Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of May 9–11
In this edition of The Weekender, a comic-arts festival, an oyster-shucking class and three other things to do in Toronto this weekend.
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (FREE!)
Anyone who wants to take the pulse of Toronto’s comic-arts scene needs to attend TCAF, the annual two-day festival of all things illustrated. Exhibitors from Canada and around the world will be personally selling and signing their latest work, and a slate of after-hours events should provide ample opportunity for socializing with like-minded nerds, or whatever else. Among those in attendance will be Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant) and Toronto’s own Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals), fresh off his recent Eisner Award nomination. May 10–11. FREE. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., torontocomics.com
Love Art Fair
Art collections aren’t just for the super-rich; they’re also for the merely somewhat well-off. Aiming to prove that point this weekend is Love Art Fair, where 40 galleries will be showing a wide variety of work, half of it priced under $5,000. Some condo walls are about to get a lot more colourful. (The event is being sponsored by Toronto Life.) Until May 11. General admission $12. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., loveartfair.com
We Are The Best
This film, a Swedish import, earned praise during its domestic debut at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, but has yet to find a wide audience on these shores. That’s a shame. In a world of Katnisses and Bellas, We Are The Best dares to present an image of female adolescent rebellion that isn’t all about deciding between two equally hot boys. Bobo and Klara are two 1980s tweenaged misfits with Sex Pistols hair and no musical ability—that is, until they enlist (read: corrupt) a prim classmate with guitar skills. Punk rock ensues. The screening, a presentation of CMW film fest, will be followed by performances from graduates of Girls Rock Camp Toronto. May 10. Tickets $10, teens $7. The Royal Cinema, 608 College St., facebook.com
Canadian Music Week
Bands from around the world have already begun descending upon Toronto for Canadian Music Week, making now an excellent time to see some shows. Until May 10. Various prices. Various venues, cmw.net
Shuck U
Oyster shucking is one of the culinary world’s most dreaded prep tasks—a man-on-bivalve wrestling match that all too often ends in tears. Patrick McMurray, of Starfish and Ceili Cottage, will teach a select group of enterprising home chefs how to crack open nature’s seafood shooter without impaling themselves. Oysters and wine are included with admission. May 9. $52-$92. Miele Gallery at the Market Kitchen, St. Lawrence Market, 93 Front St. E, facebook.com
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/weekender-may-9/&title=Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of May 9–11&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/weekender-may-9-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_273426" align="alignnone" width="656"] We Are The Best plays this weekend at the Royal. (Image: courtesy of TIFF)[/caption]
In this edition of The Weekender, a comic-arts festival, an oyster-shucking class and three other things to do in Toronto this weekend.
COMICS
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (FREE!)
Anyone who wants to take the pulse of Toronto's comic-arts scene needs to attend TCAF, the annual two-day festival of all things illustrated. Exhibitors from Canada and around the world will be personally selling and signing their latest work, and a slate of after-hours events should provide ample opportunity for socializing with like-minded nerds, or whatever else. Among those in attendance will be Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant) and Toronto's own Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals), fresh off his recent Eisner Award nomination. May 10–11. FREE. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., torontocomics.com
ART
Love Art Fair
Art collections aren't just for the super-rich; they're also for the merely somewhat well-off. Aiming to prove that point this weekend is Love Art Fair, where 40 galleries will be showing a wide variety of work, half of it priced under $5,000. Some condo walls are about to get a lot more colourful. (The event is being sponsored by Toronto Life.) Until May 11. General admission $12. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes' Blvd., loveartfair.com
FILM
We Are The Best
This film, a Swedish import, earned praise during its domestic debut at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, but has yet to find a wide audience on these shores. That's a shame. In a world of Katnisses and Bellas, We Are The Best dares to present an image of female adolescent rebellion that isn't all about deciding between two equally hot boys. Bobo and Klara are two 1980s tweenaged misfits with Sex Pistols hair and no musical ability—that is, until they enlist (read: corrupt) a prim classmate with guitar skills. Punk rock ensues. The screening, a presentation of CMW film fest, will be followed by performances from graduates of Girls Rock Camp Toronto. May 10. Tickets $10, teens $7. The Royal Cinema, 608 College St., facebook.com
MUSIC
Canadian Music Week
Bands from around the world have already begun descending upon Toronto for Canadian Music Week, making now an excellent time to see some shows. Until May 10. Various prices. Various venues, cmw.net
ACTIVISM
Shuck U
Oyster shucking is one of the culinary world's most dreaded prep tasks—a man-on-bivalve wrestling match that all too often ends in tears. Patrick McMurray, of Starfish and Ceili Cottage, will teach a select group of enterprising home chefs how to crack open nature's seafood shooter without impaling themselves. Oysters and wine are included with admission. May 9. $52-$92. Miele Gallery at the Market Kitchen, St. Lawrence Market, 93 Front St. E, facebook.com ){kind=link}