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Newly-freed Wesley Snipes has officially signed up to make his Hollywood return in the third installment of Sylvester Stallone's action epic The Expendables, according to his new co-star Randy Couture.

This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto. IN THE NEWS NXNE releases third block of artists The 2013 edition of NXNE is fast approaching, and this year's lineup, which was already pretty stacked, has gotten even more robust. Last week, festival organizers announced a slew of new artists that have been added to the bill. Dan Deacon, Wintersleep, Blue Hawaii, Gold & Youth, Ryan Hemsworth, and No Joy were just a handful of the artists announced. Seeing as the festival, which runs from June 10-16, will also see performances from The National, Social Distortion, Big Boi, Millencolin, and a ton more, this year's edition is shaping up to be one for the ages. Head on over to the festival's website for a full listing of artists and events, as well as ticket info. THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS WEDNESDAY MAY 22 / THE SHINS / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON / $46 - $55 / ALL AGES Arguably one of the most popular bands of this generation, The Shins, led by frontman James Mercer, will hit the stage at the Sound Academy. Mercer is the last remaining original member of the group, was has undergone a major makeover in the last couple of years. They released the band's fourth album, Port of Morrow, in 2012, and have been touring extensively in support of it. Their last appearance in Toronto was opening for the Black Keys last summer - this time around, they're headlining, with Ra Ra Riot offering support. FRIDAY MAY 24 / FALL OUT BOY / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON / $46.50 / ALL AGES I can't attest to being a big fan of Fall Out Boy, but I'm well aware that they have a pretty large following of fans. Thus, this show, their first in Toronto since going on hiatus in 2009, will probably be one of the more anticipated shows of the week. The band released their fifth album, Save Rock and Roll, in April, so it's safe to say that you'll be hearing a lot of newer material in addition to their older hits. RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS SWINGIN' UTTERS / HORSESHOE TAVERN / JUNE 7 / 10PMWE ARE THE CITY / THE RIVOLI / JUNE 14 / 8PMCHAINS OF LOVE / DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / JUNE 15 / 6PMGOGOL BORDELLO / DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / AUGUST 19 / 8PM WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK Killers' drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. steals the showElectric Island turns on for Victoria Day techno partyNoise legends Oxbow say if you don't like it, stay homeJapan's Hikashu admit to being wizards at The GarrisonDrake will drop OVO Fest when Drake wants (i.e. now)New in Toronto Music: Decades, Veronica Domingues, Meredith Shaw, The Breaks, DIANA12 summer music festivals in Toronto for 2013Lights beams some, um, light into my life Photo of The Shins courtesy of nooccar on Flickr.

Calvin Barker brushes his teeth six to eight times a day, falsely believing that if twice a day is good then eight times is better. He brushes after each meal, each snack, and before bed. “Regularly brushing my teeth was one rule my mom was really strict about,” says the Hamilton, Ontario researcher.

Throughout this whole miserable start to the overly-hyped 2013 Blue Jays season, there is one topic that needs to be touched upon. While most people are trying to figure out why the Blue Jays have streaky bats and have gotten more from the bullpen than from the starters, that topic lingers around our brains, and once the time comes, someone will need to make a decision. Kyle Drabek and Drew Hutchison, both on the Jays rotation last season, underwent Tommy John surgery. They are both on schedule to return from their injuries after the all-star break. Drabek underwent his surgery a bit earlier, but according to Drabek, he and Hutchison are on the same schedule, so both will probably have very similar return dates. Dustin McGowan, who has seemingly been fighting injuries ever since 2008, was recently called up to play for the Buffalo Bisons (AAA) after a good start for the Dunedin Blue Jays (A). So perhaps, against all odds, McGowan may return after all. Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos has been transferred onto the 60 day DL, and relief pitcher Luis Perez is set to return a bit before Drabek and Hutchison. So, for the most part, this seems good, right? I mean, all of our injured pitchers are on the comeback trail! Even McGowan! The negative? What happens to all the pitchers on the Jays right now? After acquiring Buehrle, Johnson, and Dickey, will they fit into the rotation? Once they come back, Johnson and Happ will be back as well (most likely), and Morrow should be completely healthy, meaning Drabek and Hutchison could not replace Ramon Ortiz and/or Chad Jenkins as starters, unless of course, there are more injuries. And the same goes for McGowan! While he did relief (very well(1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 R, 1 K)) in his first AAA game of the season, he is a starting pitcher. So what happens then? Can we just kick them out? Or do the Jays just keep these players in the minors until Buehrle gets really old and Johnson becomes officially bad? And then do the Jays have to turn some starters into relievers? Also, Sergio Santos' situation has really escalated over the past couple of weeks, and I'm beginning to lose all hope of him coming back any time soon. The only situation for a pitcher that looks fine is that of relief pitcher Luis Perez, recovering from Tommy John surgery. Only time will tell, but hopefully something will be figured out. Throughout this whole miserable start to the overly-hyped 2013 Blue Jays season, there is one topic that needs to be touched upon. While most people are trying to figure out why the Blue Jays have streaky bats and have gotten more from the bullpen than from the starters, that topic lingers around our brains, and once the time comes, someone will need to make a decision. Kyle Drabek and Drew Hutchison, both on the Jays rotation last season, underwent Tommy John surgery. They are both on schedule to return from their injuries after the all-star break. Drabek underwent his surgery a bit earlier, but according to Drabek, he and Hutchison are on the same schedule, so both will probably have very similar return dates. Dustin McGowan, who has seemingly been fighting injuries ever since 2008, was recently called up to play for the Buffalo Bisons (AAA) after a good start for the Dunedin Blue Jays (A). So perhaps, against all odds, McGowan may return after all. Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos has been transferred onto the 60 day DL, and relief pitcher Luis Perez is set to return a bit before Drabek and Hutchison. So, for the most part, this seems good, right? I mean, all of our injured pitchers are on the comeback trail! Even McGowan! The negative? What happens to all the pitchers on the Jays right now? After acquiring Buehrle, Johnson, and Dickey, will they fit into the rotation? Once they come back, Johnson and Happ will be back as well (most likely), and Morrow should be completely healthy, meaning Drabek and Hutchison could not replace Ramon Ortiz and/or Chad Jenkins as starters, unless of course, th

Victoria Day events in Toronto, 2013 FOOD & DRINK | Brewer's Backyard: Queen Victoria's Secret This afternoon, the Brewer's Backyard returns to Evergreen Brick Works to begin a new season of beer drinking at its finest, in the lovely Koerner Gardens and and Holcim Gallery. "Queen Victoria's Secret" is the Brewer's Backyard's 2013 kickoff event, and was a royal success last year! The idea here is one where the element of surprise is at work: the details of the food and beverage selection for today will not be revealed until the event begins, but the brewers can be revealed: Great Lakes, Oast House, Granite, and Left Field, with edibles coming from FeasTO. Brewer's Backyard regulars know that only selections fit for "royalty" will make the cut, so let yourself enjoy the suspense, and the afternoon! Evergreen Brick Works, Koerner Gardens (550 Bayview Avenue) 12-4PM MUSIC | ELECTRIC ISLAND with SETH TROXLER & Friends at Centre Island Electric Island is a new concert event that is perfect for a holiday Monday. Taking place today on Centre Island, this event is both a fully licensed picnic and a concert. Local and international DJs will be featured in what is shaping up to be a monster showcase of electronic sounds and danceable rhythms. The lineup includes: Seth Troxler, Nitin, My Favourite Robot, Nathan Barato, Nature of Music, Jonathan Rosa, and several others, including a surprise special guest. Electric Island runs all afternoon, and is scheduled to end before 11PM to give everyone time to make their way back by ferry. Centre Island (9 Queens Quay West - ferry boarding) 2:30PM - 10:30PM $17.50 MUSIC | Living with Lions, Deforesters, Brave the Wild + Guests Tonight at Sneaky Dee's, a power-packed lineup of bands that will help you end the long weekend with a bang! Headliners Living With Lions, hailing from Vancouver, bring their punk-infused pop sonics to town, and are joined by Deforesters, who are playing their first gig, and feature members of Topanga and Roman Line. Also on on the bill are TO punk rock outfits Brave The Wild and Days Like Today. Rounding things out musically and geographically, Reunion from Halton Hills will get the ball rolling and show everyone how it's done. Apparently this show will be done by 11:30, and followed by karaoke. Should be good! Sneaky Dee's (431 College Street West) 7PM $10 BOOKS & LIT | "Wrestling with Democracy" Book Launch Tonight at the Tranzac Club, Dennis Pilon launches his book, Wrestling With Democracy, published by University of Toronto Press. Politics, at every level of government seems to impact our lives in so many ways, and this book will be very interesting for anyone who has ever given thought to the process of electing our leaders and its history. Wrestling With Democracy traces the history of this "democratic process", and how differently it works in various Western countries, and also examines how it has changed or remained unchanged in different regions in the last century. Leo Panitch will host the event. Tranzac Club, Main Hall (292 Brunswick Avenue) 7:30PM ALSO OF NOTE projek: SKISMElvis Monday OPEN AND CLOSED What's open and closed Victoria Day in Toronto 2013 For more Toronto event suggestions, check out these posts: This week in musicThis week in fashionThis week in filmToronto food eventsThis week in theatreThis week in comedyToronto Concerts, May 2013 Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo by Scott Irving in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Taylor Swift ruled the 2013 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, taking home eight top honours, including the prestigious Artist of the Year.

Don’t lower those Senators flags to half-mast just yet.

Tonight was the long awaited debut of Jays Pitcher Marcus Stroman, and he did not disappoint in his first outing of the year. As well, today was a good day for the farm going 4-0. Buffalo 11 - Charlotte 6The Bisons were swing hot bats again versus former Jays pitchers in Zach Stewart and David Purcey. Jim Negrych, and Moises Sierra had 3 hits, Luiz Jimenez, Josh Thole and Ryan Langerhans had 2 hits to help the Bisons Offense that put up 11 runs.Todd Redmon was not sharp in his 2013 debut giving up 5 earned runs over 3.1 innings pitched. John Stilson in his first outing in Buffalo, since being promoted from New Hampshire pitched well with 2 innings with 3 strikeouts.New Hampshire 7 - New Britain 4Marcus Stroman was fantastic in his 2013 debut going 5 innings(89 pitches) of 4 hit ball with 0 earned runs, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts. Matt Wright gave up 3 earned runs over an inning and two thirds.Brad Glenn, Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Nanita each had a home run help powering the Fisher Cats offense which put up 11 hits, and 7 runs.Dunedin 3 - Brevard County 1Dunedin starter Scott Copeland was fantastic tonight going 8 innings of 3 hit ball, with 1 earned run, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.Dunedin's offense had 4 runs tonight on 3 hits, with RBI's from Jon Talley, Markus Knecht and KC Hobson.Lansing 7 - Great Lakes 3Lansing hit well across the board tonight, including 3 hits from Dwight Smith, and Gustavo Pierre. Carlos Ramirez and Balbino Fuenmayor had 2 rbi's in today's game.Javier Avendano started for Lansing today and was ok, going 5 innings giving up 7 hits and 2 earned runs. Efran Nieves, Wil Browning, and Ian Kadish pitched well in relief to hold onto the Lugnut lead.Three Stars3-Brad Glenn2-Scott Copeland1-Marcus Stroman

The week begins slowly but ends with a heck of a bang down at Echo Beach.  Here's what to expect: The Boxer Rebellion, Opera House, May 24 UK shoegaze-ish outfit comes to town to support their new album Promises (review). CBC Music Festival, Echo Beach, May 25 A stellar line-up of Canadian talent includes Corb Lund, Sam Roberts, Kathleen Edwards, and Sloan among others. ...also this week: Continue reading »