CULTURE | Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto: Festival Official Launch
The festival formerly known as Caribana kicks off today with an official launch party at Nathan Phillips Square. The 44th annual Caribbean Carnival, the largest of its kind in North America that draws international attention to our city each year, will provide a free party to give Torontonians a taste of what is happening for the next 3 weeks across the city. Musical and dance performances will be showcased with words from Provincial Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan beforehand. Though the main event happens with the parade on Saturday, July 30th there will be plenty of festivities happening until then to celebrate Caribbean culture with the re-branded festival's continuing focus on music, dance and cuisine (even if the name change is a bit lame).
Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen Street West) 12PM Free

FILM | Annie Hall
Woody Allen's 1977 film about dating in New York City is on tonight at the Harbourfront Centre as part of their free summer film line-up. Starring Allen himself with Diane Keaton as his love interest and the title character, Annie Hall takes a look at the rise and fall of relationships in Allen's signature self-reflexive style. As always, the show will take place on the WestJet Stage in this series of date movies that focuses just as much on the major cities they take place in as they do the story. And if last week's screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is any indication, you can bet there will be themed costumes at this screening tonight. Lobster, anyone?
Harbourfront Centre, WestJet Stage (235 Queens Quay West) 9PM Free

THEATRE | The Kreutzer Sonata
Leo Tolstoy's controversial novella about love, passion, music and murder that was inspired by Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata comes to life in the Distillery District this evening. Premiering tonight, this piece, which was adapted and directed by Ted Dykstra, will also feature the creative force in the leading--and sole--role as Pozdnyshev, a man who murders his adulterous wife after discovering her affair with a violinist. First published in 1889, the story has been adapted for Toronto's stages and opens tonight, with a run until August 11th.
Michael Young Theatre Stage (55 Mill Street, Building 49) 8PM $25-$35

ART | SURFACES: Explorations With a Threaded Needle
Artist Robin Laws Field's new exhibit that explores combinations of fibres, paints, photo transfers and various other materials held together by a needle and thread opens today at the Hang Man Gallery. A member of Kingston Fibre Artists and Studio Art Quilts Associates for the past 8 years, Field's ties to fibres and needlepoint come alive in his exhibit, which features 22 pieces that seek to awaken the spiritual senses. On until the end of the month, SURFACES will have an opening reception Thursday with the artist in attendance.
Hang Man Gallery (756 Queen Street East) 12PM Free

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR

• Free Verses: Free Voices
• Christina Foster, Lisa Marie Kruchak, Tiny Little Hearts and Deb Primeau

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Photo by yedman in the blogTO Flickr pool