A painting by Charles Bierk is among the works at Art Toronto 2012, at the Metro Convention Centre until Sunday.JENNIFER ROBERTS
ART & MUSEUMS
André Kertész: Self-Portraits
He was a man ahead of his timer. André Kertész, a pioneer in self-portrait photography (without the benefit of an iPhone), is the focus in an exhibit of an artist who couldn't get enough of himself. Oct. 27 (opening reception, 2 to 5 p.m.) to Nov. 24. Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1026 Queen St. W., 416-504-0575.
CONCERTS
Der Freischütz (The Marksman)
Carl Maria von Weber's opera, more often studied than performed, is about Faustian bargains, satanic huntsman, magic bullets and a young man whose aim is unproven. In this Opera Atelier production, Croatian tenor Krešimir Špicer is the titular marksman. To Nov. 3. $40 to $160. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-622-2787.
Chris Isaak
The charismatic crooner made his name with the sexy-brooding Wicked Game song and video, but his grand-old outfits reveal him as a twangier fella. His latest album is Beyond the Sun, a collection of Sun Record slowies and rockabilly classics recorded at Sam Phillips' famed studio at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis. Oct. 29, 8 p.m. $35 to $89.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255.
Bettye LaVette
"Would I become an old lady, begging for dollars while singing some two-bit blues in a tired voice I could no longer control?" So wrote the dramatic Detroit soul singer Bettye LaVette, about a rough patch in the 1970s, from her new memoir A Woman Like Me. Now, with her decade-long comeback showing no signs of slowing, its seems her worst fears will go unrealized. Nov. 1, 8 p.m. $36 to $56. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-985-5000.
CLUBS
Father John Misty
The solo album from the former Fleet Foxes' drummer is called Fear Fun, which might be a sardonic comment on the serious nature of that sensitive, pastoral troupe to which he once belonged. On his own, the curious troubadour Josh Tillman (a.k.a. Father John Misty) is offbeat, with alt-folk craft that suggests a stoned admiration for Loudon Wainwright III and Gram Parsons. Oct. 27, 9 p.m. $14.50 to $16 (sold out). Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., 1-855-985-5000.
The Weeknd
The Drake R&B protege Abel Tesfaye has yet to release a proper album, and perhaps he never will. His first major-label release is to be Trilogy, a forthcoming multidisc package that gathers the material of his three mixed tapes and a few newer tracks. The thin-voiced Toronto artist is a press-shy character of Ethiopian descent and subterranean hype, with a slant on urban music that is sexy, moody and idiosyncratic. Nov. 2 to 5, 9 p.m. $46 (tickets remaining for Nov. 5 only). Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 1-855-985-5000.
THEATRE
The War of the Worlds
Forget about the Martians. Sean Cullen is coming! The comic actor stars with Nicholas Campbell in a live recreation of a radio drama based on H.G. Wells's frightening futurism.
As with last year's sold-out run, the Art of Time production includes a concert of high-drama soundtrack music – Citizen Kane, Taxi Driver, Psycho and Cape Fear – composed by Bernard Herrman. Oct. 30 to Nov. 4. $25 to $59. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
Endgame
Thirteen years after directing Soulpepper's Dora-winning production of Samuel Beckett's trash-can classic, Daniel Brooks returns (with original cast member Diego Matamoros) to rework a play about co-dependency and the strategy of life. Oct. 31 to Nov. 17 (previews begin Oct. 26). $32 to $68. Young Centre, 55 Mill St., 416-866-8666 or soulpepper.ca.
Speaking in Tongues
Written for four actors (each of whom play a minimum of two characters), the tense Australian drama involves a missing woman, four marriages, interweaving plot points and an irregular structure that critics have found to be clever and provocative. In 2001 its was adapted into the film Lantana, starring Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, and Barbara Hershey. Nov. 1 to 24 (previews begin Oct. 29). $22 to $49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110.
DANCE
Political Mother
A wild-eyed riot of dance and rock music involves drummers in military tunics, a ranting demagogue, wild folk-dancers and shuddering sounds. Full throttle, you bet, from the U.K.-based Israeli star-choreographer Hofesh Shechter. Oct. 27 (2 and 8 p.m.) and Oct. 28 (2 p.m.). $24 to $99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E., 416-368-3110 or canstage.com.
Cirque Éloize's iD
Tumbling, clowning, trampolining, street-gang dancing and mountain-bike extremism are part of a high-energy production, representative of basic human desires – who among us hasn't had the urge to stack chairs unreasonably high and balance perilously on the resulting tower – that create the daily chaos we like to call city life. Nov. 1 and 2 (7:30 p.m.) and Nov. 3 (2 and 7:30 p.m.). $52 to $88.75. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 1-855-872-7669.
LITERATURE & LECTURE
Reinventing Radio: An Evening With Ira Glass
Ira Glass, an Edward R. Murrow Award-winner and the fast-talking creator of the public radio program This American Life, tells stories, talks about journalism and replays memorable moments from the popular broadcast. Oct. 27, 8 p.m. $37.50 to $57.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255.
Subway Life and Transit Expansion during Toronto's Automobile Age
From the 1940s to the 1970s, the TTC built more than 50 kilometres of rapid transit lines, paving the way for easy underground navigation of the city and putting us on track for further decades of civic arguing on rail-based expansion that continue to entertain and confuse citizens to this day. On Tuesday, historian Jay Young leads a salon on the political debates surrounding the city's early subway development. Oct. 30, 7 to 9 p.m. $12. Spadina Museum:, 285 Spadina Rd., 416-392-6910.
COMEDY
Dark Comedy Festival
The only taboo subject here is the the whole notion of taboo subjects. Quirky Maria Bamford (Nov. 1 to 3) headlines a schedule of edgy, non-mainstream stars including Jim Norton (Nov. 9) and Eddie Pepitone (Nov. 10). Oct. 31 to Nov. 10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540 or darkcomedyfest.com.
EVENTS
Cask Days
They like their beer unfiltered, unpasteurized and naturally carbonated. (Which, coincidentally, is what we look for in our blind-date choices). A two-day affair features three sessions of ales, eats and DJ-supplied beats.
Oct. 27 (noon to 5 p.m.; 7 p.m. to midnight) and Oct. 28 (noon to 5 p.m.). $35. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., caskdays.com.
Giller Light Bash
Your invitation to the splashy literary-award dinner was undoubtedly bungled by a courier, but fear not. This annual sub-gala offers all the "thrill of the Gill," but without the tuxedoed formality. (Incidentally, the authors up for the Giller Prize are reading this evening at the International Festival of Authors, 8 p.m., at the Fleck Dance Theatre). Oct. 30, $30 to $35. Burroughes Building, 639 Queen St. W., http://www.gillerlightbash.ca/giller/index.php.
Lemon Bucket Orkestra
After the wackadoo Balkan-music troupe does tricking and treating through the Annex, they launch their new Lume, Lume album at Lee's Palace. Oct. 31, 9 p.m. $20 to $25. 529 Bloor St. W., lemonbucket.com
AGO: First Thursdays
The regular art-gallery social has added circumstance this month. Not only will indie-pop siren Katie Stelmanis do a DJ turn, the victor of the prestigious Grange Prize for photography will be announced. Nov. 1, 6:30 to 11 p.m. $8 to $12. Art Gallery of Ontario, 370 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648.
Sleepwalk Guitar Festival
It don't mean a thang, if it ain't got that twang. Rockabilly guitar masters and other expert string-benders gives shows and workshops. On hand: Albert Lee, Nels Cline, Junior Brown, James Burton and many more. Nov. 2 to 4. $25 to $75 (pass). Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., www.sixshooterrecords.com.
FILM
Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style
For our eyes only: An exhibition of costumes, props, gadgets, concept artwork, storyboards and artifacts from the blockbuster spy-film series makes its North American premiere.Signature items include the steel choppers worn by Richard (Jaws) Kiel in The Spy Who Loved Me and a variety of gold things. To Jan. 20, 2013. $10.50 to $15. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-968-3456.
Living Dead: The Cinema of George A. Romero
A TIFF Cinematheque retrospective of famed horror-film director kicks off at 7:30 on Halloween, when programmer Colin Geddes picks the brains of the greatest zombie-genre auteur alive(or dead or otherwise). A screening of 1982's Creepshow follows at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31 to Nov. 4. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-968-3456.
FAMILY
Alligator Pie
Give away his furry hat, give away his shoe, but by all means, don't give away his alligator stew.The child-friendly poems of the treasured laureate Dennis Lee are brought to theatrical life. The production runs for one month, and then it is a matter of "see you later..." To Nov. 25. $23. Young Centre, 55 Mill St.,416-866-8666 or soulpepper.ca.
Sorauren Park Pumpkin Parade
For years, neighbours in Roncesvalles have taken their jack-o-lanterns to Sorauren Park on Nov.1, lighting up the paths. The seed took, and pumpkin parades now occur after dusk in many parks (including East Lynn Park and, now, Mimico Square and Dallington Park). Nov. 1. Free. http://soraurenpark.wordpress.com/park-features/pumpkin-parade.
CONTINUING
International Festival of Authors To Oct. 28. Harbourfront Centre, 416-973-4000.
Miss Caledonia To Nov. 22. Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 416-531-1827.
Art Toronto Oct. 29. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 416-979-6628.
Fort York After Dark Lantern Tours To Oct. 27. Preregistration required. 416-392-6907.
COC's Il Trovatore To Oct. 31. Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231.
COC's Die Fledermaus To Nov. 3 Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231.
War Horse To Jan. 6. Princess of Wales, 416-872-1212.
BOOKING AHEAD
Roky Erickson Nov. 3. Lee's Palace, 1-855-599-9090.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Nov. 10 to 25. Four Seasons Centre, 416-345-9595.
1964 The Tribute Nov. 17. Phoenix, 1-855-599-9090.
Snow White: The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical! Nov. 23 to Jan. 5. Elgin Theatre, 1-855-599-9090.
Rheostatics Dec. 5 and 6. Horseshoe Tavern, 1-855-599-9090.