Toronto events on October 21st, 2013

FASHION | World MasterCard Fashion Week
The Spring 2014 edition of Fashion Week begins today as runway shows and presentations kick off at the tents at David Pecaut Square. Highlight's from today's schedule include Beaufille (formerly known as Chloe Comme Parris), David Dixon and Kimberley Newport-Mimran's Pink Tartan. It all gets underway at 6:30pm tonight. And, yes, while Fashion Week continues to be predominantly an event for industry and media, all runway shows are open to the public (although some are already sold out) providing you're willing to pony-up for a ticket. David Pecaut Square (King St W between John St and Simcoe St). Just look for the white tents. More info in our Fashion Week preview here.

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LECTURE | The Enigmatic Genius of Robert Altman
As part of Media Mondays at the Miles Nadal JCC, film critic Kevin Courier leads an eight-week lecture series "with clips" on legendary film director, Robert Altman. Altman's impressive career spans from the late 1950's until his death in 2006, with multiple Best Director Oscar nominations, and enduring works like Mash, The Player, The Long Goodbye, Short Cuts, A Prairie Home Companion, and other titles on his resumé. Whether you take in tonight's lecture on its own, or attend the entire series, you will definitely gain a new appreciation for Altman's work and talent. Miles Nadal JCC (750 Spadina Avenue) 7PM $11.25 ($6 students)

BOOKS & LIT | The Haiku Head To Head Deathmatch
Tonight the Toronto Poetry Slam presents another battle of verse, but this time with a Japanese twist — it's the annual Haiku Head To Head Deathmatch! Cynthia Gould of TO indie rock ensemble High Heels Lo-Fi hosts this nail biter, and there will be three rounds of head-to-head haiku action. Yes, you've likely associated this poetic form with nature, serenity, the seasons, but this is likely not going to be your Japanese ancestors' haiku. Will they be strict about the whole "5-7-5" rule, or will it be a syllabically chaotic bloodbath? Be there to find out! Supermarket (268 Augusta Avenue) 8PM (7:30 signup) $5

MUSIC | Elvis Monday
Yes, it's a Monday — not normally the go-to night of the week for local live music, but there's an exception to every rule, and Elvis Monday has enjoyed an 'exceptional' reputation in TO for decades. Is it the young, lithe Elvis they're referring to, or the seasoned, bulky one with lapels so big you could land a plane on them? This showcase of underground rock has featured early performances by Peaches, By Divine Right, Beck, Austra and others. Tonight's musical offering is White Gallery, N.L.P., Rainbow Spit, and Len Lamanna. As always, the cover is zero, and the rock is on eleven. The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) 9PM

FILM | MUSIC ON FILM: A Celebration of Music in Four Acts
The Royal Conservatory of Music and Hot Docs present a new series of film screenings featuring music-oriented documentaries that span a wide variety of genres and cultures, paired with informal lectures curated by the Conservatory. This series will take place every Monday from this evening to November 11th. Tonight's film is Wagner & Me, a documentary that follows Stephen Fry's exploration of the iconic German composer. Johannes Debus, the Canadian Opera Company's Music Director, is tonight's guest speaker. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) 6PM $15 / Series Pass $40

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Photo by Jacques in the blogTO Flickr pool