THIS WEEK IN TORONTO - OCTOBER 18-24

1) Asian Arts Freedom School - Vivek Shraya

You don’t want to miss this special writing workshop facilitated by Vivek Shraya focusing on creative and editing processes and techniques derived from working on his collection of short stories, God Loves Hair.

When: Tuesday October 19, 6-8:30pm
Where: Kapisanan Centre (in the basement), 167 Augusta Avenue

2) Book Launch: Imagining Toronto

Amy Lavender Harris will launch her long-awaited new book, Imagining Toronto. This is also Mansfield's 10th anniversary party, and other books launching the same evening will include Leigh Nash's Goodbye, Ukulele, Peter Norman's At The Gates Of The Theme Park, Natasha Nuhanovic's Stray Dog Embassy and Priscila Uppal's Winter Sport: Poems.

When: Tuesday October 19, 7pm - Wednesday October 20, 1am
Where: The Boat, 158 Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market

3) imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is an international festival in Toronto that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples on the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio, and new media. The works accepted reflect the diversity of the world's Indigenous nations and illustrate the vitality and excellence of our art and culture in contemporary media.

Ticket pricing here.

When: Wednesday October 20, 1pm - Sunday October 24, 9pm
Where: See here for events and locations.

4) Rakkatak's Cd Release

Rakkatak is Anita Katakkar's solo project, incorporating Indian classical rhythms, lustrous melodies, tabla soaked electronica and waves of synths. She collaborates with like minded Toronto musicians to create an atmospheric backdrop for her work.

Cover: $15 (including cd)

When: Wednesday October 20, 8-11:30pm
Where: The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington just south of Dundas West

5) The Middle Place

Project: Humanity's The Middle Place starts this week at Theatre Passe Muraille. Come see this new version of the play, further developed since our SummerWorks showing.

When: Thursday October 21, 7:30pm - Saturday November 13, 10pm
Where: Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue, just north of Queen
St. West, east of Bathurst Street

6) Book Launch: Echoes of the Other Land

You are invited to the book launch of Echoes from the Other Land, a collection of short stories by Ava Homa. Event is free. Books will be available to purchase at the launch, along with author signing, readings and light refreshments.

When: Friday October 22, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Beit Zatoun House, 612 Markham Street (Bathurst Station, beside Honest Eds)

7) Latin-Afro-South Asian Festival

The Latin-Afro-South Asian Festival is a 3-day contemporary multi-disciplinary arts festival that shows the fusion between the different cultures and roots of the Latin American, African and South Asian artists involved and the influence of the multicultural society where they work and reside.

October 22, 2010 - LULA LOUNGE - Music, Dance and Video
October 30, 2010 - TRANE STUDIO – Music and Dance
November 5, 2010 – GLADSTONE HOTEL – Music and Dance

Cover: $5

When: Friday October 22, 7:30pm
Where: Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W.

8) Canzine 2010: Canada's Largest Festival of Zines and Underground Culture

Over 100 zines, book publisher, comic artists and crafters will take over The Great Hall. Plus play homemade video games on the Hand Eye Society's video console and buy tiny poems from the Toronto Poetry Vendors poem vending machine.

Cost: $5 at the door. Includes a copy of the fall issue of Broken Pencil.

When: Sunday October 24, 1-7pm
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West (Dovercourt and Queen)