ART | Darkest Before the Dawn
One of the more pervasive topics in art shows this week is the winter solstice, which the Darkest Before the Dawn exhibit explores in its opening night at 163 Sterling tonight. Addressing the emotional strain that shortened days can cause, Darkest Before the Dawn features performance artists, dancers and noise and drone musicians collaborating to create dark and sometimes violent interpretations of this time of year. The show takes place one night only and donations to the artists will be accepted.
UNIT 2 (163 Sterling Road) 9PM Free

THEATRE | Jay Davis and Friends: A One Man Show
The Green Door Cabaret series, a 5-day-a-week cabaret show at the Lower Ossington Theatre, features a range of Canadian musicians each week, with tonight's performance being lead by Toronto vocalist Jay Davis. Performing a one man show, Davis will sing the music of artists like Michael Buble, Josh Groban, and The Police, including some holiday music to get everyone in the spirit. Special rates are available and all are welcome. Just look for the green door!
Lower Ossington Theatre (100A Ossington Avenue) 7:30PM $25

MUSIC | The Untold City + Dan Burke Holiday with Grounders
Famed local concert promoter and booker Dan Burke hosts his annual holiday party tonight alongside The Untold City with plenty of bands and special guests performing. Alt rock five-piece Grounders, the band that has been everywhere lately, headlines with upcoming acts Danger Band, Gay and Koko Blue also filling the marquee for the night. Tickets to the best hidden Christmas party of the year will be sold at the door.
The Silver Dollar Room (486 Spadina Avenue) 8PM $7

THEATRE | Christmas Again?! An All-New Holiday Musical Revue
A retail worker falls in love with the mall Santa Claus, who can be found unwinding at the local pub, while the Christmas trees spar with one another (tinsel vs. fir!) in the local lot, and a stressed mother worries about gift buying. With original music from Jill Leger, Christmas Again?! is a musical comedy performance that's the National Lampoon's version of the holidays, cut for the stage. A comical reminder of the ugly side of holiday cheer, the play opens at Red Sandcastle Theatre tonight, running through to the 22nd.
Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen Street East) 8PM $12

MUSIC | Last Gang Records' Annual Holiday Charity Event
Last Gang Records, a Toronto- and Montreal-based record label that currently boasts names like Emily Haines, Chromeo and Death From Above 1979, throws its annual holiday charity event to celebrate the year that has passed and the big year approaching, which will mark their 10th anniversary. An evening of up-and-coming musicians has been secured with Modern Superstitions opening the show, followed by Tre Mission, Egyptrixx and DJ Amy Traphouse. Tickets are only available at the door with all proceeds going toward Dixon Hall, which supports at-risk youth, homeless and women's shelters and isolated seniors.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 9PM $10

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• WS/EX: We Were Heads, Helsynki, The Kerouacs and Good People
• Taylor Knox Fire 7" Release
• WORKSHOP: Holiday Cookies with Paula Costa

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 Proletar1at in the blogTO Flickr pool