SATURDAY, JULY 23RD

MUSIC | Pretty Lights at The Phoenix
This has really been Pretty Lights' Summer. The guy was huge last year, to be sure, but this has been the year where PL has rocked every fest out there - from Bonnaroo to Electric Forest, Camp Bisco...even Glastonbury in the UK. The Summer isn't over either: Lollapalooza and other big dates still await. Pretty Lights has a unique sound that sets him apart from other laptop rockers like Skrillex and Bassnectar - he has plenty of edge that the others wear on their sleeve, but his roots in hip hop, and his deep respect for soul and retro vibes make for truly danceable music, that is also a trip to listen to. His productions are boldly electronic, but also sample laden, and these borrowed sounds don't simply act as a gimmick or materials for a collage - they become orchestrated elements that truly serve the music. Nero also headlines. This will be a sweaty, packed, and awesome show!

CULTURE | "Have Not Been The Same" Book Launch
The launch of the 10th anniversary edition of the classic book on Canadian rock, "Have Not Been The Same" goes down this aft at Soundscapes. This work covers a great decade in Canadian music: 1985 - 1995. Bands such as A Neon Rome, 13 Engines, Eric's Trip, The Tragically Hip, Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet, and many many more broke serious ground and set the stage for what is currently happening on the independent music scene. This new edition of the book contains extra interviews, and some editorial changes and expansions that the benefit of ten years of hindsight would deliver. A panel of musicians from the period in question will be in attendance, including Don Pyle and Julie Doiron.
Soundscapes (572 College Street) 4PM FREE

ART | "REMNANTS", NEW PROJECTION WORK BY ROBBY RACKLEFF
Rackleff, originally from Florida, has resided in Baltimore, MD for a number of years, and is part of the Wham City Art Collective: a well known underground scene that used to inhabit Baltimore's CopyCat building. An new exhibition of his projection work, entitled "Remnants" happens tonight at the Butcher Gallery.
Butcher Gallery (4 Northern Place) 7PM

FILM | Open Screening Under the Stars
Brought to you by Pleasuredome, a collective devoted to experimental film and video art exhibitions, this film and video screening event is the visual equivalent to a pot-luck dinner! The Open Screening Under the Stars gives attendees the chance to 'collectively curate' the program: anyone who wishes to have something shown on the big screen can do so, for a maximum of ten minutes. You will have a hard time going back to film nights where you know what's being shown before you arrive on site - too predictable!
Courtyard (401 Richmond Street West) 9PM PWYC

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR

• Parkdale Then & Now Festival
• TWM: The Native Smokes, Whoop-Szo, Young Grass, Philip James
• Osunlade at Sunnyside Pavilion
• Tirgan Iranian Festival

SUNDAY, JULY 24TH

MUSIC | Heavy T.O.
Get in touch with your Heavier side! All the Satan-and not so Satan-inspired, turn it to 11 kind of thrashy metal goodness you could ever hope for will be celebrated (hopefully not with the sacrificing of livestock) this weekend at a two-day fest at Downsview Park. Today's highlights include Anvil, Mastodon, Testament, Slayer, the lovely Melissa Auf der Maur, Billy Talent, and Rob Zombie. Check the link above for full deets and schedule. Rawk on!
Downsview Park (35 Carl Hall) 1PM $72.50/day or $135/weekend pass

CULTURE | 8th Annual BrazilFest Toronto 2011
A cultural "feast for the senses" today at the 8th Annual Brazilfest! There will be food, dancing, a kids area, martial arts, and musical acts running all day. A focus on the Caipirinha - a famous Brazilian cocktail, is promised. The weather is sure to provide a good excuse to try one... or two. This is a great outdoor event that will add some spice to your weekend! It runs until 10pm, so it will be easy to fit into whatever you have planned for today.
Earlscourt Park (St. Clair Avenue West & Caledonia Road) 12PM FREE

MUSIC | Beaches Jazz Fest
The Beaches Jazz Fest continues this weekend, bringing you great music at a free outdoor festival with several simultaneous performance areas. Both Saturday and Sunday there will be a Main Stage, Big Band Stage, a Latin Square, and the real action takes place on the street - the aptly named "Street Fest". A stretch of Queen East will be littered with makeshift stages offering the best of up and coming and cutting edge performances from 7PM to 9PM both evenings. Young and edgy ensembles like King Sunshine, Ninja Funk Orchestra, and KC Roberts will have you "dancin' in the streets".
Kew Gardens (Queen Street East and Lee Avenue) 12PM FREE

COMEDY | Cabbagetown Comedy Showcase
They say "laughter is the best medicine", and that applies to heatstroke. Tonight's Cabbagetown Comedy Showcase could be just what the doctor ordered, and features the talents of Ian Lynch, Johnny Hastings, Julia Hladkowicz, Richard Ryder, and more. A night of comedy is always a good way to end your weekend - it cushions the blow of having to return to the grind on Monday morning!
The Flying Beaver Pubaret™ (488 Parliament Street) 7PM $10

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR

• Bohemian Yacht Club presents ART DEPARTMENT & Friends
• Uber-SWAP: An Outdoor Clothing & Crafty Supply Exchange
• Laugh Sabbath Presents: Neal Brennan

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Photo by Jessicaology in the blogTO Flickr pool