An acrobatic apocalyptic spectacle, a Joanna Newsom show and six other things to do this week
Traces by 7 Fingers, an acrobat’s answer to the apocalypse
When seven people confine themselves inside a makeshift shelter to escape the apocalypse, they opt for an odd—and entirely entertaining—coping mechanism: high-flying stunts. This circus, which has been staged in 200 cities since its 2006 premiere in Montreal, combines modern dance with skateboarding, basketball and aerial acrobatics. Tuesday, December 15 to January 3. $25–$75. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., mirvish.com.
Off the Wall, an art raffle where everyone wins
Everyone who purchases a ticket to the Propeller Gallery’s annual fundraiser will take home a piece of donated artwork; the only catch is that they have only one minute to choose which work to take home. This year’s collection includes pieces by photo artist Frances Patella, watercolour painter Dominique Prevost, and multidisciplinarian Joseph Muscat, and will be on display for three days before the gala. Exhibition Wednesday, December 16 to Friday, December 18; gala Friday, December 18. $125. Propeller Gallery, 30 Abell St., propellerctr.com.
A fantastical Joanna Newsom concert
Critics and fans have called the American harpist a fairy and an elf (and a fairy elf) for her storybook lyrics and polarizing voice. But these fantastical descriptors shouldn’t distract from the talent evident in her sophisticated chamber-pop compositions. Here, she warbles through her latest album, Divers, which includes the rich, melodious “Sapokanikan.” (The show is now sold out, though a few tickets are still floating around.) Monday, December 14. $35–$40. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 190 Princes’ Blvd., ticketfly.com.
A chance to get festive at the Brick Works
The Winter Village at Evergreen Brick Works runs until March, but Saturdays stock the most festive fun. Attendees can browse farmers’ and makers’ markets, take part in a sauce-making workshop, and fuel up with some Tibetan momos or salumi at the food court before skating a few laps around the rink. Something from the Sipping Container (like rum-spiked organic egg nog) will make it feel like Christmas, regardless of the balmy temperatures. FREE. Saturday, December 19. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., evergreen.ca.
Fifty works by kids’ author Maurice Sendak
Though he’s best known as the author of 1963’s Where the Wild Things Are, the American artist illustrated—and often also wrote—more than a hundred books for children, including In the Night Kitchen and Bumble-Ardy. This travelling exhibition contains 50 original works, including sketches, illustrations and posters. Let the wild rumpus begin. All ages. Saturday, December 19 to January 31. FREE. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., torontopubliclibrary.ca.
La Chasse-Galerie, a new take on an old tale
In the most popular version of this old French-Canadian folk tale, a band of loggers steal a boat to see their sweethearts after a night of drinking. To fast-track the trip, they make a pact with the devil: he’ll make the canoe fly, but if the wasted workers misbehave, he’ll take their souls. Given Storefront Theatre’s taste for the twisted, expect a series of bizarre turns. Thursday, December 17 to Thursday, December 31. $25. Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor St. W., thestorefronttheatre.com.
An exhibition of sketches from the AGO vaults
Drawings aren’t often given the same space or respect as paintings in fine art galleries. In Drawing, Je T’aime: Selections From the AGO Vaults, the gallery breaks that trend with an exhibition of rarely seen sketches that offer a glimpse into the methods of artistic greats, including Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Joyce Wieland and K. M. Graham, whose vivid impressions of Apollo 13 show the space voyage from a new perspective. Saturday, December 19 to April 3. $19.50. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., ago.net.
A fairy tale about the housing market
Jacques and his mother live a quiet life in Leslieville until, one day, their cow stops producing milk. So they trade their cow for magic beans, which instantly sprout shiny new condos around their home, opening the door for man-child Jacques to capitalize on the Bean Stock Market and turn a profit. This slapstick satirical show, Jacques and the Bean Stock Market, is performed by the Panto Players, whose previous fairy-tale rewrites include Alice in Blunderland and Sleepy Beauty. Friday, December 18 to January 2. $25. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St. E., redsandcastletheatre.com.
 for her storybook lyrics and polarizing voice. But these fantastical descriptors shouldn’t distract from the talent evident in her sophisticated chamber-pop compositions. Here, she warbles through her latest album, Divers, which includes the rich, melodious “Sapokanikan.” (The show is now sold out, though a few tickets are still floating around.) Monday, December 14. $35–$40. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 190 Princes’ Blvd., ticketfly.com.
A chance to get festive at the Brick Works
The Winter Village at Evergreen Brick Works runs until March, but Saturdays stock the most festive fun. Attendees can browse farmers' and makers' markets, take part in a sauce-making workshop, and fuel up with some Tibetan momos or salumi at the food court before skating a few laps around the rink. Something from the Sipping Container (like rum-spiked organic egg nog) will make it feel like Christmas, regardless of the balmy temperatures. FREE. Saturday, December 19. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., evergreen.ca.
[caption id="attachment_363480" align="alignnone" width="1875"] (Image: Courtesy of the Maurice Sendak Exhibition)[/caption]
Fifty works by kids’ author Maurice Sendak
Though he’s best known as the author of 1963’s Where the Wild Things Are, the American artist illustrated—and often also wrote—more than a hundred books for children, including In the Night Kitchen and Bumble-Ardy. This travelling exhibition contains 50 original works, including sketches, illustrations and posters. Let the wild rumpus begin. All ages. Saturday, December 19 to January 31. FREE. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., torontopubliclibrary.ca.
La Chasse-Galerie, a new take on an old tale
In the most popular version of this old French-Canadian folk tale, a band of loggers steal a boat to see their sweethearts after a night of drinking. To fast-track the trip, they make a pact with the devil: he’ll make the canoe fly, but if the wasted workers misbehave, he’ll take their souls. Given Storefront Theatre’s taste for the twisted, expect a series of bizarre turns. Thursday, December 17 to Thursday, December 31. $25. Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor St. W., thestorefronttheatre.com.
[caption id="attachment_363550" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Annie Pootoogook, Composition (Drawing of My Grandmother's Glasses), 2007.)[/caption]
An exhibition of sketches from the AGO vaults
Drawings aren’t often given the same space or respect as paintings in fine art galleries. In Drawing, Je T’aime: Selections From the AGO Vaults, the gallery breaks that trend with an exhibition of rarely seen sketches that offer a glimpse into the methods of artistic greats, including Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Joyce Wieland and K. M. Graham, whose vivid impressions of Apollo 13 show the space voyage from a new perspective. Saturday, December 19 to April 3. $19.50. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., ago.net.
A fairy tale about the housing market
Jacques and his mother live a quiet life in Leslieville until, one day, their cow stops producing milk. So they trade their cow for magic beans, which instantly sprout shiny new condos around their home, opening the door for man-child Jacques to capitalize on the Bean Stock Market and turn a profit. This slapstick satirical show, Jacques and the Bean Stock Market, is performed by the Panto Players, whose previous fairy-tale rewrites include Alice in Blunderland and Sleepy Beauty. Friday, December 18 to January 2. $25. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St. E., redsandcastletheatre.com.){kind=link}