The five hottest tickets in Toronto

Duran Duran

In 2015, the British new-wave survivors Duran Duran released its 14th long-player, Paper Gods. On the outside, the album artwork included iconography from the Notorious band's hit-laden past, while on the inside the material features production and songwriting help from old friend Nile Rodgers, the disco-guitar legend. He'll open the show with his band Chic, they of Le Freak fortune and fame. July 13, 7 p.m. $34.20 to $158.20. Molson Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 800-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Founded in 1961 by Murray and Marvelle Koffler, the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition was established to nurture artistic excellence and artists' entrepreneurial spirit, and to showcase contemporary art to the general public. That was 55 years ago, when the city was a much drabber place. And yet now, with so many fancy – not to mention schmancy – events crowding the summer calendar, the annual juried affair of little white tents and works of painting, sculpture, photography and wearable artwork still attracts 100,000 visitors. July 8 and 9 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and July 10 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Free. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W., torontooutdoorart.org.

Kent Jones: Hitchcock/Truffaut

Hitchcock fanatics have been waiting months for this weekend, and the suspense is just killing them. Not only will the New York film aficionado Kent Jones introduce Hitchcock's I Confess (July 9, 6:30 p.m.) and François Truffaut's Day for Night (July 8, 6:30 p.m.), he'll unveil Hitchcock/Truffaut, his documentary based on the epic 1962 interview of the former by the latter. July 9, 3:45 p.m. $9 to $13. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433 or tiff.net.

Toronto Summer Music Festival

Melodious summer affairs are associated with the great outdoors, but who among us could not appreciate a situation that offered air conditioning, outstanding acoustics and indoor plumbing? Toronto Summer Music has all those things and the Parker String Quartet, too. The Grammy-winning foursome stars in a lush program of English music that opens the festival, with highlights that include Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31, Britten's affecting song cycle. July 14, 7:30 p.m. (festival continues to Aug. 7). $20 to $79. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208 or torontosummermusic.com.

Afrofest

Music Africa made a lot of noise when its annual Afrofest was reduced by the City of Toronto to a one-day event instead of its traditional two. The clawback was over permit violations in the past, involving music acts playing beyond Sunday curfews. After much hue and cry, however, it was agreed that the festival of African art, craft, food and music would be restored to its standard two-day schedule. Sunday evening, by the way, will be excited by the Ghanaian Afro-pop duo Ruff n Smooth, a name coincidentally applicable to the state of our municipal affairs. July 9 and 10. Free. Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St. E., afrofest.ca.