1. 175th BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR TORONTO
Our fine city celebrates its b-day with stories from the local historians Bruce Bell and Richard Fiennes-Clinton, music and dancing. During intermission, party-goers will be served cakes typical of those made in Toronto over the past 175 years, courtesy of George Brown College and the Culinary Historians of Ontario. March 6, 7:30 p.m. $25. St. Lawrence Hall, The Great Hall, 157 King St. E., 416-865-1833.

2. BREAK THE SILENCE CONCERT
This benefit concert tops off a campaign in support of millions of children worldwide who are hungry, poor, exploited and abused. Go for the music (performers include Mississauga natives IllScarlett and singer-songwriter Louise Kent) and to see Free the Children founder Craig Kielburger, MTV’s Jessi Cruickshank and So You Think You Can Dance Canada’s Tré Armstrong. March 6, 8 p.m. $20 in advance only. Masonic Temple, 888 Yonge St., 416-925-5894, ext. 193, www.metowe.com/events/breakthesilence.

3. LETTERS TO MY GRANDMA
Based on her own experiences, this new one-woman offering from the Dora Award–winning actress and playwright Anusree Roy follows two women living in different eras. Malobee struggles with a new life in modern-day Toronto as her grandmother fights to survive in India during World War II. March 6, 8 p.m.; March 7, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; March 8, 4 p.m. $20, Saturday matinée PWYC. Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Ave., www.artsboxoffice.com.

4. INSIDE OUT SCREEN-A-THON
Inside Out has put a unique twist on its fundraiser. Sign up for the film fest’s first annual Screen-a-Thon and take in six hours of campy classics; nothing says support like sitting through Xanadu, Spice World and Can’t Stop the Music. March 7, 1–7. $25. Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave., www.insideout.on.ca.

5. SUMO ROBOT CHALLENGE 2009
OCAD students, designers, high school students and the general public battle it out in this tech-happy competition, an OCAD tradition since 1992. Homemade robots are pitted against one another in tug-of-war, dancing and combat contests. March 7, 1:30 p.m.–4 p.m. $5. OCAD, 100 McCaul St., 416-977-6000, ext. 337, www.ocad.ca.

6. YOUTH IMPROV EXTRAVAGANZA AND FAMILY OPEN HOUSE (FREE!)
Take your budding comic to Bad Dog Theatre’s kid-friendly afternoon of improv. Participate in workshops, kid, teen or youth programs, or take in a performance. It’s sure to be a laugh. March 7, noon–5 p.m. Bad Dog Theatre, 138 Danforth Ave., 416-491-3115, www.baddogtheatre.com.

7. THE ARTIST PROJECT
For the second year in a row, about 150 talented artists are taking over the Liberty Grand to showcase (and sell) their work. The four-day affair is a great opportunity to score some excellent contemporary art and chat up the artists. March 6 and 7, 11–8; March 8, 11–6. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Rd., Exhibition Place, 416-960-4527, www.theartistprojecttoronto.com.

8. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY STORYTELLING
This low-key celebration of International Women’s Day is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Join long-time storyteller Ruth Danziger as she relates the tale of Peg Bearskin, an unconventional heroine of Newfoundland folk tales, during this family-friendly event. March 8, 1 p.m. $8. Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Ave., 416-599-5321, www.textilemuseum.ca.

9. TORONTO’S HISTORIC MUSEUMS (FREE!)
In another part of Toronto’s 175th birthday celebrations, the city’s historic museums are offering free admission all weekend. Take advantage of the deal and check out Colborne Lodge, Fort York, Gibson House Museum, Mackenzie House, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Historical Museum, Spadina Museum, York Museum, Historic Zion Schoolhouse and Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre. To March 8, various times. Various locations, www.toronto.ca/litcity.