Preview: Dancing Queen

Opening this week in the village is the exciting new piece from Sky Gilbert! We are checking it out on Wednesday and we will let you know what we think. For tickets or more info please click the header!! The show runs until the 29th.

Show Description:
A beautiful young man moves to the big city. There, he falls in love with an older man, while at the same time another man falls in love with him. Dancing Queen plays on gay culture's fear of aging to ask scandalous questions about sex, love and monogamy. Buddies founding Artistic Director, Sky Gilbert, collaborates with notorious performance artist Keith Cole to tell the story of an inter-generational love triangle through dance and theatre.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre proudly welcomes
a Cabaret Company production
DANCING QUEEN
Written and Directed by Sky Gilbert
Choreographed by Keith Cole in collaboration with Sky Gilbert
Featuring Nick Green, Ryan Kelly and David-Benjamin Tomlinson
Set and Lighting Designer Andy Moro
Costume Designer Sheree Tams

Preview: The Sheets, The...

HATCH 2012 presents THE SHEETS, THE… by Salvatore Antonio.  An Inaugural new work by The Empty Whole Group

The Empty Whole Group, a new multi-disciplinary theatre company in Toronto, launches on April 21st, 2012 at 8pm, with their first project, THE SHEETS, THE ..., as a part of Harbourfront Centre’s HATCH 2012.

THE SHEETS, THE... is written and directed by Governor General Award-nominated Salvatore Antonio. As part of the HATCH programme’s mandate of highlighting original, exciting and fresh voices in creation, Antonio offers a one-night-only experience of a new and challenging multi-disciplinary work-in-progress, that explores the expression (or lack thereof) of intimacy in all its modern day banality, disconnectedness, and solitude. Set in a hotel room, and centered around the role of the bed as witness, THE SHEETS, THE… unfolds as a revealing and unsparing foray into the depths of the physical and psychological core of the human need for emotional connection, sexual release, and simple tactile contact.

Salvatore Antonio, an established actor (Léo, Hosanna, Refugee Hotel) and writer (In Gabriel’s Kitchen, for which he was named a G.G Finalist 2007), has brought together a group of progressive performers and collaborators—both established and emerging—to breathe life into this creation that flirts with the boundaries of conventional theatre, performance art, dance and visual art. Artists include Aviva Armour-Ostroff, Greg Gale, Thomas Olajide, Jason Jazrawy, William Christopher Ellis, David Christo, Zion Forrest Lee, Amy Lee Lavoie (assistant director and dramaturge) and multi-award-winning Beth Kates (designer) have joined forces to build this charged and challenging piece.

THE SHEETS, THE... marks the first production from The Empty Whole Group. Under the artistic directorship of Antonio, The Empty Whole Group gathers like-minded artists to build around a central theme for each future production. The Empty Whole Group’s mandate is to produce  original performances that remain vital, while blurring the lines of what is considered theatre, dance, music or visual art.

HATCH 2012 runs from April 14 – May 5, 2012. Patrons can purchase a HATCH pass (includes tickets to all four productions) for $40, individual tickets for $15, or students/seniors/arts professionals $12. Visit the website here or call the box office at 416-973-4000 for more information.  Following each HATCH presentation, there is a Q&A, where the audience can engage with presenting artists.

ABOUT HATCH
Now in its ninth year, HATCH is a key initiative in Harbourfront Centre’s mission to develop local artists and their unique practices. HATCH mentorship provides resources and professional assistance to contemporary artists looking to explore a new element of their practice. By giving the space and time for this to happen, Harbourfront Centre hopes to develop and grow the best new work coming out of Toronto. This season’s guest curator is Toronto-based performance artist, Jess Dobkin.


HATCH has produced many projects which have gone on to presentations around the world and have garnered awards and professional accolades, including Hannah Moscovitch’s The Russian Play and Aluna Theatre’s Nohayquiensepa.

Preview: Dancemakers Presents THE ADAPTATION PROJECT

Dancemakers presents
THE ADAPTATION PROJECT
"Confronting our past, with love. A re-imagined performance by Michael Trent based on Mitchell Rose's Following Station Identification. (1974)"

For the Dancemakers' 2012 Spring Home Season, Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Michael Trent re-imagines a dance from the Company's 100-plus repertoire, a body of work amassed over its 38-year history and created by noted Canadian and international artists.  We have been talking about this one for awhile, and we are so excited that it is almost here.

For this work Trent is returning to the company's infancy, coming to new terms with Mitchell Rose's Following Station Identification - working from historical rehearsal videos and the recollections from early Dancemakers performers of the work and pioneers of independent dance in Toronto including Carol Anderson, Peggy Baker, Pat Fraser and Pat Miner. Trent also conducted Skype conversations with Rose himself.

Wanting something other than a traditional remount where original intention, choreography and design are re-created as faithfully as possible, Trent and the company, including composer Christopher Willes and musician Thom Gill, will re-imagine Rose's 1974 Following Station Identification, a 'satirical dance on middle-American values', for today's Dancemakers.

"We all face looking back at our past and wondering what to make of it. We face it as individuals, as families, as communities, and, not surprisingly, as dance companies," explains Trent. "I am curious about this dance in particular because, although my work broadly addresses the way we are in the world, it has never done so through the lens of satire. I am also curious about confronting the status quo and its relationship to social values from the 'middle'."

Former choreographer and performance artist, Ohio- based Mitchell Rose is now an award-winning comedic short filmmaker. Over the course of his dance career, 1973-1991, he created 75 works, set pieces on 20 repertory and university dance companies, was awarded five Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and was referred to as the "dance world's Woody Allen."

THE ADAPTATION PROJECT
Confronting our past, with love.
A re-imagined performance by Michael Trent
based on Mitchell Rose's Following Station Identification (1974)

Performed by Robert Abubo, Amanda Acorn, Kate Holden, Benjamin Kamino and Simon Renaud

DANCEMAKERS CENTRE FOR CREATION
The Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill Street, The Cannery, Bldg. 58, Studio 313
April 19 -29, 2012, Preview April 18, 2012
Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 4pm o Tickets $25, Student/Senior, CADA, Artsworker $20
For ticket information please call 416.367.1800 or book online here.

Preview: Was Spring

Cylla von Tiedemann photo

One of our favourite playwrights Daniel MacIvor is premiering one of his pieces midtown at the Tarragon Theatre. The show runs until May 6 at the Tarragon Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Ave. For tickets or more info please click the header!

Show Description:

TORONTO PREMIERE

Three women clash over a tragic event in their past. Somewhere in the pain there is love, but when you've been betrayed by your own dreams and a lifetime's worth of guilt, can you still find it?

WAS SPRING
written and directed by Daniel MacIvor
set and lighting design by Kimberly Purtell
costume design by Shawn Kerwin
sound design by Verne Good
starring
Clare Coulter
Caroline Gillis
Jessica Moss

Studio 180 invites you to the Clybourne Park Block Party

Join Studio 180 for a fun neighbourhood-themed party and fundraiser.

CLYBOURNE PARK BLOCK PARTY
Friday, April 20, 2012
Starting with the performance of the play, at 8PM

Enjoy a lively evening of great theatre, food and music. Help celebrate while supporting a critically acclaimed theatre company: watch a performance of the Pulitzer Prize–winning play Clybourne Park, then join the STUDIO 180 team and members of the cast for a special reception.

Food graciously provided by Herrera’s Fine Dining and Catering, drinks by Stratus Wines and Steam Whistle Brewing, and music by DJ Joe G. Plus look forward to fantastic door prizes!

Make it a group event or part of a special evening out.

Tickets for the BLOCK PARTY are on sale at the Canadian Stage Box Office. Please call 416-368-3110 or book online here.

$65 • Balcony seating
$75 • Orchestra seating

STUDIO 180 is a not-for-profit charitable organization. You will receive a tax receipt for a portion of each BLOCK PARTY ticket that you purchase.

Hope to see you there!

Acting Up Stage announces 2012/13 Season

Fresh on the heels of a stunningly successful year, Acting Up Stage is thrilled to announce their ninth season featuring two Mainstage productions, the Toronto premiere of a West Coast hit, a Canadian commission, a new performance venue, a prize for emerging artists, and 45 new young-artists in-training.

All of the programs in 2012-2013 explore 'connections': making connections in an isolating online world; losing and rebuilding connections with those we love most; celebrating connections between long-standing collaborators; fostering connections between young artists.

Musical Productions:

Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata
By Veda Hille and Bill Richardson
Directed by Amiel Gladstone

A hilarious and surprisingly poignant song cycle that sets actual Craigslist ads to music.
February 2-March 3, 2013
Factory Studio Theatre
Co-produced with Factory Theatre

Falsettos
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by Robert McQueen, Music Directed by Reza Jacobs, Choreographed by Tim French

The first major Toronto revival of this Tony Award-winning masterpiece in 18 years, presented in the city's newest arts & cultural centre!
April 23-May 12, 2013
Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre
Produced in association with Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company

Tapestries: The Music of Carole King and James Taylor
Music Direction, Vocal Arrangements and Orchestrations by Reza Jacobs
Directed and Dramaturged by Elenna Mosoff

Some of Canada's finest musical theatre artists re-conceive this iconic music in an astonishing evening that blurs the lines of folk, cabaret and musical theatre.
November 17-18, 2012
Jane Mallet Theatre



Education & Outreach:

The Syd & Shirley Banks Prize for Emerging Musical Theatre Artists

An inaugural prize that gives two emerging musical theatre artists the opportunity to advance their careers through financial assistance, mentorship and increased exposure.

One Song Glory

The seventh year of our musical theatre training program, nurturing 45 emerging artists aged 13-19; the only local program of its kind, One Song Glory is free of charge for all.

November 10-December 2, 2012.


New Musical Development:

Alexandria
Book and lyrics by Andrew Kushnir
Music by Reza Jacobs
Co-Commissioned by Acting Up Stage Company and The Belfry Theatre

Our first musical commission will receive a reading in Summer 2012 and a workshop in Fall 2012 in preparation for a full production in a future season.

NoteWorthy Phase 1

A new round of NoteWorthy begins in June 2013 with six established composers and playwrights paired in different combinations to explore musical collaborations.

New Musical Development:

Alexandria

Book and lyrics by Andrew Kushnir

Music by Reza Jacobs

Co-Commissioned by Acting Up Stage Company and The Belfry Theatre

Our first musical commission will receive a reading in Summer 2012 and a workshop in Fall 2012 in preparation for a full production in a future season.

NoteWorthy Phase 1

A new round of NoteWorthy begins in June 2013 with six established composers and playwrights paired in different combinations to explore musical collaborations.

Summer at the Harbourfront

We received the Harbourfront Summer calendar in our email and wanted to share the goings-on with all of you.  If you haven't been down to the Harbourfront during the warm months of the summer then don't miss another great season of fun!

Harbourfront Centre’s Summer Season lineup

HarbourKIDS: The Toronto International Circus Festival (May 19-21)
Harbourfront Centre partners with Zero Gravity Circus to bring you the 10th annual Toronto International Circus Festival, a three-day cultural experience for children and families featuring world-class acrobats, fire masters, jugglers, clowns and more!

NXNE – North by Northeast (June 16-17)
One of the most anticipated music and film festivals in Canada! The 18th annual event will bring some of the world's most exciting and innovative artists to Harbourfront Centre!

Franco-Fête, Co-produced by la Franco-Fête de Toronto (June 22-24)
For its 30th anniversary, la Franco-Fête de Toronto offers a unique occasion to gather and celebrate the diversity of francophone culture.

TD Toronto Jazz Festival (June 22-30)
One of North America's premier jazz festivals, TD Toronto Jazz Festival is an event for lovers of music of all kinds.

Canada Day: Going Global presented by CIBC (June 29-July 2)
Canada’s biggest and best four-day birthday celebration features dance, music, culinary arts, comedy, family activities, storytelling, games and film that highlight the contributions of Canadians.

Expressions of Brazil, Co-produced by Southern Mirrors and Puente (July 6-8)
A three-day event showcasing the diversity of Brazilian arts and culture through music, dance, film, cuisine, workshops and family activities.

SoundClash Festival (July 13-15)
Harbourfront Centre’s annual SoundClash Music Award has morphed into a genre-bending music festival that showcases the award’s shortlisted acts, as well as other artists who are pushing the envelope on contemporary music and culture.

Hot & Spicy Food Festival presented by CIBC (July 20-22)
For 15 years, Harbourfront Centre has tempted Toronto's senses, and this year’s event cranks up the heat as we redefine the intersections between food, music, dance, film and more!

Classical IV: Strings (July 27-29)
Discover how ancient stringed instruments from across the globe can create bold contemporary intersections of sound, with a twist!

Calypso Stars Showcanse (July 31)
Experience the sounds, rhythms and cadences of Toronto's vibrant calypso community! Featuring calypso, steelpan and mas' (masquerade) – the three core disciplines of Caribbean festivals.

Island Soul presented by CIBC (Aug. 3-6)
Harbourfront Centre’s wildly popular Caribbean festival commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

Planet IndigenUS, Co-produced by Woodland Cultural Centre (Aug.10-19)
This massive 10-day event, book-ended by two weekend-long celebrations, is the largest multidisciplinary, contemporary, international Indigenous arts festival in the world, celebrating the future while honouring the rich cultural past of the world’s Indigenous peoples.

TELUS TAIWANfest, Co-produced by the Asian-Canadian Special Events Association
(Aug. 24-26)
A three-day culinary arts, music, dance and film fest that sparks a new dialogue on Canada's multifaceted lifestyles between new immigrants and Canadians who have been here for generations.

Ashkenaz Festival (Aug. 28-Sept. 3)
North America’s premier festival of Jewish and Yiddish culture, featuring the best of the global Jewish culture scene with music, theatre, film, visual arts, literature and more.

Caribbean Tales (Sept. 4-15)
Canada's one and only forum showcasing the best of Caribbean cinema locally and globally, classic and Creole, digital and celluloid.

Vegetarian Food Fair (Sept. 7-9)
The largest event of its kind in North America offers an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy a diverse cross-section of vegetarian cuisine.

Vietnamese Lantern Festival presented by CIBC, Co-produced by the Vietnamese Women's Association of Toronto (Sept. 15)
Explore the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival through the perspective of the Vietnamese community with a full day of food, entertainment and family activities.

Fortune Cooking presented by CIBC (Sept. 16)
Explore the crossroads of Pan-Asian cuisine and its influence across the globe. Taste the trends, witness the wizardry and savour the sounds!

HarbourKIDS: Folk (Oct. 6-8)
A three-day children’s festival that brings artists, kids and grownups together in a warm, friendly environment, offering endless possibilities for self-expression, cultural exchange, and artistic inspiration.