Here’s some fun stuff to do this weekend to temporarily wipe out of the memories of the awful ice storm that still has 32,000 Torontonians without power.
Long Winter is a monthly concerts and arts event series that take place in Queen West’s the Great Hall. Now in its second year, the series is usually a late-night endeavour, but is flipping the script for something during the day that is decidedly family-friendly tomorrow. Long Winter KIDS features appearances of local indie rockers Hooded Fang and CBC Kids Ali J. Eisner, best known as the delightful and sassy voice of cartoon vegetable, Mamma Yamma.
(Saturday, 12-5, 1087 Queen St. W.)
4. Ryan Hemsworth and OG Ron C at the Hoxton.
Last week Drake and Kanye West made Toronto nightlife history by hanging out (literally) at the Hoxton following night one of Ye’s two-night stand at the Air Canada Centre. This weekend, the King West concert venue/club welcomes two other integral (albeit smaller) members of the internet rap zeitgeist, recent Toronto transplant and reigning prince of laptop pop, Ryan Hemsworth, and one of the figures responsible in spreading the Houston rap sound that dominates albums from mainstream rap stars like A$AP Rocky and the aforementioned Drake, OG Ron C.
(Friday, 10, 69 Bathurst St.)
3. Gerry Dee Headlines the Toronto Performing Arts Centre.
Gerry Dee is probably the beiggest homegrown Canadian comedy star since Russell Peters. He was a contestant on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, a wickedly popular correspondent at the Score, and toplines the CBC hit sitcom, Mr. D. Watch him headline this 1,700 seat thatre.
(Friday, 7:30, 5400 Yonge St.)
2. Fangoria Presents: Toronto Zombie Walk Fiendraiser
Let’s face it: The zombies are winning. This “fiendraiser” is being held for local Zombie Walks creator, Thea Munster, who was left in financial disarray when a Zombie Walk outing to Nathan Phillips Square fell victim to inclement weather, leading to damaged equipment and a myriad of expenses.
(Friday, 9, 3030 Dundas St. W.)
1. The What’s In the Box Music Festival
The Drake Hotel plays host to this five-night music festival which showcases some of Toronto’s most exciting emerging artists. Standouts include dreamy synth-pop duo Prince Innocence and Rare Beef’s indie-electronica duo Imposter(s).
(Thursday-Tuesday, various, 1150 Queen St. W.)
____
Jordan Sowunmi is a writer and editor at the Toronto Standard. He is on Twitter: @jordanisjoso
____
