The Weekender: Paul McCartney’s concert, the Rogers Cup and six other items on our to-do list

The Weekender: Paul McCartney’s concert, the Rogers Cup and six other items on our to-do list

1.    PAUL MCCARTNEY
Paul McCartney’s in town this weekend with his Up and Coming Tour. Far be it for us to question a rock and roll legend, but we’re not sure about this. Not the show—obviously it will be great, the man is an ex-Beatle. It’s his tour’s name we find problematic. What do you mean by “Up and Coming,” Sir Paul? You’ve been a rock star since 1962. August 89. $77–$270. Air Canada Centre, 50 Bay St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

2.    ROGERS CUP
We won’t lie, we’ll be watching this annual tennis tourney for one reason and one reason only: the long-standing, oft-discussed rivalry between greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Will there be crying? Trophy-biting? Will they even play one another? August 7–15. $20–$230. Rexall Centre, York University, 1 Shoreham Dr., 1-877-286-6647, rogerscup.com.

3.    TORONTO’S FESTIVAL OF BEER
It has been a hot summer. We’re not complaining—it’s been pint and patio weather since May. But the neighborhood pub where everyone knows our name isn’t quite enough anymore. Enter this weekend’s Festival of Beer. There will be over 150 brands of brew on offer and real southern BBQ. Of course, we’ll be there. August 5–8. $25–$59. Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, 170 Princes’ Blvd., beerfestival.ca.

4.    TASTE OF THE DANFORTH (FREE!)
Island hopping our way through the Greek islands on the Aegean and Ionian seas isn’t exactly in the budget this year. But we have all the Hellenic food, music and adorably cheesy Olympic-themed kiddie activities anyone could ever need in Greektown this weekend. Three bucks for the TTC is cheap when you think of it like that, right? August 6–8. Danforth Ave., between Broadview and Jones, tasteofthedanforth.com.

5.    MOVIES BY MOONLIGHT
There’s a new movie series in the city this August. Inspired by a New York City outfit, Toronto’s Open Roof Films hosts screenings of acclaimed indie flicks outside the Amsterdam Brewery. The events also include live music, snacks, and a Q&A session with industry pros, as well as an after-party. First up is The Parking Lot Movie, a documentary about parking lot attendants in Charlottesville, Virginia. August 6. $15. Parking lot of Amsterdam Brewery, 21 Bathurst St., openrooffilms.com.

6.    SUMMERWORKS THEATRE FESTIVAL
Hilariously named concerts (Biggish Kids, Rat Tail, Joni Loves Mitchell), an interactive “grown-up playground” (in the front rehearsal hall of the Lower Ossington Theatre) and neighbourhood walking tours are all on offer at this year’s SummerWorks theatre fest, but don’t let that distract from what’s really important here: plays. Lots and lots of plays. Of the 42 theatrical productions, our must-see list is as follows: Debbie Patterson’s Molotov Circus, about a family of circus freaks; Catherine Frid’s Homegrown, an autobiographical take on a lawyer’s interactions with one of the Toronto 18; and Simon Glass’ The Sad and Cautionary Tale of Smackheaded Peter, which has too fantastic a title to miss. August 5–15. $10. Various locations, 416-504-7529, summerworks.ca.

7.    WHAT IS CLASSICAL? (FREE!)
Classical music junkies have many an opportunity to appreciate their favourite genre in this city, but rarely do those opportunities intersect with pop culture quite like at Harbourfront’s annual weekend-long music festival. Don’t miss the Labyrinth Project, where Ensemble Vivant perform composer John Burke’s work as the audience explores a specially created labyrinth. August 6–8. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com.

8.    HIP HOP KARAOKE & KING SUNSHINE (FREE!)
Making karaoke cooler than it’s ever been, amateur MCs take the stage to get their Tupac/Biggie/Jay-Z/Weezy on at this free edition of the popular HHK party. The show starts at 7:45, but show up early to sign up and choose your song—the good ones go fast. Post-karaoke, stick around for a high-energy concert by nine-piece house-meets-funk-meets-disco ensemble King Sunshine. August 6. Yonge-Dundas Square, facebook.com/hiphopkaraoke.

(Images: Paul McCartney by Antoon Kuper, Roger Federer by Ataelw.)