LITERATURE | WHOSE STREETS? Launch for Book about Toronto's G20 Protests
With a foreword by Naomi Klein, Whose Streets? is the first book about the G20 protests in Toronto. Launching tonight with a party at Cinecycle, the book is a compilation of testimonials and articles by activists and scholars detailing the events and analyzing the resistance. Performances by Hut, Abstract Random, Ayo Leilani and Secret Trial Five will be an evening highlight and all proceeds will go to the G20 legal defense fund.
Cinecycle (down the lane behind 129 Spadina Avenue) 7PM $10

TRIBUTE | John Lennon Tribute Concert, Film and Discussion
Being the 31st anniversary of John Lennon's death, a tribute event for the musician and activist is only fitting. The John Lennon Tribute Concert will feature musical performances, a screening of the short film Green Heroes, which details Gord Downie's environmental activism, followed by the feature film The US verses John Lennon, a documentary about the U.S. government's efforts to silence Lennon's anti-war stance during the Vietnam era. Experts will also lead a panel discussion titled "John Lennon and The Revolutionary Power of Music," that will include Occupy Toronto representatives along with Greig Andrew Nori of Treblecharger and songwriter Christopher Ward.
Rainbow Cinemas Market Square (80 Front Street East) 6PM

MUSIC | The Gift of Music
The 2nd annual fundraiser to support MusiCounts, which puts music programs in Canadian schools, takes place tonight at the Hard Rock CafĂŠ. With musical performances by Andreena Mill, Divine Brown, Slakah the Beatchild and Rich Kidd amongst others and hosted by Michie "Badgal" Mee, The Gift of Music is an all-Canadian event for music lovers who want to help support youth and the arts community. Tickets are $15 in advance and 100% of the proceeds will go toward MusiCounts Canada.
Hard Rock CafĂŠ (279 Yonge Street) 8PM $15 advance, $20 at the door

ART | Opening Reception Suitman by Joel Richardson
Joel Richardson has spent the past ten years of his career working and reworking images of business and finance. In Suitman, Richardson explores the iconography of the businessman. Featuring the artist's original stencil on blueprints, objects and prints, Suitman examines the role of the businessman as a saint in popular culture and the underlying negative effects of the role on society. The artist will be in attendance at the opening reception of the exhibit, which runs until December 18th.
134 Ossington Avenue 6PM Free

FILM | Leave It On The Floor
Following a positive response at TIFF 2011, the ballroom dancing musical Leave It On The Floor opens tonight at the Bell Lightbox. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this film directed by Sheldon Larry follows a young gay male after he is kicked out of his mother's home and finds his place in the underground ballroom scene amongst drag queens and transgenders. A Canadian production, the film was shot in L.A. on a small budget and has been heralded for its bold imagery and mix of musical genres and dance styles.
TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West) 7PM $10

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• Anti-postering show with Paint, Mittenz, and Darren Eedens
• PINK PEARL
• Free Japanese Film Screening: Shindo
• Parfumerie
• Uncharted Zones
• The Collective 12 Days of Art & Ideas
• Opening Reception - Steve Driscoll Heaven is Where You Find It

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 Richard Gottardoared in the blogTO Flickr pool