On and Off the Wall is a selection of music, art and community theatre in and around our area for March.MUSIC
The Musicians in Ordinary, who specialize in lively and moving performances of Renaissance and Baroque song, present Fair, Cruell Nymph: songs and dialogues from 17th century England Saturday, February, 28, 8 p.m., at the Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. (north of Scollard Street in Yorkville; Bay St. subway). Soprano Hallie Fishel and John Edwards, who specializes in playing numerous historical plucked string instruments, will be joined by guest tenor Darryl Edwards. Ticket info at www.musiciansinordinary.ca
In honour of music's patron saint, the Tafelmusik Orchestra, Chamber Choir and guest soloists present In Praise of St. Cecilia, magnificent choral music by Handel and Zelenka March 12-15 at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. Performances March 12-14 at 8 p.m.; March 15 at 3:30 p.m.
Also Tafelmusic Orchestra presents free concerts:
* March 1, 2 p.m. at ROM (free with admission);
* Wednesday, March 25, 12:10 p.m. at Walter Hall, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, 80 Queen's Park, seating first-come, first-served. Log onto www.tafelmusik.org
Hannaford Street Silver Band presents Brass and Steel: A Caribbean Celebration Sunday March 1, 3 p.m. at Janet Mallett Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre. Log onto www.hssb.ca for details.
Canadian Music Week presents Canadian Music Fest, billed as Canada's largest New Music Festival, spanning five nights of performances from March 11 to 15 with more than 500 bands at 45 live music venues throughout downtown Toronto, including some veterans like Tom Cochrane and Burton Cummings. Ticket info and schedule at www.canadianmusicfest.com and www.cmw.net
Small World Music presents Toronto's own superb Fado performer, Paulo Filipe at Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. on Thursday, March 19, 9 p.m. The rising Fado star delves into the very heart of the traditional Portuguese art form known for its soul and melancholic beauty. Log on to www.smallworldmusic.com
A Return to the Golden Era of Swing at Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace on March 21, 7 p.m. until midnight with Toronto's All-Star Big Band. One of Canada's top swing dance instructors Dan Amores and his partner Joanna Kassoulides of Hogtown Swing will be on hand for a one-hour introductory Lindy Hop/Swing dance lesson and demonstration between 7-8 p.m. Admission $45, including finger foods. Log on to www.casaloma.org.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra for March.
Cutting edge, modern and Canadian, the TSO presents the best in new music with the fifth annual New Creations Festival, March 5-11. This year's festival is devoted to string instruments with a theme that is distinctly Asian. Also on tap in March: Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma on Thursday, March 19; Prokofiev and Ravel on Wednesday, March 25 (special afterworks presentation) and on March 26 and 28; and pops concert, big band era, with vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway on Tuesday, March 31 at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, April 1, 2 and 8 p.m.
Log on to www.tso.ca
Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St. W.
March 8, 2 p.m., at Mazzoleni Hall, Great Artists Series: Nadina Mackie Jackson, bassoon and Guy Few, trumpet present Bacchanale with fellow musicians Marie Berard, Aisslin Nosky, violins, David Rose, viola and Denise Djokic, cello. Adult $30, student $10. For free master class and lecture series log onto www.rcmusic.ca
German pianist and violinist Kolja Lessing, who has won awards and international acclaim for performances and recordings on both instruments, makes his Toronto debut at Mooredale Concerts, Sunday, March 22, 3 p.m. He joins Artistic Director, pianist Anton Kuerti, a longtime downtown resident, in a program of solos and duos at Walter Hall, in the Edward Johnson Building, 80 Queen's Park Cres. (south of the ROM; Museum subway). Tickets are $25; $20 seniors and students. For tickets or information, call 416-922-3714, extension 103, or visit www.mooredaleconcerts.com. The Music and Truffles abridged children's version of the concert is held prior to the concert at 2 p.m.
National Ballet of Canada presents Innovation World Premieres by Quanz, Pite and Matthews March 4 to 8; Romeo and Juliet March 11-22; and the Eighth International Competition for the Erik Bruhn Prize on March 18. Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts is located at 145 Queen St. W. Log onto www.national.ballet.ca
The Canadian Children's Opera Company (CCOC) will be holding an open house, where all five divisions of choruses can be seen "in action", on Saturday, March 7, between 1 and 5 p.m., at the First Unitarian Church, 175 St. Clair Ave. W. (at Avenue Road). Ages 5-10 from 1 until 3:30 p.m.; ages 10-19 2:30 until 5 p.m. Log onto www.canadianchildrensopera.com
Indie Night in Canada, featuring 18 of Canada's Top Indie Bands, March 11, 6:30 p.m., on two stages at Big Bop Concert Hall (The Kathedral Nightclub and The Reverb Nightclub), 651 Queen St. W. Log onto www.myspace.com/indienightincanada
TORONTO THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
Alumnae Theatre Company, 70 Berkeley St., presents the 21st Annual New Ideas Festival, March 11-28. Since 1989, the New Ideas Festival has showcased never-before-produced short scripts, in an engaging mix of stories and styles. This annual juried festival also affords the audience an opportunity to give feedback to writers, directors and actors. Call 416-364-4170 or log onto alumnaetheatre.com
b current presents Wise Woman of Abyssinia Feb. 20 to March 8 at The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen St. W., (Queen and Dovercourt) on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. (weekday matinees also available for schools). By emerging playwright Rebecca Fisseha, a modern tale of relationships and self-discovery tangles with a revealing journey into the old world of an East African dynasty. b currenet is a not-for-profit arts company based in the heart of Toronto which supports works emerging from the Canadian and International Black Diaspora. Call 416-533-1500 or log onto www.bcurrent.ca
Baddogtheatre, 138 Danforth Ave, a teaching and performing improv mecca. Log onto baddogtheatre.com for shows.
Bloor West Village Players present Humble Boy by accomplished young playwright Charlotte Jones at The Village Playhouse, 2190E Bloor St. W., March 13 to April 4. When troubled young scientist Felix Humble returns to the Humble hive for the funeral of his beekeeper father, he finds he must come to terms with the forces affecting his personal life before he can resume his quest to understand the forces driving the universe. Log onto www.villageplayers.net or phone 416-767-7702.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., presents Dedicated to the Revolutions March 28 to April 12. Log onto www.artsexy.ca
The Canadian Stage Company presents Miss Julie: Freedom Summer Feb. 9 to March 7 at Bluma Appel Theatre; Black Bird March 9 to April 4 at Berkeley Street Theatre; and Shirley Valentine March 23 to April 18 at Bluma Appel Theatre. Log onto www.canstage.com
East Side Players presents Proof, a drama by David Auburn Feb. 19 to March 7 (no Monday or Tuesday shows) in the Papermill Theatre at Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Rd. For ticket and showtimes, log onto www.eastsideplayers.ca or 416-425-0917.
Entertainment by Demand presents Glory's Grace Feb. 21 to March 7 at Theatre Passe Muraille, Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Ave. Log onto www.entertainmentbydemand.com
Hart House Theatre presents Arcadia, March 6-14. Viewed as a pinnacle in Tom Stoppard's career, Arcadia explores the nature of truth in the writing of History, the conflict between classical and romantic thought, chaos theory in the classsroom and love as a private and/or public event. Complete U of T student cast. Log onto www.harthousetheatre.ca or phone 416-978-8849.
Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People presents The Forbidden Phoenix (grades 3-12) Feb. 5-March 11; the Emperor's New Threads (Preschool-Grade 5) March 15-27; Are We There Yet (grades 9-11) March 23-April 3, exclusively for schools; EARTH=home (Grades 7-12) March 31 to April 9. At Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front St. E. Log onto www.lktyp.ca
Native Earth Performing Arts presents Almighty Voice And His Wife March 28 to April 5 at Theatre Passe Muraille. Daniel David Moses' seminal play about the legendary 19th century Saskatchewan Cree, explores Almighty Voice as both accidental martyr and icon. Log onto www.nativeearth.ca or phone 416-531-1402.
Puppetmongers Theatre presents Foolish Tales For Foolish Times, designed for four to eight year olds, March 16 to 20, 2:30 p.m. matinees, at Puppetmongers' Studio, 401 Logan Ave. Log onto www.puppetmongers.com or call 416-469-3555.
Ryerson Theatre School, 43 Gerrard St. E., presents Choreographic Works March 4-14 and New Voices (a festival of brand new works by students in Ryerson Theatre School's acting and dance programs) March 24-29. Log onto www.ryersontheatre.ca or call 416-979-5118.
Scarborough Theatre Guild presents Kiss The Moon, Kiss the Sun by Scarborough raised author Norm Foster at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd., March 5 to 21.
The Second City's 0% Down, 100% Screwed in previews until official opening on March 11. Log on to www.secondcity.com or call 416-343-0011. Second City is located at 51 Mercer St.
Solar Stage Children's Theatre at 4950 Yonge St., The Madison Centre, presents Munsch Mischief Feb. 16-March 20 and Robin Hood March 28 and 29. At its the Studio space at The Village Playhouse, 2190 Bloor St. W. (1 1/2 blocks east of Runnymede), it presents The Adventures of Jillian Jiggs March 14 to 22. Log on to www.solarstage.on.ca or phone 416-368-8031.
Soulpepper Theatre Company presents Travesties Feb. 12-March 21 at Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill Street, Building 49. Log on to www.soulpepper.ca
Stage Centre Productions presents Anton Chekhov's The Seagull March 12 to 28 at Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Dr. Log onto www.stagecentreproductions.com or phone 416-299-5557.
Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., presents The Patient Hour Feb. 17 to March 29 and Another Home Invasion from March 18 (previews start March 12) to April 19. Log on to www.tarragontheatre.com or phone 416-536-5018.
TEATRON Toronto Jewish Theatre presents The Dybbuk, Feb. 25-March 8 at Leah Posluns Theatre at the Bathurst Jewish Jewish Community Centre, 4588 Bathurst St. Log onto www.teatrontheatre.com
Theatre @ York presents The Bewitched March 22 to 28. Log onto yorku.ca/finearts/theatre/Theatre@York
Theatre Smash, with the generous support of Theatre Passe Muraille, presents the mainstage debut of Layne Coleman's Tijuana Cure, a play about love, sex and cancer, starring Ieva Lucs at TPM's Backspace, March 10-28 (official opening March 11). Tickets are $17.50 - $22.50 (including service charge) and can be purchased in person at the Theatre Passe Muraille box office by calling 416-504-7529 or online at www.artsboxoffice.ca. For more information visit www.theatresmash.com
Toronto Dance Theatre remounts Chiasmata, nominated for a 2007 Dora Award for outstanding choreography, March 12 to 21 in the intimate Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester St. Log onto www.tdt.org
Toronto Irish Players presents A Skull in Connemara Feb. 19 to March 7 at the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St. Log onto torontoirishplayers.org or 416-440-2888.
Theatre Jones Roy presents Letters to my Grandma by two-time Dora Award winning actress and playwright Anusree Roy March 3-8 at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue (Queen and Bathurst streets) Letters to my Grandma reunites the creative team that brought Toronto one of NOW Magazine's Top 10 productions of 2008, Pyaasa, including Roy, director Thomas Morgan Jones, and lighting designer David DeGrow. Showtimes and ticket info through the Theatre Passe Muraille Box Office, www.artsboxoffice.ca, www.totix.ca
MISCELLANEOUS
AIDS Committee of Toronto presents SNAP! Sunday, March 1, its annual photographic fundraiser featuring a live auction of curated art, a silent auction, and photo competition at National Ballet School of Canada, 400 Jarvis St. (Carlton Street and Jarvis Street). For more information 416-340-8484 or log onto www.snap-toronto.com
Trinity Square Video presents Villains, an evening of new video works based on the idea of the "Villain", hosted by Keith Cole, Thursday, March 12, 8 p.m. at The Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave. Log onto www.trinitysquarevideo.com
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) at 6 Garamond Court (northeast of Ontario Science Centre at Don Mills and Eglinton) presents Haru Matsuri 2009 on March 7 and 8, noon to 5 p.m., a weekend filled with activities, entertainment and exhibits. This year's theme is Kimono. Log on to www.jccc.on.ca
Rub elbows and shoot the puck with some of the biggest names in Canadian sports at the Merry Go Round 5th Annual Mixer in support of the Kids, Cops and Computers Program on Wednesday, March 11, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hockey Hall of Fame, Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge St., (Concourse Level). Tickets are $250 each. Info and tickets at www.merrygoround.ca
Casa Loma Kid's Club 'Become a Knight' for ages 7-12 (children must be accompanied by an adult) March 21, 1-4 p.m. The above program includes a ticket to March Break show. Child $31, adult $17 at Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. Log onto www.casaloma.org
The Artist Project Toronto returns to the historic Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Rd., Exhibition Place., for its second annual exhibition and sale of contemporary fine art Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8. Discover the work of 150 of the best juried independent artists. Log on to www.theartistprojecttoronto.com for admission and times.
Free Form Patternmaking workshop/seminar with Lyn Carter presented by Textile Museum, 55 Centre Ave., March 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Log onto www.textilemuseum.ca
Nightwood Theatre presents its annual FemCab 2009 in honour of International Women's Day Thursday, March 5, Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. Log onto www.nightwoodtheatre.net
Comedian Ron James Mental As Anything Tour at Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St. (north of Queen Street), March 26 - April 4. For more information visit www.ronjames.ca
The Sculptors Society of Canada, 500 Church St., presents Hot Stuff Feb. 11 to March 6. More info at www.cansculpt.org or 416-533-0126.
Galerie Glendon Gallery, at York University's Glendon College campus, 2275 Bayview Ave., presents Josette Villeneuve's Un monde a raccommoder through to March 27. More info and gallery times at www.glendon.yorku.ca/gallery or 416-487-6721.