Bits and pieces about arts and culture events in the west-end neighbourhood known as the Junction Toronto, and about some cultural events coming up in the GTA. Hello and welcome to Our #JunctionTO Neighbourhood!
The Fine Arts Studio Program at Centennial College (Pape and Danforth) is an intensive, two year studio based course. It is well known for its hands-on, one on one approach to the creative process. Small classes, dedicated faculty and passionate students from across Ontario. Ask any of the students, and they will tell you It has earned its well deserved slogan as a place where you happily: "Get Your Hands Dirty".
Media about the Exhibition:
insidetoronto.com: College students get first taste of art life in real life "... Janet DiBernardo sits on the Fine Arts Studio Program Advisory Committee and said she didn't hesitate when its professor and co-ordinator David McClyment, also a local artist, asked if Latitude 44 would host the show. Last year, she spoke to Centennial College students in the program about how to get involved with professional galleries. ..." by Lisa Rainford, Mar 28, 2012
Please mark your calendars and get ready for the best showcase of documentary films in Toronto this year! Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, returns for its 19th annual edition from April 26 to May 6, 2012. Showcasing the best in Canadian and international documentary, Hot Docs will welcome filmmakers, industry delegates and audiences to Toronto for the 11-day event. This year’s Festival will screen 189 amazing docs from 51 countries.
World Showcase: Canadian Premiere
The Tundra Book: A Tale of Vukvukai, the Little Rock A stunning documentary about the lives of the seldom-seen Chukchi people.
Director: Aleksei Vakhrushev Producers: Aleksei Vakhrushev, Olga Savelyeva Cinematographer: Vyacheslav Makaryev Editor: Julia Trofimenko Official Website: Film Studio "High Latitudes Ltd" Russia, 2011, 105 min Language: Chukchi Russian with English subtitles
Stunning photography and sensitive direction captures the fascinating culture of Indigenous reindeer herders and their struggle for survival in Russia's Arctic Circle, one of the harshest, and most beautiful, environments in the world.
Director's Biography Alexey Vakhrushev was born in 1969 in Anadyr' (Chukotka). In 1996 graduated from VGIK (Institute of Cinematography). Since 2000 is a director and scriptwright at the TV Company "Ethno-Online". Member of the Russian Cinematographers' Union. Selected filmography: 1996 Birds of Naukan, 2001 Island, 2003 Treasure of Semen Dezhnev, 2004 Walrus Fang Chronicle, 2005 Hunters of Freezing Coasts, 2005–2007 People of the Bering Strait; Chuvan Treasure; Bone Coast of the North; Mist Travellers; Heirs of Taymyr Shamans; Images of Time, 2005–2008 Miracle Factory; Welcome to Enurmino!
Screenings: Sunday, Apr 29, 6:00 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 4
Tuesday, May 1, 1:00 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 4
It’s noon and -37C on Chukotka peninsula. A blistering wind slices across the tundra. In the magnificent landscape of Russia’s Arctic Circle, just across the Bering Strait from Alaska, 72-year-old patriarch Vukvukai leads his Indigenous Chukchi family in caring for their herd of 14,000 reindeer. Living in isolation except for their wind-up two-way radio and occasional visits from traders in tank-like snow vehicles, the family depends on their reindeer for food, shelter and clothing. Through the seasons, unflagging Vukvukai alternates between chuckling and barking orders at his sons and grandchildren, instilling in them the practical knowledge and spiritual traditions that have allowed the Chuckchi to survive for thousands of years in one of the harshest environments in the world. Subtly directed by Aleksei Vakrushev, an award-winning Inuk filmmaker from Chukotka, The Tundra Book provides a rare and stunning glimpse into a world still intertwined with the oldest rhythms of life. Gisèle Gordon
Courtesy of Scotiabank Students (with valid ID) and seniors (60+) can attend daytime screenings (screenings before 6 pm) for free. Same-day tickets are available at the participating venue one hour before the first screening of the day, subject to availability.
Enjoy and mark your calendar now for Hot Docs' showcase of global stories. See you there!
youtube.com: "The Tundra Book" Trailer Uploaded by HighLatitudesLTD on Jan 16, 2012
"The Tundra Book. A Tale of Vukvukai, the Little Rock" Feature Length Documentary by Aleksei Vakhrushev (2011, Russia, 105 min)
72 years have passed as deer herder Vukvukai lives in the depths of Chukotka. He is an old man full of energy and wisdom -- The Real Man of Tundra whose life can not be seen apart from the deer. His people take care of a huge herd -- over 14,000 deer. Their life is a non-stop struggle for survival and well-being in the most harsh weather conditions of Chaun-Chukotka. They deeply believe in the strength of tradition and so succeed in their struggle. The ancient culture of Nomadic Chukchi takes care of them, so they preserve and follow it. As far as it is now -- their realm remains stable. This is the Truth of Vukvukai.
Poster: The ... Musician, An Etude A New Play, Conceived and directed by Art Babayants Based on the novella by V. Korolenko March 29-April 1, 2012 at Robert Gill Theatre
Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies University of Toronto & Toronto Laboratory Theatre
p r e s e n t
The ... Musician An Etude
Conceived and directed by Art Babayants Based on the novella by V. Korolenko Scenography and lighting design by Paul Stoesser Co-conceived by the collective Featuring Kevin Kashani, Shelley Liebembuk, Didier Morelli and Art Babayants
March 29, 30*, 31* (Thu-Sat) at 8 pm – $ 10 April 1 (Sun) at 2 pm - PWYC
Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College St (St. George St. Entrance, 3rd floor)
Reservations: 416-978-7986
Based on a famous novella written by a 19th century Russian/Ukrainian writer, The ... Musician tells a powerful story of struggle, suffering and sacrifice as faced by one who is eternally robbed of an essential element of human experience.
Through a complex interplay of lighting, spoken text, physical gestures and live music, the show aims to challenge the audience’s perception by inviting the spectators to dive into a world where the most common signs of communication are perpetually concealed.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
* On March 30, 31 a talkback with the creators of the show will follow the performance.
First Impression: Couldn't We Be, Phoenix Theatre, Toronto A Play by Vladimir Milman; Directed by Art Babayants; Phoenix Cultural Diversity Theatre July 26-27, 2008; Palmerston Library Theatre; Toronto, ON, Canada by Anya
Poster: The Art of Life Community Health Centre together with Vasyl Popadiuk, violin virtuoso Present charity concert "Improvisation from the Heart" Saturday, March 24, 2012, 7:30 pm
World Music Fusion Improvisation from the Heart Charity Concert Supporting Gifted Children with Special Needs by violin virtuoso Vasyl Popadiuk Saturday, March 24, 2012 Time: 7:30 pm
For information & tickets call: 416-449-6747 or buy tickets online The Art of Life Community Health Centre 885 Don Mills Road, Suite # 121, Toronto Ontario www.theartlife.ca office@theartlife.ca Vasyl Popadiuk, extraordinary violinist admired throughout the world and known as "The Golden Violin", will partner with the Art of Life Community Health Center, a non-profit organization, to delight our hearts with beautiful music, raising funds for programs for gifted children with health issues.
Please join us and support this wonderful initiative and may the music of love always resonate in our world like the laughter of children.
"The voices of Nature filled his playing — the breath of the wind and the rustle of the forest, the plash of the river, and the vague murmurings that quiver and die in the distance; and, behind it all, that deep, heart-swelling emotion, so elusive of definition, that Nature's discourse arouses in the soul. " - V. Korolenko, The Blind Musician, An Etude Translated from the Russian by Helen Altschuler Progress Publishers, Moscow 1978
youtube.com: The best Speech - Severn Suzuki The original speech with music and visuals - Severn Cullis Suzuki - 1992 UN Earth Summit in Brazil Uploaded by be2212 on Aug 17, 2009
featuring a 3-course dinner Cuisine from 4 local restaurants served from 6 pm till 8 pm Silent Auction
or
$5 Admission after 8 pm Live Auction Cash Bar Local Live Music at 9 pm featuring
The McDales and The Groovies
A message from the Junction Residents' Association:
The Junction Residents Association is gearing up for our 3rd annual Function in the Junction, to be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012.
Once again, our event will be held at the Masonic Temple located on Annette Street, beside the Library.
Last year's sold-out event was a tremendous success in raising funds and bringing our community together for a good cause.
The goal of the Function in the Junction this year is to raise money to provide assistance to students for post-secondary education. All funds raised will be distributed among students from six local schools. Recipients will not necessarily be chosen on academic merit but on community involvement, volunteering and personal circumstances.
We will provide a three-course meal. Appetizer, main course and dessert for $45 a ticket. The menu will offer four choices for appetizer and main ( beef, chicken or vegetarian), and three dessert choices. Dinner will be served between 6 and 8 p.m .
There will be a silent auction for the dinner crowd and a live auction from 8 to 9 p.m. After 9, local musicians have offered to entertain us, and we'll wrap up at midnight.
Tickets are now on sale at our sponsors: Agora Cafe, 3015 Dundas St.W and Latitude 44, 2900 Dundas St.W. When purchasing tickets, customers will have the opportunity to choose their menu.
It was the only opportunity to attend a couple of CK performances (at 1:30 and 3:30 pm) in our city this season ($26.50 per the most expensive seat). CK is based in Chicago, Illinois. They are currently on tour showcasing other productions — Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Tchaikovsky Discovers America and Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery — across North America. If you are not familiar with this company (as was the case with us until the concert), I would highly recommend you to visit their website for more information: Overview: The Classical Kids LIVE! Theatrical Symphony Concert Series.
Our audience of all ages was treated to a splendid two-actor performance (directed and produced by Paul Pement), accompanied by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joshua Weilerstein with Patricia Krueger soloing on the piano.
Chris Petschler (as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) and Natalie Berg (as maestro’s son Karl Thomas Mozart), dressed in the 18th century era costumes, told the father-and-son relationship story through dialogue, dance and song under the multicoloured stage light palette.
Karl “hates” his boarding school and longs to be living at home, pleading with his great father to agree to it, fantasizing about their exciting touring life together. Wolfgang shares a few childhood memories with his son. Karl begins to realize how uneasy his great father’s life really is, involving both the pleasures and pressures of fame. He relives young Wolfgang’s concert visits to London, Rome and Paris. Then, father and son unite in playing roles of The Magic Flute characters. Eventually, Mozart Sr. agrees to Mozart Jr.’s wish in exchange for Karl’s promise to be a hardworking student rather than a mischievous loafer.
Indeed, the story is a wonderful lesson of compromise and mutual understanding to all fathers, sons and everyone concerned. It was quite heart-warming to hear the thunderous applause as the final chords sounded. Bravo to all who attended for dedicating their precious Saturday afternoon off work to something that makes us all, children and adults alike, better people.
P.S. Most certainly, the highlight of the show was the choral performance of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by both the actors and the audience.
Photo Collage: Come to the Junction - Beat the February Blues 2012 @ Junction BIA
Beat the February Blues
Throughout the month of February the Junction merchants are going to go wild with ideas to help you beat the blues!
Sales, events, promotions, pampering, blues bands, blue store windows, blue food... Look for the BLUE decal in store windows. Visit here often as the ideas are just starting to pour in.
Chicago Blues, Blue cheese, Blue hair dye, Blue nails, Blue suede shoes, Blue sweaters, Blueberry pie, Blue drink specials, Blue - ray discs, Blue Tortilla chips, Blue Tattoos, Blue Furniture, Blue Drapes, Blue dishes, Blue movies, books about the Blues, books with Blue covers, exercise programs to beat the Blues, Labbatt Blue, Blue Curacao, Pamper the blues away, Blueprints, Blue berry pancakes, acoustic Blues, Blue Jays tickets, once in a Blue moon, Blue upholstery, Blues records...
Poster: The Business of Art Conference Art Exhibition and Sale January 28, 2012 @ York University Credit: SIFE York
The Business of Art Conference
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012 Time: 9:30 am to 4 pm Location: Accolade East Building, York University Keele Street & Steels Avenue West, North York, ON M3J 2S5
Learn how to increase visibility and art sales, as well as build a community through connections with other artists, professionals, art galleries and organizations!
SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) York presents The Business of Art Conference - an exciting full-day conference filled with workshops, networking, activities, prizes and food!
Attendees will learn how to increase visibility and art sales, as well as build a community through connections with other artists, professionals, art galleries and organizations!
There will be an exclusive lunch networking session with galleries and organizations as well as a one-on-one personal consulting session with one of our guest speakers.
There are limited seats so register now to guarantee your seat (all registrants before January 21st will get an early bird discount code from Above Ground Art Supplies!)
Update: We've opened up At-The-Door payments in our eventbrite page under "Show Other Payment Options". (http://businessofart.eventbrite.com)
For those of you who thought you missed the deadline, don't worry! Due to high demand, we opened up more seats and also, the PAY-AT-THE-DOOR option (just click "show other payment options" on our eventbrite site).
We are excited to welcome galleries, organizations and many professional artists to the conference. It's going to be a fun, packed day so don't this miss amazing event!
Collage: Toronto Special Events: Winterl1ous Winterlicious 10 Annual January 27 - February 9, 2012 Aquila Restaurant & Junction Jazz Bar "Aquila Restaurant is a comfortable neighbourhood gem in the Junction that offers flavourful dining at affordable prices. Chef Jose Corniellis is passionate about food and most noted for for his ribs, smoked in-house using natural wood. " 347 Keele Street, Toronto, The Junction Image credits: toronto.ca/aquila-restaurant-prix-fixe + toronto.com/aquila-restaurant + facebook.com/aquila-restaurant
Winterlicious 2012 : Eat Local @ the Junction @ Aquila Restaurant
From January 27 to February 9 in its tenth delicious year of a city-wide celebration of Toronto's cuisine, Winterlicious again offers two popular programs - the three-course prix fixe restaurant promotion, plus, the culinary series events. But this is the first time when Aquila, an Italian restaurant in the Junction, is participating in this @LiciousTO festival.
Aquila Restaurant Prix Fixe Menu starter, entrée and dessert
$15 Lunch plus taxes and gratuity
Soup of the Day or House Salad or Caesar Salad ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Australian Lamb Shank Braised lamb shank slowly simmered in a sauce of fresh herbs, garlic, tomatoes and a red-wine Shiraz and then brushed with a mint demi-glaze; served with potatoes and fresh vegetables or Lemon Butter Salmon Grilled 6oz fresh salmon gently brushed with a lemon butter sauce and served with rice and fresh vegetables or Smoked Brisket 6oz of Aquila’s mouth-watering beef brisket, naturally smoked and gently baked in a chipotle red-wine tomato sauce; served with potatoes and fresh vegetables or Smoked Pork Ribs A half rack of pork back ribs, naturally smoked in-house with Aquila’s own BBQ sauce and served with fries and fresh vegetables ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Crème Brûlée or Chocolate Mousse or Tiramisu
$25 Dinner plus taxes and gratuity Soup of the Day or House Salad or Caesar Salad ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Striploin 8oz striploin with a peppercorn rub, seared to perfection on the grill and served with a Merlot demi-glaze, potatoes and fresh vegetables or Lemon Butter Salmon Grilled 8oz fresh salmon gently brushed with a lemon butter sauce and served with rice and fresh vegetables or Smoked Pork Ribs A full rack of pork back ribs, naturally smoked in-house with Aquila’s own BBQ sauce and served with fries and fresh vegetables or Beef Brisket 8oz of Aquila’s mouth-watering beef brisket, naturally smoked and then gently baked in a chipotle red-wine tomato sauce; served with potatoes and fresh vegetables ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Crème Brûlée or Chocolate Mousse or Tiramisu
Aquila Restaurant January 27th to Febuary 9th, 2012 Winterlicious Prix Fixe
Screenshot: Japanese Film Screenings in Toronto The Royal Cinema, December 8 - 10, 2011 Images from films: Shindo, Linda Linda Linda, The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones, Always Sunset on 3rd St. 2 Credit: jftor.org
Presented by The Japan Foundation & The Consulate-General of Japan
Japanese Film Screenings in Toronto
Thursday, December 8, 7 pm Shindo (Genius) (2007) Dir: Koji Hagiuda, PG, 120 min Starring: Riko Narumi, Ken'ichi Matsuyama and Satomi Tezuka
Friday, December 9, 7 pm Linda Linda Linda (2005) Dir. Nobuhiro Yamashita, PG,114 min Starring: Doona Bae, Aki Maeda, Yu Kashii, Shiori Sekine, Takayo Mimura, Masahiro Komoto
Saturday, December 10, 2:45 pm The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones (2009) Dir. Daisaku Kimura, PG, 140 min Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Teruyuki Kagawa, Toru Nakamura, Ryuhei Matsuda, Aoi Miyazaki, Koji Yakusho
Saturday, December 10, 6 pm Always Sunset on 3rd St. 2 (2007) Dir. Takashi Yamazaki, PG, 146 min Starring: Shin'ichi Hatori,Maki Horikita and Kazuki Koshimizu
Language: All films shown in Japanese with English subtitles
