Torontoist » graffiti

The Royal Ontario Museum Takes a Modern Approach to the Cradle of Civilization

Jamie Bradburn — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:00:32 +0000

The ROM's new exhibit offers a glimpse into ancient Mesopotamia, the birthplace of urban civilization.

The name “Mesopotamia” derives from a Greek term meaning “land between the rivers.” The Royal Ontario Museum’s latest major exhibit, which opens on June 22, takes this literally, as visitors flow between painted representations of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers on the floor.

Presented by the British Museum and rounded out with pieces from institutions in Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia, Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World covers 3,000 years of human development in the cradle of urban civilization. Most of the 170 artifacts on display have never been shown in Canada.

Passion Play‘s Journey Through Time

Steve Fisher — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:30:39 +0000

At four hours long, this sprawling, religious epic makes demands of its audiences—but it's worth the trouble.

There are a lot of chefs in the kitchen for the Canadian premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s Passion Play, a triptych set in three time periods that tells the stories of amateur actors (played by real actors) involved in staging performances of the story of Christ. Three different Toronto independent theatre companies, all with reputations for innovative staging and creation in their past work, each tackle one of the three acts. Ordinarily, such a complicated arrangement would be to a show’s detriment, but not in this case. While you need to be prepared for a marathon of theatre (the show runs four hours, incluing two intermissions), you’re certainly going to get your money’s worth.

Luminato 2013: A Literary Picnic

Peter Goffin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:00:02 +0000

Sixty acclaimed authors will gather in Trinity Bellwoods Park to read from their work and talk with fans.

“A cross between Woodstock and the Algonquin Round Table,” is what Michael Redhill called it. Dorothy Parker grinding out an electric cover of “The Star Spangled Banner”? Well, not quite. Rather, Redhill, the literary curator for Luminato 2013, was describing A Literary Picnic, the annual festival’s celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the written word.

A Guide to the 2013 Toronto Jazz Festival

Tracey Nolan — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:45:41 +0000

The 2013 Toronto Jazz Festival features international legends and local favourites. Plus, the first night is free.

The 2013 Toronto Jazz Festival descends on the city this Friday with a huge “free for all” event. That means all of Friday’s programming at every Jazz Festival venue is, yes, completely free of charge. There will be concerts from local favourites Molly Johnson and Mary Margaret O’Hara, plus a show by Smokey Robinson and Martha Reeves, who will be launching the fest from its epicentre, Nathan Phillips Square.

Here’s a rundown of some of the shows worth checking out on Friday—and during the rest of the festival, when you’ll actually have to pay.

Scadding Court’s Swimming Pool is Now a Fishing Hole

Chris Dart — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:45:41 +0000

Each year, Scadding Court Community Centre fills its swimming pool with fish, so urban families can have a taste of the wild.

Folks who are planning on having a swim in the pool at Scadding Court Community Centre over the next few days may find themselves a little disappointed. Those who want to go fishing, however, will probably be ecstatic.

For the rest of the week, the Community Centre will be holding its annual Gone Fishin’ event, meaning its indoor pool will be an indoor fish pond. The pool has been drained, dechlorinated, and refilled with 2,000 rainbow trout, to be caught by local children and families.

Vandalist: Just Breathe

Stephanie Avery — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:00:55 +0000

Let the art guide your way.

BY:		Unknown
LOCATION:		West Toronto Railpath
PHOTOS BY:		Vianney (Sam) Carriere
FIELD NOTES:		We love the West Toronto Railpath. It’s a safe passage with a fun mix of natural, industrial, and urban features—and, despite cutting across some of Toronto’s busiest areas, it feels like an urban oasis. Recently, we’ve noticed a section where clean new hoardings and freshly whitewashed walls line both sides of the path. It’s quite the contrast from the vivacious and colourful surroundings that line the rest of the trail. This particular section makes the path feel claustrophobic, like it’s a dead zone in an area otherwise lush with life. As graffiti artists work their way onto these new canvases, at least one of them has some excellent advice for us: Just breathe.