by José Gonzalez
Theatre companies, art galleries, museums and other art world institutions begin their new seasons in earnest throughout Toronto each fall. This look at the city's art scene offers art lovers an abbreviated roadmap for the season, with highlights of major art events, exhibits, performances and plays, and maybe some of the ones that might otherwise miss your attention. Browse our guide to Toronto’s art scene this fall. [Photo courtesy of Nuit Blanche.]
Art Creates Change: Joe Sacco
A discussion about the rise of graphic novels in non-fiction and journalism. Artist Joe Sacco speaks with artist Leila Abdelrazaq about their works, and sign books.
Word on the Street
Literati gather for this celebration of the written word. Enjoy meeting many of your favourite authors, take part in workshops and explore a marketplace filled with the best of Canadian literature. Featured authors this year include Monia Mazigh, Emma Donoghue, David Suzuki and Ron Sexsmith.
Rise of the Necrofauna
This book looks at the labs trying to bring back many of the extinct species that inhabited the planets thousands of years ago, such as a wooly mammoths, passenger pigeons and heath hens. Author Britt Wray discusses his book and takes part in a Q&A.
International Festival of Authors
This festival includes readings, interviews, artist talks, round-table discussions and public book signings featuring authors from around the world. This year welcomes Chantel Acevedo, Kathleen Winter, Helen Humphreys, Roddy Doyle, Diane Schoemperlen, Catherine Graham, Grace O'Connell, Peter Robinson and Terry Fallis.
Book Discussion: Tram 83
A discussion presented by The Power Plant and Toronto’s African Literature Book Club looks at the novel Tram 83 by Congolese author Fiston Mwanza Mujila. The novel is about two young men who dream of taking over their city in Africa as it faces impending exploitation by those seeking to extract its mineral wealth.
Undercover
Rebecca Northan returns to the stage, and in this mystery show, she'll recruit a newbie from the audience to help her solve it. Anyone interested in participating need only arrive early to mingle with the cast in the lobby before the show and let them know you might have the sleuthing skill they might need.
Lela & Co.
Based on the worth of a woman in a world running on capitalism, this story follows a woman whose husband brings her into the world of sex trafficking during wartime. Based on a true story, this performance made its stage debut at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2015.
The Fish Eyes Trilogy
The stories of three teenage girls at one BC high school intertwine in this play. Originally written by playwright Anita Majumdar as three separate stories, they're presented here as a single three act play.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
A unique young boy goes on challenging journey to clear his name after he's accused of murdering his neighbour's dog. This Olivier and Tony Award-winning play makes its Canadian debut, adapting the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon.
Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools
Based on a chance encounter between Inuk artist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and queer theatre-maker Evalyn Parry on an expedition from Iqaluit to Greenland, this conversation between the two discuss the culture, history, and climate we've inherited.
Bello
Set in a time before cars and electric lighting, this play follows a boy named Bern who gets lost in a snow storm. He happens upon an old woman who had been banished from his village and learns something about himself and his family.
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets in Concert
The score of the second film based on the beloved series of books by J. K. Rowling is performed, offering a chance to relive some of its most memorable moment.
Curious George and the Golden Meatball
Everyone's favourite simian star graces the stage along with the Man in the Yellow Hat and a number of other friends in this musical adventure. With All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day on the horizon, Curious George wants to enter his favourite chef's prized meatballs into the contest and a chance to win the coveted golden meatball.
Canadian Children’s Opera Company's 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert
An all-star list of performers, including alumni from the CCOC, perform in a chorus that includes some beloved favourites. This event promises to be one of the largest in CCOC history.
DIY Camera Obscura
The earliest technology that became cameras can be dated back to ancient Greece, and in this workshop kids learn about the history of the camera while making one of their own. Kids also learn the basics of photography, and how they can create works of art of their own. Remember to reserve a spot in advance.
Queen West Art Crawl
Take a trawl down one of the trendiest streets in the city, checking out the artwork from some of the province's best artists. In addition to the art you can enjoy some food, live performances, and children can have fun in the kids’ zone.
Nuit Blanche
One of fall's biggest highlights, this massive outdoor art exhibit turns downtown Toronto into an open-air art gallery. More than 85 different art projects are on display, from as far west as Dundas West and Bloor Street to as far east as the Queen East and Broadview. Make sure you have some comfortable shoes and a TTC day pass on if you plan on seeing all of it.
Florine Stettheimer: Painting Poetry
The first-ever exhibition featuring the work of early 20th-century artist Florine Stettheimer in Canada. The exhibition includes more than 50 paintings and drawings and a number of her opera costume and set designs.
Art Toronto
One of the largest art shows in the city, it features artwork from contemporary and modern artist from across Canada. The art presented across a number of mediums, from painting to sculpture to just about anything an artist can imagine that can fit inside the building.
Christian Dior
Celebrating the designer's 70th anniversary, this exhibit takes you back to 1947 when Dior's fashions swept through post-World War II Paris. Visitors can see many of the early styles, emphasizing Dior's first 10 years where he established his name as an icon in the fashion industry.
Small World Music Festival
Now in its 16th year, this festival includes more than 50 different performers across 11 days from around the world. It also includes free outdoor concerts and the debut of Polyphonic Ground Presents, a new monthly series of concerts to be held in Toronto throughout the year.
Brahms German Requiem
One of Brahms' most moving compositions is brought to life in this collaborative effort by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and the National Centre Arts Orchestra. Erin Wall is the concert's soprano Russell Braun is baritone.
Shen Yun Orchestra
The New York-based orchestra fuses traditions of the East and the West. They use traditional European and traditional Chinese instruments to create a sound all their own. Their music is inspired by both traditions, and has been performed around the world.
Narek Hakhnazaryan
This young cellist won First Prize and Gold Medal at the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011 at the age of 22. While this concert is free, a ticket is required, and they can be reserved on October 30 at 10 am.
Close Encounters ... in Paris
The unique style of Parisian chamber music is embodied in this program of L’Apothéose de Corelli by Couperin, Rameau's Pièces de clavecin en concert and Marais' Pièces de viole: Livre III, 4e Suite. These are all being performed for the first-time on the Tafelmusik stage.
Bandits in the Valley
Set in 1880, a Gilbert & Sullivan theatrical troupe arrives at Todmorden Mills to celebrate its 25th anniversary at the same time a bandit group is trying to break into it. Based on the local history of Toronto's own Don Valley, this new style of opera uses new narratives and a little audience participation to liven up the traditional opera experience.
Arabella
When a young woman's father wastes the family's fortune, she's pressured into marrying for wealth. Although she intends to wait for a man she loves instead, she reassess her priorities when a suitor arrives. This opera by German composer Richard Strauss was written in 1933 and has been performed around the world.
The Elixir of Love
A peasant man falls in love with a rich woman, so he concocts a potion that he hopes will win her heart in this comedy. Written by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti in 1832, this remains his most performed work.
The Marriage of Figaro by W. A. Mozart
One of Mozart's most famous works, this commedia dell’arte premiered in Vienna in 1786, and has been performed countless times since. It follows the plot of The Barber of Seville, taking place several years later as Dr. Bartolo seeks revenge on Figaro by interrupting his wedding to Susanna.
Orphée aux enfers/Orpheus in the Underworld
The myth of Orpheus is sung in this opera that follows his journey to retrieve his wife Eurydice from the underworld. This opera is performed in French with English surtitles.
Adizokan
A concert featuring the many traditions of Canada's indigenous peoples that mixes dance, video and music. It's curated and directed by Sandra Laronde, the founder and artistic director of Red Sky Performance.
Backbone
Inspired by the Rocky Mountains, this dance performance is about the spine that runs through our continent. Produced by Red Sky Performance, this performance uses Indigenous dance and physical prowess to create a portrait of the land.
The Winter's Tale
One of Shakespeare's later plays is adapted into a ballet by noted choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. It's the story of Perdita, princess of Sicilia, whom the king sends away after her birth, only to meet again 16 years later in unexpected circumstances after the prince of Bohemia falls in love with her.
Triptyque
Starring Québec's Les 7 doigts de la main (The 7 Fingers), they're known for their innovative approach to dance. This production looks at the relationship between the human body and gravity.
DanceWorks 40th Anniversary Celebration
The long running dance series looks back at some of its most fondly remembered performances with several remounts and some premieres too. Performers include Esmeralda Enrique and Joanna de Souza, Holly Small and Robert W. Stevenson, Learie McNicolls and Denise Fujiwara.
Larry Towell: Union Station
This exhibition of work by Canadian photojournalist Larry Towell documents the extensive renovations at Union Station. These photos look at the massive overhaul that went on under the feet of millions of commuters.
Arts of the East: Highlights of Islamic Art from the Bruschettini Collection
With objects from the 13th to 14th Century, this exhibition includes textiles, paintings, Iznik wares and inlaid metalwork. These are rarely seen items from the private collection of Dr. Alessandro Bruschettini.
Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters
The filmmaker presents his own personal collection of art, artefacts, books and props from his Bleak House retreat. The collections move from del Toro's childhood memories to his inspirations from the Victorian era, explorations of death and the occult, and finally comics, movies and pop-culture.
Steven Heinemann: Culture and Nature
Canadian ceramic artist Steven Heinemann has spent the last thirty-five years shaping the ceramic scene across the country. This exhibition looks back at his career, and his explorations of different textures, pigments and images.
Vikings: The Exhibition
Many legends swirl about the Vikings, and this exhibit separates fact from fiction. It includes hundreds of objects, some of which are rarely seen outside Scandinavia, that offer a fresh look into the lives and culture of Vikings.
