Stage Door News
Toronto: Arts and culture on the Bloor Street Culture Corridor in August
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Soak in the rest of your summer season by spending some time on the Bloor St. Culture Corridor! It's only one more month until the kids go back to school, so take advantage with multiple events, including a look at the sneakers of the world champion Toronto Raptors, an exhibition dedicated to the Chinese Canadian journey from immigration to enterprise, and an African dance workshop. August also brings with it Open Streets TO on August 18, a great way to explore the Bloor Street Culture Corridor by foot. This month's highlights from our organizations are below, and visit www.bloorstculturecorridor.com for more details and additional events.
Gardiner Museum
Swing by the Gardiner Museum for free art exhibitions and programming throughout August as part of the Community Arts Space, a platform for experimentation and socially-engaged art. On August 1, join them for the free public opening of Intimate Encounters ~ Animate Histories, an exhibition inspired by the 'cruising' histories of local Queen's Park. Led by artist Abdi Osman and curator Ellyn Walker, the exhibition programming includes a panel on gentrification in Regent Park on August 8, as well as a collective reading and discussion on the history of cruising encounters on August 14. August 22 marks the opening of The Sin Fronteras Monarch Butterfly Project, an exhibition that brings hundreds of ceramic butterflies to the Museum. Installed in their Ancient Americas Gallery and Exhibition Hall, the project aims to bring awareness to the decline of the monarch butterfly and the migrant crisis.
Randolph Centre for the Arts
Randolph College for the Performing Arts' third-year students appear in Cy Coleman's witty homage to film noir City of Angels, a Tony Award-winning musical featuring a sensational jazz score. When New York novelist Stine accepts an opportunity to adapt his books into a Hollywood film, he moves to the land of perennial sunshine, palm trees, and stars. As Stine's movie plays out in glamorous black and white, he finds the attractions of 1940s Hollywood--women, fame, and artistic compromise--all too tempting. City of Angels runs August 1 - 3 and 8 - 10, 2019, at Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street. Tickets: ticketmaster.ca. More info: randolphcollege.ca
918 Bathurst Centre
Summer is in full swing at 918 Bathurst! They start off August with RISE Thursdays, a monthly open mic for musicians, poets and MCs, co-presented with 918 Bathurst and RISE Edutainment. On August 15, you'll be stunned by Elizabeth Reid, who will premiere a new work by John Mark Sherlock for viola and harmonium with Stephanie Chua. RISE returns to 918 for the RISE Spoken Word Fest, happening August 16 to 18. And on August 30, they end the month with Quincy Morales presenting The Welcome Back Concert, which will be a night to remember. To learn more about their upcoming programming or to book your next event, head over to their website 918bathurst.com.
Istituto Italiano di Cultura
At the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in August is On The Move: a photography exchange program between Canada and Italy supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura and Cortone. On The Move features photography by Ryan Walker and Marco Rigamonti. They also present Voices in the Wilderness, by Ryan Walker. One small island in the Salish Sea, 350 people off grid: Voices in the Wilderness documents this remote community, conjuring and interrogating our nostalgia for a life known via clichés cemented by time and distance. Finally, don't miss La strada blu. 7458km along the Italian coastline, by Marco Rigamonti. Coming from the interior plains, Marco has always been attracted to the sea and to Italy's astonishingly long and beautiful coastline. As a little boy, summer holidays on the beach were a much-welcomed part of the year and his first picture as a professional photographer was taken on a beach; landscape in general is central to his image production, the sea is a refrain that repeats again and again. For more information, visit iictoronto.esteri.it.
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Mark your calendars: On August 14 fall registration for Arts and Culture at the Miles Nadal JCC opens to the general public! Lectures, film screenings, Hebrew and Yiddish language classes and more is waiting for your at the corner of Spadina and Bloor!
Throughout the month of August at the Miles Nadal JCC, they're preparing to launch their fall Arts and Culture programs and events at the corner of Spadina and Bloor. Explore cultural identity through a series of unique programs: Lectures, pottery, Klezmer, film screenings, choirs, book clubs, string ensembles, Hebrew and Yiddish language classes, gallery exhibitions and other Jewish touch points that are open to all! General registration for all of their outstanding programs opens on August 14. Visit mnjcc.org.
Toronto Reference Library
At the Toronto Reference Library, explore the latest TD Gallery exhibition, Plum Blossom from the Bitter Cold: Selections from the Chinese Canadian Archive, dedicated to the Chinese Canadian journey from immigration and settlement to enterprise and influence-a transition through struggle and survival to blossoming and thriving. Toronto Public Library's Chinese Canadian Archive provides a home for materials that capture the fascinating history of Chinese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area. Through photos, correspondence, diaries, memoirs, memorabilia and artwork, the Archive documents Chinese Canadians' daily life, community spirit, celebrations, struggles, successes, and contributions to Toronto and Canada. The exhibition is on display in Toronto Reference Library's TD Gallery from August 17 to October 27 with an opening reception on August 26 and a Mid-Autumn Festival on September 12. Throughout August, enjoy the lunchtime Summer Concert Series with free live musical performances every Friday at 12 noon in the Atrium of Toronto Reference Library.
Bata Shoe Museum
As the City of Toronto and Canada continue to revel in the extraordinary achievement of the Toronto Raptors and their first NBA Championship, the Bata Shoe Museum is excited to announce that sneakers worn by some of your favourite players during the 2019 NBA playoffs are now on view in the Behind the Scenes gallery! Join them all summer and check out the footwear of Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet! While here, you can also visit four additional exhibitions, try on some funky footwear, play ISpy and peruse the unique shop for that perfect host gift. There's always something for everyone in Toronto's favourite shoebox! Visit batashoemuseum.ca to plan your visit!
Royal Ontario Museum
At the ROM, experience the new exhibition It's Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection, featuring rare artwork and collectible objects amassed over decades by consummate collector Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist of Metallica. Discover the Dutch Golden Age with In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on now until September 15. Explore an exceptional collection of 70 powerful paintings, including works from world-renowned artists Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, and Jacob van Ruisdael. Experience the ROM at no cost with 3rd Monday Nights Free. On Monday August 19, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, enjoy complimentary access to the Museum's 40 permanent galleries and more. Enjoy a walking tour of Toronto with ROMWalks. ROMWalks encompass the diverse aspects of Toronto's vibrant neighbourhoods including history, architecture, arts, education and more. Here is a full list of walking tours available in August. Visit www.rom.on.ca.
Women's Art Association of Canada
August exhibitions at Women's Art Association of Canada (WAAC). In the Dignam Gallery, WAAC Print Works 2019 (August 19 to 29) features experimentation in print-making techniques and materials. The stunning works in this show were inspired through workshops by WAAC artist-in-resident Susan Farquhar. Members gained insight into a variety of printmaking processes and techniques. All works in the show are unframed and mounted on black foam core boards with earth magnets. This style of presentation is intended to emphasize the experimental nature of each artist's work. In the Ruth Upjohn Gallery, member artist Hortensia Reyes features her signature handmade coats as well as her inspirational art work, including initial coat drawings and abstract mixed-media works. Hortensia is a visual artist and fashion designer; her classic coats and accessories are made with top-quality alpaca fabric. Opening reception for both shows takes place August 22, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information about WAAC and upcoming events, visit womensartofcanada.ca.
The Japan Foundation
In celebration of the 90th anniversary of Canada Japan relations, The Japan Foundation, Toronto presents AGA-SHIO who will be performing on August 23, 2019 at 7:30 PM. Don't miss this opportunity to hear the Tsugaru Shamisen and Piano duo whose music blends the passionate energy of Japanese folk music together with contemporary music. Both Hiromitsu Agatsuma and Satoru Shionoya are prominent musicians in their own right, each with an impressive back catalogue of original music and experience performing around the world. Click this link to hear for yourself how great they are! Registration opens August 1 for the Japanese Together language course which has levels for beginners to intermediate speakers. Information session for the course is August 10 at 2:00 PM. Get a sense of Japanese tradition and aesthetics in the new Ceramic Design For Sake Exhibition where you can see contemporary industrial designs for Japanese rice wine Sake (August 7 to October 9, 2019). More details at jftor.org.
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema invites you to celebrate Woodstock's 50th anniversary with three more days of peace, love and music on the big screen. A weekend of concert films inspired by the iconic festival, Woodstock Revisited features Jimi, Janis, The Dead, David Crosby, The Band, Arlo Guthrie, and the many legendary artists that defined a generation. Prepare to be transcended as they pair Amazing Grace, the electrifying Aretha Franklin concert film with a soul-stirring live gospel tribute by the Juno-winning Toronto Mass Choir. "Laugh and cry and cry and laugh" as you take in the beautiful and troubled 1960s romance of poet and musician Leonard Cohen and his greatest muse, Marianne Ihlen in Marianne & Leonard. Trace the unlikely story of Fiddler on the Roof from its origins in 1960s New York and journey to becoming a global musical phenomenon with Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard orchestrates a riveting portrait of one of the 20th century's most celebrated singers in Pavarotti. For more information, visit hotdocscinema.ca
Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU)
In June at the Museum of Estonians Abroad/VEMU, the Kihnu island photography exhibition by Estonian photographer Silvia Soide will be on display until mid-September. For more information visit: vemu.ca.
www.bloorstculturecorridor.com
Twitter: @bloorstculture
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bloorstculturecorridor