1. JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS
The classic French cabaret has been kicking around since the 1960s, when it was first performed off-Broadway at the Village Gate theatre in Greenwich Village. Featuring the music of the legendary cabaret performer Jacques Brel, this incarnation is performed by Open Corps, a new Toronto-based collective. To March 28, 7:30 p.m. $20. Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W., 416-276-3241.

2. SHARKWATER (FREE!)
Presented by U of T’s Students Against Climate Change, the shark-friendly doc, which showed at TIFF in 2006, is both visually stunning and shocking. Created by Toronto’s Rob Stewart, gorgeous underwater cinematography is juxtaposed with images of sharks killed for their valuable fins. Shark activist Bob Timmons will be available for questions after the screening. March 27, 7:30 p.m. OISE, 252 Bloor St. W., Room 2214, www.studentsagainstclimatechange.blogspot.com.

3. EARTH HOUR CONCERT (FREE!)
Don’t spend this year’s Earth Hour sitting in the dark, staring at a blank TV screen. Head over to Nathan Phillips Square for a family-friendly concert with performances by We Will Rock You’s Suzie McNeil, Afro-Brazilian percussion troupe Samba Squad and Karl Wolf, the man responsible for this year’s biggest remake of an ’80s megahit, “Africa.” For homebodies who still want to join in, the lights go off between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. March 28, 7 p.m. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W., www.toronto.ca.

4. TORONTO: 175 YEARS—A STORY WITH JAZZ (FREE!)
Storyteller Jim Blake and a jazz trio join forces to tell the tale of Toronto’s past, inspired by the Market Gallery’s Lit City exhibit, Toronto Through the Eyes of Authors and Artists. Reservation required. March 28, 11 a.m. St. Lawrence Market South, 95 Front St. E., 416-392-7604, www.toronto.ca/litcity.

5. OPERA TO GO
Putting a new spin on opera, this program features provocative and often funny short operas by composers Glenn James (One Lump or Two?, described as Arsenic and Old Lace meets Hitchcock), Stephen Andrew Taylor (My Mother’s Ring) and William Rowson (The Virgin Charlie). Post-intermission, the evening is capped off by a staging of Abigail Richardson’s one-act The Perfect Screw. To March 29, 3 p.m. $40. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, www.tapestrynewopera.com.

6. THE MOST RACES SHOW ON EARTH
This year marks the fifth anniversary of this multicultural comedy show. It’s funny, edgy and the antithesis of the term “politically correct”; it’s also been called a “culture-building endeavour” by creator Neil Bansil. This year’s show features comedians of African, Jamaican, Italian and Taiwanese descent. March 29, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $35. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., www.themostracesshowonearth.com.

7. FARM TO HOME FAIR
Local foodies will love this Slow Food Toronto event hosted by The Gladstone. Aside from the yummy apps prepared by the Gladstone’s chef, Marc Breton, there’s live music by the Strumbellas and a kid-friendly activity room. But the big draw is the chance to chat with local food producers and learn ways to buy directly from them and ditch the grocery store. March 28, 1–4:30. $10. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., 2nd flr., 416-978-8849, www.toronto.slowfood.ca.

8. THE FEMALE EYE FILM FESTIVAL
The biggest and brightest Toronto film event may not be until September, but this weekend’s Female Eye Film Festival is further proof that movie buffs have plenty of options year-round. This seven-year-old fest puts ladies first, screening top-quality flicks by new, emerging and established filmmakers from Canada and abroad. Look out for Paper Dolls, a doc about World War II–era Australian pin-ups, and Damn, a dark comedy by local director Penelope Buitenhuis. To March 29, various times. $10 per film. Various locations, 905-264-7731, www.femaleeyefilmfestival.com.

9. TORONTO’S ULTIMATE TRAVEL SHOW
Dreams of a springtime getaway may be taking a back seat to bills, but that’s no reason to avoid this year’s Ultimate Travel Show. Seminars, entertainment and samples of snacks and drinks make it easy to get a taste of different cultures, including those of Africa, Cuba and Hong Kong. At the very least, it’s fodder for workday fantasies. March 27, 4–9; March 28, 10–6; March 29, 10–5. $12. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., North Building, www.totravelshow.com.