ART & LIT
Jeffrey Archer
Jeffrey Archer has been accused of many things, but being boring is not one of them. The best-selling author, controversial former politician and ex-con reads from his new thriller, Prisoner of Birth, about a man framed for murder. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. $8. Premiere Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. http://www.readings.org.
New Toronto Works Show
This 15th annual screening hosted by the film-art collective Pleasure Dome will showcase six new films and seven videos by 16 city artists. While many works are experimental and non-narrative, they're far from a bore. One film, View From the Falls by John Price, offers a new take on the well-worn Canadian tourist destination by overlapping grainy water shots with psychedelic rainbows and an eerie soundtrack. Tonight, 8 p.m. $5. Latvian House, 491 College St. 416-656-5577. http://www.pdome.org .
FASHION
L'Oréal Fashion Week
Public tickets to the Fall Collections 2008 shows will be available, so you can air-kiss with the best of them. This season's theme, Wear in the World!, embraces global influences from up-and-coming designers like Nadya Toto, Joeffer Caoc and Zoran Dobric. Monday through March 22. $20 ($50 day pass). Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W. 416-922-3322.
http://www.lorealfashionweek.ca.
NIGHTLIFE
Kid Robot
Paul Budnitz's hipster line of limited-edition, artist-created toys, which have their own theme room in Peter Gatien's mega-club CiRCA, has recently branched into streetwear. Fashion Week's last hurrah closes with a look at Kid Robot's new wares. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Price TBA. CiRCA, 126 John St. 416-979-0044.
HOT NOTES
St. Patrick's Day Concert
If you're looking for a little bit of authentic Ireland, check out some traditional Celtic music with Spraoi (meaning "spree") and guests Jim Fay, Jonathan Lynn and Dublin native Dermot Walsh. Monday, 8:30 p.m. $20 to $22. Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W. 416-531-6604. http://www.hughsroom.com.
Kalan Porter
Promoting his sophomore album, the double-platinum-selling Wake Up Living, the cherubic ex- Canadian Idol heartthrob is back on tour after taking a hiatus to help his mother recover from a bout with breast cancer. Tonight, 8 p.m. $32.50. Danforth Music Hall, 174 Danforth Ave. 416-870-8000.
Justice
Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay are the greasy duo DJs behind this electro house band, which has been setting clubs abuzz with their break beats and bubblegum lyrics since their debut album, , took hold this June. Equipped with Pedro Winter as their manager (the same mastermind behind the Grammy-award-winning Daft Punk), they could be the next big thing for the dance scene. Tuesday, 8 p.m. $28.50. Sound Academy (formerly the Docks), 11 Polson St. 416-870-8000. http://www.sound-academy.com
Sea of Song Trio
Don't be fooled. Though this old jazz haunt strikes a vintage chord with its black and white photos of Gershwin and Coltrane, there is a constant influx of new acts swarming the stage each week. This local free-jazz trio led by guitarist Geordie Haley, who plays a style that fuses traditional standards with funk and (what sounds like) math rock, is a perfect example. Tomorrow, 7 p.m. PWYC. The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475. http://www.therex.ca .
Xiu Xiu
This indie experimental quartet (pronounced "shoe-shoe") from San Francisco are out on their lengthy North American tour promoting their eighth album, Women as Lovers. Behind their cowboy shirts, bluebird tattoos and geek glasses, they have come to master a sound that combines punk, folk and free jazz (don't miss the bouncy sax solo in their first single, I Do What I Want, When I Want). Monday, 10 p.m. $13.50. Sneaky Dee's, 431 College St. 416-603-3090. http://www.xiuxiu.org .
mind & body
Impact of Technology on Politics
Most of us compulsively scan the headlines to keep up in election season, but this lecture, led by Ryerson University communications professor Greg Elmer, looks at how bloggers and citizen journalists also play a role. Macleans editor Andrew Coyne will sit alongside Stephen Taylor, co-founder of The Blogging Tories website, two of the six panelists who will speak about technology's growing influence on votes. Tuesday, 3 p.m. $25. University of Toronto MaRS Centre, 101 College St. 416-673-8100.
Body Buster Fitness
If it's time to get in shape, leave the Jane Fonda legwarmers behind - go military. This hardcore fitness school with three locations across the city sells itself on its five-week "boot camp" classes, which imitate drills and obstacle courses used in the armed forces. Each 45-minute session falls on a weeknight; times vary. $165 to $295. Body Buster Fitness. 416-619-4456.
http://www.bodybusterfitness.com .
Yundi Li
The 25-year-old virtuoso pianist from Hong Kong, the youngest-ever winner of the Chopin Competition in 2000, is in town for a solo concert after his 2006 recital here won rapturous reviews. Tuesday, 8 p.m. $39.50 to $89.50. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255. http://www.roythomson.com.
SHOPPING
Performance World Custom Car and Truck Show
More than 600 modified cars and trucks will be on display for hardcore enthusiasts to ogle, with experts on hand to answer questions about souping up your vehicle. For the latest in skull-rattling sound systems, check out the Audio Thunder exhibit. Today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $5 to $20. International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga. 416-229-9919. http://www.performanceworldcarshow.com.
Holistic World Expo
Actress, comedian and Jim Carrey's girlfriend, Jenny McCarthy, who recently published a book about her son Evan's struggle with autism, is the headline speaker at this showcase for naturopathic medicine, organic products and eco-friendly living. Today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. $10 to $50. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W. 416-966-2626.
STAGE
Rent
One of the longest-running shows in Broadway history is closing June 1, and it's making a final stop in Toronto next week. Last chance to see the hit rock musical based on Puccini's La Bohème, set among starving artists on New York's Lower East Side. Wednesday, 8 p.m., through March 22. $47.50 to $77.50. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E. 416-870-8000. http://www.ticketmaster.ca.
STREET
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, so dust off your leprechaun outfit and join the crowd. Amid the green floats and pipe-and-drum marching bands, this year's Grand Marshal is Sean Murphy, founder of irishtravel.ca and 2007's Irish Person of the Year. Tomorrow, 12 p.m. Free. St. George subway station to Nathan Phillips Square. http://www.topatrick.com.
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