September always brings the promise of new - school is back, concert seasons start, and the weather changes. Make it your goal to try something new along the Bloor St. Culture Corridor! Take a look at the Fisher Small and Fine Press Fair (complete with coast-to-coast participation), learn about the many languages that make Toronto great, or check out all the season-opening concerts happening this month. September's highlights from our organizations are below; be sure to visit BloorStCultureCorridor.com for more details and additional events.    We love to hear from you! Connect with us here at the Bloor St. Culture Corridor on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Istituto Italiano di Cultura

Rosso is an exhibition comprising of an HD video installation attempting to evidence a contemporary passion still lingering from the 1982 FIFA World Cup on an international, local, and personal level. It could be argued this signature sporting event initiated the notion of Toronto as a world-class city. The project was directed by New Genres artist Otino Corsano for Ocean Course Films, a collaborative entity he established, comprised of a specialized core production team. The imagery focuses on a tapestry of Southern Ontario environments in order to present a narrative delineating the influence of a specifically Italian-natured globalism on Canadian soil. Composer John Mark Sherlock orchestrated the musical soundtracks for each of the three cyclical chapters. From September 4 to October 2. Visit iictoronto.esteri.it.  

Gardiner Museum

 Wednesdays are for clay! The Gardiner Museum is open late on Wednesday nights, with half-price admission from 4-9 pm. Take a stroll through their galleries to discover the charm and creativity of their world-renowned collection, then make your own clay creation by signing up for their weekly drop-in clay class.Opening August 30: The Gardiner presents the Canadian premiere of Cannupa Hanska Luger: Every One & Kali Spitzer: Sister, a monumental sculpture commemorating the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, queer, and trans community members. On view in their lobby until January 15, 2020. Closing September 4: don't miss The Sin Fronteras Monarch Butterfly Project, a Community Arts Space exhibition that brings hundreds of ceramic butterflies to the Museum. Installed in our Ancient Americas Gallery and Exhibition Hall, the project aims to bring awareness to the decline of the monarch butterfly and the migrant crisis. Finally, get in touch with your creative side! Just a few spots remain in their fall clay classes. Options are available for students of all ages and levels. See the full lineup for classes here.

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library will be a busy place in September. On Saturday September 7, between 10am-5pm, they will again be hosting some of the country's finest book makers and artisans for the Fisher Small and Fine Press Fair. A biennial event since 2013, this year's fair promises to be a special one as there will be coast-to-coast participation, with Vancouver-based Heavenly Monkey representing the west coast, and Tara Bryans' walking bird press coming from St. John's. Also opening this month, on September 16, is their latest exhibition, The Lumiere Press Archives: Photography and the Fine Press, featuring the books and archives of the press' founder, Toronto-based Michael Torosian. The exhibition runs until December 20. Also on display through the month will be materials marking the 80th anniversary of the beginning of WWII. More information can be found on the Fisher's web site.

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre

Learn and Celebrate this September at the Miles Nadal JCC! On Sunday September 8, Toronto Jewish Film Society presents a humourous documentary about Jewish identity, My Coffee with Jewish Friends in the Al Green Theatre with guest speaker Susan G. Cole. Opening September 5 in their Gallery: Read Between the Signs: 150 Years of Language in Toronto presented by The Canadian Language Museum. Don't miss their daytime concert, Legendary Ladies of Folk: Joan, Joni & Buffy on Thursday September 19 with performers Sue & Dwight. On Thursday September 26, award-winning urban designer Ken Greenberg will present a daytime talk on his book, Toronto Reborn: Design Successes and Challenges. They close September commemorating the Jewish High Holidays with a celebration for the whole family: Fay and Fluffy's Storytime, on Sunday September 29.  Please visit mnjcc.org.   

Royal Ontario Museum

Explore the stunning world of Dutch floral design with 3rd generation Dutch Master florist Remco van Vliet at the ROM Speaks lecture, Art in Bloom - Still Life comes to Life with Dutch Master Florist Remco van Vliet, on September 10. On September 26, delve into the ROM's Japan Collection with Bishop White Committee Curator of Japanese Art & Culture Dr. Rosina Buckland at ROM Daytime: Tales from the Japan Collection: Old Friends and New Discoveries. Hear bestselling author William Dalrymple tell the remarkable story of the Mughal Empire's fall at the ROM Speaks lecture, The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company, on September 30. Catch them before they're gone! The following feature exhibitions are closing soon: Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India, on now through September 2; In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on now through September 15; and Gods in My Home: Chinese New Year with Ancestor Portraits and Deity Prints, on now through September 29. Visit rom.on.ca for more details.

Toronto Reference Library
 The Fall 2019 lineup for the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at Toronto Reference Library has been announced and the season kicks off on September 9 with Emma Donoghue, the bestselling author of Room. On September 17, Yiyun Liis in conversation with CBC's Eleanor Wachtel, and on September 23, Irish author Kevin Barry will be discussing his Booker Prize longlisted novel Night Boat to Tangier at 6pm, and then at 7pm Sheila Heti will interview Benjamin Moser about his biography on the late Susan Sontag, one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century. Finally, on September 25, Toronto's Zalika Reid-Benta will host a conversation with Glory Edim, Jamia Wilson and Renee Watson to discuss their contributions to Well-Read Black Girl, a compilation of original essays from Black women writers about the importance of seeing themselves represented in literature. The entire Fall schedule is available at tpl.ca/appelsalon.

Women's Art Association of Canada   

Artists' Choice is the featured WAAC members' exhibition for September in the Dignam Gallery. The show runs from September 10 to October 15, and the opening reception is September 12, from 5-8pm. In the Ruth Upjohn Gallery, member artist Judith Davidson-Palmer exhibits her work-photography and paintings; opening reception takes place September 12, from 5-8 p.m. As part of the Artist Hand fall 2019 workshop series, Judith gives the workshop "Creative Photography" on September 20, 1-4 p.m. As part of the WAAC Artist Voice fall 2019 lecture series, Jack Gilbert presents "The Power of Photoshop" on September 19, 1-3 p.m. WAAC workshops and lectures are open to the public. To register, contact Cal Lorimer at 416-922-2060 or cal@womensartofcanada. For more information about WAAC and upcoming events, visit womensartofcanada.ca/.  

Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU) 

In September at the Museum of Estonians Abroad/VEMU, the Kihnu island photography exhibition by Estonian photographer Silvia Soide will be on display until September 16. Wednesday, September 11 at 7pm, the book launch for "Selected Works of Urve Karuks" will take place with a poetry reading and Sirje Kiin as a guest speaker (in Estonian). Tuesday, September 17 at 8pm, the Estonian Music Week Culture Club presents the lively bluegrass band from Estonia, Curly Strings. Doors open at 7pm (tickets on sale at www.estonianmusicweek.ca). Sunday, September 22 at 4pm is Songs of Exile, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Great Escape of 1944 (in Estonian). Saturday, September 28 at 3pm is a celebration of Tartu College 49. Dr. Vello Soots Memorial Lecture by Evelyn Koop on the history of rhythmic gymnastics in Canada and opening of the exhibit "Estonian Sports in Canada" with guests from the Estonian Sports and Olympics Museum (in Estonian). For more information visit vemu.ca.

University of Toronto Faculty of Music

The University of Toronto Faculty of Music kicks off its 2019-2020 season September 12 with the Gryphon Trio at Thursdays at Noon. The Faculty's signature free concert series in Walter Hall continues September 19 with Aiyun Huang and TorQ Percussion Quartet and September 26with Erika Raum and Lydia Wong. September 14, join Faculty artists and friends for Mysterious Barricades, an annual concert in honour of World Suicide Prevention Day. Each year the Faculty is thrilled to welcome outstanding visitors and this season's lineup begins September 20 with a free public master class and Q&A with Barbara Hannigan and Brett Dean; What Makes It Great?: Beethoven Symphony No. 7 with Rob Kapilow and the UTSO September 28; and a free public master class with Tamara Wilson September 30. Nathalie Paulin and Steven Philcox close out the month with an inspiring concert September 30.   

The Japan Foundation

The new exhibition at the Japan Foundation, Toronto is now open; Ceramic Design for Sake will run until October 9.This exhibition features over 140 pieces of contemporary ceramic pieces from the ceramic centres of Aichi, Gifu, Nagasaki and Saga prefectures. These curated pieces are industrial products from studios and factories, which although mass produced, are not necessarily machine made; in fact many are handcrafted. Join them in the gallery to view and appreciate creative and contemporary ceramic designs for sake. Their September lecture will take place on Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30pm at JFT; join them for Post 3.11 Auditory Cultures: sonic Responses to Life After Loss Mr. Josh Trichilo will explore sound based cultural productions made by those affected by the triple disasters that occurred and began in 2011- the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation release. More info at  jftor.org.  

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir 

"Old" meets "new" in Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir's 2019/20 season. Tafelmusik meets Tchaikovsky opens the season September 19-22, 2019 at Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre. Join Music Director Elisa Citterio and the orchestra for an exciting, innovative program that extends the sound of Tafelmusik's instruments into an era where few period orchestras have gone before: the Russian Romantics. Tafelmusik plays Tchaikovsky for the first time, alongside inventive string symphonies by Felix Mendelssohn. Pytor's Dream, a world premiere by Cree composer Andrew Balfour written to compliment the program, completes the concert. September 21 is the first Tafelscene Intermission Party of the 2019/20 season for anyone aged 19-35. Arrive early and learn more about the program in a free Pre-concert Chat one hour before each concert. If you're in the neighbourhood September 14, come along to the family-friendly Fall Social at Trinity-St Paul's Centre. For tickets and information, visit tafelmusik.org.

918 Bathurst Centre

A busy September at 918 Bathurst! They start off the month with RISE Thursdays, a monthly open mic for musicians, poets and MCs, co-presented with 918 Bathurst and RISE Edutainment. Aviva Chernick graces the stage on Thursday, September 19, performing a set of gorgeous Sephardic music from her latest release La Serena. From September 20-22, they have Thin Edge New Music Collective presenting an exquisite showcase of contemporary Japanese composers and performers. On Friday September 27, The Music Gallery presents their first concert of the season with a night of intense sonic destruction, featuring Moor Mother and Jerusalem My Heart. Dipping into the first week of October, Juno-nominated performer Emmanuel Jal arrives for an intimate speaking engagement October 2. And on October 4 and 5, Michelle Willis presents an intimate performance, filmed at 918 Bathurst over two nights. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit 918bathurst.com.

The Royal Conservatory of Music

As Koerner Hall celebrates its 10th birthday on September 25, 2019 - the birthday of Royal Conservatory alumnus Glenn Gould - the 11th concert season is about to start. On the podium, Tania Miller projects authority, dynamism, and sheer love of the experience of making music, and, as the Hartford Courant put it, she delivers "a calm intensity ... expressive, colourful and full of life ... her experience and charisma are audible." The recipient of the 2017 Friends of Canadian Music award from the Canadian League of Composers and Canadian Music Centre, she will lead the Royal Conservatory Orchestra on September 27 in Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major with pianist Godwin Friesen. For more information and tickets, please visit rcmusic.com/performance. 

Bata Shoe Museum

Visit the Bata Shoe Museum in September and catch the Toronto Raptors display featuring sneakers from some of your favourite players - on view until September 18. Later in the month, it's time to celebrate Culture Days! Drop by on September 28 and 29, between 2-3pm and listen to free performances by the University of Toronto Jazz Program students. Weekend Family Fun continues this month with funky footwear, ISpy games and arts and crafts for the kids. And don't forget to finish off your visit with a stop in their Museum Shop for a unique keepsake! For every shoes there's a story - discover thousands at the BSM! Visit batashoemuseum.ca to plan your visit!

The Music Gallery

The Music Gallery presents the fourteenth edition of the X Avant New Music Festival October 17-20. Through the theme of "Forward" the festival centres on artists taking, or attempting to take, the next step in their work, career or practice. There is no single way forward: twists, turns and dead ends await. They explore this theme with four headliners who present new work, plus two panel discussions. Featuring: a world premiere from Toronto composer/percussionist Germaine Liu; Intergenerational collaboration between reggae legend Willi Williams and Toronto Electronic adventurer New Chance; Lido Pimienta presents songs from the follow-up album to 2017's Polaris Prize-winning La Papessa, a sneak peak into new works in their rawest form; and the Canadian debut of composer/percussionist Sarah Hennies' The Reinvention of Romance (2018) an epic 90-minute work for cello (Nick Storring) and percussion. For full lineup and tickets, please visit musicgallery.org.

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema invites you to travel from Vienna, Madrid, Berlin and beyond in Art of Museums, the Arte docu series that spotlights eight world-renowned museums and their masterpieces. Never-before-seen footage and studio sessions reconstruct the rich inner life of one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time in Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool. TheToronto Poetry Project presents pays tribute to life, art and influence of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, while Nobel Prize-winning and history-making author Toni Morrison is honoured on their big screen. Plus, don't miss the one-night-only concert screening of the '60s surf classic The Endless Summer, live scored by Montreal indie-rock stars TOPS. Award-winning journalists and authors Robyn Doolittle, Jia Tolentino, and Pico Iyer lead the Cinema's fall slate of Author Events while Music on Film with The Royal Conservatory returns for a new season with Tibet in Song. For more information, visit hotdocscinema.ca.

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