Toronto events on September 4th, 2013

ART | Poster Party
Steam Whistle's September art show opens this evening, and it celebrates one of the most under recognized of all visual art forms: the poster. Certainly the associations of this artform with advertising have impeded its complete validation by the art establishment, but many curators and academics are starting to realize that pioneers like Wes Wilson, Nigel Waymouth, and others were groundbreaking visual artists who had a huge influence on popular culture in their time. This particular show will celebrate the poster by focusing on the work of a group of OCAD students - both poster artists and printmakers - who know each other through their time at school together. Contributors include Kyle Michael Murray, Jay Beckett, Reid Jenkins, Rebecca Ladds, Ella Selbie, and several others. Poster Party runs at Steam Whistle until September 30th.
Steam Whistle Brewing (255 Bremner Blvd) 7PM

MUSIC | Snarky Puppy @ Lee's
Snarky Puppy returns to TO tonight, and rather than their usual multi-night run at The Rex, they are opting for one big blast at Lee's Palace this time. This Texas and New York-based collective is headed by bassist and composer Michael League, and is known for bending and mixing genres, while still remaining under the broad umbrella of "jazz fusion". These guys are heavy on groove, and have built a very devoted and large following after years of constant touring. This year has seen the release of two Snarky Puppy albums, Amkeni w/ Bukuru Celestin, and Family Dinner. After Funk, a local up 'n' coming 8-piece funk act, with a considerable following of their own, open the show tonight.
Lee's Palace (529 Bloor Street West) 8PM $20 adv / $25 door

FILM | The 8th Annual CaribbeanTales Toronto Film Showcase
The CaribbeanTales TorontoFilm Showcase opens at Harbourfront this evening. This ten day event will bring a taste of Caribbean culture to the city, with a wide a variety of images and sounds via the film making talents from both the region and the Caribbean diaspora. Both emerging and well known film makers of from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds will be contributing to the showcase. Tonight begins with a launch party and reception with live entertainment, followed by the film, No Bois Man No Fraid, a story centered around two men's rediscovery of kalinda, a Trinidadian martial art. The CaribbeanTales TorontoFilm Showcase runs until September 14th.
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queen's Quay West) 6PM $45

ART | Elaine Whittaker - Ambient Plagues
An exhibition of Toronto sculptor and installation artist Elaine Whittaker's work, Ambient Plagues opens today at Redhead Gallery. Whittaker's work is concerned with the biological aspect of human nature, and the natural forces that shape us and influence our behaviour, as well as other organisms created and maintained by these forces, often on a microscopic level. In addition to a variety of media, including paint, wax, audio, and photography, Whittaker's installations will incorporate microorganisms to explore the "transformations" experienced by humans from biological forces and the fearful perspective that guides these observations. Ambient Plagues runs until the 28th of September.
Red Head Gallery (401 Richmond Street West, Suite 115)

Also Of Note

• Play
• Golden Kingdom - A solo show by Graham Krenz

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Photo of Steam Whistle's gallery