June 30

Buck 65 and Kinnie Starr
Hip hop gets remoulded and remodelled in the genre-mashing music of these two Canadian performers. From France-by-way-of-Halifax, Buck 65 is famed for his strength as a storyteller, spinning contemporary tales of love and loathing over ramshackle musical backgrounds. West Coast counterpart Kinnie Starr recently added a slick pop sheen to her characteristic mix of grrrl-positive slacker folk and hip-hop beats.
Where: The Opera House, 735 Queen St. E., 416-466-0313
How much: $18.

Blue Jays
The Jays begin three days of games against the Philadelphia Phillies. Will A.J. continue to live up to the hype?
Where: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way.
How much: $2–$68.

Harlem Duet
At the Stratford Festival, Djanet Sears directs her Governor General’s Award–winning 1997 play, Harlem Duet, a sort of prequel to Othello. The Moor (Nigel Shawn Williams) leaves his black first wife, Billie (the potent Karen Robinson), for privileged, white Mona, i.e., Desdemona (Sophia Walker). Sears’s play explores the many personal and political aspects of Othello’s choice.
Where: Studio Theatre (at George St. and Waterloo St.), 1-800-567-1600, Stratford
How much: $41.40–$117.30.

July 1

Edgefest I
Edge 102.1’s annual summer shebang comes in two parts this year—alterna-rock fans can enjoy the July 16 bill, topped by Yellowcard and the All-American Rejects, while more patriotic concert-goers will prefer this Canada Day edition. Headliners Our Lady Peace are joined by Victoria new wave popsters Hot Hot Heat and the hot young British band Keane, among others.
Where: Molson Amphitheatre, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-870-8000
How much: $22.50–$48.50.

Toronto Zoo
Kick off Canada Day at the zoo, with buskers, face painting and free birthday cake (served at 2 p.m., while supplies last).
Where: Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave., 416-392-5900
How much: adults $19, seniors $13, children $11.

Power of Place
Harbourfront’s Power of Place festival features three days of multimedia activities, but the centrepiece is the musical lineup, as varied as it is patriotic. Catch performances throughout the day by Montreal critical darlings The Dears; Broken Social Scene guitarist Jason Collett; Quebec’s Les Batinses; Mother, a delightfully odd Vancouver indie-pop band; and Ndidi Onukwulu, a British Columbia–born, Toronto-based singer who’s making news with her bewitching blend of jazz and blues.
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000
How much: free.

Casa Loma
For three days starting today, the Estate Gardens of Casa Loma, the city’s downtown castle, become a Renaissance-style village—complete with colourful local characters, market vendors and cameos by members of King Henry VIII’s court. Aspiring knights can practise spear throwing and archery skills, then take an up-close look at birds of prey, those noble knightly companions of yore.
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terr., 416-923-1171
How much: adults $12, youth $7.50, children $6.75.