Past Events

Ruckus Magazine presents: Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
Twelfth Night directed by Lizz Bragg

Ruckus Magazine is proud to present Shakespeare in the Parking Lot - Twelfth Night.

Directed by Liz Bragg, SitPL hosts the bard’s beloved gender-bending production on the gritty asphalt of the Toronto Parking Authority’s York Mills parking lot. 

Created and produced by students and recent graduates, SitPL began from the drive to inspire and encourage students to connect and learn from one-another on a professional level. With stage management by Joe Pagnan, musical composition by Adam Brady, costume supervision by Laura Volpe, and a fantastic cast of Ryerson and U of T thespians, SitPL is sure to please.

PWYC Friday, April 24 from 12:30pm-2pm
$10 Friday, April 24 from 6pm-7:30pm
$10 Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26 from 12:30pm-2pm & 6pm-7:30pm both days

Located on Yonge St. one block south of York Mills subway station.

*BYOB or C (Bring Your Own Blanket or Chair)

Sponsored by: The Toronto Parking Authority, Zipcar Rentals. 

PERFORMING FOE: A Workshop with Artist Brendan Fernandes

This two-part, week-end long, interactive session aims to create dialogue through readings, film screenings and discussions. The material will explore notions of identity through the assumptions and constructions of culture exhibited in the performative aspects of language and accent.  The workshop will then conclude with a performance piece engaging with all participants—organized in the form of a vocal choir. For the performance, Fernandes will elaborate on his 2008 video, Foe in which he worked with a dialect coach to teach him to speak generalized Indian, Kenyan and Canadian ‘English-cultural accents’. In the workshop, Fernandes will teach and record the script of his video to his audience in a choir-like fashion, allowing them to adopt these cultural accents. Ultimately, the work intends to question the authenticity of self.  This workshop is part of the exhibition South-South: Interruptions and Encounters, curated by Tejpal S. Ajji and Jon Soske.

OPEN TO ALL DISCIPLINES AND MEMBERS OF NON-UNIVERSITY COMMUNITIES. SPACE IS LIMITED. 

Dates: Saturday Mar, 28 - Sunday Mar, 29
Times: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Hart House, University of Toronto 

For registration or additional questions: 
Email: FernandesWorkshop@gmail.com       
Phone: 416-978-7743

Registration closes Tuesday, March 24.

Celebrate Arts at U of T

From March 19 to April 3, a spotlight illuminates a vibrant range of artistic expression across numerous disciplines at all three U of T campuses. With more than 80 events in music, theatre, visual arts, dance, film, and multimedia - including 14 juried student projects - the Celebration showcases the diversity and richness of U of T’s vibrant arts scene.

For more information: www.arts.utoronto.ca/celebrate-arts.html

Honorary Catholic
Penitent Flesh and the Commerce of Spirituality

Come indulge in the wonders of Catholicism. Become an Honorary Catholic, or bask in guilty pleasure if you’re already a member.

Also: Wine, Beer & tasty treats.

‘Catholic Goods Store’

Teresa Aversa curates an exhibition of the best Catholic devotional items available for sale around the GTA, examining the current material culture of Roman Catholicism. A shrine will be constructed with the pieces, allowing viewers to participate in and purchase a piece of Catholic culture. By further contributing to the system of spiritual distribution, Teresa looks to document the aesthetics associated with this world religion, while examining the close relationship between commodity and spirituality.

A catalog will accompany the exhibit.

Price range: nothing over $100.

Michelle Galletta examines the dialectic of guilt and obsession in a series of works that spring from a devout Roman Catholic upbringing. Focusing on the Catholic fixation with all things carnal she brings to light the masochistic pursuit of “spiritual” gratification. Print, video and sculpture are used to blur the line between devotion and sacrilege, while exploring the roles that ritual, folklore and superstition have played in popular Catholicism.

Opening: Thursday, March 19, 6 – 9 p.m.
Ongoing: March 19-29, Wednesdays to Sundays 12 – 5 p.m.
Location: Board of Directors, 1080 Queen St. W.

Public Lecture and International Curatorial Residency with Anselm Franke

Lecture:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
7:00 to 8:00 pm
University College, Room 140
15 King’s College Circle, University of Toronto

International Curatorial Residency:
February 16 - March 6, 2009

The Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and Partners in Art announce the launch of an International Curator-in-Residence program at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at the University of Toronto. The first curator invited in the international series is Extra City Director *Anselm Franke *who will be in Toronto from February 16 to March 6, 2009 to conduct research for his upcoming projects and collaborations with Toronto-based art institutions. His residency will involve studio visits, and meetings with artists and writers. He will be conducting seminars with students in the Masters of Visual Studies and Curatorial Studies programs at the University of Toronto, Ontario College of Art and Design and York University, and present a lecture on his current research on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00 pm.

Anselm Franke is the Director of the Extra City Centre for Contemporary Art in Antwerp and an advisor to the International Film Festival Berlin. He writes for a variety of magazines, such as piktogram and Metropolis M. In 2008 he was co-curator of Manifesta 7 (Italy, 2008) and the 1st Brussels Biennale (2008), and he is currently completing his PhD at Goldsmiths College London.

Irwin Shaw’s Bury the Dead

Synopsis: A burial detail is working well into the night, burying their fallen comrades when one of the corpses stands up… one by one, the rest follow suit. As the natural order evolves into chaos, the governing powers watch in horror. A surreal allegory about war, freedom… and zombies.

The play opens March 1 and runs until March 8 at Giggleshorts Theatre, 296 Brunswick Ave., 2nd floor. All tickets are $15.

Bury the Dead is a joint publication between Banquo’s Banquet and Backburner Productions.

Showtimes: March 1st-7th (inclusive) @ 7:30pm, March 8th is a 2pm matinee.

Box Office Contact:
Phone: 416 455-2850
e-mail: mrtsgold@msn.com

February Concert Listings

FREE ROCK at NOT MY DOG with RETRO RADIO, WE ARE FRENCH, YARDWORK and CIRCUS SCHOOL.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Location: NOT MY DOG

CIRCUS SCHOOL @ the Cameron House
Date: Thursday, Feb. 26

WE ARE FRENCH @ the Cameron House
Date: Friday, Feb. 27

Wibi Concert at York U 50th Anniversary Gala

York’s popular a cappella group will be performing with new and old members for York U’s 50th Anniversary Gala on March 28.

Date and time: March 28 in the evening
Location: York University
Contact: wibi.acappella@gmail.com

U of T: Black History Month Opening Ceremonies

The Black Students Association at the University Of Toronto Proudly presents the first annual Black History Month opening ceremonies.

A night of culture and entertainment, this event will have an art gallery displaying art from all over the Diaspora, as well as a cultural showcase, with performances by Black ice, Akym fwo African drummers, Steel Pan performers, D-lishus, Shaka, Nouvel Expose as well as spoken word, monologues, hip hop dance and many, many more.

We will also be having TASTE OF THE DIASPORA, where you will get to taste food from Africa, The Caribbean and North America.

Come out and help us kick of Black History month the right way!!!
All this for ONLY $5, (non members) free for members.
After party to follow at Nile Club 424 College St. (College and Bathurst) 11 p.m.- 3 a.m.
$5 nonmembers, $2 members.
COME ONE, COME ALL.

 

Date and time: Jan. 31, 2009, 6 to 10 p.m.

Location: William Doo Auditorium, 45 Willcocks St.

Hosted by the Black Students Association at U of T

Ruckus Magazine Concert/Reading

To welcome in a fresh new year of student performances, Ruckus is hosting an event that will look back at some of 2008’s most memorable entertainers. Feel free to come for one performer or for the entire roster that is set to entertain well into the morning hours.

Featuring:

8:30 - Erich Boshart - reading
8:45 - Jimmy McInnis - reading
9:00 - Zoe Alexis-Abrams - reading
9:15 - Jasmyn Burke - performing
9:45 - Guy Doucette - performing
10:15 - Terror Lake - performing
11:15 - Barn Owl - performing

$5 at the door.

Beer and liquor, along with lemon squares and other delicious baked treats will be available for a student-friendly price. There will also be buttons.

Date and time: Jan. 16, 8 p.m.
Location: Cinecycle, 129 Spadina Ave. (down the alley)
Contact: carl@ruckusmagazine.ca

Lecture: The Power of the Roman Emperor - German Classical Archaeology between 1968 and Today

This lecture is part of the University of Toronto Art Department’s Graham Lecture Sseries. The speaker, Ortwin Dally, is the secretary general of the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin and honorary professor of classical archeology at the Free University of Berlin. Everyone is welcome.

Date and time: Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m.
Location: University College, 15 King’s College Circle, Rm. 140
Website: www.art.utoronto.ca

Untitled

Untitled is the study of two fibrous materials – paper and thread – and exploring their different structural qualities upon combination. Typically, the more something is sewn, the more resilient the material becomes. However, with paper, the more it is sewn, the more fragile it becomes. By sewing paper, Wong tries to understand how the process causes fluctuations between strength and weakness.

This curious relationship, a tension between tenacity and vulnerability within a community, resonates with all things – pressurized gases, plant dispersions, planetary orbits, etc. With a particular reference to water molecules and human interactions, Untitled seeks to make sense of, rather than resolve, this universal pattern.

Reception: Old Money and Starving Artists
Please dress imaginatively/creatively/awkwardly.
Thursday, Jan. 8, 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit: Monday, Jan. 5, 10:30 a.m. to Saturday, Jan. 10, 4 p.m.
Location: The Gales Gallery, Accolade West Building, York University

“Presenting…” at The Art Lounge

This exhibition features the work of students enrolled in the Critical Curatorial Lab as part of the Visual Studies Programme at the University of Toronto. The annual exhibition is a series of three exhibits; the first part took place from Nov. 20 to 22.

The participating artists are Rebecca Gilgan (curated by Jessica Simas), Alexandra Busgang (curated by Frances Tanzer), Marshall Angus (curated by Maria Kubicki), Nitasha McKnight (curated by Alexandra Busgang), Macy Siu (curated by Caroline Cheung) and Dan Giang (curated by Dong Su).

Dates: Nov. 27 to 29 and Dec. 4 to 6
Times: Tuesday to Friday, 12 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m.
Location: The Art Lounge, University of Toronto Art Centre, 15 King’s College Circle

Dennis Reid discusses the reconstruction of the AGO

Dennis Reid is a professor at the University of Toronto and the director of Collections and Research at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). He will be on hand for a Q&A on the reconstruction of the AGO, the special needs of the collection and its effect upon the rebuilding and design processes.

Date and time: Dec. 10, 6 p.m.
Location: University College, room UC179

UnPlugged Acoustic Festival

Tune your guitars and break out your xylophone as Ruckus Magazine and Back Burner Productions have teamed up to pull the plug on the music industry. For one weekend only, the two student-based independent art organizations have brought together Toronto’s most anticipated up-and-coming singer/songwriters, experimentalists and folk performers.

Taking place in Back Burners’ bustling home theater, the festival also includes a gallery exhibition of talented visual artists. The gallery will open one hour before all performances, allowing ample perusing time.

Cost - PWYC $3-5 suggestion.

Where - 11 Lonsdale Rd. From the corner of St. Clair and Yonge, walk north to Lawton Blvd. Walk north-west on Lawton two streets. Turn west on Lonsdale.

Schedule:

Friday
8:00pm - Nick Pascuzzi
8:30pm - Good Citizens (AKA Joshua Mover)
9:00pm - James Fanizza
9:30pm - Tradition

Saturday
8:00pm - Kritty
8:30pm - Nino Gheciu & Max Distortion
9:00pm - Jasmyn Burke & Mounsey
9:30pm - Eric Boshart and the Salt of the Earth

Sunday
8:00pm - Guy Doucette
8:30pm - Paul Norish
9:00pm - Cristina Taborda & Daniel Montgomery
9:30pm - Retro Radio
10:00pm - Open Stage!!!

Beverage Prices

Water $1.50
Pop $1.00
Beer $3.50
Wine $4.00

Visual artists - Danielle MacDonald, Rachel Kahn, April Martins

Date and time: Friday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 23, 7 to 10:30 p.m.
Location: 11 Lonsdale Rd.
Contact: carl@ruckusmagazine.ca

Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale

In six short years, Whodunit? has established itself as one of Toronto’s favourite art events. Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) students, faculty, alumni and many other artists, designers and creative celebrities who support the university donate 5½” x 7½” works, each of which is sold for $75. The identity of the mystery artist is revealed on the back of each artwork.

In 2007, the sale raised more than $225,000 to support OCAD’s unique creative environment. This year, Whodunit? proceeds will fund resources and upgrades for the Dorothy H. Hoover Library and a new student Learning Zone at OCAD. Every piece of art sold supports the learning experience of OCAD students.

New this year, the works in the public sale will be available for preview online starting Nov. 19. Works can also be previewed in person at OCAD from Nov. 19 to 21 and at a Preview Gala on Nov. 20 (Tickets: $150; includes silent and live auctions).

Work is sold on a first-come-first-serve basis on Nov. 22, starting at 10 a.m. Hint: the best way buyers can ensure they get the work they want is to come to see the work in person or preview the work online, make a wish list and arrive early at the sale!

Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale schedule:

Public Preview:
Wednesday, November 19 and Friday, November 21, 12 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, November 20, 12 to 6 p.m.
Admission is free.
Or preview artwork online at www.ocad.ca starting Nov. 19

Preview Gala:
Thursday, November 20, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The Preview Gala includes a silent auction of a special collection of mystery art (small and mid-sized works) and a live auction of larger works by well-known artists. Guests enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a special chance to preview the hundreds of works available in the public sale.
Tickets: $150

Public Art Sale:
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All events take place at the Ontario College of Art & Design, 100 McCaul Street, Toronto.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Preview Gala, visit www.whodunit.ca”.

McMaster University Hosts O.U.C.H. 2008

Tickets are on sale now for the Ontario Universities Competition for Hip Hop (OUCH). Buy tickets at Compass for McMaster students and through selected school representatives.

Starring McMaster University, Brock University, York University, the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier, Laurier Brantford, the University of Western Ontario, the University of Waterloo, Ryerson, the University of Toronto, Humber College and Trent University.

Come out and support your school in the hip hop event of the year!

Judges:
Shawn Byfield - Thrive! Entertainment, Gemini Award nominee
Mindy Conto - Raptors Dance Pak choreographer, Massari World Tour
Cedric Gardner - So You Think You Can Dance Season 3, Neil Young’s Greendale
Michael Rhodes - Destiny’s Child, Ludacris, Ciara
Donyelle Jones - So You Think You Can Dance Season 3 top 4, co-choreographer of The Jump-Off (2009)
Danny Davalos - Owner/choreographer of O.I.P. Dance Centre

HOSTED by Much Music VJ Matte Babel

FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY: JUNO NOMINATED HIP HOP ARTIST SHAD K, BREAKDANCE CREW BREADCRUMZ and STEP CREW BLACK ICE.

Presented by FLOW 93.5.

Tickets are $17 in advance and at the door.

Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 22, 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: Hamilton Place Theatre
Website: www.ouch2008.com

SCHOOLS CONTACT LIST
* UofT - Joelle foreal.hiphop@gmail.com
* Western - Flo hiphopwestern@gmail.com
* Laurier - Esi thehawkstars@gmail.com
* Trent - Lisa trentdanceteam@gmail.com
* Brock - Alyssa brockdance@hotmail.com
* Waterloo - Dan uwhiphop@gmail.com
* Ryerson - Shakera uhhu@ryerson.ca
* UTM - Meghan utmdance@hotmail.com
* Guelph - Sandra sandyosh@hotmail.com
* * all other schools, direct inquiries to Helena **

Meet the Presses Indie Literary Market

The Meet the Presses Indie Literary Market gives the public an opportunity to meet dozens of local literary presses and directly purchase publications that may not be readily available (or available at all) in bookstores.

So far, participating publishers and magazines include:

Bookthug
Coach House Press
ECW Press
Existere
Insomniac Press/4 a.m.
Learn/Yeats & Co.
Mansfield Press
Mercury Press
Pedlar Press
Proper Tales Press/Peter O’Toole
The Puritan
Rampike
serif of nottingham editions
The Emergency Response Unit
Um Yeah Press
Underwhich Editions
Wolsak & Wynn
This is Toronto’s only all-literary indie-publisher showcase! You’ll find cutting-edge fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction from some of the most exciting and challenging publishers in Canada.

This event is curated by the volunteer collective Meet the Presses.

Admission is free. Clinton’s has a great selection of food and drink for purchase.

Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 29, 12 to 5 p.m.
Location: Clinton’s Tavern (back room), 693 Bloor St. W. (near Christie subway station)
Contact: meetthepresses@gmail.com

Toronto Poetry Slam

Guess what, it’s Toronto Poetry Slam’s THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Yes, for three years the Slam has been rocking your faces with incredible poetry, inspiring out-of-town features and tons of prizes for winning poets.

Come out to celebrate, revel and compete!

It all starts at 7:30 p.m. with signup, then the slam at 8 p.m.

Guest feature is Dave Nichols from Columbus, Ohio.

Hosted by Dave “BigDeal” Silverberg.

Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 22, 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Location: Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W.
Cover: $5
Contact: info@torontopoetryslam.com
Website: www.torontopoetryslam.com

Film Screening: Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home

Join us for a free screening of York grad Andrew Nisker’s (BFA ‘93) first feature-length documentary: Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home at the Price Family Cinema.

Writer/director Andrew Nisker takes an average urban family, the McDonalds, and asks them to keep every scrap of garbage they create for three months. He then takes them on a journey to find out where it all goes and what it’s doing to the world.

Andrew Nisker will be in attendance to introduce his film and for a Q&A afterwards.

Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 27, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Price Family Cinema, 102 Accolade East Building, York University
Website: www.yorku.ca/alumni/events/garbageScreening

Exhibition: Tête Bêche

Photographer and sculptor Phoebe Lo and painter and photographer Jessica Thalmann, both third-year visual arts students at York University, join forces to present Tête Bêche. This interdisciplinary show features metal and wood sculptures, acrylic and oil paintings, photographs and installations.

While the artists’ work is very distinct, they share a common interest: both investigate seemingly trivial environments and the ritualistic and cyclical behaviours associated within.

Lo’s sensual scrutiny of the organic and natural world juxtaposes organic forms with mechanized materials to emphasize the absurdity of memory and the fallibility of the senses.

Thalmann’s work deals with the urban experience and how the human subject relates to the changing metropolitan landscape of the city.

Date and time: Nov. 17-21, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reception: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: The Gales Gallery, 105 Accolade West Building, York University
Admission: Free

November Concert Listings from Sammy D

15th Eve and the Ocean @ the Savannah Room, 7$
19th We Are the Take @ the Supermarket, 5$
27th the Waking Eyes @ the Supermarket, 5$
29th Ginger and Irene @ Rancho Relaxo, 5$

Free and PWYC

16th Ginger and Irene @ the Press Club
19th Jessica Stuart Few @ the Troubadour
22nd Littlefoot Longfoot @ Harbourfront centre, acoustic set 1pm
23rd Box Full of Cash @ Gorilla Monsoon
25th Ok Giraffe @ Not my Dog
26th Mike Boguski @ Reposado
28th Chloe Charles @ the Press Club
29th The Mercy Now BDay bash @ Not my Dog
30th Shunga, Pretty Lonely Woman @ the Tranzac

Art With Insight gallery talks

The University of Toronto Art Centre presents Art With Insight, gallery talks generously supported by Peter A. Allen.

NOV. 25: Looking at Beavers: A Field Guide, Matthew Brower, UTAC Curator and Lecturer in Museum Studies, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto

Brower will examine works from the current UTAC exhibition, “Beaver Tales: Canadian Art and Design,” alongside other images from Canadian art to talk about the role of beavers in the Canadian imaginary. Drawing on scholarship in animal studies, he will explore the beaver not just as a symbol of Canadian identity, but as a complex figure immersed in a field of human-animal relations.

Date and time: Nov. 25, 4:30 p.m.
Location: University of Toronto Art Centre art lounge
Website: www.utac.utoronto.ca

RSVP for all events to utac.rsvp@utoronto.ca.

WIBI Winter Showcase

Wibi is an innovative and eclectic contemporary a cappella ensemble that began in 1988 in Winters College at York University. For the past nineteen years, this student-run group has reveled in exploring a broad range of musical styles that include jazz, pop, funk, gospel and world music.

If there is a strike at York University and it lasts into December, we will update you with any venue changes.

Date and time: Dec. 6, 8 p.m.
Location: Winter’s Dining Hall, York University
Cost: Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for everyone else
Website: WIBI

Canadian Writers in Person at York University

Readings are free and open to the public. They are also part of AK/ENGL 1953 6.0 Canadian Writers in Person, an introductory course on Canadian literature.

All readings take place at 7 p.m. in the Accolade West Building, room 109

Dec. 2, Peter Robinson, Piece of My Heart
Jan. 13, Jan Rehner, On Pain of Death
Jan. 27, David Chariandy, Soucouyant
Feb. 10: Sonnet L’Abbé, Killamoe
Mar. 3: Makeda Silvera, The Heart Does Not Bend
Mar. 17: Debra Anderson, Code White
Mar. 31: Nino Ricci, Lives of the Saints

World Premiere Screening of Not a Drop
A new one-hour docu-drama set in a fictionalized University Diversity Journalism Class based on real events will screen at The Centre for Creative Communications at Centennial College. The screening will recognize producer, director, writer and theatre artist Dr. Rite Shelton Deverell as the new Storyteller-in-Residence.

Date and time: December 5, 11:30 a.m.
Location: The Centre for Creative Communications, 951 Carlaw Ave.
Website: http://www.centennialcollege.ca/thecentre/ritadeverell

Looking at Beavers: A Field Guide
Matt Brower, University of Toronto Art Centre Curator. Co-presented with the Faculty of Information
RSVP to 416-978-1838 or utac.rsvp@utoronto.ca

Date and time: November 25, 4:30 p.m.
Location: University of Toronto Art Centre art lounge
Website: http://www.utac.utoronto.ca/content/view/24/98/