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Urban Planner: January 13, 2011
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].
A free exhibition devoted to Mary Pickford (seen here in Poor Little Rich Girl) begins today at the Lightbox. Photo courtesy of the Film Reference Library.
Today we’ve got a new Mary Pickford exhibit at the Lightbox, a Spielberg double-header at the Bloor, a classical Chinese dance extravaganza, and a new site-specific production from Ezra’s Atlantic Co-op.
FILM: Who knew that America’s Sweetheart was really a Canadian, and from Toronto, no less? Yup, Mary Pickford, that darling of silent film, was born here and even got her start acting at the now-defunct Princess Theatre at King and University before becoming the first movie star, like, ever. Although she played innocents, naifs, and little girls in many of her most popular films, Pickford was a powerhouse in Hollywood, setting precedents for contract negotiations and actor compensation in the industry. Beginning today, the Bell Lightbox will house an exhibit devoted to Pickford, including posters, ephemera, memorabilia, and screenings of some of her most memorable films. TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West), all day, FREE.
FILM: Steven Spielberg has made serious movies. He’s made family movies. He’s made adventure movies. But when push comes to shove, our favourite Spielberg movies are the ones where people are terrorized and then eaten by enormous predators. Tonight, the Bloor screens a double whammy of carnage, starting with the astronomically implausible Jurassic Park and continuing with Jaws, the film that made the entire world fear the wrath of animatronic sharks. Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West); Jurassic Park: 7 p.m., Jaws: 9:30 p.m.; $10/regular, $7/members, $5/seniors and kids.
DANCE: The mandate of Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance company based out of New York, is to maintain China’s rich culture of spirituality and beauty which, according to the company’s website, has largely been destroyed under Chinese communism. The company performs three types of dance: classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, in which myths and legends are re-enacted. Beginning tonight and until January 16, Shen Yun will be in Toronto performing a brand new production for 2011. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (1 Front Street East), 7:30 p.m., $60–$280.
THEATRE: Ezra’s Atlantic Co-op, quite literally, takes the theatre out of theatre. Rather than staging productions in traditional venues, this grassroots, artist-run theatre collective uses site-specific locations for their plays, providing audiences with a more intimate theatrical experience. Their latest effort, a production of Sam Shepard‘s Fool For Love, follows a triangle of embittered lovers as they come to blows in a seedy motel. The play has found a home at the Meta Gallery, and opens tonight, running until January 21. Meta Gallery (124 Ossington Avenue), 8 p.m., $20.
THEATRE: Who says you’ve got to wait till summer to get your Fringe on? The Next Stage Festival brings you some of the best performances from Fringes past—both Toronto’s and those in other cities—every night this week. Our intrepid team have compiled a guide to this year’s Next Stage shows to help maximize your festival experience.