Compiled by Shaundra Selvaggi

Tuesday, September 28

Book Signing with Nigel Barker

All the ladies (and gentlemen) who can’t get enough of the tall, dark and handsome Nigel Barker on America’s Next Top Model now have a chance to meet him in the flesh.  Noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker drops by Indigo – Eaton Centre to sign copies of his latest book Nigel Barker’s Beauty Equation Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, September 29

Sommet/Mandingue/Summit

Sommet/Mandingue/Summit: West African Dance and Drum Festival is a multi-disciplinary festival of West African culture featuring workshops and performances led by local and internationally-renowned artists representing the Mandingue or Mandinka people of West Africa.  Runs September 29 to October 3. Performance Fee: $15 each. Individual Dance/Workshop Fee: $20 each. Larkin Building – University of Toronto. Visit www.baobabarts.org for schedule and details.

Thursday, September 30

Hard Times

This is the play that wonders how far we’ve come. Chris Earle takes one of the classics of Dickensian literature and flips everything on its head, including the audience. Hard Times shows us a world where supply and demand govern every human interaction, a world where a lot has changed since the Victorian era of greed, power, marginalization and class conflict—or has it? September 30 to October 16, 2010. Theatre Passe Muraille.  7:30 pm.  See passemuraille.on.ca.

Global Cabaret Festival

60 intimate concerts. 4 intimate club venues. 150 of Canada’s greatest perfromers. The Global Cabaret Festival features Canada’s most dynamic and exciting performers for a weekend-long festival bursting with songs, stories and ideas. The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is transformed into four intimate club venues. Experience these extraordinary artists up close while enjoying delicious food and drinks from the Young Centre café/bar. All concerts $20 — Book online or call 416.866.8666

Shugga: Mariposa’s Live Band Dinner Cruise

Rock the Boat with Funk Band Shugga aboard Mariposa’s Live Band Dinner Cruise. The water will be calm but the boat will be rockin’ with Mariposa Cruises’ Live Band Dinner Cruise featuring Toronto’s Funk/R&B band Shugga aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders. So let the music take you away as Shugga keeps you groovin’ throughout the night. Boarding begins at 6:30pm followed by dinner and dancing from 7pm to 10pm. A full cash bar will be available. Prices per person are $72.95 + taxes & hsc. 16 years or older.For more information visit www.mariposacruises.com or call 416-203-0178.

Friday, October 1

First Fridays

You are Cordially Invited to attend 1st Fridays: Election Edition at Ritz Caribbean Restaurant.  Featuring Mayoral, Councillor & Trustee Municipal Election Candidates from across the GTA including, Mayoral: Joe Pantalone, George Smitherman, Sarah Thompson. Councillor: Karlene Nation – Ward 19 – Trinity-Spadina, Stephan Stewart – Ward 34 – Don Valley East, Samuel Getachew – Ward 43 – Scarborough East,  Princess Boucher – Ward 2& 6 – Brampton. Trustee: Michael Coteau – Ward 17 – TDSB Dr. Sandra Romano Anthony – Ward 4 – TCDSB. Admission is $15 before 7:30pm, $20 after ($5 off for Students with valid i.d.) www.firstfridays.ca

K’NAAN w/SHAD

Don’t miss Hip hop troubadour and Juno Songwriter of the year for 2010 K’naan live in concert, performing his summer anthem Wavin’ Flag and tracks off his acclaimed albums. Kool Haus.  Doors open at 8 pm.  Show starts at 9 pm. All ages welcome.

Saturday, October 2

Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida

At the core of Giuseppe Verdi’s glorious Aida lies an intimate story of forbidden love between the warrior Radames and Ethiopian slave Aida. American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky makes her company and role debut as Aida. This new production is from Tim Albery, director of the Canadian Opera Company’s War and Peace and Götterdämmerung. Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™.  Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 4:30 pm. Buy tickets here.

National Language Expo

National Language Expo promotes and celebrates official, community and international languages as well as intercultural and global awareness. Language Expo is open to the public, language learners, language teachers, linguists, interpreters, educators,businesses, professional organizations and assosiations and anyone who is passionate about, or interested in, languages and world cultures. Exhibition Place. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. $15. Visit www.LanguageExpo.ca for more details

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche

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