Realizing I’ve been getting behind in the movie viewing again, so I’m happy to say that the schedule has allowed for some excursions into those dark rooms with a bunch of strangers and the aroma of popcorn. Little thing about me: I’m satisfied inhaling that salty, buttery popcorn scent but don’t order it myself, as popcorn = thirsty and thirsty = drink and drink = pee and pee = missing part of the movie. Also, as I’m getting older, I need to watch the salt intake. But it’s all good. And I digress.

Last night, I went with my pal Lizzie Violet to see Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie. This was something I was really looking forward to – not just because I’d be going to see it with a great friend, but because it was amazing that we were able to find a day we could both go. I’m usually…

Last night’s edition of The Beautiful and the Damned was dedicated to the Day of the Dead, with featured dead celeb Frida Kahlo – hosted by the lovely and talented Lizzie Violet, who introduced the evening’s features and open mic artists, as well as exercising our minds with trivia about Kahlo. The Art Gallery of Ontario has an upcoming exhibit of Kahlo and Rivera’s work, opening October 20: http://www.ago.net/frida-diego-passion-politics-and-painting

Philip Cairns: hilarious poems about friends – quirky, loved, neurotic, former fuckbuddy, male, female, depressive, bipolar, a love of ugly Fendi bags and a nod to Gordon Pinsent.

Mark Martyre: usually a musician, read some poetry – internal, reflective, self-deprecating even, bravely breaking out of his comfort zone.

Devin Edwards: existential flow of consciousness poetry, at times erotic, sensuous, everyday intimacy – “the heat of a toilet seat” – and a sonnet of loss, love and pain.

Host Lizzie Violet read…

Hey kids – happy Hump Day! Wanted to shout out some great arts events and music gigs happening in Toronto this week:

Tonight (Wednesday, October 10):Sarah Polley’s documentary Stories We Tellwill be screening in support of the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation of Toronto, with proceeds going to the Mount Sinai Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. There will be a chat with Sarah afterwards! Check here for details: http://www.mshfoundation.ca/SSLPage.aspx?pid=1804

Also tonight: Craig Stickland and his band play a gig at the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.); doors at 9 p.m. – $10 cover. You can find Craig here:  http://www.craigstickland.com/

Also tonight: Angela Saini plays at the Great Hall (1087 Queen St. W.) for the Girls Who Believe event; 8 p.m. – advance tickets $15. Check out Angela here: http://www.angelasaini.com/fr_home.cfm

Thursday, October 11: The Beautiful and the Damned, hosted by Lizzie Violet – with features Duncan Armstrong, Monica Kuebler…