The Lineup: Oct. 22 - 28

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ART

The Art of Collecting

Collecting? As in amassing some 7,000 decorative arts pieces over the last 15 years? The Royal Ontario Museum airs out its cupboards, bringing to light more than 100 antiques that include furniture by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, porcelain from the Sèvres factory, silver by Puiforcat and glassware by René Lalique. Opens Saturday. $16 to $24. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, 416-586-8000.

Jeanie Riddle

Though her oil paintings are muscular, there's a prettiness to the Montreal artist's work as well. Likewise, her sculpture-paint hybrids (made of Arctic birch wood and Plexiglas, and treated with latex paint) are beautiful and tough. To Oct. 29. Free. Angell Gallery, 12 Ossington Ave., 416-530-0444.

Art Toronto

It gets 15 minutes of fame to the gallon, apparently. This year's modern and contemporary international art fair is highlighted by Kent Monkman's art-market "funhouse" installation and Andy Warhol's 1979 Art Car – a sporty BMW M1 that gets good mileage. Oct. 28 to 31 (Oct. 27, sneak preview, $200 to $300, 416-979-6660, ext. 552).$14 to $18. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., 800-663-4173.

CLUBS

Amon Tobin

Moving beyond his DJ-centric shows, the Montreal-based Brazilian tours a live production dedicated to creating an immersive sci-fi/hi-fi environment. The show features a shape shifting 3-D art installation surrounding Mr. Tobin, enveloping him and his audience in a "projected" score. Sunday, 9 p.m. Sold out. Opera House, 735 Queen St. E., 888-222-6608.

Death From Above 1979

Dance-punk isn't dead, it was just in a bit of a coma waiting for this sweaty bass-and-drums duo to return. Oct. 27 and 28, 8 p.m. $36. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 888-222-6608.

CONCERTS

Mumford & Sons

Contemporaries of Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale on the London new-folk scene, the rootsy quartet dramatically places lush vocal harmonies atop sturdy melodies, deeply steeped in British and American traditions. Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. $44.75 to $64.75. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., 855-985-5000; Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. $42 to $62. Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, 855-985-5000.

Tyler Duncan

Here comes the big-voiced baritone from Manhattan by way of British Columbia, an oratorio singer lauded by the New York Times for his might, bite and "commendable diction." He appears with his frequent accompanist, the pianist Erika Switzer. Oct. 27, 8 p.m. $29.50 to $49.50. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W., 416-872-4255.

THEATRE

I Send You This Cadmium Red

An evening of theatre, dance and music begins with a James Kudelka pas de deux called Soudain, l'hiver dernier and finishes with an inventive play that explores new ways to see colour. The piece is based on a BBC radio play, adapted by the Art of Time Ensemble and inspired by letters between writer John Berger and filmmaker John Christie. Closes Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m. $22 to $69. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110.

Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour

In Cirque du Soleil's extravagant new arena thriller, a dancer dressed as Bubbles (the late king of pop's famous pet chimp) hovers in a giant, elephant-skull cradle and is spun gently by a mime. Yep, Wacko Jacko is back – here in the form of a splashy circus that pays tribute to an entertainer who'll live on and on, one way or another. Saturday (8 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.). $66.25 to $190.25. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., 855-985-5000.

Bharati: The Wonder That Is India

When better for the over-the-top presentation of the dance, music, fashion and folk traditions of India to open, than the first night of Diwali – a joyous holiday translating to "festival of lights." A story of love and homecoming is told by 70 performers and musicians. Oct. 26 to Nov. 6. $39 to $109. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 855-872-7669.

Fela!

Ecstatic and exclamative, the true story of the legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti is brought to musical life, with an aim to nudge hips into action and minds toward thoughts of political freedom and considerations of basic human dignity. Oct. 25 to Nov. 6. $35 to $130. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria St., 416-872-1212.

DANCE

Eight Ways From Mars

Confusion, temptation and distraction – those are either the three least successful of Santa's reindeers or they're the troubling elemental forces examined in a new production from Zata Omm Dance Projects. With contemporary dance, video and intricate costumes, a piece for five dancers considers how people seek ways to sidestep life's misery. Saturday (8 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). $15 to $28. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.

The Neat Strange Music of Ahmed Hassan

Part of the ongoing Abilities Arts Festival, dancers Peggy Baker, Serge Bennathan, Peter Bingham and Robert Desrosiers pay tribute to the late Ahmed Hassan, a unique composer stricken by multiple sclerosis. The evening also sees a reunion of the world-beat band Mother Tongue. Saturday, 8 p.m. $20 to $25. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 400 Jarvis St., abilitiesartsfestival.org.

LITERATURE and LECTURE

Power Corrupts Canadian Prime Ministers

Who said anything about Stephen Harper? Why are you so defensive? Political pundit Andrew Coyne argues for the motion that Canada – from John A. Macdonald's Pacific Scandal to the sponsorship shenanigans of Jean Chrétien – is an autocracy masquerading as a democracy. Former federal cabinet minister Sheila Copps argues against. Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. $45 to $60. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, 416-586-8000.

Fleck, A Verse Comedy

At the International Festival of Authors, an all-star roster of writers – Helen Humphreys, Margaret MacMillan, Andrew Pyper, Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson, Miriam Toews and Guy Vanderhaeghe among them – read from Fleck, A Verse Comedy, Alasdair Gray's attempt to bring Goethe's oh-so-cheerful Tragedy of Faust uproariously into the 21st century. Oct. 27, 8 p.m. $25. Fleck Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.

In Conversation With ... Kim Cattrall

If her candour matches that of her sassy Samantha Jones character from HBO's Sex and the City, a delightful evening is fairly guaranteed. Taking a night off from her role in Noel Coward's Private Lives (with Paul Gross, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre), the actress speaks about her career, with CBC's Amanda Lang. Oct. 24, 7 p.m. $15. to $18.75. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-968-3456.

FILM

Toronto After Dark Film Festival

Some of the lurchers involved in Saturday's Zombie Walk will eventually make their way over to the Underground Cinema for screamings of DeadHeads (pasty-faced road-trip gore at 7 p.m.) and War of the Dead (9:45 p.m.), a world premiere involving Second World War soldiers who just won't stay dead. The festival, which offers sci-fi and cult classics in addition to horror, continues to Oct. 27. $13 to $15 ($139, full-festival pass). Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Ave., torontoafterdark.com.

FREE

Zodiac Trio

The New York-based chamber ensemble – clarinet, violin and piano – stops in for a program of Stravinsky, Bartók and Galina Ustvolskaya. Sunday, 3 p.m. Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, harthousetheatre.ca.

The Sunday Edition

Host Michael Enright brings out the bowtie for a live recording that highlights key moments from CBC Radio's 75 years. For the taping, the self-touted "best music anywhere" involves the big-voiced Serena Ryder and the folk icon Sylvia Tyson (who once hosted the network's Touch The Earth program). Oct. 25, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (to be broadcast on Oct. 30). Free (RSVP to tseevents@cbc.ca or 855-261-0601). Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.

COMEDY

My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy!

Paul Kreppel stars in the hit Steve Solomon comedy about an ethnic mash-up of a family - twice the holidays, twice the hollering and, oy vey, always with the lasagna. To Jan. 1, 2012. $51.50 to $56. Bathurst St. Theatre, 736 Bathurst St., 855-985-2787.

Toronto Improv Festival

Who knows what will come out of these funny people's pie holes. Not them, that's for sure. A festival of unscripted repartee ends this evening, the highlight being a set from ImprovBoston and the Second City Alumni (10 p.m., $10). Saturday, 7 p.m. to midnight. $5 to $10 per show. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 647-898-5324 or torontoimprovfestival.ca.

EVENT

Elton John Karaoke Night

"And you can tell everybody, this is your song." The first 50 people to show up for a night of sing-along will win a ticket to the ballet inspired by the music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Love Lies Bleeding, with the top three crocodile rockers and Saturday-night fighters walking out with a pair of seats for opening night. Oct. 26, 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Gallery Bar, Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., 416-531-4635.

Absolutely Vintage Sale

Just a stone's throw from the salvage yards on Eastern Avenue, an idyllic cottage and its famous silver-maple shade – the tree immortalized in Alexander Muir's 1867 song The Maple Leaf Forever – is the spot for a sale of antique costume jewellery, accessories, ephemera and an eclectic assortment of men's and women's clothing from the 1890s to the 1970s. Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Toronto Heritage Maple Cottage, 62 Laing St.

FAMILY

TSO: Peter and the Wolf

Hungry for the wolf? Accompanied live by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, an Academy Award-winning stop-motion animated 32-minute film version of the classic tale is screened twice at Roy Thomson Hall. Saturday, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. $20 to $32. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255.

Family Fright Night

If your kids aren't cracking the textbooks like they should, perhaps it's time to scare some science into them. For a sleepover night, children are invited to don costumes to take in such things as a cackling chemistry garden and Dr. Frank & Mr. Stein's – we don't make this stuff up, folks – Odd-itorium Show. Oct. 29, $54 to $59. Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd., 416-696-3256.

BOOKING AHEAD

Global Cabaret Festival Oct. 28 to 30. Young Centre, 416-866-8666.

Opera Atelier's Don Giovanni Oct. 29 to Nov. 5. Elgin Theatre, 855-622-2787.

Ray Jessel Oct. 29. Green Door Cabaret, 416-915-6747.

TSO: Oz with Orchestra Oct. 29 and 30. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255.

Two Pianos Four Hands Oct. 29 to Nov. 20. Panasonic Theatre, 416-872-1212.

Love Lies Bleeding Nov. 8 to 12. Sony Centre, 855-985-5000.

It's Always Something (Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Andy Kim) Nov. 19. Sony Centre, 416-214-9898.

Ray Davies Nov. 25. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 855-985-5000.

Bon Iver Dec. 6 and 7. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255.

Bwheeler@globeandmail.com