Swoon with T.O.’s next big star
WEDNESDAY Hero at CaribbeanTales Watch this if:
You’ve got room in your movie marathons for island fare. Given that Toronto is about to become the capital of the movie world, surely the city has space for a few film fests besides TIFF. A showcase for visual storytellers from the Caribbean, CaribbeanTales returns for its 13th year with a generous slate of screenings and events. It opens with a gala-slash-street-party celebration of trailblazers like the subject of Frances Anne-Solomon’s new film. A docudrama making its world premiere at CaribbeanTales, Hero pays tribute to Ulric Cross, a Trinidadian who served valiantly in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War before leading an equally distinguished career as a jurist and diplomat. CaribbeanTales continues to Sept. 20. (Royal Cinema, 608 College St., 8 p.m.) — Jason Anderson
Dry Land Watch this if:
You have strong feelings about the loss of Ontario’s most recent sex-ed curriculum. Without a curriculum that can address sexual and reproductive health in a contemporary way, perhaps art can help fill the void. Enter Cue6 Theatre, fresh off its Dora Award win for the direction of last season’s pool (no water), with Ruby Rae Spiegel’s Dry Land. Spiegel was only 21 when the play was shortlisted for the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and her proximity to her young characters and their attempts at a DIY abortion makes it a vital, necessary play. (The Assembly Theatre, 1479 Queen St. W., 8 p.m., until Sept. 22) — Carly Maga
IMPULSEb Diversionary Pleasures Watch this if:
You want literary stimulation. The writer of I Love Dick and its subsequent TV show, Chris Kraus, and
Motherhood and How Should a Person Be? author Sheila Heti are appearing at this digital offshoot of IMPULSE magazine (1971 to 1990) for an evening of literary ideas, readings of their work and a conversation with former IMPULSE editor Eldon Garnet. To whet your appetite, Rirkrit Tiravanija will cook up a Thai feast for ticket holders. (The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., 7:30 p.m.) — CM
THURSDAY Toronto the Good Watch this if:
You think “Toronto the Good” is, to be frank, a loaded term. Andrew Moodie’s play premiered to rave reviews in 2008 at Factory Theatre, but it could easily have been written today in the midst of Black Lives Matter, the shooting on the Danforth and elsewhere, and increasing allegations of institutionalized racism within the police force. So it’s no wonder that producer Gloria Gift Nankunda and director Chad Tailor are staging it again in this limited run. Hopefully this makes the case for a longer run and another look at an important play. (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., 7 p.m., until Sunday) — CM
FRIDAY How to Get Away With It at T.O. Indie Watch this if:
You can spare some love for especially scrappy moviemakers. The Toronto Independent Film Festival — or T.O. Indie since the most obvious acronym was taken — is a haven for scrappy filmmakers who don’t let the lack of big budgets get in the way of big dreams. One such intrepid director is Toronto’s Andrew Dunlop, who shot his feature debut in 10 days, using his con- do’s party room as his one and only set. A black comedy about two guys who believe they can pull off the perfect murder, How to Get Away With It looks to get some love at the T.O. Indie. (Carlton Cinema, 20 Carlton St., 9 p.m.) — JA
SATURDAY BULOW Watch this for:
The next big thing, perhaps, riding a trail blazed by Lorde, Alessia Cara and the like. The swoon level is high with Megan Bulow’s slim but hot recording oeuvre. Just a teenager and fresh out of high school, she writes very much clear-eyed and no-BS, and touches a lot of bases including hip hop, crisp trap and, mostly, shimmering electropop. Not for nothing has she cited Avril Lavigne as an early inspiration and this stop on her first big tour should resonate with her; after all, it’s now her home base. Mind you, she’s had a lot of home bases already, including Germany, Texas, Britain and Holland. Though just starting out, she’s been around some and it shows. (Mod Club, 722 College St., doors 7 p.m.) — Chris Young
SUNDAY WILLIE NELSON Watch this because:
It’s the only stop he’ll make in Canada this year. Willie Nelson marked his 85th birthday year with his 73rd studio record, the aptly named Last Man Standing, and took the fifth edition of his Honeysuckle Rose biodiesel tour bus on the road again. He might not be as hale and hearty these days, but the journey continues for the godfather of outlaw country’s Outlaw Music Festival, and hey, that’s Hammertown’s wonderful Terra Lightfoot among the performers/acolytes in tow, an A-list of independent spirits rounded out by Sturgill Simpson, Particle Kid and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Nelson and his longtime Family band return for the first time since June 2013. It should make for a reunion carnival as much as a show. (Budweiser Stage, gates 3:20 p.m.) — CY
The Deuce Watch this if:
You want the satisfaction of seeing some fine female acting. James Franco playing twins was advertised as the main draw in Season 1 of this series about the rise of the porn industry, but it was the women of The Deuce who really stood out, especially Maggie Gyllenhaal as ambitious prostitute Candy. In Season 2 the show has jumped five years to 1977. Candy has left hooking behind to produce blue movies, Vince (Franco) has expanded his chunk of New York City’s night life, Lori (Emily Meade) is making a name for herself in porn while chafing under the demands of C.C. (Gary Carr) and Darlene (Dominique Fishback, another standout) is making stealthy plans to better herself intellectually. (HBO at 9 p.m.) — Debra Yeo
Stitched Watch this if:
You want to see what the kids are making for other people to wear these days. This new fashion competition series will inevitably bring comparisons to Project Runway, but its format has echoes of The Great British Baking Show. Each episode, four budding designers compete in several themed and timed challenges until one of them wins $10,000. But instead of a pavlova, say, we end up with a piece of clothing. The fun is in watching how the designs go from scribbles on paper to surprisingly accomplished outfits. Model Kim Cloutier hosts, and fashion influencer Joe Zee and Elle Canada editor-in-chief Vanessa Craft are the resident judges. (Slice at 9 p.m.) — DY