Toronto events on August 21st, 2013

ART | Kensington Market at Propeller
Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts hosts an exhibition focusing on art collectives and individual artists based in Kensington Market. This exhibition, which will merge into an Art Crawl this Sunday, will largely involve works that relate to Kensington Market, including portrayals of Market "characters", and renditions of the area, but plenty of work will also fall outside of this theme, and will be the product of artists who reside or work in Kensington Market. Artists to be featured include: Jane Murdoch Adams, Yvonne Bambrick, Catherine Hunt, Tamar Ishaky, and others. This exhibition opens today, and runs until September 1st, with an official reception tomorrow evening.
Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts (984 Queen Street West) 12PM

BOOKS & LIT | George Elliott Clarke: a poetic evening
Tonight, This Is Not A Reading Series presents Toronto Poet Laureate, George Elliott Clarke in conversation with Susan G. Cole. Clarke's latest work, Illicit Sonnets, is a sensual poetic work that also deals with ageism and race relations. Clarke became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008, and much of his work has dealt with the communities and experiences of African-Canadians in Eastern Canada, especially Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Tonight's event will also feature a half-hour theatrical performance based on Illicit Sonnets put together by Diana Manole, with performers Payge Mildebrath and Keith Macfarlane.
The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West) 7:30PM $5 (free with book purchase)

LAUNCH | Detroit Bikes Launch Party
A different kind of "launch" at the Horseshoe this aft! Detroit Bikes presents its new, and decidedly retro A-Type commuter bicycle today. This company is the brainchild of Calgary entrepreneur Zak Pashak, who is doing his level best to present the ever-expanding bicycle market with a solid, affordable option. These bikes, as the name implies, are built in Detroit, a city with a track record in the "manufacturing and design" department. Today's launch shindig is free and open to the public, and will introduce you to Detroit Bikes, and also fun is guaranteed via DJ Brendan Canning, Cousins, and Gay. This event runs until 8pm.
Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West) 5PM

FILM | Stand
Stand, an environmental film about the state of the planet's waters, premieres tonight. This film comes from the perspective of the surf and SUP communities - a culture that is closely engaged with the ocean and very passionate about the harmful effects that large corporate "business ventures" can have on the fragile state of the environment. The film follows three main characters: a paddler moving along the coast of Haida Gwaii, a West Coast BC native, and a group of students building stand up paddleboards in their woodworking class.
Ted Rogers School Of Management (55 Dundas Street West) 7PM $12

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