Toronto events on June 17th, 2013

LECTURE | Luminato Presents: Evening Illuminations - Verdi vs. Wagner: A Love Story?
A favorite TO festival, Luminato, is now in full swing! Tonight, as part of the festival's Evening Illuminations series, a special group discussion comparing and contrasting two composers: Verdi and Wagner. Italian-born, Romantic composer, Giuseppe Verdi was known for his operas, much like German composer Richard Wagner, but the latter's work was more complex, and his Gesamtkunstwerk concept is thinking on the level of 'multimedia'. But this is just scratching the surface, and the awesome panel of Alexander Neef, Canadian Opera Company director; singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright; Gerard Mortier, and others will delve far deeper tonight.
TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St West) 6PM $20

BOOKS & LIT | 2013 Trillium Book Award - Author Readings and Reception
The Trillium Book award, founded in 1987, is an annual award given by the Ontario Media Development Corporation, to honour a literary work that explores or examines Ontario and the people who live here. This is one of the ways that the Provincial Government benefits and supports both the local literary scene and the publishers, as well. Tonight, this year's finalists will be celebrated at a special reading by many of the shortlisted authors. Finalists include: Alice Munro, Emily Schultz, Tamara Faith Berger, Steven Heighton, Thomas King, Linda Spalding, and others. Seating is limited, and on "first come, first seated" basis.
Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street) 6:30PM

MUSIC | The Cave Singers @ The Horseshoe
Seattle's The Cave Singers hit The Horseshoe tonight! Formed from the ashes of the band Pretty Girls Make Graves, this band has been going strong since 2007, when they were signed to Matador Records (now with Jagjaguwar). Their sound is edgy, especially the vocal delivery of Pete Quirk, and despite an obvious array of 'alternative' influences from the '80s and beyond, there is no doubt that what they do is firmly rooted in older traditions like blues and roots music, both rhythmically and harmonically. Their latest album, Naomi, was released earlier this year, and their touring of this new album brings them our way. Comet Control opens the show.
Horseshoe (370 Queen Street West) 8:30PM $15

OUTDOORS | Get Your Fit Together: Outdoor High Intensity Conditioning Bootcamp
Get Your Fit Together is a series of five free fitness classes in Trinity Bellwoods park happening this week, just in time for Summer. A variety of workouts will be featured in this outdoor series, including yoga, nia dance, crossfit training, and more. Today, Blaise Amrose offers a high intensity conditioning bootcamp: a heavy workout with short rest periods, and plenty of movement and resistance training. All levels of fitness are welcome to attend, and this workshop will challenge even the most physically fit attendees. This is a great way to work off some steam, and also prepare for a season of outdoor activity.
Trinity Bellwoods Park(Queen and Gore Vale) 6:30PM

Also Of Note

BookThug Book Launch for Stephen Collis and Shannon Maguire
Small Fort at Musideum (Midsummer World/Jazz Series)
Sensational Summer Recipes
Egg Cookery Class with Matt Duffy

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Photo from the Cave Singer's Facebook page