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Urban Planner: February 4, 2009
DANCE: Harbourfront Centre launches the world premiere of Dance Marathon (on until February 7), an interactive dance performance from theatre collective Bluemouth, Inc. The piece invites the audience up on the dance floor to compete with professional dancers, just like in the real depression-era dance marathons that inspired it. Non-dancers are welcome to behave like wallflowers. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre (231 Queens Quay West), 7 p.m., $15–30.
THEATRE: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre hosts the kick-off bash for the 30th Rhubarb Festival, following tonight’s launch performances. An evening pass will get you in to see the shows plus admission to the party. Performances for the festival’s first week cover (or uncover, as it were) everything from voyeurism to ventriloquism. Party performers include Sasha Van Bon Bon, Daddy K and the Rhythm Method, Ina Unt Ina, and more. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street), 8 p.m. (performances) and 10 p.m. (party), $17.
LECTURE: Barry Blitt is the Canadian illustrator responsible for the controversial New Yorker cover parodying the campaign of fear against Barack and Michelle Obama. Blitt returns to his alma mater today to discuss the New Yorker cover, as well as the rest of his huge volume of work. OCAD, Central Hall (100 McCaul Street), 12–2:30 p.m., FREE.
WORDS: Broken Pencil and the Danforth Review are after our hearts with their Valentine’s Ice Cream Social. The social starts with a Valentine’s craft session in which participating writers contribute doses of acerbic wit to the tongue-tied. Readings follow from authors R.M. Vaughan, A. Rawlings, and more. The night is topped off by a generous dollop of live music. Ice cream will be served throughout, all in the name of local literature (swoon). Habesha Club (875 Bloor Street West, upstairs), 6:30 p.m., pay-what-you-can.
WORDS: Writer Carolyn Bennett (Odd Job Jack, This Hour Has 22 Minutes) lays bare her first feature script Special Status for LIFT Out Loud, a read-through performed by professional actors for the benefit of audience and writer. Moderating the discussion to follow is Tricia Fish, the screenwriter responsible for New Waterford Girl. XSpace (58 Ossington Avenue), 7 p.m., $5 (includes pizza).
ENVIRONMENT: Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (aka LEAF), the organization devoted to all things arborial in Toronto, invite you to make like a tree at tonight’s annual fundraiser. There will be the usual fundraiser-type activites, such as a silent auction and a really nice door prize, and Mayor David Miller is slated to make some presentations. In addition, Clay and Paper theatre will be running a tree-themed craft workshop, and our own Robin Hatch will be tickling the ivories. Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), 7 p.m., $25.