U.S. pop singer Madonna performs during the opening night concert for the North America part of her MDNA world tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.TIM SHAFFER/Reuters
ART & MUSEUMS
David French: Coming Home
An exhibit focusing on David French's quasi-autobiographical plays about Newfoundland's fictional Mercer family includes images, articles and text. As well, an online companion featuring interviews with the playwright can be found on the interwebs at artsalive.ca. Sept. 11 to 30. Free. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827.
CLUBS
The Soul Motivators
Every second Thursday of the month, the sock-it-to-ya soulsters romp, funk and roll. The band brings it as a nine-piece, thus bringing a crowd of its own to a hip, upstairs venue. Sept. 13, 10 p.m. $10. Orbit Room, 580 College St., 416-535-0613.
Julie Doiron & The Wrong Guys
The adorable New Brunswick-and-Toronto folk-rocker Julie Doiron hooks up with right guys like Eamon McGrath for a grungy almost-supergroup. July 13, 10 p.m. $10.50 to $12 (at Soundscapes at Rotate This). Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W., 416-519-9439.
CONCERTS
Madonna
The indefatigable icon is all razzle, dazzle and don't-forget-about-me as she lavishes her audience with new material and old hits reinvented, such as dirge-cabaret reading of Like a Virgin. "I'll be yours," she will pledge, "till the end of time." No doubt. Sept. 12 and 13, 8 p.m. $62.75 to $374. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., 1-855-985-5000.
Kiss, with Motley Crue
Paging Dr. Feelgood, and calling Dr. Love. Mötley Crüe, known for its sleazy bedside manner, opens up for Kiss, the spectacle rockers whose bassist has a tongue that is never depressed. Sept. 13, 7 p.m. $42.50 to $145. Molson Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000.
THEATRE
Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna
The newest spectacle from the Montreal troupe of acrobatic strongmen and stylish gravity-defyers takes its title from "ama," a reference to mother, and "luna," the Latin word for moon. Set on a goddess-ruled island, the narrative concerns social balance – a delicate thing, like moons, always worth shooting for. To Nov. 4. $43.50 to $158.50. Port Lands (at Cherry Street and Lake Shore Blvd. E), cirquedusoleil.com.
No Great Mischief
Tarragon Theatre kicks off its season with a revival of David Young's adaptation of Alistair MacLeod's award-winning novel, a drama of hardship and escape which follows the different paths of a pair of brothers in late 20th-century Canada. Sept. 19 to Oct. 21 (previews from Sept. 11). $21 to $53. Tarragon Theatre's Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827.
EVENTS
Vegetarian Food Festival
We would have dubbed this weekend event of demonstrations, talks and all things green "Salad Days." But nobody asked us. Sept. 8 (noon to 9 p.m.) and Sept. 9 (noon to 7 p.m). Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
LITERATURE & LECTURE
Dave Bidini
The author launches his new book A Wild Stab For It, a 90-page look at the 1972 hockey series between an unexpectedly underdog Canadian squad and their stern but poetic Soviet counterparts. Come for readings, music and impromptu poke-checks. Sept. 11, 7 to 9 p.m. $5. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.
COMEDY
Steve Patterson
Be it resolved that the moderator Steve Patterson is just as funny (or funnier) than the arguing panelists and refuters on the CBC Radio One show The Debaters. The whip-smart Canadian comic makes a case for himself at Yuk Yuk's. Sept. 8 (8 and 10:30 p.m.) and Sept. 9 (8 p.m.). $11.50 to $19.47. 224 Richmond St. W., 416- 967-6425.
Neil Hamburger
Only an ironically unfunny comedian would refer to himself as "America's Funnyman." The rumpled misanthrope Neil Hamburger, a persona roughly comparable to Andy Kaufman's Tony Clifton character, does fascinating schtick. Sept. 14 and 15, 10:30 p.m. $13 to $15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540.
FUNDRAISER
Fashion Cares: A Night of Glitter and Light
After glam-rockers Scissor Sisters split and the supermodel host Linda Evangelista blows her final air-kiss and pop legend Elton John closes his set, the annual catwalk-concert extravaganza will no longer be standing. After 25 years, the iconic AIDS fundraiser will roll up its red carpet forever, in spectacular fashion you can be sure. Sept. 9, 8 p.m. $73.50 to $1,508.50. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 1-855-985-5000.
FILM
Toronto Independent
Film Festival
The "other TIFF" values popcorn over paparazzi, with films made on budgets slimmer than Keira Knightley's shadow. Some 20 features and more than 60 shorties from North America offer an alternative to splashy celebrity cinema and flashbulb publicity. To Sept. 15. $8, ($50, pass). Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Ave., film-fest.ca.
Toronto Urban Film Festival
Just when the Toronto Transit Commission upgrades its level of service, along comes something that makes subway delays highly bearable. Every 10 minutes, TUFF screens a 60-second silent film from on TTC platform screens across the city. To Sept. 17. torontourbanfilmfestival.com.
FAMILY
Haute Dog
The best thing about being a doggie doctor is that their patients are extremely compliant when it comes to sticking out their tongues. As part of a dog-friendly poochapalooza, a veterinarian will be on hand – Sept. 8, 2:30 to 6 p.m; Sept. 9, noon to 6 p.m. – to answer questions and address canine concerns. To Sept. 9. Free. Queen's Quay Terminal, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-203-3269.
BOOKING AHEAD
Cabbagetown Tour of Homes Sept. 16. www.cabbagetownpa.ca
Cat Power Oct. 20. Kool Haus, 1-855-985-5000.
Smashing Pumpkins Oct. 25. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000.
Snow White: The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical! Nov. 23 to Jan. 5. Elgin Theatre, 1-855-599-9090.
Brad Wheeler