A Kanye vs. T Swift dance party Kanye West and Taylor Swift have had bad blood ever since Yeezy crashed Swifty’s VMA acceptance speech back in 2009. This weekend, Adelaide Hall wants to settle the beef once and for all the best way they know how: an epic dance party. Duelling DJs will spin the artists’ top tracks all night long until a winner is crowned. (Although, the fact that Adelaide Hall has back-to-back Taylor Swift nights theme nights after this showdown might imply that the hosts have already made up their minds.) Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27. $5–$15. Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St. W., adelaidehallto.com.
Rupert Everett as Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde’s seminal play The Importance of Being Earnest premiered to immediate acclaim in 1895, but accusations about his sexuality sidetracked his success. In The Judas Kiss, David Hare’s nuanced and witty biographical play, Wilde—played by the great and powerful Rupert Everett—must decide between freedom from persecution and the company of his young lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. Tuesday, March 22 to Sunday, May 1. $39–$119. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., mirvish.com.
An alternative history of America at the AGO In the latter half of the 20th century, a subset of American photographers started shooting subjects that few else had. Nan Goldin trained her lens on the LGBT community; Diane Arbus depicted dwarfs, nudists and transgender people with dignity; and Danny Lyon embedded himself in biker gangs and the civil-rights movement. This ambitious AGO show surveys the unorthodox photography and film that both normalized and scandalized the rebels and rejects of American society. To Sunday, May 29. $25. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., ago.net.
A double bill featuring Metric and Death Cab for Cutie Despite different sounds—Metric plays upbeat dance rock; Death Cab does moody indie—the two reigning indie rock bands have managed to balance mainstream success with alternative cred. Both groups have a similar knack for memorable live shows, where they stack lush layers of synths and guitars for an immersive, wall-of-sound effect that can’t be replicated on a record. Wednesday, March 23. $30.50–$60.50. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., ticketmaster.ca.
An Easter Sunday barbecue at Momofuku Looking for an alternative take on Easter dinner? Head to the Noodle Bar for Bincho and Beer Sunday, where chefs will grill a selection of meat and seafood from local vendors (McGee Farms’ beef brisket, Kunaan Farms pork ribs) on the bincho-tan barbecue and serve up beer slushies. Items will be priced individually ($5–$7), and the regular a la carte menu will also be available in case you want to add on an order of ramen. Sunday, March 27 (and every Sunday until April 17). Momofuku, 190 University Ave., noodlebar-toronto.momofuku.com.
A homemade mega-marketplace More than 450 Canadian artisans will exhibit their wares at the One of a Kind Spring Show, a celebration of all things homemade: clothes, accessories, furniture, home decor, art, edibles, jewellery, ceramics, glassware. Last year’s standouts included blouses by Montreal designer Mélissa Nepton, bags by College Street’s Opelle Creative and reclaimed wood benches by mother-and-son duo JDM Originals. Wednesday, March 23 to Saturday, March 27. $13–$15. Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., oneofakindshow.com.
Jitters, a play that peeks backstage David French’s 1979 comedy is a play within a play that takes audiences backstage just before an opening night. The story and its characters come from French’s own experiences, making even the play’s most farcical elements feel believable. Soulpepper co-founder Ted Dykstra’s production treats the play as a period piece, with authentic ’70s decor and costumes. To Wednesday, April 6. $32–$89. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Ln., soulpepper.ca.
A visual ode to the old Queen Street West
YTB Gallery’s new show returns to a long-lost Queen Street West. Through photos, posters, film and other items, the exhibition—part of the first Intersections Festival—pays homage to the community of artists and activists that created Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhood before Urban Outfitters and CB2 moved in. The images catalogue key moments from the 1970s and ’80s: the bathhouse raids, the AIDS epidemic and the Hummer Sisters’ mayoral campaign. To Thursday, March 31. YTB Gallery, 563 Dundas St. E., ytbgallery.com.
A throwback R&B jam from Ginuwine Elgin Baylor Lumpkin has released seven albums’ worth of sexy R&B jams since the mid-1990s. The throwback star found a new generation of fans when his libidinous hit “Pony” appeared in Glee, Parks and Recreation and Magic Mike XXL. This Danforth Music Hall show should be the perfect date night for fans old and new. Thursday, March 24. $46.75–$65.25. Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., ticketmaster.ca.
Dancing in the Streets, a Motown mash-up
This Detroit-by-way-of-London tribute to Motown features an ensemble cast from across the pond. The performers skillfully storm through some 40 of the record company’s greatest hits by the Temptations, the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and more. Saturday, March 26. $49.50–$79.50. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., ticketmaster.ca.
A smut-film art show The multidisciplinary artist Nelson Henricks examines his relationship with inspiration in Life Session, a video installation that includes a 1970s Super 8 gay porn film—in which an artist makes charcoal sketches of a model—and pencil drawings that recreate every second frame of the movie. The result, played on a loop, cuts between the original footage and Henricks’s artwork, turning the creator into the subject. Artwork $1,500–$15,000. Friday, March 25 to Saturday, April 23. Paul Petro Contemporary Art, 980 Queen St. W., paulpetro.com.
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