Urban Planner: April 8, 2009

Sgt. F. de Bruin, Department of Prisons Employee, Orange Free State, 1992. From Roger Ballen's Platteland, courtesy of the artist.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Photographer Roger Ballen gives a talk about his latest work on exhibit at the OCAD Professional Gallery (on until May 31). The exhibit consists of work from Ballen’s eighth book, Boarding House—a series of desolate images which Ballen’s monochromatic style renders even more sombre—as well as collected pieces from his thirty-year career. Ballen will be available for book signing after the lecture. OCAD Professional Gallery (100 McCaul Street), 6:30 p.m., FREE.

WORDS: As part of the ongoing Lit City events, Toronto writers Elizabeth Abbott and Kenneth Whyte host a non-fiction version of Keep Toronto Reading’s literary luncheon series today. Abbott reads from her Sugar: A Bittersweet History, while Whyte shares some of his William Randolph Hearst bio The Uncrowned King. Food is available in limited quantities, so if you are not brown-bagging it, get there early. Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 12:30–1:30 p.m., FREE ($5 for lunch).

MUSIC: From the eastern jazz front comes New York City’s Two Rivers Ensemble, fronted by Iraqi-American trumpeter Amir ElSaffar. The quintet are solid contemporary American jazz musicians who have turned their ear to ElSaffar’s traditional Iraqi music heritage and a new route of sound exploration. This is the ensemble’s Toronto debut. The Music Gallery at St. George the Martyr Church (197 John Street), 8 p.m., $25 ($15 students).

WORDS: Zephyr Press’ anthology TOK: Writing the New Toronto releases issue number four with an expansion into the urban writing of other Canadian cities. The launch is hosted by Matt Galloway and features readings from some of the anthology's contributing writers. Music follows the readings with a jam session of local musicians pooled together by LAL's Rosina Kazi. Copies of TOK: Writing the New Toronto, Book 4 will be available at the launch. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., FREE.

ART: OCAD thesis students Leveson Cocarell and Cotey Pope have curated an exhibit called “Future Bikes” that visually celebrates the art of the bicycle. The show’s opening today begins with a pre-exhibit ride from Trinity Bellwoods Park (at 4:30 p.m.) to the reception at Steam Whistle Gallery (rsvp rsvp@steamwhistle.ca). Steam Whistle will be offering a free bike check inside the beer hall for the occasion. Steam Whistle Gallery (255 Bremner Boulevard), 6 p.m., FREE.