The Toronto International Circus Festival runs from May 17 to 19 at Harbourfront Centre.
Toronto International Circus Festival
It must be sad for the disgruntled children of the circus. To where would they run away? Something for you to ponder this weekend at Harbourfront Centre, where clowns, jugglers, acrobats and dancers get up to some own shenanigans and help transform youngsters into three-ring performers themselves. May 17 to 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000 or harbourfrontcentre.com.
Watching Glory Die
From the important Canadian playwright Judith Thompson comes a one-hander inspired by the life and death of Ashley Smith, the young woman who asphyxiated herself in an Ontario jail cell while seven guards watched on video monitors. Upon its premiere in Vancouver, Globe critic Marsha Lederman praised the commanding performance of Ms. Thompson (in her first onstage role in decades). May 17 to June 1. (in previews, May 15 and 16). $30 to $42. Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs, 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110 or canadianstage.com.
Canadian Sport Film Festival
If you can tear yourself away from sports bar big screens or high-def hockey at home, there's much athletic performance being screened at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this weekend. One of the highlights is Next Goal Wins (May 17, 7 p.m.). The documentary about an awful Polynesian soccer squad will suit fans of underdog drama. May 17 and 18. $7 to $12 (festival pass, $50). 350 King St. W., 416-599-843 or sportfilmfestival.ca.
Next Music From Tokyo
A popular event of Asian invasion, this annual revue brings together top indie and underground bands to Canada from half a world away. Expect fresh ideas and adventures in post-rock, ethereal drone, emotive pop and raw psychedelia. May 16, 9 p.m. $10 to $15 (sold out). Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., 416-596-1908 or ticketweb.ca; May 17, 9 p.m. $10 to $15. Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., 416-532-1598 or ticketweb.ca.
The Speedy
Some 19th-century battle schooners on the Great Lakes were built better than others, and the slow-moving HMS Speedy was among the fleet's have-nots rather than the have-knots. She sank in Lake Ontario, but now gives rise to a "performance installation" from UnSpun Theatre, involving the story that tells of the lives and secrets that went down with the ship. May 15 and 16 (8 p.m.), May 17 (2 and 8 p.m.) and May 18 (2 p.m.). $15 to $29. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000 or harbourfrontcentre.com.
Brad Wheeler