Shakespeare's goriest play, Titus Andronicus, was once believed to be too awful to have been written by the same maker as A Midsummer Night's Dream. Today it seems to be enjoying a revival with the recent Anthony Hopkins flick, a run at Stratford and now the latest production by the Shakespeare in the Rough theatre company. With actors that are perpetually onstage at the Withrow Park venue, and silent voice performances for the hearing impaired Aug. 11-13, this promises to be one of the more interesting takes on Shakespeare's earliest tragedy. Previews July 21-22, opens July 23 to Sept. 4, PWYC, Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave., 416-410-9677. Rarely does a Fringe Festival play make it beyond the festival run, but this is not your average play. On An Average Day stars Jonathan Higgins and John Robinson as brothers in a kitchen-sink family drama with a Sam Shephard-like chilling lunacy. Globe critic Kate Taylor felt this play stood out amongst its kin. July 22-30, Tues. to Sun., 8 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 2:30 p.m. matinees, $20, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79a St. George St., 416-760-4100. There's no Waterloo in sight for Mamma Mia! (**½, Kate Taylor) with the show's recently announced extension through Dec. 31. The Royal Alex is dark on Monday, but if you absolutely must have your daily Abba fix, Stage West mounts their own tribute concert to the band with Abba Mania. Oh, how Swedish it is. July 24, Dinner: 6 p.m., Show: 8 p.m., $45.95, Stage West Dinner Theatre, 5400 Dixie Rd., Mississauga, Ont., 1-800-263-0684.
DANCE
Feeling a little Flemenco? Toronto's Latin dance queen Elena La Comadre presents her annual summer concert Viva España II with dancers from her Arte Flamenco ensemble. Delving into Flamenco's non-dance elements, the performance also includes guitarist/singer Cesar Alvarez and singer/recitor Pablo Dominguez. July 23, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15, reservations required, Studio 27, 27a Bloor St. E., 416-920-3774. Potted flowers rolling down hills, trenchcoat-wearing characters leaning on lampposts and impromptu canine participation were all part of the first phase of Dusk Dances. Now five new sets of dancers move the series to Withrow Park where that clown-around-town Rutabagan hosts performances that incorporate the natural surroundings into park pirouettes. To July 24, 7:30 p.m., PWYC, Danforth Ave. at Carlaw Ave., 416-588-2210.
COMEDY
It's been a few years since Rocket Man crashed and burned at the box office, although Harland Williams fans embrace the film for his breakout performance. The former forest ranger returns to the stand-up circuit with his blend of seriously wacky humour. July 27, 8:30 p.m., $15-$37.50, Yuk Yuk's, 235 Bayly St. W., Ajax, Ont.; 416-967-6425.
MUSIC
For a while it seemed that the only thing Ashley MacIsaac was fiddling was Revenue Canada. A slew of concerts were cancelled after his bizarre New Year's Eve performance in Halifax, but Cape Breton's darling is staging a comeback. His rare club performance with The Colour of Soul will be nothing if not interesting. July 23, 10:45 p.m., $20, The Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St., W., 416-598-0720. Perhaps Tara MacLean's latest album Passenger was prophetic, she's hitting the road with Amy Correia and Shannon McNally on a 22-city tour with Toronto as its only Canadian stop. The Girls Room concerts not only promote these new artists but also the Redwood Shelter, a social agency providing support for women and children escaping abuse. July 25, 7 p.m., free (donations suggested) The Opera House, 735 Queen St. E., 416-466-0313. According to Kelly Joe Phelps's Web site, the slide guitarist's fan base is an eclectic mix, "from blue-rinse cane racers to elbow-padded university professors to fat-shoed skater vagabonds." So don't worry about fitting in with the crowd, just settle in for some fine acoustic blues. July 26, time: tba, $10, Ted's Wrecking Yard, 549 College St. W, 416-928-5012. Steve Earle has been called everything from an outlaw minstrel to a renegade rocker to a country maverick to an American poet. That they all fit suggests the difficulty in trying to pigeonhole the man stylistically. Lately, however, he's been bitten by the bluegrass bug, though that, too, may have been exorcised from his system by now. Longtime fans would do well to expect the unexpected, bearing in mind that Copperhead Road was a long time ago. July 26, 8 p.m, $25.50-$29.50, Convocation Hall, University of Toronto, 416-870-8000. The answer: The Beaches Jazz Festival streetfest. The question: What's loud, a mile long, capable of stopping traffic and scaling rooftops,and sends some longtime Beach residents scrambling out of town, grumbling to themselves all the way? July 27-29, 6-11 p.m., free, Queen St. E. between Woodbine and Beech, http://www.beachesjazz.com or 1-888-277-0796. Residency requirements: Kevin Briet and Sisters Euclid resume their Monday night regular at the Orbit Room. Jazz in the loosest sense, Briet in the truest, everybody knows this is somewhere. (10 p.m., $5, 580A College St., 416-535-0613). . .Blue Canadian, an up-and-coming straight-up blues band, plays every Thursday night at the up-and-coming Cadillac Lounge, in up-and-coming Parkdale. (No cover, 1296 Queen St. W, 416-536-7717.) The seasonal lull in the local classical music schedule is filled admirably by the annual Brott Summer Music Festival. The festival is as wide-ranging in style -- a blend of orchestral, chamber, pops and family performances -- as it is in its venue choices -- Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Toronto and Muskoka. Through Aug. 19, http://www.brottmusic.com or 905-525-7664. There are of course three Irish Tenors. But one, Ronan Tynan, gets all the attention these days. Tynan, "of the heroic stature, thinning hair, and big grin," according a Boston Globe reviewer, has recently parlayed his courageous life story into a pot of gold for the memoir rights. The two others -- can't remember their names -- can't help but be a little green with envy. July 25, 8 p.m., $39.50-$85.50, Hummingbird Centre, 1 Front St. E., 416-872-2262.
FILM
Georges Franju's Eyes Without a Face (July 27, 6:30 p.m.) is called "one of the most poetic horror films ever made" and yet its diabolical mad scientist scenes spawned an array of schlock horror films since its release in 1960. Cinematheque Ontario screens the chilling tale of a father trying to restore his daughter's face with a series of skin grafts as part of the Summer Essentials series. Also on the big screen is the directors' favourite Le Samourai, (July 22, 6:30 p.m.) an intense film following a meticulous contract killer in Paris. $8 (members $4.80, seniors & students $4.25), AGO JAckman Hall, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-968-3456. Before William Wyler directed Ben-Hur and Roman Holiday, he dipped into the screwball comedies of the thirties. The Toronto Film Society puts the Oscar magnet in the spotlight in its Magnificent Seven series with a double-bill: the Elmer Rice penned Counsellor-At-Law stars John Barrymore as a rags-to-riches lawyer struggling to cope with his background; and The Good Fairy features Margaret O'Sullivan helping a struggling lawyer while being pursued by a wealthy businessman. July 24, 7:30 p.m., $12, AGO Jackman Hall, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-363-7222.
LITERARY
In this era of Martha Stewart, quilts are not often considered for their political power, but they actually have a revolutionary history helping slaves escape along the Underground Railway. It was this history that inspired social activist Cleve Jones to use a quilt to promote the AIDS crisis in America. The Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Jones told his story in Stitching A Revolution and is in town to weave more magic about his experience. July 22, 3:30 p.m., $4, Canadian Stage Company, 26 Berkeley St., 416-961-4161.
EVENTS
While the imperial power of Portugal has long since subsided, its influence is still alive with over 200 million people world-wide speaking the romance language. Romance is not all that's on the bill at Sabor Saudade, a three-day arts festival celebrating all things Portuguese including Fado music with Sao and the Nuno Cristo Trio, Morna singer Fantcha, samba lessons, art exhibits and a film series. July 21-23, most events free, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-3000. For 11 years the USS Defender has served the U.S. Navy in its role as mine-sweeping vessel. The ship naturally is equipped with the latest technology, but interestingly its hull is made out of wood so as to escape detection from magnetic-based explosives. And although it has no defence against puns of all sorts, the ship's career has been a sweeping success in the mines of some. July 21 (1-8 p.m.) and July 22 (10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), free, Harbourfront Centre, Maple Leaf Quay, 416-973-3000. There comes a day to celebrate Tecumseh Day. The NoName collective, a group of Toronto-based First Nations artists celebrates the life of Chief Tecumseh, the 19th century leader and warrior. Drummers, dancers and storytellers will also reflect the history of the First Nations people in Toronto. July 22-23, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Historic Fort York, 100 Garrison Rd., 416-392-6907. What if you held a party and everybody came? Everyone is invited to celebrate the 86th birthday of Ed Mirvish, Toronto's businessman and theatre producer extraordinaire. The party in Mirvish Village not only promises the traditional food, clowns and magicians, but guest appearances by cast members of The Lion King and Mamma Mia! July 23, 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., free, 581 Bloor St. W., 416-537-1574.
FOOD & DRINK
As Honest Ed blows out the candles on his birthday cake, the lights dim at Old Ed's restaurant. The venerable roast beef palace is closing its doors on Sept. 9, after four decades of serving meat to the elite. For those who want a keepsake, the antiques, furnishings and memorabilia will be sold off by appointment. Honest. 276 King St. W., 416-977-3939; sale: 416-977-3935. When the steam whistle blows, it's time for the Steam Whistle brew. With a retro fifties bottle, a brewery housed in the old CPR John Street Roundhouse, and a pilsner flavour that's currently in favour, the Steam Whistle Brewing Co. is a popular spot these days. For those with a thirst for knowledge, tours of the facility are offered daily. Afternoon and early evenings, free, 255 Bremner Blvd. (by SkyDome), 416-362-2337 ext. 246.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Take a pass on the Larry Murphy display at the ROM, and visit the Hockey Hall of Fame's special Wayne Gretzky exhibit. The collection of artifacts includes the net in which the Great One scored his 802nd goal to break Gordie Howe's mark. And that begs the question: Just how much is Gretzky's net worth anyway? Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday, 10 a.m.), $7-$12, BCE Place, 30 Yonge St., 416-360-7765 Anyone for tennis? As a prelude to the Masters Series (July 29 to Aug. 6), Tennis Canada is all set to serve up the TD Centre Tennis Festival. A volley of Mini-tournaments, exhibitions, bands and celebrities take up a full five days of fun, and you can test your serve velocity for prizes. July 24-28, 12-2 p.m., TD Centre Courtyard, 66 Wellington St. W., 416-665-9777.
HOME & GARDEN
Maybe it was the unheralded popularity of the Antiques Roadshow that unleashed a fever for the old stuff. With Queen Street West's Showcase Antique Mall threatening to close soon, you'll have to indulge in your collection obsession at Yorkdale Mall's Summer Antiques fair, with almost 100 dealers displaying their wares. Through July 23, free, Yorkdale Mall, Highway 401 and Dufferin St., 416-789-3261.
KIDS
They'll flip for you. Sydney-bound trampolinists Matt Turgeon and Karen Cockburn display their bounce and pike skills in the newest Olympic sport (July 22-23, 5 & 6 p.m.) while steady hands and an artistic eye are required for the International Sandsculpting Competition (July 22-23, 29-30, 10 a.m.) where the demand for sand hits 100 tonnes. $10-$24.50, Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Blvd. W., 416-314-9900. Not too long ago, summertime meant playing in the abandoned school yard's nest of harvested Ontario Hydro poles, trying not to get tar on your shorts. Today, thankfully, the Harbourfront Centre offers a fun, creative and intelligent series of summer camps, engaging youngsters in everything from video production to circus skills to sea-kayaking. Session dates and prices vary, for more info call 416-973-4093.
REVEL WITH A CAUSE
Gilda's Club or Boys' Club? Or both? Recalling Sarah Bernhardt's controversial role as Hamlet over a century ago, Toronto's actresses will put on the trousers as their favourite male characters to raise money for a Toronto chapter of Gilda's Club, a support group for cancer patients and their families. From Sarah to Gilda features Robin Duke, Rosemary Dunsmore and Melody A. Johnson suiting up for the agency named after Gilda Radner, the comedian who died of cancer in 1989. July 24, 8 p.m., $35, Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College St., 416-978-7986, http://www.gildasclubtoronto.org While Caribana officially kicks off today at noon at Nathan Phillips Square, the festivities don't really get going until the end of the month. If you feel like a preview, head out to the Caribbean Sunfest, the three-day annual celebration of the sun with dancers, musicians and carnival rides. With the support of the Herbie Fund, proceeds from the festival go to help pay for the medical costs of Malica Hercules, a Guyanese baby requiring surgery available at Sick Kids Hospital. July 21-23, free (donations) Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St., 416-690-1986.
OUT OF TOWN
Perhaps you missed Timothy Findley reading from his latest work, Elizabeth Rex,at a packed TheatreBooks last week. Not to worry, the play about a tension-filled evening with Queen Elizabeth I and Shakespeare's acting company is dazzling critics at Stratford with a lush and compelling performance (****, Kate Taylor), although you may need to brush up on your English history to understand the nuances. To Sept. 30, $60.50-$65.50, Tom Patterson Theatre, Stratford, ON, 1-800-567-1600. Half the fun of following hippie jam-bands is actually following the groups on the road. Problem is, there's been no need of late for the local longhairs to hit the highway because many of the more popular neo-psychedelic bands have come to Toronto: Phish, Phil Lesh, Derek Trucks have been in town recently, with the Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule to come. With this weekend's Goodforest Music Fest -- featuring Grateful Dead wannabees ekoostik hookah and the Zen Tricksters -- the great unwashed have an excuse to get out town. July 21-23, $50 for weekend ($45 for Sunday), Chippawa, Ont., 1-877-371-TRIP, http://www.furtherstill.com/goodforest A floor of mud, a few Molsons and a lot of mayhem. That's what you can expect when the Vans Warped Tour hits Barrie tomorrow. What's missing? Ah yes, the music: Green Day and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones headline the bill that includes a little of this and a lot of that. July 22, Noon-8 p.m., $25-32, Molson Park, Barrie, Ont., 416-870-8000. These days, veteran crooner Kenny Rogers is almost as well known for his roast chicken restaurants as he is for his singing. But throughout the 60s and 70s, he had a hugely successful career that spanned the folk explosion (as a member of the New Christy Minstrels), psychedelia (as leader of The First Edition) and ultimately as a MOR country crooner (he's still mostly identified with his big hit, The Gambler). With dozens of hits to choose from, this show should be as tasty as...uh, never mind. July 25, 8 p.m., $63.13-$84.53, Casino Rama, Rama Road, Orillia, Ont., 416-870-8000.
JUST ANNOUNCED
Film fans take note: if you plan on taking in the Toronto International Film Festival this Sept., today is the final day to purchase Early Bird discount tickets to a variety of screenings, galas and parties (416-968-3456). Harry Potter author and media wizard J.K. Rowling will read at the International Festival of Authors Oct. 24 (tickets on sale tomorrow, 11 a.m., $5, Ticketmaster, 416-870-8000). Yes, she was just in town, but the public still wants more of Tina Turner. A second show of the leggy legend at the Air Canada Centre with Joe Cocker has been added on Sept. 26. (tickets on sale July 24, 10 a.m., $50.65-$90.65, 416-870-8000) TV star Corbin Bernsen will be making the hills come alive in The Sound of Music at the Pantages Theatre from Sept. 19-24 (tickets on sale July 24, $43-$79, Pantages Theatre Box Office, 244 Victoria St. or Ticketmaster), and blame VH1 for the return of Styx who play Hamilton Place Theatre Oct. 6 with Saga and Triumph's Rik Emmett (tickets on sale today, 10 a.m., 905-527-7666).