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Urban Planner: September 1, 2009
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 [email protected].
Stills from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, playing at the Fox Theatre tonight for the John Hughes Tribute.
FILM: John Hughes, a filmmaker best remembered for his iconic coming-of-age films of the 1980s, passed away last month, and to celebrate his life the Fox Theatre presents a mini marathon of some of Hughes’ best work. The John Hughes Tribute will see five films written and directed by the late artist screened over three nights, starting with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Weird Science tonight. The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink screen Wednesday, while Planes, Trains & Automobiles will round out the showcase on Thursday. Fox Theatre (2236 Queen Street East); 7 p.m. (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), 9:15 p.m. (Weird Science); $8 for members, $11 for non-members.
ART: Today is the grand opening of the Art Doll Gallery in the Distillery District. The art doll is a little known art form that discourages categorization through its particular use of mixed media. Art doll artists need skills in a variety of arts and crafts, including sculpting, costuming, sewing, and painting. Some of the work is abstract, while other pieces can be very lifelike, but none of these dolls are toys. This gallery, the first of its kind in Toronto, will feature some international pieces as well as local work, combined in an effort to promote this burgeoning art form to the artistic community in Toronto. Distillery District, Art Doll Gallery (55 Mill Street, Building 59, Suite 104), 7 p.m., FREE.
PERFORMANCE: The Festival at the Fort kicks off today with Great Voices, a site-specific theatre piece covering some of the major events of the War of 1812. There will be appearances by historical figures like Tecumseh, Laura Secord, and John Graves Simcoe (all played by actors, of course—although there are rumours that Fort York is haunted). This ninety minute show will feature these historical characters performing monologues and music, written and performed by James Gordon. There will be campfires, traditional native corn soup and bread, Red Pepper Spectacle Theatre puppets, and fireworks at the end of the night. Fort York (100 Garrison Road), 8 p.m., $20.
ART: Tonight, the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU) brings you Latin American artist Humberto Vélez and his documentary, The Fight (2007). The Fight follows Vélez’s performance piece of the same name, commissioned by the Tate Modern in 2007, involving five amateur boxing fights set to music composed by MC Mic Assassin, and choreography by the street dance company Flawless. Vélez is staying in Toronto for a month-long residency at the AGYU. He’ll be using that time to work on a piece that will be performed in September of next year. The screening tonight will be followed by Q&A with the artist and curators Emelie Chhangur and Elizabeth Matheson, and DJ Cozmic Cat will spin for the rest of the night. Drake Hotel, Underground (1150 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., FREE.