SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH

MUSIC | POP Montreal Showcase
POP Montreal, an established Fall music festival, has put together another Toronto showcase, this time as part of Junofest. Three excellent acts make up this well-curated lineup. Headlining is Julie Doiron, whose introduction to the Canadian music scene came about in the '90s as a member of the Moncton, NB band, Eric's Trip. Since then she has released plenty under her own name, has had her work shortlisted for a Polaris Music prize, and has partaken in several notable collabs, including tracks with The Tragically Hip and Gord Downie. Also on the bill is Vancouver-based seven piece, Fond Of Tigers. This band has been around in one form or another for almost a decade, and is seeing the payoff: their latest work has been nominated for Instrumental Album Of The Year. Their lineup boasts two drummers, a violinist, piano, guitar, and bass. Opening this evening will be Gramercy Riffs, who won the 2010 Atlantis Music Prize for their album, "It's Heartbreak".
The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West) 9PM $15/limited Juno wristband access

MUSIC | JUNOFest w/ Skratch Bastid + DJ Sancon + Your Boy Brian
One of the many JUNOfest parties and shows happening tonight in T-dot goes down at The Drake late tonight. Skratch Bastid is helming this one, and rightfully so, as he is a true Canadian groundbreaker, being the first Canuck DJ to ever be nominated for a Producer of The Year Juno back in 2008 for his work on Buck 65's "Situation". Also pumping out the beats are Your Boy Brian, and Kyoto stylus-maestro, DJ Sancon delivering an all vinyl set.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 11PM $10

MUSIC | TWM: La Casa Muerte, The Black Void, Hospital Grade, The Red Inform
TWM has a great lineup of bands tonight that is guaranteed to rawk! La Casa Muerte have played this showcase many times before and always deliver indie-rock goodness. Locals The Red Inform get the evening started, doing their "largely instrumental" thing, and in from St. John, New Brunswick: Hospital Grade are poised to drop their diverse and edgy sound for your enjoyment. Also on the bill is The Black Void from Montreal.
Rancho Relaxo (300 College Street) 9PM $6

MUSIC | Menew @ Mod Club
Local alt-pop rockers Menew conclude their mini-residency at The Mod Club tonight. Their sound immediately recalls the best moments of '80s rock, whether framed by lush synth pads or eager guitar leads, with vocal vibes falling somewhere between Michael Hutchence and Chris Martin.
The Mod Club (722 College Street) 11PM

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SATURDAY RADAR:

• Holy Fuck DJs @ WRONGBAR
• Billy Talent + Cancers Bats @ The Opera House FUMS/Junofest
• Warpaint w/ PVT & Family Band @ Wrongbar
• EAST END ROCKABILLY RIOT #9

SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH

MUSIC | Juno Awards 2011 Ceremony
With so many events revolving around the Junos, let's not forget that the award ceremony itself is an option for those with the inclination and the means. What better way to get in on the action and see what the fuss is about first hand? The music will be great: Arcade Fire, Sarah McLachlan, Tokyo Police Club, BSS, Chromeo, Drake, and many more will make an appearance.
Air Canada Centre (40 Bay Street) 7:30PM $79 - $230.50

MUSIC | John Williams @ Koerner Hall
There are few performers that can be accurately described as "world class", but guitar virtuoso John Williams is indeed such a musician. The Australian born guitarist has been performing professionally for over 40 years, and is reported to have played nearly the entire existing 'classical' repertoire for guitar, and has also commissioned new pieces from various composers to keep things fresh. He has performed with many other well-known musicians, and has demonstrated a very open musical 'mind' on more than one occasion, including a famous collab with The Who's Pete Townshend. His program this afternoon will include pieces by Williams himself, Villa-Lobos, and others.
RCM Koerner Hall (273 Bloor Street West) 3PM $25 - $80

WORKSHOP | Meghan Telpner's 'The Vegetarian/Vegan Transition' Workshop
With millions of practicing vegetarians in the world today, there comes a time for many to switch their diet (and possibly lifestyle) to a healthier one. In order to eliminate meat (and whatever else, depending on what 'branch' of vegetarianism you decide to follow), and still maintain proper levels of protein and other vital nutrients, there must be a strategy in place, and an understanding of what the body requires, and how to get this stuff! This workshop will give you all the deets on protein, and milk substitutes, and creative ways to deliver the goods that won't find you eating the same soy-based meals every day! Registration is limited, so be sure to sign up now if you're interested.
Venue (26 Noble Street, Unit 6) 11AM $70 (includes brunch and literature)

MUSIC | Ellie Goulding @ The Phoenix
Ellie Goulding hits town tonight, and her star is burning brightly. Being chosen as "breakthrough act" as part of the BBC's "Sound of 2010", and also receiving the Critics' Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards put the writing on the wall: she is a singer/songwriter to watch! Rolling Stone agreed, having 'pimped out' her name in the Number 5 spot on their hotlist last month. She has made appearances at all of the major festivals in Europe and the US, and has had her tracks used by Nike. If you're a fan, this might be a show to catch, as The Phoenix could seem like an intimate venue in comparison to where she might play next time!
The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street) $17.50 8PM

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR SUNDAY RADAR:

• TKS Sex+ Film Festival: 9 SONGS
• Sam Amidon @ The Drake

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 Martinho in the blogTO Flickr pool.