Today in Toronto: The Dears, Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, Fresh Blood

Today in Toronto: The Dears, Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, Fresh Blood

The Dears: After much band drama, this Montreal indie rock group has emerged with a fresh lineup. They premiered their as-yet-unnamed new album, not due out until early 2011, in Mexico City last May; fans closer to home are now getting a listen through a series of residency shows. Find out more >>

Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival: Opening night kicks off with the gala premiere of In the Wake of the Flood, Ron Mann’s documentary about the unusual book tour for Margaret Atwood’s 2009 novel, The Year of the Flood. Find out more >>

Out of Context—For Pina: In this brash homage to German giant Pina Bausch, who died last year, Alain Platel and his Belgian troupe Les Ballets C. de la B. clearly share their mentor’s commitment to dance as anything but pretty (despite that fact that they’re all in their underwear). Here, it’s raw theatre that rules. Find out more >>

Blackandblue Dance Projects: Artistic director, dancer and choreographer Sasha Ivanochko has a background in gymnastics, which may explain the exuberant derring-do that characterizes so much of her work. Find out more >>

Fresh Blood: The kids are all bright. Take a bunch of eager choreographers with less than five years’ experience, give them five minutes each to show their stuff and you might just get a glimpse into the future of dance. Find out more >>

enRoute Film Festival: With a jury boasting the likes of Alan Cumming and Jeremy Podeswa, the 12 short films that compete at this festival are worth checking out. Find out more >>