Hayden: Oct. 11
Hayden Desser is a Toronto based musician, and as a Torontonian, I am quite proud of him. Not only does he have an amazing voice and incredible stamina (try a month-long 12 country European tour), but he also looks like a forest ranger. The only thing that would make him more Canadian would be to chug a bottle of maple syrup. Hayden, if you’re reading this – I dare you!. Full Story -S.B.

Lykke Li: Oct. 28
The latest in a long line of cooler-than-ice-trays Swedish chanteuses, Lykke Li, triumphantly returns to the Mod Club for a headlining gig. Her consternated countenance and measured stomping have set many a skinny-jean boy's heart aflutter. Go now while you can still get creepily close. Too creepy? As a bonus, ascendant UK combo, Friendly Fires, opens. Go. Full Story -S.T.

Vancouver Fashion Week: Nov. 4 - Nov. 9
I have a bittersweet relationship with Fall Fashion Week (despite my inherent blurbist affinity for alliteration). I like new cuts and foresight, but I also love autumn clothing; thus, I prefer Spring Fashion Week. However, as the belle-dressed and well-pressed descend on Vancouver for five days of sartorial feasting, on can get a glimpse of fall wears on non-plebes. Naturally, though, the focus remains on next year's warm months. Design houses, including 3 Sixteen, Cecile Cho, Claire Carreras, Like Sunday, Coquette Couture 1927, and many others, trot out their spring lines. Incidentally (and presumptuously), I know you adore springtime clothing, but that doesn't mean we can't get along (besides, spring and fall frocks aren't mutually exclusive). Clean yourself up (leave the plimsolls at home). -S.T.

Deerhunter: Nov. 20
ay back in the day, and not your day either, more like your older brother's or your father's day, Christopher Walken was not a caricature, he was an actor. Don't get me wrong, I dig neo-Walken, but he used to actually act. Which brings us to Deer Hunter, the film that rightly scored Walken a best supporting Oscar for his portrayal of a heroin-addicted Russian Roulette player. What does that have to do with the brilliant ambient-rock Deerhunter? Nothing, though an opportunity to discuss old-school Walken should never be wasted. Full Story -S.T.

The Soloist: Opening Nov. 21
A friend recently said, "S.T., you hate summer films." Bullshit. I like sunny day flicks, from existentialist superhero action films to easy comedies. This year, I doubt that an autumn film will eclipse the masterfulness of Wall-E. Yes, I prefer Oscar-tempting season (aka October to December), but I also get a little wary of giant cinematic worms, ala The Soloist. The cast is exceptional, the director has a prestige pedigree, and it has the fawned-over "based on a true story" tag. Still, it seems a bit familiar. Star Jamie Foxx was due for a decent post-Ray vehicle (remember Stealth?) and here he gets an ostensibly succulent one as Nathaniel Ayers, a stringed-instrument prodigy-turned homeless schizophrenic busker. This year's celluloid phoenix, Robert Downey Jr. plays the journalist that discovers him (perhaps he should have played Ayers) and Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice) directs. Atonement was syrupy and overwrought -- despite the cast -- and this Shine reminiscent flick has that potential. Regardless, the entire cast is stellar. Aside from the powerful leads, it also features Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, and Stephen Root. -S.T.