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Toronto’s 19th annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo returns on Nov. 16 - 17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

David Cronenberg: Evolution

The so-called "king of venereal horror" does not adorn his home with beanbag chairs and snow globes. No sir, the out-there director David Cronenberg decorates with such things as the knee brace that James Spader wore in the sexy pileup Crash or an insect-typewriter thingamajig from Naked Lunch. Those macabre artifacts (culled from his own collection) make up a fascinating career-chronicling exhibit that also includes unseen footage. To Jan. 19, Tuesdays to Sundays. $10.50 to $15. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433 or tiff.net.

Harry Benson: An Exhibition of Iconic 20th Century Images

The work of the American photojournalist Harry Benson is housed in prominent private collections and august public institutions such as the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington and the presidential libraries of seven former commander-in-chiefs. He has toured with the Beatles. He was next to Robert F. Kennedy when he was assassinated in 1968. And he photographed a topless Wayne Gretzky, which might be his most priceless work of all. Nov. 16 to Dec. 16 (reception with Harry Benson, Nov. 16, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; RSVP: 416-787-9872 or info@lissgallery.com). Free. Liss Gallery, 140 Yorkville Ave., lissgallery.com.

Matt Braunger

In 2009, the high-energy American was named to Variety magazine's list of 10 comedians to watch, and we've been watching him ever since – on MADtv, on the short-lived NBC sitcom Up All Night and on most of your major late-night talk shows. His delivery is burly and his comedy is sharp (and occasionally surreal). And while Mr. Braunger is a regular on the bills of the biggest comedy festivals, this evening at the Comedy Bar, all eyes will be on him alone. Nov. 16, 8 and 10:30 p.m. $20. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540 or comedybar.ca.

Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

As part of a four-day celebration of snazzy consumables, a full slate of tutored tastings aim to educate attendees on the fine art of eating and drinking. One of the experts is Kevin Brauch, the well-hydrated globetrotter known for his hosting of the television show The Thirsty Traveler. A celebrity bartender of sorts, he'll report on his recent tippled traversing and quench the thirst of those who need to know it all when it comes to whimsical wine, daft draught and oddball highballs (The World of Drinks, Saturday, 4 to 6 p.m., $90). Nov.16 (noon to 10 p.m.) and Nov. 17 (noon to 6 p.m.). $20 to $25. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., foodandwineexpo.ca.

The Valley

Given that a coroner's inquest into fatal police shootings of three mentally ill people in Toronto is happening right now, a wrenching drama from the Victoria-based playwright and 2011 Siminovitch Prize winner Joan MacLeod seems ripped from the headlines. Starring Susan Coyne, Michelle Monteith and Ian Lake, the fictional play explores with clear eyes a police officer's confrontation with a disturbed young man on a subway and the effect the incident has on two families. To Dec.15, $21 to $53. Tarragon Theatre's Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827 or visit tarragontheatre.com.

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