Opera AtelierBruce Zinger
ART & MUSEUMS
Inuit Modern: The Samuel and Esther Sarick Collection
Opening today, a sprawling retrospective on the transformation of Inuit art in the 20th century, with 175 works seen as a response to destabilizing transition from a traditional lifestyle to a more perilous "modern" one. $11 to $19.50. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648 .
Pascal Grandmaison: Soleil Différé
The poetic photographer presents light in, well, a different light. With pictures and moving images, the Quebec artist considers the sun and its generally awesome attributes. To April 30 (opening reception, with artist in attendance, today from 2 to 4 p.m.). Free. Jessica Bradley Art + Project, 1450 Dundas St. W., 416-537-3125 .
CONCERTS
Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks: Heart and Soul Tour
The raspy, hit-heavy Scotsman has the gold-dusted Fleetwood Mac singer as his opening act and duet partner. Some guys really do have all the luck. Saturday, 8 p.m., $86.25 to $166.25, Air Canada Centre, 855-985-5000 .
An Evening with Jackson Browne
Reportedly appearing with 18 acoustic guitars at his disposal (and many more songs than that from a fluid set list), the tank of Running on Empty singer is decidedly full, judging from various warm reviews of the troubadour's recent Canadian performances. April 5, 8 p.m. $49.50 to $109.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 .
Angela Gheorghiu
Not since HBO's popular New Jersey gangster series have we been so excited by a soprano. The tempestuous Romanian, who recently pulled herself out of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Gounod's Faust, makes her long-awaited Toronto debut performance in a program of arias with the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra. April 7, 8 p.m. $59.50 to $169.50. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255 .
Tafelmusik
Beethoven's anthemic Symphony No. 9, Ludwig's last but not least, is performed by the period orchestra and choir. Tafelmusik has performed all of Beethoven's symphonies save for his ninth, which should make for an especially joyous singing of Ode to Joy. April 7 to 10. $45 to $95. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-2824.
CLUBS
Jessica Lea Mayfield
"I can't make myself look good in every song. If I've made myself look bad in real life, then I'm gonna [bleeping]write about it." The blunt Ohio singer-songwriter sings coolly, hauntingly and candidly; to her, "pose" is the worst of the four-letter words. April 4, 10:15 p.m. $15.50 to $18. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. , 855-985-5000.
DANCE
Project 3/2/1
It takes two to tango, but six to tangle: An intertwining world premiere of three pieces - a trio from Antonija Livingstone, a duet from Martin Bélanger and a solo from Ame Henderson - is performed by Dancemakers' six dancers, who, over six nights, each tackle the solo once, the duet twice (once in each role) and the trio three times (also once in each role). April 6 to 17. $18 to $25. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 55 Mill St., 416-367-1800 .
Blue Ceiling Dance and Marc Boivin
A shared program couples the Montreal dancer-choreographer Marc Boivin (who unveils a new solo to original music composed for a string quartet by the suave singer-songwriter Sarah Slean) with an autobiographical, multidisciplinary piece by Lucy Rupert, the founder and director of Montreal's imaginative Blue Ceiling Dance. April 7 to 9, 8 p.m. $33.50. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000 .
COMEDY
Wit's End III: Love Life
Love life, as in adoring one's own situation. The concluding chapter in Sandra Shamas three-part series of one-woman shows finds the frank monologist at post-menopausal peace. To Sunday, 8 pm. $25 to $65. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 416-872-5555 .
Raising The Roof
The three-night laugh fest in benefit for the homeless continues. Tonight (7:30 and 9:30 p.m., $34.95, Rivoli), Kids in the Hall's outrageous Scott Thompson hosts Ryan Belleville, Rebecca Kohler and others, while tomorrow finds whip-smart Steve Patterson of CBC Radio's The Debaters introducing the charismatic likes of Shaun Majumder and more (7:30 p.m. $150, Second City). raisingtheroof.org .
THEATRE
Ghost Stories
More humour than horror, an evening of fictional lecture and spooky entertainment is doing frightfully good business on London's West End. A North American premiere sports an all-Canadian cast. Indefinite run. $49 to $79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., 416-872-1212.
The War of the Worlds
Only an April fool would miss a retro re-imagining of H.G. Wells's masterpiece of alien invasion and human paranoia. A staged radio drama, presented by the musically ambitious Art of Time Ensemble, hoaxes and theatrically persuades panic. Saturday (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.). $25 to $59. Enwave Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
Our Class
What treachery do want to commit when you grow up? From Tadeusz Slobodzianek, a startling drama about communal guilt begins with the upright ambitions of Polish school children and ends in a Second World War atrocity. April 7 to 30 (previews begin April 4). $22 to $49. Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs, 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110.
Our Town
Set at the turn of the 20th century, Thornton Wilder's stylish reconstruction of small-town Americana features death aplenty. But life, be it bitter or be it sweet, goes on. Soulpepper remounts its popular ensemble production from 2006. Opens April 13 (previews begin April 7). $45 to $60. Young Centre, 55 Mill St., 416-866-8666.
LITERARY & LECTURE
An Evening with Dr. Jane Goodall
Proving that there's no business like monkey business, the world-renowned primatologist keeps a busy lecture schedule. Here she speaks in conjunction with the ROM's environmentally concerned Water exhibition. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. $65 (tickets limited; reception sold out). Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, 416-586-5797.
Noam Chomsky
The U.S. linguist, left-wing author and political dissident spells out the peril involved in the cozy relationship between the state and corporate America, a partnership he sees as a formidable threat to democracy. April 7, 1 p.m. (Q&A session follows talk). $10 to $20. Great Hall at Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, 416-978-8849.
SPORTS
Jose Bautista Bobblehead
He's an excellent ballplayer, but if you think Jose Bautista will repeat his 54-home-run outburst this season you should give your head a shake. Better yet, shake his: The first 10,000 fans who show up for Sunday's tilt against the Minnesota Twins receive a not-to-scale likeness of the popular Blue Jay slugger. Sunday, 1:07 p.m. $11 to $210. Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, 416-341-1234.
Thoroughbred Opening Day
While baseball's Blue Jays are expected to run more on the basepaths this year, the real speedsters are at Woodbine Racetrack. You can bet on it. Saturday, 1 p.m. 555 Rexdale Blvd., 416-675-7223.
FUNDRAISER
Opera Atelier: Silver Anniversary Versailles Gala
Perhaps offering a sneak listen to its upcoming production of Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito, the baroque specialists throw a party in the lavish style of Versailles, with a special performance by the star soprano Measha Brueggergosman, also lavishly styled. April 6, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. $400. The Carlu, 444 Yonge St., 416-616-4660.
Canadian Opera Company Fine Wine Auction
The '66 Château Lafite Rothschild is going for an aria. April 7, 8 p.m. $85. Crush Wine Bar, 455 King St. W., 416-363-8231.
FILM
Images Festival
Since 1988, the experimental film festival has celebrated the uncelebrated. Many newer micro festivals have come along to share the load, but Images continues on, offering such commendable programs as Reframing Africa (April 4 and 5, 9 p.m., PWYC, Jackman Hall). The two-part series creates a forum for African storytelling, at a time when many African countries are struggling to keep their cinemas open, while in mainstream films the continent serves as an exotic locale. To April 9. Various venues, imagesfestival.com.
FREE
Ping!: A Celebration of New Music for Young Musicians
They may not be on your radar as of yet, but promising composers are to have their new works of classical string music performed by young players. April 5, 8 p.m. Royal Conservatory Theatre, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208.
FAMILY
Toronto Zoo
We can't decide which giraffe of two to foster - it's neck and neck, as you might imagine. Consider the Adopt an Animal program, wherein zoo supporters underwrite a specific creature's care and attention. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $13 to $23. 361 Finch Ave., 416-392-5929.
Sprockets
Highlights of the wildly popular film festival for young people include the opening-night world premiere of Pixar's newest Toy Story short, Hawaiian Vacation. Elsewhere, take in a concert by La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra, preceding the screening of The Sound of Mumbai: A Musical (April 9, 4 p.m.). April 5 to 17. $8.50 to $12.TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433.
ALSO HAPPENING
One of Kind Show To Sunday. Direct Energy Centre, oneofakindshow.com.
International Home & Garden Show To April 3, International Centre, home-show.net.
Cinéfranco To Sunday. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 416-599-8433.
Toronto Silent Film Festival To April 7. Innis Town Hall, ebk-ink.com/tsff/home.html.
bwheeler@globeandmail.com