The Weekender: Equus, Voice-Box, Robyn and more on our to-do list
Editor’s note: Robyn’s concert has been cancelled due to an illness.
1. BRUCE MAU: 25 YEARS OF BIG THINKING (FREE!)
An international design star, Toronto’s Bruce Mau has a roster of clients that looks like a who’s who of pop culture; he’s worked with Frank Gehry, MTV, MoMA and Coca-Cola. The Design Exchange’s Mau retrospective, which closes this weekend, looks at his corporate work, architecture and books. To Nov. 14. Design Exchange, 234 Bay St., 416-363-6121, dx.org.
2. VOICE-BOX
This “competitive concert in a boxing ring” pits choreographer Julia Alpin; writer Anna Chatterton; composer Juliet Palmer; singers Vilma Vitols, Neema Bickersteth and Christine Duncan; and comedian-boxer Savoy Howe against one another in a battle for supremacy (with real fighting!). Partially inspired by the 100-years-in-the-making decision to allow women’s boxing into the Olympics and the accompanying controversy, it’s also an interesting take on female aggression. Nov. 10 to 14. $15–$35. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
3. EQUUS
The boy who played the boy who lived, Daniel Radcliffe, may not be starring in this production, as he did to much frenzy in 2007, but the plot of this masterpiece—a child psychiatrist trying to treat a boy with a religious and, disturbingly, sexual preoccupation with horses—should be enough to fill the seats. Nov. 12 to 27. $25. The Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Cir., 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
4. REEL ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
This long-running showcase of contemporary East and Southeast Asian cinema is one of the best small film festivals in the city. If you missed the fantastic opening-night film Gallants, there’s still a slew of good programming. Friday’s screening of Suite Suite Chinatown, a compilation of seven Toronto filmmakers’ views on our city’s different Chinatowns, is followed by a karaoke party. To Nov. 15. Each screening $12, festival pass $80. Various locations, reelasian.com.
5. CINDERELLA
The kickoff to the National Ballet’s 2010-2011 season, James Kudelka’s modern adaptation of the classic fairy tale is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. There’s a good balance of the darker elements of the story (hello, child slavery) and its funnier bits, not to mention gorgeous costumes and even more stunning choreography. Nov. 11 to 20. $21.50–$151.50. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595, ballet.ca.
6. NIGELLA LAWSON
She’s gorgeous, curvy and can cook her way to anyone’s heart, male or female. No wonder we can’t decide if we love Nigella or are straight-up jealous. We’re trying to score tickets to this appearance at the Royal York, where the divine Ms. L will answer questions and preside over a three-course dinner (featuring recipes from her new cookbook, of course). Nov. 12. $150. Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front St. W., ramsayinc.com/html/payments/fairmont/nigellalawson.html.
7. ROBYN
Remember way back in the day when you danced around all recess singing this Swedish songstress’s “Show Me Love”? Or was that just us? Whatever. We’ll happily dance around to her new stuff, too. Nov. 12. $23.50. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.
8. ICE, WINE AND DINE (FREE!)
We’re not looking forward to winter, but neighbourhood festivals like this one help distract us from the looming chill. There’ll be snacks from Elm Street’s restaurants (the Queen and Beaver is serving mulled cider and cookies), wine pairings from professional sommeliers, performances by Zero Gravity Circus, magic shows and fortune tellers. Nov. 13. Elm Street, between Yonge and Bay Streets, wintermagic.ca.
(Images: horse by Jaguar, Voice-Box from Harbourfront Centre, Robyn by Christian Ekblad.)
An international design star, Toronto's Bruce Mau has a roster of clients that looks like a who’s who of pop culture; he’s worked with Frank Gehry, MTV, MoMA and Coca-Cola. The Design Exchange’s Mau retrospective, which closes this weekend, looks at his corporate work, architecture and books. To Nov. 14. Design Exchange, 234 Bay St., 416-363-6121, dx.org.
2. VOICE-BOX
This “competitive concert in a boxing ring” pits choreographer Julia Alpin; writer Anna Chatterton; composer Juliet Palmer; singers Vilma Vitols, Neema Bickersteth and Christine Duncan; and comedian-boxer Savoy Howe against one another in a battle for supremacy (with real fighting!). Partially inspired by the 100-years-in-the-making decision to allow women’s boxing into the Olympics and the accompanying controversy, it’s also an interesting take on female aggression. Nov. 10 to 14. $15–$35. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
3. EQUUS
The boy who played the boy who lived, Daniel Radcliffe, may not be starring in this production, as he did to much frenzy in 2007, but the plot of this masterpiece—a child psychiatrist trying to treat a boy with a religious and, disturbingly, sexual preoccupation with horses—should be enough to fill the seats. Nov. 12 to 27. $25. The Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Cir., 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
4. REEL ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
This long-running showcase of contemporary East and Southeast Asian cinema is one of the best small film festivals in the city. If you missed the fantastic opening-night film Gallants, there's still a slew of good programming. Friday’s screening of Suite Suite Chinatown, a compilation of seven Toronto filmmakers' views on our city's different Chinatowns, is followed by a karaoke party. To Nov. 15. Each screening $12, festival pass $80. Various locations, reelasian.com.
5. CINDERELLA
The kickoff to the National Ballet’s 2010-2011 season, James Kudelka’s modern adaptation of the classic fairy tale is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. There’s a good balance of the darker elements of the story (hello, child slavery) and its funnier bits, not to mention gorgeous costumes and even more stunning choreography. Nov. 11 to 20. $21.50–$151.50. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595, ballet.ca.
6. NIGELLA LAWSON
She’s gorgeous, curvy and can cook her way to anyone’s heart, male or female. No wonder we can’t decide if we love Nigella or are straight-up jealous. We're trying to score tickets to this appearance at the Royal York, where the divine Ms. L will answer questions and preside over a three-course dinner (featuring recipes from her new cookbook, of course). Nov. 12. $150. Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front St. W., ramsayinc.com/html/payments/fairmont/nigellalawson.html.
7. ROBYN
Remember way back in the day when you danced around all recess singing this Swedish songstress’s “Show Me Love”? Or was that just us? Whatever. We’ll happily dance around to her new stuff, too. Nov. 12. $23.50. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.
8. ICE, WINE AND DINE (FREE!)
We’re not looking forward to winter, but neighbourhood festivals like this one help distract us from the looming chill. There'll be snacks from Elm Street's restaurants (the Queen and Beaver is serving mulled cider and cookies), wine pairings from professional sommeliers, performances by Zero Gravity Circus, magic shows and fortune tellers. Nov. 13. Elm Street, between Yonge and Bay Streets, wintermagic.ca.
(Images: horse by Jaguar, Voice-Box from Harbourfront Centre, Robyn by Christian Ekblad.)){kind=link}