Ella's Pick

Drink, Kvetch & Smile @ EAP CONNECTS – Jan 22

Ella — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:20:05 +0000

The Emerging Arts Professional Network in partnership with Tarragon Theatre is bringing you another EAP CONNECTS event followed by critically acclaimed performance ‘East of Berlin’ written by emerging playwright Hannah Moscovitch.

EAP Connects is a really fun, informal event that welcomes everyone to come out and mix and mingle with local arts professionals. Every event includes a simple, not-to-cheesy ice breaker that ensures you’ll meet half the people in the room and not feel awkward if you come alone. This event will also features a short talk with Hannah Moscovitch herself, followed by the show.

The first half of the evening is free.

Tickets of the show are $20 (a crazy amazing deal Tarragon created for this night only!)

There are only 10 tickets left! Box Office 416 531 1827

A Lovely Blog

Ella — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:15:47 +0000

I am a lazy blogger, I’m a facebook addict and I’ve started adding more stuff on Twitter lately cause I can do a shout out in 150 words or less.

M-C Turgeon a female artist, blogger and mover & shaker in Montreal has inspired me. Other than having a lot of shared interests, her site is a great example of how you can showcase your work and share your life and passion with the world through blogs, podcasts and the like. Plus, I love the design of her really cheery site, not to mention that her CreaCamps sound awesome!

Ryan McGinness = Cool Show @ Artcore

Ella — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:19:05 +0000

I was wandering about the Distillery District yesterday after a meeting and stumbled upon the Artcore gallery and an ‘eye tingling’ show that is not to be missed. New York based artist Ryan McGinness is presenting his first Canadian show ever ‘Aesthetic Comfort‘ until November 15th. It’s a fun series of visual & sculptural work that screams of pop culture, icons and flourescent colours. The black light room is too much fun and I was thoroughly impressed by the depth of field that he creates with a bit of black light, layering and flourescent paint.

Don’t miss it.

Ryan McGinness

Aesthetic Comfort

September 27 – November 15, 2008
Artcore ~ 55 Mill Street, Pure Spirits Building 62

McGinness’s new Aesthetic Comfort works present a Jackson Pollock-esque all-over cacophony of icons, drawn from the artist’s vast and ever increasing repertoire of graphic drawings. Assuming the power of logos and authoritative signage, McGinness subverts those corporate branding strategies toward universal legibility of visual modes of communication, and creates baroque mash-ups that result in beautiful collisions which inundate viewers with his personal playful stories that do not clearly convey any specific meanings but are somehow never confusing. Numerous references from our pop culture landscape find their way into McGinness’s kaleidoscopic visual mindscapes to promote a new, beautiful, if utterly quixotic, form of communication.

Ryan McGinness, 36, grew up in Virginia Beach and was influenced by skate and surf culture, rock concert poster design, and street art.

Network with the Arts Community & See ‘Scratch’ for cheap!

Ella — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:51:48 +0000

The Emerging Arts Professional Network presents the 4th EAP Connects on Wednesday October 22 @ The Factory Theatre – It’s a great way to mix and mingle and then take advantage of the special EAP discount ($15 if you say ‘Connects’ at the Box Office) to see the play ‘Scratch.’

Here are the details – hope to see you there!

EAP CONNECTS

Each EAP Connects event includes a little icebreaker to make you comfortable to meet and greet, so bring a friend or come by yourself and make a new connection.

Exclusively for this event – ‘Scratch’ Designer Kelly Wolf will start the evening with short behind the scenes intro to kick things off.

In addition to members of the EAP Network, CYAN and T.E.A, artists from Scratch, Factory Theatre staff will be in attendance.

‘SCRATCH’

“Upcomer” Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman will star in the lead role as Anna in the world premiere of her deeply moving and funny play Scratch.

Scratch is a compelling story of death, lice, love and coming of age. A teenage girl weaves her way between two very real and opposing worlds – a longed-for first kiss and her mother’s silent fatal disease. Using wickedly dark humour, Corbeil-Coleman’s heroine manifests her grief with a nasty case of head lice. Scratch is as bold and brave as it is real and tender.

Scratch first written when Charlotte was only 16, is a semi-autobiographical story of Charlotte’s experience, told through the touching and quirky perspective of 15 year old Anna, of losing her mother, novelist and journalist Carole Corbeil to ovarian cancer.

80 Swedish Men will Sing for You on Sunday

Ella — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:46:29 +0000

Once upon a time I had a two week summer romance in Paris with a lovely Swedish man named Par. So it is no wonder that I am particularly interested in checking out Soundstreams Canada‘s presentation of Orphei Drangar (Sons of Orpheus) the Internationally renowned Swedish 80 voice all-male choir, who will perform R. Murray Schafer’s Magic Songs to celebrate the composer’s 75th year.

Don’t miss it if choral music and hot men are your thing

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 @ 3 pm – Metropolitan United Church

Here’s a little sound clip of the choir.

Here’s a little info from Soundstreams….

Orphei Drängar is an iconic example of the great Swedish choral tradition and a central player in the development of new music for male-voice choir. The choir, which dates back to 1853, has always been a torch bearer of the great Swedish choral tradition, in addition to playing an important international role in the development of the male-voice choir in modern music.

Meet Orphei Drängar!
Meet the member of the World’s Greatest Male Choir immediately following the concert at the Metropolitan United Church. Tickets are $10 and wine and light refreshments will be served.

Vote for the Arts!

Ella — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:30:42 +0000

There is no doubt in my mind who I’m voting for next week. It will be strategic and while there are many issues that are important to me, culture is at the top of that list.

It’s so exciting to see the arts community and general public rally together in support of the arts. I’m thoroughly inspired by the newly created Department of Culture which is making incredible strides across Canada to raise awareness on key issues, gain further support for culture and steer all votes away from the Conservatives. Plus they’re making it all so much fun – don’t miss This is NOT a Conservative Party tonight @ The Phoenix!

Check out the CBC site to see where ALL political parties stand on art.

Opening Parties, Autumn, Line Dancing and more..

Ella — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:46:55 +0000

Photo of Karen & Allen Kaeja by Ella COoper

After taking the summer off from blogging, I am officially back.

I’ve decided that autumn, is in truth, my new year. As the weather cools down, the work load mounts, and a barrage of openings and season launches hit the city, I am filled with a new sense of drive and inspiration for all those projects that slowed down with the hot steamy weather. Autumn is a new beginning.

Yeah, ok but seriously, what isn’t happening this week? It’s no wonder that everyone I meet has that frantic little look in their eye. If they’re not working their ass off, then they’re desperately trying to figure out what they should do this week.

If you’re feeling truly ambitious here’s a little list of ideas:

Tuesday, Sep 30
HUMDINGER – A Fundraising Smorgasbord
Great Hall – 1087 Queen West
7:30 – 11:pm

Susanna Hood is one of Toronto’s most unique performance artists and Mike Tong does some of the best catering in the city. The other acts looks great and for $10 who wouldn’t want to support them?

Performances by
Susanna Hood, Nial Perera, Christine Duncan and The Elemental Choir

Food by Mike Tong
DJ Chandra Bulucon

Wednesday, Oct 1
DEMON BLOG - OPENING PARTY
*Hotshot – 181 Augusta
8:pm – midnight

Think $3 beers, bad boy art by the likes of Demon Claw’s band member Jeff Clarke and Vice Magazine staffer Tim McCready. Think of this as a debaucherous way to appreciate art.

Thursday, Oct 2
STEERS & QUEERS
Dakota Tavern
10pm – $5

I love my burlesque and my boys, throw in a little dirty line dancing and I’m happy to stay up late on a school night.

Don’t miss the special guest appearance by Boylesque TO – Can anyone say whip cream cowboy fight?

Friday
Get your sleep because you’ll be staying up late for Nuit Blanche on Saturday….

Up Darling – Dance in a Parking Lot

Ella — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:00:34 +0000

The multi-level Green P Parking lot on St. Andrews street in Kensington Market is one of my favourite open air parking areas in Toronto.

You might find the idea of liking ‘any’ parking lot rather weird. Who actually enjoys paying for parking or winding their way into a suffocating underground maze in search of a parking space? However, I find that a lot of these unfortunate public spaces can actually hold some unique underworld surprises (like the photo above that I took of Jasmine Ellis & Brodie Stevenson in the Financial District last year.)

What I like about the Green P in Kensington Market is that if you walk up to the top level of the St. Andrews parking lot, you get a great view overlooking the city and of the market below. As someone who’s already into integrating urban spaces with dance I was happy to see that Up Darling’s next performance will be taking place in this fabulous venue.

Up Darling 4 a local contemporary dance company presents new dance works by Barbara Lindenberg, Meredith Thompson and Mairéad Filgate, Allison Peacock and Aimée Dawn Robinson and a special guest appearance (June 5) by video artist Renée Lear

May 27 – 29 & June 2, 3 & 5

Admission: Pay what You Can

Meet us on the fifth floor of the Green p parking garage in Kensington Market

(20 St. Andrew Street). The show is outdoors.

Call 416.534.4509 for more information.

Please see the posts below for more detailed information on the artists and their works.

What Are You Looking Forward to this Spring?

Ella — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:47:09 +0000

Spring in Toronto is such a tease. Just when I’m ready to bare it all and spend the day in a tank top, a cold wind gets thrown into the mix, followed by grey clouds and a sprinkling of rain and I begin to wonder if the sun is really going to hold up to its end of the bargain.

That said, spring IS in the air. One sunny day on a patio still seems to make up for four dismal lack luster week days. Plus another indication that spring is here are all the shows and festivals that are bulking up my facebook account and making me wish that I could dedicate the next month to cultural outings and debaucherous festival goings…..or something of that nature.

So what’s on my list of events that I really do hope to attend:

SERIES 8:08
Saturday, May 24th – YMCA – 8:08pm

This is where you really get to see the talent that is bubbling out of our dance community. This month’s Series 8:08 choreographers: Mariana Medellin-Meinke, Newton Moraes, Laura Kappel, Tom Brouillette, and Marie France Forcier.

The audience becomes a part of the exciting creative process by giving the artists written feedback about the works they see. An open-dialogue between the choreographers and the audience is encouraged at our post-performance meet and greet.

PEDESTRIAN SUNDAY GRAND OPENING
Sunday, May 25 – Kensington Market

Why is it that we all get such a kick out of walking through a street that would normally be covered with cars? I love it, it makes me think of Europe, it’s what the warmer weather is all about and there will be tons of live music/art/people making it fabulous throughout the day. It’s like one of those big ‘Where’s Waldo’ images, oh and the weather people are forecasting sun, sun and more sun this Sunday.

PEE-WEE HERMAN PICTURE SHOW
May 29 – Bloor Cinema – 7 pm

Who DOESN’T love Pee-Wee and who doesn’t LOVE biking? Pee-Wee Herman’s Big Adventure is a classic, so this is one bike themed fundraiser I don’t want to miss.

A film screening of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, supported by a live cast featuring members of the Hidden Cameras, Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle, Kids on TV, The Old Soul, Republic of Safety, the Phonemes and more! Lex Vaughn as Pee-Wee. Gentleman Reg as Francis. With guest appearances by Sook Yin Lee & others. $14. A fundraiser for the Toronto Cyclists Union.

THE POWER PLANT ‘S SUMMER EXHIBITION OPENING PARTY
June 6 – Power Plant – 7:30 pm

I’ve been to this opening party a couple times, last year’s sucked due to crappy weather but the vibe was fun and the hotdogs were tasty. It’s an arty way to start the month of June, check out a new exhibit and drink outdoors under a big white tent.

NOT QUITE HOW I REMEMBER IT 7 June–1 September 2008
Diane Borsato (Canada) / Gerard Byrne (Ireland) / Nancy Davenport (Canada) / Felix Gmelin (Sweden) / Sharon Hayes (USA) / Mary Kelly (USA) / Nestor Krüger (Canada) / Michael Maranda (Canada) / Olivia Plender (UK) / Walid Raad (Lebanon/USA) / Dario Robleto (USA) / Michael Stevenson (New Zealand) / Kelley Walker (USA) / Lee Walton (USA) Curated by Helena Reckitt, Senior Curator of Programs

Highlighting forms of re-enactment and reconstruction, ‘Not Quite How I Remember It’ combines the work of Canadian and international artists to investigate how we channel, mediate and memorialize history.

TORONTO’S MILLES FEMME MAGNIFIQUE
Luminato Festival – BCE Place Exhibit by Photographer Maraval – June 9 – 15

So yeah, like I’m one ‘of’ a thousand, which is nothing like being one ‘in’ a million. I wanna be one in a million next time and the ONLY one Putting all my prima donna attitude aside, not only will you see my smile amongst a see of faces but this is just a swell way to celebrate 1,000 inspirational, motivational and sensational women who are making a difference in Toronto’s creative sector. Mad props to ALL the ladies!

Toronto’s Milles Femmes is a tribute to 1,000 artistic, creative and inspiring women from Toronto and their protégés, who embody the passion and heritage of the city. Architects, actors, dancers, designers, journalists, musicians and others have been chosen in recognition of their achievements and leadership in their field. Joined together, the 1,000 portraits will become a visual network, a chain of recognition that celebrates not only an extraordinary community of women, but also the creative character and diversity of Toronto.

Have fun!

Fresh and French Show – Opens April 10th

Ella — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:26:19 +0000

*Hotshot a new exhibition/event/retail space in Kensington Market is presenting their second group show extraordinaire, curated by yours truly.

Come out and celebrate, spring, romance and all things French next Thursday April 10th at a cheeky art party featuring everything from a video kissing booth, 15 second French lessons, a contest to win free brunch at La Palette and not to mention a wicked group show!

Hotshot is located at 181 Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market

Opening reception from 7 – 1 am, featuring DJs Maike Murray Maas and the Dirty French Man.