SATURDAY, AUGUST 6th

FESTIVAL | Jerkfest
If you're having Caribana withdrawal already, today marks the beginning of Jerkfest 2011, where Caribbean jerk cuisine is served spicy and hot to hungry crowds. Celebrating its 10th year in Toronto, Jerkfest focuses on meats marinated and rubbed in traditional Jamaican spices while eventgoers enjoy the music of reggae, soca and jazz acts. Trips to Jamaica and Barbados will also be given away at the festival as the city of Toronto revives the Caribana spirit during this two-day only event.
Centennial Park (256 Centennial Park Road) 11AM Free

LITERATURE | The Dears: Lost in the Plot Book Launch
Author Lorraine Carpenter hosts the Toronto launch party for her latest book about Montreal band The Dears tonight at Wilson 96. Lost in the Plot tells the story of the indie rockers career from their formation in 1995 to present time, following their resolve to remain indie despite struggles within the band and the music industry. Carpenter will read from the book, which is a part of Invisible Publishing's new Bibliophonic series, before getting the party started by DJing a set inspired by the band.
Wilson 96 (615 College Street) 7PM Free

MUSIC | Bonjay & Lioness
With Summerworks in full effect, the festival music series has risen to give upcoming local independent musicians a platform to showcase their art. Tonight, the Lower Ossington Theatre hosts dancehall/R&B act Bonjay along with co-headliners Lioness. Bonjay, known as Alanna Stuart and Pho in real life, are a bass and soul group that focuses on high-energy beats and smooth R&B vocals with an indie flare. This duo will be representing young Toronto musicians along with drum and bass electronic rockers Lioness, a three-part local band that has already opened for the likes of K-OS and You Say Party! We Say Die! Support the indie festival and local artists by coming out for an evening of music at the Lower Ossington.
The Lower Ossington Theatre (100A Ossington Avenue) 10PM $10

THEATRE | Exit the King
An evening at this theatre just became a little absurd. Exit the King tells the story of King Berenger I, a failing ruler whose kingdom is collapsing rapidly when he is told he has until the end of the performance before he will die. Written by the late Romanian-French playwright Eugène Ionesco, this Albert Schultz directed show opens today and stars Soulpepper veterans Derek Boyes and Trish LindstrÜm as well as Murdoch Mysteries' Oliver Dennis. A self-referential and provocative piece of truly absurd theatre, the show runs until September 9th.
Young Centre for the Performing Arts (55 Mill Street, Building 49) 7:30PM $31.65 student, $50.86 adult

ART | Breakfast: A Morning Ritual
As part of NAISA's Sound Travels: Festival of Sound Art, performance artists Matt Miller, Rob Piilonen and Sam Morgenstein will recreate the sounds of breakfast. Giving great importance to the most important meal of the day, the three artists will use a laptop, kitchen appliances, utensils and a flute to bring to life the average Canadian's morning ritual. Sounds of coffee makers and egg timers, toasters and microwave ovens will be heard during this performance that will invoke nostalgia and comfort through the sense of sound.
Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street) 10AM Free

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR

• St. Lawrence Market Corn Roast
• The Roncy St. Gallery Opening

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7th

ART | Sunday Scene with Leah Turner
Toronto writer and international curator Leah Turner hosts the Sunday Scene at the Power Plant, where she will be lecturing her thoughts on the recent Rearview Mirror exhibit. The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery has co-presented this exhibit about post-socialist Central and Eastern Europe with the Art Gallery of Alberta. The young emerging artists participating in the show are challenging conceptions of the Eastern Bloc through personal reflections on history, politics and social milieu and Turner will give her take on the consequences and effects of their works this afternoon. Be on the Sunday Scene!
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queens Quay West) 2PM Free

FILM | Bravo!FACT: How To Be Funding Ready featuring Judy Gladstone
The National Film Board will host a workshop this afternoon with Judy Gladstone, the Executive Director of Bravo!FACT, a Canadian organization that grants money to fund new filmmaker's works. This workshop will cover funding and marketing, teaching screenwriters how to get short films into international film festivals. Attendees of this event will be entered into a free raffle to win a copy of Final Draft and passes to the 2011 Screenwriting Expo. A meeting for screenwriting minds, this event will provide insider knowledge and an opportunity to meet others in the same field.
National Film Board (150 John Street) 1PM $10

MUSIC | The Trews and The Sheepdogs at Beerfest
Nova Scotia rockers The Trews will be headlining this afternoon's festivities at Beerfest, where they will play popular singles like Not Ready to Go and Hope & Ruin for the drinking crowds. Joining the Trews are openers The Sheepdogs, a band from Saskatchewan that was set to tour with Kings of Leon before the cancellation of their summer tour. Keep in mind that the cost of a Beerfest ticket includes 5 beer tokens, which will make tonight's performances even better.
Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place (200 Princes' Boulevard) 1PM $38.50

ZOO | International Friendship Day at the Toronto Zoo
In honour of International Friendship Day, the Toronto Zoo invites all to come visit their BFFs--the black-footed ferrets. A endangered species that the Toronto Zoo is currently holding in captive breeding to later release to their natural environment, the zoo invites all to come join a special talk with their keeper at 1PM today to learn more about these rare animals. The keeper will discuss their habits, habitat and impact on the North American ecosystem and why it is important to save these animals from extinction.
Toronto Zoo (361A Old Finch Avenue) 1PM $23 general, $17 seniors, $13 children

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR

• John Alcorn Sings
• O'Brother
• 99 MRKT at 99 Sudbury

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 Martinho in the blogTO Flickr pool