Hayden. Credit: Vanessa Heins
Michelangelo: Quest for Genius
A poet, painter and architect famous for his interior chapel decorating and a rather flattering marble likeness of a biblical hero, Michelangelo Buonarroti was a Renaissance man for the ages. The Renaissance age, as it happens. This new exhibition of 30 drawings includes several unfinished designs that are brought to life through computer animation. As well, to further establish his genius, a selection of Rodin sculptures mostly from the AGO's own collection celebrate Michelangelo's great influence. To Jan. 11, 2015. $16.50 to $25. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648 or ago.net.
Dream Serenade Benefit Concert
In the help of services for children with developmental disabilities, the soulful and highly listenable singer-songwriters Feist, Sarah Harmer, Hayden, Jason Collett, Kevin Hearn and members of the indie-rock stars The National will join in concert on Saturday. The show is the invention of Hayden Desser and his wife Christie Greyerbiehl, the parents of a child born with a rare chromosomal deletion. The hope is that the event will be an annual one, which, given the cause and the talent involved, seems like a dream worth pursuing. Oct. 25, 7 p.m. $50 to $200. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Art Toronto: Toronto International Art Fair
Some of us have bed times, an adult necessity that makes an all-night art happening such as Nuit Blanche a whimsical but untenable proposition. Thankfully, here comes a whopper of a fair which, while commercial and less audacious, provides an opportunity to walk while observing art pieces under a roof and during reasonable hours. The featured exhibit is Canada de Fantaisie/Canada Fancy, an urban carousel made from steel barriers suspended from a lamppost. Fancy that. Oct. 25 (noon to 8 p.m.) and Oct. 26 to 27 (noon to 6 p.m.). $14 to $18. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., arttoronto.ca.
International Festival of Authors
Writers work in seclusion, and don't always enjoy speaking to crowds. They're funny that way. But take Simon Rich, please. The American humorist, who with his latest collection Spoiled Brats is unambiguous in his opinion of the millennial generation, is quite happy to appear as part of panel on comedy writing. The Harvard graduate's credits include pieces for New Yorker, a stint with Saturday Night Live and now he's with Pixar. So, listen to him (on Sunday at 3 p.m.), because he's laughing all the way to the bank. To Nov. 2. Various prices. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4760 or ifoa.org.
Leslieville Farmers' Market
To everything there is a season – turn, turn, turn. On Sunday, the folks at the Leslieville Farmers' Market close down their weekly homespun affair with a pig roast and the Canadiana swing of Zakary Miller, who performs solo and with a brass quintet. A Halloween mood will prevail, as face-painting will happen and pumpkins will be popular. If you've been meaning all summer long to hit one of the regular weekend markets around town but just haven't gotten around to it, we swear it's not too late. Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Jonathan Ashbridge Park, 20 Woodward Ave., leslievillemarket.com.
Brad Wheeler