Jordan Strofolino's Comedy Circus is a new addition at the craft beer bar Tallboys.
THE MILK CARTON KIDS
This is not the sound of silence – it is the sound of Simon and Garfunkel swapping songs with Don and Phil Everly. The Milk Carton Kids is a young California duo steeped in great tradition, with a talent for tight harmonies and pleasing melody. The Ash & Clay is its album of feather-light, affecting indie-folk music that is bittersweet, witnessing and utterly human. Listen up. April 27, 8 p.m. $17.50. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042.
BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF YORK
In Napoleon's day, an army marched on its stomach. Today, they will march on pavement – University Avenue, mostly. After a presentation of a new colour to the Royal Canadian Regiment by by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, at Queen's Park, a massive military parade (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will make its way to Fort York for commemorative ceremonies. Sort of puts a Stanley Cup parade in perspective. April 27, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Free. Fort York National Historic Site, toronto.ca.
ESMERALDA ENRIQUE SPANISH DANCE COMPANY
She was inspired by the notion of one door opening just as another closes. "Sometimes we are obligated to take a certain path," explains artistic director Esmeralda Enrique. "In other instances, we choose our path." This weekend at Harbourfront, an ensemble of top-notch flamenco dancers, musicians and singers from Canada and Spain present Portales, an examination of the power of hopes, dreams and new beginnings. April 27 (8 p.m.) and April 28 (3 p.m.). $21.50 to $43. Fleck Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000 or flamencos.net.
PING PONG LEAGUE
They've been batting the idea back and forth for a while, but now the social conveners at SPiN Toronto have decided to go ahead and start up a weekly table tennis league. The two-month schedule runs on Sunday afternoons, with divisions based on relative skill levels, from wicked strikers right down to those who thought ping pong balls were invented for bingo and NBA draft lotteries. Sign up at spingalactic.com. Sundays, 2 p.m. $5. 416 King St. W., 416-599-7746.
JORDAN STROFOLINO'S COMEDY CIRCUS
It's already known for its Taco Tuesdays, and now a new regular event of comedy is on tap at Tallboys, a craft beer house that caters to those with a cultivated taste for malty alcoholic beverages. And just as the West End establishment serves only Ontario-based brews, it books only local comedians, starting with host Jordan Strofolino, an oddball who brings one-liners, true stories and props to the table for the riotous monthly occasion. April 28, 8 p.m. $20 (in benefit of SickKids). 838 Bloor St. W., 416-535-7486.
Brad Wheeler