SHIVER is a new exhibit of mixed media installations by Elaine Whittaker at the Red Head Gallery. Making beauty out of fear, this exhibit viewers are asked to reconsider their notion of beauty, in this precarious time of contagions. READ MORE
The Images Festival is full underway, yet there is plenty of artworks to take in on-screen and off. I give you a sample of my top picks for you. The festival runs at various venues throughout downtown Toronto until April 18th. READ MORE
Canadian Music Week has announced the nominees for the 2015 SiriusXM Indies – 15th Annual Independent Music Awards. Celebrating another year of top independent talent – both Canadian and International – the award show will feature special performances from nominated artists, including The Glorious Sons, Alvvays, Broncho, and Miracles. As well, multi-platinum selling rock act Billy Talent will be headlining the SiriusXM Indies with an exclusive concert performance.
The awards will take place on Saturday May 9th, at the Grand Ballroom in the Sheraton Centre. READ MORE
Tonight, from April 10 to 19, Cinéfranco Festival International du Film Francophone takes over the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto.
One of the well-known festivals in the city, Cinéfranco has been bringing us some of the best in Francophone cinema for the past 18 years. This year, there is a vast array of Quebecois films, as well as others from around the globe. With this, I give you my thoughts on two films screeening at the festival this year. READ MORE
Sistering and Motion Clothing present the 13th annual Funny Girls & Dynamic Divas, a comedy and music cabaret. The evening will be hosted by leading Funny Girl Elvira Kurt on May 21 at the Glenn Gould Studio, in Toronto.
Canadian Music Week has announced nominations for the 18th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards. Among the nominees are Kiesza, MAGIC! and Hedley. This year’s award show will take place on Friday, May 8th at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. The awards celebrate first-time charted artists and honour individuals or groups with some of the most played songs on Canadian radio. This year’s show will feature performances by Dear Rouge, Andee, Virginia to Vegas and Jess Moskaluke. READ MORE
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a concert by great santur musician Sina Bathaie at the Small World Music Centre. Bathaie recently toured his acclaimed album Sound of Silence and releases of singles “I Remember,” and “Journey.” READ MORE
With two days to go, I have narrowed down my list of Top Picks at this year’s Toronto ComiCon. The three-day event takes over the Metro Convention Centre from March 20-22. In this short but carefully curated list, I give you some suggestions of places to be at, panels and Q&A sessions, as well as a film screening at the Bloor Cinema. Lots of goodies here! READ MORE
La Semaine de la Francophonie, Toronto’s premiere annual Francophone festival of arts and culture, celebrates its 15th anniversary with eight days of music, theatre, visual art, film, and food.
From March 20 to 28, la Semaine de la Francophonie will showcase the best Canadian Francophonie has to offer. As one of the biggest events of its kind in Toronto, la Semaine… will offer activities in French at various venues across the city.
Here are some highlights of events taking place across the city. Lots to sample, so take note! READ MORE
This current installment of In The City brings you some interesting listings of upcoming Toronto events that will certainly captivate your senses.
Father Figure: Exploring Alternate Notions Of Black Fatherhood
Exhibition: Feb 19 – Apr 2, 2015
Opening Reception: Feb 19 2015, 6-9pm
BAND Gallery
Father Figure offers a personal perspective into often-overlooked aspects of black fatherhood. As the viewer, you will gain intimate access to the daily lives of African-descended men whom photographer, Zun Lee, has worked with since 2011, and who are parenting in a variety of circumstances. Lee brings into focus what pervasive father absence stereotypes have distorted – real fathers who are involved in their children’s lives and who are not media caricatures.
Salon 21: Hearing Music
Feb 20, 2015
Gardiner Museum
Free Admission with RSVP
Featuring Dr. Ross Harwell, Doctor of Audiology
Audiologist Dr. Harwell, and Soundstreams Artistic Associate Kyle Brenders, will guide you through some of the tricks our ears play on us while listening to music. Experience the extreme ranges of our hearing through demonstration and discussion.
*I’ve attended other Salon 21 events and always learn something new. I highly recommend it.
The Wrecking Crew
February 20, 2015
Toronto – World Theatrical Premiere
The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Denny Tedesco’s documentary promises to take boomers back to the solid gold era when Los Angeles was a Top Forty mecca, where one session could produce several Top Ten hits. A labour of love for the filmmaker, The Wrecking Crew uses Tedesco’s memories of his late father, Tommy Tedesco, the prolific studio guitarist, as a gateway to a world of musicians who could make hits happen in any genre.
Amid a mix of archival footage and interviews, the film builds around a surviving members’ roundtable as the then-ailing elder Tedesco reminisces with drummer Hal Blaine, Plas Johnson and Carol Kaye, a single mother who was one of the most sought-after bass players in the ‘60s.
*I have not seen this film, but I often find music documentaries – regardless of reviews – are amusing, interesting, and can be thought-provoking. The Wrecking Crew should prove to be all of these for those of you curious about certain aspects of music history.
The Artist Project: Contemporary Art Fair
Feb 19-22, 2015
Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place
Tickets: Adults $15; Seniors/Students $10
The Artist Project brings artists from a variety of geographic and creative backgrounds to converge and connect with patrons looking to get a glimpse of tomorrow’s Art Stars. It is a unique opportunity to meet and buy art directly from artists at Toronto’s favourite art fair.
*I attended The Artist Project for the first time last year. Although I was unable to purchase major works of arts, I did meet some talented artists, who were gracious to answer my questions regardless of my knowledge of their work.
