Summer in Toronto offers us a myriad of events to enjoy everyday. This week, there is no shortage of arts and cultural events taking place. In this installment of In The City, I list a few that should pique your interest.
Thursday, July 16, 7:00pm
Shorts That Are Not Pants
Carlton Cinema
This is a quarterly celebration of short film. Join other cinefiles to watch short films from all over the world courtesy of the Shorts That Are Not Pants curating team, led by James McNally. These screening are always fun and a way to introduce friends to some really great independent filmmaking.
Friday, July 17, 7:30pm
Metcalf and Tremblay: A Chair In Love
Array Music, 155 Walnut Avenue
Opera by Request presents a semi-staged performance of John Metcalf’s and Larry Tremblay’s A Chair in Love. A man chasing love. A chair chasing dreams. A dog chasing a man…chasing love…. This is a contemporary comic opera. It is also said to be inovative in how it integrates the instrumentalists into the dramatic action. All tickets $20.00. You can phone 416-455-2365 for reservations and more information.
Fri-Sun, July 17 – 19
LEO based on an original idea by Tobias Wegner
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre
Théâtre français de Toronto and PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC, are presenting LEO, a mind-bending, funny, surreal, and surprisingly touching work that challenges the senses and tests perceptions of reality through the clever interplay of live acrobatic performance and video projection. Tickets $20-$35; available online.
Fri-Sun, July 17 – 19
Ritmo y Color
Harbourfront Centre
This year marks the 10th edition of one of Toronto’s largest pan-Latin festivals, showcasing the cultural vibrancy of today’s diverse Latin American communities both locally and internationally. This year’s theme of rutas y raices (routes and roots) explores the geographical connection between North, South and Central America, and also the bridges we create between local and international artistic communities.
Artist highlights include Novalima from Perú, Toronto’s own Lost Otros. On Friday, July 17th at 9pm, the festival will also screen Santo vs. The Riders of Terror, the 1970 film starring Legendary masked wrestler and crime fighter El Santo. I grew up watching reruns of El Santo films; B-movie fun and definitely a cult fave!
Saturday, July 18, 2:00pm
Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photogprahpers and the Emergence of a People
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) – Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
A documentary about how African American communities have used the camera as a tool for social change from the invention of photography to the present. Director Thomas Allen Harris will be in attendance.
The screening of Through a Lens Darkly… introduces Of Africa‘s participation in the Family Camera Project launched by the ROM in May. The Family Camera Project aims to collect family photographs and oral histories from different communities in Ontario. Screening is free with RSVP.
Friday & Saturday, July 16 & 17
Franco-Fête de Toronto
Yonge-Dundas Square
Franco-Fête de Toronto is taking place now until July 24. With an astounding 60 artists performing, this edition of Franco-Fête will be the largest international Francophone festival of arts and culture that Toronto has ever seen. This weekend, there is a series featuring an all Franco-Latino line-up including the acclaimed Peruvian-Canadian folk/jazz singer Patricia Cano, as well as, Colectivo, 11 musicians from the cream of the crop of Montreal’s alternative scene, both on Friday night.
On Saturday, you can enjoy the sounds of Isabelle Longnus, a multidisciplinary artist, who has become one of the major artists of the Francophone rock song scene in Western Canada. And also music by Dylan Perron et Élixir de Gumbo, an original, energetic and spicy québécois bluegrass and folk ensemble.
Saturday, July 18, 1:30pm
Summer Music in the Park
The Bloor-Yorkville BIA presents David Leask, in the Village of Yorkville Park at Bellair and Cumberland Streets. Free, weather permitting.
July 19, 4:00pm & 7:30pm
Kol Nidre with 70 Hester Street
The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre – Al Green Theatre
The Toronto Jewish Film Society screens this film, with guest speaker author Bernice Eisenstein. Part musical and part melodrama, the film is delightful, comically dark, and unforgettable. This is a co-presentation with The Yiddish Vinkl Toronto. Tickets $10-$15; general admission.
These events are but a few examples of the many, fun and engaging events happening this week. Be sure to check a few of these out, and if you have energy, I also suggest checking out some PANAMANIA events as well. The fun never stops!
