THEATRE | AWAKE
One of Toronto's most violent neighbourhoods gets the theatre treatment in the opening of AWAKE, the story of a Jamestown shooting based on the true events of the 2005 murder of Amon Beckles. Using interviews with youth, cops, parents who have lost their children, and Jamestown locals, the play documents gang violence in the community as well as through those who manage to escape it and thrive despite their surroundings. Running alongside with the Next Stage Theatre Festival, AWAKE will remain on stages until January 13th.
Factory Theatre Mainspace (125 Bathurst Street) 5PM $12 early show, $15 late show

ART | 1st Thursdays
The city's biggest art party returns for the first Thursday of the month with a performance by the Juno and Polaris Prize nominee Basia Bulat. Bulat's soulful folk songwriting fits right in with the theme of the evening, which will explore images of Canadian landscapes. Local street artist fauxreel (also known as Dan Bergeron) will showcase a participatory mural project not unlike the street "interventions" he regularly creates. Pop-up tours of the Canadian collection will be available and the Frida & Diego exhibit will be open to those who purchase combo tickets to the event and exhibit ($20). Purchase online to avoid lining up in the cold.
Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street West) 6:30PM $10 advance, $12 door

ART | Issue 1: A Comic Themed Art Show
Five of Toronto's top comic artists explore the burgeoning of geek culture with Issue 1, a comic themed art show. Illustrations of the famous characters from your childhood comics, superheroes, and original characters created by artists W. Scott Forbes, Ricky Kruger, Alina Urusov, Cy Berlin, and Deena Pagliarello will be for sale. Geek out and show up before the show ends January 17th.
#Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas Street West) 7PM Free

MUSIC | Songwriters Circle of Jerks 4: Undercover
The circle jerk is back! In this month's installment of the music showcase where local songwriters cover songs by their own favourites, five musicians will cover one another's works. Headlining Circle of Jerks 4 is folk artist Ben Hermann, alongside the regular Jerks: Nelson Sobral of Melting Pot, Hugh Wilson and Nick Verona of Big Name Actors, and David Hustler of David Hustler & The Trustworthy. Stop by Free Times CafĂŠ for a beer, and a night of new Canadian music.
Free Times CafĂŠ (320 College Street) 8:30PM Free

THEATRE | Salt Baby
Salt Baby never fit in on the Rez. A white-looking Native girl with her Shirley Temple curls and pale skin, she is constantly challenged by her community to "be more Indian." Having to explain your heritage is the powerful subject that Salt Baby addresses, in a comedic play about a young woman taking on an entire reservation and city to define herself. Written by Falen Johnson, directed by Yvette Nolan, and starring Paula-Jean Prudat as Salt Baby, the show premieres at Factory Studio Theatre tonight as part of the Next Stage Festival.
Factory Studio Theatre (125 Bathurst Street) $15 9:30PM

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• EX: Rebel Rebel, Native Smokes, Cursed Arrows & The Hawks
• River Tiber - Synapses Release Party Feat. Kwikfiks & James and Blackburn
• Mystery Standup Switcheroo

Photo courtesy of Basia Bulat