Toronto events on Thursday, July 4, 2013

MUSIC | Toronto Urban Roots Fest
She & Him play the Toronto Urban Roots Fest tonight as opening day headliners for this amazing folk and roots music gathering, which will continue throughout the weekend. This small start-up festival features 30 bands like Belle and Sebastian, Neko Case, Arkells, Hannah Georgas and more performing over the course of four nights and two full days. With two outdoor stages at Fort York, TURF is going to operate like a well-oiled machine with organized after parties happening at Horseshoe Tavern and Lee's Palace. Tonight's line-up includes Camera Obscura and Joel Plaskett Emergency with tickets still available through the TURF website.
Fort York Garrison Common (100 Garrison Road) 5PM $50-$70 day pass, $150 4-day pass

PARTY | AGO 1st Thursdays
After a brief hiatus, 1st Thursdays are back at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The after-hours (kinda) gallery party kicks off its summer programming tonight with co-headlining performances by Doldrums and Absolutely Free. New media artist Jeremy Bailey will mix performance art with software in a special piece. In addition to drinks, food and pop-up talks with curators, instructors will be giving interactive iPad art workshops throughout the gallery. Buy tickets ahead of time online as limited amounts will be available at the door.
Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street West) 7PM $12 advance $15 door

MUSIC | The Edwards Summer Music Series: Gardens of Song featuring Trent Severn
Toronto Botanical Gardens continues its summer of songs by inviting local musicians to perform amongst the flowers. This week, Stratford trio Trent Severn puts on a concert in Edwards Garden. Featuring artists Emm Gryner on bass, Dayna Manning on guitar and banjo and Laura C. Bates on violin, these three ladies perform an array of folk and roots covers for a pure Canadiana vibe. Stay tuned for next week's concert, which will feature the adorable Darelle London.
Toronto Botanical Garden (777 Lawrence Avenue East) 7PM Free

THEATRE | Toronto Fringe Festival
Performances, actors and playwrights on the periphery of mainstream Toronto theatre circles showcase their work at playhouses across the city during the Toronto Fringe Festival. Now under way, there are several independent plays opening tonight. Interested in modernized takes on classics? Try Elizabeth-Darcy: An Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice or Fuck Shakespeare. Want something in a local setting? Try Fort Isabel opening at Theatre Passe Muraille. With plays from every genre, this year's schedule is packed with short and full-length works at every price range.
Various locations and times across Toronto

MUSICAL THEATRE | Henri Fabergé's Feint of Hart
A punk rock opera that is a coming-of-age, Henri Fabergé's Feint of Hart is the story of a young aristocrat who hosts rock shows that provoke scandal and treason. A collaborative effort by Fabergé Fruits collective, this is a comedy-drama in two parts. Part I will be performed tonight at Videofag with Part II premiering on July 10th. Want to catch both parts together? Videofag has specially scheduled performances happening throughout the first two weeks of July. Tickets are available at Rotate This and Soundscapes.
Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue) 8PM

ALSO OF NOTE:

• The Defector

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Photo of a previous 1st Thursday at the AGO