Toronto events Thursday, May 9, 2013

URBAN KNOWLEDGE | A Psychogeographic Stroll Around Queen & Ossington with Shawn Micallef

Shawn Micallef is well-known in Toronto because he knows Toronto so well. The author of the 2010 book Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto will lead a walking tour around the Queen and Ossington neighbourhood tonight, passing heritage buildings and giving a condensed history of Toronto during the two hour walk. The tour begins with an artist talk by David Kaufman at Twist Gallery, where his local urban photos are on display for CONTACT, and ends at a local bar. It doesn't get much better than that. Register by e-mailing info@evelyntauben.com.

Twist Gallery (1100 Queen Street West) 7PM Free

ART | Project Art

Driving change through art, Project Art is a gallery show benefit taking place at The Burroughes tonight in support of Sunnybrook Foundation and the Odette Cancer Centre. With proceeds funding art therapy sessions for cancer patients, Project Art will feature 15 local emerging artists including a headlining performance by JessGO. Brainstorming sessions will take place throughout the night with input and designs from artist/painter Ricky Kruger, abstract expressionist Sandra Di Leo, graffiti artist PHADE, visual artist Li-Hill and abstract graffiti artist Jimmy Chiale. Check out some exciting emerging artists to fund art in the community by purchasing tickets through Project Art's Eventbrite page.

The Burroughes Building (639 Queen Street West) 7:30PM $60

FASHION | Vintage Crawl

Lovers of vintage clothing and collectibles will be on the hunt across the city tonight for Vintage Crawl Toronto, a late-night party during which local vintage shops keep their doors open until late offering special sales and deals while serving treats and refreshments. For the spring 2013 crawl, 28 vintage shops will be open until midnight, from Roncy to Kensington, including favourites like Bridge + Bardot, Pretty Freedom, Dalston Grey, 69 Vintage, Philistine and Magwood. Be armed with an action plan and a TTC pass because this event only happens once a season.

Various locations 7PM Free

CULTURE | Top Ten Event

What is one thing everyone should know before they die? Olivia Chow, Deepa Mehta, Ron James, Hilary Farr and six other Canadian legends will each take ten minutes out of their schedules to speak to crowds at the Winter Garden Theatre tonight. The topic? One thing they believe everyone should know. Showing off their personal expertise, the speakers will educate the audience in order to raise funds for Autism Ontario. Moderated by Stuart Knight, audiences will gain insights into the passions of prolific Canadians while supporting a good cause.

Winter Garden Theatre (189 Yonge Street) 7:30PM $45-$65

THEATRE | The Barber of Seville

Count Almaviva has fallen for Rosina, a girl that has been deemed untouchable because of her ward. With the help of the Barber of Seville, Figaro, Almaviva will is determined to win her love. The Barber of Seville in its 1996 adaptation by playwright Michael O'Brien and composer John Millard opens at Soulpepper tonight. The Dora Award-winning production is a fresh contemporary take on the play by French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais with the music of Gioachino Rossini. Tickets are available through Soulpepper's website.

Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane) $32-$51 8PM

ONGOING

CONTACT Photography Festival

CONTACT is the world's largest photography festival, and an annual event in Toronto. The theme of this year's festival is Field of Vision, and it includes public installations on city streets and subway stations, as well as museums and galleries. You've got plenty of time to check it out, as the show runs until May 31.

Citywide May 1-31

ALSO OF NOTE:

For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts:

This week in music

This week in fashion

This week in film

Toronto food events

This week in theatre

This week in comedy

Toronto Concerts, May 2013

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo of the Erik Kessel exhibit by ^ Missi ^ in the blogTO Flickr pool