1. DRINKS SHOW
Celebrate modern cocktail culture—from appletinis to zombies—with the beautiful people this weekend. This event is strictly dress-to-impress, so make sure to primp and preen (and forget the sneaks and sporty shorts) before heading downtown to check out the more than 50 bar stations, where pro mixologists will demonstrate how to shake ’em up at home. July 18 and 19, 5 p.m.–11 p.m. $20; drinks extra. Exhibition Place, Queen Elizabeth Bldg., 180 Princes’ Blvd., www.drinksshow.ca.

2. HOGTOWN HOEDOWN (FREE!)
Looking for family-friendly fun? Head to St. Lawrence Market for the Hogtown Hoedown. Early birds can check out the farmers’ market, which opens at 5 a.m., before grabbing a bite at the Police Pancake Breakfast (9 a.m.). Other events include a thematically appropriate screening of Babe (11 a.m.) and a “piglet pen” for kids with face painting, a clown and kids’ cooking classes. Saturday, 5–5. Market Lane Park, 92 Front St. E., www.meetmeatthemarket.com/hogtown.htm.

3. DISTILLERY DISTRICT SUMMERFEST (FREE!)
For the first time ever, the entire Distillery District (all 53,000 square feet of it) will be licensed. Check out the CanCon musical offerings on three outdoor stages, snack on some barbecue and get your drink on. July 18, 7 p.m.–11 p.m.; July 19, noon–11; July 20, noon–7. Distillery District, 55 Mill St., www.thedistillerydistrict.com.

4. ALL DOLLED UP
Toronto street artist and gentleman vandal Posterchild has made the jump from spray paint to plush dolls. Check out his first solo exhibit, featuring soft sculptures of his most famous alter ego, the Dead Astronaut, at Kensington’s Hotshot gallery. To July 23, 11–7. Hotshot, 181 Augusta Ave., www.hotshotkensington.com.

5. THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR
While Bollywood stardom may be beyond the grasp of most people, heartthrobs Abhishek Bachchan and Akshay Kumar will be close at hand for this concert of musical performances from hit Bollywood films. Aishwarya Rai—“the most beautiful woman in India”—and several other Bollywood icons, including current it boy Ritesh Deshmukh, also make appearances. The tour kicks off in Toronto with all the costume changes, lavish sets and song-and-dance numbers anyone could ever wish for. July 18, 7:30 p.m. $65–$287. Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, 416-870-8000, www.ticketmaster.ca.

6. DECADENCE
Perfect for the civic-minded chocoholic, this inaugural benefit supports the Toronto chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. There’s a silent auction and a performance by local rockers (and Warped Tour alum) Crush Luther, but the real draw here is the chocolate and dessert buffet. Dance off the calories later—admission to This Is London after the benefit is free with a ticket. July 19, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. $30. This Is London, 364 Richmond St. W., www.decadencetoronto.com.

7. CHRONOLOGIC
Offering a unique twist on the common dance party, the Goin’ Steady DJs (Matt Cully and Louis Calabro) spin hits from the 1940s to today in—wait for it—chronological order. Come just for your favourite decade or dance the night away through all 70 years. July 19, 10 p.m. $5. The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave., www.myspace.com/goinsteady.

8. WORLDFEST STREET FESTIVAL (FREE!)
Option one: attend one of the many cultural celebrations happening in the city this weekend. Option two: hit this fest and get all your multiculti goodness in one convenient package, including music, food, fashion and dance from all over the world. July 18 to 20, noon–9. Fairbank Village, Eglinton Ave. W., from Dufferin to Chamberlain Ave., 416-657-1100, www.worldfesttoronto.com.

9. POETRY SLAM
Beatniks take note: Toronto Poetry Slam’s summer season kicks off with this open mike night at beloved West Queen West haven The Drake. Newbies and regulars alike can become outrageously original when competing for the $75 grand prize. July 18, 7:30 p.m. $5. Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., torontopoetryslam.com.

10. YONGE STREET PUB CRAWL (FREE!)
It’s a noble goal, born in the summer of 2005: to drink in every bar and pub along Yonge Street. And though the goal has yet to be achieved, a diehard band of drink aficionados are still trying. Every year on the third Saturday in July, the group starts where the last year’s crawl ended. But it’s not all hedonism—money raised through the sale of commemorative T-shirts goes to Right to Play, a charity that promotes recreation in order to improve health, develop life skills and foster peace among some of the world’s most needy children. July 19, noon. The Black Sheep Pub, 4901 Yonge St., 647-209-3742, www.semisolidmedia.com.

OTHER EVENTS TO CHECK OUT:
• The Beaches International Jazz Festival starts this Friday and runs until July 27
• BrazilFest takes over Centre Island with plenty of music and dancing on July 20
• The Toronto Reference Library’s fascinating new exhibit, The Circus Comes to Town, opens on July 19
• Paying homage to Iranian diversity, the Tirgan Festival runs all weekend at Harbourfront