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Urban Planner: January 19, 2010
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].
The cast of Cloud 9, opening tonight. Photo by georgewhiteside.com
THEATRE: Cloud 9 is a gender-bending satire, where political and sexual oppression mix with gender issues and race relations, and characters age only twenty-five years every century. Caryl Churchill has written an audacious play set in two different locations (British colonial Africa and modern-day London), and this productions has an enviable cast to fill out the roles of Cloud 9‘s quirky characters. Ann-Marie MacDonald, Ben Carlson, Megan Follows, Yanna McIntosh, Evan Buliung, David Jansen, and Blair Williams are directed by Dora Award–winner Alisa Palmer (Top Girls). The play’s website includes a disclaimer saying that the show contains sexual content and strong language, and one character is played by a doll, so it’s sure to be a good time. Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge Street), 8 p.m., $30.
AWARDS: We’re in the midst of winter, but hardcore Toronto cyclists are still pedalling through the snow-slicked streets. The City of Toronto and the Toronto Cyclists Union are celebrating those businesses that make cycling in any season possible with the 2010 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards. Past winners have been rewarded for providing secure bike parking areas and shower and change facilities, and for offering incentives for employees who cycle to work. This is only the event’s second year, with valet bike parking, a clay and paper theatre performance, and raffles, as well as dancing time provided by DJ duo Dorian & Dorian and DJ Triple X. The Toronto Cyclists Union will be handing out their own awards, the Golden Spoke, to an outstanding city councillor, volunteer, and cycling advocate of the year, respectively. The Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation, I Bike TO, and Bike Pirates will also be presenting their own awards. The Gladstone Hotel, Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West); 7 p.m.; $10 or pay-what-you-can for Bike Union members, $15 for non-members.
COMEDY: The term “the ‘C’ word” may suggest a lot of things (some of them being words you can’t say on TV), but to comedian Daniela Saioni it means two things: cancer and comedy. During a brief bout of cancer last year, Saioni saw people were uncomfortable when she tried to talk about it. Tonight’s comedy showcase, The ‘C’ Word, was born out of her desire to change some perceptions, and to give back to a charity that provides support for those living with cancer. Host Martha Chaves will guide the audience through a mix of up-and-coming performers (from the StandUp For Your Sisters troupe) and seasoned female comedians (Jo-Anna Downey, Sandra Battaglini, and Sandra Shamas) talking about cancer and any other ‘C’ word that comes to mind. All proceeds from the night will go to Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto. Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas Street West), 8:30 p.m. (dinner and silent auction at 6 p.m.), $25 in advance ($30 at the door).
MUSIC: Tonight’s one-night-only offering from the Cameron House is a match made in singer/songwriter heaven. Local musician Courtney Farquhar and Montreal native Ian Kelly, both young artists, will perform together for the first time tonight, hoping that their similarly jazz-meets-folk/country sounds will mesh to create musical goodness. Farquhar released her debut album, Nowhere I’d Rather Be, in November of last year, whereas Kelly has two recordings behind him, Insecurity (2005) and Speak Your Mind (2008). The Cameron House (408 Queen Street West), 8:30 p.m., $7.