The Weekender: Justin Bieber’s concert, the Ex and six other events on our to-do list

1.    JUSTIN BIEBER
Where the Biebs goes, hordes of screaming preteens are sure to follow. If escorting a few of those girls is on the agenda, Godspeed. If it counts for anything, Bieber did get Kanye West’s seal of approval over Twitter last weekend; West apparently loves Bieber’s latest single, “Runaway Love.” Aug. 21. $66.35. Air Canada Centre, 50 Bay St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

2.    THE EX
This summertime tradition is always bittersweet. On one hand: midway rides! The Food Building! Free concerts! Daily Mardi Gras parade! Seeing horses up close for the first time since last year’s Ex! On the other: it’s a sure sign summer’s end is imminent. We’ll eat corn dogs to distract ourselves. Aug. 20 to Sept. 6. Up to $16. Exhibition Place, 210 Princes’ Blvd., 416-393-6300, theex.com.

3.    FORTUNE COOKING FOOD FESTIVAL (FREE!)
Celeb chefs and food personalities are taking over Harbourfront this weekend for the new pan-Asian food fest; Martin Yan, Susur Lee, Canadian Living food editor Andrew Chase and CBC Radio’s Matt Galloway will all be there to judge the cooking competitions. Look for the Just Desserts Market, where discerning sweet tooths can sample Asian cakes, rolls and other treats. Aug. 20 to 22. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

4.    HOW NOW MRS. BROWN COW
The indomitable Mrs. Agnes Brown—the Dubliner, mum of six and accomplished meddler created and played by Irish comedian Brendan O’Carroll—makes her North American debut in this hilarious play, the fifth in a series about Agnes and her family. Like a certain pop sensation (see #1), the Brown family’s international stardom can, at least in part, be attributed to the popularity of YouTube videos O’Carroll posted late last year. Aug. 17 to Sept. 4. $25–$75. The Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria St., 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

5.    THE LATE LATE HORROR SHOW
Sort of like a less-scary post-Conan Tonight Show, this regular late-night improv showcase takes on B-movie clichés, themed around a different subset of the horror genre every week—aliens, slasher flicks, vampires, et al. This Friday, the comics take on demons, which are completely different from vampires, obviously. (We learned that from Buffy.) Aug. 20. $5. Bad Dog Theatre, 138 Danforth Ave., 416-491-3115, baddogtheatre.com.

6.    TORONTO REDHEAD SUMMIT (FREE!)
The complete opposite of Kick a Ginger Day, this meet-up was organized by filmmakers Gareth C. Scales and Aaron Champion, who are working on a documentary about the plight of redheads worldwide. Interviews aside, maybe a few love connections will be made. Some scientists speculate redheads will be extinct within the next 100 years, so here’s a chance to save yourselves, gingers. Aug. 22. Trinity Bellwoods Park, facebook.com/event.php?eid=141050182585796.

7.    QUEEN WEST MUSICFEST (FREE!)
There are plenty of good indie rockers performing at this year’s Queen West MusicFest, but we’re most excited for the two biggest names, Maestro Fresh Wes and headliners The Trews. Not very music snob of us, we know. Aug. 21. Trinity Bellwoods Park, queenwestmusicfest.com.

8.    BECKERMAN SAMPLE SALE AND VINTAGE COLLECTION
The Beckerman sisters are hosting a sample sale. Prices will be, in a word, amazing. Stock is a nice mix of hand-picked vintage from N.Y., Paris and beyond and Beckerman-designed attire. Be prepared: wear comfy shoes, flex that Visa muscle and bring some water, because serious shopping is thirsty work. Aug. 20 and 21. Walnut Studios, 83 Walnut St., beckermanbiteplate.com.

(Images: the Ex by Still the Oldie, Bieber by Kindofadrag.)