This city has something different to do every night. Here are some picks to help navigate the social jungle that is Toronto.
Live
April 21, 22 and 28, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Beauty and The Beast
Solar Stage Children’s Theatre
The Madison Centre
4950 Yonge St.
A few friends have taken their kids to the Solar Stage Children’s Theatre and they have found it quite charming. It’s a great little starter theatre for parents who would like to take their kids to see something bigger like The Lion King or The Sound of Music. With Beauty and The Beast you’re at least guaranteed a good story and a couple of memorable songs. It also just feels like a nice way to spend a rainy day in April. BTW — April Showers Discount Days are on April 21 and 22 only; all single tickets are $12.
Cost: $12 and up
More: www.solarstage.on.ca
April 20-22
Toronto Elvis Festival
Stage West
5400 Dixie Rd., Mississauga
First there was GTL and now there is ETA. ETAs are Elvis Tribute Artists and for a second year in a row the best of the best from various parts of North America are gathering to pay tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. I love the idea of paying tribute to anything you love with a group of admirers who understand you, so this must like seeing family once a year for most of the participants. Here’s the best part, the performance competition has a Youth Category proving Elvis’s music really is timeless.
Cost: $19.95 to $72.95
More: www.torontoelvisfestival.com
Music
Sunday, April 22 at 8 p.m.
Nickelback with special guests Bush, Seether & My Darkest Days
Air Canada Centre
40 Bay St.
It’s official: I’ve lost it. I’m recommending people go to a Nickelback Concert. Not because I’m a huge fan, but more so because this is actually not a bad lineup of bands who could all be featuring at smaller venues around the world. Bush is still writing some interesting music, Nickelback attracts a certain type of fan that can be fun and My Darkest Days is one of those rare Canadian rock bands that hold the trademark swagger of a world-class act (kind of like Nickelback five years ago).
Cost: $39 and up.
More: www.ticketmaster.ca
Art
Until May 6
Greg Payce: Illusions
Gardiner Museum
111 Queens Park
The only thing confusing about the Gardiner Museum is that it is physically nowhere near the Gardiner Expressway. Good thing they have the Greg Payce exhibit to get people into the venue in the cultural hub of the city. Payce’s installation is called Illusions which is a solo exhibition. It features large-scale ceramic installations for which Payce has received international acclaim.
Cost: $6 to $12
More: www.acad.ca/gpayce.html
Movies
April 20 at 7 p.m. (opening)
West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson
Michèle Hozer & Peter Raymont
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St. W.
The death of Tom Thomson is a great Canadian mystery. His work as an artist has remained one of Canada’s most notable exports and his life as an artist lives on through his work. West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson unravels many of the mysteries of this brilliant, beloved artist with an eye-opening window into a precious piece of Canadian heritage.
Cost: $8 to $12
More: www.tiff.net
Friday, April 20 (opening)
SOUND IT OUT
A film by Jeanie Finlay
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
506 Bloor St. W.
SOUND IT OUT is being called the official film of Record Store Day 2011, which is celebrated worldwide on Saturday, April 21. On the surface it is a documentary portrait of the last surviving vinyl shop in Teesside, North England. What you soon learn is the massive role music plays in these people’s lives and how important vinyl has been in shaping the memories of many who have grown up listening to records (including myself). It’s interesting to see how Sound it Out Records is the cultural magnet for this small U.K. town and how our subjects are willing to go to great lengths to find that elusive piece of vinyl for sometimes nothing more than bragging rights. Celebrate your record collection by watching this film.
Cost: $8 to $12
More: www.sounditoutdoc.com
In case you missed it:
- You can check out my spring movie preview here:
- Roz & Devo from KiSS 92.5 had a chance to chat with Donald Trump while he was in Toronto.
http://www.kiss925.com/2012/04/16/interview-donald-trump-chats-with-roz-and-devo/
- Cityline’s Tracy Moore caught up with Oprah earlier this week in Toronto.
http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/videos/200927
- Roz & Mocha from KiSS 92.5 chatted with Elmo on their morning show.
http://www.kiss925.com/2012/04/18/inteview-audio-elmo-calls-into-the-roz-mocha-show/