Sunday, May 13 , WordJam promises another great show with California spoken-word artist Kirk Lumpkin and ex-Torontonian Alicia Glenn. Sign up early for the open stage! Free Times Cafe, 320 College St., 8pm, $3.

Wednesday, May 16 Salon Voltaire Discussions on how to look at paintings and why the universe isn't boring. 7:30 pm. $24. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen West.

Join PEN for a rockin' party to raise funds to fight the subpoena ordering Toronto writer Derek Finkle to turn over the research materials for his book, No Claim to Mercy, to the police. Doors open at 7:30 pm, May 24 . Featured performers: Three Chord Johnny (featuring Toronto Life editor John Macfarlane and Alison Gordon, writer, journalist and PEN Canada board member), DJ Dave Morris (Eye Weekly's music editor), and friends. At 1255 Queen St. West . To purchase tickets to the Write Aid event, make a donation, or learn more about the cause visit www.writeaid.ca.

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