East York Mirror
The dog days of summer are here and a perfect way to further indulge in the weather is to listen to cool music or watch a movie or theatre performance under the stars. This week, Guild Festival Theatre announces its first season of classical theatre with an open-air rendition of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard opening July 7. And Sunday Serenades start at Mel Lastman Square and features swing, big band and jazz acts. Step into your community and experience the local arts scene with these events.
THURSDAY, JULY 7
Toronto Botanical Garden persents The Edwards Summer Music Series: Gardens of Song until Aug. 18. Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the show will feature some of the city's musicians and dancers. Hosting duties for the evenings will alternate between Murray Foster, of Moxy Früvous and Great Big Sea, and Errol Nazareth, a regular on CBC Radio and a columnist. Free admission and parking. Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. Visit www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca for details.
This week: Ladies of the Canyon
Artsu Matsuri
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) and the JCCC Heritage Committee presents an open exhibition and sale celebrating Japanese Canadian art until July 24. Opening reception is tonight at 7 p.m. Featuring shoyu-weiners and barbecue treats. Meet the artists. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Ct. Call 416-441-2345.
Jenny's House of Joy
Presented by Scarborough Players presents Jenny's House of Joy opens tonight. The time - 1871. The place - a whorehouse in the cattle town of Baxter Springs, Kansas. Welcome to Jenny's House of Joy. It's business as usual for Jenny and her women until Natalie shows up on the doorstep to ask for employment. How can an educated and innocent young thing like Natalie keep customers of the world's oldest profession happy? Cat fights and comedic one liners fly when the women of the house take Natalie under their wing, only to find she may not be as helpless as they thought. These professionals are feisty, sexy and about to learn a few new tricks of the trade. ADVISORY: Contains mature content. Performances: July 8 and 9; July 14 to 16, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. Matinee: July 17 and 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets: Adults $17; seniors and students $14. Post-show cast talk sessions: July 17 and 21.
Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. Call 416-267-9292. Visit www.theatrescarborough.com
The Cherry Orchard
Guild Festival Theatre announces its first season of classical theatre with an open-air rendition of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard opening tonight. This story of a family faced with the ultimatum of having to auction off their beloved country home in the face of social upheaval and commercial exploitation. Directed by Guild Festival Theatre founding artistic director Sten Eirik. Guild Inn Gardens, Greek Theatre, 201 Guildwood Pkwy. Wednesday to Sunday at 8 p.m., matinees Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: $20. Those aged 12 and under are free. Box office, 416-392-1421. Visit www.guildfestivaltheatre.ca
FRIDAY, JULY 8
9 TO 5: The musical
Dancap Productions Inc. presents 9 TO 5: The musical until July 10. It's a hilarious workplace comedy about friendship, revenge and a scheming secretarial pool who get even with their sexist, egotistical, hypocritical and bigoted boss. Features 12 new songs written by Dolly Parton. Stars Dee Hoty as Violet (Footloose), Texas-born Mamie Parris as Judy (Legally Blonde the Musical) and American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo as Doralee. Various dates and times. Tickets start from $41. Visit www.9to5TheMusical.com or call 416-644-3665. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St.
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (TOAE), which runs July 8 to 10 in Nathan Phillips Square, is a juried showcase featuring contemporary fine art and craft. As the largest outdoor art exhibition in Canada, Established artists, undiscovered talents and innovative students sell their work while making lasting connections with art dealers and collectors. Visit www.torontooutdoorart.org
Downsview Park
Movies Under the Stars
Enjoy a great movie under the stars when the sun sets on Friday nights in July. Bring your chairs and blankets. Admission is free. Indoor rain location. Movies subject to change without notice. Opening the season is Shrek Forever After. Downsview Park, 1-35 Downsview Park, Carl Hall Rd. Call 416-952-2222.
SATURDAY, JULY 9
Afrofest
Afrofest, which runs July 9 and 10 at Queen's Park, is a showcase of the richness and diversity of African culture. It's an event of song, dance and drumming featuring world-renowned African music acts and many top rated African music groups based in Canada. With a bustling African marketplace, food and craft vendors, artistic displays, a children's village, a drum stage, music workshops and organized activities for youth and children. Music acts include the legendary Thomas Mapfumo (the Lion of Zimbabwe), African Guitar Summit, Dizu Plaatjies and Ibuyambo (South Africa), Femi Abosede and Culture Force (Nigeria), The Tich Maredza Band (Zimbabwe), Anastasio and Zalang Band (Equatorial Guinea), Ruth Mathiang (Sudan), and Zekuhl (Cameroon). Visit www.musicafrica.org
The Superstars of Comedy
The Superstars of Comedy return to the Comedy Bar on Bloor Street West at Ossington Avenue tonight at 9:30 p.m. after two previous soldout shows. Features: Pat MacDonald, a Bloor Street West and Lansdowne Avenue area resident; Bloor West area resident Danny Polishchuk, a familiar face at Yuk Yuk's chain of comedy clubs; Mike Rita, born and raised in Bloor and Lansdowne area, the recipient of the 2010 Cream of Comedy Award and headliner Ron Josol, who's recently performed with Russell Peters. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door and are available by phone at 416-551-6540 or online at www.comedybar.ca. The Comedy Bar can be found at 945 Bloor St. W.
Natsu Matsuri and Bon Odori Festival
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre hosts its annual Natsu Matsuri and Bon Odori Festival, local version of one of the most significant festivals in Japan. Performance of more than 100 yukata-clad dancers at 7 p.m. Vendors, children's games and more from 3 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. Family friendly. Weather permitting the event takes place outside or in the Kobayashi Hall. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Ct. Call 416-441-2345.
Black Creek Pioneer Village - special performances
Black Creek Pioneer Village presents special performances of timeless tales and popular children's stories throughout the month. Performance begins at noon. Today: Storyteller Bernice Gei- Ying Hune shares the story of The Magic Paintbrush. See traditional Chinese paintbrushes like the one in the story and use other brushes to paint with water. Then listen to Bernice tell the story of Lon Po Po, a Little Red Riding Hood story from China. Tickets: Adult $15; children (five to 15) $11. Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy. Call 416 736-1733.
Salsa on St. Clair
LN Telelatino, the Hillcrest Village BIA and the City of Toronto once again join forces to present Canada's largest Latino-themed festival, which wraps up the Latino week in Toronto. Salsa on St. Clair, which runs July 9 and 10, has attracted more than 1.5 million salsa lovers to the streets of Toronto since its launch in 2005. Join in on the parade of fun as midtown Toronto's Hillcrest Village, between Winona Drive and Christie Street will be transformed into a showcase of Latin life. Visit www.tlntv.com/salsa
SUNDAY, JULY 10
Sunday Serenades
Sunday Serenades at Mel Lastman Square features the swing, big band and jazz acts Sunday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Starting tonight until Aug. 21. Admission is free. Opening the season is Stiletto featuring June Garber. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Sunday Scene: Jennifer Marman&Daniel Borins
Every Sunday, speakers from the world of art and beyond offer their responses to the current exhibitions at The Power Plant. Whether focusing on a single work/artist or on multiple exhibitions, guest presenters draw provocative connections between our programs and broader cultural and intellectual debates. Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins practice sculpture, installation and media art. Both graduates of OCAD, their work is in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, York University, the City of Toronto and the University of Toronto. The Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay W., 2 p.m. Visit www.thepowerplant.org for details.
MONDAY, JULY 11
Willowdale Group of Artists Summer Art Show
This is your final chance to catch Willowdale Group of Artists Summer Art Show at Todmorden Mills Papermill Gallery. Hours: Tuesay to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends noon to 5 p.m. Todmorden Mills, Papermill Gallery, 67 Pottery Rd.
TUESDAY, JULY 12
Fringe Festival
The Fringe Festival, which is now on until July 17, is Toronto's largest theatre and performance festival. Featured are more than 140 productions at more than 25 venues across the west end of Toronto, drawing more than 70,000 people over 12 days each year. Visit www.fringetoronto.com
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13
TIFF in the Park
The Toronto Entertainment District BIA, together with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), hosts free outdoor movie series screened at David Pecaut Square (formerly Metro Square) Wednesdays until Aug. 31. Each film will begin around sunset (about 9 p.m. in July; 8:30 p.m. in August), and will be signaled by a spectacular "gold" light show on the CN Tower. July 13: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Catherine Deneuve stars in Jacques Demy's delightful musical romance.
ONGOING
Fellini: The Dolce Vita Years
The Joseph D. Carrier Gallery presents Fellini: The Dolce Vita Years, a photography exhibit in partnership with TIFF now on until Sept. 18. Fellini, one of the world's most renowned directors, was obsessed with celebrity culture - and introduced the paparazzi to the world. The exhibit features images taken of Fellini's works as well as those inspired by his genius. Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. W.
The Art Show
Art For All Canada, which is a not-for-profit organization, helps artists to show and market their works to the public without commissions. The Art Show is daily from 12:30 to 10 p.m. in the foyer. Featuring: Blake Peterson, painter: abstract realism life paintings; Lesha Kokosky, painter: floral abstract realism in wax/oil and watermedia; Mohsen (Mo) Rifaat, painter: local scenes of landscapes and cityscapes in watercolour; Nandor Horthy, painter: realistic elements with an abstracted view of reality in oil. Rainbow Market Square Cinema Gallery, 80 Front Street E. Every month a different group of artists - the ever changing art show.
Sunday Serenades
Toronto parks, forestry and recreation invites you to its Sunday Serenades concert series Sundays throughout the year from 2 to 4 p.m. Performers include local bands and musicians. Performances: July 10: Rene Barda; July 17: Bohemian Swing Band; July 24: Dcat Chorus; July 31: No concert due to civic holiday. Admission is free. The Scarborough Civic Centre rotunda, 150 Borough Dr.
BlackCreek Summer Music Festival
Throughout the summer the BlackCreek Summer Music Festival is hosting concerts featuring symphonic, pop, opera, jazz, Broadway, country and gospel music. Artists include Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, John Fogerty and The Levon Helm Band, Pink Martini and Chris Botti, The London Symphony Orchestra, conductors Lorin Maazel and Marvin Hamlisch, classical concerts featuring spoken performances by Dame Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons, iconic country artists Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson, and more. Tickets are now on sale. Call 1-888-860-7888 or visit www.blackcreekfestival.com