CULTURE | BLENDER!
An evening of true variety and culture at The Garrison tonight, exploring the mediums of sound, video, performance, and "deejaying." The evening begins with video screenings of various short films by Wesley Rickert and Kathleen Reichelt (with others), followed by a performance by the Rickert and Reichelt's band, 253469. Alpha Couple will deliver a very experimental audio performance, after which we will be treated to a "hyper quad triple X Neoist robotoganza performance" by Istvan Kantor and Red Armband. There will be sets by Adolf Glitter, Ulysees Castellanos, plus video from Jubal Brown, and a special "Blender Surprise:" a spontaneous gathering of various performers to cap things off. DJ Abominable Hominid will fill in the gaps throughout what promises to be an interesting evening.
The Garrison (1197 Dundas West) 8PM $5

MUSIC | Chairlift + Nite Jewel
Brooklyn-based synthpop duo, Chairlift graces the stage at The Horseshoe this evening. This group, made up of Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly, formed in 2005 and have been making serious waves in the music world while maintaining a somehow modest profile, despite some huge exposure via an iPod commercial featuring their single "Bruises." Wimberly has also done some outside production work, most notably on Das Racist's "Relax." Chairlift's second full-length album, "Something," was released at the end of January, and it is this very release that they are touring on currently. California-based solo artist Nite Jewel will open the show tonight.
The Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West) 9PM $15

BOOKS & LIT | Coach House Spring 2012 Toronto Launch
The Dance Cave will hold a different kind of event tonight: the Coach House Spring 2012 Launch. This small press has been on the cutting edge of both grass roots and established independent literature since 1965, and is a veritable fixture on the Canadian literary landscape. Tonight Coach House Press' Spring titles will be on display, with some readings to give you an even better taste. Tamara Faith Berger's "Maidenhead," Heather Birrell's "Mad Hope", Walid Bitar's "Divide and Rule," Karen Hines' "Drama: Pilot Episode," and Susan Steudel's "New Theatre" are all Spring releases that Coach House wants you to get to know better. There may event be some dancing, so come out and support local literary talent!
Dance Cave (529 Bloor Street West) 8PM FREE

FILM | Nordic Nights: Reykjavik-Rotterdam
NFB Mediatheque presents a screening of "Reykjavik-Rotterdam" that will be the final film in their Nordic Nights series of the 2011-2012 season. This 2008 thriller, directed by Óskar Jónasson, tells the story of a security guard who is tempted to return to a former job on a freight ship, and soon discovers there may be some dangers in doing so. "Reykjavik-Rotterdam" was very well received upon its release, and won five Edda Awards - an Icelandic combination of the Oscars and the Emmys.
NFB Mediatheque (150 John Street) 6PM

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR

• Canadian Film Fest
• HEAR/HEAR 16
• Poetry NOW: 4th Annual Battle of the Bards

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 Daily Grind in the blogTO Flickr pool