Five things to do this week: November 28-December 4

1. Indie rockers the Dears and the Land of Talk will back kids and their parents on lead vocals at Urockaoke: like Rock Band but, you know, real. Nov. 29, noon-3 p.m. Revival, 783 College St. $8-$12. For details, visit bunchfamily.ca.

2. Steven Page, Keshia Chanté and others will serenade the spectacle of City Hall’s Christmas tree being lit at the Cavalcade Of Lights. Nov. 28, 7 p.m. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W. Free.

3. With a sound akin to other alliteratively named bands (think Cut Copy and Passion Pit), Friendly Fires’ Brit pop returns to town. Dec. 2, 8 p.m. Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St. $16.50. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.ca.

4. Parfumerie, Miklós László’s story of star-crossed perfume shop workers, gets the Soulpepper treatment from director Morris Panych. Through Dec. 24. Young Centre, 55 Mill St. Bldg. 49. $28-$68. Call 416-866-8666 or visit youngcentre.ca for tickets.

5. Thomas Keller will be here for an interview and Q&A on his new cookbook — Ad Hoc at Home — a paean to casual family dining. Nov. 30, 7 p.m. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St. $80 (includes book). Advance tickets at The Cookbook Store, 416-920-2665.

Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2009/11/28/five-things-to-do-this-week-november-28-december-4.aspx#ixzz0YSkNWwL8
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Songs of the Noughties

1. My Happiness – Powderfinger
This much-loved Aussie hit was voted No. 1 on Triple J’s annual Hottest 100 poll for 2000. Not surprisingly, it is still an Australia Day barbecue favourite.

2. Yellow – Coldplay
In 2000 the little-known UK band Coldplay broke through to the big time with this slow-burning dose of pop melancholy.

3. Beautiful Day – U2
This upbeat hit provided a shot of optimism to kick-start the decade (and, as some would say, the new millennium).

4. Freestyler – Bomfunk MCs
Even your mum was scratching as she bopped along to this pervasive hit.

5. One More Time – Daft Punk
These French house icons have been making music since the ’80s. They reached the pinnacle of their success with this gloriously auto-tuned hit, which remains an early Noughties classic.

6. Stan – Eminem feat. Dido
Slim Shady broke through in spectacular style with what many hailed a work of genius. Even Elton John wanted a piece of the pie, performing the song with Eminem at the 2001 Grammys.

7. Can’t Get You Out of My Head – Kylie Minogue
Our Kylie created one of the decade’s catchiest pop songs in this hit. Altogether now, “La la la la la la la”.

8. Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child
The title of this Destiny’s Child hit spawned a new adjective. Although we are still baffled as to what they meant by “I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly”.

9. Last Nite – The Strokes
Cue “rock is back” headlines. These five sharply dressed New Yorkers charmed the world with their simple formula of lo-fi guitars, good haircuts and New York swagger.

10. It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy
OK, so it drove us all nuts, but there is no doubt this tune was everywhere in 2001.

11. No One Knows – Queens of the Stone Age
This brilliant, punchy rock number was the song of summer for the youth of Australia who voted it No. 1 on Triple J’s Hottest 100.

12. A Little Less Conversation – Elvis vs JXL
Elvis got a reboot for the Noughties. Some loved it, some hated it, but there was no escaping it.

13. Murder on the Dancefloor – Sophie Ellis Bextor
A porcelain-skinned former model had clubs pumping with this catchy pop tune.

14. Hot in Herre – Nelly
Let’s face it, even in 2009 on a sweltering hot day, someone in an office near you will start singing this song. Damn them.

15. Lose Yourself – Eminem
Boy Wonder was back to the top of the charts with this emotive and punchy track from his biopic feature film 8 Mile. It even won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

16. Crazy in Love – Beyoncé
Widely considered one of the best pop tracks in history, this incredible song unites the foxy Beyoncé and her beau Jay-Z in one killer track.

17. Hey Ya! – Outkast
Outkast taught the world how to “shake it” with this vibrant singalong party tune. Check out the raucous film clip based on The Beatles’ Ed Sullivan Show appearance.

18. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
This track introduced indie favorites The White Stripes to the masses as the opening track to their fourth album, Elephant. Bond themes, stadium tours and masterful side projects ensued.

19. Are You Gonna Be My Girl? – Jet
After this song featured on a snappy iPod commercial, Jet were propelled from Melbourne pub backrooms on to the world stage. Despite the obvious wink to the past, it remains a no-fuss Noughties rock anthem.

20. In Da Club – 50 Cent
“Been hit wit a few shells but I don’t walk wit a limp.” Can’t argue with that, can you? Word, Fiddy.

21. Bucket – Kings of Leon
Before they became a stadium-filling rock band, Kings of Leon were indie favourites with a southern bent.

22. From the Sea – Eskimo Joe
Fremantle’s Eskimo Joe did us proud with their biggest hit. This song was played on every station from Triple J to 94.5.

23. What You Waiting For? – Gwen Stefani
Accompanied by a whacky film clip that played on Alice in Wonderland themes, Stefani announced herself as a solo artist with this contagious tune.

24. Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
This song erupted out of Scotland like a volcano. On the back of this rollicking hit, art rockers Franz Ferdinand were suddenly everyone’s new favourite band.

25. Somebody Told Me – The Killers
This single and the album Hot Fuss set The Killers up as one of the biggest bands of the Noughties and singer Brandon Flowers made no secret of his lofty ambitions. Since their debut in 2004, they’ve released two albums and are now headlining festivals.

26. Don’t Cha – Pussycat Dolls
Scarily, this chart topper was a hit with the kiddies. So even seven-year-olds were chirping “Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me”. OMG.

27. Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz
Created by Blur’s Damon Albarn and comic-book creator Jamie Hewlett, this virtual band mixed pop, dub and hip-hop to create a modern soundscape matched by exquisite cartoon video clips.