The weekly roundup of what to check out, from Weird Al Yankovic to American Idol,
MONDAY
Rhye Watch this to: Pick up pointers on how to spoon in an all-seater venue. It’s been five long years since Rhye’s debut LP Woman showed up, and mysterious leader Mike Milosh’s silken cooing and slick production commenced raising goosebumps, drawing comparisons to fellow slow-cooked soul travellers like Maxwell and Sade. “I’m not that soft,” Milosh insisted to Billboard. “I used to play hockey.” Sure, whatever you say, though the fuller, more warm-blooded layers on followup
Blood make it clear he’s not angling for the moshpit just yet. He has found a complementary place for the band to land in his old hometown for this first headlining appearance since those buzzy days of 2013. Hannah Georgas provides the opening half of the Live at Massey Hall presentation. (Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 8 p.m.) —Chris Young á Amma Asante at TIFF’s Books on Film Watch this if: You want to know how great books become great movies. The Toronto International Film Festival’s series on remarkable journeys between the realms of literature and cinema, Books on Film launches a new season with an appearance by Asante. The British screenwriter and director sits down to talk with host Eleanor Wachtel about the making of her recent feature A United Kingdom, which is based on an acclaimed biography by Susan Williams about the extraordinary marriage between the African royal who became Botswana’s first president and an Englishwoman in the 1950s. (TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 7 p.m.) —Jason Anderson
TUESDAY
The World of Vikings: History on Film Attend this if: Pillaging is the one thing you can’t seem to get enough of. Art meets life Tuesday night at the ROM when Neil Price, a professor of archeology at the University of Uppsala, Sweden and a specialist in Viking culture, shares the stage with Sheila Hockin, the executive producer of the History TV series
Vikings, and Clive Standen, who plays the series’ loose-cannon warrior Rollo. Together, they represent where fiction meets fact, quite literally. Price is a technical adviser on the series, keeping it as honest as a TV series built around bloodthirsty, marauding warriors can be. (Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, 7 p.m.) —Murray Whyte
WEDNESDAY
Big Brother Canada Watch this if: You were one of those people who kicked up a social media fuss last year. The sixth season of this homegrown version of the American reality TV staple is a testament to the power of the angry TV viewer with a Twitter account. Last year, Corus Entertainment said the series was going on hiatus — which is often code for cancellation by neglect — but fans made their displeasure known and Corus relented. The popular Arisa Cox is back as host with 16 contestants subjecting themselves to non-stop surveillance while confined to a customdesigned “house” for weeks on end. They’re competing for $100,000, a European vacation and a $30,000 home makeover. (Global TV at 7 p.m.) —Debra Yeo
THURSDAY
Michelin Stars Watch this if: You have an insatiable appetite for foodie movies. Introduced more than a century ago by the French tire company as a means to promote travel by European motorists, the Michelin star rating has arguably become the most coveted honour for chefs worldwide. But with those stars come great pressures, as a variety of culinary celebs explain in a new Danish doc that plays Hot Docs’ monthly Doc Soup series. Noma’s René Redzepi and French great Alain Ducasse are among those sharing their insights and experiences in this celebration of very classy cuisine by director Rasmus Dinesen. (Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., 6:45 p.m.) —JA
Weird Al Yankovic Watch this if: You ever wondered whether there was a singer-songwriter hiding underneath the fat suit. Best known for his clever transformations of pop hits and matching live setpieces, Alfred Matthew Yankovic has for years been writing just as many originals. They’re the focus of this two-night visit, his first in Toronto since 2011. That means no costumes, no big production touches (and given the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour branding and his track record, absolutely no earnestness). Veteran standup comic Emo Philips opens. And attention hardcore Yankovic fans: longtime Yankovic band members Stephen Jay and Jim West are on their own “Parallel Universe” tour and scheduled to play the Garrison after Friday’s show. (Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., doors 7 p.m.) —CY
FRIDAY
Tirgan Nowruz Festival Attend this if: You want to celebrate the Iranian New Year with lots of company. We just had a fresh snowfall, but the Tirgan Nowruz Festival has returned to remind us that spring is almost here and, with it, the Iranian New Year. To celebrate, the festival brings a large lineup of free workshops, craft activities, concerts and puppet shows, plus a restaurant, tea house and Persian Bazaar. The ticketed events include singer Darya Dadvar, a play based on the children’s story Khale Sooske and a night of Persian trap music, fusing older musical traditions with the hip-hop sub-genre. (Until March 11, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St.) —Carly Maga
Animal Farm Watch this if: You like allegories. “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others” was the terrifying line that George Orwell gave us in Animal Farm, his 1945 novella that uses the animal-driven revolution on a farm as a metaphor for the Russian Revolution. This story has particular resonance within current Western politics, and the new stage adaptation coming to Soulpepper Theatre (by Canadian playwright Anthony MacMahon) is directed by the esteemed, and very busy, Ravi Jain. After an intense start to 2018 for both Jain and Soulpepper, we’re excited that this project has continued and will open to audiences this week. (Until April 14 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane) —CM
SATURDAY
Sugar Shack TO Go here if: You want to sample the sweeter side of winter. Sugar Beach is earning its name with a weekend-long sugar shack pop-up. Two sugar shacks will sell maple taffy and offer sugaring demonstrations, while families can visit the ice sculpture area and listen to live music. Heartier meal options to precede the maple desserts include food trucks, organic foods, cheese and baked goods. It’s the closest downtown Toronto gets to the deep Quebec forests. (Starts at 11 a.m., also March 11 until 5 p.m., Sugar Beach) —CM
SUNDAY
American Idol Watch this if: You believe in second chances, even for TV shows. This ABC reboot of a former reality TV juggernaut — it exceeded 30 million viewers at its height on the Fox network — comes with both skepticism and a touch of scandal. Can a series that lost both viewers and cachet in its first 15season run succeed anew? There’s also the fact that previously squeaky clean host Ryan Seacrest is now embroiled in a #MeToo controversy, with a former personal stylist alleging sexual harassment. As in its first iteration, the new Idol plays up the American Dream element of unknown talents making good, but producers promise some new twists and, of course, there are new judges: Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. (CTV Two at 8 p.m.) —DY