This week’s top happenings include a ‘90s party inspired by Cher and her pals, the annual HoHoTO charity bash, and more.
Thursday: HoHoTO
Mod Club Theatre, 722 College St. $40, available online . Doors at 7 p.m.
HoHoTO is a “party that Twitter built” in support of the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank . Since its spontaneous inception in 2008 from a group of generous tweeters in the local tech and social media community, the event has raised more than $225,000 and collected roughly four tons of food for those in need. According to the bio: “You might say HoHoTO has become a hyper-connected social media movement and a remarkable example of the power of self-organizing online groups.” It’s also a way to meet people who you’ve been politely cyber-stalking this year—offsetting that creepiness with charity, of course. And there’s even a silent auction with items like reservations at Khao San Road, which, like, never takes resos. Find out more about the party here , and if you can’t make it, you can still donate here .
VIDEO
Friday: ’90s Party: Clueless Edition
Annex Wreckroom, 794 Bathurst St. $5 before midnight, $10 after. Doors at 10 p.m.
“He does dress better than I do, what would I bring to the relationship?” Get ready to bring your Clueless -style A-game to the Annex Wreckroom this Friday for your chance to take home a—wait for it—$200 cash prize. It’s a trifecta of fun times, as Good Kids (who were responsible for the infamous Rebel Bingo series ), WORN Fashion Journal, and She Does The City bring you a ’90s party with a Horowitz twist. Totally. Get Californian with classic tunes all night, prizes and other deliciously retro party favours. Plus: $1 vodka jello shots, so you can really party like it’s 1999. Check out some inspiration below and find complete details here .
VIDEO
Saturday: The 9th annual Best Of mixtape exchange party
Email for location. Free. Doors at 4 p.m.
Hands up if, in high school, you made mix CDs for your pals when you first got a CD burner. This was our hobby for, like, the entire tenth grade. And if you’ve recently watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower , you’ll know mixtapes are all the rage again. This weekend, the Young Lions Music Club hosts a musical swap of your favourite tunes to be handed out to complete strangers. There are a few stipulations: the music must have been released in 2012, you must bring a minimum of five copies with the physical track listing, and the playlist can’t be longer than 80 minutes. This isn’t a nocturnal affair, but I bet it’s going to be a damn good time anyway. Better than any list on The Hype Machine. Find complete rules here .
Saturday: (ALT)Night: Ugly Sweater Dance Party
Margret, 2952 Dundas St. W. Free. Doors at 10 p.m.
With holiday parties come the ugly sweater parties. Plus, it’s been a hot minute since we talked about Margret, The Junction’s favourite dance spot. On Saturday, head northwest to pre-emptively dance off those eggnog pounds with a holiday hoedown and a lot of wool-polyester blends. I’m telling you: it’ll be like dancing down the aisle at Value Village. Word on the Facebook wall is that DJ Dislexia may dress up as Santa. Oh, and prizes! Brought to you by (ALT)Night , the west end’s answer to queer coolness. Find out more here .
VIDEO
Sunday: Get Laid or Die Trying
Czehoski, 678 Queen Street West. Free. Doors at 10 p.m.
Traditionally, local watering holes functioned as places to meet new people—until the internet came along and we all began ignoring each other to stare at our phones and our friends. So it was only a matter of time before we put the sex back into bars. Hot off trends like the #CrushTO party , Czehoski plans on catering to singles in the city. And on a Sunday night no less, the loneliest day of the week! Rest assured: “This isn’t an orgy, a POF party or speed-dating (unless you want it to be). It’s really just an excuse to party on a Sunday.” And with $5 drink specials, you may just get your wish. DJ set by These Young Diamonds. Find out more here .
