Tuesday, November 17:
7pm. This Is Not a Reading Series: Adria Vasil in Conversation with Rick Smith. Best-selling author and NOW Columnist Adria Vasil will be talking about reducing your carbon footprint at home, to go with the release of her highly-anticipated book Ecoholic Home, the follow-up to the wildly successful Ecoholic. At the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen St W). $5, free with book purchase.
9pm. Nokia MobiFest: Canada’s premier made-for-mobile film festival offers more than 35 films under 90 seconds from nearly 20 different countries. Includes the first-ever Toronto Made for Mobile Challenge, where five of Toronto’s most promising filmmakers were challenged to produce, shoot and edit a 90-second, Toronto-themed made-for-mobile film in 24 hours. At the Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Ave.)
8pm. Billy Bragg @ The Phoenix. Mmm, folky! Tickets available on Ticketmaster. 410 Sherbourne St.
Wednesday, November 18:
6pm. 9th Annual Open Door Festival @ The Mod Club, supporting Toronto’s Red Door Family Shelters. The National Post calls this indie music show “a cause celebre in the city.” $15 advance, visit opendoorfestival.com.
6-9pm. Green Drinks Toronto @ Grace O’Malley’s. Sip a drink and network with fellow green-minded individuals! Code-word is, “Are you green?” At Grace O’Malley’s (14 Duncan St).
8pm. Peaches @ The Phoenix. She’s gonna turn it out for her hometown. $24.95, tickets available through Ticketmaster.
Thursday, November 19:
8pm. An Evening with Stephen King @ the Canon Theatre. The man himself will be onstage in conversation with David Cronenberg, hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos. He’s promoting his new environmental thriller, Under the Dome. Tickets start at $28, available through TicketKing.com.
8pm. This Magazine launch @ the Painted Lady. Celebrating the November-December issue of This Magazine, a non-profit Canadian mag about politics and art. $5 cover includes a copy of the magazine, and there will be door prizes from Come As You Are, The HotBox Cafe, Zunior Digital Music Store and more. 218 Ossington Ave.
Friday, November 20:
2pm. Gourmet Food and Wine Expo opens at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. With more than 1, 200 fine wines, spirits and beers to sample, could this be heaven? Admission is $15, find more info at foodandwineexpo.ca.
3pm. The Everything To Do With Sex Show opens at the Direct Energy Center at Exhibition Place. Visit toronto.everythingtodowithsex.com to learn more, you dirty, dirty thing.
8pm. The opening of the second year of Breast Fest, the only film festival dedicated to exploring breast cancer. Screenings at the ROM theatre. Visit breastfestfilmfest.com.
8pm. RIZE, a benefit concert for Horizon Arts Camp. Help give disadvantaged kids a chance to experience the magic of arts camp by attending this evening of acoustic rock, yiddish jazz, musical theatre, Japanese drumming, hip hop and flamenco! At the Jane Mallett Theatre (27 Front St E)
8pm. The Catering Queen: Cocktails, Canapés and Comedy. The return of Audience Choice Award from Toronto Fringe 2006 is back! This foodie comedy opens November 20th and runs till December 6 at the Tarragon Theatre Extra Space (30 Bridgman Ave). For more info, visit mcguffincompany.com.
Saturday, November 21:
10am. Movies & Makers: A Local Arts and Crafts Show @ the Fox Theatre. GirlCanCreate.com and the Fox Theatre are showcasing local artisans all day from 10am-4pm, then screening the documentary Handmade Nation, a film about the rise of the craft movement at 4:30. Craft show is free, the film is $6. Go early and get some Christmas shopping done!
4pm. LAF: Bloor Street Light, Art and Food Event from Landsdowne to Dufferin. Artists, stores and restaurant owners will be collaborating for this event, where artists will make nightlight sculptures for Bloordale streetlamps, shops will transform their shop windows with light and art projects, and restaurants will open up to prepare tasting menus at a marginal cost.
7pm. Laughology, Live Laughter Demo and World Laughter Games @ The Bloor Cinema. You’re going to LOL, for realz. Laughology was a huge hit at Hot Docs, and it’s being screened again at the Bloor. Learn about the rise of the world laughter movement and the health benefits of laughter.
Sunday, November 22:
6:30pm-9:30pm. 9th Annual Heart of Fashion benefit. Experience four of the “hautest” international fashion destinations, New York, London, Paris and L.A., all under one roof – at the Bayview Village Shopping Centre. Travel through the four themed fashion zones, enjoying store discounts, gourmet food, and a fashion show. Tickets are $75, available at heartoffashion.ca. Proceeds benefit Karen, Heather and Lynn Steinberg Breast Services at North York General Hospital.