This week’s top happenings include a nostalgic birthday for retro party Shake, Rattle & Roll, a Mansion party in a church, and a whole lot of Movember.
Thursday: A Movember Party
Hotel Ocho, 195 Spadina. $10 advance donation , $15 donation at the door. Doors at 7 p.m.
Oh, is it November already? That means moustaches and prostate health and guys talking all about their junk. And, of course, THE PARTIES. Tonight is a legit “official” Movember jam. After Work Drinks Toronto and the Social Media Café , “an informal networking event for people who share an interest in social media,” bring you a simple, chill night for a good cause at The Hotel Ocho, which you know is one of my favourites . Donate 10 bucks in advance here or here or show up and shell out $15 at the door. You’ll get to rub elbows with Toronto’s social networking enthusiasts…and ‘stache-gaze! Donation includes one half pint of Spearhead beer and a raffle ticket for TBD prizes. Complimentary tapas, too. And all proceeds go to the Movember organization, of course. Find out more here .
PROTIP : If you can’t get enough Movember, there’s another party at Sneaky Dee’s in conjunction with the Young Lions Music Club. It kicks off at 9 p.m. Find out more here .
Friday: Mansion Presents Holy Trinity 001
Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square. $15 advance . Doors at 10 p.m.
Damn, what can I say about Mansion that I haven’t already? They know how to throw a party—and this one is in a church! While it’s not their first time going spiritual, the last church jam was freaky trippy and gooood, what with all the pews and lasers and shit. Friday night, they’re bringing you a Holy Trinity of killer acts: Para One from Paris will be joined by Toronto’s own John Roman and Rynecologist . They’ll make you stigmata all over the dancefloor. Find out more here .
Saturday: She Does The City Presents: #StayGolden
The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West. $5. Doors at 9 p.m.
If there’s one thing you can count on in this city besides late-night Chinese at New Ho King, it’s that the She Does The City babes know how to rock the fuck out. On Saturday, they’re setting up their jukebox at The Gladstone for a third time with #StayGolden, a.k.a. “a classic rock dance mess.” Cue that denim and bleach and leather. Your hosts for the night are SDTC resident photog Becca Lemire (one of the best girls I know) and DJ Cherry Pop, a.k.a. Laura Cilevitz, a comedienne most recently spotted on Comedy Network’s Match Game . As for the tunes: Joan Jett, Blondie, Led Zeppelin, CCR, Cream, Journey, The Animals, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Stones, and so on. And, of course, PRIZES. Do your best ’70s sashay for a chance at tees from local line Lilly Lab, an XXX gift bag from Condom Shack, a free mani from bomb-ass Pinky’s Nails, or a Pretty Freedom gift card. And a few other surprises you’ll just have to see for yourself. Find out more here .
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Saturday: Shake, Rattle & Roll turns two
Clinton’s Tavern, 639 Bloor Street West. $5. Doors at 10 p.m.
Heyyyy, remember when we digitally chilled with Bangs & Blush ? If the messy ’70s aren’t your speed, then maybe the swinging ’60s are your cup of tea—and nobody indulges that kind of nostalgia like the belles of Bloor Street West. While we’ve watched them corner the Annex market with retro parties like Beatlemania, their hallmark jam, Shake, Rattle & Roll, is gearing up to celebrate its big second birthday—and you’re all invited. Groove to the sweet sounds of yesteryear alongside gals doing their best Twiggy and guys doing their best Lennon. Heavy on The Supremes, please.
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Saturday: Beam Me Up Disco ft. Alister Johnson and Odario G. Williams
The Piston, 937 Bloor West. Free. Doors at 9 p.m.
In 1979, the dance genre went boom when records were blown up during a baseball game in Chicago’s Comiskey Park at the order of (idiot) shock jock Steve Dahl. It was “the day disco died.” As if. If you’re not feeling throwback rock, then let the boys behind A Digital Needle beam you up into a world where disco and rap intertwine. John from AND explains it better: “Few people seem to know, or at least acknowledge, disco’s connection with the history of rap music. While its earliest roots may lie much further back in history, the disco breaks that emcees rhymed over were to be the groundwork for the rap music we know today.” He’ll point you in the direction of pioneers like Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, The Sugarhill Gang, T-Ski Valley and Kurtis Blow. And this is what Beam Me Up does best: history lessons you can groove to. Last time we heard from these boys, they brought in ex-Sugar Jones member Maiko Watson for a live set. And they’re doing it again with Odario G. Williams, frontman of Grand Analog. Plus a set from Alister Johnston . There, I’ve given you all the genres—now you have no excuse not to go out on Saturday night. Find out more here .
