Torontoist » “Louise Lecavalier”

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.

Urban Planner: April 13, 2011

Laura Hewitt — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Urban Planner is Torontoist‘s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to events@torontoist.com.

Alias Dance Project presents The First LP. (Back row L–R) Sarah Yu, Gita Harris, Lauren Cook, Andrea Spaziani; (front row L–R) Geordan Coupland, Meghan Cafferky. Photo courtesy of E. S. Cheah.

In today’s Urban Planner: a fun-filled night to raise awareness about prostate cancer in black communities, a play about science, two dance shows, and an evening of book readings from great authors, including Giller Prize winner Johanna Skibsrud.

FUNDRAISER: Everyone can agree that prostate cancer is no laughing matter. However, Sway Magazine is putting on a night full of laughter and entertainment called Santé Soirée in support of this great cause. The benefit aims to break down barriers surrounding prostate cancer in black communities by bringing together some of Canada’s hottest performers. Juno Award–winning artist Divine Brown and comedian Trixx will co-host, and the evening will feature performances from a variety of artists. Caribbean-fusion food and complimentary cocktails are sure to keep the crowd happy at the beginning of the night. Ticket prices include a donation to Prostate Cancer Canada and a subscription to Sway Magazine. Embassy Nightclub (117 Peter Street), 7:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m., $20.
SCIENCE: Were you a Bill Nye the Science Guy fan growing up? If so, you may want to visit “Let Newton Be!” a dramatization of the life and times of Sir Isaac Newton presented by the University of Toronto Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, along with the Department of Physics. Drawing on the writings of Newton and his contemporaries, the play sets the war between science and religion as the background for Newton’s personal struggles. Isabel Bader Theatre (93 Charles Street West), 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., $15–$25.
ARTS: Tonight, Alias Dance Project opens its first full-length presentation with The First LP, a contemporary dance show featuring projects by some of Canada’s best choreographers, including Heidi Strauss, Apolonia Velasquez, Solid State Breakdance, Troy Feldman AKA BBoy Whiplash, Valerie Calam, Meghan Cafferky, and Geordan Coupland. The presentation will feature group pieces as well as solos combining urban hip-hop dance styles—breakdance, popping and house—with contemporary forms. Lower Ossington Theatre (100A Ossington Avenue), 8:00 p.m., $20 (for tickets, call 416-204-1082).
ARTS: Hosted by Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage Series, Canadian contemporary dance artist Louise Lecavalier returns to Toronto with the debut of her new company, Fou Glorieux. Lecavalier brings a program of duets, Children and A Few Minutes of Lock, to the Fleck Dance Theatre, April 13 through April 16, her first performances on a Toronto stage since 1999. Tickets are available online. Fleck Dance Theatre (207 Queens Quay West), 7:30 p.m., April 13–16, $15–$45 (discounts available for students and arts workers).
LITERATURE: The Authors at Harbourfront Centre series consistently features a lineup of award-winning authors and literary stars, and this week is no exception. Giller Prize–winning author Johanna Skibsrud will read from The Sentimentalists, and the evening will also feature Suzanne Desrochers reading from Bride of New France, and Antanas Sileika relating passages from Underground.
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West), 7:30 p.m., $10 (or FREE for members, students, and youths 24 and under).