MUSIC | Marinda and Solari
The independent award-winning Montreal duo Marinda and Solari play the Gladstone tonight as a follow up to their brief European tour and the release of the 2010 full-length indie album Motif. The collaboration that draws inspiration from jazz, chanson, tango and samba music describes themselves as a 19th century sound, an eclectic mix that has earned them recognition as the Best Jazz performers at the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Awards. Marinda and Solari will play a free live set this evening that will be open to the public.
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) 9PM Free

COMEDY | The Pre-New Year's Comedy Blowout
It's Day 5 of The Drake's What's In The Box? mini-festival and to start the night off, local comedians are taking the stage to get the pre-New Year's celebrations rolling. Hosted by Dan Galea, comedian and producer behind the award-winning sketch comedy group The Boom, this comedy blowout will feature five up-and-coming comedians such as Video on Trial's Keith Pedro, Comedy Now's Jon Steinberg and Picnicface's Mark Little in addition to Ben Miner and rising comedienne Desiree Lavoy. Get laughing and stick around for local bands like Keys N Krates afterward.
The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 9PM $5

MUSIC | Mother Leads/Womb/The Vanguards/Xephyr/Perry and Pal Show
Siesta Nouveau is an east end theatre space that hosts live music shows and tonight, the performance venue boasts a line-up of five indie bands. Perry & Pal will open the show with hard rock power trio Xephyr followed by Pickering groove rock band The Vanguards. Headliners Mother Leads and Womb will close out the evening with full 45-minute sets. In addition to low-ticket prices, this awesome night of music is BYOB so bring your own poison.
Siesta Nouveau (15 Lower Sherbourne) 7PM $5

MUSIC | The Fabulous Yawn, Goodnight Sunrise, Graham Wright Band + Surprise!
The Fabulous Yawn's band name may sound like a snooze but when you hear them perform tonight at Rancho Relaxo's extended pre-NYE bash, they'll be anything but. Comprised of members from Tokyo Police Club, The Elwins and O'Darling, the band headlines Rancho's party, playing alongside other indie bands like the soul metal Goodnight, Sunrise, Tokyo Police Club keyboardist/folk artist Graham Wright and surprise guest Dilly Dally. This is the show of the evening, so get there for doors opening to ensure a good spot.
Rancho Relaxo (300 College Street) 9PM $7

PHOTOGRAPHY | Come In, We're Open | Studio Launch
Toronto's photography community expands a little more tonight with the opening of the new Arc & Co. Design Collective studio on Sterling Road. Along with Georrgia Gamez Photography, the collective will be hosting a party in its new Junction Triangle space. Wine will be served and works by the collective will be on display for those who attend. Attendees must RSVP through Facebook.
Arc & Co. | Design Collective (163 Sterling Road, Studio 108) 6:30PM Free

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• A Tribute to Kiel Caesar
• The Takeover (The 6th Letter, Tre Leji, Inner City Grooves & More)
• Eric Mattei and Lonely Commotion
• Day 5: Boxing Day Special: Festival & Food Drive
• We Are Growling Woods w/Church, Old Foes, Rednightfall

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 asianz in the blogTO Flickr pool