Toronto events on May 8th, 2013

FILM | Ryerson University Film Festival
Filmophiles needn't weep too much in the aftermath of Hot Docs. The Ryerson University Film Festival, aka RUFF, begins tonight, and takes place over two evenings at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. This event gives the student filmmakers at Ryerson a chance to have their work screened in a real theatre environment, and to do some networking with industry folks who attend. This also gives local film buffs a chance to investigate the next generation of Toronto film creators. Twenty films will be shown over the course of tonight and tomorrow evening, and will definitely make for some interesting viewing.
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) 7 PM $12 ($20 both nights)

MUSIC | Music City North Festival
Yes, there's a (relatively) new TO music fest in town - Music City North. This festival started in September of last year, and is doing things a little bit differently. There will be three mini fests this year in May, August, and November, respectively. This makes good sense for a fledgling operation that wants to build slowly but surely. Music City North launches tonight with a "media launch party" that is open to the public, featuring The Flow, Super Geek League, and Crued. The festival runs until Sunday, May 12th.
Cherry Cola's Rock n Rolla Cabaret & Lounge (200 Bathurst Street) 9 PM $5

BOOKS & LIT | The Fine Print Presents Stranglehold by Robert Rotenberg
Toronto criminal lawyer and bestselling author, Robert Rotenberg, launches his latest novel, Stranglehold, tonight at Dora Keogh. Rotenberg's career has been an interesting one, having enjoyed, in addition to practicing law, a stint as a producer at the CBC, and different editorial positions. This is Rotenberg's fourth novel, and like his others, the action takes place here in TO. Stranglehold involves a Toronto mayoral race, a homicide, and protagonist Detective Ari Greene being wrongly charged for murder.
Dora Keogh (141 Danforth Avenue) 6:30PM

FUNDRAISER | Ride To Conquer Cancer Fundraiser w/ DIRK QUINN BAND & BLIND MULE
Steam Whistle continues their efforts to make this year's Ride To Conquer Cancer the best yet, and has sponsored a special night of music at the Brazen Head Irish Pub tonight. Onstage you will find two great bands that will definitely appeal to fans of funk, blues, roots, rock, and "jam" oriented musical fare: The Derek Quinn band, hailing from Philadelphia, will lay down some seriously funky sounds, and Blind Mule, a favourite from Hamilton, will also make your ears happy. Ryan Bondy and Rhonda Stakich are also on the bill. All proceeds go towards sponsoring a Ride to Conquer Cancer, which will benefit the Cancer Research Center at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Brazen Head Irish Pub (165 East Liberty Street) 7PM

Also Of Note

• 40 BOOKS IN 40 MINUTES
• FBN Theatre Presents Much Ado About Nothing

For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:

• This week in music
• This week in fashion
• This week in film
• Toronto food events
• This week in theatre
• This week in comedy
• Toronto Concerts, May 2013

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

Photo by John Barduhn and courtesy of the Bloor Cinema Facebook page.