Things To Do

The founding member of The Eagles lent his bluesy songwriting stamp and unmistakable rough-edged tenor to “Hotel California” before starting a successful solo career that spawned the undying warm-weather anthem “Boys of Summer.” $59–$198. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., sonycentre.ca.

The menu at this quick-service spot from the Harbord Room’s Cory Vitiello is small but tasty: four made-to-order salads, a single sandwich, and chicken roasted to perfection on an in-house rotisserie. 330 Adelaide St. W., eatflock.com.

The city’s fanciest izakaya makes ikebana-like displays out of mackerel, hamachi, sea bream, fatty Scottish salmon and precious tuna belly sashimi. Each bite is more flavourful than the last, like a wine that surprises with more depth on every sip. Read our review here. 115 Yorkville Ave., kasamoto.ca.

Soulpepper musical director Mike Ross sets a selection of poems by Edgar Lee Masters to melody in this joyous, foot-stomping sing-along. The immersive atmosphere makes for an electric experience. $29.50–$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Ln., soulpepper.ca.

In Brooklyn playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury’s recent work, a lecture on a little-known south African genocide quickly turns into a racially charged, deadly funny meta-commentary about how history is presented, and by whom. $30. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. W., theatrecentre.org.

The Falls are always worthy of a weekend visit, but the second edition of the Real Canadian Craft Beer Festival is a once-a-year draw, with a long list of local brewers, a table-top gaming lounge and plenty of comfort food. Scotiabank Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Ave., realcanadianbeerfest.ca.

Scarborough crooner Abel Tesfaye is the talk of the town after dropping his bestselling album and the song of the summer, “Can’t Feel My Face.” At his ACC show, he’ll cast his spell with moody lighting, a quivering crown of cockatiel dreads and that lusty, warbling falsetto. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., ticketmaster.com.

Each chapter of Christian Bök’s poem contains only one vowel, and each movement of Canadian choreographer Denise Fujiwara’s NextSteps dance adaptation mimics the approach: its performers initiate action only through specific body parts (e.g., in Chapter E, the chest and feet are allowed to move, but not the torso). $39. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W., harbourfrontcentre.com.

The deft dramaturge Weyni Mengesha directs this gripping thriller, about an eastern European war criminal who shows up at a Toronto police station dressed as Santa Claus. The escalating drama is morally murky and wonderfully specific. $30. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. W., theatrecentre.org.

The Welsh pop star’s effervescent electropop is a mélange of radio-ready vocal hooks, EDM-calibre bass and perfect production, all delivered with a retro aesthetic that evokes Lana Del Rey and Amy Winehouse. $46.50. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., ticketmaster.com.

This retrospective, created in collaboration with Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum, documents the pop-art pioneer’s obsession with stardom. It features his childhood scrapbook and fastidiously culled collection of portraits, along with the silkscreens, Polaroids, prints and films that transformed him from a chronicler of icons into an icon in his own right. $13. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., tiff.net.

The New Jersey trio that refuses to be broken up (they haven't taken a single hiatus since their 1984 inception) bangs through a brimming back catalogue of accessible, endearing and irreverent indie rock. $25–$95. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 190 Princes' Blvd., collectiveconcerts.com.

The opening night of this dance showcase power-packs three performances into a few short hours: a National Ballet of Canada routine from superstar Guillaume Côté; a Toronto debut by Indian company Nrtiyagam; and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre's acrobatic Takademe, set to an a cappella score. $10. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., ffdnorth.com.

The bros behind Banh Mi Boys extend their penchant for appetizing Vietnamese sandwiches to this newish snack spot, serving up steamed buns, spicy fried chicken and a must-try Hambaoger. 318 Spadina Ave., luckyredshop.com.

The annual book bag-stuffing extravaganza has a new home—it moves from Queen's Park to Harbourfront Centre this year—but all the same selections: thousands of books, magazines, publishing houses and too many author events to list. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., thewordonthestreet.ca.

The South African funny man headlines JFL42 with his observational comedy and political satire a mere two days before filling Jon Stewart's chair as the new host of The Daily Show. $50–$155. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., jfl42.com.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic, cartoon-covered Lee's Palace's, the venue owners are tapping these local legends for an evening of triumphantly raw and raspy indie rock. $29.50. Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., leespalace.com.

This intimate, 13-room lakeside retreat in Prince Edward County is a rustic transplant of its Queen West counterpart's signature style: urban murals, sleek design and high-class comfort food. Read our review here. From $249. 24 Wharf St., Wellington, drakedevonshire.ca.

The British-Indian novelist has depicted the relationship between East and West using mysticism, satire and controversy. Here, he presents his latest book Two Years Eights Months and Twenty-Eight Nights, a magical realistic novel inspired by the Arabian Nights. Free. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., torontopubliclibrary.com.

The ultra-cool College Street taqueria opened a second location in the east end earlier this year. The hood may be different, but the decadent tacos, tropical concoctions and hip vibe (and the occasional blockbuster line-up) should feel familiar. 780 Queen St. E., lacarnita.com.

This Tony-winning production tells the story of unsung hero Berry Gordy Jr., the boxer-turned-music-man that catapulted Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye into the limelight. $35–$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St., mirvish.com.

The Canadian music scene's swankiest event will crown the best album of the past year and provide a live sampler of its most memorable music. Expect performances by local indie upstarts Alvvays, folk icon Buffy Sainte-Marie and more. $50. The Carlu, 444 Yonge St, polarismusicprize.ca.

There's plenty of ear candy at Riot Fest, but this rare opportunity to hear the L.A. geek-rock gods play their self-titled "blue" album in its entirety — from "My Name is Jonas" through "Say It Ain't So" to "Only In Dreams" — is impossible to pass up. $89.98–$249.98. Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd., riotfest.org.

Bid farewell to festival season with four stages of folk: alt-country faves Wilco, cultish ensemble Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and the indie-popping, foot-stomping likes of The Elwins and The Strumbellas. $89.50–$389.50. Fort York Garrison Common, 250 Fort York Blvd., torontourbanrootsfest.com.