Photo: "Looking Up" by idealistdreamer, member of the blogTO Flickr Pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27, 2010... lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar.

MEDIA | In Conversation with Jian Ghomeshi
Over the past few years, CBC Radio personality Jian Ghomeshi has become one of the most important cultural commentators in this country. His intelligent take on pop culture and current events on his radio show Q is refreshing in a media landscape where the biggest ratings on our national music networks are for American reality TV shows and Jonas Brothers specials. Ryerson journalism professor Suzanne Kelman will turn the mic on Ghomeshi this evening in a free event that will hopefully reveal something telling about the usually secretive broadcaster.
George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, Rm 103, 245 Church St., Free, 6 pm

DANCE | The 22nd Annual Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival
For 22 years the Weesageechak festival has been a starting point for fledgling Canadian talent. Staged by Native Earth Performing Arts, a non-profit organization that develops creative expressions of the Canadian Aboriginal experience, the festival features a line-up of completely new works in dance, theater, music and multi-media with the aim of turning them into mainstage productions. This year's line up includes new pieces by Raven Spirit Dance and Cree actor and choreographer Michael Greyeyes. Runs til January 30.
Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Ave., $10 per night, $30 festival pass, various times

OPERA | Carmen
The Canadian Opera Company's production of one of history's most beloved operas begins today. Carmen tells the story of a strong Spanish gypsy woman and her tragic affair with the soldier Don Jose, and is full of the passion, sex, and violence that makes opera so enjoyable (to some). The Toronto incarnation of Bizet's 1875 masterpiece sees British conductor Rory MacDonald taking the podium and stars the sizzling Israeli mezzo-soprano Rinat Shaham in the title role.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., $62 - $292, various times

PARTY | ArtStars*
ArtStars* are not your run of the mill art critics. In their most recent Youtube video, writer Nadja Sayej goes to interview Bruce LaBruce about his latest zombie porn flick and ends up splayed out on the director's floor groping herself. So yeah, I'm willing to bet they throw a pretty fierce party. At tonight's jam in Kensington they'll be giving away tons of goodies including an ArtStars* comic book and an uncut version of the LaBruce video. DJ Vaneska, Kevin Ritchie, and Max Mohenu will provide the tunes.
Double Double Land, 209 Augusta Ave, $5, 10 pm

ART | Tattoo Art Show
While the nearby Tattoo Rock Parlour is trying hard to be Queen West's dirtiest dive bar, the Bovine Sex Club across the street has been scuzzing it up for nearly twenty years now. So while you can go to Tattoo if you want to get fashionably inked, if you want to see some of the city's best tattoo artists, head to the Bovine tonight where art from the city's premiere ink slingers will be on display. DJ Cactus provides the tunes.
Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W., Free, 9 pm

COMEDY | Carnegie Hall for Haiti
Kensington's weekly theatrical comedy showcase collects funds for Haiti this week. The hilarious Melissa D'Agostino will make her Carnegie Hall musical debut, Jeff Cottrill will be performing some of his trademark spoken word comedy, and throughout the evening Waylen Miki will be doing that classy piano thing. As always, the second half of the evening will feature an improvised radio show, surely the only one of its kind in Toronto these days. Don a thrift store top hat and pretend Augusta is the Broadway of the big city.
Bread and Circus, 299 Augusta Ave., Pay What You Think, 9 pm

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