1. FRUGAL FASHION WEEK
The term “affordable fashion” may seem like an oxymoron, but this newcomer to the Toronto scene is doing its best to change that. Friday night’s launch party features a runway show by 69 Vintage at The Social ($5). On Saturday, start the weekend with The Drake’s three-course Frugalista Brunch ($35) and browsing designs from up-and-comers at the Underground Boutique. Such stores as Chasse Gardée, Champagne and Cupcakes, and Fawn will offer deep discounts and fall collection previews during the West Queen West shop crawl. July 23 to 26. Various locations, 647-222-9054, frugalfashionweek.com.

2. MASALA! MEHNDI! MASTI! (FREE!)
This interdisciplinary South Asian cultural festival has been spicing things up in the city for the past nine years, regularly attracting tens of thousands of visitors. There are lots of bargains at the daily Meena Bazaar, good eats from local restaurants and a jam-packed entertainment schedule. We recommend the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company’s performance of Wise Monkey and Foolish Crocodile, the retrospective of Lisa Ray’s film career (which includes a presentation of Deepa Mehta’s Water and a post-screening Q&A with the actress), and an all-bhangra party at Revival ($15–$20) cheekily titled “Luv to Bhang.” July 24 to 26. Exhibition Place, 200 Princes Blvd., 416-666-9494, masalamehndimasti.com.

3. KULTURA FILIPINO ARTS FESTIVAL
This four-year-old fest focuses on the cultural experience of second-generation Filipino-Canadians through visual arts, live music, spoken word, theatre, readings and short film. Look out for a performance by indie rocker Maylee Todd and Catherine Hernandez’s one-woman puppet show Eating With Lola. July 25. Bellevue Square (Kensington Market) and Kapisanan Philippine Centre, 167 Augusta Ave., 416-979-0600, kapisanancentre.com.

4. THE DAY MY FURNITURE CAME ALIVE (FREE!)
Every week, the National Film Board Mediatheque focuses on a new animation technique with a series of short films for kids. This time around, four pixilation flicks—Wiggles and Giggles, A Chairy Tale, The Magic Quilt and Orange—explore what happens when inanimate objects develop minds of their own. If the kids are eager, consider attending the accompanying workshops ($5). They’ll learn more about pixilation—a stop-motion technique in which live actors pose for a frame of footage, then change position slightly for the next frame—and how to make their own short film. Reservation required. July 25. National Film Board Mediatheque, 150 John St., 416-973-3012, onf-nfb.gc.ca.

5. TORONTO BURLESQUE FESTIVAL
Billed as a “four-day extravaganza of bump ’n’ grind,” this saucy festival promises to be scandalous good fun. Expect performances by burlesque troupes from Toronto, Montreal, NYC, San Fran and even Paris, as well as an art show and a marketplace. Wannabe performers can attend Burlesque University for workshops on everything from top-notch shimmy techniques to pin-up-style makeup tips. July 23 to 26. $20–$35, weekend pass $100. Various locations, torontoburlesquefestival.com.

6. KATY PERRY
Last summer’s inescapable single was Katy Perry’s slightly controversial “I Kissed a Girl.” The musical ode to the 20-something’s lip-locking preferences probably didn’t find fans in her parents, both preachers from California, but plenty of Top 40 listeners loved it. Perry’s latest chart topper, “Waking up in Vegas,” is another fun and less-than-wholesome track. Perry returns to Toronto this weekend for an open-air show at Molson Amphitheatre, where concert-goers can get their fill of saucy pop goodness. July 26. $20–$33.50. Molson Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

7. PORTOBELLO EAST FASHION AND ART MARKET GRAND OPENING
A brand new fashion and art market is taking over the Distillery District this weekend. Portobello East, the T-Dot cousin to Vancouver’s popular Portobello West Market, was inspired by famed, long-running markets around the world, such as Spitalfields in London. Toronto’s version will be held on the last Sunday of every month and promises to be the city’s next go-to spot to find apparel, accessories, jewellery and art by local designers. July 26. $5. Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill St., Bldg. 6 and 7, 416-628-3184, portobelloeast.com.

8. SYNTHFEST ’09
Like today’s Auto-Tune, in the ’80s, everyone from Frank Zappa to Peter Gabriel made use of the synthesizer. The instrument was so popular an entirely new musical genre—synth-pop—evolved around its use and led to such chart toppers as Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” and Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough.” However, since the glory days of 1984, the one-time recording necessity has mostly fallen by the wayside. But as the saying goes, everything old is new again. Check out the city’s burgeoning synth-pop scene at this weekend’s SynthFest ’09. Performances include sets by Adolf Glitter, Henrietta Lacks and OPOPO, plus a special DJ set by Toronto duo Cobra Cut. July 24 and 25. One day $7, two days $12. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave., synthfest.ca.