet Jonathan Cummings (of Bionic and Doughboys fame). Also on the bill, are The Peelies, Uncle Bad Touch, Shortpants Romance, and Neon Windbreaker. C'est uber-chouette!
The Silver Dollar (480 Spadina Avenue) 10:30PM $10 / CMW wristband

PARTY | Toronto's Biggest Purim Party
Purim is one of the big parties on the Jewish calendar, and costumes, drink, noise-making, and whooping it up is the tradition! Asaf Avidan, an Israeli folk-rock singer who has taken part in some big-time events, such as last year's tribute to The Who at Carnegie Hall in NYC, as well as opening for international acts such as Morrisey back on his home turf, hosts a Purim bash with his band, The Mojos this evening. The party is '60s themed, so be sure to turn on and tune in!
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (Queen Street West) $35 ($25 students)

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR

• Kollaboration
• Evening Standard Presents: CMW Night 3 with JAMIE JONES
• Kill Krinkle Club at the Painted Lady
• desiFEST concert series in Association with Canadian Music Fest

SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH

LITERATURE | TINARS presents: Fiona Smyth's "The Never Weres" Launch
Fiona Smyth's distinctive work was to Toronto's indie rock culture in the '90s what Wes Wilson's was to the San Francisco scene in the late '60s - scene defining. From the great mural inside The Dance Cave to the exterior of Sneaky D's, album covers, and countless illustrations and comics for Exclaim (and much more), Smyth's work was ubiquitous in TO. Since then, she has been teaching at OCAD, participating in international exhibitions, and perfecting "The Never Weres", her latest work, and her first graphic novel aimed at younger readers. She will be discussing the book and her career with R.M. Vaughan at the book launch this afternoon.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (Queen Street West) 2PM $5 (free with book purchase)

MUSIC | Ron Hawkins In Support Of The David Suzuki Foundation
The Drake Hotel Underground celebrates David Suzuki's BDay... again? Who are we to question, especially when Ron Hawkins is playing? His group, Lowest Of The Low, was the true voice of alt-rock in Toronto in the '90s (reformed again in 2000), always displaying brilliant songwriting chops, and this level of craft continued with his band The Rusty Nails, and onto his latest solo effort, "10 Kinds Of Lonely". A percentage of all proceeds from the show will go to the David Suzuki Foundation.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 9PM $15 ($45 show+ dinner)

MUSIC | Tiny Alligator Presents "Safe and Healthy Homes for Children"
Bandleader and composer Caitlin Smith premieres her latest work, "Safe And Healthy Homes For Children", composed for jazz orchestra and three voices. This song-cycle follows three characters in a coming of age story, where 'great expectations' surrender to the reality that it's a cold world out there. In addition to a 20-piece orchestra featuring William Carn (trombone), Lina Allemano (trumpet), and Jon Maharaj (bass), the featured vocalists will be Kristin Mueller-Heaslip, Alex Samaras, and Jennifer Ryan.
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley Street) 8PM $20 /$15 students

MUSIC | Kalmah, Warcall, Bolero @ The Mod Club
Are your Metal levels low? The Mod Club hosts a healthy dose to restore you completely. Finish melodic death metal outfit, Kalmah headlines, and these guys have honed their craft with thirteen years of touring under their belts. Local black / death metal outfit Bolero supports, and Warcall is also on the bill. Get ready to rawk!
Mod Club (722 College Street) 7PM $20

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR

• TKS Sex+ Film Festival: SIRENS
• Tightrope Books launches Jim Nason and Ruth Roach Pierson
• Sunday Night Live, feat. The Sketchersons!

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Photo by ChristianBacquel in the blogTO Flickr pool.