What's happening in September along the Bloor St. Culture Corridor?

• The Royal Conservatory begins its concert season
• Three new exhibitions at the ROM, including Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic
• Working on your comedic chops at the Miles Nadal JCC 
• Photo exhibitions and art webinars at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura
• In-person classes for Randolph Kids Performing Arts
• Live & Online events through the Toronto Reference Library
• The Great Divide exhibition at Bata Shoe Museum
• Language courses and a reopening of campuses for the Alliance Française de Toronto
• Tafelmusik returns with a Fall Digital Season
• New exhibitions and talks as The Japan Foundation, Toronto reopens
• A new free membership program from Soundstreams
• Feel empowered by real-life superheroes at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
• and more!

It was our pleasure to speak with Vincent Teetsov for a feature interview in Eesti Elu: Estonian Life with BCC director and facilitator Heather Kelly! He captures the spirit of collaboration that is the Bloor St. Culture Corridor: "Community Strength for VEMU (the Museum of Estonians Abroad) as a member of the Bloor Street Culture Corridor."

The Royal Conservatory

The concert season is starting! The Royal Conservatory is moving forward to bring you inspiring live music, with all health and safety protocols in place (details here). On Sunday, September 13, sitarist Anwar Khurshid, whose music has been featured in the Oscar Award-winning film, Life of Pi, and Kama Sutra, will perform in Mazzoleni Concert Hall at 1pm. Tickets are free and can be reserved in advance starting September 7 at 10am. On Saturday, September 26, Canadian songwriters Chris Tait and Jessie T come together with host Blair Packham at a Songbird North concert in Mazzoleni Concert Hall. Tickets are $40, available now. Ladom Ensemble will perform a free concert of their passionate, sophisticated, and wild acoustic chamber world music on Sunday, September 27 at 1pm. Tickets are free and can be reserved in advance starting September 21 at 10am. Visit www.rcmusic.com for info about these and other upcoming concerts. You can also take music lessons this fall from the Royal Conservatory School (RCS) in the comfort and safety of your own home. Registration is now open for online courses starting on September 12. From one-on-one music lessons to group classes to theory and history, there's something for all ages and abilities! Learn more about classes here.  

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) has three great new exhibitions opening this September. Experience the timeless and universal appeal of one of the most adored fictional characters of all time - Winnie-the-Pooh -- in Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic. Discover and rediscover the magical world of this much-loved bear and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. Featuring pieces from the museum's world-renowned collection, and several important international loans, The Cloth that Changed the World: India's Painted and Printed Cottons explores how over thousands of years India's artisans have created, perfected and innovated these printed and painted multicoloured cotton fabrics to fashion the body, honour divinities, and beautify palaces and homes. And finally, uncover the secrets of six mummified individuals from ancient Egypt in Egyptian Mummies: Ancient Lives. New Discoveries from the British Museum. Using the latest technology explore how these people lived along the Nile and what happened to them after they died. Discover more at the ROM here.

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre

Fall programs at the Miles Nadal JCC begin on September 13 with "Building the Jewish& Cookbook", series celebrating Jewish diversity and blended traditions in a virtual cook-a-long program with Master Chef winner Jennifer Crawford. Then, on September 14 visit MNjcc On Demand for "Laughter on the 23rd Floor: The Writers' Room of Your Show of Shows" with actor/comedian Jack Newman. Folk duo Sue & Dwight will be feeling groovy at their September 24 virtual 1960s singalong concert, "Get Together". Their 29th annual Suzuki program starts its virtual classes for children on September 29, as does their popular virtual daytime choir, led by Asher Farber. For more outstanding Arts & Culture programs, visit here, or explore the rest of their offerings here.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura

The Istituto Italiano di Cultura is open and welcomes you back!  Their photo exhibition Facing the Camera is on view again by appointment.  Also, stay tuned in September as the Istituto offers some interesting  webinars on art and a series of online conversations with some great thinkers about life after the outbreak.  Check the Istituto Italiano di Cultura calendar for the full schedule of events and more updates.

Randolph Centre for the Arts

At Randolph Kids Performing Arts, their highly qualified teachers and staff are committed to meeting their students at their level, and giving them the tools and confidence to succeed not only in the studio and on stage, but also in their lives outside of Randolph. They work hard to instil a healthy development of the mind, body and spirit through the performing arts. With the arrival of Stage 3 in Toronto, they are thrilled to offer in-person classes this Fall at 736 Bathurst Street! Study Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Acro. For those not ready to join them in studio, they're also offering Livestream dance and musical theatre classes, as well as On-Demand options. Learn more at randolphkids.com, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook (@randolphkids)!Ignite. Transform. Shine.

Toronto Reference Library

As Toronto Reference Library and most library branches across the city gradually resume adapted in-branch services with relevant health and safety measures in place, TPL events will continue to be Live & Online! 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 September 9, debut author Marlowe Granados discusses her new novel, Happy Hour, with The Social co-host Jessica Allen. Irish-Canadian icon, Emma Donoghue talks about her latest book, Pull of the Stars, on September 23. And on September 25, celebrated actor Mena Massoud discusses his new cookbook, Evolving Vegan. All of TPL's Live & Online programs are listed at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca.

Bata Shoe Museum

The Bata Shoe Museum's newest exhibition, The Great Divide: Footwear in the Age of Enlightenment opened recently! Featuring rare 18th century artefacts from the collection, as well as loans from the Gardiner Museum,  the exhibit reflects on complex stories that are as relevant today as they were 300 years ago. The BSM is also keeping up with their #BSMFromHome online content with weekly blog posts, colouring sheets and more. Catch up their latest episode of Museum Moments that features Alexandra Kahsenni:io Nahwegahbow, Associate Curator of Historical Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Canada on their IGTV channel. Keep up to date with everything they are up to by visiting their website.

Alliance Française de Toronto

The 5 Alliance Française Toronto campuses are now open and ready to welcome you back ... while respecting to all the health measures! Regardless of your level of French, you'll find the right course for you. Or, perhaps the right event: our cultural season is about to start! Stay tuned for more details. More information can be found online here or at in-person classes.

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir look forward to returning to the stage soon with their new 2020 Fall Digital Season beginning on October 1, 2020. Until then, you're invited to gather virtually with Tafelmusik as they continue to share beauty and comfort through music of the past. Participate by following their social media channels or their blog, and use the hashtag #TafelmusikTogether. Visit the blog here.

The Japan Foundation, Toronto

The Japan Foundation, Toronto has re-opened the Library and Gallery with modified opening hours and services. All visitors are asked to make a reservation before visiting and to read their visitor policy and guidelines to keep everyone safe. The Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition has been extended to September 18, and features works by over 30 artists where you will learn about the similarities and differences between contemporary Japanese manga and Katsushika Hokusai's manga, which was created 200 years ago. Join them on September 17 for a fascinating online talk, The Many Lives of a Japanese Classic, by Dr. Gergana Ivanova. The talk will look at interpretations of the work and images of The Pillow Book and its author SHONAGON Sei that emerged between the 17th century and the early 20th century and how such Japanese literary classics written by women continue to inform contemporary cultural production. Interested in speaking Japanese? Learn about the many options for learning Japanese in our Japanese language resources. More details available 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.

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

This September, Hot Docs Cinema offers a dynamic lineup on its on-demand platform. Stream new documentaries profiling French design icon Pierre Cardin and rock'n'roll legend Chuck Berry. Escape to the City of Light with the new Curious Minds course Rebel Paris and pair it with this rare doc on the city's fabled Shakespeare & Company Bookstore. Get an exclusive first look at The Lying Life of Adults, the hotly anticipated new novel by global sensation Elena Ferrante at their Author Event with translator Ann Goldstein. Get your art fix with Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz in their latest instalment of Game Changers dedicated to Pablo Picasso. And feel empowered by real-life superheroes like Comanche activist LaDonna Harris or Mongolia's teenage eagle huntress, Aisholpan Nurgaiv. Members save on new releases and Curious Minds, and get free access to premium film series, talks and special events - join now to start streaming for free and support Hot Docs. For more information, visit here.

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