Luckily, this February is a leap year because there are lots of great local arts events to check out. Get outside and celebrate Black History Month with two interesting walks: In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians and Toronto's Early African-Canadian Women, with both walks departing from Mackenzie House. Back indoors, The Majesty of the Horn concert is calling on amateur horn players to bring their instruments and join in the final fanfare. Sounds like fun. There's also Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival taking place Feb. 8 to 10. This is an indoor, all-ages music festival with more than 80 artists in seven venues. And on stage, East Side Players presents Nuts, a drama by Tom Topor, Feb. 21 to March 8 at Papermill Theatre at Todmorden Mills. If you are looking to create a gift for your Valentine this year, Todmorden Mills is offering two workshops: Valentine treasure box and Victorian Valentine delights that are sure to win points in the romantic department. BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Mackenzie House
A Glimpse of Black Life in Victorian Toronto, 1850 to 1860 is an exhibit celebrating Black History Month is available for viewing Saturdays and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. This remounted exhibit brings to life a dynamic decade in the history of Toronto's black citizens and offers a glimpse of the fascinating story of their participation in the city's development. Hot chocolate after the walk. Admission: adults $3.77; seniors $2.59; youth (ages 13 to 18) $2.59; children (5 to 12) $2.36; children 4 and under get in free. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., two blocks east of Yonge Street, south of Dundas St. E. Call 416-392-6915.
WALKS
In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians
In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians is a walking tour taking place Feb. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Discover black history in Toronto by walking through parts of Old York where African-Canadians carved a community through struggle and triumph. Learn about different black leaders such as Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first black female editor in North America, and William Peyton Hubbard, a City of Toronto alderman and acting mayor. Hot chocolate after the walk. This easy walking tour starts and concludes at Mackenzie House. Please RSVP in case of inclement weather. Regular admission applies: adults $3.77; seniors $2.59; youth (ages 13 to 18) $2.59; children (5 to 12) $2.36; Children 4 and under get in free. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., two blocks east of Yonge Street, south of Dundas St. E. Call 416-392-6915.
Toronto's Early African-Canadian Women
Toronto's Early African-Canadian Women - A Walking Tour takes place Feb. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Explore downtown Toronto while listening to the stories of some of our earliest black settlers. Learn of Chloe Cooley, the enslaved woman whose resistance led to the first anti-slavery laws in 1793, and of Peggy Pompadour, a skilled cook and washerwoman, who resisted her enslavement through short leaves of absences called "petite marionage," Hot chocolate is available after the walk. This easy walking tour starts and concludes at Mackenzie House. Please RSVP in case of inclement weather. Regular admission applies: adults $3.77; seniors $2.59; youth (ages 13 to 18) $2.59; children (5 to 12) $2.36; Children 4 and under get in free. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., two blocks east of Yonge Street, south of Dundas St. E. Call 416-392-6915.
MUSIC
Cellist Karen Ouzounian performs in Toronto's Own Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. at Grace Church on-the-Hill. This Sinfonia Toronto Masterpiece Series concert features conductor Nurhan Arman. Performance begins with Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony op.83. Ouzounian will be featured as soloist in Boccherini's Cello Concerto in B-flat major. Karen Ouzounian is currently completing graduate studies at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where she studies with Timothy Eddy. The concert also features one of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces. His last String Quartet op. 135, written after he lost most of his hearing, is considered to be Beethoven's most intimate and profound musical testament. It will be played in an orchestral version created for Sinfonia Toronto by Arman. Free post-concert reception. Audience members will get a chance to meet orchestra members, including Arman and Ouzounian. Tickets: adults $40, seniors $32, and students $12. Tickets purchased online get a $5 discount at www.sinfoniatoronto.com. Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. Call 416-499-0403.
Nordic Voices
Norway's internationally acclaimed vocal sextet Nordic Voices returns for one performance Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. at Mooredale Concerts. The a cappella ensemble sings music from the 16th to 21st centuries. Tickets: $25; seniors and students $20. Visit www.mooredaleconcerts.com. Call 416-587-9411. Walter Hall, 80 Queen's Park Cr., south of the Museum subway stop.
The Majesty of the Horn
Joan Watson and Gloria Ratcliffe and St. Paul's Foundation for the Arts present The Majesty of the Horn Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. More than 100 French horn players are expected to participate. Participants include horn sections from Toronto's major orchestras. Students from Toronto and York Region high schools will perform two pieces under the direction of Gloria Ratcliffe, horn player and music educator. Guest artists will be Juno Award-winner Jack Grunsky performing his piece Child of the Universe with the high school horn players and the festival singers from Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate. Teacher Barbara Bloomer will be honoured for her longtime contribution to horn playing in Toronto. Amateur horn players are encouraged to bring their horns and join in the final fanfare to close the concert. Tickets are $5 at the door. St. Paul's Anglican Church, 227 Bloor St. near Jarvis Street. Call 416-961-8116.
Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival
The sixth annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival takes place Feb. 8 to 10. This is an annual indoor, all-ages music festival spanning three days featuring more than 80 artists in seven venues. The event is free with the exception of three ticketed performances. Ticketed events are at Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave.:
- Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. The Blues of Winterfolk - Unplugged: Tickets: $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
- Juno winners Jack de Keyzer and Al Lerman will present their acoustic techniques at the world debut of the Winterfolk Jugband with Maureen Brown, Borealis recording artist Michael Jerome Browne, Mr. Rick, Tony Quarrington, Suzie Vinnick and a few surprise guests. Zigzag and Quack Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. Tickets: $5 at the door. Featuring Alex Lukashevsky. The performance includes special guests Anna Linda Sidall, Ryan Driver and Jennifer Castle.
- Smokin' Guitars of Winterfolk, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The Guitar Boys of Alderon (Mr. Rick, Noah Zacharin, Brian Gladstone), Margaret Stowe, Steve Briggs (BeBop Cowboys), Danny Marks, Tony Quarrington, Steve Payne and a few surprise guests.
For a complete list of the all-ages free events and performance schedule, visit www.abetterworld.ca/Pages/Schedule.htm.
Mozart's Vesperae
Canadian Amateur Musicians Musiciens Amateurs du Canada invites singers and instrumentalists to read Mozart's Vesperae Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Deer Park. Singers and instrumentalists under the direction of Claudio Vena will read Mozart's Vesperae Solennes K. 339 and Ave Verum Corpus K. 618. The Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, C. Major K. 339 dates from 1780. Instrumentalists are asked to register in advance at rmoses202@rogers.com so that sufficient parts will be available for the strings. Fee: free for students, non-members $10. Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St., north west corner of Yonge and Heath streets. Call 416-421-0779.
North York Concert Orchestra's post Valentine's concert
North York Concert Orchestra's post Valentine's concert takes place Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. at Grace Church-on-the-Hill. The concert features Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings and Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie for winds. The orchestra's percussionist, Marion Wilk, performs Georg Fredrick Handel's Organ Concert No. 13 in F. major. The orchestra will reunite for George Gershwin's Promenade and Summertime from Porgy and Bess and Ferde Grofe's popular On the Trail from the Grand Canyon Suite. Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 seniors and students. For tickets, call 416-628-9195. Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd.
A Due Voci: Italian Baroque Music for Two Sopranos
The Musicians In Ordinary present A Due Voci: Italian Baroque Music for Two Sopranos Feb. 23 at the Heliconian Hall at 8 p.m. Special guest, soprano Alexa Wing, joins soprano Hallie Fishel and John Edwards of The Musicians In Ordinary for music from the early Baroque. Tickets: $20, $15 seniors and students, and may be purchased at the door. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave., north of Scollard Street in Yorkville. Visit www.musiciansinordinary.ca or call 416-535-9956.
GALLERIES
Glendon Gallery presents its Glendon College Annual Student Exhibition from Feb. 26 to March 7. A multi-media exhibition presented in Glendon's studio art courses. Exhibit includes drawings, paintings, prints, photos and installations. Opening is Feb. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday, noon to 3 p.m.; Saturday 1 to 4 p.m. Glendon Gallery, York University, 2275 Bayview Ave. Visit www.glendon.yorku.ca/gallery. Call 416-487-6721.
THEATRE
Nuts
East Side Players presents Nuts, a drama by Tom Topor, Feb. 21 to March 8 at Papermill Theatre at Todmorden Mills. A courtroom in Bellevue Hospital, New York City. Claudia Draper, a supposedly crazy, high-priced "escort" stands accused of murdering a high profile client. To avoid scandal, Claudia's secretive stepfather and her well-meaning, passive mother try to have her declared mentally incompetent and sent to an asylum. Raging against what she perceives as a losing battle, Claudia seems like she might well be "nuts". Her only ally is Aaron Levinsky, her hapless legal aid lawyer, who feels in over his head but refuses to let Claudia go down without a fight. Performances: opening Thursday to Saturday: 8 p.m.; second and third week: Wednesday to Saturday: 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees: 2 p.m. Admission: $18 for adults and $12 for students. Call the box office at 416-425-0917. East Side Players performs in the Papermill Theatre at the Todmorden Mills site as the resident theatre company. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery Rd., east of the Bayview Extension, west of Broadview Ave.
WORKSHOPS
Valentine treasure box and Cast Iron Chef Workshop Series: Victorian Valentine Delights
Create a personalized Valentine treasure box to fill with gifts for loved ones Feb. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: $18.87. Also, Cast Iron Chef Workshop Series: Victorian Valentine delights Feb. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. Discover the world of Victorian sweets. Prepare period confections in the historic kitchen. Cost: $14.15. Both events require registration, call 416-396-2819. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery Rd. east of the Bayview Extension, west of Broadview Ave.
Scotch and Beer Tasting Evening
Scotch and Beer Tasting Evening Feb. 8 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Appreciate the aromas and flavours of several distinctive scotches and beers. Buffet of savory Scottish fare. The tasting will be led by professional scotch and beer master. Pre-payment required, cost is $50. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., two blocks east of Yonge Street, south of Dundas St. E. Call 416-392-6915.
CONTINUING
Luckily I Had the World Around Me
Glendon Gallery continues its presentation of artist Josee Pellerin's Luckily I Had the World Around Me until Feb. 8. A series of photographic diptychs that function like snapshots. The artists writes, these little stories are the result of strolling about and stopping here and there in public spaces. Remarkable situations and ineluctable drawings jostle together when visiting these anonymous places. The words take the place of the camera, attempting to capture a "snapshot" in which the protagonists, kind of antiheros of an urban theatre, act with fragile dignity. Admission is free. Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday, noon to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Glendon Gallery, York University, 2275 Bayview Ave. Visit www.glendon.yorku.ca/gallery. Call 416-487-6721.