Toronto events on July 9th, 2013

MUSIC | oPHISHal After Party
Phish plays tonight at the Molson Amphitheatre for the first time in over a decade. Scorned by detractors, but deified by their fans (dubbed "phans"), this band is one of the top grossing live acts in the music biz today, with no radio play or "chart" presence whatsoever. This is 'word of mouth' at it's finest ("phinest"?). The Great Hall will be hosting an extraordinary afterparty tonight with three great live bands: the very danceable eight-piece After Funk are headlining, joined by The Company; and Sam Klass will be getting the show started. Klass, a Hamilton-based singer/songwriter, does the 'live-looping' thing. He is having quite a Summer, having been recruited for an appearance by all of the cool Canadian electronic music festivals (Shambhala, Evolve, etc.) following his acquiring of a spot at this year's Electric Forest festival via a YouTube contest. This shindig is slated to go to 3am.
The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West) 11PM $12 ($10 w/ Phish stub)

FILM | Free Classic Anime Screening: Arcadia of My Youth
In conjunction with the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International that happens at the end of the month here in TO, the The Japan Foundation presents one of several free screenings of classic anime films as well as lectures on Japanese culture and animation practice. Tonight, Arcadia Of My Youth will be shown in 35mm format with subtitles. This 1982 film, directed by Tomoharu Katsumata, follows Harlock, a space captain, on his adventures as he attempts to save the Earth from Illumidas Command. This screening and lecture series continues until July 27th.
Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Avenue) 6:30PM

MUSIC | The Specials
The Specials hit TO tonight! Possibly the greatest ska band ever, The Specials, came together in the late '70s for the second wave of Ska, which was inextricably tied to the punk rock and mod revival scenes in the UK. This band truly led the movement, and some of its members even started the 2 Tone label, which carried titles by all of the major players in the scene at one point of another. Although they disbanded in 1984, they have regrouped a few times to tour, and have released a few albums since their heyday, the most recent being Conquering Ruler from 2001. One thing is for sure, the Kool Haus will not be so "cool", but rather hot and sweaty, because this band makes bodies move!
Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay East) 8PM $39.50

PHOTOGRAPHY | Photography Exhibition by Joe Lepiano
Tonight is the opening of an exhibit of photographer Joe Lepiano's work at Gallery M. Entitled, Works From The Recent Past this collection draws upon themes of both solitude and eternity. Currently, Lepiano works at George Brown College as an instructor, and has had a lengthy career in the visual arts. Beginning as a commercial photographer, and then transitioning into graphic design, the influence of these different and related worlds come together in his work. Tonight is the reception for this exhibition that runs until July 31st.
Gallery M (7039 Yonge Street) 8PM

Also Of Note

• Animal Collective + Dan Deacon
• GE CafĂŠ Chefs Series: The Past, Present & Future of Canadian Cuisine
• Chiaroscuro Reading Series
• Original Tuesdays presents The Jessica Stuart Few and The Flow

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Lead photo of the Specials by Nolux