Performing Arts

From the Art of Jazz Website: http://www.artofjazz.org/performance_home.cfm
"From June 4- June 8, 2008, the 3nd Annual Art of Jazz Celebration will transform the Distillery Historic District in Toronto into a hotbed of rhythm, improvisation, harmony and sophistication. Art of Jazz Celebration offers 5 days of major concerts, themed programs, workshops, jam sessions, photo exhibits, author readings and more.

By Amber Whitman

Who doesn’t remember the original romantic movie “Dirty Dancing” of 1987, featuring the sexy and acclaimed actor Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle, and the loveable Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman? Well, now you can see this movie-turned-musical, written and co-produced by Eleanor Bergstein, live onstage at The Royal Alexandria Theatre.

“Dirty Dancing” is a classic coming of age love story that begins when the adolescent Baby, a doctor’s daughter with lofty dreams, is forced to go on summer holiday with her parents. Bored one day, she wanders into a world of dance and new people, where she meets Johnny, a ruffian. Through as series of circumstances, they find themselves making an unlikely pairing as dance partners. However, against all odds they fall in love and face life’s challenges together. With popular favourites like “Hungry Eyes,” “I’ve had The Time of My Life,” and “Do you Love Me?” this summer-romance show is a surefire winner (emphasis on the fire)!

From the City of Toronto website for their Wintercity Festival

Experience the enchantment of Nights of Fire, magically created by Cie Carabosse, France's acclaimed fire art troupe in Toronto for their North American premiere. Fuel the flames of your imagination as you wander among intricate sculptures of metal, clay and fire that will transform Nathan Phillips Square into a wonderland of warmth and light.

The gentle illumination of the entire square will unfold over three hours as clay pots are individually lit until 1500 burn in unison, radiating heat and reflective beauty across the urban landscape.Haunting musical performances will accompany the fire installation, delicately enhancing the magic and wonder of the flames.

By Bill Rosenfield

No one can predict where a musical comes from. Classic novels and popular movies have been sources, and real life experiences have found themselves musicalized – but a Spelling Bee?

Well, why not?

For Bill Finn, it began with a phone call from his friend, playwright Wendy Wasserstein, whose weekend nanny had been appearing in a comedy troupe called The Farm on the Lower East Side.  An improvised piece that the group performed, entitled C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, seemed to her to be the perfect gem for a musical comedy. After watching a videotape of it, Finn agreed. With the enlistment of Rachel Sheinkin, they set about developing the piece originally conceived by Rebecca Feldman, into a full-length fully developed show.

Will you and your partner be in the Toronto area this Thursday November 8th from 12pm - 4pm?  If so, remember to stop by the Sony Centre (formerly the Hummingbird Centre) to donate a large unwrapped gift to be placed inside this giant stocking.  In return, the first 1500 guests who donate will each receive a complimentary ticket to the November 22nd performance of Irving Berlin's White Christmas.  For a brief description about the event, see the exerpt from the Sony Centre's website below, but be sure to read the full article here:  http://www.sonycentre.ca/news.php?chosen_top_nav=about_us&chosen_sub_nav=news#news_13

By Jonathan Rotsztain

During the past few months, I’ve shouted at you, letting y’all know what shows to see, where, and when. Over the weekend, the thought dawned on me that perhaps my particular- and oft peculiar- taste is not exactly in sync with LoveInToronto.com’s general readership, nor should it be. Music is the universal language, but it is also deeply personal and highly individual. With that logic in mind, I present to you my primer on how to find out about shows and buy tickets for anything and everything that our multicultural, cosmopolitan metropolis has to offer.

By Jonathan Rotsztain

Hailing from the People’s Republic of China, the Twelve Girls Band can only be described as a real treat. This unique act will be at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts this Friday October 26. Bridging the ever-narrower divide between the Occident and the Orient through the power of song, the neatly named ensemble are best known for their haunting takes on American pop classics like Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas mixed with classic Chinese fare and flare. Playing traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng, the yangqin, the pipa, the erhu and flutes, the Girls are going places.

Just incase anyone is unaware Buskerfest 2007 is definitely ON and in full swing as of today. No amount of grey cloud or dark sky could ever tame these bold, wild and opulent performers. In the heart of St. Lawrence Market they are taking over for four straight days showing off their mad collection of crazy skills & artistry in support of Epilepsy Toronto. Think ‘Carnival meets Stunt Department’. And just because the sun has to set doesn’t mean they do.