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Weekend Planner: November 21–22, 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].
Image of NEST sculpture dolls by Beside Herself. Photo courtesy of the Fox Theatre.
CRAFT: The Fox Theatre and girlcancreate.com are teaming up to present Movies and Makers: An Art and Craft Show, along with a screening of Faythe Levine’s Handmade Nation, a documentary about North America’s DIY craft movement. The craft show will showcase the work of over thirty local artisans and vendors, including east-end craft proprietess Nathalie-Roze, textile printmakers Beside Herself, and Kensington printers Kid Icarus. With tons of clothing, pottery, zines, and jewellery, it’s the perfect place to get some holiday shopping done. Stick around after the show for the documentary screening, which will either leave you satisfied with your handmade purchases or feeling inspired to go home and make something yourself. Fox Theatre (2236 Queen Street East); Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., screening at 4:30 p.m.; FREE (screening is $8 or $6 for members).
ART: More than one hundred local artists from Leslieville and other city neighbourhoods are coming together for Monosaic. The opening of this mixed-media installation and sale is being held at Labspace Studio, a new artist-run centre in the east end. Just as the artists came together for this project, the collection of close to two hundred “monotone” squares (6″x6″) collectively create a unified installation. Individual pieces of “monotone” artworks will be sold for seventy-five dollars each on opening night. Following the viewing and sale, Labspace Studio is hosting a party that will feature live music, drinks, and dancing. Labspace Studio (2A Pape Avenue), Saturday sale and viewing 5–8 p.m., FREE. Opening party 8 p.m.–1 a.m., $5.
ART: After having had three days to ogle the art during the Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale preview, art lovers will have the opportunity to purchase pieces during this one-day public sale. If you’re not familiar with the sale, now in its eighth year, there will be 1,500 pieces available, all the same size (5½″ x 7½″) and the same price (seventy-five dollars). Buyers will have only their own sense of style to rely on, as the names of artists are withheld until after the piece is purchased. The proceeds from the sale of all artwork, which was donated by OCAD students, faculty, and alumni, as well as established artists, will go towards the purchase of specialized equipment for emerging artists. Ontario College of Art and Design (100 McCaul Street), Saturday 10–4 p.m., FREE.
FILM: Rethink Breast Cancer presents the second annual Breast Fest, exploring issues surrounding breast cancer through the medium of film. The selection of films, both documentary and dramatic features, includes Stage IV, which finds a forty-seven-year-old woman pondering the meaning of life through her illness, and In The Family, documenting a thirty-something-year-old woman who finds herself risking incredible odds of developing cancer to hold on to her fertility after receiving positive genetic test results. The festival, which kicked off on Friday night, will also include panels, workshops, and speakers throughout the weekend. Festival organizers hope to connect people with the cause, inspire dialogue, facilitate learning, and foster a sense of community among those affected by breast cancer. Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen’s Park), Saturday and Sunday, various times, $10 per screening or $65 for a festival pass (tickets available online).
ART: The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is concluding its fall season with an exhibition of artwork by the semi-finalists in the eleventh annual RBC Canadian Painting Competition. The competition is supported by the Canadian Art Foundation and offers recognition and financial support to emerging artists in the early stages of their career. The show opens on Saturday and runs through next Sunday, with free gallery admission for all visitors. The Power Plant Gallery is also extending the public presentation of “Factum” by Candice Breitz for one additional week. This show was commissioned by the Power Plant Gallery for the exhibition “Candice Breitz: Same Same,” and explores how we create our identities and the tension that arises through what Breitz calls “the scripted life” and one’s own self-fashioning through video portraits of Toronto twins. Power Plant Gallery (231 Queens Quay West), Saturday and Sunday 12–6 p.m., FREE.
TALK: British cuisinier Jamie Oliver is in town to promote the release of his newest culinary tome, Jamie’s Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals. His talk, hosted by Food Network Chef Lynn Crawford, will also focus on his most recent culinary crusade called “pass it on.” The campaign is aimed at getting people to share their cooking skills with others in the community in the hopes of inspiring the creation of tasty meals with fresh ingredients. Guests will receive a free copy of Oliver’s new book (list price of forty-five dollars) with each ticket purchased, so you’ll be inspired and ready to “pass it on.” Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe Street), Sunday 2 p.m., $49.50–99.50.