WEDNESDAY
6:30 pm “Eutopia” Opening Reception @ Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Ave. “Exploring the powerful association of fibre arts and grassroots activism, ‘Eutopia’ – which refers, literally, to a ‘good place’ eminently attainable in the real world, as opposed to utopia, an impossible ideal – offers personal and provocative answers to those questions. Highlighting a trajectory of historical textiles and contemporary art practices engaged in social commentary and the articulation of other possible futures, the art and artists of Eutopia seek to spark engagement, dialogue and debate.” Until 8 pm.
7 pm Boozaar Vintage Night Market @ The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. W. Booze and peruse the Gladstone Hotel’s Boozaar Vintage Night Market. Hunt through heaps of vintage/retro/repro clothing, accessories, antique, and vinyl whilst grooving to DJ tunes and boozing with the thriftiest vintage collectors in the city! Until 11 pm.
7 pm Music Bingo @ The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. A FREE weekly event combining the love of music with the traditional bingo format. Each player receives a Music Bingo card which consists of an assortment of songs. Instead of calling out numbers, they play the music! Singing along encouraged.
9 pm Meow Meow: A Queer Social @ Holy Oak, 1241 Bloor St. W. This isn’t a loud dance party. It’s a change of pace, and a chance to converse. Meant for queers to meet, hang, and conspire with other queers (awesome allies are welcome too)! In this second episode, Mary Mack brings you new wave, no wave, post-punk, and pop ’80s jams, both digital and vinyl, with a “girls to the front” and “we’re here, we’re queer” vibe.
10 pm Karaoke @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. Karaoke! Sofia Luu and Anya Zaporozhchenko host.
10 pm Slow Walk @ Camp 4, 1173 Dundas St. W. The hosts of Slow Walk on TRP bring downtempo, house, R&B, and more from Detroit to Toronto.
THURSDAY
5 pm Adult Colouring Workshop @ The Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar, 1214 Queen St. W. Let your inner child out and kick it old school with the Gladstone’s adult colouring-in every Thursday from 5 pm to close! Grab a beer and groove to some tunes while trying to stay in the lines. All supplies included.
7 pm “Girls, Girls, Girls: A Feminist Art Show” Opening Reception @ Northern Contemporary, 1266 Queen St. W. A show featuring contemporary feminist artists who are often overshadowed by their male counterparts and struggle for public exposure. Northern Contemporary creates an unbiased exhibition space for artist to express feminist issues important to them and society as a whole. In addition to the exhibition, Northern Contemporary will host a series of workshop/networking events aimed to promote discourse and dialogue for feminist artists. Until 11 pm.
7 pm Black Wax @ Grasshopper Records, 1167 Dundas St. W. A celebration of art and music featuring artwork by Toronto-based multitalented visual artist iamnattee. Until 11 pm.
8:30 pm Collective Arts Brewing x Gladstone Hotel Collab Party @ The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. West Queen West’s favourite art hotel meets Toronto’s favourite new brewer to collab on a monthly party with some of Canada’s favourite bands and DJs! Featuring live performances by Raven Shields and Mirian Kay. All Collective Arts brews on tap for $5.
10 pm Interplanetary Melodies @ Lucky Shrike, 850 Dundas St. W. An evening of all-vinyl music and light beam projections curated by the hosts of TRP’s Dog Gone Radio. West coast panglossian psych, garage du Canadiens Francais, Japan tsukemono beat, spiritual esoteric jazz, and roseate sounds from faraway lands.
10 pm Get Lo @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. The secret is out and now we know why Gretchen Weiners’ hair was so big! Bangs & Blush bring you the ULTIMATE 2000s dance party, GET LO! So slap on your Von Dutch hat and get ready for a total ear assault because your Thursdays will never be the same!
10 pm Strangelove @ Early Mercy, 540 King St. W. The infamous Strangelove party has arrived at King West’s newest bar/restaurant, Early Mercy. Join hosts Jonathan C and Josh Seaton as they enter the unseen, the society in the dark.
10 pm Private Caller @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. House and techno all night long with Church of Molly.
10 pm Soul, Funk & What? @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. Soul and funk that will have you dancing the night away, all spun on 45s. Maximum party time!
11 pm Back to the Rack @ The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. A weekly art party that aims to provide a space for artists, art appreciators as well as the Toronto arts and LGBT communities to come together after their respective art openings, enjoy drink specials, dance to music by a rotating roster of local DJs, connect with other like-minded folk, and get a little crazy. No cover!
FRIDAY
6 pm “I Am Not An Answer” Opening Reception @ Cooper Cole, 1134 Dupont St. “‘I Am Not An Answer’ explores the interchangeability of both the psychological and physical considerations addressed by makers in the process of creation. Forever present in the artists’ studio processes, challenges such as physical limitations, practicalities and visionary barriers must not be ignored.” Until 8 pm. Exhibition runs until March 26.
8 pm Ziggy Played Guitar: A Tribute to David Bowie @ Cherry Cola’s Rock ‘n’ Rolla Cabaret & Lounge, 200 Bathurst St. Celebrate the fantastic David Bowie and enjoy heartfelt tributes from Chuck Last, Michelle Mckinnon, Baphomette, Jay Macedo/Food Water Shelter/Matt Groopie, Lavender Orange, Deppaneur, Sean Beresford/Dani Nash/Jonathan Billings, Second Pass, The Commoners, Taylor Cos of Rue Bella, King Beez, and Blackdog Ballroom. Live go go dancer and drink specials. $5 with food donation for Daily Bread Food Bank, $10 without.
9 pm Sorry Not Sorry: A Bieber Dance Party @ Studio Bar, 824 Dundas St. W. A Justin Bieber dance party for all the Beliebers and party people! DJ Lacapone, Max Zims, and Sacha Foster will be playing JB mixed with all the best dance floor anthems all night. $10 advance tickets available online.
10 pm Shindig @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Shindig is back with another edition of your favourite all vinyl ’50s and ’60s soul and R&B party! This month, special guest DJ Misty will be spinning alongside residents General Eclectic and Splattermonkey.
10 pm Essence Brown @ The Steady, 1051 Bloor St. W. Sexy, smooth, seductive hip-hop, R&B, and dancehall with your hosts: Teej Mahal, Hoiking, and Sims. $5.
10 pm All That @ The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. A ’90s night like no other! DJs Streets and LK play mostly hip-hop, dirty R&B, and club kid jams. $5.
10 pm Deep & Disco @ The Den, 423 College St. A musical journey from the funky, soul-infused rare grooves of the past to the smooth, stylish, and chic demeanor of present day deep house; incorporating synthesizer heavy nu-disco and indie dance elements. There will also be an artistic showcase featuring a live exhibit by Shawn Skeir + food and drink tastings. Soundscape featuring JC Sunshine, Nick Fiorucci, and DJ Fizza.
10 pm Bar Beach Party @ The Grand Trunk, 1718 Queen St. W. It’s a beach party! In a bar! The Grand Trunk will be cranking the heat and sweet summer tunes all night long.
10 pm Stones Place Friday Nights @ Stones Place, 1255 Queen St. W. Friday night party with DJ Blush! Dance all night to the best of ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s rock ‘n’ roll, soul, and pop at one of Toronto’s most legendary dance venues in the city of Toronto. Bring those dancing shoes – you’ll be sure to leave sweaty and smiling. $5.
10 pm Feministry @ Holy Oak, 1241 Bloor St. W. DJ Cam Lee and special guests Emily Gove and Amy Wong select and share music made by and for fems, womyn, queers, and allies. Come dance and celebrate! $5 before 11 pm, $10 after.
10 pm Straight Cash Homie @ Handlebar, Augusta Ave. A new monthly from the boys that brought you The Art Of… Rap, pop, rap, R&B, rap, house, rap, indie, rap, dancehall, rap.
10 pm Footprints @ The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. 100% dance floor selections made to make you move! From funk, soul, hip-hop, house, and disco to afrobeat, latin, brazilian, reggae, ska, and more. Featuring resident DJs Jason Palma and General Eclectic. $5 before 11 pm, $10 after.
10 pm Peak Freaks @ The Embassy, 223 Augusta Ave. Screaming psych, beat treats, mod movers, hi-fi sci-fi, and disk wizardry with DJ Leafy Chiefy and guests.
10 pm Get Buck @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. Hip-hop, soul, RnB, soca, dancehall, and deep grooves with DJ Nino Brown.
10 pm No No Pony @ The Shop under Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. No No Pony is back to bless you all with more rap, R&B, and Ginuwine’s “Pony” every hour on the hour. Amy Wood and Orange Pekoe in the saddle. Free before 11 pm, $5 after.
11 pm Motown Party @ The Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. Motown Party’s suited resident DJs play the best and brightest in Motown, soul, funk, and modern edits all night flanked on each side by beautiful backup dancers while archival footage is mixed on the spot to get you on the dance floor! Expect to hear some old favourites and rare grooves from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and more. $10.
SATURDAY
9 pm Bad News @ Dundas Video, 831 Dundas St. W. ’60s soul + rock ‘n’ roll dance party! All on vinyl.
10 pm Cold Shoulder @ The Shop under Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. Famous Players playing rap music from 1992 to 2017. $5 all night, fun all night.
10 pm Juicebox @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Indie hits dance party with DJs Tweed, What’s Her Problem, and special guest Babe Decibel. The Strokes, Bowie, Arcade Fire, New Order, LCD Soundsystem, and more! Free before 11 pm, $5 after.
10 pm Birth @ The Embassy, 223 Augusta Ave. Close encounters, sassy bartenders, lavish outfits, stool dancing, hair flipping, house records, disco records, meaningful meanings, whatever you NEED for your LIFE! With DJs Pinky Dinky, Cameron Lee, and Riff Randell.
10 pm F’unreal @ The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. Music for your dancing pleasure with pals Well Said, Slater, L-Sos, Kek, and Ty. $5.
10 pm Panic @ Cabal, 782 King St. W. The ultimate retro party with DJ Lazarus spinning the kind of retro that changed your life. ’80s, ’90s, new wave, classic alternatives, ska, Brit-pop, dance, shoegaze, post-punk, and more. This month’s spotlight is The Smiths. $10.
10 pm Guilty Gear @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. The latest Guilty Gear upgrade descends into the grotto. With sounds by CL, DJ Silky, Viscera, and Pavel Elkin.
10 pm Shake, Rattle & Roll @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. Spend the night together with the Bangs & Blush ladies! ’60s pop, soul and rock ‘n’ roll to drink, dance, and get messy to. $5.
10 pm In Touch @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. Get in touch with your party self. DJ Andrea Winkler spinning everything guaranteed to move your ass.
10:30 pm Acid Bath 1 Year Anniversary @ Luanda House, 974 Bloor St. W. Acid Bath’s one year anniversary party, presented by DETH records. Extended acid house DJ sets by Èbony and Aaron J. Cunningham, intro acid set by Jubal Brown, noise set by Hexzuul, video installation by Globaloid, and performance by Menarche Party. $10 advance tickets available online, $15 at the door.
11 pm Shake A Tail @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St. ’60s pop, rock, soul, funk, garage, ska, ANYTHING! Always humid. $5.
SUNDAY
6 pm Oscars Party @ The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. Cinema king Richard Crouse returns as host of the Drake’s annual Oscars viewing party, and this time. Google Canada is in on the fun. Peek into the world of Oscars fashion, nominees, and moments that are capturing Canada’s attention in real-time; cast your votes in the Oscar pool; and flex your web-searching prowess in a challenging match of Google’s cinematic trivia. Prizes to be won, bubbly to be toasted, a $37 prix-fixe to enjoy (call 416-531-5042 ext. 1 to reserve your spot), and the sweet debates of who wore it best.
7 pm Conquer the Oscars @ The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. Are you curious to see if Leo’s finally going to win, but you also kind of want to boycott the whole thing? Have you not actually watched any of the movies up for best picture but want to be able to pretend you did? Do you want to get a little (or very) boozy on a Sunday? Come on down to your second living room (the Melody Bar), where host Kaleb Robertson will help you make it through the night with hilarious banter, drink specials, snacks, trivia, and sweet prizes.
7 pm Drunk Feminist Films Presents: Oscars Rated R @ The Royal Cinema, 608 College St. This Hollywood parade of who’s-who but definitely not who’s-been-totally-snubbed will be on The Royal’s centre stage with a panel of comedians from Drunk Feminist Films, who will deliver a no-holds-barred hilarious commentary of what has been deemed this year as “The White BET awards” by host Chris Rock. Free to the public, with tasty treats and lots and lots of alcohol for sale at The Royal’s concession stand.
7 pm Brass Facts Trivia @ The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave. Test your knowledge and win prizes! Hosted by Famous Kirk Hero. Until 10 pm.
~ For event submissions, email Caitlyn Holroyd at caitlyn_holroyd@hotmail.com