When the new wave band Devo emerged from Akron, Ohio, in the mid-鈥70s, the public and the record industry didn鈥檛 know quite what to make of them. Were they art-school provocateurs? Pioneering electro rockers? An elaborate put-on? Perhaps all three? Chris Smith鈥檚 expertly made Netflix documentary gives the (mostly) brilliant music its due but, even better, goes deep into the concepts behind “devolution” in a pleasingly accessible way. And it鈥檚 not too late to whip it聽鈥 whip it good聽鈥 when they share Budweiser Stage with the B-52s on Sept. 24. 鈥擠oug Brod
Game night: 2SLGBTQIA+ Board Games Extravaganza
Looking for a budget-friendly spot to have fun for just five bucks? Slip into CSI (720 Bathurst St.) on Saturday at 6 p.m. for a boardgame night. This long-running event is extremely chill and welcoming, whether you鈥檙e a newbie or an expert. (While it may be a queer event, allies are welcome.) You can meet new pals, try different games or play beloved old favourites. Food and drinks are available, too. 鈥擝riony Smith
Movies: Directed by Robert Altman
To celebrate the centenary of Robert Altman, one of film鈥檚 finest directors, the Criterion Channel is showcasing a big batch of his best, including 鈥淢*础*厂*贬,鈥 鈥淣ashville,鈥 鈥3 Women鈥 and 鈥淕osford Park.鈥 Already seen the classics? Throw on a few of our own personal faves, including the wintry Western 鈥淢cCabe & Mrs. Miller鈥; the gleeful, cameo-packed Hollywood satire 鈥淭he Player鈥; and the criminally underseen 鈥淭anner 鈥88,鈥 a masterful HBO mocumentary miniseries about a hapless politician on the campaign trail, which Altman, in his final years, called 鈥渢he most creative work I鈥檝e ever done.鈥 鈥擝riony Smith
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Concert: The Pogues
The world lost celebrated Irish punk-rock poet Shane MacGowan in 2023, but his mates from the original 1982 version of his band the Pogues 鈥 Jem Finer and Spider Stacy, plus 鈥80s add-on James Fearnley 鈥 are carrying on without him with shows that will commemorate the 40th anniversary of their 1985 album, “Rum Sodomy & the Lash.” The sets will also feature songs from the 1986 “Poguetry in Motion” EP (which includes the classic 鈥淎 Rainy Night in Soho鈥) and 1984鈥檚 “Red Roses for Me” album. It all goes down Wednesday night at History (1663 Queen St. E.). 鈥擠ebra Yeo
The Pogues, not featuring late singer Shane MacGowan, play History on Wednesday.聽
Michael Walter/PA via AP
Doug Brod is a Toronto-based author and team editor for the
Star. Follow him on X:
Briony Smith writes about culture, entertainment and
lifestyle for the Star.
Debra Yeo is a deputy editor and a contributor to the Star鈥檚
Culture section. She is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter:
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