BOOKS & LIT | Governor General's Literary Awards Finalists
Every year, the best English and French-language works in various categories (including Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children's Literature, and Translation) are recognized by the Governor General's Literary Awards. This event, now in its eighth year, is a special celebration devoted to those who have been given a highly coveted spot on the shortlist for the Governor General's Award for English Fiction. Tamas Dobozy, Robert Hough, Vincent Lam, Carrie Snyder, Linda Spalding will all be in attendance, and Phil Hall, last year's winner for Poetry will read some of his work. Shelagh Rogers of the CBC will host this event.
Fleck Dance Theatre (207 Queens Quay West) 8PM $25

MUSIC | TWERPS (Melbourne AU) + ALEX BLEEKER of REAL ESTATE and... @ Silver Dollar
An interesting and eclectic bill tonight at The Silver Dollar Room! Headlining the affair is Twerps, a band from Australia who playfully describe their sound as "janky pop" and have been compared to the Brain Jonestown Massacre. Equally headline worthy is a special TO appearance by the beloved side project of Real Estate's Alex Bleeker, Alex Bleeker and The Freaks, and the glowsticks will likely be whipped out for their set. Locals Professor, and "alt-country pop" band Dress Rehearsal will be rounding out this bill nicely and providing some local support.
The Silver Dollar Room (486 Spadina Avenue) 8PM $7

COMEDY | Toronto Improv Festival
The Toronto Improv Festival launches tonight, celebrating the live performance of improvised comedy with a specific focus on local talent, plus some US talent thrown into the mix. Clinton's is the place to be for the kickoff performances tonight, featuring an all TO lineup: Smash Hit Musical, Jimi and Pete, St. Pierre Plumbing, and 2-Man No-Show will push the envelope of everyone's idea of comedy more than a little bit. The Toronto Improv Festival runs at different venues in town until the 27th.
Clinton's Tavern (693 Bloor Street West) 7:30PM $10

FILM | Red Riot at Rebels With A Cause Film Festival
The 2nd Annual Rebels With A Cause Film Festival begins today at York University. This is a film festival that is not looking to merely entertain its audience but to engage it, by curating content that is socially and politically charged, and 'critical'. Red Riot is a presentation of several shorts, each imparting a spirit of survival and defiance in the face of oppression and hurt. Creators Angela Sterritt, Lisa Jackson, Cara Mumford, James Diamond, Chase Joynt, and others will be contributing to this screening event, that will be accompanied by a panel discussion. The festival runs until October 25th.
York University (4700 Keele Street) 6PM FREE

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR

• Blitzen Trapper @ Lee's
• Fashion Forward Soft Launch Party - Fashion Week Toronto

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 Ben Roffelsen in the blogTO Flickr pool