September 18

My cross-province rock n' roll extravaganza kicks off in exactly a month and a week...and once again, I've got something to add to the intinerary. At this point it seems I can do no wrong: not only has Sleater-Kinney been announced as one of the opening bands, but they've also confired a second, separate Toronto date on September 18 as part of the inaugural Ear to the Ground festival at Exhibition Place! Ear to the Ground is being advertised as "not just a music festival, but a multi-disciplinary festival featuring music, film, art, theatre, dance and spoken word." Sounds great--count me in! (And by the way, this has Eddie Vedder guest appearance written all over it...not that that's my reason for wanting to go, but it certainly doesn't hurt.)

This, of course, leads to a dilemma: what to do on September 18? I'd originally penciled in the Jays/Yankees game for that afternoon, and depending on the pennant race (i.e., if the Jays are still in it) it clearly takes precedence over everything else. But that said, I'd also be perfectly happy staying home to watch the Vikings/Bengals game...or splurging on tickets to the opening Leaf preseason game against the Ottawa Senators that night at the ACC. To reiterate:

• Toronto Blue Jays/New York Yankees at Rogers Centre
• Toronto Maple Leafs/Ottawa Senators at the Air Canada Centre
• Sleater-Kinney at Ear to the Ground at Exhibition Place
• Minnesota Vikings/Cincinatti Bengals from the comfort of my living room

All on the same day...which is saying nothing of the rumours that Pearl Jam is planning a Live @ Much session that evening. Man, I love Toronto.