All posts by
HyesMusings

After two-years of development in residency at The Theatre Centre, Kitchenband is proud to present BOBLO, a theatre and concert experience that explores the evanescent nature of memory, November 22 – December 2, at The Great Hall Black Box Theatre (former home of The Theatre Centre).

BOBLO is inspired by personal memories and collected stories about Boblo Island Amusement Park, located on an island in the middle of the Detroit River, which operated from 1898-1993. Kitchenband, a collective of theatre creators and musicians, pays a stirring tribute to Boblo, riding the Boblo-Boat ferry one final time to relive the excitement and the danger the theme park once offered. Field recordings, songs, radio waves, family photos, souvenirs and keepsakes fuel this ghost-story-meets-rock-concert celebration of a former childhood destination that now lies in ruins.

BOBLO is created by Erin Brandenburg (Petrichor, Reesor, and Pelee) and Andrew Penner (The Sunparlour Players), directed by Steve McCarthy (The ElastoCitizens, Bliss) and features the talents of radio producer and sound artist Andrew O’Connor, lighting designer Rebecca Picherack (The Golden Dragon, Ruined), multi-media visual artist Elysha Poirier (Seeds) and set and costume designer Jung-Hye Kim (Middle Place, If We Were Birds). The stellar cast of performers and musicians inlcudes Anna Atkinson, Gordon Bolan, George Meanwell, Trent Pardy, Alan Penner, Andrew Penner, Amy Rutherford and Sophia Walker.

Canadian Stage presents Ignorance, an inventive (and completely adult) puppet documentary about the evolution of happiness from Calgary’s world-renonwed The Old Trout Puppet Workshop. The newest production from the troupe behind the international hit Famous Puppet Death Scenes will be Toronto beginning next week.

Ignorance is a puppet documentary about the evolution of happiness – from the thick-blooded hearts of the ancient caves, to the ethereal heaven of our light-speed future – it’s about where we all went wrong, and how we might find our way once again.

Photo Source:The Old Trout Puppet Workshop

Bouncing between primitive man and modern man, urban sprawl and prehistoric cave life, Ignorance blends live performance with comedy, over-sized puppet heads, balloons, lighting, sound and video effects. Puppeteers Nicolas Di Gaetanto, Trevor Leigh and Viktor Lukawski bring various characters to life on stage, becoming extensions of the hand-crafted puppets themselves, with Judd Palmer (artistic director and co-founder of The Old Trout Puppet Workshop) as the an omniscient narrator. A bleak and harsh Garden of Eden, designed by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop creative team, with animation from four artists, is the backdrop for this imaginative performance.

The production is The Old Trout Puppet Workshop’s first attempt at Open Creation – the entire show was written on the internet for all to see, with crowd-sourced comments, criticism and contributions. Learn more on the Ignorance Blog. Especially relevant in a time when communities are online, Ignorance addresses the age-old “ignorance is bliss” adage and poses the question: in our quest to know so much, have we lost a connection with what actually makes us human?

I had the pleasure of seeing The Old Trout Puppet Workshop’s Famous Puppet Death Scenes here in Toronto back in 2007. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very creative; it posited some interesting questions, and made the audience take a minute to ponder about the scenes depicted on-stage. You can read my thoughts about it here. Since then, I’ve been hoping they’d come back with a new show!

Ignorance will be on stage at the Berkeley Street Theatre from November 27 to December 15. Performances run Monday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinees on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. The performance runs 75 minutes with no intermission. Tickets from $22 to $49 are available online, by phone at 416-368-3110 or in person at the box office. For more details visit canadianstage.com.

Toronto Masque Theatre kicks off its 9th season with a celebration of the rich legacy of a musical genius, showcasing Henry Purcell’s compelling and innovative work for the stage. Featuring Toronto Masque Theatre’s patented fusion of genres, Fairest Isle will be an exhilarating combination of dance, theatre, orchestral music and song: a chance for audiences to glimpse the Baroque splendour of the work Purcell created for London’s theatre of the time.

Although a celebrated and prolific composer, Purcell’s life was tragically cut short and we can only imagine what he would have gone on to create had he lived longer. With Fairest Isle audiences will experience the breadth of his work while contemplating the legacy he left us. The program includes pieces drawn from his semi-operas: The Fairy-Queen, Dido and Aeneas, King Arthur and The Indian Queen along with music he composed for the Church and Court.

Speaking about the program, Artistic Director, Larry Beckwith shared: “Purcell’s music is so full of genius, craft, warmth and humour. He was so adept at supporting the meaning of the great – and sometimes not so great! – texts he worked with. The tunes are memorable and moving, the instrumental writing is first-rate, and the overall thrust of his work is lively and full of humanity. I look forward to sharing this great music with our audiences.”

Prior to each performance, Beckwith will host a pre-show during which he will be joined by special guests. The pre-show chats will last approximately 45 minutes.

The program will feature tenor Lawrence Wiliford. The evening will also feature dancer Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, actors Derek Boyes and Arlene Mazzerolle, singers Dawn Bailey and Michele DeBoer, sopranos; Scott Belluz, countertenor; Charles Davidson, tenor; Geoffrey Sirret, baritone.

The Ensemble will include: Larry Beckwith, as musical director and on violin, as well as, Kathleen Kajioka, violin; Margaret Gay, cello; John Abberger and Gillian Howard, oboes; Lucas Harris, lute; and Christopher Bagan, harpsichord and organ. Lighting design is by Gabriel Cropley; Costume and Production design by Erika Connor.

Catch Fairest Isle at the Al Green Theatre for two performances only: Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 at 8pm. Ticket are: $40; $35 (for seniors) and $20 (for under 30) available from the Al Green Box Office, or by calling 416-924-6211 ext. 0.

Based on an actual murder case in Edwardian England, The Drowning Girls combines true-crime thriller and clever theatricality with echoes to contemporary issues of domestic abuse. It is based on a real-life Scotland Yard serial murder known as the “Brides in the Bath” case. In the early 1900’s, bigamous conman George Joseph Smith used a series of fake identities to seduce and marry seven women, murdering three. He also convinced each wife to sign over her property to him, and collected on their life insurance policies.

The Drowning Girls, focuses on three of Smith’s ill-fated brides. It premiered at the 1999 Edmonton Fringe Festival. An expanded version premiered at Alberta Theatre Projects in 2008, and has since been performed around the world.

Beth Graham and Daniela Vlaskalic met at the University of Alberta, where they were both studying acting. After graduating from the program in 1998, they teamed up with director Charlie Tomlinson to write The Drowning Girls.

The play is told from the perspective of the brides – Bessie, Alice and Margaret. Their narratives are woven together with very poetic language and rhythms, each telling their story from beyond the grave – their hopes and dreams of life and marriage, their choices and their regrets.

The Brides In The Bathtub Photo by Dahlia Katz

Alumnae Theatre Company’s production of The Drowning Girls will feature three actors playing the “brides in the bathtubs” as well as other roles – male and female – and each takes a turn portraying her murderer: Jennifer Neales as Alice (the youngest; a vibrant, passionate woman who abandons her values), Tennille Read as Bessie (a posh, accomplished woman distanced from her family), and Emily Opal Smith as Margaret(a lonely spinster who falls for the wrong man).

Definitely an interesting take on representing all sides of this intricate story…

The Furniture Bank hosted its third annual Chair Affair on Thursday, November 1, at the stunning Palais Royale where over 300 patrons enjoyed an evening of entertainment and the opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind designer chair. The event was once again guest hosted by Global Television‘s Susan Hay and presented by Streetcar Developments.

“We are thrilled and honoured with the overwhelming support we received for the event from the design community, our sponsors and long-term supporters of Furniture Bank,” says Executive Director, Susanna Kislenko. “Combined with the support and the commitment of our incredible volunteers, this this has been the most successful Chair Affair yet!”

The theme of Vibrant Toronto infused the event – from food stations created by Chef Steffan Howard who represented the different neighbourhoods of Toronto, to the Toronto-centric playlist spun by DJ Matt Gracie.

Eighteen of the city’s talented designers took on the challenge of interpreting Vibrant Toronto in transforming chairs they’d selected from Furniture Bank’s warehouse into works of art. Twenty uniquely crafted chairs were on display, with 10 of the chairs were up for bid in a live auction, and led by seasoned auctioneer, Stephen Ranger from Waddingtons with some chairs fetching up to $1,300.

Also present was founder of Furniture Bank, Sister Anne Schenck, who presented Member of Parliament Olivia Chow with a special plaque in tribute to Jack Layton and the commitment he’d shown to Furniture Bank and the Chair Affair.

Olivia Chow stepped into the role of last minute guest auctioneer, replacing Councillor Mike Layton, and auctioned off a Maple Leafs signed Hot Stove Lounge chair. The chair raised $600, with former Toronto Mayor David Miller opening the bidding.

We were also delighted with surprise entertainment from Yakudo Traditional Japanese Drummers and soloist, Lesley Andrew, who also auctioned off a private home concert where she will perform. Many of the designers attended the event, including Heidi Richter and Paul Lafrance from HGTV’s Decked Out, Kiran Thind of Cherry Bomb vintage, Kelly Cray, Neil Jonsohn and Alex Chapman from UNION 31, Jessica Help and Jeff Schnitter from Seven Haus Design, Jackie Bray from The Upholstery Academy, and Peter Bray from PFBray Fire Woodworking.

It was quite a successful evening. I may not have purchased a new chair, as I have only just bought some comfortable office chairs for my home office, but among the other guests, I also bid on some items from the silent auction. I even came home with a yoga package! What matters is that all the money raised from this event supports Furniture Bank, an organization in the Greater Toronto Area that helps over 2,500 families annually by furnishing homes and bringing a sense of empowerment and dignity to their lives at no cost to the recipients.

Workman Arts, celebrating its 25th Anniversary, presents the 20th annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival (RWM). The festival runs from November 9 – 17. The nine-day festival showcases over 20 programs of feature and short films, as well as industry and artist talks, multi-media installations, live performances and visual arts exhibitions. Programs include a post-screening panel discussion with filmmakers, people living with the experience of the issue explored on film, a health care professional, and a special interest person.

Matthew Hogue, Program Manager at Rendezvous with Madness, took a few minutes to talk about choosing programs and films for RWM, its role as a community festival, some highlights of the festival, and the future of RWM.

HM: Could you talk a bit about your role as Program Manager and the selection of films for the festival?

Matthew: Along with a team of programmers, we work together with filmmakers, artists, mental health professionals, community members, and educators in viewing submitted films. This year, we had over 200 submissions. Over the months of April to September submissions are open and during this time, this group of people helps organize us as to which films would be great to have at RWM. We assess submitted films on high standards, such as, how they fit with RWM’s mandate, are they engaging & powerful, and how they portray mental health issues. The selection process is very exciting.

HM: How does RWM fit in with Toronto as a film festival and its community?

Matthew: First of all, RWM is the first and largest festival of its kind. It targets a niche community but it also brings forth mental health issues to a wider audience. The context of mental health issues is changing and it’s coming more into the mainstream. This festival has an important role in that it ensures the work is worthwhile artistically, emotionally, and also realistically depicting the issues at hand.

HM: Any highlights from the festival or festival favourites that you’d recommend for us?

Matthew: The Doc Symposium is an incredible program, which includes films and panel discussions about the future and challenges of documenting mental health issues. This is the first year we offer a symposium, but I think it’s timely given that mental health issues are moving into the mainstream, as I mentioned earlier. In terms of films, the funniest film I’ve seen submitted has to be King Curling (Dir. Ole Endresen, The Netherlands). It is entertaining and it uses every stereotype and cliché about mental health there is. But it’s also absurdist and hilarious. It is certainly fun to watch.

HM: How do you see RWM evolving?

Matthew: The festival is certainly evolving. We incorporate more film, video and other media each year. The idea that mental health issues are more widely discussed also helps. The festival will definitely continue to move forward in supporting the industry, and will continue to be a place where professionals can connect with community members (who may have experienced mental health issues) to help them tell their stories, and support each other’s work.

Great way to summarize Rendezvous With Madness and its role as a film festival but also as a community festival. The full festival line up can be found here. RWM also has full Media & Visual Arts Program, information can be found here. For ticketing and location information, visit rendezvouswithmadness.com.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) will celebrate its 16th annual edition this year with screenings, international guests and special events, it continues its expansion outside downtown Toronto to bring Richmond Hill residents a taste of some of the best in Asian cinema.

For those of you in Toronto, here are my picks of films at both locations.

Shorts Presentation Co-Presented by Toronto’s Shorts That Are Not Pants (Curated by James McNally)
Wed Nov 7, 7:15 PM | Innis Town Hall
ONCE LOST, NOW FOUND
Presenting meditations on memory and loss, connection, and pure joy, these films address some of the most powerful yet peripheral facets of human experience with quiet restraint and creative narratives. Including work by Keith Lock, Quek Shio Chuan, Christopher Makoto Yogi, Han Han Li and Kimi Takesue.

Feature Presentation | Thu Nov 8, 9:55 PM | Innis Town Hall
GRACELAND
Director Ron Morales | USA/Philippines 2012
The driver for a corrupt politician gets embroiled in a botched kidnapping and must traverse the seedy underbelly of Manila to save his daughter in this gritty noir.

Centrepiece Presentation | Fri Nov 9, 6:45 PM | The Royal
PRISON DANCER
Director Romeo Candido | Canada 2012
Inspired by the real-life dancing rehabilitation program that went viral on YouTube, Prison Dancer tells the personal, poignant, and hilarious stories of six Filipino prison dancers whose group dancing turned a maximum-security prison into a world stage. This unique presentation will integrate on-screen projection and live performance from the cast.

Special Presentation | Fri Nov 9, 8:45 PM | The Royal
VALLEY OF SAINTS
Director Musa Sayeed | USA/Kashmir
Upon the beautiful but troubled Dal Lake in Kashmir, a young boatman’s world is opened up by a visiting scientist in this lyrical drama about friendship, family and home.

Feature Presentation | Fri Nov 9, 11:00 PM | The Royal
TATSUMI
Director Eric Khoo | Singapore 2011
The fascinating life and sinister stories of legendary manga artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi are brought to life on the big screen in this animated biography about the man who pioneered gekiga, a genre of dark adult-themed comics.

Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 10, 4:30 PM | The Royal
DAL PURI DIASPORA
Director Richard Fung | Canada 2012
Trinidad-born Toronto filmmaker Richard Fung takes an inquisitive food journey through the Caribbean and India to discover the mouth-watering roots of one of his (and Toronto’s) favourite foods, the dal puri, most commonly known as the roti.

If you’re in the Richmond Hill area, I’d suggest the following screenings:

Opening Film | Fri Nov 16, 7:00 PM | Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
FLOATING CITY
Director Yim Ho | Hong Kong 2012
The film tells the true story of Bo Wah-Chuen (Aaron Kwok), as he rises from being an orphan on a Chinese fishing boat to the upper echelons of the notorious Imperial East India Trading Company.

Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 17, 4:00 PM | Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
THE WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN
Director Shuichi Okita | Japan 2011
Celebrated Japanese actor Koji Yakusho plays a lonely lumberjack whose life is drastically changed when he’s unwittingly enlisted into helping a spineless young filmmaker to complete his low budget zombie movie.

Closing Film | Sat Nov 17, 7:00 PM | Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
THE FRUIT HUNTERS
Director Yung Chang | Canada 2012
This film is a globetrotting tour of faraway places, filled with eccentric people to whom fruit is a way of life and not just a suggested daily dietary recommendation.

 
The Fruit Hunters – Clip 1 : Willy Wonka’s Factory from EyeSteelFilm on Vimeo.

You can find the full film list and scheduling information at reelasian.com. Tickets can be purchased online through reelasian.com, in-person, or by phone (1-888-222-6608). Please note, there are discounted tickets available for students and seniors. Discount applies to students (with valid current ID), seniors over 65 (no ID required).

Make sure to come back to this page, follow me on Twitter, and Facebook as I will have my thoughts on the films I see in the next few days.

Breast Fest Film Festival opens at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema tonight, November 2nd, and runs until Sunday, November 4th. The festival uses the versatile media of film and the arts to inspire dialogue, facilitate learning and foster community by exploring the issues surrounding breast cancer.

Breast Fest is the world’s first and only film & arts festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness and education. Like previous years, you’ll have a chance to take in some very interesting films, as well as, a speakers series.

The films this year include…

Friday, November 2 
8:00 p.m.: Opening Night Screening: Jonna’s Body, Please Hold

Saturday, November 3 
1:30 p.m.: Pink Ribbons
4:30 p.m.: Cléo de à 7

Sunday, November 4
10:30 a.m.: Semper Fi: Always Faithful
1:30 p.m.: One From Afar
3:45 p.m.: Pink Skies

Being aware about breast cancer does not have to be limited to hearing about its grim facts. Breast Fest allows us to see films that are funny, relevant, and personal while at the same time, giving us a chance to learn more about breast cancer in a non-medical setting, like in their speaker series. Tickets to the Opening Night are $20; all other film screenings are $10. You can purchase them online here or at the theatre box office.

Programmed in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, the Harbourfront Centre celebrates Mexico’s annual Day of the Dead Festival this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, November 3-4.

The event is a time of return – where families come together, city dwellers return to ancestral villages and the dead visit the living.

New this year, are special lectures and workshops led by experts in Mexican cuisine, history and visual art. Chloë Sayer, author and specialist in Mexican popular culture and history, presents an informative talk-back session with Carlomagno Pedro Martinez. Martinez, a renowned expert on the art of ‘barro negro’ (black clay) sculptures, will also hosts hands-on workshop.

The leading authority on Mexican regional cooking and ingredients, chef Diana Kennedy (known as the Julia Child of Mexican cooking), participates in an intimate and interactive conversation with local food authority Naomi Duguid.

Viva Mexico Mariachi – Source: Harbourfront Centre

Visitors can also experience authentic mariachi tunes with Viva Mexico Mariachi, enjoy the music of Pedro Montejo and his guitar, Jorge Moreno and Café con Pan, watch a colourful dance performance from the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company and peruse at the Mexican Craft Market where artisans working with traditional materials such as paper, clay, and sugar create images filled with broad humour and cutting satire, to remind the living that the life you lead on earth garners respect or ridicule in the after-life.

Staff of the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto present this year’s ofrenda dedicated to the recently deceased internationally renowned author, Carlos Fuentes.
Español: El Festival del Día de los Muertos se celebrará en Toronto en el Harbourfront Centre este Sábado y Domingo, 3-4 de Noviembre. Este festival es posible gracias a la colaboración del Consulado de México en Toronto, Harbourfront Centre y el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de México. Este evento es completamente GRATIS. La ofrenda de este año será dedicada al autor Carlos Fuentes. Durante el festival podran gozar de música Mariachi, bailes folkoricos de México y mucho más!

Source: updateslive.blogpot.com

Material Source: Consulate General of Mexico.