What about the little green men?
MONDAY
á We Are Not Alone
Watch this if: You still believe. In a cultural moment when opposites on the political spectrum may as well be speaking in tongues, actor Damien Atkins is choosing to believe in the most far-out theories: aliens and UFOs. He did first-hand research and interviews with abductees, government officials, journalists and more to create this one-man show, in which he plays over 50 characters. We’re not sure about the existence of extraterrestrial life, but we believe in anything Atkins does. (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave., 8:30 p.m., on until Jan. 26) —Carly Maga
TUESDAY
á Grace
Watch this if: You’re still thinking about the Blasey Ford/Kavanaugh hearings. Canada’s leading feminist theatre company, Nightwood Theatre, begins 2019 with this play by Jane Doe. The playwright chose to remain anonymous to protect the identity of her family, who are the characters in this story of a reallife sexual assault disclosure and what happened after they pressed charges against the alleged assailant. The reality of how the legal system handles such cases is still a sensitive but pivotal issue. Nightwood has also planned a free symposium on Jan. 12 at 4 p.m., featuring legal experts, psychologists and support providers. (Streetcar Crowsnest, 8 p.m., on until Jan. 26) —CM
á Cavendish
Watch this if: Dysfunctional family dynamics make you laugh. Brothers Mark (Mark Little) and Andy (Andrew Bush) return to their hometown of Cavendish, P.E.I., to visit the ailing father who abandoned them. Dad isn’t quite as sick as they were led to believe, but just as cantankerous as they remember. Pretty soon the brothers are enmeshed in old family squabbles and the town’s general weirdness (including an incident involving a mythical supernatural creature). Little ( Mr. D) and Bush ( Funny or Die), founders of the comedy troupe Picnicface, co-created the series with Garry Campbell ( Carter). British comic actor Kevin Eldon ( Hot
Fuzz) co-stars as their reprobate father. (CBC at 9:30 p.m., also on CBC Gem) —Debra Yeo WEDNESDAY á Next Stage Theatre Festival Watch this if: You want an indie, eclectic start to 2019. The Next Stage Theatre Festival is the smaller, curated sister fest of the Toronto Fringe that brings performance lovers out of their houses and into the heated beer tent outside Factory Theatre. This year’s lineup has productions with promising premises: Lucky, a play by FilipinoCanadian playwright Marie Barlizo based on the true-crime story of Jennifer Pan; Dinner With the Duchess, a new play by Dora Award winner Nick Green;
Cannibal, directed by Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster (following her acclaimed direction of The Wolves); Athabasca, Next Stage’s first site-specific production; and a storytelling/magic hybrid, Strange &
Unusual. (Various locations, until Jan. 20) —CM
á Finding Hygge at Doc Soup
Watch this if: You want to know the secret of happiness (at least the Danish version). Many of us already knew that the secret of happiness had something to do with the Danish, but we thought they meant flaky jam-filled pastries. Turns out the concept of “hygge” — which roughly translates as acknowledging special moments or feelings as exactly that — is what folks are so excited about. Hot Docs’ monthly Doc Soup series launches its 2019 slate with a deeper look at all things hygge and how the idea gained traction outside Denmark. Finding Hygg
e’s director Rocky Walls and producer Grant Michael will be in town to share more joy and wisdom during extended Q&As at their film’s two screenings, starting with the Toronto premiere. (Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., 6:30 p.m., also Jan. 10 at 6:45 p.m.) —Jason Anderson FRIDAY
á Kacey Musgraves
Watch this to: Get a heads-up on one of the sure things at next month’s Grammys. Awards can be a fraught business, but for Nashville-based Musgraves the booty just keeps on coming and it’s well deserved. Golden Hour, last year’s record that brings her here, is a swaying, beguiling, four-Grammy-nominated patch of new sonic ground for her — and for country music. Acid-country, you could call it (literally, LSD having been part of its gestation), though she still loves her some rhinestones and is one of the sharpest songwriters going. Touring with her seasoned backing band, she’s part of that young country cohort reaching for the cosmos and finding a world of new followers. Tour partner Natalie Prass makes for a strong opener. (Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., doors 7 p.m.) —Chris Young
á After Hours at the Royal’s Up All Night Vol. 1
Watch this because: You know all the really cool stuff happens at night. Nighttime is most definitely the right time when it comes to a new series of movies at the Royal this weekend. The College St. cinema presents the inaugural edition of Up All Night, a program of cult classics (all screening on 35 mm) about characters whose various ad- ventures and mishaps keep them up way too late. Martin Scorsese’s 1985 comedy about a straitlaced New Yorker who experiences a side of his city he really can’t handle, After Hours is perfect as the program’s first pick. Michael Mann’s thriller Collateral and Richard Linklater’s overnight romance Before Sunrise provide two more reasons to venture into the dark. (Royal Cinema, 608 College St., 8 p.m., also Jan. 12 and 13) —JA
SATURDAY
á
The Pursuit of Happiness
Watch this for: Smartass indie rock from a vanished era. Joined by support act the Odds, here are two contemporaries from the heyday of MuchMusic and Queen West who don’t play that often anymore, let alone combine on a double bill of horny, cheeky Cancon classics. Respective principals Moe Berg and Craig Northey no doubt have had a few laughs at how it’s all turned out. Toronto’s TPOH and Vancouver’s Odds were two sides of the same shiny coin back in the day and, for the former, a more low-key show at Supermarket last fall demonstrated they remain on point live. There ought to be plenty in the crowd up for joining in on the choruses, but anyone with an ear for fine harmonies, slick guitars and a good tune could find something to like here. (Danforth Music Hall, doors 7 p.m.) —CY
SUNDAY
á True Detective Watch this if: You believe in third chances. When it debuted in 2014, this anthology series picked up critical acclaim, Emmy nominations galore (winning five, including one for director Cary Fukunaga) and a BAFTA for Best International Program. And then Season 2 frittered away most of that goodwill. Season 3 is closer in tone and execution to the superior first go-round, right down to the time shifts as a criminal case is re-examined. It helps to have a magnetic leading man like Mahershala Ali, already an Oscar winner for Moonlight. He’s paired with Stephen Dorff as they investigate the disappearance of two children in Arkansas. There’s also solid work in small roles by Canadians Michael Greyeyes and Sarah Gadon. (HBO and Crave at 9 p.m.) —DY