The Long Weekender: eight things to do this Thanksgiving weekend that don’t involve turkey

1. HARBOURKIDS: HARVEST (FREE!)
Despite our enjoyment of the word “hootenanny,” we were surprised to find out we didn’t know what it means. Far more than just any old party, a real hootenanny requires folk music and audience participation. Check one out with the kids this weekend. Oct. 9 to 11. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

2. WALTER MURCH PRESENTS APOCALYPSE NOW AND THE STATE OF CINEMA
Walter Murch—a film editor, sound designer and film theorist—is a behind-the-scenes kind of guy who holds considerable influence. His audio work on Apocalypse Now netted him his first Oscar in 1979, making him more than qualified to discuss both the movie (Saturday) and the state of cinema (Sunday). Oct. 9 and 10. $18.15. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., tiff.net.

3. AFRIKA BAMBAATAA
Fans refer to Afrika Bambaataa as the Amun-Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture, the Father of the Electro Funk Sound or the Godfather of Hip Hop. The flattery is founded: the man coined the term “hip hop.” This weekend marks his long-awaited Canadian return, with The Get By, Robb G and Big League Chu and Farbsi vs. Mikey D. Oct. 9 and 10. $25. Annex Wreckroom, 749 Bathurst St., ticketweb.ca.

4. FLASH FORWARD FESTIVAL (FREE!)
This five-day Liberty Village photography festival spotlights emerging talent with a program heavy on lectures, workshops and gallery tours.  The main draw for spectators: the six curated exhibits, four themed around countries (Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Switzerland), one featuring the winners of the annual Flash Forward photo competition and one photo project, InSightOut. Oct. 6 to 10. Liberty Village, flashforwardfestival.com.

5. OPENING PARTY AT THE POWER PLANT (FREE!)
Two new exhibits celebrate their world premieres at the Power Plant this fall: acclaimed Canadian artist Ian Wallace’s The Economy of the Image and L.A.-based multimedia artist Pae White’s Material Mutters. Get a sneak peek at this launch party. Oct. 8. The Power Plant, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4949,thepowerplant.org.

6. SOUPALICIOUS
Chefs from some of the city’s favourite restaurants—Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, Cowbell, and Local Kitchen and Wine Bar—kill comfort food cravings with their soups made from local produce. Admission includes 10 samples at the “all-you-can-slurp” soup stations, all the better to prime your belly for Thanksgiving eating later in the weekend. Reservations required. Oct. 9. $15. Heritage Court, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes Blvd., 416-535-0240, soupalicious.ca.

7. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VS. OTTAWA SENATORS
We are, ashamedly, firmly ensconced on the Leafs fan bandwagon. But with any luck, Phaneuf, Kaberle and the boys will beat our arch hockey rivals on home turf and give us a reason to be interested in the rest of the season. Oct. 9. $25.78–$401.51. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

8. THE BAZAAR OF THE BIZARRE—HALLOWEEN 2010 (FREE!)
A creepy take on the usual artisan fair, this annual gathering of indie crafters, publishers, artists and the like promises “exotic, whimsical and macabre” offerings. We hear skeleton motifs are hot this year. Oct. 10. Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement, 6 Noble St., thebazaarofthebizarre.org.

(Images: centre ice by Suman Chakrabarti, soup by Craig Dugas and Afrika Bambaataa by Joe Cereghino.)