May 1st-31st Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival @ various locations. The largest photography event in the world is back! CONTACT is an annual event in May featuring over 1,500 Canadian and international artists and photographers exhibiting at more than 175 venues throughout the GTA. Check out the CONTACT website for a full list of exhibitions and installations.

May 3rd-4th Topshop Queen Street Prom Party @ Topshop at Hudson’s Bay, 176 Yonge St. Celebrate prom at Topshop! There will be gifts with purchase (mini-manicure with a $125 spend), sweet treats, DJs, and students get 10% off when you show your student card. Runs 2-6 pm both days.

May 4th-5th Jane’s Walk @ various locations. A hybrid walking tour-urban exploration-neighbourhood festival! Look at places from the point of view of those who live and play in the neighbourhood.

May 4th-5th Cinco de Mayo Print Show & Sale @ Kid Icarus, 205 Augusta Ave. After spending two inspiring weeks in Mexico City, Kid Icarus has decided to throw a party to celebrate Mexican culture through the art of screen printing with a collection of prints from master screen printers 75 Grados! 
They will have a collection of 35 unique prints on display with a total of 50 prints in stock for you to take home. Open 12-6 pm on Saturday and 12-5 pm on Sunday.

WEDNESDAY

5 pm Roaring Speakeasy Happy Hour @ Happy Child, 1168 Queen St. W. A swanky after-work affair in the theme of a 1920’s speakeasy! Live jazz piano from 8-10 pm by Kelsey McNulty and all the celebrated ragtime tunes of the day + 1800’s-themed cocktail list and FREE canapes while they last. Come sip down your week with some proper handcrafted cocktails over jazz and sweet conversation. Until 10 pm.

6 pm “Daily Companions” Opening Reception @ Cooper Cole Gallery, 1161 Dundas St. W. A solo exhibition from Brooklyn-based artist Lauren Luloff – her first in Canada. “In her latest works, Luloff explores an existence of life in animate objects and figuration through expressive, large-scale paintings. Luloff uses a layering technique of fabric which is uniquely painted on with bleach and oil paint. The translucency of the fabric reveals the process making of the work and provides an honest and considered composition. Her work embodies life on a psychological level, evoking emotion through nostalgia and familiarity, and also through the physicality of the work itself. The subject matter as well as the abstract forms are created in a very natural way, directly relating to the body.” Until 10 pm. Exhibition runs until May 25th.

9 pm Fear Street @ Sex Laser, 1369 Dundas St W. Horror/sci-fi movie scores/songs from soundtracks, or spooky/cool stuff every Wednesday. Maybe you’ll talk about movies. Maybe you’ll dance with some zombies. Maybe you’ll fall into the Hell Mouth. $3 PBR before 11 pm.

10 pm Sha Na Na @ The Red Light, 1185 Dundas St. W. DJ Brittney (one half of the Bangs & Blush duo) plays jukebox hits and makeout songs all night long. (It’s also her birthday so bring her a cupcake or something!)

10 pm Bowie Bar Wednesdays @ Andy Poolhall, 489 College St. DJs Avery, Doc Benway, and guests play music by David Bowie and Bowie-esque tunes. Drink specials until midnight.

10 pm Common People @ The Midpoint, 1180 Queen St. W. DJ Tigermilk plays a mix of post-punk, alternative, Brit-pop, seminal to current indie rock, and whatever else. $4 mixed drinks before 11 pm, $4 tequila, $5 Jameson, $5 pints of PBR, and $7 mug + shot.

10 pm Liquid Karaoke @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. Colin Bergh, James McDonough, Nadia Belerique, and Jeff Hayward are your hosts. $4 Jameson and $5.50 pints before midnight.

THURSDAY

6 pm “Early Sunday Morning: New Urban Photos by David Kaufman”  Opening Reception @ Twist Gallery, 1100 Queen St. W. “David Kaufman’s new architectural photographs illuminate the rich visual texture of Toronto’s disappearing heritage streetscapes in neighbourhoods undergoing rapid redevelopment. Inspired by the 1930 Edward Hopper painting of the same name, ‘Early Sunday Morning’ features highly detailed large scale images of handsome brick buildings, some dating back to the 1880s, whose intricate masonry and richly coloured facades are revealed by morning sunlight. The exhibition is a photographic ‘cri de coeur’ for what remains of Toronto’s unheralded early buildings and a celebration of a century-old era in the city’s architecture.” Until 9:30 pm. Exhibition runs until May 26th, 11-6 pm Wednesday through Sunday.

9:30 pm Soul Machine @ Czehoski, 678 Queen St W. DJ Caff (Motown Party) plays funk and soul while you drink and dance.

10 pm Heart & Strokes @ Souz Dal, 612 College St. Indie rock socializing! Come for the Heart, stay for The Strokes.

10 pm Stop Crying @ Crawford, 718 College St. The Bass6 crew plays all the bangers you want to hear!

10 pm H8 Her @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. Ladies playing hip-hop, dance faves, and guilty pleasures!

10 pm Blahzay Florplay @ Mr. Pong’s Bar, 1576 Dundas St. W. TheBlahzayBoys present a throwback to some of their favourite hip-hop tracks from one of the dopest rap crews and one of their favourite producers: Native Tongues vs. DJ Premier. De La Soul vs. Gangstarr, Jungle Brothers vs. Group Home, Queen Latifah vs. Bahamadia, and so on.

10 pm #IWWIW Unofficial Video Release @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Joseph & The Mercurials have just come out with it… this video… this track… it’s the first of many. So they’re playing a show… not because of it… or as a result of it… but it’s all inextricably linked, isn’t it? Performances by Jenny Omnichord (10 pm), Language Arts (11 pm), and Joseph & The Mercurials (midnight).

FRIDAY

8 pm Cinco de Mayo @ Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Blvd. Come party it up for a good cause! DJs, raffle, prizes, pinata contest, beer, tequila, and more. All proceeds from this fiesta will be donated to Team Steam Whistle and the 2013 Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Princess Margaret Hospital. $10 advance tickets available online.

9 pm Berkeley Block Party with Jason Priestley @ Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. Mingle and party with Jason Priestly (of 90210 fame) at the wrap-up party for Canadian Stage’s production of Race. DJs Laura Kelly and Jan Streekstra of the monthly All That dance party at The Boat will be spinning all your favourite 90’s tunes! $10 advance tickets available online.

9 pm Friday Night Live! @ The ROM, 100 Queen’s Park. Featuring live performances by 2013 JUNO Nominee and past JUNO Award winning artists. Level 1 (Currelly Gallery): DJ KID MK, headliner Jully Black (R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for Fugitive), image montage of JUNO winners from 1975 to 2013. Level 2 (Bronfman Hall): DJs O-God and Eon Sinclair from Bedoiun Soundclash, air hockey turbo, Canadian craft beer showcase, image montage of JUNO winners from 1975 to 2013. Level 4 (Glass Room): U of T jazz band, performance by Dave Young/Terry Promane (Traditional Jazz Album of the Year for Volume One). Live gallery activities to celebrate Canada’s distinctive nature and culture super stars + food and drink from Parts & Labour, feasTO, Manual Labour Coffee, Curbside Bliss Cupcakes, Augie’s Gourmet Ice Pops, HotBunzz Street Cuizine, Tiffinday Inc., Gourmet Gringos Catering, Kanto by Tita Flips, LaRivolta, and Little Tomato Catering (drink and food tickets available onsite starting at $6). $12 advance tickets available online (entry is guaranteed only if you book tickets online and arrive before 9 pm).

10 pm Beatlemania! @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Grab your guys and gals (don’t forget the dancin’ shoes) and get ready to sweat it out with the Bangs & Blush ladies! 50’s and 60’s soul, rock ‘n’ roll, and all the Beatles tunes you can handle. $5.

10 pm Yacht Rock @ The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. A night of dancing to the smoothest music you’ve ever heard in your life. $5 to step aboard.

10 pm Deckade @ Margret, 2952 Dundas St. W. 2000-2009: A Retrospective. Hey scenesters! Was 2006 just one giant hangover for you? Take a trip to the not-so-distant past and relive all those fresh memories of a simpler time. You know, that special time between teen angst and dubstep, when white ties, beehives, and leather jackets that were too small for us were the only thing worn. DJs Candy-O and Snatch play alllll the hits! The Hives! The Strokes! Interpol! Franz Ferdinand! Ladytron! The White Stripes! Phoenix! The Kooks! Lily Allen! Amy Winehouse! The Black Kids! The Vines! Yeah Yeah Yeahs! More!

10 pm Girl & Boy 90s Dance Party @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. A pulsating dance party rocking the retro sounds of the 1990s! All your favourite dance, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and so on and so on and so on. $5.

10 pm Start! @ Velvet Underground, 510 Queen St. W. Retro and beyond with DJs Downey Jr (Neat, Neat, Neat/Hughes The Boss) and John Sirdevan (Neat, Neat, Neat). Indie, synth pop, post-punk, Brit-pop, and new wave. Free before 11 pm, $5 after.

10 pm Pop Lobster: Three Times A Lobster Edition @ Magpie, 831 Dundas St. W. Pop Lobster celebrates its 3rd birthday! Gurl is all grown up! Joining DJ Little Kicks for this happy-making anniversary party will be a most beloved guest ARP 2600 of Silent Shout. As per usual, you may or may not have the opportunity to dance to the likes of Pet Shop Boys, Blondie, Destiny’s Child, Le Tigre, Britney Spears, Robyn, Motown, indie, new wave, disco, and more.

10 pm Sweat Pants @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. DJ Coolin Cregg plays his/your favourite songs all night. ’95(ish) to ’05(ish) rap/RnB/reggae/dancehall, sexy tunes, new joints, old jams, sweat pants.

10 pm Keep It Cute @ The Beaver, 1192 Queen St. W. A beat box plays on the sidewalk below. Loud. The bass buzzing its limits. The heat and City traffic cutting in. Flesh on flesh. A smoke out on the fire escape. You pour another cheap glass of wine. Heavy vibes. Turntables in the park, juice stolen from the man. Graff`s not Graff if you pay for the paint. A love supreme. A Kiss 98.7 mastermix overheard in the afternoon, while you’re sexing someone else’s wife/husband. A well worn copy of Arthur Russel’s “Let’s Go Swimming”. Within the repetition, the truth. Within the call and response, the ecstasy. Eytan Tobin (Guilty Pleasures) guest DJs.

10 pm City Love / She’s So Thirsty @ Crawford, 718 College St. Upstairs, Crawford’s sweethearts Lacey & Tammy blast out hot hip-hop and RnB tunes! Downstairs, DJ Grouch plays reggae and trap all night long. $5 before 11:30 pm, more after.

10 pm Free Ass 003 @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. Free your ass and your mind will follow. With DJs Andrew Allsgood, Catalist, and Myth Paradise.

10 pm Back-A-Yard @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. A night of sunshine vibes with Pie & Mash DJs. The best reggae, ska, dub, and dancehall tunes!

11 pm Your Boy Brian + Simon’s B-Day Party @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. The Drake’s resident DJ Your Boy Brian and bartender extraordinaire Simon Ho celebrate their birthday together with friends, cake, and music. $10.

SATURDAY

10 pm moondance @ The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. DJs Annie Webber and Keith Hamilton bring you the best dance jams under the moon! Sweat your way to last call by dancing to their favourite music of all eras (surely, some of your favs too). $5.

10 pm Evveryday Wavvy @ The Red Light, 1185 Dundas St. W. DJs Smells Gvcci and Coolin Cregg play drug rap.

10 pm Sluttering @ The Shop under Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. Billy Hamilton plays Jawbreaker and like-minded souls. Music for makeout sessions and bicycle messengers, punks, and art school dropouts.

10 pm Super Good / Grilled Cheese @ Crawford, 718 College St. Upstairs, three-time Juno nominated DJ/producer Techtwelve spins the best in hip-hop, R&B, trap, and classics. Downstairs, DJs James Redi and Big Jacks play Motown, disco, hip-hop, and reggae while Fundament holds it down front and centre with a mic, a George Foreman grill, a stack of cheesy slices and a fresh loaf. Yes, FREE GRILLED CHEESE ON THE DANCE FLOOR! Free before 11 pm, $5 after.

10 pm Motown Party @ 751, 751 Queen St. W. Motown, northern soul, and remixes with DJs Fawn BC, Caff, and special guest ShaydaKiss upstairs + an all-vinyl set with DJs Brett Millius and Reverend Throwdown downstairs. $5 before 11 pm, $10 after.

10 pm Rip It Up! @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. DJ Davy Love and friends play R&B, garage, soul, doo-wop, and down and dirty rock ‘n’ roll records for your listening, dancing, and drinking-along-with pleasure.

10 pm Secret Models @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. One big room, full of bad bitches! DJs Secret Models play hits straight from your high school semi-formal.

10 pm Shake, Rattle & Roll @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. A sexy, sweaty dance party thrown by the Bangs & Blush ladies! 60’s pop, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. $5.

10 pm Pay Day @ The Shop under Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. DJs Isosceles and Stew Innes play hip-hop and beyond. Free before 11:30 pm, $5 after.

10 pm Reality Bytes @ Augusta House, 152-A Augusta Ave. Travel back in time to the 90’s! DJs4est, Lindzrox, and Jrox spin all your favourite dance, hip-hop, electronica, andalternative 90’s tunes. Free before 11 pm, $5 after.

10 pm CUE POC @ Margret, 2952 Dundas St. W. Queer jams. Queer people of colour. Everyone welcome. DJs Sissy Fuss and Auntie Flowww + your host Hiba Al-a-Mode! $3.50 drink specials until midnight.

10 pm Small World, Big Times @ Souz Dal, 612 College St. Blood brothers Ryan Ringer and Karol Orzechowski have hosted a lot of parties together, most of which happened at the now defunct Kensington Market art space Project 165. Now, fresh off a big break, they’re back! Karol will spin swamp rock from the 70’s, love songs from the 80’s, rap from the 90’s, and bleep-bloop music from the 00’s. Plus a 5-hour projected remix of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Meanwhile, Ryan will be on the bar slingin’ tasty drinks all night. Plus other stuff.

11 pm Love Saves The Day @ The Beaver, 1192 Queen St. W. Maximal house and maximal disco with DJs Produzentin, Donna Ho, and Jaime Sin.

11 pm Shake A Tail @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St. 60’s pop, rock, soul, funk, garage, ska, ANYTHING! Always humid. $5.

11 pm Never Forgive Action @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. DJs Numeric, Ted Dancin’, and Dalia + host More or Les pay tribute to the golden age of hip-hop, spinning classic jams from the sweet spot of 1986 to 1994. $10.

11:30 pm 1-800-Dinosaur After Party + James Blake DJ Set @ Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St. W. British crooner (and swooner!) James Blake DJs with support from fellow London-ers Airhead, NYC’s Falty DL, and 1-800-Dinosaur’s Dan Foat. $15 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and online. For guestlist, email guestlist@wrongbar.com.

SUNDAY

7:30 pm Awesome 80’s Music Trivia: @ GO Lounge, 1718 Queen St. W. Love the 80’s? Love the music? Then crimp that hair, put on your best skinny tie, and head to GO Lounge for their 80’s music quiz. Win prizes!

10 pm Mad Men Screening @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. Watch Mad Men’s 6th season on the big screen every Sunday while sipping on $10 2oz throwback cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Gin Fizz, and Bloody Mary.

~ For event submissions, email Caitlyn Holroyd at caitlyn_holroyd@hotmail.com