ach long weekend in the summer, urban tumbleweeds (aka smog balls) creep in from the sea and sylvan outreaches. They have heard tales of an overcrowded DVP/404 and have taken the rumours as a cue to invade the city's temporarily abandoned streets; to roll along thoroughfares unabated, morbidly waiting for duels and showdowns from the ennui-suffering forsaken. However, they will be disappointed. This August long weekend (thank you, John Graves Simcoe) the city will buzz with activity, cultural, musical, and alcoholic.

Of a long weekend the regular din of the city quiets, almost imperceptibly. Suburban interlopers and moneyed cottage owners disappear, taking coveted decibels with them; it is all the better to hear the music. This weekend is awash in aural opportunities. On Friday, trend jumpers should head out to Sherbourne's mythical bird for latest UK songstress, Duffy. Ebullient, frenetic, and tap dance-tastic, Omaha quintet, Tilly and the Wall, bring their sunny pop back to the Mod Club on Saturday while the Black Keys unleash their rag tag dirt rock on the Phoenix on Sunday. Nothing closes out an extended weekend like a shiny love duo pop: Mates of State take over Lee's Palace on Monday night.

"Of a long weekend the regular din of the city quiets, almost imperceptibly; it is all the better to hear the music."

A centerpiece of Toronto's summertime cultural feast, Caribana reaches its crest with this Saturday's Parade. The annual rainbow of Caribbean pageantry marches down lakeshore on Saturday, starting at 10:00am. Look for scattered but massive parties throughout the city afterward. Follow the crowd.

With all of your show-going and parade revelry, your legs will be pretty tired. Settle into Harbourfront Centre for Go Domino. (I know, you have no idea what I am talking about.) Tile enthusiasts from the Ontario Domino League hit Harbourfront, giving instruction, battling it out, and sidling up to the uninitiated on Saturday and Sunday. Tangentially, quoting Boyz N the Hood's Doughboy (i.e. "Domino, motherfucker") is uncouth.