The Weekender: James Bond, Kimbra and six other events on our to-do list

The Weekender: James Bond, Kimbra and six other events on our to-do list

The TIFF Bell Lightbox debuts its James Bond exhibit this week; Sean Connery in You Only Live Twice (Image: UA/Photofest)

1. DESIGNING 007: 50 YEARS OF BOND STYLE
The TIFF Bell Lightbox exhibits all things 007 to celebrate 50 years of the martini-swilling secret agent. The show will feature signature Bond paraphernalia, including the titular golden gun, Daniel Craig’s tiny bathing suit from Casino Royale and never-before-seen props from the upcoming Bond film Skyfall. Extremists should be sure to check out a marathon of six 007 movies screened back-to-back during the first 18 hours of the exhibit, including Sean Connery classics like From Russia With Love and Thunderball. October 26–January 20. $15. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433, tiff.net.

2. REINVENTING RADIO: AN EVENING WITH IRA GLASS
Ira Glass’ sharply reported, immensely successful broadcast newsmagazine This American Life proves that public radio doesn’t have to play its own funeral drudge just yet. At this multimedia performance, Glass recreates the on-set environment of his show—there’ll be pre-taped quotes, stories from the program, music and live narration. October 27. $37.50–$57.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255, roythomson.com.

3. KIMBRA
The New Zealand singer-songwriter is best known as the victim of Gotye’s stalking in the beltable earworm “Somebody That I Used to Know.” (She had her friends collect her records and then changed her number.) She appears Gotye-free this weekend at the Danforth Music Hall to promote Vows, her retro soul-pop debut album. Highlights include her single “Settle Down,” a bouncy, beat-driven plea to a caddish boyfriend. October 27. $20–$25. The Danforth Music Hall Theatre, 147 Danforth Ave., 1-855-985-5000, ticketmaster.ca.

4. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW–TORONTO SHADOW CAST
The Bloor Cinema has reinvented itself as a high-brow documentary theatre, but this Halloween it returns to its rep cinema roots and revives its popular Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings. The “shadow cast” is a live brigade of sweet transvestites and lamé-clad Rocky clones miming the story along with the movie. Be sure to pack the requisite toast, toilet paper, playing cards and hot dogs to throw at the screen. October 26–31. $11. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., 416-637-3123, bloorcinema.com.

5. CASK DAYS
Beer geeks call unfiltered cask-conditioned ale the ”real ale”; it ferments naturally in the cask, creating natural carbonation and intense flavours. The eighth annual Cask Days festival celebrates the craft brew, with breweries like Bellwoods, Muskoka and Dieu du Ciel offering tastings. The food element is curated by Bellwoods chef Guy Rawlings (formerly of Lucien and Brockton General) and includes bites from Grand Electric and Hogtown Charcuterie. Tickets must be purchased in advance. October 27–28. $41.81. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., 416-596-7670.

6. VALERY GERGIEV AND THE MARIINSKY THEATRE’S STRADIVARIUS ENSEMBLE
Mariinsky Theatre maestro Valery Gergiev has selected the most dazzling musicians from his St. Petersburg orchestra to form the Stradivarius Ensemble. The group performs pieces from Strauss’s Metamorphosen, Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and uses instruments by master builders like Stradivarius, Guandini and Amati to ensure the richest sounds are heard. October 26. $75–$250. Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208, rcmusic.ca.

7. DER FREISCHUTZ (THE MARKSMAN)
Known for their elaborate interpretations of Baroque opera, Atelier bends the rules a little to perform a piece from the later Romantic era for the first time in the company’s history. In Weber’s Der Freischutz, a young marksman acquires six magic bullets from the Devil to win a shooting competition and get the girl. Croatian tenor Krešimir Špicer sings the title role and will be accompanied on stage by the corps of the Artists of Atelier Ballet. October 27–November 3. $35–$155. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-985-5000, ticketmaster.ca.

8. SPIRIT WALK
This walking tour cuts a path through Toronto’s ghoulish past. Starting at Mackenzie House, you’ll travel past Toronto’s supposedly haunted buildings, hear their ghoulish histories, then return to the august old mansion for cider, cookies and ghost stories. There are a limited number of spaces, so pre-registration is required. October 27. $12.50. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., 416-392-6915, Toronto Bike Month