SPICE UP YOUR WEEK
Dear Ex, an LBGTQ-themed drama, premieres in Canada at the Reel Asian International Film Festival,
MONDAY
á Fleetwood Mac
Watch this for: Old dogs, new tricks. There will be nostalgia, sure, but also a present-day twist and backstage drama behind this return visit, nearly four years since Christine McVie came back to restore the band’s fabled mid-’70s formation and, so the story went, their mojo. Not for long: Lindsey Buckingham, half the spark that lit the heyday’s flame, has been ousted and now it’s Mike Campbell (from Tom Petty’s band) in Buckingham’s guitar spot, along with new voice Neil Finn (Crowded House). As long as they play the hits, it won’t matter: like soccer giants on pre-season tour, it’s all about the shirt. Mind you, with Kamasi Washington and Christine and the Queens also in town on an unusually crowded Monday night, punters have choices to make. (Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St., 8 p.m.) —Chris Young
TUESDAY
á The Weeknd
Watch this for: A lot less and a lot more than his usual sighing scene. For a change, Abel Tesfaye’s not the focus of arena lights for this hometown return — or at least, not the only focus. This appearance has him playing, in effect, a master of ceremonies role for La Mar Taylor, his former high school pal turned creative director and, thus, no little part of Tesfaye’s rise out of Scarborough to the world as The Weeknd. The occasion is the launch of Taylor’s HXOUSE talent incubator, which culminates two days of introductions ’round town with this blowout, sellout night of performances. The bill gets juice from XO labelmate Nav, Bryson Tiller, The Neighbourhood, and expect a special guest or two. Pair it with Lou Phelps Saturday, say, at the Drake and you’ll be sorted. (Rebel, 11 Polson St., doors 7 p.m.) —CY
WEDNESDAY
á Mr. D
Watch this if: You want to say farewell to a Canadian TV comedy stalwart. Mr. D, a.k.a. comedian and actor Gerry Dee, is hanging up the runners and the “Xavier Academy” T-shirts after eight seasons as the underperforming gym teacher of the title. Dee, a real-life teacher before getting into showbiz, has said he wanted to end the show on his own terms and eight seasons is an enviable run for any series these days, let alone a Canadian one. As the final season begins, Mr. D is dealing with the fallout of a TV expose declaring him “the nation’s worst teacher.” (CBC at 9 p.m., also at cbc.ca/watch and on the CBC TV app) —Debra Yeo á The Message
Watch this if: You’ve ever wondered what gems we’d get from Marshall McLuhan if he were alive today. McLuhan is one of the most quotable, and influential, Canadians in history and Tarragon Theatre is premiering a new play about the late stages of his life, by Governor General’s Award-winning playwright Jason Sherman. Sherman is returning to theatre after many years writing for TV and radio, with a cast featuring Patrick McManus and R.H. Thomson, directed by Tarragon artistic director Richard Rose. (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., 8 p.m., on until Dec. 16) —Carly Maga
THURSDAY
á Dear Ex at Reel Asian Watch this if: You want Asian cinema on your menu. Filmmakers from Asia and throughout the Asian diaspora get some well-deserved space on local screens at the 22nd annual Reel Asian International Film Festival, which runs until Nov. 16 at venues both downtown and uptown (North York, to be precise). The program of screenings begins with the Canadian premiere of Dear Ex, an LBGTQ-themed drama that’s one of the most acclaimed Taiwanese movies of the year. Actor Roy Chiu and co-director Mag Hsu will both be on hand for a post-screening Q&A as part of Reel Asian’s opening night gala. (Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W., 7:30 p.m.) —Jason Anderson
FRIDAY
á A Syrian Family at the European Union Film Festival
Watch this if: You want a strong start to two weeks of free European movies. If you’re worried that buying tickets to the European Union Film Festival means forking over currencies in funny colours, fear not! Once again, screenings at the annual 14-day showcase of recent European cinema are free. Among the many hits and prize winners on the slate is A
Syrian Family, a Belgian-made thriller about a family trapped in their home in Syria as the war rages outside. Starring the great Arab-Israeli actress Hiam Abbass, director Philippe van Leeuw’s film played TIFF 2017 under the original title of Insyriated and makes a very welcome return for the EUFF. (Nov. 9, The Royal, 608 College St., 6 p.m., festival on until Nov. 22) —JA á Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
Go to this if: You like owning original stuff and get a kick out of browsing through history. Some of the best old collectible books around — and book paraphernalia — are up for grabs at this annual event. Think maps, illustrations, prints, manuscripts, limited editions, modern first editions and signed copies. And it’s free with admission to the AGO. (Art Gallery of Ontario, Baillie Court, 5 p.m., also on Nov. 10 and 11) —Deborah Dundas á Humans
Watch this if: You want death-defying stunts to have meaning-of-life depth. The word “circus” can have a bad connotation, summoning images of sad animal performers or stale popcorn. But contemporary circus can also make big statements and ask big questions about humanity. Enter the new production from Australian company Circa. In Toronto for one night only, Circa — one of the best known contemporary circus companies in the world — uses impressive physical feats to allow us to marvel at the bodies we live in, the burdens we carry and the important ways we rely on each other. (Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., 8 p.m.) —CM
SATURDAY
á Anna Karenina
Watch this if: Your love for this Russian lover is timeless. Choreographer John Neumeier’s loose adaptation of the Leo Tolstoy epic kicks off the National Ballet of Canada’s 2018/ 19 season, coming to Toronto after a critically acclaimed tour to the Hamburg Ballet (where Neumeier is director and chief choreographer) and the Bolshoi Ballet. In modern dress and featuring music by Cat Stevens and Alfred Schnittke along with Tchaikovsky, Neumeier’s ballet is ready to wow dance fans with the same kind of character study he applied to his Nijinsky. (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., 7:30 p.m., until Nov. 18) —CM
SUNDAY
á 100 Days to Victory
Watch this if: You want a reminder of what we remember on Remembrance Day. This History original docudrama marks the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War with cinematic re-enactments and commentary from historians such as Margaret MacMillan, Shane Schreiber and Tim Cook. In early 1918, the Allies seemed to be losing to the Germans until they mounted what’s known as the Hundred Days Offensive to finally end the war. Canadians played a key role with attacks on a part of the Germans’ defensive system called the Canal du Nord and the town of Cambrai in northern France, which are explored here. (History at 9 p.m.) —DY