June 8th-17th Luminato @ various locations. An annual 10-day festival of creativity where Toronto’s stages, streets, and public spaces are illuminated with arts and creativity! Luminato is a multi-disciplinary festival of theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, film, literature, visual arts, design and more.

June 11th-17th NXNE @ various locations. 7 days, 780 bands, 40+ venues. Check out their website for schedules and a complete list of performers.

June 14th-17th Live In Bellwoods: Great Heart Festival @ Trinity Bellwoods Park. A festival in which everyone involved (artists, videographers, promoters, and audience) is doing it for no other reason than the greatness of their hearts, and the love of music. All ages and free! Check out their Facebook page for lineup and set times.

WEDNESDAY

7 pm Ages & Stages Afterparty @ 586 Richmond St. Afterparty for the Meligrove Band documentary Ages & Stages, premiering on Wednesday at the NFB (John and Richmond) at 4:30pm. Cheap Steam Whistle and liquor + performances by Nixon, The Fabulous Yawn, The Two Koreas, Magneta Lane, Dinosaur Bones, and a secret surprise guest! Caplansky’s food truck will also be there.

8 pm Burnout Basement @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. This week’s super special DJ guests are DJ Unicorn Porn and Confit.

10 pm Pear-Shaped @ 1602, 1602 Dundas St. W. DJ Kurt Firla celebrates the diamond jubilee his way with Brit-pop.

11 pm Max Burgundy & Blake Carrington @ Crawford (downstairs), 718 College St. Buck wild and talented rap men-about-town Max Burgundy (Brooklyn) and Blake Carrington (Toronto) take over. With guests The Lytics and Boombox Saints + Comeback Season DJs closing the show. 4 AM LAST CALL.

THURSDAY

2 pm Unofficial NXNE Party @ JangBang, 430.5 College St. An unofficial NXNE day party featuring Korean tacos! With music from Army Girls (Toronto), Cold Warps (Halifax/Ottawa), and Cartoons (Toronto). $5.

5:30 pm Toronto Island Bonfire Party @ Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island. JanSport presents a free outdoor concert featuring Smith Westerns and Dusted + the good vibes of a backyard bonfire with drinks, snacks, and goodies! Free ferry ride too! RSVP online (based on capacity).

7 pm OTMzine NXNE Celebration @ Camp 4, 1173 Dundas St. W. Celebrate the launch of Off The Map Webzine’s Summer 2012 Issue with a small acoustic showcase. Performances by Martha Meredith, Trudeau//Mookie, Petty Victories, Craig Strickland, and Tim Moxam. Sounds from DJ Mike Ness from 10 pm onwards. $5 or free with a NXNE wristband.

10 pm NXNE Epic DJ Rotation @ Unlovable, 1415-B Dundas St. W. An epic rotation of DJs including Dean Tzenos (Odonis Odonis), Beta Frontiers, Hellaluya, Hussy, and D. Lee & Apey O (Hooded Fang/Phedre) + live performances by Hussy and Hut. 4 AM LAST CALL.

10 pm Threshold @ The Red Light, 1185 Dundas St. W. A new monthly featuring some friends playing mostly stacks of wax: Andrew Ross, Graham Zilla, Kevin McPhee, and Ronnie “MF” Falcon.

10 pm Rap Traxxx @ Unit, 1198 Queen St. W. A solid night of hip-hop bangers and obscurities as DJ Numeric digs through his crates to pull out some rap wax for your listening pleasure.

FRIDAY

1 pm NXNE Experiment II @ El Gordo’s Backyard, 214 Augusta Ave. (back alley). The ultimate daytime party of the summer presented by Pretty Pretty Records and The Wa Magazine! 10 bands + two DJs + two stages. Performances by The Men, Doldrums, Bass Drum of Death, Mac Demarco, Prince Innocence, Ell V Gore, Idiot Glee, Walter TV, and two very special guests. With DJ Tarantula X and a very special guest. Beer and food (empanadas, tacos, churros, etc.) will be for sale. Afterparty kicks off at Bambi’s at 10 pm. $10.

1:30 pm 4th Annual 159 Manning BBQ @ 159 Manning Ave. Curated and hosted by Tim McCready. The line-up of performers and collaborators is a secret and will not be announced online until the Saturday morning after it’s all over. 10 musical acts on three stages, five readers, four comedians, three DJs, two 50-pound pigs on a spit, one something-something. $30 advance tickets available at Rotate This.

7 pm “Human Nature” Opening Reception @ Twist Gallery, 1100 Queen St. W. “’Human Nature’ is a solo exhibit by Torontonian Artist Jessica Gorlicky and features provocative large scale canvases which look to exaggerate parts of our human nature such as sensuality, sexuality and overall human nature. From provocative sexy nights to an abundance of sexual nature this exhibit will entice and stimulate the audience.” The opening reception will include drinks, appetizers, music, and entertainment for a night that will stimulate your senses. Until 11 pm. RSVP to rsvp@twistgallery.ca.

9 pm Dream.Love.Cure Concert Series @ The Burroughes Building, 639 Queen St. W. West 49 And C1RCA have donated $100,000 to the Dream Love Cure Centre coming soon to Toronto. THAT CALLS FOR SOME DANCING. Featuring local bands The Wooden Sky and Great Bloomers + DJ Johnny Hockin ensuring that your clothes go from passably damp to straight-up disgusting. $10 tickets available online.

10 pm NXNE Experiment II Afterparty @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. With Mausoleum, Automelodi, DJ Mike Simonetti, and special guests.

10 pm Laytheseknight @ The Red Light, 1185 Dundas St. W. DJs Patrick McGuire and Famous Players drop that soft, down low, slowed, hot, fast, older sister music you know and love. It gets full fast, tables get danced on, and everyone gets to know each other a little better.

10 pm Gin & Phonic @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Stax, Motown, funk, northern soul, and jams on strictly vinyl. Dance it up!

10 pm Pie & Mash DJs Indie/Alternative Party @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. The Pie & Mash DJs play their favourite alternative tunes from across the genres: indie, Brit-pop, electronic, hip-hop, funk, soul, reggae, and ska.

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 Girl & Boy 90s Dance Party @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. A pulsating dance party rocking the retro sounds of the 90’s! Throw your feed on the tiles at Clintons as the DJs jam out anything and everything from 1990-1999. $5.

10 pm Yes Yes Y’all @ The Annex WreckRoom, 794 Bathurst St. Your monthly serving of hip-hop, dancehall, RnB, and strip club anthems at Toronto’s biggest queer jam. With special guest DJ J.J. Rock. $6.

11 pm Evening Standard 2 Year Anniversary @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. Evening Standard celebrates its second birthday with two special guests and some of NYC’s finest: Justin Miller and Justin Strauss. $10.

1 am NXNE Official METZ Afterparty @ Unlovable, 1415-B Dundas St. W. (Technically Saturday, to avoid any confusion). Afterparty following the METZ performance at Wrongbar. With DJs Scott Cudmore and Alex Edkins of the monthly Unlovable party The Supreme Court of Canada + guest bartender Joseph Tanner of Camp 4. 4 AM LAST CALL.

SATURDAY

10 am NXNE Record Show @ Hyatt Regency (King Ballroom, mezzanine level), 370 King St. W. Kops Records presents a one day vinyl show featuring the most interesting record dealers from across Ontario, a selection of label vendors, educational stations, and on-site DJ entertainment featuring Brendan Canning of Cookie Duster. Until 4 pm. $5 or free with NXNE pass/wristband.

10 am Roncy Rocks @ Roncesvalles Village. A one-day celebration of the great music, art, and culture of Roncesvalles Village! With music on four stages, a juried art show and sale, original films at the Revue Cinema, and more. Until 6 pm. 

11 am OTM x Songs & Cigarettes Vintage Pop-Up @ Poretta Lane (take Sussex Mews south off Harbord), Harbord & Spadina Ave. A full-fledged vintage pop-up sale brought to you by Off The Map Webzine and Songs & Cigarettes! With Bridge & Bardot, Cambric + Lawn, Dalston Grey, Eskimeaux Vintage, Friends With Both Arms, Pretty Freedom, Reservoir Vintage, Tabula Rasa, Tomorrow Never Knows, and White Tiger Vintage Boutique. There will also be popsicles, punch, popcorn, and the best music and records all afternoon (DJ set by the handsome men of Songs & Cigarettes). Cash only. Until 4 pm.

3 pm Silent Shout Unofficial NXNE Synthbeque @ Milk Glass Co., 1247 Dundas St. W. Silent Shout is having a BBQ. A Synthbeque! Featuring performances by TOPS (Montreal), Sean Nicholas Savage (Montreal), Young Liars (Vancouver), Tezeta (Toronto), Sexy Merlin (Toronto), Cellphone (Toronto), Goose Hut (Montreal), and Miss Elizabeth (Toronto). DJs ARP 2600 and Farragoes will play the best dark electro-pop between bands. Cash bar, not BYOB.

10 pm Parts & Labour 2nd Anniversary Party @ Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. Parts & Labour enters the terrible twos! Religious Material in The Shop with DJ Scott Cudmore spinning soul, funk, R&B, and gospel vinyl. Strangeways on the main floor at midnight with DJ Scott Wade spinning punk, new wave, and Brit-pop. Sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon. $5.

10 pm Vogue @ Black Box Theatre (The Great Hall), 1087 Queen St. W. DJs Zebra Katz and Njena Reddd Foxxx delve into their minimalist take on NYC’s hip hop and “ballroom” culture with support from Fade To Mind’s Mike Q. Supporting set by local Blackcat of Big Primpin’. $12.50 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, Play De Record, or online. For $15 reduced guestlist (subject to capacity), email names to guestlist@wearemansion.ca.

10 pm Hot Blooded @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Dust off those boogie shoes! DJs Johnee and Dylan spin sweet disco hits to keep you stayin’ alive. $5.

10 pm Least Squares @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. Seeking chemistry? Dial 1-900-LST-SQURE for meaningful 1-on-1 connections, x-files house, Italo drip, and brute-force disco romance. DJs Brandon Oliver and Andrew Wilson play the hits.

10 pm Taiza Presents: Goonie Goo Goo @ Margret, 2952 Dundas St. W. DJs Taiza bring a hot kaleidoscopic blend of exotic disco, thermionic hip-hop, savage electro, and herbaceous dance hall.

10 pm Shake, Rattle & Roll @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. Spend the night together with the Bangs & Blush ladies! 60’s pop, soul and rock n’ roll to drink, dance and get messy to. $5.

10 pm All Souled Out @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. DJs Big Jimmy Mills and Sylvermayne play hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B, make-you-wanna-boogie dance party music.

10 pm DJ Craig Dunshmuir @ Holy Oak, 1241 Bloor St. W. Disco, house, soul, soft rock, etc. music with DJ Craig Dunshmuir.

10 pm Electric Dreams @ The Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St. W. DJ Murdress Margot plays new wave and other moody dance music.

10:30 pm MurderBoner! 17 @ The Red Light, 1185 Dundas St. W. NXNE edition featuring special guest Ryan Hemsworth dropping some of his signature sounds. DJ Ghetto Gold Matt plays new progressive rap music all night long. Now serving Colt 45s.

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 Peer Pressure Presents: Treasure Fingers @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. The lads from Peer Pressure are back, and they’ve brought a guest with them! Hailing from Atlanta, Treasure Fingers has been making dance floors quake for years with his combination of funk, house and electro. Peer Pressure residents A-Rock, Hatchmatik, and Merk Meny support. $10.

SUNDAY

2 pm A Wild Rumpus for Maurice Sendak @ Sorauren Park, Souraren & Wabash Ave. Take part in a massive wild rumpus to celebrate the legendary children’s author at the 4th annual Little City Festival. Some of Toronto’s leading wordsmiths will read such beloved Sendak tales as Where The Wild Things Are and In The Night Kitchen. Throughout the afternoon, Wild Things of all ages can create noisemakers and costumes and around 4:30 pm, Kevin Sylvester will holler Sendak’s iconic phrase “Let The Wild Rumpus Start!” and Mystic Drumz will lead a musical conga line around the park. The Little City Festival (formerly Totstock) is a community celebration of the DIY spirit in youth culture featuring songs, stories, games, crafts and local food that The Little Paper, Rooster Studio and Small Print Toronto co-present every June in Sorauren Park. Until 5 pm.

~ Caitlyn Holroyd

(For event submissions, email caitlyn_holroyd@hotmail.com)