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The cast of Craigslist Cantata at the Factory Theatre in Toronto on Jan. 30, 2013.Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail

Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata

There are no ads currently on Craiglist for tickets to Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata – a musical inspired by the online classified site. Which is not to say there is no demand for the tickets – there is always the need to give and to take. Some would-be romancers seek a partner; other folks want for a chili-eating companion. Someone else offers a collection of headless dolls.

The fun and smart musical makes its Toronto premiere at the Factory Theatre Studio. Given that 50 million free ads are posted on Craigslist each month, the potential for fresh material is endless. "People keep sending me ads," says Veda Hille, who, along with CBC Radio's Bill Richardson, wrote and performs in the 80-minute song cycle.

To that end, new songs have been added – such ditties as 300 Stuffed Penguins, Chili Eating Buddy and Decapitated Dolls. Though it tends to be more humorous, Mr. Richardson offers thoughtful overview as well. "They're hymn-like moments," Ms. Hille said, "where he reflects on the nature of some of the ads – particularly the missed-connection ones."

And so, what might seem like a larky little musical turns out to be a voyeuristic account of of human need. "It's endlessly interesting," Ms. Hille said. "We're all full of desire, for so many, many things."

5 things to do in Toronto from Feb. 2 to Feb. 8

FOOD & DRINK

Winterlicious

"Waiter, waiter, there's a bargoon in my soup!" New Year's resolutions notwithstanding, dieting in the the cold months is improper. In fact, the practice is physiological lunacy. With that in mind, nearly 200 city restaurants have banded together to offer prix fixe menus and a schedule of "culinary events" to entice foodies and the generally famished alike.

To Feb. 7. Info at toronto.ca.

EVENT

Kuumba

African arts and culture is feted with an affair of eats, film, music and family diversions at Harbourfront Centre. Highlights include a spoken-word hubbub (Feb. 2, 7 to 8:30 p.m., free), an African board game tournament and lesson session (Feb. 2 and 3, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., free) and a salute to the recently shuttered Trane Studio (Feb. 2, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., $19, Brigantine Room). To Feb. 3. Most events free. York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.ca.

FILM

Amici Chamber Ensemble:

Silent Film & Music

The films are not three dimensional, but the music is. The Juno Award-winning Amici trio – comprised of clarinetist Joaquin Valdepeñas, cellist David Hetherington and pianist and composer Serouj Kradjian – will perform soundtracks to three silent films: Buster Keaton's The Playhouse, Man Ray's Emak-Bakia and Guy Maddin's shortie The Heart of the World. Feb. 3, 3 p.m. $13 to $20. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433, tiff.net

CONCERT

Canadian Opera Company

In his favourable review this week of Tristan und Isolde, the adjectives "stunning" and "openhearted" and "robust" and "thrilling" were employed by the Globe's Robert Harris to describe Ben Heppner, whose homecoming to the COC stage was the topic of chatter among the opera-glasses set. Wagner's Tristan und Isolde (To Feb. 23) runs concurrently with Mozart's La clemenza di Tito (Feb. 3 to 22). $45 to $390. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

FESTIVAL

Brrrrr! Winter Music Festival

Never mind electronic music, how about an electric heater? When the sandy concert space Echo Beach was developed it was a seen as a summer venue, inspired by the Martha and the Muffins hit: "It's a habit of mine, to watch the sun go down, on Echo Beach." Today, club-music fans will shake their booty and shiver them too for sunset DJ appearances. Feb. 2, 4:30 to 11 p.m. $42.50. 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000.

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