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CULTURAL & COMMUNITY EVENTS
ART & PHOTOGRAPHY
Harbourfront Centre
The Winter Exhibitions include Fashion No-No which fuses art, craft, fashion and technology for a multimedia show that explores identity, performance and the complex relationships between material and author; curated by Paola Poletto. Daryl Vocat presents two billboards atop the York Quay Centre in coordination with his new screenprints (currently on view at the Fleck Dance Theatre). And Anna Lindsay MacDonald, Gwen MacGregor, Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay and Flavio Trevisan participate in You Can’t Get There From Here, curated by Joy Walker. Noon-6pm. Tue, Thu-Sun. Noon-8pm. Wed. Till Sun, March 8. Harbourfront Centre. 235 Queens Quay W. 973-4000. Harbourfrontcentre.com.
Parthenogenesis
Artist Michael Dudeck investigates shamanism and spirituality with his solo show. Opening. 6pm-8pm. Thu, Feb 5. 11am-5pm. Wed-Sat. Till Mar 7. Pari Nadimi Gallery. 254 Niagara St. 591-6464. Parinadimigallery.-com. Dudeck also launches his artist’s book of the same name at Art Metropole. 1pm-3pm. Sat, Feb 7. Art Metropole. 788 King St W, 2nd floor. 703-4400. Artmetropole.com.
Elegant Corruptions
Julie Nicholson and Shaun Moore of the Canadian design store Made (Madedesign.ca) curate the second in the Radiant Dark series, featuring 39 witty and intriguing new works by artists, designers and craftsfolk — ceramics and jewellery to graphic and lighting design. With Stag (detail, pictured) fabric artist Grant Heaps takes the familiar image of a deer, common to so many sweaters and embroidered rec room hangings, and turns it into a giant quilt, where each cross-stitch is now its own one-inch piece of fabric, making the beast life size. The piece measures more than 10 by 15 feet. Other contributors include Deanne Lehtinen, Barr Gilmore, Angela Iarocci, Yvonne Ip and Bev Hisey. The show opens Wed, Feb 4 and runs (concurrently with the Gladstone Hotel’s Come Up to My Room; see page 31) 11am to 7pm, Feb 5 to 7, and 11am to 6pm on Feb 9 at 360 Dufferin St, #201. The event is free; call (416) 607-6384.
Come Up To My Room
The Gladstone Hotel launches the 2009 edition of its annual art/design fest. A host of local designers create temporary installations in each of the 11 rooms on the hotel’s second floor, as well as in the hotel lobby and main stairwell. Curated by Katherine Morley, Caroline Shaheed, Jeremy Vandermeij and Deborah Wang. $8. 4pm-8pm. Thu, Feb 5. Noon-8pm. Feb 6. Noon-10pm. Feb 7. Noon-5pm. Feb 8. LoveDESIGN party. Free. 10pm. Sat, Feb 7. Gladstone Hotel. 1214 Queen St W. 531-4635. Gladstonehotel.com.
Judy Chicago
A Survey of Important Works. Rouge Contemporary Projects presents its first major exhibition, a survey of works by groundbreaking feminist art icon Judy Chicago. The show features sculpture and drawing and craftwork. The first of three shows coming up in Toronto in Feb. Opening. 2pm-5pm. Sat, Feb 14. 11am-6pm. Wed-Sat. Noon-5pm. Sun. Tue, Feb 10-Mar 22. Rouge Contemporary Projects. 732 Queen St E. 922-1914. Rougecontemporary.com.
DANCE
Up Until Now
Christopher House and Toronto Dance Theatre score a magnificent coup by presenting the world premiere of a new piece by iconic American choreographer Deborah Hay. This work was commissioned especially by TDT and marks the first time Hay has worked with a Canadian company. Not to be missed. $20-$26. 8pm. Wed-Sat. Thu, Jan 29-Sat, Feb 7. Winchester Street Theatre. 80 Winchester St. 967-1365. Tdt.org.
Dance Marathon
Bluemouth, Inc theatre collective hosts a genuine Depression-era dance marathon or, if you prefer more highfalutin lingo, an interactive, duration-based performance event. Amateurs are welcome to dance until their legs give out from under them and spectators are encouraged. $15-$30. 7pm. Thu, Feb 5-8. Enwave Theatre. 231 Queens Quay W. 973-4000. Harbourfrontcentre.com.
It’s About Time
60 Dances in 60 Minutes. Michael Trent’s newest work investigates the rush of urban life. Featuring performers Robert Abubo, Kate Hilliard, Kate Holden, Benjamin Kamino and Steeve Paquet, with music composed by Josh Thorpe. No watches allowed. The Fri, Feb 13 show is preceded by a discussion with dramaturge Jacob Zimmer and Michael Trent at 7pm in the Lower Lobby. $20-$38. 8pm. Wed, Feb 11-14. 3pm. Feb 14. Enwave Theatre. 237 Queens Quay W. 973-4000. Harbourfrontcentre.com.
FILM & VIDEO
Terence Davies
Cinematheque’s retrospective on the gay British master filmmaker continues till Sat, Feb 7, closing with the Terence Davies Trilogy (Children, Madonna and Child, Death and Transfiguration). 7pm. $5.90 members; $10.14 nonmembers. Jackman Hall. 317 Dundas St W. 968-3456. Cinemathequeontario.ca.
Where the Wild Things Are
The second installment of Curatorial Incubator 6 sees curator Erik Martinson explore family relationships in a program featuring Tseng Yu Chin’s Who’s Listening? Dena DeCola and Karin E Wandner’s Five More Minutes and Mary J Daniel’s Parenthesis. Screening. 6pm & 7:30pm. Curator’s talk. 7:30pm. Fri, Jan 30. Program available on request through Feb 19. Vtape. 401 Richmond St W, #452. 351-1317. Vtape.org.
The 8 Fest
Small-Gauge Film Festival. The second installment of this annual two-day fest features a weekend of screenings and installations by Vancouver’s Project 8 Film Collective, Japanese filmmaker Takahiko Iimura and a program of work by Dagie Brundert, John Porter, Mario Douchette, Coal Aiken, Alexandre Larose, Andy Paterson, Tanya Read, Christina Battle, Rob Cruickshank, Michelle Clarke and Jason Ebanks. Also featuring a gallery-based installation by Robert Kennedy (in the window of Paul Petro Contemporary Art; 980 Queen St W) and a closing-day workshop presented by the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers. Full schedule at The8fest.com. $5 per event. Fri, Jan 30-Feb 1. The Trash Palace. 89b Niagara St.
Canada’s Top 10
Cinematheque Ontario’s juried selection of the Top 10 Canadian films of the past year includes Lea Pool’s Maman est Chez le Coiffeur (Mommy Is at the Hairdresser’s), a girl’s coming-of-age in a prefeminist Quebec (9:30pm. Fri, Jan 30) and Rodrigue Jean’s intense domestic drama Lost Song (5pm. Sun, Feb 1) in the feature-length category. In the short film program Chris Chong Chan Fui’s Block B meditates on the daily lives of residents of a Kuala Lumpur apartment block (9:15. Sat, Jan 31). $5.90 members; $10.14 nonmembers. Jackman Hall. 317 Dundas St W. 968-3456. Cinemathequeontario.ca.
Tea & Sympathy
Relive your sissy high-school years with Vincente Minnelli’s enduring classic from 1956 of the trials and tribulations of young Tom Lee, whose butch masculinity and sense of belonging remain painfully elusive. The fairy godmother of queer coming-of-age films starring John Kerr and Deborah Kerr. $5.90 members; $10.14 nonmembers. 1pm. Sun, Feb 1. Jackman Hall. 317 Dundas St W. 968-3456. Cinemathequeontario.ca.
Carl Theodore Dreyer
Flesh and Soul, Cinematheque Ontario’s retrospective of this master of early European cinema, features the searing, unforgettable Passion of Joan of Arc (7pm. Fri, Feb 6 & 8:30pm. Thu, Feb 12) and Dreyer’s 1924 study of sexual desire, Mikaël, often considered the first-ever gay feature film, based on the gay Danish author and theatre director Herman Bang’s novel of the same title (7pm. Mon, Feb 23). $5.90 members; $10.14 nonmembers. Jackman Hall. 317 Dundas St W. 968-3456. Cinemathequeontario.ca.
Joan the Woman
If you just can’t get enough of crossdressing female martyrdom, be sure to get a block of tickets for Cinematheque’s program of Joan of Arc films. From Otto Preminger and Carl Theodore Dreyer to Jacques Rivette, Robert Bresson and Cecil B DeMille, the saga of the Maid of Orleans has proved an enduring theme for cinema’s master storytellers. For full schedule see website. $5.90 members; $10.14 nonmembers. Fri, Feb 6-Feb 16. Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario. 968-3456. Cinemathequeontario.ca.
ISSUES
Gays in the Church
Propitiation, a group for queer Anglicans who prefer the Book of Common Prayer, hosts a reading and discussion of the tract prepared for the Episcopal Church USA. There will be evening prayer and light refreshments. Free. 7:30pm. Sat, Jan 31. 60 Homewood Ave, apt 325, buzz 215. 977-4359.
LEISURE & PLEASURE
Ox Tail
The Ultimate Chinese New Year Sexebration. St Marc Spa and Asian Community AIDS Services ring in the Year of the Ox with an evening of debauchery. Dinner will be served off a Chinese bodybuilder, hot oil massages will abound, Lychee martinis will flow like the river Jordan, a live safe-sex demonstration will be followed by a safe-sex contest. With DJ Sumation. Regular room and locker rates apply. 8pm. Thu, Jan 29. St Marc Spa. 543 Yonge St, 4th floor. 927-0210. Stmarcspa.com.
Winter City Festival
You may as well enjoy winter – there’s about six months of it after all. The city hosts a wide array of events, including a Masquerade Ball Skating Party with DJ Deko-ze (8pm-10pm. Fri, Jan 30) a Disco Boogie Skating Party (8pm-10pm. Fri, Feb 6) and performances like Thunderheist and Shad (8pm. Sat Jan 31) and Montreal’s The Stills (8pm. Sat, Feb 7). For a full schedule of events see website. Free. Fri, Jan 30-Feb 7. Nathan Phillips Square. 100 Queen St W. 338-7465. Toronto.ca/special_events/wintercity.
Grand Pas de Deux 2009
My Funky Valentine Gala. Canada AM’s Seamus O’Regan hosts the National Ballet School’s annual fundraising gala. Featuring performances by students choreographed by faculty member Evelina Ganina. Evening includes dinner, live auction and dancing to Lenny Graff and his Big Band. Dress code is black tie and sneakers or, should the spirit move you, hot pink and bling. $1,000. 6:30pm. Sun, Feb 7. Royal York Hotel. 100 Front St W. 964-3780. Nbs-enb.ca.
MUSIC
Ferron
Icon of the women’s movement and legendary lesbian folksinger Ferron plays a one-night only show. $22 adv; $25 door. 8:30pm & 11pm. Fri, Jan 30. Hugh’s Room. 2261 Dundas St W. 531-6604. Hughsroom.com
Tomboyfriend & The New Kings
Up-and-coming glam punk outfit Tomboyfriend play with raucous anarchist ska band the New Kings. PWYC. 10pm. Thu, Feb 5. 751 Queen St W, basement. Myspace.com/tomboyfriend or Myspace.com/newkings.
OUT OF TOWN
Ladies Sasquatch
Lesbian feminist artist extraordinaire Allyson Mitchell opens a massive new show and installation of her lesbian Sasquatch series at the McMaster Museum of Art. Curated by Carla Garnet. Opening. 6pm-9pm. Thu, Jan 29. 11am-5pm. Tue, Wed, Fri. 11am-7pm. Thu. Noon-5pm. Thu. Till Mar 21. McMaster Museum of Art. 1280 Main St W. Hamilton. (905) 525-9140 ext 23081. McMaster.ca/museum.
Oeno Gallery
Partners Carlyn Moulton and Barbara Basille reopen their newly renovated Prince Edward County gallery with a group show gallery artists. Opening. 3pm-7pm. Fri, Jan 30. 10am-6pm. Mon-Sun. Till Feb 25. Oeno Gallery. 2274 County Rd 1. Bloomfield. (613) 393-2216. Oenogallery.com.
Celine Dion
The chest-thumping Quebécoise diva of schmaltz blows the skin off your face with the sheer decibel power of her vocals, performing a one-night-only greatest hits concert. $150-$200. Sat, Feb 7. The Colosseum. Caesar’s Windsor Hotel and Casino. 377 Riverside Drive E. Windsor. (800) 991-7777. Caesarswindsor.com.
PRINT & READINGS
Proust & Company
Jeffrey Round hosts this semiregular author’s salon. The second installment features Zoe Whittall, Sky Gilbert and Nairne Holtz, with musical guests Lilac Cana and Omel Masalunga. Free. Sat, Feb 7. Glad Day Bookshop, 3rd floor. 598a Yonge St. 961-4161. Proustandcompany.com.
STAGE
Well I’ll Tell Ya
Directed by Louise Fagan, Deb Filler brings her internationally lauded one-woman show of the highs and lows of show business to Toronto. $25. 8pm. Thu, Jan 29 & Jan 31. 3pm. Sun, Feb 1. Al Green Theatre. 750 Spadina Ave. 924-9211 ext 0. Mnjcc.org.
Happy Days, the Musical
Gorge yourself on boomer nostalgia with this family-friendly musical. Get reacquainted with the Cunninghams and that delightful scamp in a leather jacket the Fonz. Dance contests! Malt shops! Bobbysoxers! Letterman jackets! Golly gosh gee whillikers! $25-$70. 7:30pm. Wed, Feb 4. 7:30pm. Tue-Sun. 1pm. Wed, Sat & Sun. Till Feb 15. Elgin Theatre. 189 Yonge St. 872-5555. Dancaptickets.com.
Rusalka
The Canadian Opera Company presents its debut of Antonin Dvorak’s opera, loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. Starring soprano Julie Makerov, tenor Michael Schade, Irina Mishura, baritone Richard Paul Kink, soprano Joni Henson and conducted by John Keenan. In Czech with English surtitles. $60-$290. 7:30pm. Sat, Jan 31, Feb 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23. Four Seasons Centre. 145 Queen St W. 363-8231. Coc.ca.
30 Dates
Written by Fenulla Jiwani and directed by Ros-anna Saracino, this theatrical comedy follows 35-year-old Priti as she tries to find a suitable husband. She navigates parental pressure and her own biological clock, taking desperate measures to avoid finding herself in an arranged marriage. Starring Gabriel Grey, Fenulla Jiwani, Shafik Kamani, Husein Madhavji, Danya Nearon, Patrick Whalen and Richard Young. $23 adv; $25 door. 8pm. Wed, Feb 4-7. 2pm. Feb 7 & 8. 7pm. Feb 8. Factory Studio Theatre. 125 Bathurst St. 504-9971. Factorytheatre.ca.
TV & RADIO
Noah’s Arc
The African-American gay series, shot in Vancouver, debuts in Canada. Four African-American gay men look for love and signs of intelligent life in West Hollywood. 8:30pm. Sundays, beginning Feb 8. OUTtv.
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