Toronto - The Bloor St. Culture Corridor, February 2023
Bata Shoe Museum
Toronto’s favourite shoebox always has something new! Learn how to crochet for the first time or refresh your skills with LEGIN KNITS on February 11 or 25. Nigel John will be hosting two workshops where he will teach participants techniques to crochet their own shoelaces using a 3-step customization process. Every Saturday from 11am to 3pm, check out their Arts & Crafts Zone where you can try on funky footwear, learn more about their Hands On Collection or create a shoe-themed craft. They will also have their Community Tours on Sundays at 1:30pm, February 19-March 19! These 20 minute tours highlight individual shoes and themes created by our docents. Don’t forget they offer free admission every Sunday! Visit their website or sign up for their e-news for all the latest updates.
Gardiner Museum
Join the Gardiner Museum on February 1 from 6-8pm for an evening of art and civic engagement, free with registration. "Micro Meets Macro: Taking Action on Food Insecurity and Housing Instability" is an opportunity for visitors to see the special exhibition Karine Giboulo: Housewarming and engage with some of our city's most pressing social issues. Their partners from Daily Bread Food Bank and YWCA Toronto will be on hand sharing information and resources as well as running hands-on activities. Artist Karine Giboulo will also be in attendance! In the studio, they’re offering two clay-based mindfulness workshops led by art therapist who will guide participants through clay exercises designed to harness the power of breath and connect with the present moment. Register now for sessions on February 7 or 21 from 5:30-7:30pm. Visit their website to sign up for events and workshops.
ROM
ROM hosts some of the world’s best exhibitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, a longtime visitor favourite, which showcases the best wildlife photography in the world. Also on now is Canadian Modern, a ROM original exhibition chronicling more than 80 years of Canadian design in fashion, furniture, electronics — and everything in between. Plus, don’t miss at ROM - Kent Monkman: Being Legendary on now and ROM After Dark on February 10. Learn more here.
VEMU Estonian Museum Canada
On February 5, Estonian political scientist, Prof. Rein Taagepera will be giving an Estonian language presentation titled "When History Began to Move - Memories 1987 - 1991". The event will also be in celebration of his 90th birthday and in recognition of his life's work. Over the month of February, Estonian-Ukrainian band Svjata Vatra will be touring in Canada. On February 11, they will be performing at The Opera House alongside Lemon Bucket, Polky and DJ Mchi. The show is presented by BLOK in collaboration with Estonian Music Week. At Tartu College, on February 15, there will be a lecture about Viking ships by Tõnu Tõsine. This will be followed by a film screening on February 26, of "Melchior the Apothecary" (2022, In Estonian with English subtitles), a medieval crime thriller about a Tallinn pharmacist who has to uncover the secret behind a terrible wave of murders. More information can be found on their website.
Alliance Française de Toronto
Come and warm up with the lively and warm music of Naxx Bitota, a Congolese artist who will not fail to make you dance through her universe on Saturday February 4 at 8pm. Two movies will be shown at the Spadina Theatre this month: Le trésor du petit Nicolas and La Nuit des Rois, respectively on February 5 at 2pm and 23 at 7:30pm. Two other conferences will also be available this month, one online and one in person. The online one will be about the Group of Seven February 11, and the in person one about Emile Gallé and Hector Guimard, the masters of New Art in France Around 1900 on February 15. Visit their website for more information.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir
Whet your appetite for the classical stylings of Mozart and Haydn with violinist and director Rachel Podger in La Passione: Haydn & Mozart. “There is probably no more inspirational musician working today” says Gramophone about violinist Rachel Podger, whose sparkling Tafelmusik debut more than a decade ago left a lasting impression on their musicians and audiences alike. Podger makes her long-awaited return as soloist and director in a program of classical symphonies and concertos by Mozart, Haydn, and their contemporaries. Tafelmusik's award-winning recordings of Haydn symphonies are widely admired, and this concert is anchored by one of the most dramatic, Symphony no 49. Nicknamed “La Passione,” the work epitomizes the Sturm und Drang style, a precursor to romanticism. Smouldering with intensity, Haydn’s symphony offers early glimmers of the romantic style that would eventually flourish decades later. February 10-12 at Jeanne Lamon Hall. Visit their website for more details.
The Royal Conservatory
The Royal Conservatory's February concerts start with two historic concerts featuring the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra and their legendary conductor Riccardo Muti performing works by Beethoven, Prokofiev, and Mussorgsky on February 1 and 2. Acclaimed baritone Roderick Williams will perform Bach, Telemann, and more with Bach Collegium Japan and their inspirational Music Director, Masaaki Suzuki on February 5. On February 11, celebrated brass soloist Jens Lindemann and the Yamaha All Star Big Band will perform big band jazz by composers like Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole, and more with pianist Jon Kimura Parker in a special concert based around Rhapsody in Blue. The King's Singers return on February 16 for an evening of iconic anthems of struggle and revolution. Additional concerts this month include Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D'Angelo on February 22 and Grammy Award nominated vocalist Somi on February 24, among others. Head to their website to learn more.
University of Toronto Faculty of Music
The University of Toronto New Music Festival continues the first week of February with exciting events including the beloved Karen Kieser Prize Concert February 1, free public master classes with composer Ana Sokoloviæ, 2022-23 Roger D. Moore Distinguished Visitor in Composition, February 1 and 3, and the Canadian Art Song Showcase, the festival’s final event February 5. Free lunchtime series Thursdays at Noon shines a spotlight on faculty artists with concerts featuring guitarist Rob MacDonald February 2 and soprano Monica Whicher and pianist Steven Philcox February 16. On February 28 the Faculty presents Hear! Hear! Remembering John Beckwith, a celebration of the life of the remarkably gifted and productive composer/writer/educator/administrator/provocateur John Beckwith (1927-2022). Friends, colleagues and family pay tribute in music and words, including performances by Choir 21, the New Music Concerts Ensemble, Opus 8, members of U of T Opera and soprano Monica Whicher. Visit their website for details.
Istituo Italiano di Cultura
Scholar Alberto Zambenedetti presents his latest book Acting Across Borders. His lecture will interest cinephiles as Zambenedetti explores how Italian cinema from the 1930s-1980s has portrayed human mobility. Through close readings of a selection of films, Zambenedetti examines the concept of italianità (Italian-ness) as manifested in contexts related to migration, diaspora, exile, tourism, travel, and their supporting infrastructures. In addition, renowned theatre company DopoLavoro Teatrale presents The Revolution is Us, directed by Daniele Bartolini. Intertwining Pier Paolo Pasolini's Porno Teo Kolossal with The Revolution Is Us by Joseph Beuys, this interactive experience leads viewers to take on a co-authorial role. Divided into three parts/chapters, the first directly from the participants' homes, the second through the urban landscape and the third in an event space, this experiential work induces and provokes the spectators to become agents of change. For more information on these and other events, please visit the IIC website.
Women's Art Association of Canada
The Dignam Gallery presents Black and White, a members exhibition featuring 2D and 3D art using black and white with nuanced tones in between until February 11. The Ruth Upjohn Gallery presents Ariana Gaila until February 4; Elena Pope February 8-18; and Patricia Paolini February 22-March 4. On February 16 at 1pm, Artist’s Voice Zoom lecture series presents Travelling and Growing as an Artist and an Elder Later in Life with Janice Mason Steeves.
For registration and more information, please visit their website.
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema has a dynamic program of screenings and special events for you in February! Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening night of the inaugural Hot Docs Festival with a free screening of Manufacturing Consent. Meet the world's top pigeon masters as they compete in the most lucrative pigeon races on earth in Million Dollar Pigeons. Join in on one of our favourite traditions as we screen the best ads of the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The Music on Film series returns with a screening of the jazz-centric Thelonius Monk: Straight, No Chaser, presented with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Don't miss out on special Black History Month programming, including a For Viola series screening of Dear Jackie, a picture of the Black community in Montreal’s Little Burgundy by way of a cinematic letter to Jackie Robinson. Visit the Hot Docs website to view their programming schedule.
The Japan Foundation, Toronto
Part 2 of Hiroshige’s “Edo Hyaku” exhibition of ukiyo-e prints, with originals from the ROM, is now on display at The Japan Foundation, Toronto. Stop by and view this special exhibition on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and select Saturdays. In February, JFT’s Saturday openings are on February 4 and February 18. When you visit JFT in person, you can now access its Library’s on-site AV stations, computers, and printer, which have resumed service to the public. For virtual events, sign up for another JFT Book Club Online on February 8 with three short works by author NISHI Kanako, all available to read for free online. For more information about both in-person and virtual events, film screenings, classes, and gatherings at JFT, please visit their website.
Toronto Reference Library
Celebrate Black History Month with a series of in-person and virtual events at Toronto Reference Library and branches across the city, and explore new reading lists for all ages that honour Black voices, heritage and culture. On February 2 and 15, author Andrew Hunter presents a reading and participates in a panel conversation about his new book, "It Was Dark There All The Time: Sophia Burhen and the Legacy of Slavery in Canada." Musician Suzette Vidale performs and then leads participants in a hands-on steelpan drumming experience on February 3. Legendary DJ Ron Nelson joins hosts Del Cowie and DJ Agile on February 6 for the popular annual Before the 6ix program to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Nelson’s Fantastic Voyage radio show. And on February 28, Prince Shakur discusses his political coming of age and debut memoir, “When They Tell You To Be Good”, in conversation with author Rinaldo Walcott. Learn more about TPL’s Black History series at tpl.ca/blackhistory.
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Connect with the Miles Nadal JCC’s virtual Arts and Culture programs this February. Film Critic Alicia Fletcher uncovers the significance of pioneers such as Alice Guy, Lois Weber, and Dorothy Arzner for a lecture on February 6 - Women Make Movies: The First Female Directors. On February 16 Vivian Felson explores Yiddish Voices of Kensington Part II: The Everyday Lives of the Early Jewish Immigrants. Join an informal literary discussion with book reviewer Denise Drabkin during our February 23 Book Club: The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. Visit them at their website to learn about our new Cultural Membership and more outstanding programming in Access & Inclusion, Fitness, Early Childhood Education and Wellness.
The Bloor St. Culture Corridor, Toronto's most diverse arts and culture district, is a true creative cluster, an arts and culture destination, and a collaboration between some of Toronto's most dynamic arts and culture organizations.
The Bloor St. Culture Corridor offers the public a wide variety of arts genres, from museum experiences to films, art exhibitions to music concerts, and opportunities to experience some of Toronto's cultural diversity, including Aboriginal, French, Jewish, Italian, Japanese, Estonian, African and Caribbean arts and culture.
All Bloor St. Culture Corridor organizations present arts and cultural events for the public year-round in destination venues located in a cluster along a vibrant stretch of Bloor Street West. Each year more than three million members of the public go to Bloor St. Culture Corridor arts and culture destinations, and attend exhibitions, performances, and events. Together, the Bloor St. Culture Corridor organizations employ more than 5,500 culture workers and generate more than $629,500,000 in economic impact each year. In 2016, The Bloor St. Culture Corridor was successful in working with the City of Toronto to have the Bloor St. Culture corridor section of Bloor St. West designated an official City of Toronto cultural corridor.
The Bloor St. Culture Corridor includes:
918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media and Education: 918 Bathurst St. 918bathurst.com
Alliance Française de Toronto: 24 Spadina Road alliance-francaise.ca
Bata Shoe Museum: 327 Bloor Street West batashoemuseum.ca
A Different Booklist Cultural Centre: 777-779 Bathurst St. adbcc.org
Gardiner Museum: 111 Queen's Park gardinermuseum.com
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema: 506 Bloor Street West hotdocscinema.ca
Istituto Italiano di Cultura: 496 Huron Street iictoronto.esteri.it
The Japan Foundation, Toronto: 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 300 jftor.org
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre: 750 Spadina Ave. mnjcc.org
The Music Gallery: 918 Bathurst St. musicgallery.org
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto: 16 Spadina Road ncct.on.ca
The Randolph Centre for the Arts: 736 Bathurst St. randolphcentreforthearts.com
The Royal Conservatory of Music / Koerner Hall: 273 Bloor Street West rcmusic.com/performance
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): 100 Queen's Park (Entrance on Bloor St. W.) rom.on.ca
Soundstreams: various venues on the Bloor St. Culture Corridor soundstreams.ca
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir: 427 Bloor Street West tafelmusik.org
The Toronto Consort: 427 Bloor Street West torontoconsort.org
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library: 120 St. George St. fisher.library.utoronto.ca
Toronto Reference Library: 789 Yonge Street torontopubliclibrary.ca
University of Toronto Faculty of Music: 80 Queen's Park music.utoronto.ca
VEMU Estonian Museum Canada: 310 Bloor Street West vemu.ca
Women's Art Association of Canada: 23 Prince Arthur Ave. womensartofcanada.ca
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Sandra P 2/1/2023 |
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