In this edition of The Weekender, free comic books, a giant party at the ROM and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.
Jane’s Walk 2014 (FREE!)
The annual tribute to Jane Jacobs returns for another year of free, outdoor guided tours led by community volunteers. Some sure bets include journalist John Lorinc’s tour of the remnants of Toronto’s first low-income neighbourhood, and councillor Adam Vaughan’s tour of Ward 20. May 2–4. FREE. Various venues, janeswalk.org
Friday Night Live at the ROM: Party of the Century
The ROM’s Friday Night Live series kicks off its comeback with a party spanning multiple museum floors. Mainstage performers will include Juno award winner Buck 65. Meanwhile, on the second floor, Canadian hip-hop progenitor Maestro Fresh Wes will be doing a set with Michie Mee. Attendees will be able to buy food from vendors like Gourmet Gringos, and there will be will be opportunities to tour the galleries and meet museum staff. Advance tickets are sold out, but some will be available at the door. May 2. $12 door.Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, rom.on.ca
Toronto Jewish Film Festival
This year’s Toronto Jewish Film Festival will include a Sunday special presentation of The Pin, which is being billed as “the first and only Yiddish feature ever produced in Canada.” The two leads had to learn the language for their roles—a process presumably much more intense than what most young Jews do when they want to connect with the lingo of their grandparents, which is browse The Joys of Yiddish for old-world insults. The film is a love story about two teenagers forced to hide in a Lithuanian barn during World War II. It’s one of dozens of movies screening in different venues over the festival’s ten-day run. Until May 11. Tickets $13, matinees $8. Various venues, tjff.com
Free Comic Book Day (FREE!)
The name really says it all. Go to any participating comic shop (you can search for locations here) and get special-edition comics, gratis. One store to consider visiting is The Beguiling (601 Markham St.), where comic book creators like Ed Piskor and Tom Scioli will be on hand to meet fans. May 3. Free. Various venues, freecomicbookday.com
Toronto Global Marijuana March (FREE!)
Anyone who wants Toronto to go the way of Colorado should consider joining the 16th-annual Global Marijuana March. It’s unfair to stereotype these things, but it seems safe to say that participants are guaranteed a contact high, at least. May 3. FREE. Queens Park and Charles St., globalmarijuanamarch.ca