What We Would Do: Manifesto, Best Coast, Simian Mobile Disco
Posted on 24. Sep, 2010 by Anupa in Concerts, Toronto, WWWD
Photo via ManifestoLooking for something to do this weekend? Even though summer’s officially over (though you wouldn’t know it by the 29 DEGREES CELSIUS it is outside today), you’ve got one last chance to blow it out of the water starting tonight. As RuPaul would say, “Don’t fuck it up.”
Bear with me guys, I’m trying something out. This is hopefully the start of a new weekly feature where I compile three things worth hitting up in the city of Toronto over the weekend. There are a million other event round-ups that are probably far more all-encompassing, sure, but we’re presuming you read The Ashcan because you like us, like the things we write about, and most definitely want to be like us. And there’s nothing out there with the guaranteed-fun-times indicator of “What We Would Do” (WWWD, from here on out). So yo, bunk the equinox, get out your Fair Isle and do like we do.
Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture, Various locations, Sept. 20-26
This is Manifesto‘s third year of community-focused hip-hop-themed programming and each year the ‘Fest gets better and better. With a whole week’s worth of arts based events (from gallery showings to film screenings), Manifesto is wrapping up with some pretty strong headlining performances. Tonight, at one of the city’s most interesting venues, you can catch my girl crush rapper Jean Grae throw it down alongside Citizen Kane, Mr. Mecca and more. Tomorrow, there’s a b-boy competition (with special guest DJ, and b-boy extraordinaire, Crazy Legs) taking over the Manifesto warehouse at Queen & Dufferin. Sunday is The Main Event: a full days worth of rap and R&B stage performances from local talent–plus booths hawking tons of cool shit–culminating in headliners Jay Electronica, and J. Period and Black Thought (of The Roots). This is Jay Elec’s first Canadian show, and probably the only time you’ll ever see him here for free, FYI. More info, FREE-$15
Best Coast/Male Bonding, Lee’s Palace, Sept. 25
I have a thing for music that makes me feel like I’m 15 again and Best Coast does it. Check out “Our Deal,” a ’60s-ish, heart-y, beach-pop bopper that’s like Friday nights in high school and chilling outside and feeling fluttery about your crush all over again. It’s sold out, but you might be able to catch tix on the Craigslist? More info, $15+fees
Simian Mobile Disco/Annie Mac/Sonic C/Rynecologist/Bordello, 99 Sudbury, Sept. 25
If you’d rather get piss drunk and dance your ass off, please proceed to 99 Sudbury for Embrace’s Digital party. The city has been rolling in premium DJ parties for the past couple of years and BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac‘s continual visits to Toronto should be evidence of that. It’s not my British passport speaking when I say this, but Radio 1 is fucking genius and one of the number one things I miss about England. Go for Simian’s light show, stay for the stellar DJ line-up. More info, $19.50+fees.
