The eighth annual Air Canada enRoute Film Festival, an extension of enRoute Magazine, has announced its nominees for this year’s festival. Award categories include Best Short Film, Achievement in Direction, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Animation, and, new this year, Achievement in Documentary.
The 2014 Air Canada enRoute Film Festival Award Nominees are:
Yassmina Karajah forLight Renaud Lessard for The Wild Kids Russell Ratt-Brascoupe for The Hearing Raquel Sancinetti forCycle
The winner of the Best Short Film Award will receive a cash prize of $5,000 courtesy of Cineplex Entertainment. All winners will receive an all-inclusive trip for two to the Berlin International Film Festival, courtesy of Air Canada. These are excellent prizes for any filmmaker, in my opinion.
A free public screening of the nominated short films will take place on Wednesday, November 5th at the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto starting at 7pm. An exclusive awards celebration will take place at 2nd Floor Events immediately after the screening hosted by an ETALK presenter. Jury members expected to attend the awards celebration include NFB executive producer Michael Fukushima, actor Jennifer Podemski and 2013 Air Canada enRoute Film Festival Best Short Film Award Winner Andrew Moir.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award runs until tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31st on enroutefilm.com. The winner will be announced at the Wednesday, Nov. 5th awards celebration. By voting you can win a trip for two to a destination of their choice within North America, courtesy of Air Canada. FYI, you can vote once a day!
For more information on enRoute Film Festival, watch all festival selections and find out more about the festival, visit enroutefilm.com. Be sure to vote… Not only can you help a filmmaker win but you increases your chances to win too!
In 2012, 26 year-old Solomon Uyarasuk died while in RCMP custody in Igloolik, Nunavut. The authorities reported Solomon killed himself using a shoelace while in his cell. Suicide is unfortunately a much too common occurrence in Nunavut; especially amongst the Inuit community. Solomon’s family and friends just could not accept the fact he had killed himself; not in the circumstances described by the authorities.
How does an entire community make sense of such loss? And how can the rest of Canada pay more attention to this very serious issue affecting one of its communities? These are some of the questions raised in the documentary SOL directed by Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Susan Avingaq. The filmmakers have set out to tell Solomon’s story while raising awareness about the high numbers of suicide in this Northern Inuit community.
Deeming this a very important issue, I posed some questions to director Marie-Hélène Cousineau about Solomon, this documentary, and how she and co-director Susan Avingaq gathered a community to talk about their history, losing their loved ones to suicide, and wishing to keep their traditions alive.
HM: My understanding is that you knew Solomon Uyarasuk, the young artist we come to know through your film. Could you please share how telling Solomon’s story has opened up the community of Igloolik to talk about suicide?
Marie-Hélène Cousineau (MHC): Yes I knew him since he was first 6 or 7 years old; a little boy, very cute and gentle. I was afraid people would not want to talk about suicide but as we went filming I realized they were open to share their pain and drama and hope and solutions because they want the situation to change. Young Inuit men have 13 times the suicide rate than other Canadians. It is not acceptable. Now we will bring the film in the communities and we will see how people react and how they talk. It is scary a little bit but …it has to be done, I believe it really. People need to talk because they are holding all this pain in.
HM:How did co-director Susan Avingaq become involved with the film? Her warm presence in the film seems to help in getting community members to talk more candidly, in my opinion.
MHC: She is the one who shared her concerns with me at first. She was very confused by the different stories she heard about Solomon’s death. She felt a lot of compassion for his family, for his biological mother (he was adopted).
HM:In the documentary, we meet other community members, friends and family of Solomon. What were the main themes, in your opinion, when they shared with you and Susan, their very personal stories?
MHC: They wanted to say that suicide was too prevalent, too common, too normalized. That was the most shoking thing for them. It became clear that everyone was touched by suicide, every one knew someone, of someone else [who had killed him/herself]. They also talked a lot about the role of the whole community to solve the problem.
HM: Besides honouring Solomon’s life, the documentary touches upon the topic of suicide in Nunavut and the North of Canada – a topic often neglected by the rest of Canada. I have read the Nunavut coroner will hold an inquest into Solomon’s jail cell death next month. Any thoughts you’d like to share on this development?
MHC: It was too long to have this inquest, too long a wait; there will be tensions, there will be sorrows and a feeling of having been disrespected. At the same time, there might be a feeling of closure; I hope so. But this wait was really, really too long. (more than 2 years). If it was not that complicated a situation , why wait so long? People will be suspicious. The justice system might not seem worth of the family’s trust.
HM: Outside of the festival circuit, and educational screenings, how can more people see this film?
MHC: [People] will be able to see it on SuperChannel in 2015.
This documentary may be about Solomon. But it deals with topics and problems present in Canadian society that many have turned a blind eye on. I encourage you to attend its premiere screening at imagineNATIVE tomorrow, Friday, October 24th – 5:30pm, at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
For my picks of what else to see and check out at imagineNATIVE, click here.
The Toronto theatre scene is one that offers a vast array of types and styles of theatre. Outside the mainstream theatre districs, we, as a captive audience, are practically spoiled in the many choices we have with the many theatre companies whose work grace the stage almost every night.
For this reason, I am giving you 5 reasons to get out of the ordinary and make your way to Brotherhood: The Hip Hopera playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre until Saturday, October 25th.
Reason 1 This is a non-stop, high energy, one man show starring Sébastien Heins as two brothers living the Hip Hop Life. It uses original music and physical theatre to tell this parodied story. Key word: Parody.
We are taken from the 1970s and into the future, as Sébastien mixes Hip Hop and R & B, Rap, Soul, Funk, and Gospel to share a raw yet touching story of family and brotherly love. And be sure that Sébastien’s performance as all characters does not disappoint. Not to mention he has great stage presence.
Reason 2 This afteRock Plays production is more of an “immersive experience”; akin to being at a live hip hop concert. From the pre-show performances to the music playing as you enter the theatre we are already part of the journey, so to speak.
Reason 3 The music. For those of us who grew up listening to hip hop and rap along with some older music genres, the music will literally resonate with you. It may even take you back… way back.
Reason 4 It is an opera. By definition, an opera is “a dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists.” This show has all of these. The highs and low of any and every opera can be found in Brotherhood…
Reason 5 It is diverse. It is great to see theatre from companies reflecting the many cultures of our city, as is bcurrent. As audience members, and as theatre aficionados, we need to support companies like this so that we can see more of the stories that reflect our society as a whole on stage.
As well, do not forget to check out the other afteRock Plays production, The Femme List. This isa multidisciplinary work, directed by the 2014 Ken McDougall award-winning director, Gein Wong; starring Catherine Hernandez. It reveals what it is like to be sexy and proud, slutty and loud, queer and brown. It also plays until Saturday, October 25th. Buy a Combo Set and catch both shows the same night!
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival begins next week, running October 22-26, showcasing some of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe.
This year’s festival includes: 130 films and videos; nine Radio Works; seven multi-platform New Media works; four art exhibitions featuring 19 media artists; 11 industry panels and public workshops; and 17 commissions. Continuing to expand its line-up, imagineNATIVE will feature 175 artists representing more than 70 distinct Indigenous nations from 12 countries, including a special International Spotlight on the diverse and remarkable work of Indigenous artists from across Australia.
I cannot tell you how much this choice of opening film makes me smile from ear to ear. This vampire ‘documentary’ screened at TIFF’s Midnight Madness in September, which is where I saw it. It also won TIFF’s MM Audience Choice Award. It has been doing the festival circuit since and has garnered some excellent response. No need to tell you what it is about because I sincerely hope you make it out to this one. I laugh every time I think of scenes from the film. As well, co-director Taika Waititi will be in attendance.
Set among the landscape of the Navajo Reservation, the film will takes us on a journey of exploration into the lives of three young Navajo people. The film focuses on three protagonists – who represent three genders – which to me, make for a progressive move in terms of filmmaking, in general. Definitely curious about this one.
Aside from films, imagineNATIVE has now published its first anthology of essays written by leading Canadian Indigenous new media artists, edited by Steven Loft and Kerry Swanson. Attend to hear about the book and enjoy some light refreshments.
Friday, Oct 24th, 5:30pm SOL TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4
A documentary about Solomon Uyarasuk, a young Inuk man filled with talent and promise, who was found dead while in RCMP custody in 2012. The police claim suicide but the community suspects murder. I’ll have more about to say about this film and Solomon’s story in the next few days.
Short films that sound like a complete sensory experience. There is something to be said about experimental films, and thus, I suggest you check out the line up for this shorts programme.
Documentary filmmakers, producers and advocates will engage in a discussion about the vital importance of documentary films. They will also talk about how the industry might and should respond to the need for creating opportunities in order to bring these stories to wide audiences.
Saturday, Oct 25th, 4:15pm The Pa Boys TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 3
Three Maori flatmates decide to form a band and embark on a pub tour “Down North” to Cape Reinga in Aotearoa. Boasting a “hot reggae soundtrack”, I am keen to see where this tour takes us.
Celebrating 15 years is no small feat, and why not join in the party? Be part of it and groove to the sounds of Bear Witness of DJ collective A Tribe Called Red. The party will also feature Cris Derksen and Red Pepper Spectacle Arts.
A rock band from Greenland? Indeed! This Indigenous band, Sumé, recorded three albums in the early 1970s. This documentary should be a great introduction to the band, their politics, and music.
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, imagineNATIVE commissioned five short films created by five female Indigenous Canadian filmmakers. The screening will be followed by an in-depth, in-cinema panel featuring the artists and executive producer and project manager Danis Goulet. The line-up looks very strong.
On-Goin until Fri, Oct 31st Ice Fishing Art Exhibit At 401 Richmond
imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest Indigenous festival showcasing innovation in film, video, radio and new media. For full film and festival listings, as well as ticketing and box office information, visit imaginenative.org.
One of my favourite film festivals, and the first I decided to cover when I started this site, the Toronto After Dark Film Festival (TAD) takes over downtown Toronto beginnng tomorrow until October 24th.. In store, there are 9 nights of horror, action, cult, and sci-fi movies. It is by far, one of the most fun festivals to attend… not only as a cult film fan.
For those of you who, like me, are still making up your schedules, I have taken the liberty of compiling a list of films I am planning to check out. If you don’t reside in Toronto but you’re not wanting to miss the film festival, have a look into short term rental accommodation provided by companies such as DelSuites and others in the Toronto area.
Opening Night Thursday, Oct 16th, 9.45pm SUBURBAN GOTHIC (USA) Director Richard Bates, Jr. bring us this “spooktacular ghost-hunting horror comedy starring Criminal Minds’ Matthew Gray Gubler, Thor’s Kat Dennings, Twin Peaks’ Ray Wise, Jeff Combs & John Waters“.
Horror comedies are not only fun but can have a wider appeal. I have also read some positive reviews on this film; as such, it seems like a good way to start our time at TAD.
Sunday, Oct 19th, 9.30pm LATE PHASES (USA) This werewolf thriller builds to “an intense violent climax, in which a series of vicious nighttime attacks in an otherwise tranquil community compels an aging war veteran (Stake Land’s Nick Damici) to take matters into his own hands. As the ex-solder starts to track down the culprit, he realizes he’s up against a deadly foe that’s not quite human, but rather one part man, one part wolf, and very hard to kill”.
A werewolf thriller? There is no way I could miss this film. And yes, this film is also garnering some positive attention as well… I’m ready to howl!
Monday, Oct 20th, 7.00pm OPEN WINDOWS (SPAIN/USA) From Spanish director, Nacho Vigalondo (Time Crmes) comes this dark cyber thriller about a man (Elijah Wood) forced into a deadly game of cat and mouse with an online psychopath.
Elijah Wood in a thriller sounds rather enticing, if you ask me. Being a fan of Spanish horror as well, I am keen to see how this project turned out.
Tuesday, Oct 21st, 7.00pm PREDESTINATION (AUSTRALIA) A sci-fi crime thriller about a time-travelling agent (Ethan Hawke), tasked with stopping crimes before they’re committed.
To be frank, I am choosing this film based on the fact that it’s Ethan Hawke and a sci-fi movie. Add some time travel to the mix and I am there… well, in a manner of speaking.
Thursday, Oct 23rd, 9.30pm WHY HORROR? (CANADA) In this documentary, horror journalist Tal Zimerman (Rue Morgue) travels the world to understand why we love to be scared. Horror icons John Carpenter, George A. Romero, Eli Roth, Don Coscarelli and more share their lively opinions to the subject.
I think many of us wonder the same thing, why do we “love to be scared”? I also think we need to support Canadian film projects, especially documentaries. I am definitely looking forward to this one.
Closing Night Friday, Oct 24th, 7.00pm LET US PREY(UK/IRELAND) When a menacing stranger (Game Of Thrones’ Liam Cunningham) shows up in the middle of the night at an isolated police station, the officer on duty (Pollyanna McIntosh) finds herself suddenly besieged by a demonic outbreak of violence.
Hmm… cryptic description. I researched more about this film and all I have to say is, it sounds like a heck of a ride! Not for the faint of heart but certainly one not to miss. Bring a buddy, if necessary.
All screenings are preceded by various genre short films. And for your convenience, all films screen at the Scotiabank Theatre. For full details on the festival line-up, festival passes, film times and more, visit torontoafterdark.com. See you in the night… after dark.
To mount a stage production of a novel like To Kill A Mockingbird, that is controversial yet appreciated by young and old is no easy feat. Last week, Young People’s Theatre (YPT) did just that, and a great adaptation is not enough to describe it.
The overall production excels on various levels. The story deals with relevant yet serious themes on racism, rape, prejudice, and how these are seen through the eyes of a child. It is refreshing to see that YPT did not shy away from these.
I found myself quickly drawn into the story. The cast, under Allen MacInnis‘ direction, absolutely work well together. I noticed some familiar faces and some well-seasoned actors. Jeff Miller personifies Atticus Finch effortlessly and has “great stage presence” as my lovely companion put it to me. Tal Shulman (Dill), Noah Spitzer (Jem) and Caroline Toal (Scout) not only work well together and with the ensemble cast, they embody their respective characters very well. As an audience, we forget they are not children in real life.
Interestingly, this story always reminds me how often young people are more tolerable than adults. The character of Atticus Finch reminds us that parents play an integral role in how children view the world and those around them. There is no surprise why this novel, and its various interpreations on film or on stage, make it an important work to revisit again and again. The incidents in Ferguson are a clear example of how times change yet some people don’t. It is through stories like this one that we can continually engage a younger audience in discussing how ignorance and prejudice affect not only one person but many. Atticus explains it best, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
Jeff Miller as Atticus Finch and Caroline Toal as Scout Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann
From an artistic perspective, I quite liked the staging of the show. Dana Osborne and team did well in keeping the set design to a minimal feel. Lesley Wilkinson‘s great use of lighting creates the necessary space to evoke setting and mood. I very much like this type of staging, especially for young audiences. It reinforces the idea of using one’s imagination. But it also allows the audience to focus on the actors and the story.
Given that this is a production staged for a young audience — 11 years onwards — To Kill A Mockinbird may appear dialogue-heavy but it flows well. And it is not at all confusing. At 90 minutes with no intermission, its pacing works and nothing of importance is missed.
From casting, set and light design, and direction, YPT’s To Kill A Mockinbird is not to be missed. I, thus, highly recommend this stage adaptation of the novel. The show runs until November 2nd, with extra evening performances added on October 18th, 25th and November 1st. For full scheduling and show information, visit youngpeoplestheatre.ca.
TheReel Indie Film Festival (RiFF) provides moviegoers and music lovers with the best in music themed films. RiFF is an independent film festival launched in 2013 as part of the 10th anniversary of the international music festival, Indie Week. RiFF showcases films, panels, parties, and a keynote speaker.
For those of you who have yet to attend RiFF and are looking for some films to check out, I give you my picks.
OPENING NIGHT – Tuesday, Oct. 14th, 7pm Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty Directed by Greg Olliver (USA -Canadian Premiere) Featuring interviews with Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), and Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan), amongst others, Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty charts the life and career of blues legend Johnny Winter, from his early beginnings in Texas to his later life on the road.
Wednesday, Oct 15th, 9:30pm Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory Directed by Michael Rossato-Bennett (USA) As dementia continues to affect millions of elderly Americans, the touching film reveals a remarkable, music-based breakthrough that has already transformed lives.
This film will be preceded by the music video, Monobrow – performed by Dolman. As well as, by the short film Song from a Blackbird, directed by Enrique Pedraza.
Thursday, Oct 16th, 9:30pm No Land’s Song Directed by Ayat Najafi (Germany/France -Toronto Premiere) Since the revolution of 1979 in Iran, women are not allowed to sing in public as soloists. Composer Sara Najafi gathers Iranian and Parisian singers to collaborate on a project, re-opening a musical bridge between France and Iran and defying censorship and taboos.
This film will be preceded by the music video, Up – performed by Arrested Development. As well as, by the short film ROR, directed by Natalie Cunningham.
Saturday, Oct 18th, 7pm Born To Ruin Directed by Brendan McCarney (Canada) The film is a candid and sincere look at 5 best friends who comprise the Toronto indie band Wildlife. It follows their lives as they write and record an album. Nothing is censored. Nothing off-limits.
This film will be preceded by the music video, Hard Part – performed by Nathan Wiley. As well as, by the short film Petty Troubles, directed by Isaac Pingree.
RiFF will be screening many other films besides my picks here. Be sure to check out their website for full festival schedule and ticketing information, reelindiefilmfest.com. All film screenings will take place at The Royal Cinema.
If you are curious about the Indie 101 panels, seminars, mixers, and this year’s key note speaker, visit indie101.com for full listings. Series begins on Thursday, Oct 16th, at the Bond Place Hotel.
And do not forget to check out Indie Week, from Oct 15th to 19th, at various venues in Toronto. It will be a week full of local and international talent, as well, as films, parties, and more!
Have any of you ever heard of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW)? This is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. The week was established in 1992 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) while working together with all its member organizations and various supporters across Canada.
I prefer the term mental health awareness. Why, you ask? Because mental health affects each and everyone one of us. Surely, some have issues that affect their mental health to a more serious degree. Nonetheless, being aware and informed is key, in my opinion, in de-stigmatizing the notion of mental illness. If you’d like to learn more about the effects that mental health can have on the facets of your life, such as your work performance, you can look here to discover how exactly it impacts productivity as well as some of the things you can do to combat the effects of mental health and support yourself or others through it.
Moreover, it is no secret that more needs to be done to spark conversations about some of the emerging natural products (available at websites like CBDinsider.com and similar others) out there that can potentially help people manage depression and anxiety. In recent years, more people have started to supplement traditional therapies and counselling with alternative herbal products. In that light, it becomes important to raise awareness of the types of products that can be found on dispensary websites like herb approach and Buy My Weed Online.
Cannabis based products are not the only natural remedies that can be used in mental health toolkits though. The use of psilocybin, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, has soared in popularity among people living with stress, depression, and anxiety. It is thought that the mood-boosting properties of this psychedelic make it a popular choice among those living with mental health conditions. You can find further resources related to the use of psilocybin based products here: https://mushroomz.co/product/psilly2-mint-and-spirulina-dark-chocolate/.
Let’s also not forget that many artists, of all walks of life, have been affected by mental illness. And thus, it has had an impact on arts and culture as well. This is why initiatives like MIAW is a good place to start in understanding mental health and mental illness.
Starting Sunday, October 5th, Toronto will host various events in support of MIAW.
Open to the general public, the Department of Psychiatry at U of T and Hart House are hosting their 2nd annual MindFest – a free one-day event to kick-off National Mental Illness Awareness Week, which will take place on Monday, October 6th.
Mindfest activities include exhibit booths, an art crawl, film screenings, workshops, guest speakers, free food, stand-up comedy, and prizes. Workman Arts artists will be onsite to co-facilitate improv workshops, as well. MindFest aims to promote public awareness, dialogue, and understanding about mental health and illness. This year, in addition to the day’s speaker and workshop line-up, there is a free screening of Emmy winner John Kastner‘s film NCR: Not Criminally Responsible, at 7pm, Hart House Theatre. For a full listing of the day’s events, click here.
If a day of workshops is not enough, the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema will feature two groundbreaking feature documentaries about people declared not criminally responsible (or “NCR”) for offences due to mental illness, NCR: Not Criminally Responsible and Out of Mind, Out of Sight, directed by John Kastner and co-produced with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). The films will screen on October 8th and 9th, starting at 6:30 pm.
Both documentaries were filmed by Kastner over an intensive 18-month period, and included unprecedented access inside the Brockville Mental Health Centre. Both evenings will be moderated by Silva Basmajian, co-producer and executive producer of the films. I have seen both documentaries. I find them not only interesting as someone who works in the mental health field, but also because they shed light on society and how we choose to deal with mental illness.
Also on October 8th, a screening of William Kurelek‘sThe Maze will be co-presented by Workman Arts and Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival. The screening will take place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, at 7pm. Admission is $10 general public, $5 students. This screening will be followed by a panel discussion.
The film is told through Kurelek’s paintings and his on-camera revelations. It takes an intimate look into the life of one of the 20th century’s most fascinating artists, his struggles with attempted suicide and what he called his “spiritual crisis”. I have seen the film, and have written about it here as well. For more on my thoughts on Kurelek, the film, and the filmmakers’ campaign to further this project, click here.
And for those of you who also appreciate visual arts, you can attend the Opening Reception of the 14th Annual Being Scene Juried Exhibition on Thursday, October 9th at the Gladstone Hotel, 5-8pm. Admission to the reception is FREE of charge; you can RSVP online via Eventbrite.
This annual juried exhibition is produced by Workman Arts for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). It presents a cross-cultural portrait of the healing power of art in order to build a more respectful and realistic understanding of those recovering from mental illness and addiction. The exhibition will run until October 30th, and will open between 12-5pm daily.
These are some of the events I hope some of you will check out during MIAW. Through the arts, perhaps we can come to a better understanding of mental illness, those who live with it, and use art as a means to cope and work through it.
In his autobiographical concert/theatre show, Life, Death and The Blues, Raoul Bhaneja introduces us to his love of the blues. This hybrid performance combines autobiography, interview, live music and multi-media to explore the power, passion and meaning of the bluess and how over time, it has become more than just a passion for Bhaneja.
Many of those who love the blues aleady know that it grew out of African spirituals and worksongs. Thus, making the blues a very integral part of the ‘Black Experience’ in North America. In Life, Death and the Blues, Bhaneja tries to tease apart how can someone of a different ethnic background can honestly relate to this type of music, find it moving, and make it a part of his life journey.
Raoul Bhaneja, Divine Brown and Jake Chisholm – guitar – in Life, Death and The Blues. Photo by Michael Cooper
With the help of Juno Award-winning singer Divine Brown — whose voice fits this show perfectly — and members of his band The Big Time, we are privy to his very personal, introspective journey. With historical information, video clips, and great songs, we learn more about the blues as music genre, and what this music means to Bhaneja, who is an accomplished harmonica player. For those of you who were not aware, Raoul and The Big Time have been playing together since the late 1990s.
Life, Death and the Blues is not just about music. Throughout the show we hear Bhaneja and Brown discuss what the blues means to each of them, coming from a very different cultural experience. We come to think of music as more than a commodity that anyone can own. We are asked to think of how each of us relate to music. In a place like Canada, where many of use are immigrants or are the offspring of immigrant parents, how do we incorporate the music of our ancestors in our everyday life… And at the same time, embrace the different types of music that move us?
Chris Banks, Tom Bona, Raoul Bhaneja and Jake Chisholm in Life, Death and The Blues. Photo by Michael Coope
There is plenty to like in Life, Death and the Blues; there is great music, a talented cast, interesting set design, and of course, a personal story peppered with moments of heartbreak and comedy. Take the time to listen to the words spoken, and those in every song… they speak volumes.
Life, Death and the Blues plays at Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace until Sunday, October 19th. Each night features a different performance interview and jam session with a living Blues legend. Check the theatre’s website for ticketing and show information.
For those of you who have been living in Toronto for some time, you may have noticed the work of prolific street artist Poser. His Bunnies are easily recognisable and full of attitude.
The World Is Dying For Bold Ideas – Poser Photo: HyeM
Starting tomorrow, Thursday, October 2nd, Poser takes over the walls of #Hashtag Gallery. His self-titled show brings his familiar, friendly, energetic style of art indoors to a variety of different mediums. This collection branches out from site specific works, and tackles the challenge of making portable work with the same impact that encompass a little bit of Toronto in each piece.
Poser Bunny near College & Dufferin Photo: HyeM
The Toronto street art scene has evolved over the years. And as someone who has grown up in the city core, I find it fun to walk around and find new works by artists like Poser. I recently learned he has been a street artist for the past 10 years, but started working as Poser in 2006. You can read more about him here.
As for this first gallery show, it sounds like a neat way to meet the artist and see other works besides what we’ve come to know of Poser on the streets of T.O. #Hashtag Gallery will host this show from October 2nd to October 19th. I’l be sure to stop by the opening tomorrow night!
