A strange and surreal stage adaptation of Grey Gardens The Maysles brothers’ 1976 documentary revealed the bizarre lives of a reclusive mother-daughter duo, both named Edith Beale, aunt and cousin to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The Canadian premiere of this Tony-winning musical gives their surreal lifestyle a fittingly theatrical spin, starring stage vet Lisa Horner (Les Misérables, Road to Avonlea) as Little Edie. February 22 to March 6; previews February 19 to 21. $35–$55; previews $35–$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St., canadianstage.com.
A frenzied four-day art fair The ninth edition of the annual Artist Project features 250 Canadian and international artists representing virtually every medium: painting, drawing, collage, photography, sculpture and more. The main attraction is Crystal Kings Blazing, a 100-foot rainbow-coloured installation by local anime-style artist duo Happy Sleepy, positioned at the main entrance. We also recommend the eerily cool blacklit L.E.D.-and-mirror installations, and the Art Battle on February 19, where 16 artists will have 20 minutes to paint a winning piece. Thursday, February 18 to Sunday, February 21. $15. Better Living Centre, 195 Princes’ Blvd., theartistproject.com.
Basia Bulat’s album-release bash The autoharpist’s fourth studio album, Good Advice, is out this month, but we’ve been excited about it since last fall, when she released “Infamous,” a single with catchy harmonies and longing lyrics about heartbreak. Bulat’s records are sophisticated and polished, with deceptively simple melodies, a wide range of instruments (she’s been known to bust out the charango), and a raspy voice that’s equal parts nimble, pretty and powerful. Friday, February 19. $15. Mod Club, 722 College St., collectiveconcerts.com.
A backwards beer pairing The Richmond restaurant Thoroughbred tag teams with Etobicoke’s Black Oak Brewery in this “beer dinner,” in which each of the six courses are designed to complement different varieties of their award-winning brews. The menu itself is a secret, but it will include something called Chicharron Cheezies and a fun twist on chiles rellenos. Sunday, February 22. $75 (includes beer). Thoroughbred, 304 Richmond St. W., tbto.ca.
Betroffenheit, a show after the aftershocks of death The title is one of those German words that English can’t do justice: it means shock or dismay in the face of something unexpected—in other words, what Vancouver actor Jonathon Young felt after his teenage daughter died in a fire in 2009. Young stars in this semi-autobiographical dance-theatre hybrid, which he created alongside superstar choreographer Crystal Pite, about a PTSD-stricken man struggling with the aftermath of a horrible accident. Thursday, February 18 to Sunday, February 21. $30–$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E., canadianstage.com.
An offer you can’t refuse
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is widely considered the best movie ever made, and Italian composer Nino Rota’s orchestral score is no slouch, either. The Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra provides the soundtrack for this screening of the iconic American crime story, down to every bouncing waltz and swelling string. Saturday, February 20. $49–$99. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., ticketmaster.ca.
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