Louis and Friends Tickle Toronto
It’s time for Just For Laughs 42, an all-out comedy assault on the city of Toronto led by Louis CK. The star of FX hit Louie will be one of 42 comic acts to unleash war on the city’s funny bone during the eight-day festival, which begins tomorrow. Other comics that will take to the stage in Toronto include Patton Oswalt, Amy Schumer and Andy Kindler. Under the category of “Wait, they’re funny??”: David Suzuki and the odd-couple pairing of Elizabeth May and Raine Maida will also perform.
Oh Canada!
Canada’s got talent – at least according to the title of a popular CTV program. Some of that talent will be celebrated this weekend as part of the annual Canada's Walk of Fame Festival. The weekend’s festivities include a slew of free and ticketed performances involving such acts as Tom Cochrane (Sept. 21, Nathan Philips Square), Sarah McLachlan and K’Naan (Sept. 20, Massey Hall). Inductees being honoured this year include musicians McLachlan and Randy Bachman, ballerina Sonia Rodriguez, late funny man Phil Hartman, CFL star Russ Jackson and Team Canada from the 1972 Summit Series.
Rage in the Cage
The grapplers of the Ultimate Fighting Championship are back for another round in Toronto for what is UFC 152. Initially projected to be a fairly weak offering by the Ultimate Fighting folks, the Toronto card became marquee after injuries allowed for world lightweight champ Jon “Bones” Jones to take to the Octagon against Vitor Belfort in the night’s main event. Before Jones and Belfort square off, Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez will battle for the flyweight title and Michael Bisping and Brian Stann will clash in a middleweight bout.
Another Kind of Pride Parade
In addition to serving as host to the country’s best entertainers and the world’s top comic and grappling talents this weekend, Toronto will welcome many of the country’s best athletes for a celebration of their accomplishments at this summer’s Olympic Games in London. The marquee event of the celebration will be the Canadian Olympic Parade — featuring some of London’s famed double decker buses, no less — that will begin in Nathan Philips Square at 11:30 a.m. and finish in Maple Leaf Square. Afterwards there will be a private Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the ACC. Festivities will include athlete meet-and-greets, on-stage interviews and a performance by Canadian pop group Neverest.
Slash is Back
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Slash is back in T.O. this weekend. He, along with the equally awesomely-named Foxy Shazam, will light up the Sound Academy with some ear-splitting guitar riffs. Of course he’ll be sporting his signature black leather, shades and Mad Hatter hat over some stringy, long curls of hair.
