The Long Weekender: Public Enemy, Brazilian Day and six other events on our to-do list

The Long Weekender: Public Enemy, Brazilian Day and six other events on our to-do list

The Lemon Bucket Orkestra performs at the Ashkenaz Festival on Sunday (Image: Ashkenaz Festival)

1. ASHKENAZ FESTIVAL
The Ashkenaz Festival is the largest international festival of Jewish music and culture in North America—so it sort of makes sense that it takes place only every other year. The festivities kicked off earlier this week, but there’s still plenty in store for the weekend: expect performances from the likes of The Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Toronto Jewish Folk Choir, Socalled and Shye Ben Tzur. On Sunday, Toronto’s Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison (two-thirds of Sharon, Lois and Bram) will be on hand to perform their classic earwormSkinnamarink” as well as Oy Vey, Oy Veyand “I’m a Little Latke” (sadly, no word yet on whether Toronto’s other great Jewish sensation will be in attendance). The festival culminates in a massive parade Monday afternoon (those gifted with musical ability can head to the pre-parade lesson to learn the tunes and take part in the festivities). To September 3. Various prices (some events free). Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, ashkenazfestival.com

2. CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW
You can probably catch a glimpse of this admittedly noisy but incredibly impressive display of aircraft prowess from afar, but the best views are from the CNE grounds or the VIP ticketed guest enclosures. The show will go on, rain or shine. September 1-September 3. Various prices (free with admission to The Ex).  At the waterfront, south of Bandshell Park. cias.org

3. PUBLIC ENEMY
Back in July, NPR intern Austin Cooper was asked to review an album he had never heard before: Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. Cooper’s opinion on the venerable opus of political rap was not exactly a rave (he actually said he’d prefer to listen to a little Drake). Needless to say, the responses to the piece, both congratulatory and derisive, were impassioned. Love ’em or meh ’em, Public Enemy will hit Sound Academy in Toronto this Sunday. September 2. $32. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 1-866-985-5000, ticketmaster.com

4. INTERSECTION 2012
Every year, experimental musicians take over Yonge-Dundas Square for the New Music Marathon, drawing innocent passersby into their murky sound worlds. As part of Contact Contemporary Music’s INTERsection 2012 festival this weekend, the marathon will include a “Musicircus” of overlapping works by the gentle U.S. provocateur John Cage to celebrate what would be his 100th birthday (expect overlapping works performed on stage and throughout the audience). Bang On A Can All-Stars are set to appear at the free show on Saturday, and they’ll also be performing Brian Eno’s Music for Airports and Discreet Music at a ticketed event on Sunday at the Music Gallery. September 1-2. Yonge-Dundas Square and the Music Gallery, 197 John St., 416-902-7010, contactcontemporarymusic.ca/intersection

5. BRAZILIAN DAY CANADA (FREE!)
Back in 1984, Brazilian Day was first celebrated in New York City in honour of Brazilian Independence Day. In 2009, Toronto got its own Brazilian Day event, and the party has been going strong ever since. On Saturday, Nathan Phillips Square turns into a family-friendly Rio with samba drummers, capoeira performances and arts and crafts. On Monday, Yonge Street shuts down from Dundas to Shuter for the Brazilian Day Canada Concert and Street Fair, featuring performances from sertaneja superstars Jorge and Mateus and hosted by Serginho Groismann. September 1-7. Monday night’s after-party at the Hard Rock Café is ticketed. Various locations, braziliandaycanada.ca

6. LABOUR OF LOVE
If you missed Veld, Digital Dreams or Full Flex Express (or any of the many other opportunities to see some EDM in the Toronto area this summer), never fear: the two-day Labour of Love concert is happening this weekend at the Guvernment complex (the cool kids are referring to it by the sublimely webby acronym LOL). To stand out in the increasingly crowded festival scene, the event will try to woo revellers with activities both inside and outside the building: while the DJs perform inside, there’ll be pyrotechnics, aerialists and stilt walkers outside, not to mention the treat that always screams “good times ahead”: cotton candy. Some of the bigger names performing are Laidback Luke, Tinie Tempah and Paul van Dyk. September 1-2. The Guvernment, 132 Queen’s Quay E., 416-869-0045, theguvernment.com/labour-of-love-2012

7. 106 AND YORK URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL
Performing artists (some as young as 10!) get a platform to promote their talents this weekend at the 106 and York Urban Arts Festival, now in its fifth year in northwest Toronto. Expect feisty emerging singers, rappers and spoken word artists to strut their stuff. While the name no longer reflects the show’s location (it’s a nod to the original location at York University and the 106 bus that stopped outside the theatre), it was too good to lose. The show itself starts at 6 p.m., but there’ll be kid-friendly inflatable games set up outside the venue at 4 p.m., courtesy of the 2015 Pan-Am Games. August 31. $5 at the door. York Woods Theatre, 1785 Finch Ave. W., facebook.com/106ANDYORK

8. ARTFEST TORONTO (FREE!)
If you aren’t at a cottage indulging in the great outdoors this last long weekend before fall, consider getting away to the cobblestoned streets of the Distillery District for the fifth annual Artfest show (it’s no dock on the beach, but it is close to a lake). The event is a showcase and sale for painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media from Canadian artists, and features performances from emerging singer-songwriters. August 31–September 3. Distillery District, artfestontario.com