Stage Door News

Toronto: Arts and Culture for March 2019 on the Bloor Street Cultural Corridor

Friday, March 1, 2019

This month, take time with family or friends to visit the arts and culture destinations along Bloor St. West! There are March Break camps at the Royal Ontario Museum, Miles Nadal JCC, Bata Shoe Museum, and others. Explore the sights and sounds of Bathurst St. revisionist history: 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media + Education, The Music Gallery, and A Different Booklist Cultural Centre have teamed up to celebrate Bathurst St.'s prominent West Indian Community. Drop by literary events at the Native Canadian Centre, A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, and Toronto Reference Library during the 40th annual Toronto Storytelling Festival. What stories do you want to learn about our history, and other cultures? You can find it all on the Bloor St. Culture Corridor!

The Music Gallery
The Music Gallery, A Different Booklist and 918 Bathurst St. collaborate for Myseum of Toronto's Revisionist Toronto programming for 2019. Bathurst Street in and around the Annex has never received much regard as a music street in this city's cultural history. This event/exhibition explores a wealth of musical heritage from venues to shops and the musical personalities who animate the neighbourhood. The prominent West Indian community historically located on Bathurst St. around Bloor will be a central focus of this session. A panel discussion, archive exhibition and a parade will shed new light on a perennially bustling neighbourhood. For more information visit musicgallery.ca

Gardiner Museum
The exhibition Ai Weiwei: Unbroken is now open! This must-see exhibition marks the debut of a new large-scale LEGO zodiac, and features some of Ai's most renowned works, on display in Canada for the first time. Dive deeper into the exhibition's themes with the AWW Free School, a series of interdisciplinary workshops presented in partnership with Ryerson University. The first session takes place on March 5, and features an in-gallery spoken word exercise followed by a contemplative clay session. On March 6, the Gardiner turns 35! We're celebrating with a weekend of free admission and family programming from March 9 - 10. Starting in March, the Gardiner will have new extended hours on Wednesday nights, with half-off admission from 4 - 9 pm. Learn more at gardinermuseum.com

Toronto Reference Library
Visit Toronto Reference Library throughout March for engaging literary talks and cultural conversations in the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, and our new literary series, The Other Shelf, where we present exceptional writers in a smaller space. Hear poet, essayist, cultural critic, and author Hanif Abdurraqib discuss his new book, Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest on March 4. Journalist and author Aatish Taseer discusses The Twice-Born, a memoir of personal reckoning and self-discovery that revolves around questions of culture and politics on March 12. The prize-winning, bestselling author Helen Oyeyemi discusses her bewitching and inventive new novel, Making Gingerbread on March 22. For the Record is an interactive mixed media exhibition in the TD Gallery which illuminates the role Soundsystems and DJs, as the backbone of hip hop culture, played in the emergence of Toronto's now globally successful popular music scene. Explore the full lineup: torontopubliclibrary.ca.

The Royal Conservatory

The 10th anniversary concert season continues at Koerner Hall. Noa and Mira Awad, both from the Middle East, share the stage and "show a situation that we believe is possible" on March 2. Noa, who will perform her heartfelt songs with long-time collaborator Gil Dor is Israel's leading international singer/songwriter, having shared the stage with superstars such as Sting. Palestinian singer, songwriter, actress, and cultural activist, Mira Awad, will perform with her pianist, Guy Mintus. Farruquito is the "heir to one of the most renowned flamenco dynasties in Spain." (The New York Times) On March 7 and 8, he will unveil his most personal side - staying true to traditional roots while also presenting the current state of flamenco, as he sees it, including improvisation. Finally, the gifted vocal students from The Glenn Gould School present Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's popular The Magic Flute in Koerner Hall on March 20 and 22, conducted by Nathan Brock and directed by Joel Ivany. For more information and tickets, please visit rcmusic.com.

A Different Booklist Cultural Centre
ADBCC has some exciting events in March! The month begins with ADBCC's Black Cinema and the Aesthetics of Activist featuring the screening of The Blind Stigmadirected by Stacy-Ann Buchanan on March 1. Don't miss our Let's talk Entrepreneur...Dinner with the Bank on March 4 where you'll have the opportunity to dine with the experts and have your questions answered. R.I.S.E Edutainment features spoken word poet Aisha Farah on March 7. Anna Kertz and Sage Tyrtle presents True Stories About Small Girls on March 9. The Toronto Storytelling Festivals comes to ADBCC March 18 - 22.Under the theme "Stories told eye to eye, mind to mind, heart to heart" and includes international, national, and local tellers  featuring Scottish Traveller Jess Smith, traditional Seannachaidh Seoras Macpherson from the Isle of Skye, Donald Smith from Edinburgh, Festival Elder Ron Evans, UK storyteller Peter Chand and music producer PKCtheFirst, Louise Profeit-LeBlanc from the Nacho Nyak Dän First Nation in northern Yukon, Sharon Shorty from the Tlingit, Northern Tutchone and Norwegian people in southern Yukon, and many more. On March 23, author Eleanor P. Sam launches 'The Wisdom of Rain'. Please visit adbcc.org for more information and the complete calendar of events. 

Royal Ontario Museum


The ROM celebrates International Women's Day with the ROM Speaks lecture History vs Women,featuring media critic and advocate Anita Sarkeesian on March 5. Opening on March 9, the special exhibition Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, Indiafeatures the alluring jewellery, lavish tents, and opulent decorative arts of one of India's greatest former kingdoms. From March 9-17, family friendly adventures await this March Break at the ROM! Explore art, culture, and nature from around the globe, with special programming running daily from 10:30am - 4pm. Discover the ancient history of Chinese cuisine and food culture on March 26 at the ROM Speaks lecture Uncovering the History of Food Culture in China: An Archaeological Perspective. Archaeologist Gary Crawford will explore over 8000 years of Chinese agricultural history to uncover its influence on Chinese culture and cuisine today. For more information visit rom.on.ca.

Toronto Consort
Music has the power to unite. Welcome director Nina Stern and critically acclaimed early- and world-music ensemble Rose of the Compass as they present an extraordinary program that celebrates the diversity of faith and musical traditions of the city of Jerusalem. In Four Quarters of Jerusalem, listeners will travel through the Muslim, Christian, Armenian, and Jewish Quarters as oud, kanun, recorders, and chalumeau act as gateways to ancient lands - creating a diverse soundscape while unifying us in the hope of understanding and acceptance. Running for two mights only: March 8 & 9 at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St West. Tickets start at only $26. Buy online at torontoconsort.org.

Alliance Française Toronto
Many events to come in March at Alliance Française Toronto, starting with two events about the brilliant artist Frida Kahlo. First, a talk about Frida Kahlo in French by Sophie Faucher on March 6, and the play Frida Kahlo-Correspondence with Sophie Faucher and the Mariachi Figueroa, on March 8. On March 16, enjoy a show by Judith Cohen and her guests: Women of the world, a real travel around the globe through music. Don't miss the second world music concert on March 23: Carine au Micro in partnership with Batuki, a vibrant voice and innovative performer of the African music scene in Montreal. The Movie Thursday series starts with The Source on March 7, then a broadcast of an Opéra by Verdi on March 14, followed by C.R.A.Z.Y. on March 21, and ends with Grave of the Fireflies on March 28. And for young audiences: the show Tales from the wind will play on March 31. For more information please visit alliance-francaise.ca.

Bata Shoe Museum
It's March Break Madness at the BSM! From March 9-17, kids aged 2-12 can step into Hollywood at the BSM with the March Break program, Lights, Camera, Action. Every floor of the museum will feature 'on location' opportunities for some star-studded fun.  As a warm-up to March Break, on March 2, the BSM is hosting a session of the Toronto Storytelling Festival. Join storytellers Carol Ashton and Sally Jaeger as they entertain little ones with stories, rhymes as songs. On March 3, the museum is excited to welcome students from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music for Music in the Museum, a free concert of 1930s inspired jazz. Join BSM curator Elizabeth Semmelhack on March 6 for an illustrated talk inspired by the exhibition WANT: Desire, Design and Depression Era Footwear, which will be followed by a tour of the gallery. For more information or to purchase event tickets, please visit www.batashoemuseum.ca. 

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir welcomes world-renowned Bach specialist Masaaki Suzuki to direct Bach St Matthew Passion, March 21-24, 2019. In a standout highlight of Tafelmusik's 40th anniversary season, Masaaki Suzuki, multi award-winning conductor and founder of the Bach Collegium Japan, makes his Tafelmusik debut conducting one of Western culture's most iconic masterpieces. Bach's musical telling of Christ's final hours is a monumental work for vocal soloists, two orchestras, and two choirs including members of the Toronto Children's Chorus. It combines drama with devotion, questions as much as it reassures, and contains some of Bach's most beautiful and exquisitely crafted music. In its depth and spirituality, St Matthew Passion is a work that speaks to the whole of humanity. Tickets are selling fast! Call (416) 964-6337 or visit tafelmusik.org.

Miles Nadal JCC
March at the MNjcc begins with a bang! Taiko Ensemble Nagata Shachu ignites the Al Green Theatre in Illuminate on Sunday March 3. On Thursday March 7 at 1:30pm, all are invited to a free cinematic tribute to beloved critic, Kevin Courrier in Kevin's Favourites. Shlomo Schwartzberg and Adam Nayman will be discussing the films that the late Kevin Courrier loved and taught. Celebrate some of Canada's finest Opera singers - performing in some of their most celebrated roles in a five-part lecture series: Great Canadian Opera Singers, with Iain Scott, beginning Monday March 18.Get your royal on at the Purim Groove Family Partyfeaturing Drag Queen Storytime, Queen Esther's Dance Party and much more on Sunday March 17 from 10am - 1pm. Join in more Purim fun with I Have A Song For That: A cabaret starring Nancy White and her witty pianist Bob Johnston on March 21 at 1:30pm. From March 2-27, 6ix Clicks presents Focus on Our Elders - a photo exhibit in the Gallery. Visit mnjcc.org for more information.

University of Toronto Faculty of Music
The University of Toronto Faculty of Music opens March with What Makes It Great?: Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings with Rob Kapilow and the U of T Strings on March 4. U of T Jazz ensembles are joined by an exciting line up of visiting artists including saxophonist Tony Malaby on March 6, trumpeter Tim Hagans and composer Andrew Rathbun on March 21performing Rathbun's Juno-nominated Atwood Suites, and composer and saxophonist John Oswald on March 27. March 14-17 U of T Opera presents its spring mainstage production of Mozart's La Finta Giadiniera. Weekly series Thursdays at Noon concludes with DMA Competition winner pianist Jialiang Zhu on March 7, violist Ethan Filner and the Gryphon Trio's James Parker on March 14 and the Norcop/Koldofsky Winners' Recital on March 28 featuring baritone Korin Thomas-Smith and pianist Joy Lee. Details at music.utoronto.ca.

The Japan Foundation, Toronto

Join The Japan Foundation, Toronto this March Break to see the new prints added to the current exhibition Landmarks From Before It Was Called Tokyo: Hiroshige's One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, which runs to April 13, 2019. On March 15 the entire family can enjoy Final Straw, an inspiring documentary about the natural farming movement founded by Masanobu Fukuoka. It will be followed by the feature anime Lu Over the Wall directed by Masaaki Yuasa. Saturday March 2 & 16 the gallery and library is open 11am - 4pm. The free Bring Your Own Bento - Drop-in Lunchtime Language Lesson continues on March 13, 12pm - 1pm. Later in the month, they have a co-presentation of the heart wrenching emotional film Grave of the Fireflies with Bloor St. Culture Corridor partner, Alliance Française on March 28. The feature anime was directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder, Isao Takahata. More details available at jftor.org.

Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU)

In March at the Museum of Estonians Abroad/VEMU a new photography exhibit will be opened on March 7 featuring photos of the architect Uno Prii's work by Leala Hewak and William Eakin. March 13 at 7pm, the British author Neil Taylor will present his book Estonia: A Modern History, with a talk in English, admission by donation. Since the fall of 2018, the Estonian Music Week team has been working on something new: the EMW Culture Club (EMWCC). This is a membership-based exclusive clubs that offers admission to 4 different concerts taking place throughout the year within one membership fee. For more information please visit vemu.ca.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura

On March 8 at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, enjoy Italian Opera Libretti: Words Weaving Wonder, and Music. The talk will consider the literary specificity of the Italian opera libretto considering historical, political, and literary contexts, to fully comprehend the development of its form. It will address questions such as the literary dignity of the libretti, poetry vs music and the changing role of the librettists through time. The IIC, in collaboration with Studio Zaven and MUSE Factory of Projects, present From A to Zaven. As trained and talented product and graphic designers their world easily switches from bi-dimensional to tri-dimensional, with a flawless stream of ideas, being the second a natural consequence of the first. The space at IIC Toronto had been a source of inspiration for displaying a variety of works, from grids to lamps, able to pass the over-all way of a solid profession and a distinguished methodology of work. Closing March 15. For more information visit www.iictoronto.esteri.it.

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
This March, Hot Docs and The Globe and Mail's annual ideas festival, Curious Minds Weekend, returns with three days of illuminating talks with Donna Brazile, Marlon James, Rebecca Traister -plus, pop culture panels on The Power of Beyoncé, The Handmaid's Tale, and much more! On the big screen, experience the historic Atlanta Pop Festival in 1970, when Jimi Hendrix played to a massive crowd of 300,000 people at his last major show ; go behind-the-scenes of the legendary jazz label in Blue Note Records; delight in the enduring magic of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince in Charles Officer's Invisible Essence: The Little Prince, and get to know Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable, the prolific photographer who told the story of America in the 1960s and 70s and transformed the art of street photography. Visit hotdocscinema.ca for more information.

918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media + Education 
Join 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts Media + Education on Sunday March 24 for a three-way Bloor St Culture Corridor collab: The Music Gallery, A Different Booklist and 918 Bathurst Present: History Series: History of Bathurst St. Sounds for a special exhibit of historical ephemera from Bloor St music venues. Bathurst Street in and around the Annex has never received much regard as a music street in this city's cultural history. The exhibit will explore a wealth of musical heritage from venues (Lee's Palace, the Trane Studio, the Randolph (aka Bathurst St.) Theatre) to shops (Honest Ed's and Sonic Boom record shops, and Third World Books/Too Black Guys-an early meeting place for hip hop heads in Toronto) and the musical personalities who animate the neighbourhood. The prominent West Indian community historically located on Bathurst St. around Bloor (so vividly chronicled in the photo exhibition Welcome To Blackhurst Street) will be a central focus of this session. Visit 918bathurst.com for more information.

Toronto Storytelling Festival
The Toronto Storytelling Festival hosts Storytalks at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre: The People's Residence March 18 - 22. Under the theme "Stories told eye to eye, mind to mind, heart to heart", the festival will host many international, national, and local tellers including Scottish Traveller Jess Smith, traditional Seannachaidh Seoras Macpherson from the Isle of Skye, Donald Smith from Edinburgh, Festival Elder Ron Evans, Louise Profeit-LeBlanc from the Nacho Nyak Dän First Nation in northern Yukon, Sharon Shorty from the Tlingit, Northern Tutchone and Norwegian people in southern Yukon and UK storyteller Peter Chand alongside music producer PKCtheFirst, and many more. Visit the Toronto Storytelling Festival website for full schedule details at torontostorytellingfestival.ca.

www.bloorstculturecorridor.com

Twitter: @bloorstculture

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bloorstculturecorridor