Russell Peters. Can't get tickets to the Indo-Canadian comic's sold-out shows? Check out his spanking new DVD Outsourced. Today, 7 and 9:30 p.m. $58. The Rose Theatre, Brampton, 1 Theatre Lane, 905-874-2800.
Bird Flu Over the Cuckoo's Nest. We haven't been this frightened of feathers since the days of Hitchcock. The comedy revue from Second City looks at contemporary culture and the fear within it. Tuesday through Sunday for an unlimited run, 8 p.m. (extra 10:30 p.m. show on Saturdays). $20 to $28. Second City, 51 Mercer St., 416-343-0011.
Lewis Black. To check the pulse of an outraged America, you need only view the throbbing vein on the forehead of Black, an irked political comedian. Tomorrow, 9 p.m. $20. Casino Rama, Orillia, Ont., 416-870-8000
Binder Twine Festival. Rope up the kids for the 40th annual country fair, which offers quaint (if slightly bizarre) pastimes. Log-sawing, nail-driving, watermelon seed-spitting and something called "shave-the-farmer" are on the agenda. Charming. Tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $2 to $7 (free admission for those in period costumes). Kleinburg, Ont., .
Lab Cab Festival. A monthly cabaret series intriguingly expands to festival size, filling the Factory Theatre for two afternoons of music, poetry, storytelling, theatre, visual art and film. Tomorrow and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Free. 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971.
The Eden Mills Writers' Festival.
Set in an idyllic hamlet, the steadily growing festival features readings and activities for adults and little lit-lovers too. Featured authors include Margaret Atwood, David Bergen and Globe and Mail columnists Leah McLaren ( The Continuity Girl) and John Doyle ( A Great Feast of Light). Sunday, noon to evening. $4 to $10. Eden Mills, Ont., or 519-826-0876.
Doug Wright Awards. Celebrate the art of cartooning with the awarding of prizes for the year's top book and best emerging talent. On the occasion of the soft-cover release of Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography, Chester Brown is interviewed by cartoonist Seth ( Wimbledon Green). Sept. 14, 8 p.m. Free. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. W., or 416-531-4635.
Wagner at the Movies. Attending the Canadian Opera Company's mounting of Wagner's full Ring cycle may be too rigorous an undertaking for some. Instead, check out this light-hearted look at the harnessing of the music, from its triumphant employment in Apocalypse Now to the Bugs Bunny operatic parody, What's Opera, Doc? Sept. 14, 21 and 28, 9:45 to 11:15 p.m. $10. Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Ave., 416-363-8231.
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Friendly Rich and the Lollipop People. Sept. 15. Tranzac Club.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blue and White Game. Sept. 17. Ricoh Coliseum, 416-872-5000.
Brad Wheeler