Look out, U of T: old Mackie's back in town. The title character of the classic tune Mack the Knife will be making his presence known at the UC Follies production of The Threepenny Opera at the Hart House Theatre from February 3-12.

For fans of Iron and Wine's music, it will be noticeable right from the start that the act's sole member, Sam Beam, has decided to make a change from his last album, Kiss Each Other Clean. If his previous work tiptoed into the electronic music realm, his newest effort takes a dive into the deep end.

In October 2010, renowned historian and Yale professor Timothy Snyder released a groundbreaking historical book entitled Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin. Sponsored by the Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine, Ukrainian Canadian Research & Documentation Centre, Polish Cultural Institute, Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, Prof. Snyder and three discussants, Professors Bergen, Wrobel, Magocsi will hold a talk at the St. Vladimir Institute (Wednesday, January 26, 7-9 pm) and at the Jackman Humanities Building (Thursday, January 29, 4-6 pm). the newspaper interviewed Mr. Snyder the week of his visit to U of T to speak about his book.

What did you think of when you saw Ryan Gosling serenading Michelle Williams with a ukulele in the Blue Valentine trailer? Certainly not a beach somewhere in Hawaii, with girls in grass skirts dancing in the background.

This Friday, January 21st, U of T's Visual Arts thesis students will be putting on a very unique fashion show in the Debates Room at Hart House. The uniquely named show, Coat of the Cat, will showcase student designs by Bolt, Junkyard Judy, Maymay, Root of Ten, Fabian Mosquera, and Leon&Mathilda.

For a movie that was in development for so long, going through various writers and directors, The Green Hornet is a letdown. This film was much anticipated, if not for the fact that it's based on a classic TV show of the same name, then for the fact that its Canadian star, Seth Rogen, transformed himself from schlub to stud in order to play the title role.

For his last concert in Toronto, Mr. Kim treated the audience to a feast of driving rhythms, haunting song, and lively group dance. The renowned Korean percussionist and singer, who was supposed to pursue a career in technical engineering before discovering music, has been at the University of Toronto for the past semester as the Faculty of Music's Artist in Residence. Mr. Kim gave his final performance at the MacMillan Theatre, surrounded by his students and by his dear friend Josh Pilzer, fellow musician and professor, and the person who brought about Mr. Kim's residency.

After six long years, the alternative 90s favourite Cake has released a new album, Showroom of Compassion. Fun and friendly, this album is an easy listen, and it's hard not to want to sing along with quirky lyrics like "It's been a long time since you wore your pillbox hat" from the track "Long Time." "Sick of You," the first single released, is tight, fun and a little weird, which is what Cake is about, but the following tracks don't really measure up. "Mustache Man" is an upbeat track in the vein of older Cake songs, and the country-infused "Bound Away" is surprisingly nice in its simplicity.

Bewitching, amusing, and ultimately revealing of the human condition, The Imperfectionists, Tom Rachman's first foray into fiction is a quiet triumph. In "the realization of a long-held aspiration," Rachman's impeccable writing style shines through, sharing the spotlight with the novel's complex, yet relatable characters.

With winter weather finally making its unwelcome comeback in the past few days, it seems as though everyone is in need of some sunshine in the form of a little musical entertainment. The Hart House Theatre has just the thing for a case of the winter blues: running from January 14 to the 29th, the Hart House Theatre is putting on a production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. A Tony award winning musical based on the 1988 film of the same name, the film and resulting Broadway show have delivered big laughs, extravagance, and frivolous fun, and the upcoming Hart House production is looking to do the same.