This latest installment of In The City features music, theatre, film and visual art events taking place around T.O. this weekend and for the rest of the month.
Imaginary Friends
Gabrielle De Montomollin
The Red Head Gallery
February 4 to 28, 2015
Reception: Saturday February 7, 2-5 pm
Falls, on the shores of Lake Muskoka and the wintery streets of Montréal, sailing the Atlantic to points further East, de Montmollin’s real-in-art imaginary friends travel the world and send home visual “wish you were here” messages.
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| Roussillon, 2010. Gabrielle De Montomollin. |
The Backward Class
Hot Docs 2014 Audience Award Winner
Opens in Toronto Friday, February 6
The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
In the depths of rural southern India, in a small school devoted to backward caste students, aspiring graduates Vijay, Anith and Mala are studying. At seventeen years old, they are the inaugural graduating class and are preparing for final exams no class of their background has ever had the opportunity to write, the Indian School Certificate high school graduation exams.
Mooredale Concerts
Walter Hall, U of T
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Tickets: $30, or $20 for under age 30,
available online or by calling 416-922-3714 ext. 103
Mooredale Concerts brings together violinists Erika Raum and Scott St. John, violist Sharon Wei and cellist Thomas Wiebe. Three great classical works for duo and trio comprise their program – Schubert’s Trio for Strings in B flat major, D. 471; the Sonata for Two Violins in A minor by Eugène Ysaÿe; and Bach’s massive Goldberg Variations for String Trio in G major, BWV 988, arranged by Dmitry Sitkovetsky.
On the same afternoon, you can bring the kids to Music & Truffles – Classical Music for Family Enjoyment. The artists also perform a one-hour interactive version of the concert for young people age five and up, and their families. Sunday, February 8 at 1:15 p.m. at Walter Hall, iTickets, only $13, include a chocolate truffle for all.
Twisted
Factory Theatre with b current
Runs until February 22
Written by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman and Joseph Jomo Pierre
Directed by Nigel Shawn Williams
Starring: Susanna Fournier and Ngabo Nabea
Twisted is a modern-day reimagining of the Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, set in the heart of Toronto’s urban centre. In this retelling, Ollie, an orphaned black youth, and bottom girl Nancy are trying to survive the gritty streets of Toronto. Ollie has been in and out of foster homes and Nancy suffers from a loveless childhood, but they find love in each other, at least through their cell phones. Through their intimate and poetic text messages, they forge a powerful real-time connection – and plan a dangerous escape for a better life. Together.
From this list, I can tell you that I have attended previous Mooredale Concerts and have always enjoyed myself. I have also seen the documentary The Backward Class twice at Hot Docs Documentary International Film Festival last year. It is uplifiting, moving, and definitely a crowd pleaser. For the rest, I suggest you take the time to check out either the art or theatre show. They always make for an entertaining afternoon or evening out, especially in the winter.
