Results tagged “harbourfrontcentre”

Book season is well and firmly upon us. Like the changing colours of the leaves and the rediscovery of the scarves in the back of your closet, the sudden surge of literary prizes and the annual return of the International Festival of Authors signal that autumn is decidedly here. And it makes sense, really: what better way to combat the chill than with a pile of books that keep you safely indoors?

WALKING TOUR: Looking for a new spin on the merits of Yonge Street's "gaudy" appeal? Perhaps a reasoned argument detailing the connections between the work of Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry and singer/pop-phenom Christina Aguilera? Then "Chicken Fat Perambulation #2" might be your type of historical walking tour. Hosted by Adam Sobolak (author of Pioneers Of Modern Design: From Britney Spears to Christina Aguilera and executive member of the Toronto Architectural Conservancy), this walkabout is billed as "metatouristic linear street theatre" and will be more of an "'arts performance' in the guise of a guided walk." The walk will start at the northwest corner of Yonge and Front streets and proceed north every two hours until they hit Steeles Avenue (definitely not for the couch-potato set). Northwest corner of Yonge and Front streets, 4–6 p.m., pay-what-you-can ($5 or $10 suggested).

It's not often you see a textile artist take part in an architectural exhibit. But Thea Haines's installation fits perfectly at Building for the Economy, the latest in Harbourfront Centre's series of untraditional and interdisciplinary architecture shows. Dispelling the notion that an economic downturn need only spell doom and gloom, her repurposing of tea towels and napkins of all types and colours—some still stained—suggests we rethink what we consider luxury versus necessity and return to a time when "making do" was common. The recession can, Haines suggests, provide artists and designers opportunities to seek beauty in frugality. That each piece of linen is embroidered with a single letter to spell out synonyms for "save" that are both contemporary ("scrimp") and archaic ("stint") suggests looking to the past to solve present-day concerns. These are all themes addressed by the three participating architectural firms.

Toronto's reputation as a city bent upon destroying its past is well-deserved. But an exhibit at Harbourfront Centre suggests that this reputation is becoming a thing of the past. Given the opportunity to reflect upon history's place in architectural practice, in "Building on History," three of the city's leading firms provide remarkable insight into how architects think about heritage and value heritage buildings in different ways.

ART: The Harbourfront Centre's Power Plant Gallery kicks off its winter season with a public reception tonight with three exhibitions addressing the uncertainties of the world around us. "If We Can't Get It Together," "Headless," and "Beauty Plus Pity" all feature homegrown and international artists, and the gallery promises an exciting series of lectures, films, and other ways to approach the idea that we've over-consumed our way into absolute emotional and fiscal bankruptcy. Happy holidays! The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queen's Quay West), opening tonight 7:30–11 p.m., gallery hours Tuesday to Sunday, 12–6 p.m., Wednesday 12–8 p.m., closed Mondays, holiday hours vary, FREE.

DISCUSSION: Are re-runs of Inside the Actors Studio starting to bore you? Then check out View Points: Inside the Musicians Studio tonight, with DJ and journalist Denise Benson stepping in for James Lipton, and Rolf Klausener of The Acorn and Slim Twig stepping in for Al Pacino. Learn about the complex thought processes and strains of really good weed behind the magic that is song writing. Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West), 7 p.m., $5 at the door.

ART: Inject some colour into a drab November evening with a Toronto Public Space Committee Art Attack. Bring warm clothes and bright leaves and join in the creation of foliage-based installation art pieces, featuring wheat pasting and hanging leaf mobiles. In front of the University of Toronto Visual Studies building (1 Spadina Crescent), 7 p.m., FREE.

ART: Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven, not eight, but nine (phew!) visual art exhibitions open today at the Harbourfront Centre. Featuring pieces ranging from a diseased baby vulture to an upside-down Christmas tree, there's sure to be something for everyone in your twisted, post-modern family. Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West), opening tonight from 6–10 p.m., runs until January 4, 2009, FREE.

SPORTS: Join Red Bull Street Style today at the Great Hall for the National Street Style Finals. Sixteen soccer-trick stars will compete to become Canada's freestyle soccer champion, with the winner advancing to the Red Bull Street Style Worlds Finals next month in Brazil. The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West), 3:30 p.m., FREE.

Michael Ondaatje, with Art of Time violinist Julia Wedman.

FILM: There are a couple of film screenings today. Patti Smith: Dream of Life, Steven Sebring’s new documentary about the singer/songwriter/artist, opens today and will screen until October 2 at the Royal Cinema (608 College Street, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., <$10). As well, Mixed Greens, the monthly environmental film series at the Gardiner Museum, will be screening Marie-Monique Robin’s documentary, The World According to Monsanto. The film is presented in association with the upcoming Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival, which will take place during the week of October 22 (111 Queen’s Park, 6:45 p.m., PWYC [$7 suggested]).

SPORTS: A community meeting is being held tonight by City Councillor Bill Saundercook to discuss bike lanes running along Annette Street between Runnymede Road and Jane Street. The Toronto Cyclists Union is encouraging "strength in numbers," asking that "everyone who wants Toronto to have a secure, connected bicycle network should attend." James Culnan Catholic School (605 Willard Avenue), 7 p.m., FREE.

WORDS: This evening at the Bay-Bloor Indigo, join author James McBride and director Spike Lee for a discussion about the film adaptation of McBride's 2003 novel, Miracle at St. Anna. There will be a book signing after, but attendees are asked not to bring additional memorabilia—sadly, collectors will have to hang out in front of five-star hotels this weekend if they want any autographs they can sell on eBay. Indigo (55 Bloor Street West), 7:30 p.m., FREE.

SPORTS: It's Labour Day weekend, and you know what that means! It's time for the annual three-day soundtrack of the pending apocalypse. In layman's terms, it's the Canadian International Air Show, a celebration of flight and scared looks on tourists' faces as planes fly a little too close to the Toronto skyline. This year's performers include the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team, the Canadian Snowbirds Demonstration Team, and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Admission to the show is included when you visit either Ontario Place or the CNE. Until Monday. Exhibition Place (200 Princes' Boulevard), 1 p.m.

FILM: As the summer continues, so do Toronto's weekly outdoor movies. Tonight, the Harbourfront Centre is screening 1998 Tom Tykwer thriller Run Lola Run in German with English subtitles. Just three subway stops away, 1987 Rob Reiner fantasy The Princess Bride is showing at Yonge-Dundas Square. Both films begin at 9 p.m., and both are FREE.

You never know who you may see. Appearing at the Harbourfront today is a myriad of local and international talent from the Toronto International Circus Festival, brought to you by Zero Gravity Circus and Harbourfront Center. Acts ranging from new vaudeville to contortionists to acrobats are complemented by hands-on activities for kids. (And it's all free—but today's the last day to take it all in.)

The circuses of today feature less slapstick and more spectacle (think: Cirque), taking audiences from peanut-strewn mall parking lots to cushy Vegas theatres. But this weekend’s Toronto International Circus Festival, which kicks off Harbourfront Centre’s annual roster of awesome summer fun, is the best of both worlds: accessible (it’s free) and theatrical.

Once a proud Torontoist staffer, now a published YA novelist: Jill Murray is celebrating the release of her first book this week.

For some magically ridiculous reason, CBC Radio 3's weekly countdown, the R3-30, is broadcasting from a skating rink this week in a move that's heavily dividing the hipster set after the announcement of another free—and markedly less active—event that same night: Tokyo Police Club at Nathan Phillips Square.

According to Environment Canada, this winter will be the coldest in fifteen years. That news should send us all running for the comforts of indoors, but once again Harbourfront Centre provides the perfect reason to play outside. DJ Skating Nights return for a third year, providing those who brave the cold to skate under the glittering skyline with a soundtrack from local DJs. The five Friday nights of the series will feature five different...

Photo by EIFF.

"March of the Penguins" by BrynJ.

Last night, the seats of Harbourfront Centre's studio theatre were packed with a mix of middle-aged art aficionados and well-coiffed hip, young homos all dying to see Francesco Vezzoli give a lecture and screen his notorious Trailer for a Remake of Gore Vidal's Caligula. Vezzoli is an Italian artist known for his work in video and embroidery (yes, embroidery) who set the art world ablaze a couple of years ago with his re-imagining of the infamous, semi-pornographic swords and sandals schlock-fest that actually was written by Gore Vidal. Vezzoli's trailer for an imaginary remake features Vidal as himself, as well as a ridiculously A-list cast, including original Caligula star Helen Mirren, Milla Jovovich, Justine Bateman, Karen Black, Gerard Butler, Benicio Del Torro and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas fame. The title role is played by both Vezzoli himself and Courtney Love and the costumes are designed by Donatella Versace.

All summer long, Toronto has been jam-packed with countless cultural festivities, and as the last weekend of the summer begins to dawn on us—with students gearing up for school and vacations coming to an unfortunate end—why not end the summer with some Ukrainian style?

Last week, because we were completely distracted by Dock in a Box, we didn’t mention our sadness at the loss of both Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni. We also couldn’t think of a Director bad enough to lament the continued existence of in the same breath.

If you’re feeling hungry and are looking for something a little less bland than your average, it might be worth dropping by the Tenth Annual World Spicy Food Festival at Harbourfront. The Festival promises three solid days of spicy goodness, with heat levels ranging from slightly piquant to eye-popping, face-melting, sinus-clearing insanity.