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Radar: Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree Unveiling, The Moose Show, Public Lecture and Q&A with Dr. John Carlos, Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, Idina Menzel

HOLIDAY | Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree Unveiling at Toronto Eaton Centre
It's not Rockefeller Centre but we'll take it: The enormous holiday tree covered in Swarovski Crystals will have its annual debut tonight. Along with The Children's Wish Foundation, Swarovski has covered the tree with over 30,000 crystal ornaments to support the foundation in raising money for children and families across the country. The 7th annual unveiling begins at 5PM with performances by the High Park Choirs of Toronto and Deborah Cox, who will also be joined by Breakfast Television's Dina Pugliese and Kevin Frankish.
Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge Street) 5PM Free

ARTS & CRAFTS | The Moose Show: Fine Canadian Craft Show & Sale
Local artisans and experts gather in the CBC Building Atrium this evening to exhibit their Canadian-made goods at this unique craft show that focuses on domestic products. Selling sculptures, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, paintings, wood products and beyond, The Moose Show has handpicked 49 of Canada's greatest to display and sell. Each vendor donates a piece to the free raffle at this event, which guarantees that everything is 100% Canadian. The show runs until Saturday.
CBC Building (250 Front Street West) 10AM Free

POLITICS | Public Lecture and Q&A: Dr. John Carlos and Dave Zirin
Dr. John Carlos was once known as a controversial African-American track-and-field athlete after his black power salute with teammate Tommie Smith at the 1968 Summer Olympics. After a successful career in the NFL and CFL, Carlos will give a free lecture tonight at York University, along with Dave Zirin, the author of his biography The John Carlos Story: The Moment that Changed the World. The men will discuss that significant historical moment and the changes and controversy that arose from it as well as take questions from the audience. The lecture is open to the public.
York University (4700 Keele Street) 4:30PM Free

EAT & DRINK | Gourmet Food & Wine Expo
Toronto's best restaurants and wine connoisseurs come together this weekend for the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo. Opening tonight, the expo will exhibit over 1500 wines, beers and spirits with some of the greatest chefs cooking up cuisine for sample. The evening's schedule includes appearances by Chef Chuck Hughes of Chuck's Day Off and The Next Iron Chef, Baci chocolate maker Vivien Reimbelli as well as sake and wine experts. Ticket prices drop to $18 tomorrow through Sunday, when the expo closes.
Metro Toronto Convention Centre (255 Front Street West) 6PM $40

MUSIC | Idina Menzel
Theatre kids and Gleeks will be excited to hear singer and actress Idina Menzel will perform two concerts beginning at the Royal Conservatory of Music this evening. Conducted by the legendary Marvin Hamlisch and performing alongside the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Tony Award winner will be in her element, singing Broadway music from Wicked and Rent, in which she starred, amongst other works. Both performances will be taped for a PBS special that airs in March 2012.
Royal Conservatory of Music (273 Bloor Street West) 8PM $49-$125

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

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 Jackman Chiu in the blogTO Flickr pool


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