Chromeo
ART & MUSEUMS
Wall-to-Wall: A History of Carpeting in Toronto
Please take your shoes off for an exhibit of domestic carpeting, plush with carpet-related artifacts and explorations of home comfort, decorative fashion and household hygiene. Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. $3.81 to $7.62. Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd., 416-392-6910.
Kai Chan: A Spider's Logic
What an awesome web she weaves: Spanning 35 years of her award-winning practice, the retrospective celebrates the breadth of Kai Chan's imagination. On Wednesday (6:30 p.m.), curator Sarah Quinton leads a tour of massive twig-and-thread sculptures, fragile stick constructions and newer thread-and-nail installations. To May 1. $6 to $15. Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Ave., 416-599-5321.
CONCERTS
Ghost Opera
Chai Found Music Workshop, the resourceful chamber-music ensemble from China, use unorthodox instruments - not voices - to summon dead spirits in Tan Dun's out-of-this-world five-part composition. Jan. 25, 8 p.m. , $15 to $60. Koerner Hall, 272 Bloor St. W,. 416 504-1282.
Anne Lindsay
Eloquent, jazzy or fiery by turns, the singer-fiddler's latest album Hurry on Home includes updated mountain-music duets and hip hop done Cape Breton-style. What will she think of next? Find out Tuesday. Jan. 25, 8 p.m. $10 to $20. Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren Ave., 416-822-9781.
CLUBS
Gordon Lightfoot Tribute
The word is that there is standing room left for the celebration of the works of Gordon Lightfoot performed by Lori Cullen, Matt Barber and other special talents, but you know a seat has been set aside for the Sundown singer himself as he often drops in on these annual shows. Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 p.m. $35 to $37.50. Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604.
Ms. Lauryn Hill
The enigmatic and gifted hip-hop singer and former Fugee looks to pick up the plot again with a comeback tour that, thus far, has been marked by unexpected re-imaginations of her own material and fluid arrival times to the stage. Saturday, 9 p.m. $68.75 to $83.75 (sold out). Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 1-855-985-5000.
Lissie
Elisabeth Maurus, the heart-stealing American alt-folk singer with a voice that is angelic and come-hither husky at once, builds on her "One To Watch" status of 2010. Jan. 24, 9 p.m . $15 (sold out). Opera House, 735 Queen St. E .
LITERARY AND LECTURE
An Evening With Spike Lee
Mo' better blues - and jazz and soul and hip hop. In celebration of Black History Month, a presentation of film and conversation with the director Clement Virgo and the influential filmmaker and ubiquitous New York Knickerbocker fan Spike Lee focuses on the role of music in the latter's films. Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. $16.50 to $20 (sold out). Cineplex Odeon Varsity Theatre, 55 Bloor St. W.
Robert J. Sawyer
Smile - you're on Google Street View camera! The noted sci-fi author talks about the high cost of privacy in a mouse-click world. Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Free (register at institute.ischool.utoronto.ca ). The iSchool Institute, 140 St. George St., 416-978-7111.
FILM
The 8 Fest
Just how super is Super 8? The third annual festival celebrates 70 years of small-gauge film, as used in experimental works, collages, cut-ups and all manner of easy and artful presentation. Jan. 28 to 30. $5. Trash Palace, 89B Niagara St., Toronto, the8fest.com.
Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star
She fluttered her eyelashes and the starlet system was born. A massive exhibition of photographs, posters and memorabilia, accompanied by screenings of three of the silent-cinema sensation's films, explore the legacy of one of Canada's pioneering artistic figures. To July 3. Free. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-968-3456.
SPORT
Koop Cup
For the opportunity to watch some of the world's top rhythmic gymnasts perform, fans of the graceful exhibition have been known to jump through hoops. Jan. 22, 9 a.m. John Bassett Theatre, 255 Front St. W., 877-700-3130 .
DANCE
Dance Ontario's Dance Weekend
What's on tap: flamenco, contemporary, urban, African, ballroom, jazz, Chinese, ballet, bharatanatyam and kathak dance. Most every style, it would seem, except for, well, tap. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m. PWYC ($10 minimum donation). Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-204-1083.
This Is Dance
Six choreographers, four objects and three months to create a work - what it all adds up to is on display at the Winchester Street Theatre, where audience members are invited to join in post-performance discussions. Saturday, 8 p.m. $12 to $15. 80 Winchester St., 647-349-1875.
EVENT
Monster Jam
Kick these tires, and they'll kick back. Big vehicles put the truck in truculence at Rogers Centre. Trucks entertain with jumps, stunts and thrills. Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). $28.55 to $61.80. Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, 855-985-5000.
Robbie Burns Day Celebration
A tribute to the Scotland's favourite son involves bagpipes and sheep innards. (Makes you wonder how they celebrate their lesser heroes. Just sayin'.) Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m. $3.33 to $5.71, Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., 416-392-6915.
COMEDY
Smash the Roof: An All Woman Comedy Show
The "roof" being the glass ceiling under which women comics operate. All-star laugh-makers Debra DiGiovanni, Sabrina Jalees, Nikki Glaser and host Ali Wong go on a gender bender. Saturday, 8 p.m. $35 to $65. Hammerson Hall, 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga, Ont., 905-306-6000.
Lisa Lampanelli
Don't sit in the front row. Seriously, don't do it. The rough-cut comedienne hurls R-rated insults and politically incorrect zingers that would make Don Rickles blush. Saturday, 8 p.m. $49.75 . Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255.
That's What She Said!
In advance of her February concert at the Winter Garden Theatre, clever monologist Sandra Shamas and others (including the offbeat Nikki Payne) do standup in benefit of Gilda's Club. Jan. 24, 8:30 p.m. $30 to $35., Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas W, Toronto, 416-531-6604.
THEATRE
Questo Buio Feroce (The Wild Darkness)
Described as a "whirling funeral turned strange carnival," a dream-line Italian drama is offered by Compagnia Pippo Delbono. Jan. 26 to 29, 8 p.m. $49. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
Barrymore
One iconic actor plays another when the Tony-winning Christopher Plummer inhabits the fedora-wearing, high-jinks-enjoying matinee idol John Barrymore. Jan. 27 to March 9. $55 to $150. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 416-872-5555.
Eternal Hydra
It began life as a one-act play commissioned by the Stratford Festival and unveiled in 2002. In association with Crow's Theatre, Factory remounts Anton Piatigorsky's Eternal Hydra, a provocative era-jumping literary detective story that collared four Dora Awards last year. Jan. 27 to Feb. 13 (in previews now; $15). $23 to $40. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971.
The Dining Room
The room where families dine is as much about passing the time as it is passing the peas. A.R. Gurney's biting examination of the pretensions of the American well-to-do takes place over a number of years with many characters, presented as a series of overlapping vignettes set in the same room. To Feb. 6. $25 (Sundays, PWYC). Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen St. W., 416-597-0227.
FREE
Sultans of Strings
You've never seen anything like them in any amusement hall, or anywhere else, for that matter. The genre-blurring string band offers unique material, including a cover The Who's Pinball Wizard. Jan. 28, 9 p.m. University of Toronto's Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle, 416-978-2452.
FAMILY
Mosaic: A Festival of Stories From Around the World
A series that runs to April 17 opens with The King's Feast, a riddling series of stories told with music, dance and guessing games. Sunday, 3 p.m. PWYC ($5 suggested donation). St. David's Anglican Church, 49 Donlands Ave., 416-469-2878.
HOT TICKET
A joyful band gives two highly anticipated concerts this weekend, the first night sold out, the second one not quite. The band, approved by the musical tastemakers, has played all the big-time late-night talk shows. Do we speak of Robert Plant and the Band of Joy? Could be, but no - not in this case.
The band we refer to is Chromeo, a sharp and jocular electro-funk duo from Montreal comprising Patrick Gemaye (a.k.a. P-Thugg, on keyboards, synthesizers, and old-school talk box) and David Macklovitch (a highly-educated fellow who works professionally under the name Dave 1, on guitars and lead vocals.)
Last year the irreverent pair, who make no apologies for their admiration of Hall and Oates, released its third album, Business Casual; Saturday and Sunday find the former childhood pals at the Opera House.
For a taste of what to expect, see the band's video (at chromeo.net) for Hot Mess, a fun, squishy track with falsetto vocals and a plastic sheen that recalls Eddie Murphy's Party All the Time, a hot-tub time-machine visit from 1985. Chromeo's video involves the two principals as hapless cops harangued by a ball-busting lady police chief. Synchronized swimmers come into play, as do steamy locker rooms and nicely-toweled female constables. Much joy, as you might well imagine.
Chromeo plays the Opera House, Saturday (9 p.m.) and Sunday (8 p.m.) $33.50. 735 Queen St. E., 416-870-8000.
ALSO HAPPENING
Canadian Motorsports Expo Saturday and Sunday. International Centre. canadianmotorsportsexpo.com.
Total Wedding Show Saturday and Sunday. International Centre. totalweddingshow.com.
Toronto International Design Festival Jan. 24 to 30. Various venues. tidfonline.com.
Winterlicious Jan. 28 to Feb. 10. toronto.ca.
BOOKING AHEAD
Soulpepper's Oleanna Jan. 29 to March 5. Young Centre, 416-866-8666.
COC's Nixon in China Feb. 5 to 26. Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231.
Jenn Grant Feb. 19. Opera House, 416-870-8000.
National Home Show Feb. 18 to 27. Direct Energy Centre, 416-263-3000.
Janet Jackson March 12 and 13. Sony Centre, 416-870-8000.
Rod Stewart & Stevie Nicks April 2. Air Canada Centre, 416-870-8000.
bwheeler@globeandmail.com