This time of the year can do bad things to really good people. I’ve seen kids cooped up in Robarts for so many nights they weren’t even sure how to get home, and there were others who didn’t even want to go home, somehow they’d been convinced by some form of Stockholm Syndrome that the concrete beast had become their dark lord and saviour.
Luckily, we’ll all soon have some time off to regain our sanity. For those of you who are heading home to a small town for the holidays… I can’t help you. Maybe check out a bush party or something. You’ll just have to cozy up to the fire and listen to your wacky uncle tell you about the time he dropped acid on the way to Monterey Pop, because that’s about as close as you’ll be getting to any kind of culture. For the lucky ones who get to stay, here’s a short selection of essential holiday entertainment.
The Too-Explicit Injustice of Kind Population! (Whippersnapper Gallery, December 7th, 7 p.m. on display until December 21st)
Toronto’s most prominent photo bloggers show their stuff at the student-run Whippersnapper Gallery. Featured on the College Street location walls will be the GTA centric Rannie Turnigan of PhotoJunkie, internationally known Sam Javanrouh of Daily Dose of Imagery, pedesterian-photographer Adam Krawesky of Inconduit, and campus art stars Istoica who have captured many of U of T hottie on their daily website.
Trampoline Hall (December 10 at Sneaky Dee’s)
The popularity of this monthly lecture series on totally random subjects has been spiraling as of late hosted by a charmingly anxious Mischa Glouberman and featuring the best and brightest of Toronto’s cultural scenes. As an added bonus, attending Trampoline Hall might mean the rare chance to hobnob with Varsity editors! Quite the thrill!
Joel Plaskett Emergency (December 10-15 at the Horseshoe Tavern)
Canada’s severely underrated rock hero begins an incredible six-night stand at the Horseshoe Tavern, in which he will play each of his five solo records (one per night) in their entirety, followed by a mix of everything on the Saturday. For those of us who have been rabid Plaskett fans for years, it will be a chance to hear tunes that are rarely played live, like “Non-Believer,” or the spectacular “Clueless Wonder.”
Cavalcade of Lights (Saturday nights at Nathan Phillips Square)
Join in a Torontonian holiday tradition by ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square to a soundtrack of live performances by mediocre Canadian talent. It makes me think back to the performances of years gone by, and triumphant sets by such legends as B44 and Staggered Crossing. I’m scarred to this day.
Handsome Furs (December 20 at Lee’s Palace)
This Montreal duo cap off what has been an incredible year with a headlining set at Lee’s. It might be your last chance to catch them for a while too, because Dan Boeckner will no doubt soon turn his attention back onto his main gig, Wolf Parade, who are due for a much-anticipated second album in April.
New Year’s Eve
Don’t be afraid if you’re lacking plans to ring in 2008, because there are awesome events planned just about everywhere. By Divine Right headlines an incredible bill at the Tranzac, and the Sadies play the Horseshoe. If the dance floor is your game, hit up Sneaky Dee’s for Shit La Merde featuring excellent electro in the form of Dougie Boom, Inflagranti (NYC), and Supercycle (Vancouver). To impress a date, the Mod Club is offering champagne at midnight, which is far classier than the cocktail of creeps you’re likely to find at the Dance Cave.
