Don McGill, arrested in 1900 for burglary and larceny, in one of the mug shots on display at the Helen McClung Gallery at York University.
ART
Arresting Images
They weren't framed, but they could be. A touring exhibition of historic mug shots are displayed, showing petty criminals – Rebecca Shanley was charged with the crime of "elopement" on July 14, 1888 – who were treated with enough dignity that allowed some of them to wear nice hats for their jailhouse portraits. To Dec. 9. Free. Archives of Ontario's Helen McClung Gallery, York University Keele Campus, 134 Ian Macdonald Blvd., 416-327-1600.
Power Plant
The contemporary gallery's winter exhibitions don't go up until Dec. 10, but things are already astir. On Thursday (7 p.m., $12), Vancouver artist Stan Douglas talks about his photo exhibit Entertainment: Selections from Midcentury Studio (a series of black-and-white portraits of the patrons and staff of a fictional 1950s nightclub). One night later, a party and performance piece celebrate the new season (8 p.m., free). 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4949.
CLUBS
Daryl Sherman
After she played at New York's Algonquin's Oak Room, the Village Voice touted the cabaret-jazzer as someone who "fits the room like Derek Jeter fits the Yankees." She looks good in pinstripes? She can't go to her left? No, the pianist played like she belonged there. Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m. $40 to $45. Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604.
The Sheepdogs
Looking like something right out of the seventies-set Almost Famous movie, these soul-fed wheat-field rockers from Saskatoon won Rolling Stone's cover-of-the-magazine contest and haven't looked back. Dec. 9 and 10 , 9 p.m. $20. Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., 888-222-6608.
CONCERTS
Tallis Scholars
Since its founding in 1973, the Tallis Scholars have probably done more than any other early-music group to popularize the great a cappella choir music of the Renaissance. Here the scrupulous British ensemble offer a high-toned holiday show, with works by Arvo Pärt, Praetorius, Britten and others. Dec. 8, 8 p.m. $39 to $90. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. , 416-408-0208.
Tori Amos
From now on they'll call it the Tori Trifecta: With her latest album ( Night of Hunters), the enigmatic singer-pianist with the valiant red head of hair got her name in the top 10 of Billboard's classical (No. 1), alternative (No. 5) and rock (No. 7) charts. With her is the Polish string quartet Apollon Musagète. Dec. 8, 8 p.m. $59.50 to $89.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255.
THEATRE
Toronto Monologue Slam
Masterpiece Theatre meets American Idol when local up-and-coming actors deliver short but intense performances in front of scorecard-holding judges. Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. $10. Trane Studio, 964 Bathurst St. , 416-913-8197.
Memphis
In the American 1950s, race music didn't have anything to do with Camptown Races – doo-dahs, doo-dahs, notwithstanding. It was southern black music, which is the soundtrack to this Broadway musical about a white DJ, an African American singer and music that transcended race lines and airwaves. Dec. 6 to 24. $51 to $180. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. , 416-644-3665.
Parfumerie
Soulpepper Theatre remounts its Dora Award winner from two years ago, a 1937 Hungarian play by Miklos Laszlo that inspired three movies and one musical. Set at Christmas time in Budapest, two perfume-shop clerks who despise each other unknowingly exchange love letters as anonymous pen pals, never getting a whiff of what's going on. Dec. 9 to 31 (previews, Dec. 8) . $45 to $65. Young Centre , 55 Mill St., 416-866-8666.
COMEDY
A Very Lupe Xmas
Melissa D'Agostino brings back her Fringe-favourite character, the Latina clown Lupe. Here a holiday-themed satire involves her performance as the Virgin Mary in a retelling of the Nativity that goes, as might imagine, loopy. Dec. 8 to 17 (Dec. 7, preview). $15 to $20. 918 Bathurst Centre, 918 Bathurst St., totix.ca.
DANCE
Soulful Messiah
Quincy Jones and an R&B-singing dream team of Aretha Franklin, the Boys Choir of Harlem, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight won a Grammy for their expressive rendition of Handel's dynamic holiday favourite. Here Ballet Creole jazzes things further, setting elements of tap, ballet, African-Caribbean and modern dance to the Jones-conceived recording. Dec. 3 (8 p.m.) and Dec. 4 (3 p.m.) $20 to $45. Fleck Dance Theatre , 207 Queens Quay W. , 416-973-4000.
Dancemakers
Two premieres kick off Dancemakers' 2011-2012 season: Jacob Zimmer's Story Dance Radio lifts and jumps to the sounds of the 1970s, while Indian dance hero Nova Bhattacharya's piece is more abstract. Dec. 8 to 18 (preview, Dec. 7). $20 to $25 . Dancemakers Centre for Creation , 55 Mill St. , 416-367-1800 .
LITERATURE and LECTURE
Peter C. Newman
With his latest book, When the Gods Changed: The Death of Liberal Canada, the journalistic octogenarian Peter C. Newman laments the win of the federal Tories and the demise of progressivism. He's joined by Grit insider John Duffy in a conversation moderated by TVO's Steve Paikin. Dec. 6, doors at 6 p.m. Free (reservations are full; limited rush seats may be available). Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St. , 416-393-7131.
EVENT
Canadian Folk Music Awards Gala
A nation honours its strummers, singers, storytellers and songwriters, with performances from Loreena McKennitt, Jim Brynes and Steve Dawson, Rose Cousins, Soul Influence and more. Dec. 4 , 8 p.m. $40 , Isabel Bader Theatre, 27 Front St. W. , 416-978-8849.
Canada's Got Talent
You're fired! Sorry, wrong reality-television program. The funny man Martin Short, the opera singer Measha Brueggergosman, the musician Stephan Moccio and no Donald Trump will be on hand to assess the merits of the various amateur performers auditioning for the right to compete for a $100,000 final prize. The auditions will be taped in front of a live studio audience. Dec. 3, 4 and 5 (1:30 and 7 p.m.) Free (RSVP at cgtaudience@insighttv.com; rush seats available before each taping). John W.H. Bassett Theatre, 255 Front St. W.
Toronto Motorcycle Show
Some people are born to be wild; some people listen to Steppenwolf on their putt-putt scooters. All kinds are welcome at the three-day, two-wheeled deal. Dec. 9 to 11, $10 to $16 ($38 family pass). Metro Toronto Convention Centre , 222 Bremner Blvd. , mtccc.com.
FUNDRAISER
Major Celebs and General Fun
The good news is that this night of sketch comedy in benefit of the charity Third World Awareness is neither a private showing nor is it corporal punishment. The major celebs are Scott Thompson, Colin Mochrie and the hilarious Second City starlet Inessa Frantowski. Dec. 4, 10 p.m. $25 . Second City, 51 Mercer St. , 416-343-0011.
FREE
Natrel Rink
Possibly the best part of a Toronto winter just got better. A new lounge area inside the Lakeside Café offers a respite from the frost with fireplaces and comfort food. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturday) . Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4866.
Christmas Tuba Festival and Choir Sing-Along
It's euphonium pandemonium! A brass bonanza! All levels of tuba players get together to oomp, loomp and compare spit valves. School choirs join the fun. Dec. 7, noon to 12:45 p.m. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W. , 416-298-2871 .
FAMILY
Mary Poppins
All spoonfuls of sugar, and no medicine. The dandy nanny with the umbrella is the title character in a musical that wins with spunk and memorable song. $38.50 to $185. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. , 416-872-1212.
Seussical
Not only is there no junk in his trunk, Horton the Elephant is big-hearted and sensitive to the plight of the residents of super-tiny Whoville. A musical, based on the landmark books of Dr. Seuss, entertains charmingly. To Dec. 30. $15 to $20. Young People's Theatre , 165 Front St. E. , 416-862-2222.
CONTINUING
Two Pianos Four Hands To Jan. 5. Panasonic Theatre, 416-872-1212
One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale To Dec. 4. Direct Energy Centre, 416-960-3680.
The Rez Sisters To Dec. 11 Factory Theatre, 416-504-9971.
BOOKING AHEAD
National Ballet of Canada's The Nutcracker Dec. 10 to Jan. 3. Four Seasons Centre, 416-345-9595.
Winter Buffet Dec. 13 to 15. Hart House, 416-978-8849.
TSO's Messiah Dec. 14 to 18. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-593-4828.
bwheeler@globeandmail.com
Brad Wheeler