1. WOMEN IN DANCE
Created and performed exclusively by the city’s best female dancers, this performance includes contemporary dance, reggae, hip hop, ballet, jazz and Bollywood. The event is part girl power extravaganza, part fundraising endeavour; proceeds go to three Toronto women’s shelters, where the dancers will also volunteer. Nov. 27 and 28. $10–$30. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Stage Theatre, 5040 Yonge St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

2. CAVALCADE OF LIGHTS (FREE!)
The annual outdoor festival launches on Saturday with the lighting of the city hall Christmas tree and a concert featuring ex–Barenaked Lady Steven Page, jazz crooner Matt Dusk, Ottawa’s Keshia Chanté and electro-pop outfit Fritz Helder and the Phantoms. Post-concert, there’s a fireworks display and skating party. Nov. 28. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W., toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2009.

3. ORSON’S SHADOW
This fictionalized version of a true story is both a tale for the tabloids and a look at showbiz in the ’60s. For the gossip hounds, there’s the relationship drama: while directing Rhinoceros, Orson Welles, his career already in decline, clashes with star Laurence Olivier, who’s having an affair co-star Joan Plowright even though he’s still married to Vivien Leigh. For theatre nerds, there’s the play’s ruminations on stage versus screen, studio micromanagement and the rehearsal process. Nov. 27 to Dec. 12. $22.50. Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Ave., 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.

4. MALABAR FOOD FESTIVAL
The Indian region of Malabar is home to a distinct cuisine that reflects the influences of the region’s occupiers over the centuries—the Dutch, French, Portuguese and British. This festival is a chance to sample such authentic Malabar fare as oyster-coconut stew, pan-fried sardines, fish biryani and, for the very adventurous, pepper-fried bull testicles. Nov. 28 and 29. $25. Maroli, 630 Bloor St. W., 416-483-5393, maroli.ca.

5. ONE OF A KIND CHRISTMAS SHOW AND SALE
News reports (and pesky organized types) have already started counting down how many shopping days are left until the big day, but if you haven’t made a list, much less checked it twice, this long-running craft show is worth checking out. With art, jewellery, toys, fashion and food on offer, it’s a something-for-everyone kind of place. Nov. 26 to Dec. 6. $12. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd., oneofakindshow.com/xmas09.

6. LADY GAGA
The erstwhile Stefani Germanotta is quickly taking over the world (or at least the Top 40 charts), and we’re powerless to stop her—not that we’d want to. Catch Gaga at the ACC this Saturday, where she’s sure to put on an over-the-top show complete with pyrotechnics, very little in the way of pants and, we don’t know, giraffes or something. Nov. 28. $49.50–$57.50. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

7. LOVE IS A POVERTY YOU CAN SELL
A cast of actors, singers, drag performers, a nine-piece orchestra and various “bohemian riff-raff” take the stage in this Kurt Weill–inspired cabaret. Performances include Weill’s original works, as well as tunes from contemporary shows that took inspiration from his bold, theatrical style. Admission includes access to the after-party, which will feature pop-folk songstress MJ Cyr, burlesque babe Sarah Joy Bennett and a few surprises. Nov. 27 and 28. $15. Bread and Circus, 299 Augusta Ave., 416-336-3399, breadandcircus.ca.

8. KING TUT RETURNS
The boy king of ancient Egypt is back in Toronto for a short visit. The exhibit hasn’t been on display in the city since 1979, when it attracted over 750,000 visitors to the AGO during a two-month run. Now doubled in size, the show features over 100 artifacts from the tombs of Tutankhamen and other pharaohs. Nov. 24 to April 18. $32.50. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-977-0414, ago.net/kingtut.

9. TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL (FREE!)
This holiday market is an extension of the popular Ten Thousand Villages stores, one of the world’s largest fair-trade organizations. Pick up accessories, home decor, games, toys, food and coffee made by over 130 artisan groups from 35 African, Asian and Latin American countries. Nov. 27 to 29. 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.