Nearly two years after his death, celebrate David Bowie with a fabulous double feature,
TUESDAY
The Wedding Party
Watch this if: You’ve had enough of your own family drama. Last January, Crow’s Theatre opened the doors of its new complex with its first official production, The Wedding Party, written by Kristen Thomson and directed by Crow’s artistic director Chris Abraham: a fast-paced comedy that put Canadian acting elite through the ringer with costume changes, multiple characters and intricate stage action. The Wedding Party returns to remind you, so soon after the holidays, that your family drama could be a whole lot worse. (8 p.m., Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave., until Jan. 20, crowstheatre.com) —Carly Maga
Hard Rock Medical
Watch this if: You want to fill your hospital show prescription. This medical drama set in northern Ontario is on its final rounds with the beginning of its fourth season. The students we met in Season 1 are within reach of becoming full-fledged doctors, assuming they can navigate the professional and personal obstacles that life throws in their way. Look for Eric Peterson ( Corner Gas) to guest-star this season as a cranky MD with an addiction. (9 p.m., TVO) —Debra Yeo
WEDNESDAY
Next Stage Theatre Festival
Watch this if: You’re already gearing up for summer festival season. The Toronto Fringe Festival’s winter sister is back, bringing with it the essentials of the summer theatre blockbuster, including the (heated) beer tent, a packed schedule of curated shows and some Fringe favourites (like Sex
T-Rex and Martin Dockery). Likely to sell out early is Rumspringa Break!, a new musical by Matt Murray, Akiva Romer-Segal and Colleen Dauncey about twin sisters lost in Buffalo, N.Y., during their week of freedom from the Amish faith. (Until Jan. 14, Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St., fringetoronto.com) —C.M.
FRIDAY
Long Winter Watch this if: You want to warm up with art and music. Toronto’s suddenly frigid winter has a bright side: the return of beloved art and music series Long Winter. The first edition of 2018 arrives at the Gladstone Hotel Friday, with musicians like Babygirl, Matthew Progress and Tremayne, and art by Roxanne Ignatius, Maya Ben David, Daniel Jelani Ellis and more. As always, radio personality Vish Khanna returns with his talk show Long Night. (7 p.m., Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., torontolongwinter.com) -C.M.
The Killers Watch this if: You’re in the mood to party like it’s 2004. There are new faces in the touring lineup and a recent record in Wonderful Wonderful, the Killers’ first in five years, but nobody’s kidding anybody: it’s 2004 introduction “Mr. Brightside” that the arena crowd will be demanding. This return starts a tour of North America and beyond, so there might be a few kinks to work out — and you need a scorecard to keep track of the changing travelling personnel amid the confetti and cascading sparklers. But that’s still Brandon Flowers centre stage in a suit of gold, heart on his sleeve and gamely trying to blow the place up as he bears down on 40. (8 p.m., Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St.) —Chris Young
Requiem for the American Dream
Watch this if: You want to start 2018 with movies that inspire. The Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema launches 2018 with movies that may inspire a better you (or at least that’s the hope at this time of year). Fittingly titled “New Year’s Resolutions,” the program begins with Requiem for the American Dream, the latest takedown of the powers that be by the great Noam Chomsky. Once you’re done learning about the concentration of the world’s wealth and power in the hands of the few (and what you can do about it), you can get fired up by three more films, including The Barkley Marathons, a look at one of the world’s most gruelling athletic competitions. (9 p.m., Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., festival runs until Jan. 10, hotdocscinema.ca) —Jason Anderson
SATURDAY
The Bentway Skate Trail
See this if: You’re interested in a new kind of urban space. It’s the first phase of what will eventually be a 1.75-kilometre trail under the Gardiner Expressway with 55 outdoor “rooms” that include parks, farmers markets, performance and exhibit spaces. Saturday’s opening kicks off a winter season of skate parties with food and music. And opening weekend includes live music and DJ performances; art installations; a chance to meet Canadian pairs skating silver medallists Lubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch; free admission and tours of Fort York National Historic Site; and the Mayor’s Skate Party Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. (Opens at 11 a.m., beside the Fort York Visitor Centre, 250 Fort York Blvd., thebentway.ca) —Bruce DeMara
SUNDAY
Rachel Barton Pine Watch this if: You’re moved by a well-played violin and an inspirational story. From humble beginnings, Barton Pine was an award-winning prodigy who made her solo orchestral debut at age 10. It nearly came to an end in 1995, when she lost one leg and suffered damage to the other in a train accident in her native Chicago. That she’s here now, after more than 40 surgeries and rehab, is testament to her talent and heart. She has established a foundation to help disadvantaged musicians and picked up the pieces of her career as a performer and educator, with a repertoire running from Mozart to metal and jazz. This afternoon show is free, but tickets can be reserved beginning Jan. 2 at 10 a.m. (2 p.m., Mazzoleni Concert Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., rcmusic.com) —C.Y.
David Bowie double feature Watch this if: You want to celebrate a muchmissed rock icon. The world has been a far less fabulous place since David Bowie’s death of liver cancer nearly two years ago. Fans can mark what would have been the rock legend’s 71st birthday (it’s actually next Monday but close enough) by enjoying two rare screenings of Bowie-centric flicks. After a matinee of The Hunger — the moody 1980 thriller that starred the Thin White Duke as an unusually elegant vampire — it’s time for Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, D.A. Pennebaker’s exhilarating documentary of Bowie’s final stand as his extraterrestrial glam-rock alter ego onstage in London in 1973. (4:30 and 8 p.m., Royal Cinema, 608 College St., newsite.theroyal.to) —J.A.
The Chi Watch this if: You’re a fan of prestige drama. This series from Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe ( Master of None) is described as a coming-of-age drama. But not everyone gets to age on Chicago’s South Side, where it’s set. Jason Mitchell ( Straight Outta Compton, Mudbound) stars as aspiring restaurateur Brandon. The talented ensemble cast also includes Alex Hibbert ( Moonlight), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine ( Treme, The Knick) and Sonja Sohn ( The Wire). The show allows its characters their humanity but doesn’t shy away from their failings, whether it’s a boy who thieves from the dead or a grieving stepfather out for misguided revenge. (10 p.m., CraveTV) —D.Y.