Roy Thomson Hall
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
Nicola Benedetti performs this month with the TSO
MARCH 6 & 7 Enjoy a medley of classical hits from the U.K. with the “Best of British” series of concerts presented by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The intriguing program sees violinist Nicola Benedetti perform cadenzas from Ralph Vaughan Williams’s lyrical homage to pre-war England, The Lark Ascending, while maestro Christopher Bell leads the orchestra in renditions of Elgar’s Enigma Variations, plus spirited Scottish dances and selections from the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Roy Thomson Hall, Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m., $27.50 to $74; call 416-593-4828 or visit the TSO to purchase.
| Tags: Classical Music, Concert, Nicola Benedetti, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Symphony Orchestra | No Comments »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Ty Pennington offers tips at the National Home Show.
FEBRUARY 19 TO 28 Find all of the decorating, remodeling and landscaping tools you’ll need for your next big project or mini-makeover at the National Home Show. North America’s largest home design and renovation expo boasts more than 700 exhibitors as well as themed stage shows, eco-friendly displays and a lush 32,000-square-foot garden. Even reluctant rehabbers are sure to be inspired after touring the impressive modular dream home created by top Toronto designers. And don’t miss on-stage appearances by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star Ty Pennington and experts from HGTV, who share tips on the hottest interior design trends throughout the week. Direct Energy Centre, admission $11 to $15; call 416-644-5400 or click here for more information.
Eric Clapton
FEBRUARY 21 Guitar legends and long-time chums Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck take to the stage for an extraordinary musical collaboration. Currently working as solo artists, but with individual careers spanning more than four decades—including stints in some of rock ‘n’ roll’s seminal bands—the British axemen earned rave reviews when they performed together last year in Tokyo, Japan. Toronto is one of only three scheduled dates for the duo and promises the best that both Clapton and Beck have to offer. Each guitarist is slated to play a solo set before joining forces for a special finale. Air Canada Centre, 8 p.m., $69.50 to $225; call 416-870-8000 or visit Ticketmaster for tickets.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)
This month, Roy Thomson Hall hosts show-stopping performances by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a renowned European ensemble. Call 416-593-4828 for information, times and tickets to all performances.
FEBRUARY 10 & 11 Canadian conductor Douglas Boyd leads an evening that pairs two Beethoven masterpieces—Symphony No. 5 and the overture from Fidelio—with the North American premiere of A Table of Noises, a percussion concerto by British composer Simon Holt.
FEBRUARY 18 & 20 Soprano Michele Crider and tenor Maxim Aksenov are joined by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for a sublime choral rendition of Verdi’s Requiem, considered by many to be the Italian composer’s greatest work.
FEBRUARY 24 The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra graces the stage with works by Messiaen, Ravel and Richard Strauss. French-Canadian wünderkind Yannick Nézet-Séguin performs baton duties for this varied program.
| Tags: air canada centre, Concert, Direct Energy Centre, Entertainment, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, National Home Show, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Ty Pennington | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)
JANUARY 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23 & 24 If Wolfgang’s works are your cup of tea, it runneth over during the Mozart@254 Festival. Hear the Toronto Symphony Orchestra accompany principal horn Neil Deland in Horn Concerto no. 2 directed by Peter Oundjian, or principal viola Teng Li playing Sinfonia Concertante conducted by scholar Jane Glover, who authored Mozart’s Women. In Mozart: Beyond the Score, actor Paul Gross explores cultural and historical themes in the composer’s music in a multimedia experience designed for both symphony newcomers and classical enthusiasts. Roy Thomson Hall and George Weston Recital Hall, $29 to $128, call 416-593-4828 or click here for times and tickets.
| Tags: Concerts, George Weston Recital Hall, Mozart, Music, Paul Gross, Peter Oundjian, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Symphony Orchestra | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
JANUARY 1 Welcome the new year with a waltz! Classical music aficionados and newcomers alike will adore Salute to Vienna, a re-creation of the Vienna Philharmonic’s famed New Year’s Concert combining dance, singing and orchestral music. The evening features music by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, with performances of his polkas, marches, waltzes and operatic arias bythe Strauss Symphony of Canada, Kiev-Aniko Ballet of Ukraine, and a group of over 75 stellar musicians and ballroom dancers. Get ready to celebrate Viennese-style with audiences across North America—the show will be presented simultaneously in 20 other cities, from Vancouver and Montreal to Los Angeles and New York. Roy Thomson Hall, 2:30 p.m., $55 to $135; call 416-323-1403 or navigate here for tickets.
Icarus Redux
JANUARY 6 TO 17 For those of us who are still craving some drama after another holiday season, the Next Stage Theatre Festival promises to satisfy. Now in its third year, the festival showcases exciting works by emerging playwrights. Among the intriguing tales are two different takes on fatherhood: the provocative Icarus Redux is a retelling of the tragic Greek myth of the lost son; while Like Father, Like Son? Sorry tenders a hilarious look at the travails faced by a new father who must deal with dead pets, dating tips and the truth about Santa Claus. Factory Theatre, $12 to $15; call 416-966-1062 or click here for more details and a full lineup.
JANUARY 23 & 24 Enticing decor options spark the imagination at the Interior Design Show, Canada’s largest contemporary design event. Focusing on new trends in architecture, interiors and industrial design, the show includes such feature exhibits as The Ultimate—where established design teams are challenged to present their definition of the ultimate living space—and Off the Wall & Off the Loom, which promotes fresh ideas for decorating walls. Visitors can also browse more than 300 vendors offering innovative international and Canadian products, from furniture and textiles to glassware and lighting. There’s so much here, you’re bound to leave with a stylish little something, or maybe even inspiration for furnishing your entire home. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, $17 to $20; call 416-599-3222 or visit this link for details.
| Tags: Entertainment, Events, Factory Theatre, Icarus Redux, Interior Design Show, Johann Strauss II, Next Stage Theatre Festival, Roy Thomson Hall, Salute to Vienna | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
Whether you’re looking to take in a stage show, indulge in a culinary celebration, or dance into the wee hours—we’ve got plenty of party ideas to help you ring in 2010.
Scottish Traditions
Step back in time on December 28 for an evening of Scottish food and music during Hogmanay (the Scots word for “new year”) celebrations at Mackenzie House . The decorated 19th-century row house will be illuminated with gaslight while traditional musical group Gin Lane performs popular tunes, including a musical rendition of Auld Lang Syne, the famed verse by Scottish poet Robbie Burns. 82 Bond St., 7 to 9 p.m. $20 per person; call 416-392-6915 to reserve.
On December 29, bring the family to Gibson House for a candlelit evening celebrating the Scottish New Year at the Hogmanay Party for Families. Visitors are greeted at the door by the legendary “First Footer” and are soon immersed in Hogmanay customs through hands-on crafts, stories and sing-alongs. On December 30, enjoy a scrumptious meal at a traditional Hogmanay dinner party. Wine and dine by the fireside while watching a dramatic re-creation of a New Year from a bygone time. 5172 Yonge St. Hogmanay family party 7 to 9 p.m. Adults $20, children $12.50. Hogmanay Dinner 7:30 to 10 p.m. $50; call 416-395-7432 to pre-register for either event.
Stage Performances
Stand up and cheer for some of the most passionate operatic music ever written as Bravissimo! Opera’s Greatest Hits returns to Toronto for a spectacular New Year’s Eve concert at Roy Thomson Hall. Delight in dazzling performances of beloved arias, duets and more from Carmen, Madama Butterfly, La bohème and other classics from opera’s golden age. 60 Simcoe St. 7 p.m., $75 to $155; call 416-872-4255 or click here to buy.
Laugh, cry, and kiss the New Year goodbye as Yuk Yuk’s founder Mark Breslin presents the annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Extravaganza at Massey Hall. Hilarious host Gerry Dee is joined on stage by the city’s funniest stand up and improv artists. Special guest performers include Nikki Payne and “That Canadian Guy” Glen Foster. 178 Victoria St.
7:30 p.m. $39.50 to $59.50; call 416-872-4255 or visit here to purchase tickets.
The Toronto Operetta Theatre’s New Year’s Eve Gala features dinner, dancing and a rousing performance of Countess Maritza, an operetta known the world over for its combination of Viennese elegance and Hungarian passion. This fundraising event, which has sold out for 12 years in a row, includes a pre-performance sit-down dinner and a late-night reception and dance party to benefit the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. 27 Front St. E.
5:30 p.m., $145 and up; call 416-366-7723 or click here to buy.
(more…)
| Tags: Bravissimo, C5 restaurant, Cabana, CityTV New Year's Bash, Comedy, drake hotel, Family Fun, Gibson House, Liberty Grand, Mackenzie House, Mariposa Cruise Lines, Massey Hall, nathan phillips square, New Year's Eve, Nightlife, Roy Thomson Hall, Royal Ontario Museum, st. lawrence centre for the arts, This is London, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Toronto Zoo, Ultra, yuk yuks | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Toronto’s top orchestral and vocal ensembles ignite the seasonal spirit with a trio of concerts.
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale sings for the season (photo by John Beebe)
DECEMBER 16 & 18 to 21 Hark! Hear the holiday spirit in George Frideric Handel’s timeless oratorio Messiah. Performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a special participatory concert invites the audience to sing along. Hallelujah! Roy Thomson Hall, December 16, 18, 19 and 21 at 8 p.m., December 20 at 3 p.m., $35 to $99; call 416-872-4255 or click here for tickets.
DECEMBER 16 & 19 Enjoy An Indigo Christmas, presented the world-famous Nathaniel Dett Chorale—among the performers at U.S. President Barack Obama’s inauguration—a Toronto-based, classically trained chorus with an Afrocentric focus. Glenn Gould Studio, 8 p.m., $39.50; call 416-205-5000 or follow this link for tickets.
DECEMBER 19 If it warms your heart to hear children—300 of them, aged 6 to 17—rejoice in song, don’t miss the Toronto Children’s Chorus belt out contemporary and traditional holiday music. Roy Thomson Hall, 2 p.m., $34.50 to $44.50, call 416-872-4255 or navigate here for tickets.
| Tags: Concerts, Glenn Gould Studio, handel's messiah, holidays, Music, Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Children's Chorus, Toronto Symphony Orchestra | 1 Comment »
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Whether you’re craving wild elk meat, festive holiday cookies or a classic Eggs Benedict, we’ve found a plethora of delectable events to please your palate.
Friday: Indulge at the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo.
Friday, November 20th
Sip shiraz like a sommelier and savour fine edibles among a sophisticated crowd at the city’s most popular Bacchanalian extravaganza, the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo.
Laugh out loud at the wacky family dynamics on stage in My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, an original Canadian musical-comedy based on a true story.
Watch some movies with a cause at the annual Breast Fest Film Festival, a compelling initiative that endeavours to raise awareness of issues surrounding breast cancer, showing at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Saturday: Savour elk and other game meats at Bier Markt.
Saturday, November 21st
Step back in time for a Victorian-style celebration at Black Creek Pioneer Village’s annual Christmas Remembered event. Immerse yourself in the holiday traditions of Ontario’s past while sampling delicious festive treats.
Savour succulent game meats paired with foreign microbrews during the Wild Game Feastivül at the Bier Markt. The limited-time menu includes hearty items like pheasant soup, wild boar tourtiere and Nunavut Caribou.
Take a cool tour with hot food and dancing aboard the Mariposa Holiday Dinner Cruise. The boat circles the Toronto harbour to provide a marvellous view of the illuminated city skyline.
Sunday: Gain some kitchen wisdom from Jamie Oliver.
Sunday, November 22nd
Indulge in a bounty of brunch offerings at cozy cafés along Leslieville’s Queen Street East strip, where breakfast poutine, bread-pudding French toast and an array of eggs Benny options can be found at neighbourhood hot spots like Lady Marmalade, Okay Okay and Bonjour Brioche.
Bend, stretch and contort your body at the third annual National Yoga Challenge, in support of UNICEF’s Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign.
Learn how to perfect delicious and nutritious home-cooked meals from super-chef Jamie Oliver. This afternoon, Britain’s top culinary export shares his secrets for creating simple dishes with organic ingredients at Roy Thomson Hall.
| Tags: Bier Markt, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Bonjour Brioche, Breast Fest Film Festival, brunch, Gourmet Food and Wine Expo, Jamie Oliver, Lady Marmalade, Leslieville, Mariposa Cruise Lines, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, National Yoga Challenge, Okay Okay, Roy Thomson Hall, Royal Ontario Museum | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
NOVEMBER 6 Soul, gospel and R&B songstress Aretha Franklin belts out such acclaimed hits as “Chain of Fools” and “Natural Woman.” With almost 40 albums and numerous Grammys to her credit—plus top spot on Rolling Stone’s reckoning of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time—the Queen of Soul deserves more than a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Roy Thomson Hall, 8 p.m., $79.50
to $169.50; call 416-872-4555 or visit here to order.
| Tags: Aretha Franklin, Concert, Entertainment, Music, Roy Thomson Hall | 1 Comment »
Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Peter Oundjian conducts the TSO.
SEPTEMBER 24 & 26 The Toronto Symphony Orchestra launches its 2009/10 season with a program featuring two works by Johannes Brahms. Conducted by Peter Oundjian, the orchestra accompanies violinist Joshua Bell—playing his 300-year-old Stradivarius—on Brahms’s graceful Violin Concerto in D Major and Symphony No. 2. Roy Thomson Hall, 8 p.m., $35 to $125; call 416-598-4828 or click here to buy.
| Tags: Entertainment, Johannes Brahms, joshua bell, Music, Peter Oundjian, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Symphony Orchestra | No Comments »
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Red carpets, nightly parties, fans’ faces obscured by continually clicking cameras—looks like the Toronto International Film Festival is back in town. Each day of the TIFF we’re not only listing our daily flick pick, but we’re mapping the hottest attractions, restaurants, and shops and services that are just steps from the screening spot.
The film: TIFF’s opening-night gala screening of Creation, a period drama about the tragedies and triumphs of Charles Darwin.
The venue: The massive upside-down glass bowl of Roy Thomson Hall, home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and located in the heart of the entertainment district.
So what to do while your friend holds your place in line?
View Festival Fare: 10 Days of TIFF—Day 1 map in larger size
| Tags: Creation, map, Roy Thomson Hall, TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Renowned soprano Measha Brueggergosman performs this month with the TSO (photo by Joy von Tiedemann).
JUNE 10, 11, 13, 17 & 18 The Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents a mini homage to Richard Strauss and Béla Bartók featuring super soprano Measha Brueggergosman. Measha Sings Strauss has the Canadian singer performing the composer’s final work, Four Last Songs. Bartók’s orchestral Concerto for Orchestra and the energetic Divertimento for Strings round out the program. On the second ticket, pianist Emanuel Ax takes on two contrasting works: the young Strauss’s playful Burleske followed by Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion by the more mature Bartók. Roy Thomson Hall, $29 to $132; call 416-593-4828 for tickets and times.
| Tags: Bela Bartok, Emanuel Ax, Entertainment, Measha Brueggergosman, Richard Strauss, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Symphony Orchestra | No Comments »
Friday, May 1st, 2009
May 29 Oscar- and Grammy Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg bares it all in a candid evening of unembellished storytelling and humourous dialogue. The actress, comedian and talk show host shares her experiences in Life with a View as part of the Unique Lives lecture series, which focuses on fascinating women. Roy Thomson Hall, 7:30 p.m., $43 to $85; call 416-872-4255 for tickets.
| Tags: Comedy, Entertainment, Roy Thomson Hall, Whoopi Goldberg | No Comments »
