FILM | Bloody Cartoons
Apart from lending their name to delicious breakfast pastries, the Danish people have historically had little impact on world events. But in 2005 Denmark was briefly the center of a global maelstrom when 12 cartoons of the prophet Muhammad on a single page of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten whipped Muslim communities across the globe into a frenzy, leading to riots Syria, Lebanon, and Iran and ultimately to the deaths of over 100 people. Bloody Cartoons was an official selection for the 2008 Hot Docs festival and has been acclaimed for its vigorous investigation of the Muhammad cartoon controversy, asking what happens when freedom of expression infringes on the rights of others. The screening at the ROM's Institute of Contemporary Culture tonight will be followed by a panel discussion featuring law professor Brenda Crossman, renowned anti-apartheid editorial cartoonist David Anderson, and Toronto Star editor Haroon Siddiqui.
Signy and Cleophee Eaton Theatre, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, $10, $8 students, 7 pm

GALLERY | White Cloud, Buttermilk Sky
For many Torontonians, there is something intoxicating about Kensington Market. Closed off from the rest of downtown, Kensington feels like a city unto itself organically growing and changing with total disregard for the snobbery of Bay Street or the hipness of Queen West. It was a love of Kensington Market that led artists John Smaller, Noah Jones, and Karlen Chang to found *Hotshot last year, a unique new gallery, venue and retail space on Augusta Ave. In an attempt to stay true to the inclusive character of the neighbourhood, *Hotshot opens its doors to all kinds of artists. Currently, the gallery is exhibiting White Cloud, Buttermilk Sky, a dreamy collection of drawings by OCAD students depicting fantastical sky creatures and atmospheric wonders. Runs til March 21.
*Hotshot, 181 Augusta Ave., Monday - Sunday 11 am - 7 pm

BOOKS AND LIT | The Afterword Reading Society with Ian Weir
The National Post's book blog the Afterword hosts a dramatic reading of its inaugural book club selection tonight. Daniel O'Thunder is a comedic romp through 1850's London as seen through the eyes of a prize fighter-turned-evangelist destined to come out of retirement for one last fight against Satan himself. Author Ian Weir certainly knows how to tell an exciting story, having won two Genies and written over 100 episodes for 20 television series, and will be in attendance tonight for a dramatic reading of O'Thunder.
Ben McNally Books, 366 Bay St., Free, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

FILM | The MDF Trilogy by Kazik Radwanski
Only three years out of Ryerson's film program, director Kazik Radwanski's short films have already appeared in some of the world's premiere film festivals and netted several awards and widespread critical acclaim. His trio of Assault, Princess Margaret Blvd. and Out in That Deep Blue Sea make up the so-called MDF triology and each tell the story of an individual confronted by crisis in a compelling style that verges on documentary. Fresh off a Genie nomination for Princess Margaret Blvd., Radwanski and his producer Daniel Montgomery will be in attendance at tonight's screening of the trilogy to discuss their experiences on the festival circuit and what they've learned since their whirlwind success.
Ryerson University, LIB 72, 350 Victoria Street, Free, 6 pm

MUSIC | Vinicio Capossela at the Mod Club
Italian singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela is in the midst of a cross-continent tour at the moment and could be forgiven for feeling a little homesick by now. Hopefully he'll get a little taste of home at the Mod Club tonight, nestled as it is in Toronto's Little Italy neighbourhood. Heavily influenced by the literary style of Tom Waits, Capossela is immensely popular in his native country and has been praised for reinventing Italian song. And as anyone who's seen this can attest, it could definitely use a little reinventing. Non-Italian speakers won't be able to pick up on Capossela's brilliant storytelling (he's an award winning novelist back home), but his stage presence is undeniably charismatic and his music has the ability to transport audiences to other worlds.
The Mod Club, 722 College St., $25, 8 pm

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