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Urban Planner: January 24, 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].
The women of That’s What SHE Said, from left to right: Rhiannon Archer, Daniela Saioni, Sandra Shamas, Dawn Whitwell, Marilla Wex, Becky Bays, Lianne Mauladin, Muniza Rauf, and Shelley Kidwell (absent are host Laurie Elliott, and headliner Nikki Payne). Photo by Roman Sekyrka.
In today’s Urban Planner, we focus on homegrown pleasures: a documentary advocates happiness within one hundred miles, York MFA actors portray the world’s greatest heroes and villains onstage, some of Toronto’s funniest women fundraise for Gilda’s Room, and The Weather Station previews an upcoming album.
FILM: The hundred mile limit doesn’t just apply to food: leading scholars and activists worldwide are increasingly advocating for a return to local-based economies and commercialization according to documentary film The Economics of Happiness. Tonight’s free screening is preceded by a reception and artwork exhibit, and followed by a panel discussion with producer Helena Norberg-Hodge, chef Joshna Maharaj, and farmer Eric Rosenkrantz. William Doo Auditorium (45 Willcocks Street), reception at 5:30 p.m., screening at 7 p.m., FREE.
THEATRE: It’s been a busy few weeks for theatre in Toronto—in the midst of January, no less!—with six openings last week, and the Next Stage Festival at the beginning of the month. But tonight’s relatively quiet, which allows us to shine a light on a show that’s off the beaten (downtown) track. It’s the final preview of Theatre @ York’s production of Stephen Adly Guirgis’s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, directed by Masters in Fine Arts directing student Paul Muir, and featuring a dozen MFA actors. Due to the advanced nature of the program, many have extensive experience as performers prior to their York studies, including stints at the Shaw and Stratford festivals. Joseph Green Studio Theatre (Centre for Film and Theatre, 4700 Keele Street), 7:30 p.m., $5 (preview price—regular tickets run $12-$17).
COMEDY: This year’s edition of That’s What SHE Said!, a funny female fundraiser for Gilda’s Club, features some heavy hitters in Canadian comedy—like Nikki Payne, and Sandra Shamas, whose long-awaited new show opens next month. It also boasts some stellar local comics, like Dawn Whitwell and Rhiannon Archer, and the rest of the Stand Up For Your Sisters crew, pictured above. Tables are sold out, but as of press time there were still some standing room tickets left. Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas Street West), 8:30 p.m., $30.
MUSIC: The Weather Station, otherwise known as gifted singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman, has wrapped recording on an upcoming album. It’s still to be mixed and mastered, but Lindeman will preview the album tonight from start to finish, at a new acoustic music series hosted by Lisa Bozikovic. The Common (1071 College Street), 9–10 p.m., PWYC.