events
Urban Planner: October 26, 2011
Today in Toronto: the 24th edition of the Weesageechak Festival is back; catch a free lunch hour performance of famous Russian classics; Red One Theatre Collective presents its first original work; Diwali is here and you can celebrate the holiday at the Sony Centre; and IFOA is still going strong and we have recommendations to help you make your picks.
The Zodiac Trio. Photo courtesy of the Zodiac Trio.
FESTIVAL: It’s a competitive world out there for festivals these days, which makes it all the more impressive that the Weesageechak Festival is back for its 24th edition. The five-day celebration—hosted by Native Earth—will feature plays and films, including participants from Animikiig and the Thundering Voices program. Theatre Passe-Muraille (16 Ryerson Avenue), first event today at 10 a.m., $10–$30.
MUSIC: If you need your Russian music fix for the day, head over to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for a free concert series. Today’s performance is called “Music of a Silenced Nation: Soviet Composers,” to be performed by the Zodiac Trio. The show will include Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du soldat,” excerpts from Edison Denisov’s “Sonata for Solo Clarinet,” Shostakovich’s “Sonata for Violin and Piano,” and Galina Ustvolskaya’s “Trio.” Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen Street West), 12 p.m., FREE.
THEATRE: The Red One Theatre Collective is set to unveil its first original work in collaboration with Campbell House Museum and the Yabu no Naka Co-op. In The Pines is a story that explores love, honour, and betrayal as it leads the audience through the 19th century house and travels back in Canadian history. The show runs until Halloween. Campbell House Museum (160 Queen Street West), 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $20.
FESTIVAL: Today marks the start of Diwali—also known as the Festival of Lights—and celebrations are taking place across the city. The Sony Centre will be featuring a Diwali Night, which will include a festival marketplace with all types of goodies for purchase and will also feature a performance by BHARATI, a group of 70 dancers, singers, actors, acrobats, and musicians showcasing Indian culture. The show runs until November 6. The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (1 Front Street East), 8 p.m., $39–$109.
IFOA: The weather is cold and miserable, so it’s time to let new books light up your world! The Harbourfront’s annual International Festival of Authors “brings together the best writers of contemporary world literature” and runs from October 19–30. Check out our preview of IFOA 2011 to strike the perfect balance between meeting your authorly idols and discovering new literary loves.
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].