Note that due to the continuing strike, city-run "things to do" remain closed, such as Riverdale Farm and the city's historical museums. Check http://www.toronto.ca/labour-relations/index.htm for the most up-to-date information on changes to city services.

• It's Honda Indy Weekend and whether or not you're planning on going to the race or any of the associated activities, it's worth noting that Lakeshore Boulevard is closed between British Columbia Road and Strachan Avenue until Monday morning (thanks for the reminder from Toronto Traffic Services on Twitter).


• African music and culture festival Afrofest begins on Friday night with a launch party at the Phoenix then continues with the main festival on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 10:30pm. Visit Queen's Park for food, a marketplace, family activities and the many free performances.


• Harbourfront's free programming for this weekend is the electronic music festival Beats, Breaks & Culture.


• Salsa on St. Clair is on Saturday and Sunday, bringing a celebration of Latin culture to the street between Winona Drive and Christie.


• Of course the Toronto Fringe Festival continues until Sunday night (Tips for new-ish Fringers here).


• The annual Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit will be on in Nathan Phillips Square from Friday to Sunday. And yes, even though the strike continues this free, juried showcase will go ahead as planned.


• From the Green Toronto Calendar, there's a community clean-up hosted by the York-Eglinton BIA on Saturday and a "Photo-Buff" walk in High Park on Sunday (And you can visit the new High Park Welcome Centre while you're there!).


• The Caribbean Tales Film Festival begins today and continues until Sunday. Included in the programming is the Toronto-set A Winter Tale, which gets both screenings and its DVD launch.


• On Saturday the Toronto Zoo is having The McGregor Socks Make-A-Wish Foundation Scavenger Hunt, inviting families to follow clues created by wish kids for a chance to win gift bags and prize packs. Then on Sunday the zoo hosts two concerts with Mitchel Musso (Oliver on Hannah Montanna). The concerts are separately ticketed, so visit the website to buy in advance.


• Toronto NFB Mediatheque has family animation workshops and screenings every Saturday through August. This Saturday's theme is "The Day I Explored The Forest".


• Pay-What-You-Can Dusk Dances performances are on in Earlscourt Park from Thursday to Sunday night with the band starting at 7pm.

If you're an event planner hosting something this weekend, feel free to tell us about it in the comments below. If your event is still awhile off, you can always post it in the "Events and Activities" section of the About Toronto Forum.

Checking out CBC arts news this morning I was a little surprised by news of a stage musical version of the Troma cult film The Toxic Avenger coming to Toronto. It wasn't the fact that the show was coming to Toronto that surprised me - I was one of the many who went to enjoy blood-splattering good times with Evil Dead: The Musical, after all. I also wasn't surprised by the company who'll be producing the show - DanCap may be better known for Jersey Boys right now, but they also brought the adults-only puppet musical Avenue Q to the Elgin (not very work safe video clips here). So why was I surprised? Simple - how have I not heard of this show until now?!?

Seriously, I have several friends who are big, big fans of any and all b-movies, cult films, and really anything associated with Lloyd Kaufman and Troma. So how this stage show started off-broadway in October 2008 without someone forwarding me links to something like the Melvin Ferd YouTube Channel is a mystery.

DanCap's production will have an all-Canadian cast and be presented at the Music Hall on the Danforth, appropriately opening on Halloween.

• Visit http://www.dancaptickets.com for the full news release and information on current shows.
• Learn more about the show and join the fan club at toxiefans.com
• Coming soon - www.toxicavengertoronto.com

On a day when most North American media is focused on the memorial for Michael Jackson, word is making its way through Toronto that long-time radio personality Martin Streek has taken his own life. News of Streek's passing first began to spread from Toronto Mike's blog, initially without confirmation. Now the information has been sadly verified, including by Jason Barr on the Edge.ca.

According to MartinStreek.com, Streek joined CFNY the Edge 102.1 straight out of Erindale Secondary School as an intern before being properly hired to help with the CFNY Video Road Shows. Streek would then become well-known to many GTA radio listeners as the long-time host of the live-to-air broadcasts from The Phoenix and The Kingdom, and as the host of the Thursday 30, all on 102.1 The Edge. Streek was with the station for decades, before being let go in May of this year.

CFNY was always my station of choice as a teen and Streek's voice and style is an integral part of those memories. It was a disappointing loss for many when Streek was no longer on the air; now this week has brought a tragic loss for all who knew Streek as a personality or an individual.

• Watch Martin Streek host the first episode of Friday Night Live on YouTube.
• Visit the Martin Streek - RIP Group on Facebook.

Beginning this week, Harbourfront Centre will be showing a free 80's film every Wednesday night until August 12th. This series of Free Flicks has been dubbed "Retro Reels" for obvious reasons, kicking off with Pretty in Pink and wrapping up with Labyrinth. The movies are screened outside beginning at 9pm at the SIRIUS Satellite Radio Stage (which is right by the water, on the west side of the Natrel Pond). The films usually go on rain or shine, but if the weather has you in doubt you can always call Harbourfront Centre at 416-973-4000 on the day of to confirm.

This summer's slate of films is:

• Pretty in Pink on Wednesday July 8
• Breakin' on Wednesday July 15
• Desperately Seeking Susan on Wednesday July 22
• Stop Making Sense on Wednesday July 29
• Say Anything on Wednesday August 5
• Labyrinth on Wednesday August 12

Learn more about each film from the Harbourfront Free Flicks webpage.