MUSIC | Ben Harper at The Sound Academy
Grammy Award winner and folk rock artist Ben Harper returns to Toronto tonight with a show at The Sound Academy. Harper's eight-month tour, which has largely consisted of festivals and smaller venues, makes a stop in T.O. for one night only. Harper will play songs from his tenth studio album, Give Till It's Gone, which was released in May of this year. Special guests Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are also slated to perform, returning to Toronto with their self-titled fifth album.
The Sound Academy (11 Polson Street) 8PM $45.00-$57.50

FILM | Longo's Free Summer Flicks: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Tonight marks the first evening of many free outdoor film screenings in the city and Harbourfront Centre's Free Summer Flicks kicks off with the Edgar Wright directed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Set in our fair city itself, this adaptation of the graphic novel series follows the title character who must defeat the seven evil exes of the American girl he has fallen in love with. Starring Michael Cera, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jason Schwartzman, the film that has been called a love letter to Toronto plays on the WestJet Stage, meaning that outdoor crowds get to enjoy a free film and lake views. Pack chairs and blankets and be sure to BYOP (bring your own popcorn).
Harbourfront Centre WestJet Stage (235 Queens Quay West) 9PM Free

LITERATURE | Book Launch: Various Positions
Toronto author Martha Schabas releases her first book, Various Positions, tonight at Reposado Tequila Bar. The story of Georgia, a talented dancer recently accepted into the Royal Ballet Academy, Various Positions examines the teenage struggles between burgeoning sexuality and discipline while surviving an unstable home life. Set entirely in Toronto, the novel follows the introverted protagonist into the world of professional ballet and the pressures that come along with it. The author will be present at the launch to sign copies of her book, which will also be for sale, and to sip margaritas with those who come out in support of the novel.
Reposado Tequila Bar (136 Ossington Avenue) 6PM Free

COMEDY | Strip Comedy
Strip Comedy puts the Strip Poker in comedy! Seven brave comedians from across the city will participate in this event during which each failed joke means the removal of one article of the performer's clothing. The comedians, who include Richard Steudle, Helder Braum and Riccardo Vendittelli, will each be given five minutes to impress the audiences or risk losing their clothes in front of a crowd of strangers. Hosted by Georgea Brooks-Hancock with judges Mae Martin and Matt Folliot, Strip Comedy will be a hilarious, wild evening--especially if the jokes aren't funny.
The Central (603 Markham Street) 8PM Free

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• He Is We at El Mocambo
• PWYC Tues: Swamp Bodies, Patti Cake and Peter James Project at Rancho Relaxo
• Beach Blanket Bingo at Yonge-Dundas Square

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 notpeppermint in the blogTO Flickr pool