events
Urban Planner: October 20, 2011
In today's Urban Planner: find out what paper airplanes and public space have in common, see art that the creator himself has labelled as "degenerate," rock out to the tune of whisky, and a dance performance explores ways to avoid life's miseries.
William Yong in DanceWorks' newest show, Eight Ways from Mara. Photo by David Hou.
PAPER PLANES: Remember in elementary school when the teacher would temporarily disappear and you would challenge your friends to create the most badass paper airplanes? All that effort could finally pay off. Flight Test: Methods & Motivations in Interventionist Art, a massive paper airplane–making session after which participants will unleash their creations all over the UofT campus, is also a lecture about ways to reshape our shared environments. Join artist Sean Martindale, a master of public space, as he explores alternatives for existing infrastructures and materials. Hart House Reading Room (7 Hart House Circle, U of T), Thursday, 1 p.m.–6 p.m., FREE.
ART: During the Second World War, the Nazis labelled any art they found by Jewish or gay artists as “degenerate.” They would later hold exhibitions of these artworks to share their disgust—but, in doing so, they unintentionally exposed the art to a wide variety of audiences that otherwise never would have seen it. Oscar Wolfman is holding a solo exhibition called “Degenerate Art” in which he reclaims the term “degenerate” as an art style that holds a foundation in ethnicity and sexuality. Queen Gallery (382 Queen Street East), opening reception 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m., FREE.
MUSIC: Is there a more winning combination than whisky and rock music? How about whisky, rock music, and charity? Check out Whisky Rocks, an annual LCBO-run event that showcases 80 (!) whiskies from around the world. This year’s event features such acts as Big Sugar, Divine Brown, and Rehan Dalal, as well as samplings of four new whiskies. The night’s proceeds go towards Dixon Hall, a United Way agency that provides Ontario youths with educational opportunities in music, leadership, and other skills. The Mod Club (722 College Street), 7:30 p.m., $35.
DANCE: It’s Thursday, which usually means we’ve made it over the hump and survived another workweek. But counting the seconds until the weekend starts is only one of the ways we avoid facing life’s miseries. Some of the others (confusion, temptation, and distraction) are explored in DanceWorks’ newest project, Eight Ways from Mara, a performance by dancer and choreographer William Yong. Harbourfront Centre’s Enwave Theatre (231 Queens Quay W.). Runs October 20 to 22, 8 p.m., $28.
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].