Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture
Odd that the name "sneakers" came about because the rubber soles were quieter than shoes with hard leather bottoms, and yet in the place where sneakers are the most iconic is the basketball court, where the footwear's outrageous squeaks make stealth unfeasible. That being said, kicks endorsed by hoopsters such as LeBron James and Michael Jordan are now collector's items and status symbols – and nobody saw that coming. An exhibition showcases the 150-year history of sneaker culture. To March 30, 2014. $5 to $14. Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W., 416-979-7799.
The Charge of the Expormidable Moose
Claude Gauvreau's surreal 1956 piece has enjoyed several significant revivals in the late playwright's home province of Quebec, and now the Moose is finally unloosened in English translation. A clever production of the play about a poet who is mocked and envied by his housemates finishes its well-received run tomorrow. May 25 (8 p.m.) and May 26 (2:30 p.m.). $23 to $28. Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827 or onelittlegoat.org.
Arts & Crafts: Norman Wong photography
The scene isn't broken. In fact, it is 10-year's strong and still thriving. As part of the anniversary celebration of the indie label Arts & Crafts, a new exhibit by local fashion and music photographer Norman Wong shows portraits of rock stars Leslie Feist, Emily Haines, Amy Millan, Torquil Campbell and the hirsute Broken Social Scene leader and label co-founder Kevin Drew (above). The works line the walls at 1093 Queen St. W., where a pop-up shop offers one-stop shopping for all things A&C. To June 15. arts-crafts.ca.
Canadian Opera Company: Opera Connect
The COC has said "so long" to Salome for now, but another production of Richard Strauss's excellently disturbing opera opens this weekend overseas. Tomorrow, CBC Radio host Brent Bambury talks to Canadian filmmaker and director Atom Egoyan (whose successful adaptation of the scandalous Salome here closed this week) and, by video link, Norwegian stage director Stefan Herheim, whose own version is being mounted by Norwegian Opera & Ballet. May 26, 1 p.m. Free. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-363-8231 or coc.ca.
Authors' Brunch: Conrad Black
Too big to fail? No, not the mega-banks. And not Conrad Black and not America. In his new book Flight of the Eagle, the convicted felon and former newspaper baron documents the rise and nosedive of the world's greatest superpower. Over eggs and O.J., the historian joins fellow chatting authors Jennie Rooney, Charles MacPherson and Linda Tucker for mouthfuls. May 26, 10 am. $50. King Edward Hotel, 37 King St. E., pre-register at 416-361-0032, information at benmcnallybooks.com.
Brad Wheeler