Today in Toronto: Pretty Little Instincts, Taste of the Danforth and more
Harbourfront Festivals This month, What’s Classical explores the dynamic musical form with the stuffy rep (Aug. 5 to 7); Pan-Asian cuisine gets its due at the Fortune Cooking fest (Aug. 12 to 14); and Masala! Mehndi! Masti! devotes itself to all that is South Asian (Aug. 19 to 21). Find out more »
Jan Lisiecki At only 16 years old, this award-winning piano prodigy—who has just signed a recording contract with global powerhouse Deutsche Grammophon—is already known for the extraordinary maturity of his interpretations. Find out more »
Pretty Little Instincts In this outdoor show, B.C.’s Snafu Dance Theatre aims to expose humanity’s innate primal instincts. Nine dancers in chalk-white makeup use Butoh-inflected movements to explore issues of conformity and isolation, reflecting on how close we often come to revealing our animal natures. Find out more »
Schubertiade Schubert’s genius in piano, song and chamber ensemble are the focus of this bayside concert. Pianist Stéphane Lemelin brings his delicate touch to the Moments Musicaux; soprano Leslie Fagan and clarinetist James Campbell blend virtuosities in The Shepherd on the Rock; and the Lafayette String Quartet joins forces with cellist Rolf Gjelsten in the heartbreaking String Quintet in C Major. Find out more »
Taste of the Danforth Greektown’s annual street party is taking over the east end once more, cramming the Danforth full of carousers mad for olives and ouzo. Find out more »
Toronto’s Festival of Beer Make like it’s Oktober and get down at this event devoted to the fine craft of beer making. With over 120 local and international brands available, the fest is an unabashed celebration of guzzling (brew), grilling (meat) and gawking (at the live acts). Find out more »
Maria Severa Portuguese street music fans can now get their Fado fix in southern Ontario. Severa, a 19th-century Lisbon prostitute–turned–singing star—thanks to her talent and an affair with a count—is the focus of this romantic musical, which gets its world premiere at the Shaw. Previews from July 19. Find out more »
Mike Field Jazz Band Trumpeter Field won’t be pigeonholed, preferring to segue smoothly from the traditional to the experimental (his work with the CS Field Trio combines trumpet with beat box and spoken word). At this event, however, he’ll be focusing on standards. Find out more »
