SUBURBAN ARTS and CULTURE: JAN. 26 to Feb. 1

SUBURBAN ARTS and CULTURE: JAN. 26 to Feb. 1. The Pan-Asia Cultural Showcase takes place Jan. 26 from 7 to 11 p.m. displaying the local talents of Asian arts, ranging from music to film. Photo/COURTESY

THURSDAY, JAN. 26

Pan-Asia Cultural Showcase

The Pan-Asia Cultural Showcase takes place Jan. 26 from 7 to 11 p.m. celebrates diasporic culture by displaying local talents of Asian arts, ranging from music to film. The event invites you to explore the diversity and richness in Asian art forms. The event is a fundraiser for the INDePth Conference 2012 organized by PASS and a new academic journal launched by SADC. The Toronto Shinsedai Film Festival, Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs, Dr. David Chu Asia Pacific Studies and other local businesses are co-sponsors for the event. Professor Joseph Wong, Canadian Research Chair and the Director of Asian Institute will be present to give opening remarks. This is a PWYC event. Hart House Music Room, 7 Hart House Circle. Visit webapp.mcis.utoronto.ca/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=11542

Nature's Best

Photographer Gillian Zidner will have her work on display at a local exhibition opening Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Held at 1800 Weston Rd., one traffic light south of Lawrence Avenue West, the exhibition called 'Nature's Best' will feature more than 30 pieces by Zidner that embrace the beauty of nature.

The exhibition runs until Tuesday, Jan. 31. Weekday showings are from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and weekend showings are from 1 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Zidner at 416-249-3356 or Jackie Thomas at 416-551-1902.

Social Media Workshop

The focus this month for Scarborough Arts Meet Ups is a social media workshop, which takes place Jan. 26. Scarborough Arts is hosting a series of free creative community meet-ups for anybody who wants to join in. Join Scarborough Arts staff and volunteers for an informal workshop on social media, including Facebook and Twitter, on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1859 Kingston Rd. RSVP at programs@scarborougharts.com or 416 698-7322.

The Laramie Project

Encore Entertainment presents The Laramie Project Jan. 26 to Feb. 5. A deeply moving play that examines a real life crime in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. It is based on interviews with more than 200 residents of the town. All audiences are invited to meet with the cast and director to discuss this thought-provoking play after each performance. Performances: Jan. 26 to 28 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 31 to Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. Matinee: Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $33.75. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge St.

FRIDAY, JAN. 27

The Affections of May

Scarborough Theatre Guild presents The Affections of May, running until January 28 at the Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. General admission tickets are $18. For tickets and times, please call 416-267-9292 or visit www.theatrescarborough.com

Gellian Lai and Aileen Hill

Cedar Ridge Gallery features paintings by Gellian Lai and photography by Aileen Hill Jan. 15 to 27. Lai started working with traditional Chinese watercolour in 1990, and has since started to experiment with paints, colour and style. Her work is simple and full of vivid country flavor, featuring rocks, mountains, trees and old houses. Hill fell in love with photography several years ago while taking photos of her travels. Opening reception is Jan. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, 225 Confederation Dr. Visit crcc@toronto.ca or call 416-396-4026.

SATURDAY, JAN. 28

Scarborough Museum

Take it back to the 90s - the 1890s! See how the Victorians took advantage of the winter months as they traveled from party to party. Play party games, sample party treats, listen to popular music of the time period and have a grand time. Admission is by donation. Now on weekends throughout January from noon to 4 p.m. Visit www.toronto.ca/scarboroughmuseum

Silent Film Series

St. John's York Mills 9th Annual Silent Film Series kicks off Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. with Safety Last (70 minutes, 1923). It stars Harold Lloyd as a country boy who heads to the big city to seek success. While working as a clerk in a department store, he talks the manager into offering $1,000 to anyone who can bring more customers to the store. He then arranges for a friend to climb the face of the store building as a publicity stunt, but the "human fly" is a wanted man, and when the police show up, our hero must make the climb himself. At each ledge he encounters new difficulties, climaxing in the famous 'clock scene.' Live organ music by internationally renowned accompanist Bill O'Meara. Admission free, donations appreciated for charity. St. John's York Mills, 19 Don Ridge Dr. Visit www.stjohnsyorkmills.com or call 416-225-6611.

Moment

In this exhibition, curators Maria Iovino and Astrid Bastin pair the work of Colombian artist Beatriz Olano and Venezuelan artist Magdalena Fernandez. Olano's work broadens notions of structure, extending the confines of spaces where she situates her projects with minimum, precise traces. Fernandez recognizes the universal connection between geometry and nature, a trajectory she shares with Piet Mondrian and Helio Oiticica, among others. Moment articulates the ideas of Olano and Fernandez in a site-specific project at the Doris McCarthy Gallery. The exhibition continues to Jan. 28. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday noon to 5 p.m. Doris McCarthy Gallery, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail. Call 416-287-7007.

SUNDAY, JAN. 29

Dragon Year celebrations continue Sunday, Jan. 29, at Scarborough Civic Centre with craft-making, fortune-telling and a variety of Chinese dances at the Scarborough Civic Centre. Chi Ping Dance Group hosts the free event, which begins at 12:30 p.m. with activity booths showing visitors how to make new year decorations including lucky scrolls and nylon flowers. Two hours of ceremony and variety performances begin at 2 p.m. and feature a dragon dance by Chung Wah Kung Fu, blessings of the God of Fortune, the singing of Christina Chan and predictions by Feng Shui Master Paul Ng. The Scarborough Civic Centre is at 150 Borough Dr., just south of Scarborough Town Centre.

MONDAY, JAN. 30

Sherway Gardens' Gallery in the Garden: L-attitudes now on until Feb. 11. Sherway Gardens' current Gallery in the Garden exhibit entitled L-attitudes is an exhibition of works by artists Carole Braiden, Scott Cooper, Stan Zych and Louise Zych, who share a love of painting, a joy in colour and an enthusiasm for the landscape, both real and imaginary. Gallery hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall. Visit www.sherwaygardens.ca

CONTINUING

Cruel and Tender

Oscar-nominated director Atom Egoyan and celebrated actress Arsinée Khanjian collaborate for the first time on stage in Cruel and Tender, which is a provocative drama from Britain's foremost contemporary playwright, Martin Crimp, now playing until Feb. 18. Amelia eagerly waits for her husband to return from battle, but when he does she discovers that his motives for war are disturbingly personal. While desperately struggling to maintain the status quo, Amelia and her family must confront terrible revelations about her husband's actions in command of troops abroad. Performances: Evenings Monday to Saturday at 8 p.m.; Wednesday matinee at 1:30 p.m.; Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets $22 and up. For ages 16+, mature themes, strong language and violence. Bluma Appel Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. Call 416-368-3110.

VOLUNTEERS

The North York Concert Orchestra is looking for volunteers. Helpers are needed for front of house duties, set up and overseeing of refreshments for concerts taking place Jan. 29, March 31 and June 2. All concerts will be held at the Centre for the Arts at St. Michael's College School, 1515 Bathurst St., north of St. Clair Avenue. Along with concert help, the orchestra needs volunteers to become involved with board activities and assisting with other projects on behalf of the orchestra. For information, email volunteers@nyco.on.ca or call 416-628-9195.