The Normal Heart returns to Buddies in Bad Times this week (Image: John Karastamatis)
1. SOUPSTOCK
In the wake of last year’s wildly successful Foodstock, over 200 chefs from across Canada—among them, Susur Lee, Anthony Walsh, J.P. Challet and Jamie Kennedy, Aaron Joseph Bear Robe and just about every other famous Toronto chef you’ve ever heard of—are gathering, spoon held high, at Woodbine Park to protest the Melancthon Mega-Quarry. The event is BYOBAS (bring your own bowl and spoon) and will take place rain or shine, so come prepared—though a poncho might be a good idea anyway if you’re prone to spills. All funds go to the Canadian Chefs’ Congress and the David Suzuki Foundation. October 21. $10 for 3 servings. Woodbine Park, Lake Shore Blvd. E. and Coxwell Ave., soupstock.ca
Documentaries once had a reputation for being sleepy, low-production affairs. That’s all changed in recent times, thanks in no small part to 18-year old Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary film festival. The ten-day Toronto celebration announced its 2011 schedule today, listing 170 non-fiction flicks—some scintillating, some controversial and others thoroughly glitzy. This year’s festival runs from April 28 to May 8, and includes entries from from 35 countries. Here, our cheat sheet on some of the highlights. 
