This week’s top happenings include the opening party for the Gladstone’s Come Up To My Room, a house music jam for Robbie Burns Day, and a tribute to Ed Wood.
Friday: Houseaddict Presents 6th Borough Project for Robbie Burns Day
With various performers. Sazerac Lounge, 782 King St. W. $15 advance online . Doors at 10 p.m.
Okay, so Robbie Burns Day is like a really big deal, yeah? Every Jan. 25, Scots around the world, both real and imaginary, get together to celebrate the life and times of the writer and poet, known best for penning the NYE anthem “Auld Lang Syne.” But I mean, we’ll take it, even if it’s just another excuse to get wasted. (Fun fact: Did you know that those of Scottish descent represent the third-largest non-native group in Canada, according to the 2009 census?) If drinking your face off in a pub isn’t your thing (because it’s Friday, not Tuesday), then head to Sazerac Lounge for Delusions of Grandeur and Scotland’s “hottest nu-disco duo,” Craig Smith and Graeme Clark . Plus, $5 beer and $3 shots. (And if you really do want to drink your face off in a pub, check out this list I’d be far too lazy to compile.) Find out more here.
Friday: Foxtrot
The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. Free. Doors at 10 p.m.
Odessa Paloma Parker may not be schooling you anymore in all things fashion at Plaid Magazine, but she still dresses wildly wicked and can entertain you on the dancefloor. Since you already have plans on Saturday and don’t know it yet (keep reading!), head to The Garrison on Friday for Foxtrot, a melange of tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and aujourd’hui. It’s all “psych, mod, glam, rock & roll.” Um, and did I mention tacos? Dear OPP, please play the below. Find out more here .
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Saturday: Come Up To My Room opening reception
Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. $10 at the door. Doors at 7 p.m.
Hey, you know would be really fun? If you came up to my room. Well, maybe not my room , but someone’s. Anyone’s, really. Come Up To My Room is the Gladstone Hotel’s alternative design event of the year that sees artists and designers transform spaces to reflect their imaginations. Nothing is off limits. This year marks the event’s 10th anniversary, and founding curators Christina Zeidler and Pamila Matharu will return for the first time in five years. I hear the 2013 exhibition will offer an exciting range of site-specific and unique installations by creators from all backgrounds. Find out more here .
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Saturday: Glen or Glenda ? A Dress Up Party
The Projection Booth, 1035 Gerrard St. E. $8.16 advance online , $10 at the door. Doors at 9 p.m.
In 1953, filmmaker Ed Wood wrote, directed, and starred in Glen or Glenda, a film that was loosely inspired by the headline-making sex reassignment surgery of Christine Jorgensen , the first person known to do so. Often included in lists about the worst Hollywood things ever, the low-budget exploitation flick has become—you guessed it!—a cult classic. In honour of the film (which was even a bit autobiographical in nature, as Wood enjoyed crossdressing) and its 60th anniversary, the gorgeous Projection Booth East—sister (or brother?) to former porn hub Metro in the west—is holding a hoedown for all the guys and gals that want to change positions. Costumes, wigs, and whatevers are not required but definitely encouraged. Oh, and a shameless plug: I’ll be playing the tunes. Find out more here .
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Wednesday: Moonshine Cabaret
Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W. Free. Doors at 10 p.m.
The Soul Sister of 2012 , a.k.a. salonnière reeraw, brings you karaoke talk therapy in this new party series , and I swear this time I will make it my business to go. It’s a deliciously peculiar blend of “Aquarioke” and “HeartSongs.” I’m not quite sure what to tell you except that I know reeraw is always good for a good time. So enough talking: GO SING AND MINGLE.
