ART & LIT
Spring Fling 4
Come early to this auction because the art flies off the walls. As a fundraiser for the contemporary art glossy C magazine, photos, paintings and sculptures by 54 Canadian artists will be up for grabs, including Untitled by local artist Thrush Holmes, an expressive abstract oil in grey and lavender hues (with, oddly, fluorescent lighting clamped across it), valued at $8,000. Tuesday, preview 5:30 p.m., auction 7:30 p.m. $30 in advance, $35 at door. Birch Libralato, 129 Tecumseth St. 416-539-9495.
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International Readings
at Harbourfront
National Poetry Month brings three outstanding Canadians to read from their latest works: Alison Pick, Don Domanski, whose All Our Wonder Unavenged won a Governor General's Award last year, and Randall Maggs, author of the hockey saga Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. $8. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.
416-973-4000.
This Is Not A Reading Series: Nathan Whitlock
The Quill & Quire review editor launches his debut, A Week of This: A Novel in Seven Days, a portrait of a dysfunctional small-town family over one hellish week. Deep Dark United's Alex Lukashevsky plays songs inspired by the book. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Free. The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. 416-531-4635.
Maximum Exposure 2008
For their 13th annual graduate show, the Ryerson University School of Image Arts makes the heave-ho to west-end galleries. Roughly 150 students working in photo, video and new media will show, including Jonathan Taggart, whose photo series explores the lives led on a Caledon neo-commune. Various venues. Opening gala, Thursday, April 17 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free. Gladstone Hotel,
1214 Queen St. W. 416-531-4635. .
FILM
Sprockets
It's TIFF without the lineups and traffic - and this children's film fest isn't just for kids. Don't miss outstanding dramas such as Standing Alone, by Iranian director Gholam-Reza Ramezani, about a young writer's struggle with authority. On-site activities are bound to inspire future cinéastes. Today through Friday. $6.60 to $10.61. Various locations.
416-968-FILM. Images Festival
Awards Ceremony
Festival director Scott Miller Berry and his troupe of organizers will be handing out 14 awards to wrap up this 11-day festival of experimental film and video art, including the much-sought-after Images Prize, which crowns the best homegrown piece of media art. Tonight, 9:30 p.m. Free. Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre, 401 Richmond St. W., Suite 119. 416-588-0725. .
Hot Docs
Cinephiles who have been attending the monthly Doc Soup screenings will be happy to hear the main course has arrived, and what a feast! Roughly 170 films from 36 countries will screen over 11 days starting Thursday for this 15th annual documentary film festival, including Emoticons directed by Heddy Honigmann from the Netherlands, which looks into the online social lives of teenagers. Thursday, until April 27, $5 to $12. Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., and seven other locations. 416-637-5150. .
GALLERIESQuebec City's
400th Anniversary
To celebrate the birthday of Quebec's capital, school visits instructor Jacques Lavoie will point out the French highlights in an English tour of the Sigmund Samuel Gallery of Canada. Shuffle through the lush armchairs and pine wardrobes from the 1700s, and see a reconstruction of the Bélanger House, an 18th-century home, which once sat on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. Monday, 3:30 p.m. Pre-
registration required, $35 ($30
for members). Royal Ontario
Museum, 100 Queen's Park.
416-586-5797. .
HOT NOTES
Julian Fauth
You can find this blues artist in any room with an old upright, eight days a week. He's a relatively young barrelhouse pianist and singer, but sounds as old as a boot as he charms small audiences at any number of regular gigs across the big city. Friday night is special: He will launch his new album, the charismatic Ramblin' Son. Friday, 8 p.m. $10.
Healey's, 56 Blue Jays Way.
416-593-2626. Autechre
This electronic duo from England, featuring Rob Brown and Sean Booth, has been inspiring intellectuals to bust moves on the dance floor since 1987, and calls to mind a brainier, more subdued version of Daft Punk or Moby. Touring for their ninth album, Quaristice, they land here with DJ Rob Hall, Massonix and DJ Parsons. Tonight, 9 p.m. $20. Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. 416-870-8000. .
Keyboard Innovation
Philip Glass's Harpsichord Concerto makes its Canadian premiere as part of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's New Creations Festival, which also celebrates composer Olivier Messaien's centenary with a performance of one of his choral works for women. Tonight, 8 p.m. $36 to $123. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-872-4255.
EVENTS
Toronto Comicon
In the niche world of comic books, Steve Epting has reached superstar status as the artist behind the Captain America series. He makes an appearance for a meet-and-greet with fans, while more than 100 vendors will be selling art, memorabilia and more. Today, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd. 416-241-STAR.
Babytime Show
Whether your bundle of joy is ready for preschool or still a bump, cruise the booths and find everything you need, from Baby Bjorns to doulas. On-stage workshops feature parenting author Ann Douglas and nutritionist Dr. Joey Shulman. Today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $10 to $15. International Centre, 6700 Airport Rd., Mississauga. 416-691-2852 .
STAGES
The Barber of Seville
"Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!" - the scheming barber is played by Russian baritone Rodion Pogossov, who sings the famous aria in Rossini's comedy of the absurd. Albanian mezzo-soprano Enkelejda Shkosa and Macedonian tenor Blagoj Nacoski make their debuts as Rosina and Count Almaviva. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. $30 to $275. Four Seasons Centre,
145 Queen St. W. 416-363-8231.
CLASS IS IN
Learn to Screenprint
in One Day
If you've always wanted to take up screenprinting, let local artist Jeremy Wilson - who designs concert posters for Cat Power - guide you through the baby steps. Bring a black-and-white line drawing and learn how to slap it onto three T-shirts and 20 posters with ink, all provided. Today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $150. Popfuel Screenprinting Studio, 444 Dufferin St., Unit 2.
416-820-3025. .
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