April 27-28th
Cool Drummings International Percussion Festival @ Hugh’s Room 2261 Dundas St. W. Some of the greatest percussionists from Canada and around the world performing great works, and world premieres. http://www.stlc.com/index.php?id=495

April 27-May 15
Almost, Maine @ Tarragon Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Ave. John Cariani’s romantic comedy premieres in Toronto, featuring none other than Degrassi’s own Mike Lobel, and directed by Jersey Boys Alum Jennifer Copping. Matinee on Saturday at 2:30 pm. $21. Box Office: 416-531-1827

April 28-May 30
7 pm The Spyfrost Project @ LE Gallery, 1183 Dundas St. W. The most recent work from Toronto-based photographer David Trautimas, which hypothesizes the origins of domestic appliances the defined the zeitgeist of the Cold War Era.

April 29-May 1
Opposable Thumb and Four Parts of Between @ Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George St. Directed and performed by emerging Toronto-based artists, presented by Peanut Butter People. $15, $10 for students.

April 29-May 2
6 pm CALM-MOTION @ Snowball Gallery & Workshop, , 1690 Queen St. W. Photographic works by Steve Joseph, with work created by youth at ArtHeart Community Centre.

April 29-May 8
8 pm Wingéd @ The DeLeon White Gallery, 1139 College St. Highly physical performance, original artwork, live projection. A radical interpretation of three mythical beings: Icarus, Lucifer, and Phoenix. $20, $28 for students, seniors, CAEA. Sundays Pay-What-You-Can. www.whetstoneproductions.com

May 1-16
The Tale of A Town-Queen West @ Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave. Live music, stock footage, oral histories of local icons. A theatrical journey through the past 30 years of Queen West.

May 1-30th
Kern: A Retrospective@ STUDIO Gallery, 294 College St. 2nd Floor. Voyeuristic Lower East Side photography from one of the greats.

WEDNESDAY
6:30 pm ShOUT!: Queer West (Un)Conferences for Young Adults @ Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre, 220 Cowan Ave. A titillating discussion about how sex positive thinking is changing the business of pleasure. Jen La Fauci, an outreach worker at Maggie’s: The Toronto Sex Workers’ Action Project, and Reese Jones, manager and educational outreach co-ordinator at Come As You Are, will present. RSVP Jaclyn Isen, qwshout@gmail.com

7:30 pm Authors at Harbourfront Centre @ Brigantine Room, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen’s Quay West. Michael Helm, Erin Moure, and Russell Smith with explore violence and obsession. $8/free for students.

7:30 pm Susan Juby in Conversation with Ibi Kaslik @ The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. W. Juby’s candid memoir, Nice Recovery, explores how a bright teenage girl can succumb to addiction, then regain control of her life and become a celebrated writer. Quill & Wuire likens her to Liz Lemon. We’re sold. FREE

8 pm Coach House Books Spring 2010 Launch @ Revival, 783 College St. Featuring readings by Jen Currin, kevin mcpherson eckhoff, Alan Reed, Thom Vernon, Rachel Zolf. FREE!

THURSDAY
7 pm All Stories In Pictures @ 52 McCaul, 52 McCaul St. Pop culture as seen by Alan Wood. www.woodenmouse.ca

7:30 pm Jeff Goodell Talks With Ziya Tong of Daily Planet @ Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave. Films by Planet In Focus. Author of How To Cool The Planet, Goodell will discuss the controversial field of geo-engineering. $5 (free with book purchase.)

FRIDAY
7 pm CONTACT Festival Launch and Mechanical Bride Opening @ MOCCA, 952 Queen St. W. Celebrate the launch of the festival with movers and shakers and picture makers.

8 pm Strategies of the Medium VI @ Cinecycle, 129 Spadina Ave (down the alley.) PIECES OF EIGHT, 8 mm film projects, followed by a panel discussion. Presented by The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto. Suggested donation $8

9 pm Young Rival Album Release @ The Horseshoe, 368 Queen St. W. With Make Your Exit, Songs From a Room, and The Job. $10.

SATURDAY
9 am CAFTCAD Movie Wardrobe Sale @ Cinespace Studios, 721 Eastern Ave. Contemporary and vintage clothing and accessories, fabrics, notions, handcrafted goods, deadstock, samples, wardrobe supplies, and more! $3 admission, free parking.

10 am The Spring Wedding Show @ Drake Hotel, 1050 Queen St. W. Where indie meets couture. $10, ATM available on-site.

12 pm 4th Toronto Freedom Festival @ Queen’s Park North. Moer than 75 exhibitors, speakers, live bands, DJs, 420 Countdown. Basically a giant weed-smokers paradise, from what I can tell.

8:30 pm Torn From The Pages @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W. Musical cabaret inspired by some of your favourite Coach House books. We’re especially excited for the Bille Hollies performing Claudia Dey’s Stunt. $15

CONTACT? Hot Docs? Jane’s Walks? WOW! Big weekend. More on these, three of our favourite 416 fests, coming SOON!