Harbourfront Centre and Arabesque, in association with Small World Music, present JAMRA, a contemporary production inspired by the dance forms of the nomadic and gypsy (Rom) peoples of Egypt, Turkey, North Africa, Iran and Lebanon. JAMRA premieres at the Fleck Dance Theatre on Thursday, February 9, 2012 and runs until Sunday, February 12, 2012 as part of Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps 11/12 series.
ART
Dare to Wear Love
You can't don white after Labour Day, but to "wear love" is acceptable all year-around. Two dozen designers created couture using six yards of African cloth, with their creations first showcased on the runways of Toronto Fashion Week and now on display in support of grassroots organizations who are turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. To May 6. $6 to $15. Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Ave., 416-599-5321.
CLUBS
Die Antwoord
Even Madonna is scared of these unnerving South Africans. The electro-freak-rap crew brings Ten$ion, its new album, with zombie-like antics, unstoppable and rigid rhythms and indecipherable singing. Feb. 14, 8 p.m. $29 (available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, Play De Record and ticketweb.ca). Phoenix Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St.
CONCERTS
Kathleen Edwards
The day after her concert at Massey, the country-tinged singer-songwriter is going to the Grammys – as a guest of Justin (Bon Iver) Vernon, the quadruple -nominated indie alt-folk sensation who produced Ms. Edwards's latest, Voyageur, an affecting album that just might earn her a return trip to Los Angeles. Feb. 11, 7 p.m. $40. Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St., 1-855-985-5000.
Louise Pitre: Broadway to Paris
Canada's first lady of musical theatre – the Tony-nominated star of Mamma Mia! – does a music revue, covering both sides of the theatre divide. Feb. 16, 2 and 8 p.m. $54 to $59. Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd., 905-305-7469.
COMEDY
Glenn Wool
The Edinburgh Fringe favourite is a Canadian now based abroad. Known for a lightning wit and commentary on a variety of topical subjects, the shaggy stand-up is here for one night. Feb. 12, 8 p.m. $15 to $20. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540.
DANCE
Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra
Yes, it is getting hot in here – it's not just you. The Middle Eastern dance-and-music company offers its latest production, Jamra, which is Arabic for "embers." The smouldering work is themed to the abandon of nomadic peoples of Egypt, Turkey, North Africa and Lebanon, and set to ancient sounds. To Feb. 12, 2 and 8 p.m. $15 to $45. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queen's Quay W., 416-973-4000.
Les Cheminements de l'Influence
Translated as Pathways of Influence, the world premiere from Coleman Lemieux & Co. is a solo created and danced by Laurence Lemieux as a tribute to her father, political scientist and sociologist Vincent Lemieux. The production represents the first official work to be presented at the company's new home, the Citadel. Feb. 15 to 18 and Feb. 22 to 25, 8 p.m. $25. 304 Parliament St., eventbrite.com, 647-724-3977.
LITERARY AND LECTURE
Anne Rice
Reuben Golding is a young reporter who after being bitten by a strange doggy beast is undergoing a terrifying transformation that no electrolysis or Liam Neeson movie character can overcome. Gothic horror specialist Anne Rice talks about her new book, The Wolf Gift. Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Free. Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., torontopubliclibrary.ca.
EVENT
Bloody Valentine Massacre
We're sorry, you're not our type – blood type, that is. Singles, couples and assorted ménages are expected to show up at an event of Ping-Pong, gory costumes and fake artery juice. Feb. 14, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free. SPiN Toronto, 461 King St. W., 416-599-7746.
THEATRE
Potted Potter
Two British chaps run through all seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes – a zany and unauthorized romp for adults and children alike. Feb. 11 to March 25. $29.75 to $99.75. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., 416-872-1212.
High Life
Lee MacDougall's 1996 black comedy is about four morphine-addicted oddballs who suffer from withdrawal problems when they attempt to rob a bank machine. A Canadian classic, mounted by Soulpepper. From Feb. 13. $32 to $68. Young Centre, 55 Mill St., 416-866-8666.
Beckett: Feck It
The Queen of Puddings Music Theatre blends the shorter plays of Samuel Beckett with contemporary classical music from Irish composers inspired by their countryman's appreciation for things madcap. A Canadian premiere. Feb. 17 to 25. $22 to $49. Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs, 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110.
SPORT
Harlem Globetrotters
Did you lose your big Super Bowl bet last weekend? Here's your chance to make back your money: The team in red, white and blue can't lose, even though they do unfair things like pulling the referee's pants down and giving the other team a basketball that won't bounce. Feb. 11 (7 p.m.) and Feb. 12 (2 p.m.). $19 to $202. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., 1-855-985-5000.
FUNDRAISER
Boogie Nights
Did you think she'd crumble? Did you think she'd lay down and die? No way, not Gloria Gaynor – she survived! The defiant disco queen performs at the Dance to Conquer Cancer concert, in benefit of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. Feb. 12, 6 p.m. $275. Paramount Conference and Event Venue, 222 Rowntree Dairy Rd., Woodbridge, Ont., discodays.ca.
FAMILY
Valentine's Weekend at The Zoo
Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. And, apparently so do polar bears, if the new cub up at the Toronto Zoo is any indication. This weekend, kids aged 12 and under can bring a Valentine for their favourite animal and get in free. Feb. 11 and 12, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free (maximum two children per paying adult). 361A Old Finch Ave., 416-392-5929.
The Great Mountain
Inspired by a Northern Plains story, an inquisitive young native girl embarks on a journey involving a melting glacier and a weeping mountain. To Feb. 20. $10 to $20. Young People's Theatre, 165 Front St. E., 416-862-2222.
The Monkey Bunch
Toronto's Juno-Nominated children's entertainers do a good-time concert, where the love of music, comedy and planet is the focus. Feb. 12 and 20, 3 p.m. $8. Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., themonkeybunch.com.
FREE
Tom & Gary's Decentralized Dance Party
The Rhubarb Festival of indie theatre invites all to grab boom boxes and take to the streets "to crush the despotic party paradigms of yore with some free and democratic open-source partying." Sure, why not – it beats eating pork rinds and watching Pawn Stars, which is our usual Wednesday-night whoopity-doo. Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. Secret location revealed on the day of the event at yyzbuddies.blogspot.com.
BOOKING AHEAD
Tango Pasion Feb. 18. Sony Centre, 1-855-872-7669.
Sing-a-long-a Grease Feb. 24 to 26. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 416-599-8433.
Treasa Levasseur Feb. 23. Hugh's Room, 416-531-6604.
Bonnie Raitt May 26 (on sale Feb. 11, noon). 416-872-4255.
Brad Wheeler