FILM: BAFTA award-winning director Rex Bloomstein's new documentary, An Independent Mind, is having its North American premiere this evening at Innis Town Hall. The film investigates freedom of expression today, sixty years after its enshrinement in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The screening is presented by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression along with Hot Docs and The Walrus. After the film, there will be a panel discussion on the limits of free expression with John Miller, professor of journalism at Ryerson; Frank Addario, a media defense lawyer; Mary Deanne Shears, former managing editor of the Toronto Star, and Carol Off, who co-hosts CBC Radio One's As It Happens. Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Avenue), 6:30 p.m., $10 ($8 for students).
Results tagged “sandroperri”
Photo of Tony Dekker by Trinh Nguyen
Musicologist is not sure The Drake is a large enough venue for the arrival of Baby Dee on Wednesday, February 6. The multi-disciplined artist is a classically trained harpist, organist, legendary Cleveland street and circus performer, and collaborator with such brilliant acts as Antony and the Johnsons. The 54-year-old performer brings a wealth of musical and artistic experience to the stage, and her transgendered politics are surfaced through her healthy variation of wistful harp and piano-driven pieces (often reminiscent of 70s singer-songwriters) and (most evidently on her recent release, Safe Inside the Day) ones resembling those of a cabaret score. It is difficult to not love Baby Dee for her eccentricity and musicianship, but most critics and new listeners have qualms with her sparse, unfocused voice. Similar to Joanna Newsom or Tom Waits, one must look beyond Baby Dee's unique voice and understand where it comes from—a less-than-perfect voice with heart is better than a big one with no emotion.
In celebration of 60 years and counting for the local, legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Joel Plaskett Emergency will be performing six consecutive shows this week beginning Monday, each day playing in chronological order an album in their discography of full-lengths. After seeing its days as a blacksmith shop, a strip club, and of course the host of some of the most legendary first time Toronto performances including Willie Nelson, The Talking Heads, and Neutral Milk Hotel,...
For live music junkies, the week between Christmas and New Year's can offer very little in terms of quality shows. The folks at The Drake Hotel are trying to remedy the situation with their What's In The Box? week of shows. Running from the 26th to the 30th, the Drake Underground and Lounge are featuring the best acts from 2006. Each day is five dollars and features five bands, leading to a nice "5 Bands 5 Days 5 Dollars" slogan.
Selling out a show is pretty impressive. Selling out four shows is definitely a sign you've arrived. Granted, local two-piece Death From Above 1979 did it in a smallish venue in their hometown, but it's still a feat. Starting tonight, DFA1979 will be taking over the Horseshoe for four shows in three nights, each show featuring a different formidable opening bill.
