Stage Door News

Toronto: What’s happening on the Bloor Street Culture Corridor in August

Saturday, August 1, 2020

August is here! Although the effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt, our wonderful partner organizations have found ways to bring their art and culture to the public. Hot Docs at Home, TPL Live & Online, and a host of online options continue to be available. And in a sign of things to come, limited building openings to the public are now happening, including at the Japan Foundation of Toronto and the Bata Shoe Museum.

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

Hot Docs at Home has you covered in August with more outstanding streaming programming. Denise Ho - Becoming the Song explores the Honk Kong singer's remarkable journey from Cantopop superstar to outspoken political activist as the enclave continues to fight for its independence. Academy Award-nominee Fernando Meirelles (City of God) and Malian musician Inna Modja take us on an epic journey to the frontline of the climate crisis along Africa's ambitious Great Green Wall. Hot Docs continues to offer free premium content exclusive to Hot Docs Members, including a rare viewing of the 1968 doc, MONK with a special introduction by Toronto Raptors Head Coach, Nick Nurse, and Whose Streets?, an unflinching look at how the police killing of 18-year-old Mike Brown sparked a global movement. Plus, our first-ever summer edition of Curious Minds with dynamic digital lectures on Neil Young and the post-WWII Age of Reinvention. For more information, visit here.

Toronto Reference Library

The Toronto Reference Library's most exciting series continue to be brought to you virtually through TPL's Live & Online programs. TPL's signature literary series, The Appel Salon, hosts live broadcasts with local and international authors in conversation about their new books and big ideas. On August 17, Michelle Good (pictured) discusses her novel, Five Little Indians, with journalist Jessica McDiarmid. Kate Kirkpatrick discusses her enlightening biography of Simone de Beauvoir, Becoming Beauvoir, with Toronto Life editor Sarah Fulford, in a lunchtime session on August 21. And tune in on August 26 to hear critically-acclaimed and celebrated author Otessa Moshfegh on her latest novel, Death in Her Hands, a haunting mediation on the true meaning of art. All of TPL's Live & Online programs are listed at tpl.ca.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura

You can still access great lectures on art, music concerts and more via the Istituto Italiano di Cultura's YouTube Channel! Included in the highlights are the Enchanted Museums of Milan lecture seriesmusic performances, and many videos on Italian cinema and its industry. For more information, visit here.

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre

The Miles Nadal JCC invites you to dance, sing and learn with them in August. On August 1 celebrate the vibrant culture of the Caribbean for Afro Caribbean Dance party. Their sing-along class, Jewish Mixed Tape, where they'll be singing the greatest hits from the Jewish songbook, is for all ages and abilities: August 4, 11, and 18. On August 5 join critic, curator, and lecturer Angelo Muredda as he takes a critical look at Disability on Film. On August 7 and 14, tune in for Friday morning Shabbat Song Circle, for families with young children. Start your morning by awakening your body and moving to summer-themed music on August 10 with Shoshana Fainsilber. On August 16, TDSB social worker and consultant Tania Lewis will lead a Covid-19 parenting workshop in preparation for September. Be sure to sign up for these and other programs. MNjcc On Demand offers 24/7 access to many of their past courses and classes from fitness to arts and culture - and beyond, with new content added weekly! Click here to learn more.

The Japan Foundation, Toronto

They've missed you! The Japan Foundation, Toronto has re-opened the Library and Gallery with limited reduced hours and modified services. In their gallery, the Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition has been extended to September 4. All visitors to the Library and Gallery are asked to make a reservation before visiting and to read their visitor policy and guidelines to keep everyone safe. You can also reconnect with Japanese culture online! Interested in learning Japanese? Registration is now open for Japanese language classes that begin in September. Join the Virtual Japanese Study Fair on August 6 to learn about the many resources and options. The online JFT Book Club continues on August 20 on the theme of Travel.  The Best of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival will continue to run online from August 7 - 23, where you can catch some great Japanese films in the comfort of your home. More details available here.

Bata Shoe Museum

Toronto's favourite shoebox has officially reopened! They are so excited to welcome you back to the museum and have implemented new policies to ensure their visitors and staff are safe. Keep up to date with their social media as they continue to create online content for everyone to enjoy. Recently, they posted a new unboxing video with fashion historian, Rebecca C. Tuite and you can catch up on their latest Museum Moments episode with Sharon S. Takeda from LACMA on their IGTV. Stay tuned as their new exhibit, The Great Divide: Footwear in the Age of Enlightenment opens on August 12. Visit their website for details on how to purchase advance tickets and more.

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

Even though the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library remains closed through the remainder of the summer, its exhibitions are starting to open up. At least virtually! Over the past few months, library staff have been working on "re-creating" the exhibition that was running prior to its closure, Strength in Numbers: The CanLit Community, along with two of the library's most popular exhibitions from the past: Flickering of the Flame: The Book and the Reformation from 2017, and How Does My Garden Grow: The Education of a Gardener from 2012. These exhibitions can be found here.

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir

Throughout the summer, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir will continue to gather virtually with you to share beauty and comfort through music of the past. We invite you to participate by following our social media channels or our blog, and using the hashtag #TafelmusikTogether. Visit the blog here.

The Music Gallery

At a time we can't get together in person, here is a chance for us all to relive events which brought people together in unique and unusual ways. Music Gallery wraps up their Music Gallery at Home, Summer ReRun series with two fantastic presentations! August 7 they host a rewatch of SlowPitchSound's performance from MG Remixed 2016 (co-presented with IF: Improvisation Festival) and August 10 a rewatch of Forward Together (X Avant Festival, 2019) featuring live commentary from the original panelists!  All performances and talks will be streamed LIVE Mondays and Fridays at 7pm EST. Join them here.

Soundstreams

The new music organization Soundstreams is one of the most vital communicators of Canadian values and artistry abroad, and they are looking for a broad coalition of voices to help shape the organization for the future. Becoming a Soundstreams Insider is free, and you'll receive such perks as special invites to digital town halls, access to concerts before they go on sale to the general public, and more! Sign up today here.

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