NOW_2013-12-26

FREE EVERYTHING TORONTO. EVERY WEEK. DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1, 2014 • ISSUE 1666 VOL. 33 NO. 17 MORE ONLINE DAILY @ nowtoronto.com 32 INDEPENDENT YEARS

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

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NOW december 26 2013 - January 1 2014

3

CONTENTS

Cover illustration by Ralph Steadman

See story, page 8.

10 NEWS

TUE, DEC 31 2013 7:30PM • MH

10 The Year of Living Rob Ford From Crackgate to whether or not he gets enough pussy to eat at home, 50 halftruths and outright lies that took Toronto on a mind-bending journey

JEREMY HOTZ Starring JESSICA KIRSON & MIKE MACDONALD Also Featuring: JOHN HASTINGS, GRAHAM KAY, DAVE MERHEJE, DARCY MICHAEL, ALEX PAVONE, CHRISTINA WALKINSHAW And The Musical Stylings Of JAYMZ BEE & BONZAI SUZUKI

CALL 416-872-4255 masseyhall.com I roythomson.com

4

DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014 NOW

SoundboardTO SOUNDBOARD.CA

SoundboardTO

24 DAILY EVENTS 27 LIFE&STYLE

27 Astrology 28 Top 10 fashion Workers’ rights in South Asia and eco-beauty items got the most traction in 2013

30 FOOD&DRINK

30 Top 10 restos Chantecler tops the list, with Bar Isabel close behind 32 Drink up! Top 10 drinks trends of 2013 G

Hosted By

into the darker recesses of Rob Ford’s headspace in 2013 26 RIP Lou Reed, Peter O’Toole and Stompin’ Tom were among the luminaries lost in 2013

Contact NOW

189 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1Y7, tel 416-364-1300.

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

EDITOR/CEO

GENERAL MANAGER

Michael Hollett

Alice Klein

Pam Stephen

Editorial

Entertainment Administrator Desiree D’Lima

Marketing/Advertising Sales

Art

Phone 416-364-1300 X381 or email advertising@nowtoronto.com Director, Display Advertising Sales Gary Olesinski Research Analyst/Sales Operations Manager Rhonda Loubert Senior Marketing Executives Bill Malcolm, Janice Copeland, Barbara Hefler, Jennifer Hudson Marketing Representatives Meaghan Brophy, Bonte Minnema, Briony Douglas, David Kennedy Marketing Coordinators Joanne Begg, Stacy Reardon, Jane Stockwell

Senior News Editor Ellie Kirzner Senior Entertainment Editor Susan G. Cole Associate Entertainment Editor/Stage & Film Glenn Sumi Associate News Editor Enzo DiMatteo Food Editor Steven Davey Music Editor Julia LeConte Fashion and Design Writer Sabrina Maddeaux Senior Writers Jon Kaplan (Theatre), Norman Wilner (Film) On-line News Writer Ben Spurr Staff News Writer Jonathan Goldsbie Entertainment/Music Contributer Carla Gillis Contributors Elizabeth Bromstein, Andrew Dowler, Sarah Parniak, David Jager, Robert Priest, Wayne Roberts, Adria Vasil Copy Editing/Proofreading Francie Wyland, Fran Schechter, Julia Hoecke, Katarina Ristic, Lesley McAllister

VP, Creative Director Troy Beyer Art Director Stephen Chester Graphic/Web Designer Michelle Wong Photo Coordinator Jeanette Forsythe

Production Director Of Production/IT Greg Lockhart Production Supervisor Sharon Arnott Assistant Production Supervisor Jay Dart Designers Ted Smith, Donna Parrish (Editorial), Clayton Hanmer, Monica Miller Publishing Systems Manager Rudi Garcia Publishing Technology Jason Bartlett

nowtoronto.com Online Editor John Semley Interactive Producer Leah Herrera Web/Mobile Developer Adner Francisco

Classifieds Sales Phone 416-364-3444 or email classifieds@nowtoronto.com

Adult Classifieds Sales Phone 416-364-1500

DECEMBER 26 – JANUARY 1

ONLINE This week’s top five most-read posts on nowtoronto.com

33 MUSIC

Top 10 concerts of 2013 Top 10 albums of 2013 Top 10 local albums of 2013 Michael Hollett’s top 10 albums of 2013

D

33 34 36 37

Julia LeConte’s top 10 albums of 2013 Carla Gillis’s top 10 albums of 2013 Benjamin Boles’s top 10 albums of 2013 38 Club and concert listings

43 NEW YEAR’S GUIDE 43 Party planner Use NOW’s comprehensive guide to plan how you’ll say hi to 2014

46 STAGE

46 Top 10 theatre productions The Gay Heritage Project tops list 47 Top 10 theatre artists Tom Rooney takes centre stage

48 Top 10 comedy shows Gavin Crawford gets the biggest laughs 49 Top 5 dance shows Nijinsky, Benjamin Kamino and William Yong moved us; Theatre listings 50 Comedy/Dance listings

G

50 BOOKS

Top 10 reads The Orenda was 2013’s best book

1. Bad Santa Jonathan Goldsbie on observing the Fords on their home turf: at their Christmas party.

2. Defamer Rob Ford apologizes to Daniel Dale. For real this time.

3. Thumbs down We look at the worst piece-of-trash movies of the year. So if you haven’t read enough about stuff like The Internship and R.I.P.D., well, then, you’re in luck, buster!

4. Burger king At the new P&L Burger, veteran Hogtown chef Matty Matheson serves up the city’s best patty.

5. Stiller’s Secret Talking to Secret Life Of Walter Mitty star/director Ben Stiller.

Coming this week

NOWTube Best Of We round up some of the most memorable moments we caught on video this year.

51 ART

THE WEEK IN TWEETS

Top 10 shows Ai Weiwei’s was the best of 2013; Must-see galleries and museums

Late last week the mayor signed some more bobbleheads. And just in time for Christmas!

52 MOVIES

“I can’t express how much I hope Santa brings me a #robbiebobbie for Christmas. Oh, the fun we’d have….”

G

52 Top 10 movies Gravity , The Act Of Killing and Blue Is The Warmest Color top our critics’ best lists 57 Playing this week 60 Film times 62 Indie & rep listings Plus The Visitor at TIFF Bell Lightbox

@NICKVALENTINO.

“Very impressed my dad has waited in line at TO city hall since 9am for a Rob Ford bobblehead! #RobbieBobbie” @NICOLAFEROX

FOLLOW NOW ON TWITTER @NOWTORONTO

63 CLASSIFIED 63 63 64

Crossword Employment Rentals/real estate

65 78

NOW ON THE MOVE

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Controller Joe Reel Human Resources Manager Beverly Williams Office Manager Brenda Marshall Credit Manager Ray Coules Payables Coordinator Sigcino Moyo Credit Department Richard Seow, Rui Madureira Accounting Assistant Loga Udayakumar Courier Tim McGregor Reception Amy Mech, Janet Hinkle

Executive Assistant To Editor/CEO And General Manager Scott Nisbet Assistant To Editor/Publisher Bryan Almas

NOW is Toronto’s weekly news and entertainment voice, published every Thursday. Entire contents are © 2013 by NOW Communications Inc. NOW and NOW Magazine and the NOW design are protected through trademark registration.

NOW is available free of charge in the city of Toronto and selected locations throughout the GTA, limited to one copy per reader. NOW may be distributed only by NOW Communications’ authorized distributors or news agents.

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Promotions and Communications Manager Jules Hollett Promotions Administrator Mary-Margaret Love

Circulation Supervisor Jill Mather Circulation Assistant Tim Vesely Drivers Ron Duffy, Jennifer Gillmor, Conny Nowe, Dean Crawford, Paul Dakota, Roger Singh, Patrick Slimmon, Chris Malcolm, Jason Paris Hoppers Rachel Melas, Lucas Martin, Steve Godbout, Jason Gallop, Ernesto Savini, Scott Bradshaw

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NOW DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014

5

December 26 - January 9 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

26

27

­ eunited noise rock two-piece R plays Danforth Music Hall.

Doors 8 pm, all ages. $33.50$51. RT, SS, TM. tea at the palace Popular puppeteers Ann and David Powell’s show (for ages five and up) intertwines two medieval Russian folktales. At Tarragon Extra Space to Dec 29. 2 pm. $20-$25. 416-531-1827.

music fest of five bands for five bucks over five nights continues, with Alvvays, Solids, Luka and others. Drake Underground. Doors 7 pm. $5. To Dec 30. 416-531-5042. elizabeth-darcy This twoperson­adaptation of Jane Austen’s­Pride And Prejudice runs to Dec 29 at Campbell House. 2 and 8 pm. $20. totix.ca.

Robert Delauney, Red Eiffel Tower

Death From Above 1979

ROUGE PARK HOLIDAY GUIDED

Indie folkies Wooden Sky play a funder for Daily Bread Food Bank, Dec 29

Andria Simone performs, Dec 30

29

30

31

1

The indie folk bands play a fundraiser for the Daily Bread Food Bank. 918 Bathurst.

Doors 7:30 pm. $20 and nonperishable food item. RT, SB, SS. venus in fur Canadian Stage’s hit production of the sexy two-hander about a playwright looking for his leading lady closes today at the intimate Berkeley Street ­Theatre. 1 pm. $29-$59. 416-368-3110.

hosts the soul singer’s It’s New Year’s Eve... Somewhere show.

8:30 pm. $10-$12. HR. WEATHER THE WEATHER Last chance to see Haley McGee’s new all-ages play about getting home for the holidays at ­Evergreen Brick Works. 8 pm. $12.50-$32. 416-504-7529.

the rollicking twang-rockers.

At the Horseshoe. 11:15 pm and 1:15 am. $25. RT, SS, TF. once Spend New Year’s Eve with this Tony Award-winning musical about a Dublin busker and a Czech emigrée. 2 and 8 pm. To Jan 5 at the Royal ­Alexandra. $35-$130.

416-872-1212.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH JD Clymaxxx, Fathead and others perform, with skating, interactive curling and more. 8 pm.

Free. Nathan Phillips Square, Queen and Bay. ­toronto.ca.

frigid lake and raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Noon.

Donation. Sunnyside Beach. ­torontopolarbear.com. +the visitor Giulio Paradisi’s cult horror classic starring Lance Henriksen, Shelley ­Winters, Franco Nero and even directors John Huston and Sam Peckinpah continues its run at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. 9:30 pm. $13. 416-599-TIFF.

6

7

running music series rings in the new year w/ hot up-andcomers Hiawatha, Luka, Our Founders, Donlands & ­Mortimer and Tasseo. Drake Underground. Doors 9 pm.

Free. 416-531-5042.

See early 20th century art from the NYC gallery’s permanent collection – Kandinsky, ­Chagall, Duchamp and more – to Mar 2. $16.50-$25. 416979-6648, ago.net.

AGO shows Guggenheim hits, Jan 7

The Wooden Sky/Nick Ferrio

5

the musical of musicals, the musical! The musical told in the individual styles of five well-known ­composers closes at the Panasonic. 2 and 7 pm. $19-$79. 416-872-1212.

Toronto Does Toronto 3

Ryan Driver, Lisa Bozikovic, ­Simone Schmidt, Thom Gill and Chris Cummings play this pwyc event. Holy Oak. 9 pm.

647-838-2580.

Andria Simone Hugh’s Room

Elvis Monday The long-­

The Sadies Ring in 2014 with

GUGGENHEIM MASTERPIECes

Polar bear DIP Wade into the

WALKS Wintry outdoor tours of the park to Jan 1. D ­ etails at ­rougepark.com/hike.

2

FIRST THURSDAYs The AGO teams up with the Long Winter crew for an artist bazaar, artist interviews, sets by DJ ­Stelmanis, Snowblink and more. 7 pm, $12-$15. ago.net.

8

9

i­ndie theatre kicks off tonight at the Factory Theatre. $10$15. 416-966-1062.

Joe Sealy Trio The jazz pianist performs W ­ inter Reflections at the Four Seasons ­Centre. 5:30 pm. Free. coc.ca.

group art show celebrates school libraries, at the n ­ ew downtown Koffler Gallery, to Jan 19. Free. 647-925-0643.

This Mess The local SST-style punk rock band plays the Silver Dollar with Tight Nuns and Practice Wife. 9 pm. $5. 416975-0909.

NEXT STAGE THEATRE FESTIVAL he 10-play, 12-day fest of T

What’s In The Box The annual

28

Ensemble Polaris Arctic

f­ usion ensemble performs Definitely Not The Nutcracker.

918 Bathurst. 7:30 pm. $10$20. e ­ nsemblepolaris.com. parfumerie The beloved play about two bickering shop clerks who are u ­ nknowingly corresponding with each other closes today at the Young ­Centre. 1:30 and 7:30 pm. $51$68. 416-866-8666.

FILIPINO MONSOON BENeFIT CONCERT Performances by

Truth Panel, Prior Convictions and Innocent Guns. 8:30 pm. $6. Silver Dollar. 416-975-0909.

3

the little mermaid: ­ontario’s o-fish-al family musical Ross Petty’s holiday

panto continues at the Elgin until Jan 4. 2 and 7 pm. $27$85. 1-855-599-9090.

Torro Torro The contemporary party music duo plays the Hoxton. Doors 10 pm. $15. TW.

4

THE NUTCRACKER Enjoy a ­ atinee on the last day of the m National Ballet of Canada’s sumptuous prod­uction of the seasonal classic. 1 and 5:30 pm. $25-$165. Four Seasons ­Centre. 416-345-9595.

TORONTO GAYMERS JANUARY

SOCIAL Video, board and t­ abletop games. 1-9 pm. Free. ­Marquis of Granby. facebook/­ torontogaymers.

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We’re In The Library Savvy

Ticket Index • CB – Circus Books And Music • HMR – Hits & Misses Records • HS – Horseshoe • LN – Live Nation • MA – Moog Audio • PDR – Play De Record • R9 – Red9ine Tattoos • RCM – Royal Conservatory Of Music • RT – Rotate This

• RTH – Roy Thomson Hall/Glenn Gould/Massey Hall • SC – Sony Centre For The Performing Arts • SS – Soundscapes • TCA – Toronto Centre For The Arts • TM – Ticketmaster • TMA – Ticketmaster Artsline • TW – TicketWeb

• UE – Union Events • UR – Rogers UR Music • WT – Want Tickets

Saturday

Hot Tickets Live Music Movies theatre Comedy Dance Galleries Daily events + = feature inside

38 38 57 49 50 50 51 24

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Celebrating the best in Canadian cinema.

10 days. 10 films.$10 a ticket.

The words of the great, dearly departed godfather of gonzo journalism, Hunter S. Thompson, come to mind recalling the crazy year that was 2013 in this city. And it seems all the “batshit” craziness, to quote the great man, comes from our crack-smoking, apology-faking, gangsta-lovin’, senior-citizen-shoving, murder-threatening, lying mayor-in-name-only Rob Ford.

Seeking a cover image that would capture this wild year, we have turned to Thompson’s right-hand man, his graphic collaborator in all of the Fear And Loathing madness and one of the greatest illustrators of his time: Ralph Steadman.

As iconic as Andy Warhol or Banksy, Steadman’s take on the batshit craziness that is Rob Ford seemed meant to be – and clearly it was.

“As I drew him, Rob Ford began to

Tickets on sale now at tiff.net/topten TIFF prefers Visa.

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DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014 NOW

Toronto International Film Festival Inc.

2013

T H E �Y E A R� IN �R E V IE W

ences described by Scheier, growing up Jewish in a Marxist home in downtown Toronto was certainly entertaining as well as confusing.

Thanks for bringing some of those memories back.

David L. Shanoff

email letters@nowtoronto.com Next time ask the poor about poverty

I want to thank Dan Mossip-Balkwill for elucidating the plight of the poor in My Food Bank Diet Challenge (NOW, December 19-25). Welcome to my world.

But I have to say I am extremely tired of people of means experimenting with poverty and actually thinking they know how we feel. You do not.

I’m happy Mossip-Balkwill feels angry on my behalf, but I’m more than able to articulate my own anger.

Yes, you want to inspire others to action, a laudable goal. But just once I would love to hear the words of someone actually living in poverty.

Thanks for trying, but next time ask one of us.

S HM

“Another over-50 white guy?”

January 3–12, 2014

O. EVERY WEEK. EVERYTHING TORONT 1, 2013 • ISSUE 1666 VOL. 33 NO. 17 DECEMBER 26-JANUARY @ nowtoronto.com MORE ONLINE DAILY 32 INDEPENDENT YEARS

That’s what people say. The only problem with Blundstone boots is that they never seem to wear out. Oh, people try. But after a few years of kicking the bejeez out of them, they’re more comfortable than ever and still going strong. Expensive?

Nope, they get cheaper by the day.

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Fear and Loathing in Toronto?

Toronto

Glenn Sumi’s review of Glen Foster (NOW, December 19-15) is pathetic. It says a lot about Sumi, with racist at the top of the list.

“Another over-50 white guy”?

Brampton? Peterborough? Really? I bet if someone dared to use “Asian” in the same context, you’d scream like a wounded weasel.

To write for such a shit rag says something about you to begin with, but to reach so far to take yet another shot at Mayor Rob Ford through a very funny and decent

man like Foster is disgusting.

A review is one thing. But your method of attack is so typical of NOW Magazine, it’s nauseating.

Fred Patterson Toronto

Christ-mass confusion

As a “red diaper baby,” I thoroughly enjoyed Jacob Scheier’s No Christian Conversion (NOW, December 19-25).

Although I didn’t have all the experi-

A Fordian Xmas

Toronto

Jonathan Goldsbie is a writer. Why wouldn’t he go to the mayor’s family Christmas party (NOW, December 19-25)? His was a good piece except for the backpedalling about being there.

Michael Boughn From nowtoronto.com

Nelson Mandela never wanted to be a saint

The canonization of Nelson Mandela that has rapidly followed his death

“ In a country that cherishes universal health care and public education, there is no reason not to have food security.”

And food justice for all, one meal at a time

The Stop is truly delighted to have been selected by you as best food group in Toronto in the NOW Readers Poll (NOW, November 7-13) – especially in the inaugural year of this category. Better still is having been nominated alongside such excellent organizations as FoodShare, Afri-Can FoodBasket and Not Far from the Tree.

Good food is everything to us. We use it to build community and good health and to connect with people across the city.

At The Stop, we grow, cook and eat together as a community of people who want to make change – one good meal at a time.

We are grateful to be supported in our work by food champions across the city: restaurants, chefs, farmers and many others who are committed to a better Toronto, more healthy food for everyone, support for local farmers and sustainable and equitable systems.

In a country that cherishes universal health care and public education, there is no reason not to have food security as one of our essential social policies. Let’s celebrate food – through food justice. Let’s make the city we want, for all of us.

Rachel Gray Executive Director The Stop Community Food Centre

look more and more like a pig – quite naturally,” Steadman says about the image. “I was thinking big – and what rhymes with big? I wasn’t trying to be rude. And I did put in the CN Tower.”

I got to spend some quality time with Steadman and his family during TIFF this year. The mega-talented British artist was in Toronto to support an excellent documentary about him, For No Good Reason, narrated by super-fan Johnny Depp.

A delightful, solid family man now in his late 70s, Steadman has lost none of the fire and frenzy that has fuelled his magnificent work for decades. And he made it clear he was up for collaborating with NOW. Little did I know a perfect assignment for him was creating itself as our mayor madly self-destructed in front of the world, his absurd antics car-wreck-compelling to a horrified planet too fascinated to look away.

Ford has all the Thompson/Steadman gonzo elements: drugs, violence, lies and lunacy. And we think Steadman nailed it. Enjoy.

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Doug Ford plays media like Liberace

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The news scrum captures the real essence of how delusional even the most regular Everyguy can be if he’s not careful.

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NOW DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014

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news

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“ I do not use crack nor am I an addict of crack cocaine. As for a video, I cannot comment on a video that I have never seen or does not exist.

Lucas Oleniuk/GETSTOCK

”

10

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

May 24

w

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2i 013 n r ie ev

“The exhibit gets inside of you.”

LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS

“Homegrown director gets a bloody good tribute.”

NOW MAGAZINE

“... most ambitious, and certainly most grotesque.”

TORONTO LIFE

“It is a sterling example of how interesting such an exhibit could and should be.”

PRETTY CLEVER FILMS

The year of living Rob Ford

PRESENTS

The world-renowned director of The Fly, Dead Ringers, and A History of Violence.

DAVID CRONENBERG

2013’s 50 most outlandish Ford Quotes

They’re mostly lies, but they speak the strange truth about the narcissist mayor who took ­Toronto on a mind-bending journey into his cult of personality Compiled by Enzo DiMatteo and Ellie Kirzner,

MAJOR EXHIBITION | FILMS | GUESTS ON NOW UNTIL JAN 19 TIFF.NET/CRONENBERG #CronenbergEvolution Tickets on sale now.

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with files from Ben Spurr and Jonathan Goldsbie

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Need some advice?

>>

Find out what’s written in the stars, page 27.

Rob Brezsny’s Free Will

Astrology NOW december 26 2013 - january 1 2014

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June 5:

“I was elected to reduce the size and cost of government, keep taxes low, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

The year of living Rob Ford

January 15:

“I’m Rob Ford.

It’s gonna be pretty hard to change.”

To CP24 talking head Stephen LeDrew, after Ford won his conflict of interest appeal. Everyone said that win would embolden him. How right they were.

February 26:

“It’s a great day for democracy.”

After the city’s Compliance Audit committee votes 2 to 1 not to pursue legal action against Ford for overspending his campaign limit by $40K. The committee also found the mayor had improperly accepted a $77K interest-free loan from his brother’s holding company. Not a great day for accountability, however.

June 10: DAVID COOPER/GETSTOCK

2013’s 50 most outlandish Ford Quotes

It’s the Ford mantra, his go-to line every time there’s a disaster to make us forget his great personal shortcomings. Remember how Ford promised to cut the gravy without touching services?

February 26:

March 18:

May 17:

“I need your help to squeeze councillors to get the votes for a casino.”

“These allegations are ridiculous. It’s another story with respect to the Star going after me.”

In a stump-style speech to Orthodox Jewish rabbis hosted by the Toronto Eruv committee. Oy.

March 26:

“It’s just lies after lies and lies. And I’ve called you pathological liars, and you are, so why don’t you take me to court?”

At the ceremony to present the key to city to George Chuvalo after Garrison Ball allegations surfaced. Redemption in the form of Chuvalo was staring Ford right in the face, but he was willfully blind to it.

March 9:

May 16:

“I’m not conceited, but I had sort of rock star status there.”

“Contrary to what many people said, I am not married to a ­casino.”

In a Toronto Sun “exclusive” following the Canadian Jewish Political Action Committee event at which former mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson said Ford grabbed her ass.

“It’s a great day for democracy.”

Mayor Rob Ford at the compliance audit committee review of his campaign finances.

The mayor announcing the death of the Toronto casino plan, the big gamble that did not pay off. Not married to the idea?

He was in bed with practically every casino lobbyists on the planet.

May 26:

On his way to a PFLAG Pride flag-raising ceremony the morning after the Toronto Star and Gawker broke the crack video story. These would be his only words on the affair until his non-denial denial a week later. The Star proved no easy target.

May 24:

“I do not use crack nor am I an addict of crack cocaine. As for a video, I cannot comment on a video that I have never seen or does not exist.”

In a year of whoppers, Rob Ford’s twist on Richard Nixon’s “I am not a crook” was one for the ages. Little-known fact: his mother helped him write it.

“Number one, there’s no video, so that’s all I can say.”

The mayor on his radio show in response to a question from “Pam from Scarborough” about what he was doing being photographed with a drug dealer in front of a known crack house.

Rob’s ­response:

“That’s very sad that she’s a racist.”

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After axing Jaye Robinson, the only woman left on his executive and the only one brave enough to tell it like it is to the mayor’s face.

June 13:

“My cable was out. I know as much as you guys know.”

To the media outside his house the morning of the Project Traveller raids. As if the chief was going to tip off the mayor to the fact some of his friends at the Dixon Towers were about to get busted.

June 16:

May 26:

“Bunch of maggots. No matter what you say… you’re never going to make them happy.”

Ford on his radio show while continuing to lie about the existence of a video showing him smoking crack.

May 30:

“Everything’s going fine.”

Amid the mass exodus of staff that followed the crack video revelations.

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“These changes will help my administration continue delivering results for the taxpayers of Toronto.”

“That hurt, man. When it hits you in the face, you don’t expect it, right?”

Injured but not actually touched, Ford responds to a juice-tossing incident at the Taste Of Little Italy. Video later emerges showing the mayor not being hit at all and the juice falling harmlessly behind him.

June 20:

“I’ve been vindicated and we can move on.”

After the Supreme Court of Canada decides it will not hear an appeal of his conflict of interest case, which, Ford claims, “was driven by the political agenda of a very small group… who do not respect democracy” – even though he was initially found guilty. continued on page 14 œ

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October 2: 2013’s 50 most “He’s a friend, outlandish Ford Quotes he’s a good

guy, I don’t throw my friends under the bus.’’

œcontinued from page 12

August 11:

“Things are getting blown out of proportion.”

October 13:

“I don’t call this bullying.

He threw his constituents underneath the streetcar.”

Ford responds in staggering fashion to the Taste Of The Danforth controversy. He admits later to being “hammered.”

August 30:

“This looks like all girlie stuff. Do you have any football or hockey?”

Ford on his Thanksgiving robocall into Scarborough councillor Paul Ainslie’s ward after the executive committee member broke with the mayor on the Scarborough subway extension. The mayor has had it in for Ainslie ever since the Star quoted the councillor saying Ford was half in the bag at the Garrison Ball.

After taking reporters on a back-to-school shopping run at Staples with his kids, where pencil cases on offer are not man enough for Dougie Jr.

Colin McConnell/GETSTOCK

On the arrest of his alleged drug dealer Alexander Lisi on marijuana possession and trafficking charges. At the time, the mayor’s comments were read as a veiled threat by some to his “friend” just in case Lisi got any ideas about chirping to the cops about the mayor’s involvement in efforts to retrieve the crack video.

Extortion charges related to that would be laid against Lisi three weeks later.

October 16:

“I don’t want to hear these excuses – that he’s on break or that he’s sick or that he’s at lunch or whatever.”

On uninvestigated allegations that a community centre worker was sleeping on the job. Ford’s attempt to ignite the “sleepy conductor” rage that helped propel him to office falls flat. Nobody believes his histrionics anymore.

October 25:

“I’ve taken the city, which was literally on the cliff, and brought it back, and people are very happy.”

Touting his fiscal accomplishments on the third anniversary of his election in an interview on Newstalk while Toronto’s world standing have never been more compromised. continued on page 16 œ

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œcontinued from page 14

“No reason to resign. I am going to go back and return my phone calls and be out doing what the people elected me to do, and that’s save taxpayers money and run the great government that we’ve been running the last three years.”

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2013’s 50 most outlandish Ford Quotes VENETO ROSSO

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November 3:

“I’ve just got to maybe slow down on my drinking.”

Understatement is not Ford’s forte.

November 4:

“I’m not an alcoholic. If I have a problem I’d… be the first one to say I’m not fit to run the city.”

To AM640’s John Oakley. Ford also tells him he’s not a drug addict.

November 5:

“Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine. But am I an addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably, in one of my drunken stupors.’’

Ford comes clean, sort of, surprising reporters on the way into his office.

Still, there’s a huge qualifier – the booze made him do it.

November 7:

“I’ll make sure that motherfucker’s dead. I need fuckin’ 10 minutes to make sure he’s dead. I’m a sick out motherfucker,Check dude.”

our online Ford in full Hulk Hogan mode in a video that surfaces a week after Blair’s ­Halloween surprise. Is there any connection to attempts we now know were orchestrated by the RestauRant mayor’s office to retrieve the crack video? guide

November 13:

“I said it wouldsearch not happen again, and it has never overat the Air Canada Centre.” happened again,

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december 26 2013 - January 1 2014 NOW

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2013’s 50 most outlandish Ford Quotes œcontinued from page 17

November 14:

“These allegations are 100 per cent lies.”

Which almost always certainly means they’re all true.

November 14:

“I am taking accountability and receiving advice from people with expertise. I am accepting responsibility for the challenges I face.”

The mayor announces he’s hired a driver and started a fitness regimen to get in fighting trim for the 2014 election. One of the folks he’s working out with turns out to be a personal trainer caught in a steroid bust in the U.S. A few days later he’s on Twitter setting up a date at a 905 strip club for Rob.

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November 14:

“Oh, and the last thing was Olivia Gondek, that I wanted to eat her pussy.

I’m happily married. I’ve got more than enough to eat at home.”

Ford to the media after details of the St. Paddy’s Day massacre of coke, escorts and boozing at the Bier Markt and his City Hall office in 2012 came out in court documents related to the Lisi arrest. ­Gondek wasn’t the only one to whom he directed an eating pussy remark that night. A former staffer said he made a similar crack to a City Hall ­security person. continued on page 20 œ

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2013’s 50 most outlandish Ford Quotes œcontinued from page 19

November 14:

“That is not a crack house. It is a house with a family with a father and a mother and three sons and a daughter.”

The mayor paints a Rockwellian portrait of the north-end bungalow of his high school bud that police says is a crack “chop shop” and hangout for the Dixon Bloods.

November 15:

November 18:

“If I had a mayor acting the way I’ve conducted myself, I would have done the exact same thing.”

“I’m getting punished for the Friday and Saturday nights when I’ve decided to have a few drinks. This is personal.”

Ford on a hypothetical better self as council moves to remove his powers.

November 17:

“It’s absolutely degrading and humiliating and belittling. The last couple weeks have been the worst weeks of my life.”

Absent in this little diatribe to former MuchMusic VJ turned Fox News guy John Roberts is any acknowledgement that Ford is the author of his own destruction.

Degrade, humiliate and belittle is what other people do to you, not what you do to yourself.

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december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

Classifieds

November 18:

“You guys have just attacked Kuwait. Mark my words, this is going to be outright war in the next election.”

The mother of all BS. Ford goes into cornered badger mode, resorting to Bushian doublespeak in a last-ditch effort to stave off council’s move to relieve him of his powers. It’s really all for the cameras, as is the brawl that nearly breaks out in the chamber later. Those fightin’ Fords.

To CBC’s Peter Mansbridge after council voted to strip Ford of his powers. This one-on-two (the mayor’s brother Doug was also in the house) proved an exercise in misdirection that left the veteran newsman scratching his head.

November 18:

“I’ve never been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at a council meeting or any time in office.”

Again to Mansbridge. The mayor’s so-called “body man,” Chris Fickel, told the cops he’s seen the mayor tanked at City Hall a dozen times in the last year.

Staffers were dispatched to buy booze for the mayor at least twice a week.

November 18:

“I’ve never been drunk and driven.”

No. The mayor prefers to do his drinking while driving. Apparently he’s a champion two-fister, able to down a 12-ounce mickey in a minute and a half, chasing it with ­Gatorade. continued on page 22 œ

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“I’ve had a come-to-Jesus moment, if you want to call it that.

I’ve let my dad down. I know he’s upstairs watching this.”

Dear old dad would indeed be upset. But let’s just say that the fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

November 18:

“There’s not one time you’ll ever find me stealing a dime of the taxpayers’ money ever.”

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Quite something from a guy who gladly squeezed lobbyists and others doing business with the city for donations to his football charity. The integrity commissioner wasn’t able to account for some $60K of the $100K Ford said he raised. That part was never fully explained at his conflict of inerest trial in 2012.

November 18:

“There’s a lot of people who have done what I’ve done.”

Drinking and driving. Crack. Heroin. You know.

November 19:

“I want to see the video. I can barely remember it. I was very, very inebriated.’’

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To NBC Today Show host Matt Lauer. Ford figures the sooner it’s released the sooner people will forget about it. He obviously has.

November 19:

“Say your son or daughter has just gotten killed in a car accident and you’re plastered out of your mind at 3 am. Are you going to be able to handle that?”

To Lauer on the question of his fitness to handle an emergency should he be in one of his drunken stupors. Two words: ice storm.

November 25:

“As soon as they take the powers away from me, you see what happens... They’re getting back on the gravy train and spending and spending and spending.”

The tax-and-spend conspiracy continues. Apparently, the mayor was absent when city staff were busy putting together the budget over the last six months.

December 9:

“There’s two types of people: poor people and rich people, and I side with the poor people.”

From the Conrad Black train wreck “conversation” masquerading as an interview in which the mayor casts himself as Robin Hood.

December 9:

“The chief I have an issue with.

He wasn’t happy... when I told people to find efficiencies.”

Ford reduces the police probe into his involvement in all manner of nefarious business to a vendetta on the part of the chief. He has to because the chief’s got him by the short and curlys.

December 9:

“If I’ve done something illegal, I’ve told the police to arrest me.”

Another doozy that Black let slide in his “ conversation” with Ford. Ford has refused to speak to the police regarding any of the allegations swirling around him.

December 9:

“I help a lot with the homeless out there. [But] I won’t give them money because I don’t know what they’re going to spend it on.”

This from the same guy who once intoned that it was an “insult” to his constituents for council to consider putting a homeless shelter in his ward.

December 9:

“I don’t want to brag, but when I go out people treat me like a rock star.”

The words, or some reasonable facsimile thereof, have been uttered by the mayor more frequently in recent months. “I’m just an average guy” has become a legend in his own mind.

December 19:

“Women love money. Give ’em a couple thousand bucks and they’re happy.”

On U.S. sports radio when asked what the mayor’s getting his wife for Christmas. Ho ho ho. In 2011 all the mayor’s wife got was a call to 911.

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daily events meetings • benefits

listings index

Live music Theatre Comedy

38 49 50

Dance Art galleries

50 51

Movie reviews Movie times Rep cinemas

57 60 62

festivals • expos • sports etc.

How to find a listing

Daily events appear by date, then alphabetically by the name of the event.

F indicates festive events N indicates New Year-related events r indicates kid-friendly events

How to place a listing

All listings are free. Send to: listings@nowtoronto.com, fax to 416-​364-​1166 or mail to Daily Events, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7. Include a brief description of the event, including participants, time, price, venue, address and contact phone number, e-mail or website. Listings may be edited for length. Deadline is the Thursday before publication at 5 pm.

Thursday, December 26

Events

to Jan 12. Free. Allan Gardens Conservatory, Sherbourne and Gerrard. 416-392-7288.

FrChristmas Treats Trek Visit the animals

and watch them get their holiday treats. 9:30 am-3:30 pm. Half-price admission. Toronto Zoo, Meadowvale N of 401. 416-392-5929.

FrROM For The Holidays Holiday-themed family activities include games and toys. To Jan 5, Thu to Sun. 11 am-4 pm. Free w/ admission. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park. 416-586-8000.

Cheol Joon Baek

FrAllan Gardens Christmas Flower Show Open to the public daily, 10 am-5 pm

FRouge Park Holiday Guided Walks

­ inter wonderland guided walks in the park.

W To Jan 1. Details at rougepark.com/hike. rSing-A-Long Sound Of Music Watch the classic Julie Andrews film and sing along. Today and tomorrow 7 pm; Dec 28, 1 & 7 pm. $17.50-$22.75. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King W. tiff.net.

Friday, December 27

Benefits

Filipino Monsoon Benefit Concert Per-

formances by Truth Panel, Prior Convictions and Innocent Guns. 8:30 pm. $6. Silver Dollar Room, 486 Spadina. 416-975-0909.

The New Year’s Day Polar Bear​ Dip at Sunnyside Beach benefits Habitat for Humanity.

Raise It Up (Global Medic) DJs including Dr Jay and Skiz, artists, designers, chefs and more get together for Typhoon Haiyan relief. $10 min donation. Johnny Jackson, 587 College.

416-655-9532.

FThe True Meaning Of Christmas (Jo-Anna Downey Fund) Comedy fundraiser with performances by Boyd Banks, Darren Frost, Anna Gustafson, Winston Spear, Scott McCrickard, Todd Van Allen and others. 9 pm. $5.

Hirut Fine Ethopian Cuisine, 2050 Danforth.

416-551-7560.

Events

FGingerbread Make And Bake Kids four and up create traditional gingerbread cookies.

To Dec 31, 11 am & 2 pm. Free w/ admission.

Historic Fort York, 100 Garrison. 416-3926907.

FrHoliday Camps Day camps for kids five to 12 include Frosty Fun and Winter Magic.

Today and Dec 30 to 31, 9 am-4 pm. $33/day.

Scarborough Historical Museum, 1007 Brimley. Pre-register 416-338-8807.

FrTIFF Holiday Workshops Workshops for kids nine to 14 include filmmaking, video design, animation and physical comedy. To Jan 4, see website for details. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King W. tiff.net.

NTo The New Year: Hogmanay Dinner

Scottish New Year dinner, stories and a visit from a First Footer. To Dec 29, 7 pm. $50. ­Gibson House, 5172 Yonge. Pre-register 416225-0146.

Saturday, December 28 DJ Skate Nights Shindig On Ice skating party.

8 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre Ice Rink, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.

Icredibrent Funny magic show for families.

10:30 am. Free. Amesbury Park Library, 1565 Lawrence W. 416-395-5420. rLong Winter Kids Festival for babies and kids up to 12, featuring music, art, storytelling, magic, dance and more with Hooded Fang, Njacko Backo, Girls Rock Camp and others. Noon-5 pm. Pwyc. Great Hall, 1087 Queen W. ­torontolongwinter.com.

FVQ Holiday Market Handmade, vintage, food and more. 10 am-7 pm. Free. Vendor Queens, 1093 Queen W. ­vendorqueens.com.

FThe Wooden Sky’s Annual Holiday ­Revue (Daily Bread Food Bank) Performances

Clymaxxx, Fathead and God Made Me Funky, interactive curling, skating, street food, a midnight countdown and more. 8 pm. Free.

Nathan Phillips Square, Queen and Bay. ­toronto.ca.

NKindling Light Of Wisdom Mind Yearend candlelight service for contemplation and reflection. 8-10 pm. $10. Zen Buddhist Temple, 86 Vaughan. 416-658-0137. rLearn To Skate Outdoor skating classes for all ages run through Mar 2014. Various times and prices. Harbourfront Centre Rink, 235 Queens Quay W. Pre-register 416-973-4093, harbourfrontcentre.com/learntoskate.

NrNew Year’s Eve Countdown Countdown to midnight with performances by Martina and Massari, DJ Dopey and others plus a DJ dance party and ice skating. 8 pm.

Free. Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre. 905-615-4311.

Events

Animal visits, keeper talks, entertainment by the Decades, Majinx Magic Show and more plus a kids’ countdown. 5-8 pm. $10. Toronto Zoo, Meadowvale N of 401. 416-392-5929.

NNew Year Cupcake Decorating Class

NNew Year’s Eve Nembutsu Chanting

Work with fondant to make New Year cupcake toppers. Noon-2 pm. $55. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas W. ­ledolci.com.

Chant for peace and happiness. 7 pm-midnight. Donation. Tao Sangha Toronto Healing Centre, 375 Jane. 416-925-7575.

Monday, December 30

Wednesday, January 1

Sunday, December 29

Benefits

by the Wooden Sky, Nick Ferrio and others.

Doors 7:30 pm. $20 plus non-perishable food donation. 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture. ­uniiverse.com.

Chanting Join in chanting for peace, happi-

ness and spiritual growth. 7 pm. Free. Tao Sangha Toronto Healing Centre, 375 Jane.

416-925-7575. rGo With The Flow PA day camp exploring the properties of flowing water for kids five to 12. 9 am-4 pm. $65. Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills. Pre-register 416-696-1000.

FrHigh Park Winter Holiday Camp

Wintertime games, crafts and adventure for kids six to 10. Today and tomorrow and Jan 2 to 3, 9 am-3 pm. $45/day. High Park Nature Centre, 440 Parkside. Pre-register online at ­highparknaturecentre.com.

NHogmanay! Traditional New Year celebration with Scottish music and foods. 7 pm. $22.50. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond. Pre-­ register 416-392-6915.

NThe Night Before New Year’s Party

Build a Creative City: Block by Block

Mosaic Mural Arts for Children and Youth

www.torontoartsfoundation.org Major Partners

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Meditation, a vegetarian meal and a talk. 6 pm. Free. Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor W. meditationtoronto.com.

WWE Live: Holiday Tour Wrestling with superstars Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler, the Divas and others. 7:30 pm. $20-$95. Ricoh Coliseum, Exhibition Place. wwe.com/events/ vipexperience.

Tuesday, December 31 NrCitytv New Year’s Celebration 2014

Outdoor celebration with performances by JD

24

December 26 2013 - January 1 2014 NOW

NrNew Year’s Eve Family Countdown

Benefits

NHair Of The Dog Fun Run Kick off the new

year with a 9K run and 3K walk. 10:30 am. $30, yth $10. Balmy Beach Canoe Club, foot of Beech. Pre-register online at ­balmybeachcanoe.com.

NNew Year’s Day Polar Bear Dip (Habitat for Humanity) Take a dip in the lake and help build homes for families in need. Noon. Donation. Sunnyside Beach, Lake Shore W at Parkside. ­torontopolarbear.com.

Events

NNew Year’s Day Service Greet the new year in contemplation and reflection and renew your commitment to the way of peace.

11:30 am. Free. Zen Buddhist Temple, 86 Vaughan. ­zenbuddhisttemple.org.

upcoming Thursday, January 2

Events

AGO FIRST THURSDAYS: LONG WINTER TAKEOVER Art conversation with Shary Boyle,

­ anessa Dunn, Petra Collins and Aminah V Sheikh, pop-up performances by Isla Craig and Henri Fabergé, music by Snowblink, Doomsquad and DJ Stelmanis. 7 pm. $15, adv $12. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas W. ago.net.

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astrology freewill

12 | 26

2013

by Rob Brezsny

Aries Mar 21 | Apr 19 Edmund Kean

(1789-1833) was one of the most famous British actors of his time. But a contemporary, the poet Samuel Coleridge, was frustrated by Kean’s inconsistency, regarding him as a great artist who on occasion lapsed into histrionics.

“To see him act,” said Coleridge, “is like reading Shakespeare by flashes of lightning.” Now and then I get that feeling about you, Aries. You have bursts of brilliance that you sometimes don’t follow up on. You’re like a superstar who loses your concentration. But I’ve got a strong feeling that in 2014 you will at least partially overcome this tendency. Your word of power will be consistency.

Taurus Apr 20 | May 20 Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) is known as the father of nuclear physics – not just because he won the Nobel Prize for chemistry. He was also a superb teacher. Eleven of his students won Nobel Prizes. That’s the kind of teacher or mentor or guide I urge you to connect with in 2014, Taurus. The coming months will potentially be an optimum time for you to learn deeply and at a rapid rate. One of the best ways to fulfill that promise will be to apprentice yourself to adepts who have mastered the skills and savvy you want to acquire.

Gemini May 21 | Jun 20 Your last best hope to get rich was back in the latter half of 2001 and the first six months of 2002. From July 2025 to June 2026, the cosmos will again conspire to give you a big fat chance to expedite your cash

SHIRTS FROM

$39

flow to the max. But why get bogged down dreaming of the past or fantasizing about the future when fertile opportunities to boost your prosperity are in front of you right now? Financial luck is flowing your way. Viable ideas for making money are materializing in your subconscious treasure house. The contacts that could help you build your wealth are ready to play with you. (This offer is good until July 2014.)

Cancer Jun 21 | Jul 22 French poet Ed-

mond Jabès had this to say about the birth of big creative ideas that dramatically transform one’s life: “For the writer, discovering the work he will write is both like a miracle and a wound, like the miracle of the wound.” Regardless of whether or not you’re an artist, Cancerian, I expect that you will experience a wrenching and amazing awakening like this in 2014. The opening you’ve been hoping and working for will finally crack its way into your destiny. It may be one of the most pleasurable disruptions you’ve ever had.

Leo Jul 23 | Aug 22 In the coming

months, I’m betting that you will exit a confined place or shed cramped expectations or break off your commitment to a compromise that has drained you. It may happen suddenly or it could take a while to complete. How the escape unfolds will have to do with how thoroughly you extract the lessons that your “incarceration” has made available. Here’s a ritual that might also expedite the process: give a gift to the

people you’re leaving behind, or offer a blessing in the spot where your difficult teachings have taken place.

Virgo Aug 23 | Sep 22 “Now that you

don’t have to be perfect, you can be good,” says a character in John Steinbeck’s novel East Of Eden. I suggest that you make this your rallying cry in 2014, Virgo. In fact, why not begin right now, wherever you are? Say “Now that I don’t have to be perfect, I can be good.” Free yourself of the pressure to be the polished, ultimate embodiment of everything you’d ever hoped you would be.

That will allow you to relax into being more content with the intriguing creation you have already become. You may be surprised by how much mojo this affords you.

Libra Sep 23 | Oct 22 In 1972, English folk musician Nick Drake recorded his album Pink Moon. He finished it in a mere four hours, singing all 11 songs and playing every instrumental track himself. It took years for anyone to appreciate his artistry, but eventually the magazine Melody Maker selected Pink Moon as number 48 on its list of “All Time Top 100 Albums.” Here’s one way I suspect your efforts will be similar to Drake’s in 2014, Libra: you will have the ability to get a lot done in a short time.

Here are two ways your fate will be different from Drake’s: first, you will have a big pool of trustworthy allies to call on for help. Second, what you produce won’t take nearly as long to get the appreciation it warrants.

Scorpio Oct 23 | Nov 21 Eierlegende Wollmilchsau is a colloquial German term for a mythical pig that lays eggs like a chicken, provides milk like a cow, supplies wool like a sheep and ultimately becomes bacon and pork chops.

Metaphorically, it may refer to a fanciful device that performs many functions.

Imagine, for instance, a futuristic smart phone that could interpret your dreams, trim your unwanted hair, fix you a perfect cup of coffee, tell you you’re beautiful in ways you actually believe and cure your little health problems. In the real world, there’s no such thing, right? Not yet. But there’s a chance you will find the next best thing to an eierlegende Wollmilchsau in 2014.

Sagittarius Nov 22 | Dec 21 “We

don’t accomplish our love in a single year as the flowers do,” says Rainer Maria Rilke in the Duino Elegies. Do you promise to take that truth into consideration in 2014, Sagittarius? Will you pledge to diligently devote yourself to creating the right conditions for love to flourish? In the past, you may not have been fully able to carry out this slow-building marvel; you may not have had quite enough wise perseverance. But you do now.

Capricorn Dec 22 | Jan 19 In 1588,

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan, confiscated the swords, daggers and spears belonging to every citizen. He announced they would be melted down and used to make a giant Buddha statue. I’d love to see you undertake a comparable transformation in 2014, Capricorn. You shouldn’t completely shed all your anger and pugnacity, of course; a certain amount is valuable, especially when you need to rouse yourself to change situations that need to be changed. But it’s also true that you could benefit from a reduction in your levels of combativeness. What if you

could “melt down” some of your primal rage and use the energy that’s made available to build your personal equivalent of a Buddha icon?

Aquarius Jan 20 | Feb 18 The period

between last July and next June is prime time to find or create your dream job. That might mean simply upgrading your existing gig so that it serves you better. Or it could involve you rethinking your relationship with work and going off in quest of a new way to earn a living. So how are you doing on this project, Aquarius? If you are proceeding on schedule, you should be halfway there by now. The goal should be clear and you should be more disciplined, organized and determined than ever. If for any reason this isn’t the case, start playing catch-up.

Pisces Feb 19 | Mar 20 “Singing teaches two skills that are essential for any creative process,” says author and vocalist Rachel Bagby, “the ability to listen and the ability to be flexible and spontaneous.” I bring this to your attention, Pisces, because 2014 could potentially be a golden age for your creativity. It will be a time when you will benefit even more than usual from exploring and enhancing your imaginative originality. That’s why I’m encouraging you to sing more than you ever have before. Make a list of your 50 favourite singable songs. Be aggressive about expanding the music you get exposed to and learn the melodies and lyrics to a lot of new tunes.

Cut loose with your vocal stylings whenever you have a chance, and take a vow to propel yourself out of funky moods with the creative energy of your singing.

Homework: Send me your New Year’s resolutions. Go to RealAstrology.com and click on “Email Rob.” For ­extra credit, send your anti-resolutions: weird habits and vices you pledge to continue.

DENIM FROM

$39

NOW December 26 2013 - January 1 2014

27

KATHRYN GAITENS

HOMEGROWN IN FOR THE WINTER

FROM THE RISE OF ECO-FRIENDLY BEAUTY PRODUCTS TO NEW YORK FASHION WEEK DISINVITING BLOGGERS, THE 2013 STYLE SCENE WAS FULL OF HITS, MISSES AND SHAKEUPS. HERE’S WHAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION THIS YEAR.

INWORKERS’ RIGHTS

DAVID HAWE

clothes for the likes of Joe Fresh and Walmart, and 100 international reWe learned the true human tailers have since agreed to a new cost of $5 T-shirts and $10 denim last Bangladesh factory safety pact. The spring when Rana Plaza, an eightaccord’s true impact is debatable, storey garment factory in Banglabut at least fast fashion retailers no desh, collapsed and longer have the luxury of hidkilled over ing in the dark.

1,000 workers. InterPOISON-FREE JOE FRESH national PRETTY attenConsumers are wising up tion to the dangers of slathfinally ering toxic chemicals on turned their faces and bodies to the in the name of beauty. appalling Parabens, formaldehyde labour condiand phthalates are now dirty tions suffered words. Once relegated to hipby Bangladeshis pie-dippie indie shops, local eco who make

IN

brands like Consonant and LoveFresh are now regularly available at the best spas and beauty bars.

RETAIL INLUXURY SHAKEUPS

Canadians are keen to peek beyond Holt’s magenta flag and explore the world of upscale American department stores. Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstorm will set up shop north of the border within the next few years.

Locally, Nordstorm lands at the behemoth Yorkdale Shopping Centre, and Saks takes over The Bay location at Yonge and Bloor with its second-biggest store in the world.

There’s also speculation that several former Sears spaces will go to luxury retail giants.

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MACKAGE

Canadian outerwear brands have taken over when it comes to staying warm in sub-zero temperatures. There’s absolutely no need to buy international with the likes of Canada Goose, Moose Knuckles, Nobis, CMFR and Mackage leading the cold-weather design pack. To top it all off, made-inCanada accessories like Quill & Tine’s touchscreen gloves and Tuck Shop Trading Co.’s QUILL & TINE neighbourhood toques have stepped up as some of the hottest buys this season.

IN

COLLECTIVE EFFORTS

It’s tough out there for indie creatives, but there’s power in numbers.

The Collections, a designer management company that brings together some of Toronto’s most brilliant young talent, stole the spotlight from more established brands at Toronto Fashion Week with many of the event’s best shows. Local designers, artists and makers have also come together under one roof to make Arts Market’s new College location (846 College, 647-2462787) one of the best stores to open this year.

DAVID HAWE

style

Ins & outs

TUCK SHOP TRADING CO.

Fashion Week, is cutting the media list by 20 per cent to nix what it thinks of as the frivolous hordes of “fashion bloggers, street-style photographers and fashion fans” who swarm the tents.

OUTSELFIE HATE

Enough with the think pieces, passive-aggressive subtweets and open letters on your blog.

Selfies are here to stay, so it’s time to accept that a generation of young women is using technology to show the world how they want to be seen.

OUTMIRANDA PURVES OUTMONTREAL FASHION WEEK After celebrating their 25th season in September, the organizers of Montreal Fashion Week cancelled the upcoming winter edition. A statement says the event is “temporarily on hold,” but things don’t look too promising; the city’s big-name brands like Rudsak and Mackage show in Toronto and rising stars like UNTTLD are looking elsewhere. To add to the difficulties, government funding (to the tune of about $250,000 per edition) has dried up.

Silver lining: the event’s absence gives Toronto Fashion Week a perfect opportunity to beef up its lacklustre designer roster.

SELF-PROMOTOUT ING FASHION MEDIA Fashion Weeks have become circuses of wannabe celebrity, where street style often outshines the runway. To shore up its control, IMG Fashion, which runs New York

Miranda Purves’s short stint as editor-in-chief of Flare magazine comes to a close at the end of January when she moves back to New York “to be closer to her family.”

Purves brought much-needed smarts to the glossy, but insiders say her notoriously introverted personality and unrelenting perfectionism were never the right fit for the head cheerleader role.

OUT“ORIENTAL CHIC”

Or however Katy Perry thought she was dressed at the American Music Awards. The “demure geisha look” (an actual fashion trend recommended by the Guardian) is more racist than inspired. It perpetuates orientalism by fetishizing Asian women as exotic and subservient.

Go ahead, embrace rich fabrics, detailed prints and kimono sleeves – just don’t leave your house looking like an offensive caricature.

3

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NOW december 26 2013 - January 1 2014

29

food movies

The

best of

2013 STEVEN DAVEY’s

Top 10 restaurants

In this year of the cronut, if we weren’t slurping steaming bowls of designer ramen, we were stuffing our faces with gourmet burgers dressed with foie gras or tucking into plates of multiculti tapas. And tacos. Lots and lots of tacos.

We liked our restos loud and our lineups long, preferably at a bistro du jour called Something-​or-​Other Kitchen. There were retro Edison light bulbs, antique neon beer signs and enough reclaimed barnboard to rebuild a dozen old barns. We learned of fantastical trains made of gravy and dry cleaners in suburban strip malls that specialized in pizza to go.

Here are the few that dared to rise above the rest, even if it was only by taking reservations.

2 BAR ISABEL

Ryan Baddeley

797 College, at Shaw, 416-​532-​2222, barisabel.com, @barisabel797 Though he’ll be forever linked with charcuterie, former Black Hoofer Grant van Gameren reveals he has more up his sleeve than cold cuts at this reimagined Spanish taverna.

Why, no less an authority than Air Canada’s En Route magazine just named Isabel the best restaurant in the entire country. We’d agree, but only if they’d turn down the Django Rheinhardt records.

3 ELECTRIC MUD 1 CHANTECLER

all photos david laurence

1320 Queen West, at Brock, 416-​ 628-​3586, restaurantchantecler.ca, @ChanteclerTO Technically speaking, Jonathan Poon and Jacob Waherton-​Shukster’s Parkdale cantina shouldn’t be included in this list, let alone top it, since it’s inaugural à la carte, er, carte earned it runner-​up place after Ursa and Susur Lee’s Bent last year.

But since then, they’ve replaced their predetermined menu with a casual prix fixe lineup of Asian-​inspired lettuce wraps as well as a Friday-​and Saturday-​night-​only tasting menu that sells out months in advance. Get the best of both come Sunday lunch, when chef Poon offers a contemporary Cantonese spin on dim sum and then some.

30

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

michael watier

Jonathan Poon

5 Brock, at Queen West, 416-​ 516-​8286, electricmudbbq.com, @electricmudbbq Cheap chipboard, bourbon and barbecue? Throw in the general ambience of a strip club in northern Quebec, picnic-​table seating and ZZ Top cranked to 11 and no wonder this spinoff of Grand Electric is permanently packed. But is the ‘cue authentic? We’ll go with authen­tic-​ish.

4 BIG CROW

176 Dupont, at St George, 647-​ 748-​3287, roseandsonsbigcrow. com, @roseandsons Hot on the heels of his similar yet short-​lived pop-​up, ex-​Drake Hotel chef Anthony Rose resurfaces in the tented ‘n’ heated backyard of the old People’s Diner with a barbecue card that’s equal parts Memphis and Muskoka. The regular rumbling of passing freight trains only intensifies the campfire vibe.

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Go Nuts for 2014!!

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Joel MacMillan

5 ME AND MINE

1144 College, at Dufferin, 416-​535-​5858, meandmine.ca, ­meandmineto M&M’s Joel MacMillan is no stranger to best o’ resto lists, having placed second to Woodlot for his genre-​defying creative work at Zocalo back in 2010. Now partnered with Melissa de Silva, he manages to create plates that appeal to both herbivore and carnivore alike and still keep the price points low. Some trick that!

N I

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7 HAWTHORNE

60 Richmond East, at Church, 647-​930-​9517, hawthorneto.ca, @hawthorneto Now that former Fabarnak and original Hawthorne chef Eric Wood has jumped ship for the chic Beverley Hotel, ex-​Cowbell toque Mark Cutrara takes the reins of this sadly underappreciated locavore haunt.

Stellar execution, polished service and rock-​bottom prices only make the lack of customers most nights even more perplexing.

E! R S, MO T E & K S C Voted best Iwings E Sign up for S T S in toronto T NOW’s Contest R PA E E C I Clique newsletter.

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6 KARELIA KITCHEN

1194 Bloor West, at Brock, 647-​748-​1194, kareliakitchen.com, @KareliaKitchen For those of us who can vaguely remember the halcyon days of the Copenhagen Room, Leif Kravis and Donna Ashley’s Scandi-​style café is a welcome trip back in time. Superbly executed open-​faced sandwiches and a short carte of classics-​in-​the-​ making – platters of house-​smoked salmon and lake trout sided with crisp potato rosti and beet-​cured gravlax – guarantee full houses come weekend brunch.

8 THR & CO

97 Harbord, at Robert, 647-​748-​7199, thrandco.com, @thrandco The Harbord Room’s Cory Vitiello and crew transform the nearby one-​ time Messis into a family-​friendly version of the original, complete with booster seats. Chef Curt Martin’s updated Cal-​Ital card coupled with genuinely hospitable servers make early-​evening ­reservations near essential.

continued on page 32 œ

Ring in the new YeaR at 49 Front St. E. • 416.860.9000 • Info@Berbersocial.com• Berbersocial.

NOW december 26 2013 - january 1 2014

31

david laurence

œcontinued from page 31

2013

drinkup sarah parniak’s

Drink Trends 2013

9

GRASSLANDS

478 Queen West, at Denison, 416-​504-​5127, grasslands.to, @grasslandsto Devoid of mung bean casseroles and customers draped in burlap, Stephen Gardner’s revitalized Fressen is certainly the most stylish vegetarian restaurant around. Tastiest, too. We’ll gladly take a plate of seared polenta layered with beefy shiitake mushrooms and wilted spinach in garlicky tomato sauce over boring old spaghetti and meatballs any day.

It’s been a great year for Toronto. Okay, let’s get specific: it’s been a great year to drink in Toronto.

To celebrate a successful 2013, we’ve compiled some of our favourite trends.

A good time for 5 all

Whether it’s via whimsical cocktail garnishes or vintage video games, bars are dodging staunch seriousness and cultivating a playful spirit. There’s a focus on quality and variety, with cocktail bars offering good beers, beer bars hawking excellent spirits and neighbourhood coffee shops turning into locals after dark.

3 All drinks local

Thanks to a bunch of passionate individuals and our growing devotion to all things local, we’re exploring exciting VQA wines and seeing a lot more product from independent local distilleries like pioneer Forty Creek and new kids like Dillon’s and Toronto Distillery Co. Craft breweries now come in all shapes and sizes, from Toronto original Amsterdam to local brew pubs like Indie Ale House (2876 Dundas West, 416760-9691, indieale­house.com).

Manabu Sasaki

Rebecca Burton

7 Craft beer is king

Beer-focused spots like Bar Hop (391 King West, barhopbar.com) are studded with enticing taps, local breweries like Great Lakes are spearheading experimental collaborations, and one-offs and brew pubs like Bellwoods (124 Ossington, 416-535-4586, bellwoods­brewery. com) boast their very own bottle shops. Cice­rones, credited beer sommeliers, are multiplying, and it’s harder to locate a boring pint: allround great news for beer geeks.

devil’s (not) 8 The in the details

david laurence

1 The age of agave

10 KINGYO

51B Winchester, at Parliament, 647-​748-​2121, kingyotoronto.ca Après Guu, le deluge. Of all the trendy Tokyo-​style izakayas to launch locally this past year, only this Vancouver import gets the balance of food and pop culture correct. Bowls of cold house-​made ramen noodles tossed with salty cod roe accompanied by an old God­zilla movie will do that.

3

Tacos are riding the overkill rocket straight to hell, but T.O.’s zillion Mexican restaurants have upped the availability of premium agave spirits like tequila­and mezcal big time.

Though Ossington mainstay Reposado (136 Ossington, 416-532-6474, reposado­bar.com) keeps an unrivalled selection, there’s more quality tequila flowing around town than ever before.

32

9 Non-alcoholic ­deliciousness 4

Signature cocktails and housemade ingredients Toronto’s established itself as a place where well-mixed classics are no longer the rewarding end to an arduous scavenger hunt. In fact, tons of talented barkeeps are taking their craft to the next level, curating creative cocktail lists and putting a lot of love into house-made ingredients like bitters, tinctures, modifiers and mixers.

R.I.P.

A-​OK Foods, Caju, Cowbell, Fusia Dog and Keriwa Café, all on Queen West; Alimento on King West; Aravind on the Danforth; Colbourne Lane, Le Commensal and Obika in the core; Didier on Yonge north of St Clair; Earth in Bloor West Village; Elle M’a Dit in Baldwin Village; Fuel House and Red Fish on College; Hoof Café and Hoof Raw Bar on Dundas West; Indian Rice Factory on Dupont; Miss Cora’s Kitchen and Valentina in Kensington Market; Sugo on Church; Tati Bistro on Harbord.

Lately, it’s the little things that count in the biggest ways. Mindful hospitality, skilled staff, elegant glassware and proper ice are just a few catalysts for enhanced experiences in T.O. bars.

2 Whisk(e)y

Toronto loves its whisky/whiskey. The bourbon craze hasn’t ebbed, the Humber might as well run with Jameson, and the stage is set for rye’s reckoning and the heyday of Canadian whisky. Serious public appreciation is galvanized, and the category leads sales at the LCBO, with nothing but growth in the forecast.

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

6 Bitter’s better

Manifested in raging hops addictions, the double rainbow of available bitter cocktail seasonings and the growing popularity of Italian amari, it’s obvious that Torontonians are craving a healthy dose of bitterness.

In years past, teetotallers, mamas-tobe or those just not in the mood to drink were restricted to a deflated wading pool of options. The focus on things handmade and healthy has shamed the diet sodas and shitty Shirley Temples of the world with more palatable offerings like Thomas Lavers (193 Baldwin, 647-3511959) ginger beer (available on tap in the shop and around town), housemade tonics and, yes, craft mocktails.

10 Gourmet tea

The indie coffee house has long been a thing about town, while sleepy tea got no props. The past few years have seen a boom in commercial tearooms, while exotic and bespoke blends are available from small shops like Herbal Infu­sions (404 Adelaide West, 416-900-6942, herbal­infusions.ca) and pros like Pluck Teas (pluckteas.com). Bartenders are incorporating steeped goodness into cocktails, the Tea Association of Canada’s tea sommelier program at George Brown College is running strong, and loose leaf is triumphing over Tetley in most restaurants.

3

stefania yarhi

food&drink

The

best of

music

The

best of

2013

Top 10 concerts

Colin Stetson

They were big, they were small. They were obnoxiously loud, they were tastefully restrained. They were marathon-length, they were blissful and brief. One thing Toronto’s best shows of 2013 had in common? They all totally rocked.

Roger Cullman

Robin Harper

BeyoncÉ

Rhye Sabbath Beyoncé D’Angelo 1Top The Great Hall, April 13 2 Black Air Canada Centre, August 14 4 Air Canada Centre, July 21 6 Sound Academy, May 31 8 AroarA Silver Dollar, June 14 10 concerts Hearing three out of four original members of a band as influential as Black Sabbath play together for the first time in over 30 years felt terrifically historic. The English group’s doomy, evil classics kept the soldout crowd in the throes of ecstasy, while newer ones were totes tolerable. And when you’ve got Tony Iommi in your band, there’s no need for a second guitarist, which helped the ACC’s sound stay clear but powerful.

Sometimes it feels as though the pop stars of today are locked in a bedazzled competition for the brightest LED screen, the most thorough wind machine coverage and the biggest and billowiest hair. In 2013, Beyoncé won on all counts while somehow transcending such frivolities. Her stylishly minimalist Mrs. Carter Show Tour placed equal emphasis on music and movement throughout a set list alternating between massive hits and fan favourites. She is one with the wind machine.

Bradley 3 Charles The Phoenix, May 11 Smith 5 Patti Massey Hall, ­September 6

No one wears his heart on his sleeve like Charles Bradley. And when you’ve got a painful story like his, it makes for one emotional concert. The 65-year-old former James Brown impersonator is giving the Godfather of Soul a run for his money: Bradley moves with unselfconscious swagger and sings like it’s a means of survival.

Tunes like Why Is It So Hard? brought down Charles Bradley the house, and afterward, Bradley waded into the sea of fans, shaking hands and doling out hugs.

A lucky few of us got to see Patti Smith perform up to three times this year (four, if you got tickets to both AGO shows), but it was her Massey Hall gig in September that proved why she’s a punkpoet legend.

Her band featuring Lenny Kaye gave power to her exhilarating snarl, which she traded in for open-hearted anecdotes whenever the music stopped.

Kathryn Gaitens

Rhye were still a mystery when they played their first-ever Toronto show.

But anyone who was on the fence about their album, Woman, was silenced into appreciation when Mike Milosh emerged in a candlelit Great Hall, his angelic vocals backed by an exquisite band whose jazz chops were apparent in the acoustically perfect, soulful alt-R&B set.

After 40 minutes of commanding trance-like attention, it was over. We nearly floated out of the venue.

A mysterious medical emergency sidelined D’Angelo’s comeback year last August (and, apparently, the release of his still-delayed third album) but not before the reclusive R&B star reminded Toronto fans why he enjoyed so much adoration to begin with. Brandishing a hot pink guitar, D’Angelo blurred lines between ­classic rock and soul in a non-stop funk-athon that could’ve gone on and on and on and on.

7

colin stetson The Great Hall, May 19

The boomy acoustics of the Great Hall can be a real problem for some rock bands, but in the case of solo saxophonist Colin Stetson, the resonant quality of the room became an instrument unto itself, emphasizing the eerie sonic extremes and raw physicality of his unique approach to the horn.

Patti Smith

Mystic art-pop duo AroarA – Ariel Engle and Andrew Whiteman – ­delivered NXNE’s most mesmerizing set. Their easygoing stage presence was the perfect foil to their intense, complex tunes made up of weaving, powerhouse voices, sputtering 404 beats and hypnotically rhythmic notes plucked from both regular and cigar-box guitars. “Be with the ­spirits,” Engle chanted, and we were.

Monáe 9 Janelle Kool Haus, October 19

After delivering a concert positively overflowing with charisma, Janelle Monáe glided across the Kool Haus on the crowd’s fingertips. Far from the cross-armed stiffs Toronto’s known for, the entire audience was dancing, enchanted by the soul star’s stage manipulation and feats of vocal prowess.

Like a lab-coated “orderly” had warned at the show’s beginning, we were completely funked up by show’s end.

yeah yeahs 10 yeah Echo Beach, July 1

Their latest album got mixed reviews, but when it comes to showmanship, New York City indie rockers Yeah Yeah Yeahs haven’t missed a step.

Karen O brought her A+ game to an extremely hot outdoor concert that put the “o” in O Canada. She shrieked with gusto to Nick Zinner’s guitar heroics, let down her emotional guard and oozed sexuality over a set that included hits from their entire discography.

NOW december 26 2013 - january 1 2014

33

music 2013 The

best of

Top 10 Albums

Among our top records this year? three canadian artists, two debuts, a pair of house music vets and a group of guys from san francisco who are challenging our ideas of what it means to be a metal band. these 10 albums made us laugh, cry and, most of all, hit repeat.

Deafheaven

West 1 Kanye Yeezus

The album that forced a thousand conversations about 2013’s prevailing vibe of fucked-upness, Yeezus confidently dared listeners to empathize with paranoia, rage and self-doubt. Kanye West’s incendiary takes on classicism, racism and dating in your 30s is set to a soundtrack of clanging, abrasive bass lines that begs you to hate him, all the while maintaining the neuroses and 90s sitcom references fans have come to love.

Daft Punk 6 Random Access ­Memories While most of the electronic dance music world was busy reviving motifs borrowed from the 90s, Daft Punk hit gold by looking back to the 70s and early 80s, reproducing the methods and philosophies behind the vintage records they love to sample. Plus, it’s nice to hear Pharrell’s voice all over the radio again.

34

YAMANT2 AKA // SONIC TITAN Uzu The second album by Montreal/Toronto artpunk collective Yamantaka // Sonic Titan manages to expand their palette even further than on last year’s groundbreaking debut. Somehow, the band remains surprisingly accessible while also bringing the prog-metal-opera aspects closer to the foreground of their sound.

Basia Bulat 7 Tall Tall Shadow

On her third studio album, Toronto native Basia Bulat outclasses even the 2010 record that launched her, pushing the boundaries of folk toward poppy and eclectic. Her deft touch on the autoharp and ukulele, paired with her confident yet vulnerable vocals give Tall Tall Shadow a retro feel worthy of Joni Mitchell and 70s pop-rock. And when you thought the album couldn’t get any more achingly pretty, closer From Now On strikes with piano ballad perfection.

Chills, chills, chills.

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

Deafheav3 en Sunbather The San Francisco band makes good on the genre-pushing promise of their 2011 debut, Roads To Judah, with a record that challenges tired conceptions of black metal and bucks hardened notions of hard rock authenticity. From its flashy pink cover (a sneering “fuck you” to corpse-painted purists) to its triumphant crescendos, Sunbather’s equal parts provocation and revelation.

Savages 8 Silence Yourself The debut album by the much-hyped London, UK, quartet Savages demonstrates that post-punk revival can still be exciting if the performers actually put real passion into it, and that the energy of an electrifying live band can be captured in the studio.

A swaggering, squalling style that’s utterly distinct.

4 shad Flying Colours

We already knew that Shad was one of the country’s most talented emcees (ever), but Flying Colours bolds and underlines the obvious. Altering his cadence for the most effective delivery, he encapsulates the Canadian immigrant experience (Fam Jam), painfully captures the realities of late Gen-X, early GenY relationships (He Say She Say) and rips every dumbass who ever crossed him (Stylin’). To quote the man himself: If you want to see the best, watch.

Blood 9 Orange Cupid Deluxe A seductive and engrossing album of luxuriously textured outsider soul music that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dev Hynes’s ­talents would be wasted if he only focused on writing hit songs for other singers (not that he should stop doing that).

An effortless but unpredictable experience: Hynes’s willowy falsetto drifts along gliding funk bass lines and reverby R&B beats.

My Bloody 5 Valentine mbv There’s no way My Bloody Valentine’s long-delayed follow-up to their 1991 genre-defining shoegazer classic, Loveless, was going to change the world in the same way that its predecessor did, but it still manages the near-impossible feat of living up to that imposing legacy, as well as pushing their sound forward in new, exciting directions.

Mikal 10 Cronin MCII Local promoter Dan Burke knew what was up when he enlisted Mikal Cronin in the coveted triple-header spot at NXNE. The San Francisco garage pop musician’s sophomore album – effortless melodies, acoustic breeziness, guitar crunch – fills you with so much feel-goodness that you immediately start the record over once it’s done. The sweaty, high-energy shows were just as memorable. music@nowtoronto.com

concerts at

leespalace.com

Original Live Music @ 8:30pm horseshoetAvern.com street West / spadina Fridays & Saturdays @ 9:00pm 370 Queen artist Bookings Front Bar 12:00pm - 2:00am 416-598-0720 or craig@horseshoetavern.com

529 Bloor street West / Bathurst

Artist Bookings

416-598-0720 or ben@leespalace.com

vcW boxing Week WrestlIng CHallenge

thurs

dec 26

5pm Doors 6pm Show

$10.00

OlD jamES One divided xEphyR superquest

tues

sat

dec 31

jan 04

$22.50

$7.00

adv

@Door

with canned food donation

fri

dec 27 $11.50

adv

two sets!

2 sets! 11:30 & 1:15

harLan PePPer jan 01- jan 02 closed for

holidAys

red SandS BLOOdy Five kIng Beez fermented oranges

AnnuAl XmAs dec Punk Blowout!

28

fri

$8.00 @Door

$7.00 @Door

sat

harMOnautS skullIans deforesters CyClops 76-6-6 rebel arms

jan 03

sludgehammer mcson

thurs

jan 09

$6.00 @Door

fri

jan 10

alternative rock dance club 2nd floor of lee’s palace 10:00pm — 2:30am thursday • no cover

dec 24 - dec 26 closed for

holidAys

mon

dec 30 no cover

West hammock neiL thOrntOn

fri

dec 28 $17.50 adv

fri: the socials + dangerband + the dying arts saturday: tUUli + timE giaNt

$8.00 @Door

wed january 01 closed for

tues

dec 31

holidAys

$25.00 adv

$7.00

$5.00 @Door

jan 08

@Door

thurs $7.00 @Door

sat

saturday

wed

jan 03

jan 09

dec 27 friday

lavender orange laBCats hey lucy band the commoners cops on horses broken URbaN jiVE DiSClaimERS aRROwS blUE mazE maps • barbarosa punkaBIllIe Blue fevers the dgb MaLadieS OF hairy holler adaM StOkeS bonwit teller the BOx tiger gladHeart barbudos sHaky knees fri

MicrOnite FiLterS the crux 5.00 BlaCk stone @Door wiLL hunter Band

sat

fri

$7.00 @Door

$7.00 @Door

jan 04

jan 10

thurs

altobeelays the sketch thurs

jan 16 $6.00

@Door

jan 02

monday • no cover

big name actors araza

$

2 sets! 11:15 & 1:15

NO COVER

with StUDENt i.D.

MyStery MyStery

mon

jan 06 no cover

gaRREtt OlSON the shelters

sat

skye Wallace OxfORD blue loW animal tues

jan 07

jan 11

detroit r&B soul legend

$10.00 adv

no cover

BB gunS • hOney runnerS twO tiMeS • PinS & needLeS

Adv Tickets @ TickeTfly.com • Ticketmaster.ca • Rotate This • Soundscapes • H-Shoe front Bar wednesday jaNUaRy 15 @lee’s palace

tues fEbRUaRy 11

saturday

fEbRUaRy 1

the phoenix • $ 27.50 advance

mod club $ 17.50

adv • 7:00pm

tues fEb 11 @ opera house $22.50 adv • all-ages • doors 6:00pm

sat fEbRUaRy 22

saturday maRCh 29

& thE jiCkS

with blOUSE

lee’s palace • $26.50 advance

lee’s palace • $ 20.00 advance

fri fEbRUaRy 28 @the phoenix • $ 24.50 adv • all-ages • doors 6:30pm

like moths to flames stray from the path & more!

DEafhEaVEN + iNtRONaUt + thE kiNDRiD sunday maRCh 30 @kool haus • $ 26.50 advance thurs maRCh 27 the phoenix • $ 29.50 adv

saturday jUNE 14 @echo beach $ 37.50 advance • all-ages • 3pm doors

tuesday

big blaCk DElta ROmaN REmaiNS

february 15 • $ 15.00 adv

hidden cameras

thurs apRil 10

WIllIam Control + neW years day

opera house $ 20.50

advance

tues DECEmbER 31 dj pat • $ 12.50 advance

february 21 • $ 16.50 adv

jaNUaRy 11 • $ 13.50 advance

kevin devine joe pug jaNUaRy 14 • $ 15.50 advance

forgotten rebels

fEbRUaRy 19 • $ 13.50 adv

fEbRUaRy 27 • $ 13.50 adv

• horseshoe tavern •

saturday

fEbRUaRy 1

february 2 • $12.00 adv

lee’s palace $ 10.50

advance

wed jaNUaRy 22 lee’s palace • $ 13.00 adv

tues jaNUaRy 14 $ horseshoe • 11.50 advance

april 5 • $ 20.00 advance

april 22 • $ 16.50 advance

we are scientists

academy all-ages

• horseshoe tavern • march 8 • $15.00 advance

noBunny the Pack a.d. jonatHan houndmouth february 10 • $15.50 adv

march 19 • $10.00 adv

WIlson bend march 20 • $10.00 adv

march 4 • $ 21.50 adv

north mississippi allstars

fEbsound 18

jaNUaRy 15 •

fri fEbRUaRy 14 lee’s palace • $ 18.00 adv

$ 12.00

advance

fEbRUaRy 9 • $ 11.50 advance

maria taylor fEbRUaRy 13 • $ 10.50 adv

maRCh 3 • $ 10.00 advance

february 18 • $12.50 adv

maRCh 23 • $ 12.00 advance

son lux

jaNUaRy 17 • $ 15.00 advance jaNUaRy 25 @silver dollar • $ 10.50 adv

maRCh 28 • $ 10.50 advance

noah gunderson

fEbRUaRy 1 @silver dollar • $ 12.00 adv

nicole atkins

sinister march 28 • $15.00 adv

yuck nick Lake Street february 22 • $13.50 adv

rOyaL BangS waterhOuSe dive war On drugS San FerMin jaNUaRy 23 • $ 10.00 advance fEbRUaRy 15 • $ 11.50 advance

march 6 • $13.50 advance

april 14 • $16.50 advance

• horseshoe tavern •

• horseshoe tavern •

NOW december 26 2013 - January 1 2014

35

music 2013 The

best of

Yamantaka//Sonic titan

Top 10 Local albums

We mined just about every genre to come up with our list of top 10 Toronto albums (and, sure, we stretched a bit to get to welland, hamilton and london). IN the end, the “local” tag is almost unfair: These artists put out some of the best work of 2013, Period.

1tanYamantaka // Sonic TiUZU

Teenanger 2 Singles Don’t $ell

It’s not easy to follow up an acclaimed debut album, but the theatrical Montreal/Toronto art collective hit it out of the park with the emotional UZU. On it, the five-​piece continue to seamlessly blend metal, opera, noise and pop while also bringing in Iroquois chanting, tribal drumming and piano balladry. It’s ambitious and complex, yes, but works away at your heart just as much.

The Toronto four-​ piece purge themselves of their earlier, swingier, garage-​punkier inclinations with a record that comes in fast, frantic, a little bit paranoid and under 30 minutes. As the banner act (and head honchos) of homegrown label Telephone Explosion, Teenanger embody the city’s gushing punk spirit, lame and earnest as that sounds.

Whatever. We’re totally buying what they’re not selling.

Jim 6 Guthrie Takes Time This perfect collection of wistful indie pop gets better with every listen. The Toronto musician’s light touch is enviable, the product of decades of songwriting in bands like Islands and Royal City, and for video game and film soundtracks. And while Jim Guthrie’s guitar work is excellent and his tex­tural arrangements tasteful, it’s his youthful vocals and astute lyrics that make the strongest impression.

36

daniel 7 romano Come Cry With Me Daniel Romano’s album is a sad one. Tales of heartbreak and loss unfold in raw, convincing fashion, with a touch of humour lest it get too dark. What isn’t sad is Romano’s remarkable ability to embody classic 60s country, proving that George Jones-​and Stompin’ Tom-​level storytelling can thrive today in the right hands. Subtle harmonies with frequent collaborator Julie Doiron, a light touch on his guitar and impressive vocal range further the songs’ ­simple beauty.

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

Basia 3 Bulat Tall Tall Shadow There’s something about Basia Bulat’s songs that make you want to sing, to lose yourself not only in the giddy elation of letting your voice fly, but also in expressing whatever lies deep within. And that’s the secret of Tall Tall Sha­dow: Bulat’s exceptional musicality is matched by her ability to convey both joy and sorrow, often in the same tune. Born of loss, such a record of uncommon beauty and wisdom can only be our gain.

8 fiver Lost The plot

The “solo” debut of Simone Schmidt, Lost The Plot has the singer/songwriter backed by her One Hundred Dollars and Highest Order bandmates. Hewing close to the former’s roots, the record proves Schmidt’s finest effort to date, her cutting, confessional songwriting sublimated into complex, literary character studies. Rage Of Plastics, driven by a thwompy instrumental that feels lifted from a David Lynch film, may be the most epic, layered, songwriterly song of the year.

Drake 4 Nothing Was the Same Another album, another group of silenced haters. On his third full-​length, Drake boasts his most mature production to date and continues his penchant for crafting anthems for a city, if not a generation (see Worst Behaviour). He also puts a very brave foot forward, smack into straight-​up R&B, on the entirely sung (and not surprisingly smash hit) Hold On, We’re Going Home. You may have heard that hot love and emotion on the radio.

9 fresh snow

Born of a six-​hour basement jam session, the carefully honed seven tracks on Fresh Snow’s debut album strike a powerful balance on a number of levels: between loud and soft, noise and melody, epic and brief, serious and airy. One of the most exciting instrumental releases in a long time; your ­favourite track will change with every listen.

Jessy 5 Lanza Pull My Hair back An intoxicating mix of icy minimal techno, 80s R&B, futuristic soul and glistening pure pop, Jessy Lanza’s debut – co-​produced by fellow Hamiltonian Jeremy Greenspan of Junior Boys – made an indelible mark.

Sophisticated songwriting paired with superbly understated sonic textures.

10 PUP

Buoyed by a name change, PUP (née Topanga) tore through 2013 with endless performing, shouting and crowd-surfing at local gigs that paid off with the group’s recent signing to L.A. punk label SideOneDummy.

They’re still very much a live band, but their self-​titled debut captures the sweaty turmoil of their gigs (Reservoir), and even comes down for a few reflec­tive, almost melancholic moments (Never Try).

MICHAEL HOLLETT’s

Top 10 albums

1 ARCADE FIRE Reflektor One of the world’s best bands gets better, topping their Grammy-winning disc with this dancesoaked gem.

2 DAFT PUNK Random Access Memories Irresistible dance tracks made funk legends Chic cool again, and Get Lucky was the song of the summer.

3 THE WEEKND Kiss Land Golden-voiced Torontonian will be as big as Prince. Next stop: arena shows.

4 BLOOD ORANGE Cupid Deluxe Producer Dev Hynes (Solange Knowles) saves some of his best beats and coolest grooves for his own project.

5 KANYE WEST Yeezus If he is a god, he’s gotta be good, right? His latest proves hip-hop’s biggest personality is one of the greats.

6 DRAKE Nothing Was The Same T-dot’s own has as many hits as chains around his neck. In this case, millions of fans aren’t wrong.

7 DISCLOSURE Settle After a handful of hit singles, the British dance duo get it right on an excellent debut.

8 BLUE RODEO In Our Nature Canadian legends’ best work since 1993 breakout Five Days In July.

9 WINDHAND Soma Epic hard rock that’s loud, proud and majestic.

10 EMINEM Marshall Mathers LP 2

JULIA LECONTE’s

BENJAMIN BOLES’s

CARLA GILLIS’s

Top 10 albums

Top 10 albums

Top 10 albums

1 KANYE WEST Yeezus

1 YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN Uzu

1 MY BLOODY VALENTINE m b v

Classic Ye fearlessness with gut-wrenching samples. Nearperfect.

Bone-crushing and heartwrenching.

2 SHAD Flying Colours

2 JIM GUTHRIE Takes Time

Twenty-two years of waiting created absurdly high expectations, but m b v is as great as we’d dreamed.

Poignant, hilarious, philosophical, self-examining poetry.

The sweetest, most wistful indie rock.

3 THUNDERCAT Apocalypse

3 MIKAL CRONIN MCII

Funk from the future.

Breezy, melodic perfection.

2 JAMES BLAKE Overgrown The follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut reveals a real talent for proper songwriting.

3 JESSY LANZA Pull My Hair Back On her debut, the Hamilton artist’s take on icy, synthetic soul proves sensual and lush.

4 FUZZ

4 BEYONCÉ Surprise! Queen Bey’s sexiest album yet. With 17 videos.

4 DJ KOZE Amygdala

Guitar-blazin’ proto-metal.

Playful electronic pop and experimental house by one of the more eclectic DJs in the techno scene.

5 CROSSS Obsidian Spectre

5 QUADRON Avalanche

5 CHANCE THE RAPPER Acid Rap

Creaky grunge/metal hybrid.

Breezy, heart-tugging neo-soul.

The Chicago upstart’s mixtape is weird, raw and uplifting, often lighthearted but also heavy as fuck.

6 SHOOTING GUNS Brotherhood Of The Ram

6 BASIA BULAT Tall Tall Shadow Vintage folk with modern flair.

6 KANYE WEST Yeezus

Heavier than wet snow.

7 CHANCE THE RAPPER Acid Rap Inspired verse with influences galore from the 20-year-old’s native Chi.

No one else in pop takes as many chances or forces as many conversations about race, class and power.

7 DOG DAY Fade Out Unsettling and endearing fog-pop.

8 PUSHA T My Name Is My Name

8 STEVE GUNN Time Off

A hard, unapologetic, deeply affecting solo debut.

Gently cascading fingerpicking and mellow vocals.

9 DRAKE Nothing Was The Same

9 RAE SPOON My Prairie Home

7 MACHINEDRUM Vapor City Travis Stewart obsesses over half-time hip-hop rhythms and double-time drum ’n’ bass beats.

8 BLOOD ORANGE Cupid Deluxe

Aubrey Graham’s most nuanced effort to date.

Vulnerability set to song.

Dev Hynes writes for Sky Ferreira and Solange, but this shows he’s more than just a talented indie hit-maker.

10 TEGAN & SARA Heartthrob

10 ANCIIENTS Heart Of Oak

9 COLIN STETSON New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light

For lovers of Metallica’s clean-guitar intros and Mastodon.

Juicy, super-slick retro pop.

Uplifting gospel-inspired solo saxophone melodies make the scary parts even more terrifying and exhilarating.

Part 2 of a hip-hop saga. Marshall Mathers’s bad day is our good fortune on this riff-riddled suite of anger and redemption.

10 CHVRCHES The Bones Of What You Believe RAE SPOON

The hook-heavy synth pop of the Glaswegian band’s debut does what it set out to do flawlessly.

TEGAN AND SARA JESSY LANZA

KANYE WEST NOW DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014

37

clubs & concerts hot TiËsto, Steve Angello Direct Energy Centre (100 Princes), Friday (December 27) Dutch-made EDM. Long Winter Kids w/ Hooded Fang, Girls Rock Camp bands, Space Chums and others The Great Hall (1087 Queen West), ­Saturday (December 28) Music, art, storytelling, magic and more.

Calvin Love, Beams, Henri Fabergé Silver Dollar (486 Spadina), Saturday (December 28) Experimental garage-pop.

The Wooden Sky, Nick Ferrio 918 Bathurst, Sunday (December 29) Folk funder for food bank.

The Sadies Horseshoe (370 Queen West), Tuesday (December 31) NYE rock and roll party.

tickets

What’s in the Box w/ Prince Innocence, Alvvays, Phèdre, Kevin McPhee, Luka, Rich Aucoin, Beta Frontiers, Doomsquad and others Drake Underground (1150 Queen west), tonight (Thursday, December 26) to Monday (December 30) Five nights, five bands, five bucks.

Jason Collett’s Basement ­Revue Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington), ­tonight (Thursday, December 26) Final one of the year.

Ryan Hemsworth, OG Ron C The Hoxton (69 Bathurst), Friday ­(December 27) Ambient hip-hop and remixes.

Lemon Bucket Orkestra Enwave Theatre (231 Queens Quay West), Friday to Sunday (December 27 to 29) Balkan-klezmer-Gypsy-punk.

Elliott Brood, Harlan Pepper Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Tuesday (December 31) NYE alt-country celebration.

Noise-punk

Death From Above 1979

Fans of Death from Above 1979 got an early holiday present when the band announced a Boxing Day show at the Danforth Music Hall. The enigmatic duo of Jesse Keeler and Sebastien Grainger like keeping secrets – like when (and even if) they’re releasing another full-length album (the existence of which Grainger alluded to in mid-October). Hell, we don’t even know for sure if they’re planning to stay together; it’s been on-again, off-again since they broke up in 2006. But we do know that, in addition to the show and Grainger’s recent solo album, Yours To ­Discover, they aren’t leaving fans empty-handed this holiday season: they’ve got a great ugly Christmas sweater for sale, likely inspired by Slayer’s unholy knit pullover from last year. Take a look-see at ­killthe8.com.

Tonight (Thursday, December 26), doors 8 pm, all ages, at Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), $33.50-$51. RT, SS, TM.

Just announced Snowblink, Doomsquad, Isla Craig, Henri FabergÉ, DJ Stelmanis First Thursdays: Long Winter Takeover Art Gallery of Ontario 7 pm. $12-$15.

January 2.

Wish, Blonde Elvis, Alex Calder, Pet Suns Silver Dollar 9 pm. January 3.

The Bloody Five, Fermented ­Oranges, King Beez, the Red Sands Lee’s Palace 9:30 pm, $7. January 3.

Mimico, Bella Akira, New Fries Feast In The East 33 Gerrard Art Space 8 pm, all ages, $8. CB, FB, GR, SS. January 4.

­ avelength & NeXT W Present: The Class Of 2014 – A New Indie-Rock ­Honour Silver Dollar 9 pm, $7. January­24.

Pusha T The Dan-

forth Music Hall 8 pm, $39.50-$49.75. TM. February­2.

Nobunny Horseshoe doors 8 pm, $12. HS, RT, SS, TF. February 2.

Ryan Driver, Simone Schmidt, Chris Cummings, Thom Gill, Lisa Bozikovic Toronto Does Toronto 3 Holy Oak Cafe 9 pm, pwyc. January 5.

This Mess, Tight Nuns, Practice Wife Silver Dollar 9 pm, $5. January 9.

The Fifths Lee’s Palace.

Brett Dennen Opera House doors 7 pm, all ages. LN, RT, SS. March 7.

Kataklysm, Aborted El Mocambo 8

Com Truise Wrongbar 9

Augustines The Garrison 8 pm, $15. TW.

La Dispute, Pianos Become the Teeth & Mansions Opera House doors

Robert Ellis Drake

Lorde Sound Academy doors 8 pm, all ages,

Keys N’ Krates

Dream Theater Massey Hall doors 7:15 pm, all ages, $42.50-$95.50. LN, RTH, TM. March 20.

February 7.

pm, $12. TW. February 12.

Hotel doors 8:30 pm, $10.50. RT, SS. February 13.

The Hoxton 10 pm, $15. TW. February 15.

Forgotten Rebels­Lee’s Palace

doors 9 pm, $16.50. HS, RT, SS, TF. February 22.

March 11.

$44.50-$55. LN, RT, SS. March 15.

Son Lux Drake Hotel doors 8 pm, $12. RT, SS, TF. March 23.

Warpaint The Danforth Music Hall 8 pm, $32-$37. TM. March 25.

Gary Numan, Big Black Delta & Roman Remains Phoenix Concert Theatre doors 7:30 pm, $29.50. RT, SS, TF. March 27.

Sam Smith Virgin Mobile Mod Club 7 pm, all ages, $16. TW. March 28.

Rupaul’s Drag Race: Battle Of The Seasons The Danforth Music Hall 9:30 pm, $34.50$61.75. TM. January 11.

Jay Malinowski & the Deadcoast The Great Hall doors 7 pm, $17.50.

Akua, Language Arts, Heat, Ada Dahli & the Pallbearers, DJ Eytan Tobin

Nile Opera House 7 pm, all ages, $25. TF.

38

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

LN, RT, SS. April 4.

April 4.

pm, $20. TF. April 5.

7 pm, all ages, $19.50. RT, SS, TF. April 7.

Carcass, Gorguts, The Black Dahlia Murder, Noisem Decibel Magazine Tour Sound Academy 6 pm, all ages, $33.50-$48.50. TF. April 8.

Iced Earth, Sabaton, Revamp

Phoenix Concert Theatre 7 pm, $27. TF. April 14.

Holly GoLightly & theBrokeoffs Horseshoe doors 8:30 pm, $12.50. HS, RT, SS, TF. April 23.

Stu Larsen The Great Hall doors 7 pm, $15. LN. May 1.

Primal Scream The Danforth Music

Hall doors 8 pm, $36-$52.50. RT, SS, TM. May 16.

Lindsey Stirling Kool Haus doors 7 pm, all ages, $29.50. RT, SS, TF. June 14.

Digifest YouTube Music Festival Echo Beach at Molson Amphitheatre doors 3 pm, all ages, $37.50. TM. June 14.

MUSIC+FILM+ INTERACTIVE JUNE 13�22 TORONTO

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NOW december 26 2013 - January 1 2014

39

this week How to find a listing

Music listings appear by day, then by genre, then alphabetically by venue. Event names are in italics. See Venue Index, page 42, for addresses and phone numbers. = Critics’ pick (highly recommended) ñ 5= Queer night

F = Festive event

How to place a listing

All listings are free. Send to: music@nowtoronto.com, fax to 416-​364-​1166 or mail to Music, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7. Include artist(s), genre of music, event name (if any), venue name and address, time, ticket price and phone number or website.

Deadline is the Thursday before publication at 5 pm. Weekly events must confirm their listing once a month.

Thursday, December 26 Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop/Soul

Alleycatz Lady Kane.

Dakota Tavern Jason Collett’s Basement

NEW YEAR’S EVE TUESDAY DECEMBER 31

doors 8:30 pm. ñRevue The Danforth Music Hall Death from Above 1979 doors 8 pm, all ages. ñDrake Hotel Underground What’s In The Box Music Fest: 5 Nights, 5 Bands, 5 ñ Bucks Nautiluss, Brendan Phillip, Beta Frontiers, Prince Innocence, KJ 7 pm.

Drake Hotel Lounge The Digs (funk) doors 11 pm.

Firkin on King Rory Taillon 9:30 pm.

FThe Garrison Boxing Day Special Festival & Food Drive for Parkdale Food Bank: 5 nights, 5 bands, 5 comedians, 5 DJs. 8 pm.

Handlebar Odd Soul (funk/soul/R&B) 10 pm.

FLake Affect Lounge Boxing Day Bash Shugga (funk).

Mélange Open Stage Lee Van Leer 9 pm.

Pauper’s Pub Mike Barnes (rock) 10 pm.

FRevival Boxing Day Bash A-Game, Rochester & Tona, DJs Spoonz, Channel 9 & Inferno.

Rivoli Indie Night Sandy Pearlman & Bones, Phil Knox, Rodzilla, Loti, DJ Matt McGrath doors 8 pm.

Southside Johnny’s Skip Tracer (rock/top 40) 9:30 pm.

Wise Guys Open Jam Jon Long 10 pm.

ñ

Folk/Blues/Country/World

Bar Radio Callan Furlong (country) 4 to 7 pm.

Castro’s Lounge Jerry Leger & the ­Situation (folk/rock/country) 9 pm. ñ Cavern Bar & Bistro Open Mic 9 pm.

GROSSMAN’S Frankie Foo 10 pm.

Lou Dawg’s North Of Nashville Ty Owens (country).

Reposado The Reposadist Quartet (gypsy bop).

Tranzac Southern Cross Bluegrass Thurs-

days Houndstooth (old-time) 7:30 pm.

Jazz/Classical/Experimental

Gate 403 Joel Hartt Jazz Band 9 pm, Jazzforia w/ Claire Riley 5 to 8 pm.

FThe Rex A Very Merry Teehan, Erenewein &

++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PRESENTS ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++

TOMORROW! HEADSTONES

Juhas Xmas 9:30 pm, Amanda Tosoff Trio 6:30 pm.

Rooster Coffee House Sam Dickinson, Rob Christian, Gram Whitty, Lee Clarke (jazz) 5 to 7 pm, Ewen Farncombe Trio (jazz) 3 to 5 pm.

Dance Music/DJ/Lounge

F794 Bathurst Old School Boxing Day

Blowout DJ Dan, Honey Dijon, Cevin Fisher and others doors 9 pm.

FCube Boxing Day Jam: Break For Love JoJo Flores, Dave Campbell, Jason Palma (classic house/rare grooves) doors 10 pm.

Midpoint Nintendo Thursdays (80s Vs 90s).

Rivoli DJ Bunitall (R&B/hip-hop).

FSupermarket Boxing Day Jam Kwame Younge, DJ Sean Sax (funk/house/soul/soca/ reggae/Afrobeat/hip-hop) 10 pm.

Troika Vodka Boutique Magik Thursdays DJ Magik Mike 10 pm.

WAYLA Bar Random Play DJ Dwayne Minard (70s/80s) 10 pm.

Friday, December 27 Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop/Soul

Alleycatz Lady Kane.

The Antler Room Cottage Brew (pub rock)

9:30 pm.

Bovine Sex Club Reunion Show Tuuli, Hot LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE:

722 COLLEGE STREET

WWW.TICKETMASTER.CA

themodclub.com

Peach, DJ Vania 9 pm.

Castro’s Lounge The Untameable Ronnie Hayward (rockabilly) 5 to 7 pm.

The Danforth Music Hall Headstones doors

8 pm.

Drake Hotel Underground What’s In The Box Music Fest: 5 Nights, 5 Bands, 5 Direct Energy Centre Solaris Winter ñ Bucks Diggy the DJ, Solids, Alvvays, ProMusic Festival Tiësto, Steve Angello ñ gramm, Parks at Night doors 7 pm. doors 7 pm, all ages. (reggae­/old school/R&B).

FThe Garrison Boxing Day Special Festival & Food Drive for Parkdale Food Bank: 5 nights, 5 bands, 5 comedians, 5 DJs. 8 pm.

Hard Luck Bar Lemuria, Sundails doors 8:30 pm, all ages.

Holy Oak Cafe Charity Case (funk/pop) 10 pm.

Horseshoe Rusty, the Socials, Dangerband, the Dying Arts doors 9 pm.

Lake Affect Lounge Parkside Drive (rock).

Lee’s Palace Led Zeppeln 2 (70s cover band) doors 9 pm.

Lola The Mad Housewives 9 pm.

Rivoli The Pick Brothers, Mark Calderone, the Strange doors 8:30 pm.

Silver Dollar Filipino Monsoon Benefit Truth Panel, Prior Convictions, Innocent Guns 8:30 pm.

Tranzac Southern Cross The Illustrious Goldman 10 pm.

Folk/Blues/Country/World

CAMERON HOUSE Nick Teehan 10 pm, Patrick

Brealey 8 pm, David Celia 6 pm.

Free Times Cafe Jack Walker 8:30 pm.

Hugh’s Room Don Ross 8:30 pm.

Lou Dawg’s Acoustic Blues Mike Costantini, Pat Wright (blues/funk/rock/soul).

Lula Lounge Roberto Linares Brown (salsa) 10:30 pm.

FNorth York Central Library Cassava Latin Band 2 to 3 pm.

Relish Bar & Grill The Danger Bees 9:30 pm.

Reposado The Reposadist Quartet (gypsy bop).

3 Windows Open Jam Dano & Miss Jaye 9 pm.

Tranzac Southern Cross Jon Oswald & David Prentice 7:30 pm, the Foolish Things (folk) 5 pm.

Jazz/Classical/Experimental

Enwave Theatre Midwinter Night: Rituals Sacred And Profane Lemon Bucket ñ Orkestra 8 pm.

Gate 403 Brown-Talsky Quintet 9 pm, Mike Daley Jazz Duo 5 to 8 pm.

The Jazz Bistro Dave Restivo Quintet 9 pm.

Lula Lounge Yoser Rodrigues Trio (Latin jazz) 8 pm.

The Rex Leyland Gordon 9:45 pm, Sara Dell (vox/solo piano) 6:30 pm, Hogtown Synco­ pators 4 pm.

Dance Music/DJ/Lounge

794 Bathurst Green Velvet, Nathan Barato,

Jamie Kidd, Nicholas Nice doors 10 pm.

Bunda Lounge Jack Masters DJs Miz Megs & G Cue, the Goons, Soapy (funky house) 10 pm.

Cabin Nightclub The Legendary Groove Fridays Spence Diamonds & Mista Jiggz (R&B/ funk/soul/hip-hop/house and more).

Castro’s Lounge Record Party DJ ‘I Hate You Rob’ (soul/funk/R&B/punk rock/rockabilly/ power pop) 10 pm.

FClub 120 White Christmas DJs Tung, Dwhy, Henry, LBA, Lady Bliss 10 pm.5 Crawford Night Cap Fridays DJ KOBe J

#49 Sandro perri// impoSSible SpaceS maiko watson & jeeks perform love and light

Drake Hotel Lounge DJ Your Boy Brian doors

7 pm.

Emmet Ray Bar DJ Funky Flavours (funk/soul) 10 pm.

Fly Pop Fridays DJ Sumation doors 10 pm.5 The Hoxton Ryan Hemsworth, OG Ron C 10 pm. ñ The Piston Shindig! (early R&B/soul) 10 pm.

Rivoli DJ Stu (rock & roll).

The Steady Cafe & Bar Deep Endz (2 step/ house/UK garage/techno) 10 pm.

FSupermarket Do Right & Higher Ground

Holiday Party John Kong, Jason Palma, the Precious Lo’s 10 pm.

Thymeless 20 Years Of Spinning Tunes DJ ­Louie Don (reggae/lovers/roots).

Saturday, December 28 Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop/Soul

Alleycatz Lady Kane.

The Antler Room Denis Martel & the High

Rollers (pub rock) 10 pm.

Drake Hotel Underground What’s In The Box Music Fest: 5 Nights, 5 Bands, 5 ñ Bucks Itzsoweezee, Phèdre, Weeknight, Doomsquad, Etiquette doors 7 pm.

FThe Garrison Boxing Day Special Festival

& Food Drive for Parkdale Food Bank: 5 nights, 5 bands, 5 comedians, 5 DJs. 8 pm.

The Great Hall Long Winter Kids Daytime festival for kids 0-12 with music, art, storytelling, magic, dance & theatre workshops.

Hooded Fang, Space Chums, Njacko Backo, Girls Rock Camp and more Noon to 5 pm.

Holy Oak Cafe Deliluh & ZONES (rock) 10 pm.

Horseshoe Rusty, Tuuli, Time Giant doors 9 pm.

Hot Box Puff Lounge HotRox Rocks The Hotbox Gene One (freestyle).

Lake Affect Lounge The Pie Guys 4 to 8 pm.

FLee’s Palace Xmas Punk Blowout ­Harmonauts, Skullians, Deforesters, ­Cyclops 76-6-6, Rebel Arms.

Lola Alec Fraser & Chris Bartos 9 pm.

The Rex Soul Stew (retro/funk/disco/rock) 9:45 pm, Danny Marks (pop) noon.

Rivoli Sun K, 8oz Soul, Heavy Early doors 9 pm.

Silver Dollar Calvin Love, Beams, ­Henri Faberge, the Folk 9 pm.

ñ

ñ ñ

Folk/Blues/Country/World

Bar Radio Boogie Infection (blues) 9 pm.

Blue Goose Tavern Danny B’s House Party The Danny B Band (blues harp) 3 to 6 pm.

Cameron House David Baxter 10 pm, Whit-

ney Rose 8 pm, Kristine Schmitt & Her Special Powers (honky-tonk swing) 6 to 8 pm.

Castro’s Lounge Big Rude Jake (blues shouter) 4:30 pm.

Dakota Tavern Bluegrass Brunch 10 am to 2 pm.

Free Times Cafe Samantha Hoey, Meredith Shaw.

Full of Beans Coffee Open Mic Myke Mazzei (folk/pop) 1 to 4 pm.

continued on page 42 œ

THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS

THE REPOSADISTS QUARTET

THIS SATURDAY

BRADLEY & THE BOUNCERS TUESDAY DECEMBER 31 NEW YEARS EVE

EVERY 1’S

A WINNER NYE2013@REPOSADO

DJ Gord C spins 70’s Funk & RnB presented by

New 50:50 cover every Friday at nowtoronto.com/5050

Complimentary party favours & midnight bubbly Pay-what-you-can cover charge REPOSADO BAR & LOUNGE

136 OSSINGTON AVE (Between Queen & Dundas) 416-532-6474 | reposadobar.com

40

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

HOME OF THE BLUES SINCE 1943 THANK YOU TORONTO FOR MAKING US A BEST BLUES BAR FINALIST!

THURSDAY DEC 26

CLOSED

THE OSSINGTON

Shindig!

THU 26 BACK 2 BIZ Shake it off with the finest developments in music and cocktails from the past year...

dJs Splattermonkey – general eclectic - douBle k - miSty

FRI 27 GET BUCK w/DJ Nino Brown… spins hip hop, soul, dancehall, RnB & far beyond...

SAT 28 IN TOUCH All hit dance party blowout extravaganza...

SUN 29

COOL SPINNINGS

FRIDAY DEC 27

The coolest jams... Monday Doesn’t Count edition...

SATURDAY DEC 28

MON 30 COMEDY AT OSS Last chance for laughs in 2013...

FRANKIE FOO 10pm-2am THE HAPPY PALS 4:30-8pm FUNDRAISER FOR BRUCE DOMONEY 10pm-2am SUNDAY DEC 29

NEW ORLEANS CONNECTION ALL STAR JAZZ BAND 4:30-9pm THE NATIONAL, BLUES JAM with BRIAN COBER 10pm-2am

TUE 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE Advance tickets - $20, Hors d’ouevres, champagne, special cocktails & the musical stylings of DJ Big Jimmy Mills...

61 OSSINGTON AVE | 416•850•0161 | theossington.com

Winter Weekend Fri dec 27 Sat dec 28

r&B motoWn mod Ska Soul

THE DAKOTA TAVERN Thu Dec 26

pm

FaSt timeS

dJs Brendan canning tWeed + Sarah leBon

Sun Dec 29

BourBonite regret Society oF toronto 1 year anniverSary ShoW

mon W/ the old SaltS, mikey chuck dec 30 riverS & Special gueStS

eve me up

tue neW year’S eve diSco party dec 31 a digital needle, aliSter JohnSon

cloSed thurs dec 26 & Wed Jan 1 Serving great Food • 5:30 - 10:30pm!

416.532.3989 • 937 Bloor Street West www.thepiston.ca

Jason Collett

Basement Revue Fri Dec 27 10 tHe meRCenaRies

Sat Dec 28

80’s dance party

8:30pm

neW!

10-2pm

10pm

BluegRass BRunCH

tHe meRCenaRies

Beau’s presents sundays 10-2pm

BluegRass BRunCH

Hot RoCks

10pm members of the Beauties, flash lighnin’ & Blue Rodeo doing stones & CCR

Tues Dec 31

10pm

neW YeaR’s eve with

tHe RoYal CRoWns

tix $20 at theDakotatavern.com

Wed Jan 1 CloseD HappY neW YeaR! Fri Jan 3 fReeman DRe & tHe kitCHen paRtY

249 OssingtOn Ave (just north of Dundas) 416-850-4579 · thedakotatavern.com

MONDAY DEC 30

NICOLA VAUGHAN

9:30pm- 2am

TUESDAY DEC 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH CAUTION JAM

$20 in advance, $25 at door.

416-977-7000 GROSSMANSTAVERN.COM

379 SPADINA AVE (JUST S. OF COLLEGE) PARKING AVAILABLE

Follow us on Twitter NOW @nowtoronto Michael Hollett @m_hollett Alice Klein @aliceklein Susan G. Cole @susangcole

THURSDAY DECEMBER 26

Enzo DiMatteo @enzodimatteo

IT AIN’T EASY

Norm Wilner @wilnervision

SERB SUPERB

FRIDAY DECEMBER 27

Glenn Sumi @glennsumi

EVERY SATURDAY

Julia LeConte @julialeconte

EVERY MONDAY

Steven Davey @stevendaveynow

TUESDAY DECEMBER 31

Life & Style @nowlifestyle

SHAKE A TAIL LEGENDS OF KARAOKE

SNEAKY DEE’S NYE:

GET BLOWN DANCE PARTY TICKETS: TICKETFLY.COM, SOUNDSCAPES AND ROTATE THIS

John Semley @johnsemley3000 Ben Spurr @benspurr Jonathan Goldsbie @goldsbie

TWEET #Holidees

Adria Vasil @ecoholicnation

thur dec 26 | drs 8pm | $5

Sandy Pearlman & BoneS Phil Knox • rodzilla loti • dJ matt mcGrath fri dec 27 | drs 8:30pm | $5

the PicK BrotherS w/marK calderone • the StranGe sat dec 28 | drs 9pm | $5

Sun K • 8oz Soul heavy early • SleePinG lieS mon dec 30 | drs 8:30pm | $5

mc ryan Belleville Debra DiGiovanni, Joel buxton, allyson smith, Dylan Gott, eDDie Della siepe, Dave barclay, heino, nick rizzi, matt labucki & more!

www.altdotcomedylounGe.com tues dec 31 | drs 10pm | $25 adv $30 door Bump N’ Hustle + GaraGe 416 + FootpriNts preseNt

new year’S eve 2014 full comPlex & ServinG until 3am!

Bump N’Hustle

Paul e. loPeS, miKe tull GaraGe 416

BluePrint, moreno (Hot stepper) FootpriNts

JaSon Palma, General eclectic, Stuart li hoStS: taBoo, Pedro & carloS (Hot stepper productioNs), maya (FootpriNts)

tix : eventbrite.com, play De recorD, cosmos & the rivoli

thur jan 2 | drs 8pm | $5

the Box JellyS

w/ SlacKer, midway after darK, chriS Godfrey fri jan 3 | drs 8:30pm | $10

JaPé official releaSe Party

for vertiGo w/ elcee, Scott free, tremayne & dJ Julian tulino

caNvas paiNtiNG By Jump Fall • Body paiNter maGic FiNGa WoNG • clotHes By desiGNer toriN oF F.o.u.r. clotHiNG 332 Queen St. w. | 416.596.1908 | rivoli.ca NOW december 26 2013 - January 1 2014

41

clubs&concerts œcontinued from page 40

Gate 403 Sweet Derrick Blues Band 9 pm.

Hugh’s Room Suzie Vinnick 8:30 pm.

Lula Lounge Salsotika (salsa) 10:30 pm.

Old Nick Kim Jarrett, Jennifer Brewer (folk/ rock) 9 pm.

Relish Bar & Grill Alun Piggins (folk/pop)

9:30 pm.

Tranzac Southern Cross Soozimusic Party 10 pm, Joe Hall 6:30 pm, Jamzac 3 pm.

Tranzac Tiki Room Saturday Songwriters’ Circus Amy Campbell 3 pm.

Jazz/Classical/Experimental

C’est What The Hot Five Jazzmakers (traditional jazz) 3 pm.

Enwave Theatre Midwinter Night:

­Rituals Sacred And Profane Lemon ñ ­Bucket Orkestra 3 & 8 pm.

FThe Flying Beaver Pubaret Holiday Variety

Show Benefit for Supporting Our Youth 7 pm.5 Gate 403 David Rubel Jazz Band 5 to 8 pm.

Grossman’s The Happy Pals (trad jazz) 4:30 to 8 pm.

The Jazz Bistro Dave Restivo Quintet 9 pm.

Bathurst Centre for Culture & the Arts Definitely Not The Nutcracker ñ Ensemble Polaris 7:30 pm.

F918

Paul’s Churrasco The Tavares Trio/Botos

(jazz/Latin) 7:30 to 11:30 pm.

The Rex Teri Parker Quartet (jazz) 7:30 pm, Laura Hubert Band 3:30 pm.

Seven44 Climax Jazz Band (traditional jazz) 4 to 7 pm.

Dance Music/DJ/Lounge

794 Bathurst Jaceo, Jay Force, Jonathan Rosa, Quim, Carson & Elsonne 10 pm.

The Ballet All Vinyl Everything Agile, DJ

Mensa & Mista Jiggz (hip-hop/R&B/reggae/ house/disco/funk/soul) doors 10 pm.

BassLine Music Bar Techno To Funk Vol 2 DJ Demuir, DJ Rhobot Jones, DJ Zenta doors 9 pm.

Clinton’s Shake, Rattle, Roll (60s rock/pop/ soul) doors 10 pm.

Crawford Back In The Day DJ Law (video

42

dance party).

Drake Hotel Lounge DJ Dougie Boom doors 7 pm.

Emmet Ray Bar DJ Serious (hip-hop) 10 pm.

Fly Fly Saturdays DJs Shawn Riker, Mark Falco

doors 10 pm.5 Guvernment The Gift Mark Oliver.

Harbourfront Centre Shindig On Ice: DJ Skate Night DJ Misty Rock n’ Roll (50s & 60s R&B/soul/rock & roll) 8 to 11 pm.

Lou Dawg’s DJ Kenny Bounce (funk/soul/ blues/hi-hop).

The Piston Fast Times Dance Party DJ ­Brendan Canning 10 pm.

Rivoli DJ Plan B (hip-hop/rap/club).

Sneaky Dee’s Shake A Tail (60s pop/soul) 11 pm.

Virgin Mobile Mod Club The White Panda doors 8 pm, all ages.

Sunday, December 29 Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop/Soul

Dominion on Queen Rockabilly Brunch The

Cosmotones (old school rockabilly) 11 am to 3 pm.

Drake Hotel Underground What’s In The Box Music Fest: 5 Nights, 5 Bands, 5 Bucks Kevin McPhee, Austin Paul, Imposter(s), Silvermayne Vs Jordan Gardner, Michael Imperial doors 7 pm.

Drake Hotel Lounge What’s In The Box Festival Sexy Merlin, Rotzig, Jesse & His Havoc, Luka doors 9 pm.

FThe Garrison Boxing Day Special Festival & Food Drive for Parkdale Food Bank: 5 nights, 5 bands, 5 comedians, 5 DJs. 8 pm.

Lake Affect Lounge The Meteors & Dave Rave 4 to 8 pm.

MÉLANGE Franco.

Paradise Bar & Billiards Terry Logan Trio 4 to 7:30 pm.

Tattoo Rock Parlour 3 Warrior Girls: Damn The Stereotypes Elissa Barclay, Ginger Ale & the Monowhales, BlairMojo, Mandy Mayhem, the Corsets 9 pm.

ñ ñ

Folk/Blues/Country/World

Black Bear Pub Jam SNAFU 3:30 to 7:30 pm.

Cadillac Lounge The Danny B Blues Band

7:30 pm.

CAMERON HOUSE The Double Cuts (western swing) 10 pm, Nevada 7 pm.

C’est What Cadre (roots/blues) 3 pm.

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

Dakota Tavern Bluegrass Brunch 10 am to

2 pm.

Full of Beans Coffee Roger Zuraw (folk) 2 to 4 pm.

Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar Acoustic

Family Brunch (bluegrass) 11 am to 2 pm.

Grossman’s The National Blues Jam Brian Cober (double slide guitar) 10 pm.

The Local Los Caballeros del Son (Cuban traditional son) 9 pm, Chris Coole (banjo old-time/country) 5 pm.

LulaLounge Jorge Maza Group (Cuban music) 1 pm.

ñ

Bathurst Centre for Culture & the Arts Holiday Revue: Daily Bread ñ Food Bank Fundraiser The Wooden Sky, Nick F918

Ferrio doors 7:30 pm.

Relish Bar & Grill Stir It Up Sundays Open

Mic 9 pm, Liane Fainsinger 11 am to 2 pm.

Rose & Crown Music City North Open Mic 9 pm.

Sotto Voce Wine Bar Sunday Music Session Open Mic. Southside Johnny’s Open Jam Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix 9:30 pm.

Jazz/Classical/Experimental

FEmmet Ray Bar Holiday Concert Tesseract

(jazz) 9 pm.

Enwave Theatre Midwinter Night: ­Rituals Sacred And Profane Lemon ñ ­Bucket Orkestra 3 pm.

Gate 403 Root Down Trio 9 pm, Ethiojazz ­Project 5 to 8 pm.

GROSSMAN’S New Orleans All Stars Jazz Band 4:30 to 8 pm.

The Jazz Bistro A Month Of Sundays Micah Barnes Trio 12:30 pm.

Kanji Duane Forrest (jazz/soul/bossa nova) 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

Lula Lounge Gary Morgan’s Panamericana (Latin jazz) 8 pm.

The Rex Barry Romberg’s Strictly from Prehistoric 9:30 pm, Tim Postgate 7 pm, Freeway Dixieland 3:30 pm, Excelsior Dixieland Jazz noon.

Dance Music/DJ/Lounge

Bovine Sex Club Metal Health 9 pm.

Castro’s Lounge Watch This Sound (rare vin-

tage ska/reggae/dub) 9 pm.

Holy Oak Cafe Sandpaper Tango (postpunk/ new wave) 9 pm.

Monday, December 30

Toronto, the Old Salts, Mikey Chuck Rivers 9 pm.

Reposado Mezcal Mondays DJ Ellis Dean.

Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop/Soul

Tuesday, December 31

Cosmotones 9 pm.

See New year’s guide, page 43.

Castro’s Lounge Rockabilly Mondays The Drake Hotel Underground What’s In

The Box Music Fest: 5 Nights, 5 Bands, 5 ñ Bucks Rich Aucoin, the Boom Boom, Terror

Pigeon, Coronado, Crimes in Paris doors 7 pm.

Drake Hotel Lounge The St Royals (soul/Motown/R&B) dors 10 pm.

FThe Garrison Boxing Day Special Festival & Food Drive for Parkdale Food Bank: 5 nights, 5 bands, 5 comedians, 5 DJs. 8 pm.

GROSSMAN’S Nicola Vaughan (pop rock) 10 pm.

Horseshoe Shoeless Monday West Hammock, Neil Thornton.

Hugh’s Room It’s New Year’s Eve...

Somewhere Andria Simone & Her Band 8:30 pm.

Lula Lounge Chezidek, Prophecy Izis & ­Emperor SWL (reggae) 10 pm.

ñ

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Folk/Blues/Country/World

CAMERON HOUSE Weatherstone 10 pm, C&C Surf Factory 8 pm, Rae Billing 6 pm.

Free Times Cafe Open Stage Mondays 7:30 pm.

The Local Hamstrung String Band (blue-

grass/traditional country) 9 pm.

Lou Dawg’s Ryerson Open Mic Don Campbell.

Magic Oven Queen E Magic Mondays Open Jam Shahi (soul/R&B/jazz/funk) 9 pm to midnight.

The Painted Lady Open Mic Mondays 10 pm.

Relish Bar & Grill Bentroots (New Orleans blues) 8 pm.

TranzacSouthernCross Open Mic Mondays 9 pm.

Jazz/Classical/Experimental

Emmet Ray Bar Harley Card Quartet (jazz) 9 pm, Jacob Damelin (jazz) 7 pm.

Gate 403 Richard Whiteman Jazz Band w/ Terra

Hazelton 9 pm, David Rubel Jazz Band 5 to 8 pm, Nathan Hilts Adult Jazz Ensemble 1 to 4 pm.

Kitch Luke Vajsar (solo bass).

Lola The Big 3 (old jazz) 6 to 9 pm.

The Rex Hilario Duran Trio (Afro-Cuban Latin jazz) 9:30 pm, Jim Gelcer Group 6:30 pm.

Dance Music/DJ/Lounge

The Hoxton Baauer & RL Grime doors 10 pm.

The Piston The Bourbonite Regret Society of

Wednesday, January 1 Folk/Blues/Country/World

Emmet Ray Bar Kevin Butler (folk) 9 pm.

Jazz/Classical/Experimental

Heliconian Hall A New Year’s Day Concert:

French Baroque Cantatas & Sonatas The Musicians in Ordinary, Hallie Fishel, John Edwards (17th-century English songs) 2 pm.

Roy Thomson Hall Salute To Vienna Strauss Symphony of Canada, Rebecca Nelsen, Daniel Serafin 2:30 pm.

3

Venue Index

794 Bathurst Alleycatz 2409 Yonge. 416-481-6865.

The Antler Room 146 Front W (down the alley).

The Ballet 277A Ossington.

Bar Radio 615 College. 416-516-3237.

BassLine Music Bar 865 Bloor W. 416-732-7513.

Black Bear Pub 1125 O’Connor. 416-752-5182.

Bloke & 4th 401 King W. 416-477-1490.

Blue Goose Tavern 1 Blue Goose. 416-255-2442.

Bovine Sex Club 542 Queen W. 416-504-4239.

Bunda Lounge 1108 Dundas W. Cabin Nightclub 559 College.

Cadillac Lounge 1296 Queen W. 416-536-7717.

Cameron House 408 Queen W. 416-703-0811.

Castro’s Lounge 2116 Queen E. 416-699-8272.

Cavern Bar & Bistro 76 Church.

C’est What 67 Front E. 416-867-9499.

Clinton’s 693 Bloor W. 416-535-9541.

Club 120 120 Church.

Crawford 718 College. 416-530-1633.

Crocodile Rock 240 Adelaide W. 416-599-9751.

Cube 314 Queen W. 416-263-0330.

Curzon 1192 Queen E. 416-850-3650.

Dakota Tavern 249 Ossington. 416-850-4579.

The Danforth Music Hall 147 Danforth. 416-778-8163.

Direct Energy Centre 100 Princes Blvd, Exhibition Place.

Dominion on Queen 500 Queen E. 416-368-6893.

Drake Hotel 1150 Queen W. 416-531-5042.

Emmet Ray Bar 924 College. 416-792-4497.

Enwave Theatre 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.

Firkin on King 461 King W. 416-979-5464.

Fly 8 Gloucester. 416-410-5426.

The Flying Beaver Pubaret 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567.

Free Times Cafe 320 College. 416-967-1078.

Full of Beans Coffee 1348 Dundas W. 647-347-4161.

The Garrison 1197 Dundas W. 416-519-9439.

Gate 403 403 Roncesvalles. 416-588-2930.

Gladstone Hotel 1214 Queen W. 416-531-4635.

The Great Hall 1087 Queen W. 416-826-3330.

Grossman’s 379 Spadina. 416-977-7000.

Guvernment 132 Queens Quay E. 416-869-0045.

Handlebar 159 Augusta. 647-748-7433.

Harbourfront Centre 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.

Hard Luck Bar 772a Dundas W. Heliconian Hall 35 Hazelton. 416-922-3618.

Holy Oak Cafe 1241 Bloor W. 647-345-2803.

Horseshoe 370 Queen W. 416-598-4753.

Hot Box Puff Lounge 204 Augusta. 416-203-6990.

The Hoxton 69 Bathurst. 416-456-7321.

Hugh’s Room 2261 Dundas W. 416-531-6604.

The Jazz Bistro 251 Victoria. 416-363-5299.

Kanji 1346 Queen W. 416-536-8448.

Kitch 229 Geary. 647-350-4555.

Lake Affect Lounge 1 Port E (Mississauga). 905-274-8223.

Lee’s Palace 529 Bloor W. 416-532-1598.

The Loaded Dog 1921 Lawrence E. 416-901-0662.

The Local 396 Roncesvalles. 416-535-6225.

Lola 40 Kensington. 416-348-8645.

Lou Dawg’s 589 King W. 647-347-3294.

Lou Dawg’s Ryerson 76 Gerrard E. 647-349-3294.

Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas W. 416-588-0307.

Magic Oven Queen E 360 Queen E. 416-703-3555.

Mélange 172 Main. 416-686-6485.

Midpoint 1180 Queen W. 647-895-4171.

Monarch Tavern 12 Clinton. 416-531-5833.

918 Bathurst Centre for Culture & the Arts 918 Bathurst.

416-538-0868.

North York Central Library 5120 Yonge. 416-395-5535.

Old Nick 123 Danforth. 416-461-5546.

The Painted Lady 218 Ossington. 647-213-5239.

Paradise Bar & Billiards 940 Danforth. 416-466-7981.

Paul’s Churrasco 839 College St. 416-532-2777.

Pauper’s Pub 539 Bloor W. 416-530-1331.

The Piston 937 Bloor W. 416-532-3989.

Relish Bar & Grill 2152 Danforth. 416-425-4664.

Reposado 136 Ossington. 416-532-6474.

Revival 783 College. 416-535-7888.

The Rex 194 Queen W. 416-598-2475.

Rivoli 332 Queen W. 416-596-1908.

Rooster Coffee House 343 King E. 416-995-1530.

Rose & Crown 2335 Yonge. 416-487-7673.

Roy Thomson Hall 60 Simcoe. 416-872-4255.

Seven44 744 Mt Pleasant. 416-489-7931.

Silver Dollar 486 Spadina. 416-975-0909.

Sneaky Dee’s 431 College. 416-603-3090.

Sotto Voce Wine Bar 595 College. 416-536-4564.

Southside Johnny’s 3653 Lake Shore W. 416-521-6302.

The Steady Cafe & Bar 1051 Bloor W. 416-536-4162.

Supermarket 268 Augusta. 416-840-0501.

Tattoo Rock Parlour 567 Queen W. 416-703-5488.

3 Windows 372 Queen E. 416-366-3366.

Thymeless 355 College. 416-928-0556.

Toby’s Famous 411 College. 416-868-6297.

Tranzac 292 Brunswick. 416-923-8137.

Troika Vodka Boutique 95 King E. Virgin Mobile Mod Club 722 College. 416-588-4663.

WAYLA Bar 996 Queen E. 416-901-5570.

Wise Guys 2301 Danforth. 416-694-2005.

NEW YEAR’S EVE GUIDE

Hooded Fang play one of three entertainment rooms at Tranzac.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO AT T.O. CLUBS, CONCERT VENUES AND STAGES TO RING IN 2014 Compiled by JULIA HOECKE

Parties 5 indicates queer-friendly events

ALLEYCATZ New Year’s Eve 2014. Festive dinner, Lady Kane performs live and DJ Mike spins funk, soul, R&B disco, reggae, top 40 and more. Cocktails from 6 pm, dinner 7 pm, bubbly and favours at midnight. Dinner and dance $75, party only from 8:30 pm $30. 2409 Yonge. 416-481-6865, alleycatz.ca.

AMSTERDAM BREWHOUSE New Year’s Eve Party. LMT Connection play funk and soul from 9 pm. Craft brews and dinner options. $50. 245 Queens Quay W. 416-5041020, amsterdambrewhouse.com. & CO RESTO BAR Casino Royale. Dine at this gala with an ode to 1920s Monaco. DJ Blind Method, DJ Threats, DJ C-Los, Vendetta and others spin. Four-course menu, hors d’oeuvres, party favours and champagne toast. Dinner & party $90, party only $40. ticketpicket.com/casinoroyale. 295 Enfield Place (Mississauga). 905-808-2112, andcompany.ca.

ANDY POOLHALL New Years Baby! DJs Brendan Canning, Justin Peroff, Sunclef, Efsharp and Caff play everything. 9 pm. $20 (Soundscapes, Rotate This, Play de Record and at the venue). 489 College. 416-923-5300, andypoolhall.com.

ARIA COMPLEX Experience 2014 New Year’s Eve. Huge multi-floor dance party

with all floors including Aria, Vanity, Haze and Pure. Adv $25, more later. 108 Peter.

647-228-2434, ariacomplex. com.

THE BALLET Extravagance New Years 2014. Burlesque, midnight champagne toast, music by No Big Deal and surprise guests. Doors 10 pm. Semi-formal attire suggested. 21+. $25. 277A Ossington. balletossington.com.

THE BALLROOM New Year’s Eve. The Frank Ryan Band perform. $25 after 10:30 pm, adv $15 at the venue. 145 John. 416-5972695, theballroom.ca.

BAR 244 Rock:in NYE:14. Top 40, club anthems, party classics, rock, R&B and more.

Doors 9 pm. $20, increases closer to the event.

244 Adelaide W. 416-599-2442, bar244.ca.

BELLEENY’S LOUNGE New Year’s Eve. Steele, a jazzy cabaret and DJ XL provide the music for this dance party. Hors d’oeuvres and complimentary cocktail, three-course dinner.

Reserve. $95, $180 per couple. 4000 Steeles W, unit 14. belleenyslounge.com.

THE BEVERLEY HOTEL Celebrate 2014.

DJ dancing, five-course dinner, early threecourse dinner (6:30 pm), champagne toast and party favours. Dinner & party $100, early dinner, $65, party only after 11 pm $25. 335 Queen W. 416-493-2786, thebeverleyhotel.ca.

BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE Ring-ADing-Ding. Contemporary crooner Andy De Campos performs at this classy dinner party.

Two seatings 6 & 9 pm. Reserve. Prix fixe $150 early seating, $175 late seating. 3277 Bloor W. 416-233-7406, blackangussteakhouse.ca.

BLACK SWAN Rockin’ The House! Party with The Legends, Mike McKenna, Peter McGraw, Robbie Rox and Nicole Dunn. Doors 7:30 pm. Midnight champagne toast included. $40.

154 Danforth. 416-522-9896, songtown.ca.

BLUE SUEDE SUE’S Kiss

2013 Goodbye. Party with live performance by Joée, party favours, noisemakers, hors d’oeuvres, chocolates, champagne toast and more. Call for tickets. 75 Watline (Mississauga). 905-890-0690, bluesuedesues.ca.

BOVINE SEX CLUB New Year’s Eve. The Victim Party, Plan 37, Black Cat Attack and a guest band play. Midnight toast, favours and DJ dancing. 9 pm. $15, adv $10 (ticketscene. ca/events/9773). 542 Queen W. 416-5044239, bovinesexclub.com.

BRANT HOUSE 14 Minutes To Midnight.

Stylish affair for the over-21 set with dinner reservations for 7, 8 & 9 pm seatings. Standard or premium VIP packages available. R&B and old school music. Strict style code in effect. $22-$45 (uniqlifestyle.wantickets.com).

522 King W. 416-703-2800, branthouse.com.

BRASSAII Winter Wonderland Party. Dinner and dance party with DJ Annalyze. Fivecourse dinner with three seatings (8, 8:30 & 9 pm). Dance only from 10 pm. Formal dress code and 25+ age restriction. Dinner and dance $160, dance only $50. 461 King W. 416536-6104, tinyurl.com/brassaiinye2014.

BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES THEATRE

After Hours New Year’s Eve. Multidisciplinary performances by Tynomi Banks, Scarlett Bobo, Sapphire Titha Reign, host Cassandra Moore and others, plus music by DJs K-Tel and Triple X. Doors 10 pm. $25. 12 Alexander. 416975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.5 CABIN NIGHTCLUB Prohibition New Year’s Eve. Celebrate 1920s-style with DJ Starski spinning old school, hip-hop and R&B. $25. 559 College. clubcrawlers.com.

CADILLAC LOUNGE

New Years. The Mercenaries and KC & the Moonshine Band perform. 1296 Queen W. 416-536-7717, cadillaclounge.com.

CAMERON HOUSE NYE Party. Ferraro and Shane Murphy play. 10 pm. 408 Queen W. 416-703-0811, thecameron.com.

CAPTAIN MATTHEW FLINDERS New Years Cruise. Tour the harbour while dancing and enjoying hors d’oeuvres and food stations with host Rebecca Page of Z103.5. Champagne midnight toast. Boarding 9 pm, dock at 1 am. $69.95. 207 Queens Quay W, Pier 6. 416203-0178, mariposacruises.com.

CASA LOMA Party At The Castle. Step back in time to a period of European elegance.

Complimentary champagne toast and music

by DJ Rouge. 10 pm. $75. 1 Austin Terrace.

416-923-1171, westofcontra.com/buytickets.

CASTLEFIELD EVENT THEATRE Prestige On Yonge NYE Affair. Upscale party with dinner and dancing. After-dinner show with Ray Robinson, S Davis and Trish, comedy

by Dred Lee and music by Max B. Strict semiformal dress code. Dinner and dance $75, dance only $35-$45, dinner, show & dance $85. 2492 Yonge. 416-322-3322, clubcrawlers. com.

CINEMA NIGHTCLUB NYE 14 Show Time. Casual upscale attire at a party for the 21+ crowd. House, hip-hop and club anthems.

VIP packages offered. 9 pm. $45 (wantickets.

com). 135 Liberty. 416-5882888, cinemapresents.ca.

CLINTON’S NYE 14. Bangs & Blush spin 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s at this party. Doors 9:30 pm. $20 at the door. 693 Bloor W. 416-535-9541, clintons.ca.

CLUB 120 Crush NYE Party. DJ Johnny B Goode spins. 10 pm. $10. 120 Church. club120.ca.5 CLUB V Masquerade New Years. DJ Milz plays top 40, hip-hop, house and more. Champagne toast, masquerade masks and indoor/ outdoor smoking patio. $40. 88 Yorkville. 647448-6453, privenightlife.com.

COBRA LOUNGE Virtue. House, hip-hop and club anthems at this upscale dance party in a subterranean tomb-like setting with light show and LED Color Kinetics ceiling. 9 pm. $25. 510 King W. 416-361-9004, uniqlifestyle. com/nye14.

COVE THIRTYONE NYE 2014. Two-floor dance with top 40, hip-hop and mashups.

Complimentary party favours and midnight bubbly. Doors 9 pm. $25. 31 Mercer. 416-9790131, clubcrawlers.com.

CROCODILE ROCK New Years Eve. Party favours, balloon drop, ice luge for shots, top 40, retro and dance. $20, adv $15. 240 Adelaide W. 416-599-9751, crocrock.ca.

CUBE Social NYE. DJ Jed Harper and DJ Tudor help ring in 2014. Midnight toast and favours included. Doors 9 pm. Dress code in effect. Advance from $35. 314 Queen W. 416263-0330, cubetoronto.com.

DAKOTA TAVERN New Year’s Eve With The Royal Crowns. Rockabilly party. Doors 9 pm. $20 (ticketfly.com). 249 Ossington. 416850-4579, thedakotatavern.com.

DANCE CAVE Dance Cave NYE. Doors 9 pm. $12.50 (Rotate.com, Soundscapes, Ticketfly). 529 Bloor W, 2nd floor. 416-532-1598, leespalace.com. continued on page 44 œ

NOW DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014

43

New Year’s Eve guide œcontinued from page 43

Dovercourt House New Year’s Eve

Swing & Blues Double Deck Ball. The Happy Pals Swing Quintet play this party with a hot or cold supper buffet, favours, midnight bubbly and dance classes. Beginner classes before the ball with lindy hop on one floor, blues dancing on the other, 8 to 9 pm. Ball from 9:15 pm. $45 with a class, $40 without. 805 Dovercourt. 416-535-3847, odd-socks.org.

Drake Hotel Black & White Ball. Dinner, dancing with DJ Conor Cutz, party favours and more. Three-course dinner (6 to 7 pm) $75, four-course dinner (9 to 10 pm), $115, strolling cabaret dinner $75, general admission $40, after midnight $20. 1150 Queen W. 416-531-5042, ­thedrakehotel.ca.

Drake One Fifty Day To Night. Après work cocktails and canapés (3 to 6 pm), dinner, countdown gathering, Into The Night (9 pm) package and more at the Drake’s downtown venue. Cocktails $25-$40, dining room $40-$75, Into The Night $75-$150. 150 York.

416-363-6150, ­drakeonefifty.ca.

ESTONIAN HOUSE Ball In The Hall.

George Olliver & Gangbuster, John Finley and Cathy Young entertain. Buffet dinner offered from 7 to 9 pm. Party only from 9 pm. Dinner and party $99, party only $75. 958 Broadview.

416-522-9896, songtown.ca.

The Everleigh Circa 1926. DJ Spence Diamonds spins classics, hip-hop, old skool and current hits at this stylish party with a nostalgic theme. Party favours and midnight champagne toast included. Adv $40, more at the door. 580 King W. 416-368-0014, ­ticketzone.com/everleigh.

F-Stop Nightclub Hip-hop party by DJ North Prep. 10 pm. 420A Wellington W. 416-901-9990, f-stoptoronto.com.

Fairmont Royal York Hotel Majestic New Year’s Eve 2014. Three-course dinner and dance offered with music by Hrant, DJ Delirious, Vicar DJ Grandslam Boodram, DJ DR & Julian Tulino spinning top 40, mashups, R&B, house and hip-hop. Live music performances, comedy by Ali Badshah and cabaret show by Laura Furtado. Doors 6:30 pm, dance 9 pm. Dinner and dance $100, dance only $40. 100 Front W. 416-368-2511, ­majesticnye.com.

Fiction Nightclub Stories To Tell NYE. Dance to top 40 and house at this stylish party. $25 (­clubcrawlers.com). 180 Pearl.

Fly Black & White Ball. DJs Deko-Ze and Kevin Bailey, party favours, champagne toast and hot go-go guys. Black and/or white attire suggested. Doors 9 pm. $35, $30 adv (available at Fly, Rotate This, Out on the Street, 551 Church and The 8th Deadly Sin Restaurant, 6 Gloucester). 8 Gloucester. 416-410-5426, ­flynightclub.com.5 The Garrison Chronologic New Year’s Eve. Great music from 1890 to 2014 played in chronological order with Goin’ Steady DJs and DJ Wes Allen in the Cantina. Doors 10 pm. $25, adv $20 (ticketswell.com, Rotate This, Soundscapes). 1197 Dundas W. 416-5199439, ­garrisontoronto.com.

Gate 403 Jazz Party. Denielle Bassels’ Quintet performs. 8 pm. $10 cover. 403 Roncesvalles. 416-588-2930, ­gate403.com.

Gladstone Hotel Big Top NYE Party.

Jugglers, acrobats, bearded ladies, DJs, carnival games, complimentary toast, cotton candy, midnight ballroom drop and more.

44

Dancing with DJs MAKEM, Wolfh34rt and Dirty Dale. Themed VIP rooms with private or ringside spaces. Adv $40-$50, $60 at the door.

1214 Queen W. 416-531-4635, ­gladstonehotel.com.

Gravity Soundbar Gravity New Year’s Eve. Two floors, three rooms and three sounds. Semi-formal dress code. Doors 9 pm.

Early bird $25 (clubcrawlers.com). 296 Richmond W. 416-977-8900, ­gravitysoundbar.com.

Gravity Soundbar Great Canadian Pub Crawl Party. Party at three clubs in one night. Begin at Gravity Soundbar, then visit Crocodile Rock and move on to Tequila Jacks.

Pick up your ticket by 10 pm at starting venue.

Semi-formal dress. $40 bracelet. 296 Richmond W. 416-977-8900, ­clubcrawlers.com.

Grossman’s New Year’s Eve. Caution Jam play this festive party. 379 Spadina. 416977-7000, ­grossmanstavern.com.

Guvernment/Kool Haus Magic.

W&W, Rebecca & Fiona, Ben Gold, Mark Oliver, Manzone & Strong. Party favours, champagne and a morning snack. Doors 9 pm, party till 9 am. $35 and up (inktickets.com).

132 Queens Quay E. ­theguvernment.com.

Habits Gastropub New Year’s Eve Dance Party. DJ TheVinylDen spins. $tba. 928 College. 416-533-7272, h ­ abitsgastropub.com.

HAPA IZAKAYA Hapa New Year 2014. DJ Riccachet & DJ Thera-P playing hip-hop, R&B, reggae, soca, house, edm and mashups. Dinner and dance. Dance only $20-30, doors 10 pm. Dinner and dance $50-$60, 7 pm seating. Early bird prices till Dec 27. 602 College. 416-9186064, ­roundtableent.ca.

Hard Rock Cafe

Hungama. Bollywood and bhangra party with DJ Guru & DJ Alfa and a dhol performance by J Raj. Doors 9:30 pm. Style code in effect. $30, prices rises closer to date, more at the door. 279 Yonge.

416-362-3636, ­simplygaurav.com.

Horseshoe NYE Show.

The Sadies perform two sets, 11:15 pm & 1:15 am.

Doors 8:30 pm. $25 (Horseshoe, Soundscapes, Rotate This, Ticketfly). 370 Queen W. 416-598-4753, ­horseshoetavern.com.

December 26 2013 - January 1 2014 NOW

House of Moments NYE14 With Pleasure­kraft & Damn Kids. Groove-heavy underground techno music. Opening set by Sam Haze. 9 pm. $56.50 (­thisisprovoke.com).

386 Carlaw. 416-901-6003, ­houseofmoments.com.

Hugh’s Room New Year’s Eve. Jane Bunnett & the Spirits Of Havana with guest Hilario Duran perform. 9:30 pm. $50, adv $45. 2261 Dundas W. 416-531-6604, ­hughsroom.com.

International Plaza Hotel

Glamour And Glitz NYE Gala. Two ballrooms with over 20 DJs spinning top 40, R&B, reggae, soca, hip-hop, house and more. Dinner, dancing, party favours, midnight snack, balloon drop and more. Semi-formal to formal dress.

7 pm. Dinner and dance $65, dance only $40.

655 Dixon. 416-898-3535, t­ icketgateway.com.

IZAKAYA SUSHI HOUSE The Last Minute. DJ Pikey, DJ Starkiss, Dynamic, Velociraver, PJ Styles, Tenshin, Ninjah Fareye, DJ Spazzmonk playing happy hardcore/drum n bass/trance. 9 pm. $20. 294 College. 416-5516264, ­facebook.comevents/613655268700037.

The Jazz Bistro New Year’s Party. Fivecourse meal, cocktail piano, doors 7:30 pm.

The Soul Nannies perform R&B, soul and funk from 9 pm. Dinner, party favours and a glass of champagne at midnight. $300 per couple, reserve. 251 Victoria. 416-363-5299, ­jazzbistro.ca.

KITCH South Beach Party.

Strip off your heavy winter wear for a beach party with DJ NaNa. $30-$40. 229 Geary.

647-350-4555, ­kitchbar.com.

La Maquette

Gala Dinner And Dance. Fivecourse gourmet dinner, dancing with Jerry Aaron till 3 am, party favours and celebratory champagne toast. $110. 111 King E. 416-3668191, ­lamaquette. com.

Lake Affect Lounge New Year’s Eve. The Pie Guys and Joe Reynolds perform. 1 Port E (Mississauga). 905-274-8223, l­akeaffect.com.

Latinada Latin New Year’s Eve. Live Latin music and dancing, hot buffet with wine and a midnight champagne toast. Doors 8 pm, party 9 pm. $75. 1671 Bloor W. 416-913-9716, ­latinada.com.

Lee’s Palace New Year’s Eve Party.

Roots/alt-country party with folk rockers Elliott Brood, opening act Harlan Pepper. Doors 8 pm, show 9 pm. Adv $22.50 (Ticketfly, Rotate This, Soundscapes). 529 Bloor W. 416532-1598, leespalace.com.

Liberty Grand Together New Year’s Eve. Huge three-room party with DJs Michael Woods, Quintino, Mark Knight, Funkagenda, 4Korners and others. Doors 10 pm. Tickets from $50 (uniqlifestyle.wantickets.com). 25 British Columbia. 416-642-3789, ­togethernye.com.

LINSMORE TAVERN New Year’s Eve. Train Wreck playing party rock. 8 pm. $45, adv $30. 1298 Danforth. 416-466-5130, ­linsmoretavern.com.

Lola New Year’s Eve Bash. Chris Lord performs. 40 Kensington. 416-348-8645.

London Tap House New Year’s Eve Streetcar Party. Visit several venues to dance and party the night away with bus service from club to club. Pizza & appetizers, party favours, prizes, midnight champagne, priority entrance to all clubs and more. 7:30 pm to 2 am. $50-$60 (tin.info/member/SCP/ event/1854260), tickets invalid after 8:30 pm. 250 Adelaide W. 416-205-1234, ­facebook.com/streetcarparty.

Lou Dawg’s No Hassele New Year’s Party. DJ Kenny Bounce spinning funk, soul and hip-hop. Food, drinks and 3 am last call.

589 King W. 647-347-3294, ­loudawgs.com.

Lula Lounge Salsa New Year’s Eve. Roberto Linares Brown Orchestra, Baila Boogaloo and DJ Gio perform. Five-course dinner, salsa lesson and champagne toast. Dinner & show $150, dancing only $40. 1585 Dundas W. 416-588-0307, ­lula.ca.

Luxy Nightclub Shine NYE. Dance to top 40, hip-hop, R&B, reggae and more at this large venue. $20. 60 Interchange Way (Vaughan). ­clubcrawlers.com.

MAGPIE TAPROOM Pop Lobster: Superbest New Year’s Eve Of Most Fun ­Edition. Wild dance party with Little Kicks, Digits and DJ Arp2600. $5 before 11 pm, $10 after. 831 Dundas W. ­facebook.com/ events/566940213386139.

Maison Mercer Enchanté New Years Eve. Music by DJ Aadil playing house, high energy, hip-hop and hits. Tickets include gourmet hors d’oeuvres and midnight champagne toast. $30, $40 later and more at the door (ticketzone.com/maisonmercer). 15 Mercer. 416-341-8777, ­maisonmercer.com.

Mariposa Cruise Lines

Gender-bender Cassandra Moore performs at Buddies in Bad Times.

Gala Dinner Cruise. Board the Northern Spirit for an evening of fine dining, dancing, spectacular views and midnight bubbly. Boarding 8 pm, return 1 am. $119.95. 207 Queens Quay W. 416-203-0178, ­mariposacruises.com.

Mirage Convention Centre Stars New Years. Caribbean New Year’s Eve all-inclusive event with DJs playing soca, reggae, chut-

ney, top 40, old school and more. Complimentary buffet from 9 to 10 pm, party hats, horns, Vegas stage dancers and midnight champagne toast. $60 increasing to $75 and $100. 1917 Albion. 416-319-2727, ­torontolime.com.

Monarch Tavern Blue Note New Year’s Eve. Brownman Electryc Trio play funkified jazz classics. Doors 8 pm. $25, couple $40 till Dec 22, more later. 12 Clinton.

416-531-5833, ­yxprojekts.com.

Monarchs Pub NYE Celebration. Jack de Keyzer Band and Jerome Godboo play the blues for this affair. 33 Gerrard W. 416-5854352, m ­ onarchspub.ca.

Nyood Glam NYE 2014. Glamorous party with music by Madjellan. Semi-formal attire.

Doors 10 pm, 21+. Adv $25, more later. 1096 Queen W. 416-466-1888, ­glamnye.ca.

Oddville HQ New Year’s Eve Cabaret Variety Show. Will Gillespie hosts a cabaret with Anna Atkinson, burlesque by Miss Mitzy Cream and Venus, belly dance by Raziya, prizes, topless tarot readings and more. Doors 8 pm, show 10 pm. $25, adv $18. 2094 A Dundas W. ­newyearsevecabaretvariety.eventbrite. com.

Old Mill Inn Home Smith Bar

Jazz Party. Heather Bambrick and Her AllStar Jazz Trio perform. Complimentary champagne on arrival, buffet dinner from 7:30 pm, music from 8:30 pm, desserts 11 pm. Overnight packages offered. $125, reservations required. 21 Old Mill Rd. 416-207-2020, oldmilltoronto.com.

Opera House New Year’s Party. Toronto’s ­Balkan Klezmer Gypsy party punk super band the Lemon Bucket Orkestra celebrates along with rustic folk outfit Koljadnyky and Samba Elegua. Bring an old hat to exchange with a stranger at midnight. Doors 9 pm. $30 at the door, adv $20 (La Pallette, 492 Queen W, Sunrise Records Yonge/Dundas or online).

735 Queen E. 416-466-0313, ­lemonbucketNYE.brownpapertickets.com.

The Ossington Dance Party Bash. DJ Big Jimmy Mills spins. Hors d’oeuvres and champagne toast included. 9 pm. Adv $20. 61 Ossington. 416-850-0161, theossington.com.

The Painted Lady Soul Sonic Bash. DJ NV and Ruby Magnitude’s Bartop Burlesque at this party. 10 pm. No cover. 218 Ossington.

647-213-5239, thepaintedlady.ca.

Palais Royale DJs Dwayne Gretzky and Lazy Ray spin for this dance party. 9 pm. Adv $35 (ticketfly.com, Rotate This, Soundscapes).

1601 Lake Shore W. 416-533-3553, ­palaisroyale.ca.

The Piston Eve Me Up Disco New Year’s Eve. Music by DJs A Digital Needle, Cyclist and Alister Johnston, midnight champagne toast and party favours. $15. 937 Bloor W. 416-5323989, thepiston.ca.

Pour Girl New Year’s Eve. Special drink and entrees 4 to 10 pm ($10). Reserve. DJ party upstairs. No cover. 191 College. 416-916-6448, pourgirl.ca.

Product Nightclub 1920s-Themed Party. DJ Wikked and DJ Lokei and guest hosts from the Indiana Pacers. Doors 10 pm.

Strict dress code. $40 (info@ladyluckent.net).

364 Richmond W. 416-877-1026, ­productnightclub.com.

RELISH BAR & GRILL Relish Stew playing an eclectic mix of music. 9:30 pm. 2152 Danforth. 416-425-4664, ­relishbarandgrill.com.

Reposado Every 1’s A Winner. DJ Gord C spins 70s funk & R&B. Complimentary party favours and midnight bubbly. Pwyc. 136 Ossington. 416-532-6474, ­reposadobar.com.

Revival The Bootlegger’s Ball. New Year’s Eve Speakeasy with Les Coquettes and Electro Swing Club T.O. DJs, live music, interactive visuals, vintage cocktails, a fashion contest, burlesque, sexy peep show at this party. Electro Swing fuse traditional swing with electro music including house, drum n’ bass, hip-hop, and dubstep. Vintage dress code. Doors 9 pm. $30 (Soundscapes, Rotate This, Fairies Pyjamas). 783 College. 416-5357888, ­thebootleggersball.eventbrite.ca.

The Rex Funky R&B New Year’s Bash. Live music by Grooveyard at this party. Doors 8:30 pm. $70 before Dec 23, $75 after. 194 Queen W. 416-598-2475, therex.ca.

Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Big Band New

Year’s. The Galaxy Orchestra with Alex Pangman and Don Thompson recreate Benny Goodman’s legendary 1938 Carnegie Hall concert at this swing party. 9:30 pm. $63.75$75. 10268 Yonge (Richmond Hill). 905-7878811, ­rhcentre.ca.

Rivoli Bump N’ Hustle, Garage 416 and Footprints Party. DJs Paul E Lopes, Mike Tull, Blueprint, Moreno, Jason Palma, General Eclectic and Stuart Li spin soulful vibes, house, reggae, hip-hop and more on both floors.

Doors 10 pm. Adv $25 at (Play de Record 357 Yonge, Cosmos 607A Queen W, Eventbrite and at the venue); $30 at the door. 332 Queen W. 416-596-1908, ­rivoli.ca.

Rock ‘N Horse Saloon Country Hoedown New Year’s Eve. Mechanical bull riding, live music, country DJs, and cowboy party favours. Doors 9 pm. $39 (online at northerntickets.com). 250 Adelaide W. ­rocknhorsesaloon.com.

Sheraton Centre Grand Gala 2014.

Huge ballroom dance with DJs playing top 40, hip-hop, R&B and mashups. Three-course dinner from 7 pm, or party only from 9 pm. Dinner and dance $100, dance $60. 123 Queen W. 416-361-1000, ­newyearsgrandgala.com.

Silver Dollar New Year’s Eve Dance Party. Bloodshot Bill , Stella Ella Ola, Brews Willis, DJs Sianteuse & Johnny Rankin rock this event. Doors 9 pm. $10 (Rotate This, Soundscapes, Ticketfly). 486 Spadina. 416975-0909, ­silverdollarroom.com.

Six Degrees Back In The Day. 90s NYE dance party with DJ Mensa & DJ R2 and a tribute to old school hip-hop, R&B, dance, house, reggae and 90s pop. Party favours, balloon drop and confetti canons. Doors 10 pm, 21+. $25. 2335 Yonge. 416-486-9666, ­clubcrawlers.com.

SOUND ACADEMY Genesis NYE: The Start Of Something New. Huge party at this venue with Madjellan, Reno Bravo, Fredzone, Andy Cue, Profit, Noel Wynter, Syktripp, Rick Logic, Patric Braganca, C-Kutz and percussion

by Sahab Habibi. Doors 10 pm. $20. 11 Polson.

416-461-3625, ­genesisnewyearseve.com.

Sound Academy Solarium Cirque New Year’s. Venue with a view of the skyline features dancing to house, hip-hop, mashups, top 40 and club anthems by DJ Nishe & DJ Nakz. Balloon drop, confetti cannons and party favours. Doors 10 pm. Strict style code. $20 (ticketzone.com). 11 Polson. 647-9863866, ­cirquenye.com.

SPIN Toronto Neon New Year’s Eve. Ping pong social club neon party with an electro-industrial spectacle by Squid Lid, DJ sets

by Sir Rock Obama and Deadly Vanity. Play ping pong, dance, drink and eat. Wear neon or white, $5 black light T&Ts. Reserve tables in advance. Doors 8 pm. No cover. 461 King W. 416-599-7746, toronto.spingalactic.com.

The Steady Cafe & Bar Go Hard Swagg 2 Da Roof NYE Past And Present. DJs Blackcat and Pleasure keep you moving all night. 10 pm to late. $15. 1051 Bloor W. 416536-4162, ­thesteadycafe.com.

Storys Building Singles New Year’s Eve Party. Meet Market Adventures, Stir Events and T ­ oronto’s Hottest Singles party. DJ dancing, hors d’oeuvres, live performances, party favours, midnight toast, prizes and more. Dress to impress. 9:30 pm. $120. 11 Duncan. 1-800-544-1061, ­meetmarketadventures.com.

Stout Irish Pub New Year’s Eve. Champagne toast, party favours and hors d’oeuvres at this fete. 8 pm. $10. 221 Carlton.

647-344-7676, ­stoutirishpub.ca.

The Strathcona Hotel New Year’s Eve. The Tony Cutrone Band play top 40,

dance, pop and rock. $75, reserve. 60 York.

1-800-268-8304, strathconahotel.com.

Supermarket Do Right & 92BPM Party. DJs John Kong, Sean Sax and mymanhenri spinning soul, funk, Motown, hip-hop, future beats and the best of 2013. Doors 9:30 pm. $20, adv $15 (Eventbrite.com, Soundscapes and the venue). 268 Augusta. 416840-0501, s­ upermarketnye.com.

Tattoo Rock Parlour Tattoo Rocks. DJ Human Kebab, DJ Trevor and DJ Stu play the best of rock and party rock anthems.

Doors 10 pm. $25. 567 Queen W. 416-7035488, ­clubcrawlers.com.

Thompson Hotel 1812 Bar NYE 14.

Three rooms, three DJs, one party w/ DJs Geoff Brown, Soundbwoy, Eric the Tutor and Mike Toast at this upscale dance party with house, hip-hop and club anthems. Doors at 10 pm. Early bird $40, $60. 550 Wellington W. 416-828-2425, ticketpicket.com/­ thompsonnye14.

Time Nightclub Black & White Masquerade Ball. DJs Starting from Scratch, Nigel Ong, DJ Sin, DJ Carlos play hip-hop, top 40, R&B and house at this party for the over-23 crowd. Champagne toast and favours included. Black and white dress code. 81 Peter. 416581-1118, c­ lubcrawlers.com.

Toika Bring The Beats. DJs Ricky Ryan, Cesar Caballero and Craig Anderson spin underground deep house. Semi-formal. 9 pm. 471 Richmond W. 416-868-6452, toikalounge.com.

Toula Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Gala.

Elegant six-course dinner and dancing to music by DJ Dylan. Early New Year’s Eve dinner 5 to 7 pm, all night NYE celebration from 7:30 pm, or party only from 10:30 pm. Reservations recommended. Early dinner $80, party only $60, all night celebration $150. 1 Harbour Square, 38th fl. 416-777-2002, ­toularestaurant.com.

Tranzac Concert Party. Three rooms of entertainment including Hooded Fang, Weaves, the True Visitor Band, the Woodshed Orchestra, Maloo, Kashka, Blimp Rock, John Southworth, DJ Gavin and more. Complimentary champagne at midnight. $17, adv $15 (­Rotate This, Soundscapes and the venue). 292 Brunswick. 416-923-8137, tranzac.org.

Trump Hotel The Twelfth Hour. An elegant party with music and dancing in the two-storey ballroom. DJ M-Rock spins old school, hip-hop and R&B. Decadent hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast and desserts. $90. 325 Bay. 416-306-5800, ­t welfthhournye.com.

Tryst Pop Champagne. Trendy party with dancing to top 40, hip-hop and mashups. $25.

82 Peter. 416-588-7978, clubcrawlers.com.

UNIUN Unite 2014. Celebrate with DJ Jed Dadson and DJ Chris La Roque. Complimentary champagne toast and party favours.

Doors 9 pm. Dress code in effect. Advance from $35. 473 Adelaide W. 416-603-9300, uniqlifestyle.com/nye14.

Virgin Mobile Mod Club Genesis.

Dancing to music by DJs Arnej, Bryan Kearney, Mike, Sied van Riel and Shelley. Doors 9 pm. $25-$40 (wantickets.com). 722 College. 416668-8070, t­ hemodclub.com.

Vogue Supper Club Liberty New Years. Times Square New York-themed decor with music by DJ Tilt & ISC Nation. Champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres. Strict style code. Doors 10 pm. $25. 42 Mowat. ­voguesupperclub.com.

WAYLA Bar Y2K Party. Party Like It’s 1999 with DJ Mark Falco spinning 90s house, pop, hip-hop and a midnight show by Scarlett Bobo. Midnight champagne, favours and surprises. Doors 10 pm. $15, adv $10 (from the venue). 996 Queen E. 416-901-5570, ­waylabar.com.

Woody’s Big Ass New Year’s Eve. DJ Chris Steinbach, butch beats and tons of dance space. No cover. 467 Church. 416-972-0887, woodystoronto.com.5

All Ages Liberty Market Bldg Midnite Run

and Party New Year’s Eve. Run or walk 5K at the stroke of midnight and celebrate with a post-race party. Chip-timed race, hot food, fireworks, swag bags and a free glass of bubbly at the finish. $45-$95, prices go up closer to the date, party only/run and party tickets offered. 171 East Liberty Ave. 416-707-5944, ­midniteruntoronto.com.

Mississauga Celebration Square New Year’s Eve. Countdown to midnight with performances by R&B, pop

God Made Me Funky heat up Nathan Phillips Square.

and hip-hop performers Martina and Massari. DJ Dopey and dance trio PRTY H3RO perform. Ice skating from 8 pm, show from 9:30 pm. Free. 300 City Centre. 905-615-4311, ­mississauga.ca.

Mississauga Celebration Square C Cafe Limelight. Association

of Young Artists block party with an open mic with the Chris Strazz Band, and an interactive art performance and painting on a community mural. 7 to 9 pm. Free. 300 City Centre.

905-615-4311, ­mississauga.artscouncil.com.

Nathan Phillips Square Citytv New Year’s Eve. Fathead, God Made Me Funky and DJ Clymaxx provide the music for this all-ages outdoor concert. Skating, fireworks, street food for family fun. 8 pm to midnight. Free. 100 Queen W. ­toronto.ca.

Toronto Zoo Family New Year’s Eve Countdown. Outdoor event with entertainment from the Decades and Majinx Magic Show.

Wild animal visitors at the Giant Panda Experience, Tundra Trek and Australasia Pavilion.

Opens at 5 pm, kids’ countdown at 8 pm. $20, child (3-12) $12, 2 and under free. Meadow­ vale N of 401. 416-392-5929, torontozoo.com.

show $95, show only $50. 224 Richmond W. 416-967-6425, ­yukyuks.com.

Opera’s Greatest Hits. The Opera Canada Symphony, Chorus Niagara, the Orpheus Choir of Toronto and soloists perform excerpts from Aida, La Traviata, Rigoletto and many others. 7 to 9 pm. $55-$145. 60 Simcoe.

416-872-4255, ­roythomson.com.

Theatre Hot House Cafe The Land Of Smiles.

Toronto Operetta Theatre’s gala performance dinner and dance of Franz Lehar’s masterwork as part of the Viennese Silversterball tradition. Pre-performance reception, threecourse dinner prior to the show at the St Lawrence Centre (27 Front E), followed by dinner, dancing and midnight champagne. 6 pm. $198-$213. 35 Church. 416-366-7723, stlc.com.

Roy Thomson Hall Bravissimo!

Spiritual Zen Buddhist Temple Kindling Light

Of Wisdom Mind. Special year-end candlelight service to take stock of your life and end the year in contemplation and reflection. All welcome. 8 to 10 pm. $10 donation. 86 Vaughan.

416-658-0137, zenbuddhisttemple.org. 3

Comedy Absolute Comedy New Year’s Eve

Spectacular. Stand-up comedy by Nile Seguin, Pete Zedlacher and host Ron Sparks. Dinner 8 pm, show 10 pm. $40-$60. 2335 Yonge. 416486-7700, ­absolutecomedy.ca.

BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA The Dude’s New Year’s. Screening of The Big Lebowski. Wearing a bathrobe and sunglasses encouraged. White Russian express bar available. 9 pm. $20, adv $17. Tickets include screening, one drink, popcorn and party favours. Tickets available at the box office or online. 506 Bloor W. 416-516-2330, ­bloorcinema.com.

Comedy Bar The Superstars Of Comedy And Mantown. Rob Bebenek hosts The Superstars Of Comedy evening with headliner Ben Miner, Jamie O’Connor and Pat MacDonald. 8 pm ($15, adv $12). Mantown improv comedy with Adam Cawley, Bob Banks, Rob Norman, Rob Baker and Jason DeRosse. 10:30 pm ($10). 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, ­comedybar.ca.

THE FLYING BEAVER PUBARET Because I Said So: The Year In Revile. Comedy

by Maggie Cassella, dinner and dance party. 8 pm. $25 plus $30 food/bar minimum (­brownpapertickets.com). 488 Parliament.

647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

Massey Hall Comedy Extravaganza.

Jeremy Hotz hosts this hilarious party with comedians Jessica Kirson, Mike MacDonald, John Hastings, Graham Kay, Dave Merheje, Darcy Michael, Alex Pavone, Christina Walkinshaw, and music by Jaymz Bee and Bonzai Suzuki. 7:30 pm. $39.50-$69.50. 178 Victoria.

416-872-4255, ­masseyhall.com.

Yuk Yuk’s Downtown New Year’s Eve Special. Rob Pue, Michelle Shaughnessy, Darryl Orr and MC Bryan Hatt provide the laughs. Dinner 8 pm, show 10 pm. Dinner and

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The

best of

2013

Damien Atkins (left), Paul Dunn and Andrew Kushnir’s Gay Heritage Project tops our list.

the valley 5 Tarragon, November 6 to December 15 Playwright Joan MacLeod is a master of the lingering emotional effect; her scripts resonate with audiences days after a curtain comes down. In The Valley, she looks at a policeman’s public and private life as well as the contemporary issue of the force’s handling of people with mental health issues. Director Richard Rose’s unconventional staging, designed by Graeme S. Thomson, had the talented cast sitting in the audience when they weren’t part of the action, observing and reacting just as we were to a powerful story about the difficulty of connecting to others.

as i lay dying 6 Theatre Smith-Gilmour, March 8 to 31

JON KAPLAN and GLENN SUMI’s

Top 10 theatre productions The shows on this list range from well-made plays and adaptations of classics to opera and (for the first time ever) cabaret. It was tough to whittle it down to just 10.

But of the hundreds of works we saw, these are the ones that burn the strongest in our memories. the gay heritage 1 Buddies project in Bad Times,

­November 17 to December 8

Friends and fellow theatre artists ­Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn and ­Andrew Kushnir spent five years crafting this well-researched look at the idea of gay heritage and how their own identities fit into queerdom’s larger context. The result, under Ashlie Corcoran’s sharp ­direction, was funny, angry and poignant – sometimes all in the same scene. Let’s hope it returns to educate and entertain more gay and straight audiences... perhaps for World Pride 2014?

46

after miss julie 2 Red One Theatre, November 14 to 30 August Strindberg’s Miss Julie, with its touch of misogyny and emphasis on strict class structure, can be heavy going for audiences. ­Patrick Marber’s updating of the story to England on the eve of a 1945 Labour victory crystallizes the drama in a particularly potent fashion, and Red One’s production played up all the tension in the script.

David Ferry’s masterful direction never let the audience relax, and with a strong cast that included Amy Keating and Christopher Morris as the below-stairs characters and Claire Armstrong as the flirtatious Julie, the production was red-hot politically and sexually.

this 3 Canadian Stage, March 18 to April 13 On the surface, Melissa Jane ­Gibson’s play seemed to be about 30-somethings (among them Laura Condlln, Alon Nashman, Yanna McIntosh and Jonathon Young) dealing with parenthood, adultery and death. But as Matthew Jocelyn’s bold production made clear, it held many more surprises. The Berkeley Street Theatre space was ­altered so

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

actors sat among the audience and borders were made visible, bringing intimacy and immediacy to a play that had the wit of a modern sitcom and the harrowing inevitability of a Greek tragedy.

4

passion play Outside the March/ Sheep No Wool/ Convergence/ Crow’s, June 6 to 30

Sarah Ruhl’s three-part epic examines religious, political and community beliefs and travels across time and space, from Elizabethan England to Nazi Germany and finally South Dakota during and after the Vietnam War. Directed by Mitchell Cushman, Alan Dilworth and Aaron Willis, the four-hour production started outdoors and finished in a church, ­holding audiences with its strong performances and magnificent theatrical moments. Not only was it good theatre, it demonstrated the strength and cooperative spirit of Toronto’s indie theatre community.

Laura Condlln and Alon ­Nashman did This beautifully.

William Faulkner’s classic novel, with stream-of-consciousness narration by over a dozen characters, is difficult to read much less stage. But Theatre Smith-Gilmour, which until now has adapted short stories and fables, theatricalized the novel with bravura results. Using its trademark physicality and investing all the characters with deep humanity, the company made the journey of the Bundren family to bury its matriarch a warmly felt, thrilling piece of staging, especially in a climactic episode in which the clan crosses a raging river.

the barber of 7 ­seville Soulpepper, May 9 to June 8

Soulpepper’s stellar season included a powerful remount of Angels In America, a bold new version of La Ronde and the ambitious comic ­Rubik’s Cube that is The Norman Conquests. But Michael O’Brien and John Millard’s whimsical riff on Beaumarchais’s play and Rossini’s opera deserves special praise. It was genuinely funny, even cartoonish, but had a savage bite at the end, all of which captured the sly, subversive spirit of the original source. And while the charismatic Dan Chameroy, Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster and Gregory Prest handled their contemporary twists on Rossini ­melodies better than some, it didn’t matter. This wasn’t a musical, but a play with music. And a fine one at that.

tristan und isolde 8 Canadian Opera Company, January 29 to February 23

Film can be a distracting addition to live performance, but director Peter Sellars’s staging of Richard Wag-

ner’s classic turned the familiar ­tragic love story into a fresh experience. The combination of Johannes Debus’s sensitive conducting, performances by Ben Heppner and Melanie Diener as the title characters and a suggestive video design

by Bill Viola that revealed outer and inner landscapes made the five-hour experience seem to pass in a few swelling heartbeats. A fine realization of Wagner’s idea of music ­theatre, involving the audience on all levels.

kamp 9 Hotel Modern/World Stage, May 23 to 26 The Dutch company Hotel Modern presented one day in the life of a concentration camp like Auschwitz, using a detailed miniature model, video cameras to get close-up details and – the biggest innovation – 2,000 8-centimetre-high puppets. It might sound in questionable taste, but it was chilling in its unblinking gaze.

The lack of text made the sounds – wind whistling through buildings, prisoners sweeping the grounds, the crackle of an electric fence – evoke the horrors even more powerfully.

brent carver 10 cabaret Soulpepper/Young Centre, February 15 to March 3

Why shouldn’t a cabaret show be on this list? Carver, no stranger to musical or straight theatre, made each song – whether a show tune or a Jacques Brel chanson or a weird novelty ditty – into a mini-play, clear and rich with subtext, ideas and emotion. Accompanied by first-class musicians (Laura Burton, Anna ­Atkinson and George Meanwell), Carver made us laugh, cry and leap to our feet at the end. In other words: great theatre.

Embarrassing scenes

ALADDIN Leaching all the emotion from the original, this pre-Broadway, Disney­cartoon-based musical offered no chemistry between the leads and lots of dull filler.

LA CLEMENZA DI TITO Director Christopher Alden ­trivialized Mozart’s characters and themes, earning some justified boos from normally polite Toronto audiences.

GIACOMO VARIATIONS This awkward mashup of the life of Casanova with the music of Mozart seemed like a vanity project for character actor John Malkovich, who drew crowds with his name but had them bolting in boredom by intermission. stage@nowtoronto.com

Here and at Stratford, Tom Rooney’s ­stunning performances made him top artist.

Rosina in the company’s production of The Barber Of Seville, she won viewers’ hearts. Her musical charms were also evident in her portrayal of the inspiring ingenue in The Ballad Of Weedy Peetstraw. But she’s a strong serious actor, too, as she proved playing a young stripper in The Flood Thereafter and recently, in The Tin Drum, a pair of wives, one unaware that she’s the rejected fourth side of a love triangle and the other involved both with her husband and her stepson.

JON KAPLAN’s

Top 10 ­theatre ­artists

Theatre creators kept the bar high this year, using their talents in memorable productions both mainstream and indie, in venues large and small.

What’s especially exciting this year is the range, from established theatremakers to relative newcomers busting with dramatic gifts. If there were room, another dozen people could justifiably be added here.

ROONEY 1 TOM Actor

Going to the heart of his characters, making the audience care for them despite less than admirable traits, hiding acting craft beneath a deceptively simple presentation, Rooney always gives a riveting performance.

This year he stood out in Someone Else, winning a Dora as a married doctor in mid-life crisis who uncovers an old emotional wound when he’s drawn to a young patient. He shone at Stratford this summer as Vladimir opposite Stephen Ouimette’s Estragon in Waiting For Godot, showing off his clowning ability to make us both laugh and cry, and as the outwardly righteous judge Angelo in Measure For Measure, physi­cally tormented by his covert desire for a young nun but unable to stop his lust. Masterful work.

2

BRUCE DOW Actor

Dow knows how to play big when it’s appropriate, but he’s also remarkable at highlighting the subtleties of

a character. In Of A Monstrous Child: a gaga musical, he gave a Dora-winning turn as in-yer-face but sensitive performance artist Leigh Bowery, returned to life to guide viewers through a multilevel look at Lady Gaga. His hypocriti­cal judge in The Life Of Jude was a comic gem.

Dow capped a strong year in the brave production of Pig, playing a series of gay men (Barry, Harry, Garry and Larry), the sometimes murderous, sometimes covetous tricks and exes of a young man already caught up in a dangerous relationship.

KOO 3 CAMELLIA Designer

There seems no end to Koo’s inventive visuals, which always add a layer to a production. This year she turned the set of the satiric Ching Chong Chinaman into a made-in-China packing crate, while for Blue Planet she created a magical beach on a mysterious island where children never age. Water was appropriately at the core of carried away on the crest of a wave, seeping onstage from the start of the show until the cast was wading in a pond by the end. In Sister Mary’s A Dyke?!, Koo took us into a queer schoolgirl’s ima­gination, filled with books, pews and a pup tent put to multiple uses. Finally, she built walls of salt-andpepper ­shakers to encase the action of The Gravitational Pull Of Bernice Trimble.

COURTNEY 4 CH’NG ­LANCASTER Actor

Lancaster initially made an impression as a member of the Soulpepper Academy. This year, cast as a yodelling, plucky

5

TONY NAPPO Actor

Nappo was rightly acclaimed for his work in Murderers Confess At Christmastime, in which he played an empathetic wheelchair-bound man desperate to connect with a woman emotion­ally and sexually.

Earlier this year he stole the show with a bravura turn as hockey enforcer John Kordic in Sudden Death.

Bruiser-type performances are naturals for the guy, but he can show a more subtle, poignant side onstage, as he did at the start of God Of Carnage before becoming a Neanderthal fighter along with the play’s other characters.

KEATING 6 AMY Actor

Keating has grown up – onstage, that is. She was perfect several seasons ago in Mr. Marmalade as a fouryear-old with an imaginary drug addict for a friend. She still played a childlike character at various ages in this year’s three-part Passion Play, but they all had an adult awareness of the world. In Murderers Confess At Christmastime, she was older still, a not so innocent kidnapping victim who stood up to her captor. But she burned brightest in After Miss Julie as Christine, the maid who’s usually the weak point of the play’s emotional triangle; here, her below-stairs character knew exactly what she wanted, and got it.

ADA 7 KAWA Actor

There hasn’t been a more chameleon-like actor on the stage this year than Ada, who will debut as a playwright in 2014. He played multiple roles in carried away on the crest of a wave, impressing especially as an open-minded Muslim Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster made a big impression this year.

examining a miracle at a Christian church. In the workshop of Body Politic, he won audiences over as a young gay man getting an education in Toronto queer history, and he’s cur­rent­ly sizzling with comic electricity as a lightning-struck boy in Weather The Weather. But his most memorable turn, both mesmerizing and repulsive, was as a slimy real estate agent in Iceland; seeing a link between capitalism and sex, he worships at the altar of both.

ATKINS 8 DAMIEN actor/playwright

Queer works occupied much of Atkins’s time this year. He rightly drove the epic Angels In America, playing Prior Walter, the gay man with AIDS who’s destined for great things, giving a first-rate performance that took his char­ac­ter from a fearful, lost and needy soul to a hero who literally dons the mantle of a prophet and goes to heaven to make a case for mankind. As co-writer/performer in the kaleidoscopic The Gay Heritage Project, he energized a number of episodes, in the most memorable bringing the HIV virus to trial not only for the deaths it has caused but also for depriving Atkins of a generation of queer role ­models.

TRITHARDT 9 ANDY Actor

Trithardt first caught my eye when he humanized the rigid minister in Ibsen’s Brand at George Brown Theatre. This year he was featured in a trio of plays by Kat Sandler (Rock,

Evergreen

Sucker and the remount of Delicacy), capturing the playwright’s mad, off-the-wall characters: a man who believes voices that tell him to bash certain people to death, another who decides to convert to Judaism and become a rabbi when his parents die unexpectedly, and a conservative, well-off husband with a yen for wife-swapping. In between, Trithardt, as adept communicating with his body as with his words, scored as a medieval knight errant desperate for a quest in Adventure and a comic peasant lad in the cartoony Engaged.

MOSS playwright/actor 10 JESSICA

Moss has become a shining star in the indie theatre world for her writing as well as her quirky, sharpedged performances. She started the year in the intimate discussiongroup setting of Faroe Islands, making the audience part of her emotional character’s concerns as a whale hunt activist. She finished 2013 with a rapid-paced stream-ofconsciousness monologue about the death of a father and Lucky Charms, part of Fear And Desire (And The Whole Damn Thing). In between, she played a woman determined to become a vampire though she can’t abide the taste of blood (Sucker) and, in an acclaimed turn as author/ actor in the Fringe hit Polly Polly, played multi­ple characters with breathtaking skill. It won her the Ed Mirvish Award for Entrepreneurship. jonkap@nowtoronto.com

BRICK WORKS & THEATRE

Columbus

Un On til Now De c3 0!

Weather the Weather

By Haley McGee

Directed by Jennifer Brewin

OUTDOOR WINTER THEATRE

DECEMBER 6 – 30, 2013 theatrecolumbus.ca

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NOW ddecember 26 2013 - january 1 2014

47

2013 stage movies The

best of

no less) made this show legendary.

GLENN SUMI’s

jen kirkman Empire Comedy Live, 2 Comedy Bar, June 8 (late

Top 10 ­comedy shows

show)

Our crack-smoking ­mayor made us the butt of jokes around the world, but there was lots of intentional humour happening in theatres and comedy clubs all year round. Here are 10 of the best.

After entering by modelling a kickass cape she found in the Comedy Bar green room and introducing her invisible sidekick named “Billy” (a reference to a recent Liza Minnelli show), the scratchy-voiced Kirkman breezed through an intimate and conversational set that touched on weave-wearing airport security guards, annoying married friends and being happily childless. No wonder her addictive podcast is called I Seem Fun. She definitely was.

1

3

gavin crawford: sh**ting rainbows uddies in Bad Times, June 21 B

Crawford would have been high on this list simply for his savage celeb impressions, like Hugh Jackman singing I’m Not Gay (to the melody of Les Mis’s Bring Him Home) or Rufus Wainwright pimping his husband, Jörn Weisbrodt’s, festival with the song Luminato (sung to Hallelujah).

But his social satire (Kyle Tingley was co-writer and director on the show), theatricality and sharp takes on politicians Kathleen Wynne and Rob Ford (as a guilt-ridden Gollum,

we can be heroes Second City, August 27

In their best revue in years, Second City hilariously took on blind lifeguards, Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines video and the politics of the Sochi Olympics, to name just a few topics.

Under Kerry Griffin’s solid direction, Craig Brown channelled his inner Chaplin, new mainstage member Connor Thompson showed he could become great, and the already-great Jan Caruana (who’s leaving the cast in early January) earned both laughs and tears as a bullied girl who befriends a Morgan Freemanesque

 “PERFECTLY PERFORMED...

SEE IT YOU MUST”

“DELIGHTFUL...

HEART-WARMING” – NOW Magazine

T he D ora Award-w inning holiday hit ret ur n s!

– Toronto Star

OLIVER DENNIS PATRICIA FAGAN

character (Kevin ­Vidal). This cast will always be my Heroes.

cory!

4 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, Comedy Bar, March 14

Second City alums Leslie Seiler and Lauren Ash (a few months before she left town to tape ABC’s Super Fun Night) resurrected their sketch duo and demonstrated that comics get better with age. They earned laughs contrasting men’s and women’s feelings about body image, how singlehood and coupledom are different and had the last laugh on the subject of cougars. Best was their closer skewering the ubiquitous bathtub scenes in Lena Dunham’s Girls. These girls got balls.

aziz ansari 5 JFL42, Sony Centre, ­September 27 (early show) Unlike previous shows, Ansari’s JFL42 set stuck mostly to a single theme: sex, love and the single comic. But his wit, likeability and audience interaction are so strong – one trusting soul even handed over his phone for Ansari to read texts – that it didn’t matter. I’ve been quoting his “...it’ll be a year in A ­ ugust” joke for months. He was equally good the night before at Andy Kindler’s Alternative Show, which featured a killer set by John Mulaney.

alex pavone 6 Yuk Yuk’s Downtown, January 19 (late show) Of the many talented youngish comics making their way up the scene (John Hastings, Dom Pare, Dylan Mandlsohn, John Ki, Nick Beaton and Rob Pue, many of whom could’ve been on this list), no one has surprised me quite like Pavone, whose cocky, high-energy act is shot through with honesty and heart. He demonstrated that in this knockout set in which he discussed a nightmarish late-night McD’s run, working construction and being ejected by a bouncer at a club. He’s the real deal.

mark and 7 kyle Big City Improv

Festival, Comedy Bar, October 18

MUS T CL OSE

DECEMBER 28 gen erously su pport ed by

PARFUMERIE MIKLÓS LÁSZLÓ

ADAPTED BY ADAM PET TLE & BRENDA ROBINS

2013 lead sponsors

48

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

photo: cylla von tiedemann

Founding Picnicface members Mark Little and Kyle Dooley had a great year, wowing JFL42 audiences and helming weekly sketch shows at the Comedy Bar in April and November.

They also killed the night I saw them at

the Big City Improv Fest, using their verbal dexterity, wide range of references and innate sense of space and structure to have as much fun as the doubled-over crowd.

deAnne smith 8 Absolute Comedy, ­January 25 The conservative uptowners didn’t quite know what to make of Smith’s Harry-Potter-meets-grad-schoolvegan-­dyke look or bold jokes about abortion and Hitler, but she quickly won them over making fun of overly confident male comics, a disastrous waxing session and her surefire closer, a ukulele song about death. She’s one of the freshest performers around.

9

The sklar brothers Empire Comedy Live, Comedy Bar, April 25 (late show and podcast) Identical twin comics and sportscasters Jason and Randy Sklar presided over the Comedy Bar for a series of sold-out shows, entertaining with their beautifully paced routines – rhythms like jazz! – about unironic mullets, fairy tale sequels and hipster hotel service. And even though I’m not a sports fan, their Sklarbro Country podcast with guests Paul Osbaldiston and Jay ­Onrait had me howling. Quite a feat.

Gavin Crawford’s stage selfie was comic perfection.

british teeth 10 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, Comedy Bar, March 8

The Tim Sims Award-winning team of Filip Jeremic and Allana Reoch proved they’re equally skilled at ­writing and performing, with a clearly defined sensibility and point of view. At this hilarious show the absurdist comic chameleons – who don wigs and accents with equal abandon – took on bickering newscasters, a woman named Faart and a scene in a hospital featuring a black candy striper, an old lady and fisting porn with total fearlessness. They’ve got bite.

Best last laugh

After being uninvited from a Niagara Falls comedy club for not respond­ ing to hecklers (who asked her to show them her, er, chest), Christina Walkinshaw chronicled the experience in a blog, generating international publicity.

Comedy mensch

Ian Atlas, producer of Empire Comedy Live and one of the nicest guys in the business, brought at least a dozen first-rate acts to the city (two of whom are on the Top 10 list).

Healthiest trend

Losing weight, staying funny. Comics Mike “Nug” Nahrgang, Jan Caruana, Jason DeRosse and Darryl Pring all dropped pounds without losing their sense of humour.

Unfunny

After bombing during a short set, Martha Chaves interrupted other comics’ acts to ask me not to write about it.

Also unfunny

The lack of improv, character or sketch comedy at JFL42. glenns@nowtoronto.com | @glennsumi

theatre listings GLENN SUMI’s

Top 5 dance shows

Even with shows by Margie Gillis and Mark Morris (notice their absence on this list), 2013 wasn’t the strongest year for dance. But there were still some nice surprises.

1

NIJINSKY National Ballet of Canada, March 2 to 8 John Neumeier’s epic about the legendary Ballets Russes dancer haunted by his impresario/lover Diaghilev and the horrors of the First World War was a staggering achievement, fully realized by the National’s strong company, headed by Guillaume Côté in the punishingly difficult title role.

2

THE GOLDEN MEAN (LIVE) Companie Marie Chouinard/ Canadian Stage, May 8 to 12

fashion runway. One of the most fun nights at the theatre.

SEASON 2013 3 ProArteDanza, October 2 to 5 Despite that title, there was nothing generic about this mixed program, which included the thrilling third movement of Roberto Campanella’s epic dance interpretation of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (can’t wait for the entire work on one bill), Guillaume Côté’s perpetuum mobile stunner Fractals and Robert Glumbek’s graceful Shifting Silence.

INNOVATION National Ballet, November 4 22 to 28 Not everything worked in this program of world premieres by young upstarts like the 23-year-old Robert Binet and veterans like James Kudelka. But it was full of revelations, like the sequence performed in near dark in José Navas’s Watershed, the easy intimacy of Binet’s Unearth, the allegorical rebirth motif in Kudelka’s ...black night’s bright day..., and especially Nijinsky, starring Guillaume Côté, got right to the pointe.

No one does cheeky sophistication like Chouinard. Her full-length show included a chorus of dancers wearing Stephen Harper masks, her signature animalistic movements and provocative costumes on a stage that jutted out into the orchestra like a

KATHLEEN SMITH’s

Top 5 dance shows

There was lots to like but less to love in 2013’s Toronto dance season. Many of my favourite works were cleverly programmed to maximize viewer engagement. So some were double or even triple bills, or solos that stood out within mixed programs.

ELEVEN ACCORDS 5 Toronto Dance Theatre, November 6 to 9 Inspired by the rhythms of Steve Reich’s hypnotic Music For 18 Musicians, choreographer Christopher House put his 11 dancers through a literal workout, racing forwards, backwards and grouping together for a series of intriguing solos and group sequences that felt improvisatory in the best way.

Dance MVP

Look above: Guillaume Côté is emerging as the Renaissance man of the performing arts world. (He’s also a composer.) Runner up: Benjamin Kamino, who bared his soul (and sometimes a lot more) in a series of dance and theatre works.

Dance duds

CARMEN Davide Bombana expanded his short “reconceptualization” of the Bizet opera/Mérimée novella into a full-length work and made it even more boring.

A DANCE TRIBUTE TO THE ART OF FOOTBALL Norway’s international hit scored with audiences but made few artistic points.

SPEAK, LOVE Literal navel-gazing while quoting Rumi.

A distillation of all that’s wrong with contemporary local dance. glenns@nowtoronto.com

solo Brahms Waltzes her own, Kate Franklin burned up the stage in Valerie Calam’s Gotta Go Church, and Holden and Marc Boivin performed Mélanie Demers’s would with scary intensity and strength.

BRUSSELS/TORONTO 3 PROJECT Toronto Dance Theatre, April 18 to 27

TDT’s artistic director Christopher House keeps company members challenged and energized by inviting guest choreographers from all over. In the double bill of The Gyres by Etienne Guilloteau and Pond Skaters by Thomas Hauert, they were effervescent, funny and fresh.

BENJAMIN KAMINO BEING AND 1dance: AND WILLIAM YONG 4 NOTHINGNESS (PART 1) Made in Canada/fait from Innovation, National au Canada, August 14 to 17 Kamino’s nudity. desire. and Yong’s Steer were rigorous, virtuosic solos looking in completely different directions, Kamino’s back to the primal origins of movement expression and Yong’s toward a digitalized posthuman future. Stunning.

Ballet of Canada, November 23 to 28

September 19 to 21

February 15 to 16

In an otherwise boring program, Guillaume Côté’s solo for Greta Hodgkinson was a perfect storm of timing, staging, choreography, music and performance.

WITH A TRACE HOMOBLABLATUS 2 firstthingsfirst production/ 5La Otra Orilla/ Danceworks/NextSteps, DanceWorks/NextSteps, Kate Holden made Peggy Baker’s

Guillaume Côté’s astonishing solo for fellow company member Greta Hodgkinson, which became a metaphor for all of life’s struggles.

The only full-length work on this list.

Montreal’s Myriam Allard and Hedi Graja and company gave traditional flamenco a radical yet respectful rethink for theatrical consumption.

Shows that put me in a bad mood

WHAT WE ARE SAYING Memo to Ame Henderson and Public Recordings: Toronto performance and theatre artists have been doing collective relational experimentation for years to greater effect and with less clubbishness.

THE LIGHT BETWEEN Margie Gillis, we love you, but this new age-y three-hander was ill-conceived and squirm-inducing.

A DANCE TRIBUTE TO THE ART OF FOOTBALL Don’t take on the beautiful game as a subject if you can’t deliver something more profound than this so-called “crowd-pleaser.” This soccer mom remains highly offended.

Dubious trends

I’m all for nudity in dance. While none of it seemed especially gratuitous, there was a lot on Toronto stages this season. Bravery brownie points to Sasha Ivanochko and Brendan Wyatt for the thoroughly researched but difficult, mostly naked duet Speak, Love. stage@nowtoronto.com

How to find a listing

Theatre listings are comprehensive and appear alphabetically by title. Reviews are by Glenn Sumi (GS) and Jon Kaplan (JK).

F = Festive/seasonal event N = New Year’s Eve event

ñ= Critics’ pick (highly recommended) How to place a listing

All listings are free. Send to: stage@nowtoronto.com, fax to 416-364-1166 or mail to Theatre, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7.

Opening FCINDERELLA – A HOLIDAY PANTOMIME

(BurlOak Theatre Group). The fairy tale is set in the present with new characters and interactive fun. Dec 28-30, Sat-Mon 2 pm, plus Sun 7 pm. $20, stu $15. Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy. botg.ca.

F#DICKWITFORMAYOR! (AND HIS CAT) by Rosemary Doyle and Jane Shields (Pink Kitty Co-op). A boy, a cat, a rat king and others feature in this musical holiday pantomime.

Opens Dec 26 and runs to Jan 4, 2014, ThuSun 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, kids $15. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

THE LAND OF SMILES by Franz Lehár (Toronto Operetta Theatre). A Chinese prince falls in love with a Viennese woman in this operetta about love and duty. Opens Dec 27 and runs to Jan 5, 2014, Thu-Sat and Tue 8 pm (see torontooperetta.com for info on NYE gala), Sun 2 pm. $72-$145. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, stlc.com.

SESAME STREET LIVE: MAKE A NEW FRIEND (VEE Corporation/Sesame Workshop). The regulars welcome Grover’s friend from India. Dec 2729, Fri 6:30 pm, Sat 5:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 10:30 am & 2 pm. $35-$45. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. sonycentre.ca.

FTEA AT THE PALACE by Ann and David Powell (Puppetmongers). This family puppet show features a retelling of two medieval Russian folk tales. Dec 26-29, Thu-Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/ srs $20. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman, Extra Space. 416-531-1827, puppetmongers.com.

One-Nighters

NBUDDIES AFTER HOURS NYE (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Performances by Sapphire Titha Reign, Scarlett Bobo, host Cassandra Moore and others. Dec 31, doors 10 pm. $25.

12 Alexander. buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Continuing

ALADDIN by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin (Disney Theatrical Productions/Mirvish). This Broadway-bound adaptation of the 1992 animated movie about the resourceful street urchin who falls for a disguised princess suffers from generic new songs, an awkward structural device involving three narrators and leads who lack chemistry.

But it’s worth waiting an hour for James Monroe Iglehart’s Genie, who adds a bit of stage magic to the dull proceedings. Runs to Jan 5, 2014, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm (see website for more shows). $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. NN (GS) ANNIE (TYA) by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin (Young People’s Theatre). This version of the hit Broadway musical, aimed at young audiences, is tuneful and offers some strong performances, but the narrative and characterizations become twodimensional in the slimmed-down book.

Jenny Weisz, perfectly cast, is a dream in the title role, innocent and optimistic without being saccharine or Pollyanna-ish. Runs to Dec 29, see website for schedule. $22-$35. 165 Front E. youngpeoplestheatre.ca. NNN (JK)

full of intentional stupidity and silliness. Excessive mugging mars the first act, but there are lots of surprises (and better songs) in act two. Ryan Ward reprises his role as the stiff, chainsaw-wielding Ash. And the directors have found some inventive ways to illustrate fake stage blood. Runs to Jan 5, 2014, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7 and 10:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. $20$79.99. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. evildeadthemusical.com. NNN (GS) LES MISERABLES by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Cameron Mackintosh/Mirvish). This 25th-anniversary production of the popular musical is dominated by Ramin Karimloo, whose ex-con Jean Valjean grows in complexity and depth and delivers some transcendent moments, even if he’s too young to pull off the final scenes.

He’s surrounded by lots of talent and a handsome production that’s majestic yet intimate, with stirring new orchestrations that add extra fire to this dramatic musical. Runs to Feb 2, 2014, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (see website for exceptions/extra shows). $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. mirvish.com. NNNN (GS)

ñ

LITTLE MERMAID: ONTARIO’S OFISH-AL FAMILY MUSICAL by Reid Janisse ñ (Ross Petty Productions). Janisse’s panto take FTHE

on the Little Mermaid is a socially aware yet light-hearted look at what’s happening down at Toronto’s waterfront, all seen from the novel perspective of its underwater creatures.

The plot is swift, the topical jokes very funny and the songs beautifully performed by a talented cast that includes Stratford’s Chilina Kennedy, the always amusing Edie Glen and Dan Chameroy and musical comedy powerhouse Lana Carillo. Runs to Jan 4, 2014, see website for schedule. $27-$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. rosspetty.com. NNNN (GS)

THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS, THE MUSICAL! by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell ñ (Mirvish). See review at nowtoronto.com.

Runs to Jan 5, 2014, see website for times. $19-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416872-1212, mirvish.com. NNNN (Susan G Cole) ONCE by Enda Walsh, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (Mirvish). This adaptation of John Carney’s indie hit movie about two Dubliners – one a busker, the other a Czech emigré – who make beautiful music together yet can’t be a couple throbs with honest emotion. The staging is simple yet effective, with evocative choreography and music (the actors are all musicians) that can swell to huge climaxes or descend to moments of heartbreaking poetry. Runs to Jan 5, 2014, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 2 pm (no show Jan 1. See website for more dates). $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

NNNN (GS) FPARFUMERIE by Miklós László (Soulpepper). Soulpepper’s revival of this oldworld romantic comedy follows the stressedout staff of a Budapest cosmetics shop during the Christmas rush. Solid acting, clever directing and a great set make this heartwarming love story a holiday classic. Runs to Dec 28, see website for schedule. $32-$68. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-8668666, soulpepper.ca. NNNN (Jordan Bimm) VENUS IN FUR by David Ives (Canadian Stage).

Ives’s two-hander is part theatre industry send-up, part sexy/funny look at the origins of sadomasochism and part critique of gender power shifts through the ages. It’s also a bravura acting showcase, which is where this production is a bit of a letdown. As Vanda, a streetwise, struggling New Yawk actor who tries to convince a playwright (a fine Rick Miller) she’s right for a role, Carly Street is skilful, disciplined and watchable, but she never disappears into any character. Runs to Dec 29, Fri-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $24-$99.

Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416368-3110, canadianstage.com. NNN (GS) FWEATHER THE WEATHER by Haley McGee (Theatre Columbus). This walkabout family production through the snowy landscape of the Brick Works features fighting sibs, a magical prince, a garden gnome brought to life and an angry weather-controlling troll. The story is sometimes sketchy, but the production, directed by Jennifer Brewin, is zestful and lots of fun. Dress warm. Runs to Dec 30, Fri-Mon 8 pm. $12.50-$32. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. 416-504-7529, theatrecolumbus.ca. NNNN (JK) 3

ñ

ñ

ELIZABETH - DARCY: AN ADAPTATION OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Hallie Burt and ñ ñ Kate Werneburg (Burt and Werneburg). Two women play all the parts and go through the historic rooms in this play based on the Jane Austen novel. Runs to Dec 29, Fri-Sun 8 pm, mat Fri-Sun 2 pm. $20 (totix.ca). Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. 416-597-0227 ext 2, burtandwerneburg.com.

EVIL DEAD – THE MUSICAL by Christopher Bond, George Reinblatt, Frank Cipolla and Melissa Morris (Starvox Entertainment/Jeffrey Latimer Entertainment). The homegrown musical based on the splatterific cult horror films gets a 10th anniversary production that’s chock

MORE ONLINE

Complete listings at nowtoronto.com

NOW DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014

49

How to find a listing

Comedy listings appear chronologically, and alphabetically by title or venue.

F = Festive/seasonal event

ñ

= Critics’ pick (highly recommended)

How to place a listing

All listings are free. Send to: stage@nowtoronto.com, fax 416-364-1166 or mail to Comedy, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7.

Thursday, December 26 FMIRACLE ON MERCER ST. Second City pre-

sents all-ages comedy with sketches, songs and puppetry. To Jan 1, daily at 2 pm. $14, 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. secondcity.com.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS Joss WhedonñBad Dog Theatre presents inspired improv. Dr. Horrible at 8 pm, Buffy at FWHEDONESQUE

9 pm, Firefly at 10 pm. $10-$12, 2 shows $15$20, 3 shows $20-$25. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. baddogtheatre.com.

YUK YUK’S DOWNTOWN See Fri 27.

Sunday, December 29 ABSOLUTE COMEDY See Fri 27.

LAUGHTER FOR THE ARTS Hugh’s Room

ñpresents a benefit for Garden Avenue Public School w/ Elvira Kurt, Rachelle Elie, Kelly Fanson, Kristeen Von Hagen, Laurie Elliot and host Simon B Cotter. 8:30 pm. $30-$35. 2261 Dundas W. 416-531-6604, hughsroom.com.

MIRACLE ON MERCER ST. See Thu 26.

FTHE SECOND CITY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR (MIRACLES NOT INCLUDED) Second City pre-

THE NUBIAN DISCIPLES KICKIN 2013 TO THE CURB SHOW Yuk Yuk’s Downtown ñ presents Moe Ismail, Nicholas Reynoldson,

ñ

THE SECOND CITY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR (MIRACLES NOT INCLUDED) See Thu 26.

WE CAN BE HEROES See Thu 26.

sents sketches, songs and improv to celebrate and satirize the holiday season. To Jan 1, Thu 4 & 10 pm, Fri-Sun and Tue 4 pm, Mon and Wed 4 & 8 pm. $22. 51 Mercer. secondcity.com.

WE CAN BE HEROES Second City’s latest revue – inspired by the idea that our society’s quickly going to hell – is one of its sharpest in a while. Newcomer Connor Thompson scores big laughs playing everything from a literal bat man to a blind lifeguard, while Craig Brown channels his inner Chaplin as a balding man having a terrible day. Meanwhile, Jan Caruana proves she’s got great range in two scenes involving a precocious girl. Not to be missed. To Feb 1, Thu and Sun 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Tue 7 & 10 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. secondcity.com. NNNN (GS)

Friday, December 27 ABSOLUTE COMEDY presents headliner Nile

Seguin w/ Ron Sparks and host Pete Zedlacher.

To Dec 29, Fri 9 pm, Sat 8 & 10:45 pm, Sun 8 pm. $15-$20. 2335 Yonge. absolutecomedy.ca.

FHIRUT HOOT: THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS Hirut Fine Ethiopian Cuisine presents

Boyd Banks, Darren Frost, Jim McAleese, Anna Gustafson, Winston Spear, Todd Van Allen and others. 9 pm. $5 (proceeds to the Jo-Anna Downey Fund). 2050 Danforth. 416-551-7560.

INESSA’S FAREWELL SHOW Comedy Bar presents Inessa Frantowski’s last T.O. show before moving to the U.S. w/ Scott Thompson, Maylee Todd and others. 10 pm. $15 (proceeds to Third World Awareness). 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

ñ

FKAREN WILLIAMS & ELVIRA KURT: A POST XMAS MIRACLE The Flying Beaver

ñ

Pubaret presents the comics in a live show. 7 & 9 pm. $20-$25. 488 Parliament. 647-3476567, brownpapertickets.com/event/534676.

MIRACLE ON MERCER ST. See Thu 26.

THE PANEL SHOW: 2013 YEAR-IN-REVIEW EDITION presents Sara Hennessey, Mike

ñ

Kiss, Ned Petrie and others. 8 pm. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.

THE REAL MR. D 2013 COMEDY TOUR

ñ

PokerStars.net presents Gerry Dee in a live show. 7:30 pm. $49-$54. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. ticketmaster.ca.

THE SECOND CITY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR (MIRACLES NOT INCLUDED) See Thu 26.

WE CAN BE HEROES See Thu 26.

YUK YUK’S DOWNTOWN presents Jean

ñ

Paul. To Dec 28, Fri-Sat 9 pm. $22. 224 Richmond W. 416-967-6425, yukyuks.com.

Saturday, December 28 ABSOLUTE COMEDY See Fri 27.

MIRACLE ON MERCER ST. See Thu 26.

THE SECOND CITY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR (MIRACLES NOT INCLUDED) See Thu 26.

WE CAN BE HEROES See Thu 26.

Zabrina Chevannes, K Trevor Wilson, Big Norm, Trixx, Marc Trinidad, Arthur Simeon and host Kenny Robinson. 8:30 pm. $20. 224 Richmond W. 416-967-6425, yukyuks.com.

Monday, December 30 ALTDOT COMEDY LOUNGE Rivoli presents Debra DiGiovanni, Joel Buxton, Eddie Della Siepe, Dylan Gott, Heino, David Barclay, Nick Rizzi, MC Ryan Belleville and others. 9 pm. $5. 332 Queen W. altdotcomedylounge.com.

MIRACLE ON MERCER ST. See Thu 26.

ñ

THE SECOND CITY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR (MIRACLES NOT INCLUDED) See Thu 26.

Tuesday, December 31 BECAUSE I SAID SO: THE YEAR IN REVILE WITH MAGGIE CASSELLA The Flying Bea-

ñ ver Pubaret presents a NYE show. 8 pm. $25

plus $30 food/bar min. 488 Parliament. brownpapertickets.com/event/532522.

MANTOWN NYE Comedy Bar presents improv w/ Rob Norman, Jason DeRosse, Adam Cawley, Rob Baker and Bob Banks. 10:30 pm. $10. 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.

MIRACLE ON MERCER ST. See Thu 26.

ñ

NEW YEAR’S EVE COMEDY EXTRAVAGANZA Massey Hall presents Jessica ñ Kirson, Dave Merheje, Mike MacDonald, John

Hastings, Graham Kay, Christina Walkinshaw, Alex Pavone, host Jeremy Hotz and others.

7:30 pm. $39.50-$69.50. 178 Victoria. 416872-4255, masseyhall.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR Absolute Comedy presents Nile Seguin and Pete Zedlacher w/ host Ron Sparks. 10 pm (dinner from 8 pm). $40-$60. 2335 Yonge. 416-4867700, absolutecomedy.ca.

ñ

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE SUPERSTARS OF COMEDY Comedy Bar presents headliner Ben

Miner w/ Jamie O’Connor, Pat MacDonald and host Rob Bebenek. 8 pm. $12-$15. 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

THE SECOND CITY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR (MIRACLES NOT INCLUDED) See Thu 26.

WE CAN BE HEROES See Thu 26.

YUK YUK’S NEW YEAR’S EVE presents Rob

ñ

Pue, Michelle Shaughnessy, Darryl Orr and MC Bryan Hatt. Dinner 8 pm, show 10 pm. $50-$95. 224 Richmond W. yukyuks.com.

Wednesday, January 1 MIRACLE ON MERCER ST. See Thu 26.

THE SECOND CITY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR (MIRACLES NOT INCLUDED) See Thu 26.

SIREN’S COMEDY Celt’s Pub presents host Mike

Kellett, Marc Hallworth and an open mic. 8:30 pm. Free. 2872 Dundas W. 416-767-3339. 3

dance listings Opening FA CHRISTMAS CAROL Motus O Dance Theatre presents its adaptation of the holiday classic. Dec 28-29, Sat-Sun 2 and 7 pm. $35, stu $18. Lebovic Centre for the Arts, 19 Civic, Stouffville. 905-640-2322, 19onthepark.ca.

FTHE NUTCRACKER, A CANADIAN TRADITION Ballet Jörgen presents the holiday classic,

50

choreographed by Bengt Jörgen. Dec 30 at 2 and 7 pm. $29-$34. Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd. 905-305-7469.

Continuing

FTHE NUTCRACKER The National Ballet of Canada presents the holiday ballet. Runs to Jan 4, 2014, see website for times. $25-$165.

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. national.ballet.ca.

3

DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014 NOW

books 2013 The

best of

SUSAN G. COLE’s

Top 10 books Despite the fact that history was a big inspiration for many of this year’s best books, all these works deal with issues and emotions that preoccupy us right now THE ORENDA 1(Penguin) Joseph Boyden In a story told from three points of view – those of a Huron warrior, the Iroquois girl he’s kidnapped and a Jesuit priest with a mission – Boyden delivers an essential lesson in Canadian history and a profound affirmation of compassion.

Totally riveting.

THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS 2 Claire Messud(Knopf) Elementary school teacher Nora wants to be an artist but doesn’t find her footing until she meets Sirena, the mother of one of her students and a visual artist on the brink of stardom. We know from the knockout first page that something bad is going to happen in this ingenious examination of ego, longing and the making of an artist, but you’ll never guess what it is. And, unbelievably, the last page is better than the first.

SAVAGE LOVE 4 Douglas Glover (Goose Lane)

This was supposed to be the year of the short story, but these brilliant tales – often brutal, always beautiful – were criminally ignored by prize juries. The last story, Pointless, Incessant Barking In The Night, is one of the best I’ve read in years. What’s the matter, jurors, too much to handle?

5

THE CROOKED MAID Dan Vyleta (HarperCollins) Travelling by train to postwar Vienna, a young man from a guilt-ridden family connects with a woman searching for her long-lost husband.

Giller short-lister Vyleta brings to life the ravaged city and its ethically challenged characters while making the powerful point that war compromises everyone.

THE INTERESTINGS 6 Meg Wolitzer (Riverhead/ Penguin)

THE HUNGRY GHOSTS 7 Shyam Selvadurai (Doubleday) In this 1980s-set tale of a gay man who leaves the civil violence of his home country, Sri Lanka, for Toronto, Selvadurai deftly delves into family trauma, immigrant life and the process of coming out.

MATADORA Elizabeth Ruth 8 (Cormorant) In 1920s Spain, Luna longs to become a bullfighter, has to battle everyone – traditionalists and radicals – along the way and pays the price in this fascinating lesbiantinged tale.

LUMINARIES 9 THE Eleanor Catton (McClelland & Stewart) This ingeniously crafted Bookerwinning tale set during the 1860s gold rush in New Zealand didn’t have to be quite so long but is wholly absorbing

Wolitzer is fully in control of this decades-spanning story of the changing

nevertheless.

ACCUSATION 10 Catherine Bush (Goose Lane) A documentary filmmaker discovers that facts are elusive in this savvy study of the limitations of journalism.

Also good

3

AMERICANAH Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Knopf) Young Nigerian lovers Ifemelu and Obinze are forced to part, she emigrating to America, where she finds success as a blogger, he to the UK, where he fails to find a secure footing; after enduring humiliation, he returns to Lagos. Nigeria-born Adichie refuses to dumb down the race debate in this sprawling, superbly crafted work that is both a novel of ideas – Ifemelu’s posts are brilliant – and an emotionally fraught tale of authentic connection lost.

friendships among a group of aspiring artists who meet at a summer arts camp. Envy figures prominently.

The Orenda,

by Joseph Boyden, delivers a page-turning narrative with tons of heart.

Ali Smith’s canny combo of lecture and diary in Artful (Hamish Hamilton); The Lowland (Knopf), Jhumpa Lahiri’s meditation on the price people pay for their political radicalism; Lynn Coady’s edgy Giller-winning stories in Hellgoing (Anansi).

BIGGEST WINNER In a normal year we’d name Booker and GG winner Eleanor Catton for The Luminaries (see above), but nothing beats Alice Munro’s Nobel triumph.

BIGGEST LOSER Misogynist U of T instructor David Gilmour BEST DEBUT The Eliot Girls, by Krista Bridge (Douglas & McIntyre) MOST LIKELY TO HIT THE SCREEN The Circle, by Dave Eggers; Night Film, by Marisha Pessl susanc@nowtoronto.com

KATHRYN GAITENS

comedy listings

art

movies 2013 The

best of

some truly terrifying gynecological instruments, the hefty Evolution retrospective shows how much mind-bending, paradigm-shifting cinema has come from Canada’s outstanding auteur. Cronenberg has forever mutated the direction and language of cinema.

Long live the new flesh.

6

SARA ANGELUCCI Art Gallery of York University, April 10 to June 16

At his AGO exhibition, Ai Weiwei toyed with the idea of precious objects.

Top 10 art shows Sound and light were major themes in many of the best shows of 2013.

But political passion was the driving force behind the year’s top exhibition.

AI WEIWEI 1August Art Gallery of Ontario, 17 to October 27 This compact retrospective of the world’s pre-eminent contemporary artist didn’t disappoint. Monumental works in wood and steel spoke to Ai’s mighty political conscience. Pieces addressing the Sichuan earthquake, where 5,335 young students died in shoddily constructed government buildings, formed the show’s unshakable moral core. The sculptural installation Straight, several tons of rebar

from the quake’s wreckage, married conceptual and political art in an unprecedented, powerful statement.

2

JANET CARDIFF AND GEORGE BURES MILLER Art Gallery of Ontario, April 6 to August 18 Lost In The Memory Palace offered a rare chance to experience seven of the Canadian duo’s dramatic, mind-bending installations (usually shown alone), ranging from their first eccentric collaboration to settings for various dark personae and a thunderstorm in a shack. Their inventive use of spatially oriented sound and animatronics is unlike anything else in the art world.

3

HUMAN RIGHTS, HUMAN WRONGS Ryerson Image Centre, January 23 to April 14

For one of RIC’s most thought-provoking and moving Black Star Collection exhibits, UK curator Mark Sealy turned a critical eye on this gold mine of 20th-century photojournalism, ex-

MUST-SEE SHOWS ART METROPOLE Gifts By Artists: Grid Sys-

tems, to Feb 1 (closed to Jan 2). 1490 Dundas W. 416-703-4400.

ART SQUARE Begin Again group show, to Jan 13. 334 Dundas W. 416-595-5222.

BETH TZEDEC CONGREGATION Photos: David Kaufman, to Feb 2. 1700 Bathurst. 416781-3511.

BULTHAUP Paulina Wiszowata, to Jan 31.

280 King E. 416-361-9005.

CLINT ROENISCH Painting: Dorian FitzGerald, to Jan 4. 944 Queen W. 416-516-8593.

CONVENIENCE Prints: Daryl Vocat, to Jan 2.

58 Lansdowne. conveniencegallery.com.

COOPER COLE Endless Vacation group show, to Jan 18. 777 Richmond W. 647-347-3326.

ESP/ERIN STUMP PROJECTS Painting: Tamara Henderson, to Dec 28. 1450 Dun-

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das W. 647-345-6163.

GALLERY 44 Photos: Melissa General, to Jan 4.

401 Richmond W #120. 416-979-3941.

HARBOURFRONT CENTRE School Work, Other Worlds, Weird, Wonderscape, Between The Lines group shows; Alex Kisilevich, to Dec 29.

235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.

HUNTCLUB Illustration: Still Moving group show, to Jan 12. 709 College.

KOFFLER GALLERY We’re In The Library group show, to Jan 19. Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw. 647-925-0643.

LE GALLERY Takashi Iwasaki, Mitsuo Kimura and Shogo Okada, to Jan 25. 1183 Dundas W. 416-532-8467.

MERCER UNION Photos: Geoffrey Farmer, to Jan 14. 1286 Bloor W. 416-536-1519.

PAUL PETRO Janet Morton and Amy Bowles, to

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posing biased modes of media representation in photos of post-World War II liberation struggles and the U.S. civil rights movement.

MICAH LEXIER 4 Power Plant, September 21 to January 5

This fine overview of the iconic sculptor’s work included her early Personages, fragile wooden staff-shaped uprights, and her final work, 2008’s The Last Climb, a cage-like room from which a spiral staircase offers escape.

Despite friendships with artists in France and New York and recognition that only came late in life, Bourgeois pursued her own creative path, an inspiration to us all.

JAMES NIZAM 7 Birch Libralato, June 13 to July 20

LAND|SLIDE: POSSIBLE 9 FUTURES Markham Museum,

Nizam’s sculptures addressed an ageold paradox put forth in Plato’s Republic: while light makes all things visible, it remains invisible in and of itself. Nizam

Jan 11. 980 Queen W. 416-979-7874.

Jan 5. 1164 Queen E. 416-406-6772.

ROBERT KANANAJ GALLERY Garage Sale – From The Best To The Worst Art, to Jan 4.

1267 Bloor W. 416-289-8855.

SCRAP METAL Shary Boyle, Sarah Sze and Joana Vasconcelos, to Feb 22. Sat noon-5 pm or by appt. 11 Dublin. 416-588-2442.

SOHO LOBBY GALLERY Photos: Elise Windsor, to Jan 16. 36 Blue Jays Way. soholobbygallery.com.

TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX David Cronenberg: Evolution, to Jan 19 ($15, stu $12, Tue $5). 350 King W. 416-599-8433.

UNPACK STUDIO Drawing: Jesus Gastell, to Jan 18. 11 Willison Sq. 416-346-9250.

WHIPPERSNAPPER GALLERY Video: Sidewalk Screening group show, to Feb 1 (4 pm-4 am daily). 594B Dundas W. 647-8562445.

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September 21 to October 14

Janine Marchessault curated this ambitious project that brought 30 artistic interventions to the suburban heritage village. A heady mix of community arts, installations, video projections and performances livened up the old-time environment with innovative ideas about past, present and future. Let’s see more artists animating historic sites and museum period rooms.

JULIE JENKINSON 10 Verso Gallery, August 15 to October 11

DAVID CRONENBERG 5 TIFF Bell Lightbox, November 1 to January 19

PENTIMENTO Painting: Kirsten Johnson, to

LOUISE BOURGEOIS 8 MOCCA, June 22 to August 11

Toronto artist Angelucci combined her interest in photography as memory with research into endangered species for Provenance Unknown, a haunting multimedia show of Victorian portraits whose subjects have morphed into bird-human hybrids, along with a video animating a 19th-century group photo, a choral work and one of the ROM’s antique animal specimen vitrines.

Lexier expresses vexing existential dilemmas in a coolly understated way, condensing reams of printed philosophical paradoxes into compact visual statements that are no less profound for being succinct. The vast curiosity and restless intelligence behind them are felt at every turn. The enormous curatorial project running alongside his solo show brings 101 local artists and collectives together in the city’s greatest collaborative art project in decades.

From the indescribable Sex Blob and the Mugwump cozying up to the bar to models of the original Brundlefly and

used smoke, refraction and a light source to create ideal geometric forms that he photographed in all of their temporary perfection. His Pyramid, set up in the Allen Lambert Galleria for Contact, was a miracle of light made visible.

Micah Lexier’s textual paradoxes made compact, profound visual statements.

Just behind mid-century modern shop INabstracto, Jenkinson inaugurated tiny yet bold new gallery space Verso with 36 hours In Uruguay, her photographic explorations of urban surfaces. Rigorously framed but teetering toward ambiguity, her images hover vertiginously between the abstract and the gritty, creating beautiful visual tension.

3

THIS WEEK IN THE MUSEUMS AGO 1st Thursdays, 7 pm Jan 2 ($12-$15).

Aimia Photography Prize, to Jan 5. The Great Upheaval: Modern Masterpieces From The Guggenheim, to Mar 2 ($25, stu $16.50). Brian Jungen and Duane Linklater, to Jun 15. $19.50, srs $16, stu $11, free Wed 6-8:30 pm (special exhibits excluded). 317 Dundas W. 416-979-6648.

DESIGN EXCHANGE Playing Favourites II, to Jan 3. 100% TobeUs: 100 Cars, to Feb 9 (free). $10, stu/srs $8. 234 Bay. 416-363-6121.

GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART Nurielle Stern, to Jan 5. Faience, to Jan 5. Animal Stories, to Jan 12. $12, stu $6, srs $8; Fri 4-9 pm half-price. 111 Queen’s Park. 416-586-8080.

McMICHAEL CANADIAN ART COLLECTION Kim Dorland, to Jan 5. Karine Giboulo, to Jan 26. $15, stu/srs $12. 10365 Islington (Kleinburg).

905-893-1121.

MOCCA David Cronenberg: Transformations,

= Critics’ Pick NNNNN = This could change your life NNNN = Brain candy NNN = Solid, sometimes inspirational NN = Not quite there N = Are we at the mall?

to Dec 29. 952 Queen W. 416-395-0067.

POWER PLANT More Than Two; Micah Lexier, to Jan 5. 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4949.

ROM Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World, to Jan 5 ($27). Raja Deen Dayal, to Jan 12. BIG, to Jan 26. Carbon 14: Climate Is Culture, to Feb 2. Wildlife Photographer Of The Year, to Mar 23. $15, stu/srs $13.50; Fri 4:30-8:30 pm $9, stu/srs $8. 100 Queen’s Park. 416-5868000.

TEXTILE MUSEUM Maya Textiles From Guatemala, to Jan 12. Heather Goodchild and Jérôme Havre, to Apr 13. Telling Stories, to Apr 13. $15, srs $10, stu $6; pwyc Wed 5-8 pm. 55 Centre. 416-599-5321.

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MORE ONLINE

Complete art listings at nowtoronto.com/art/listings

NOW DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014

51

movies

The

best of

2013

Gravity (clockwise from top), Museum Hours, Before Midnight and Upstream Color all made 2013 a banner year for film.

NORMAN WILNER’s

Top 10 ­movies

This was a hell of a year. The construction of this list left out many other worthy features (see runners-up, below). Here’s my entirely subjective list of the 10 best films released in 2013.

1

gravity Alfonso Cuarón

Cuarón’s tale of survival in the thermosphere was the most involving experience I’ve had in a movie theatre in years. As soon as it was over, I wanted to watch it again so I could focus on its amazing technological accomplishments without worrying about what would happen next. There has never been a movie like this, with its beautiful, digitally engineered long takes and impossible shifts in perspective. As the overmatched hero, Sandra Bullock taps into the immediacy and transparency that made her a star in Speed. She’s incredibly effective as an audience surrogate, making her terror and panic utterly understandable. Some have called the script simplistic, but they’re missing the point: it’s a marvel of narrative efficiency. This is a movie that doesn’t waste a breath.

THE ACT OF KILLING 2 Joshua Oppenheimer, Christine Cynn, anony­mous As unprecedented in its way as Gravity, this simultaneously horrifying and ­absurd documentary explores the relationship between conscience and memory by giving former Indonesian death squad leaders the chance to film re-enactments of their crimes in any genre or format they’d

52

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

like. One man, Anwar Congo, responds to the challenge in increasingly self-aggrandizing ways, and as Oppenheimer – who co-directed with Cynn and a number of Indonesian collaborators who must remain unnamed – fixes him in front of the camera, his fussiness and need for control give way to something far uglier and more complicated. If Congo has anything left that resembles a soul, we see it trying to escape him – and know it never can.

ichard Linklater 3 Rbefore midnight

Linklater’s magnificent cinematic experiment – begun with the lovely Before Sunrise in 1995, and followed in 2004 with the perfect Before Sunset – continues to enthrall. Dropping in on Jesse and Céline (played once again by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy) on the last day of a Grecian summer holiday, Before Midnight shows us how they relate as a couple, how they’ve changed since getting together and having two daughters, and

where they might go next. A climactic hotel-room argument is almost unbearably intimate; the scene that follows is as harrowing as a horror movie. And all of it is life, happening right in front of us.

4 Supstream color hane Carruth

With Primer, Carruth established himself as a filmmaker capable of telling complicated stories with remarkable precision. Nine years later, he followed it up with this impressionistic, drama­tically rich tale of two people – played by Carruth and the amazing Amy Seimetz – caught up in the life cycle of an organism neither of them knows exists. An assured editorial structure lets us make connections the characters can’t, leading to an astonishing final sequence that functions on the level of pure emotional intelligence. There’s nothing else like it.

years a slave 5 S12teve McQueen

McQueen’s powerhouse adaptation of Solomon Northup’s compelling memoir has to be the most brutal and uncompromising film ever to win the TIFF People’s Choice Award.

(Honestly, I’m still not sure how that happened.) It’s also a fantastic showcase for the range of Chiwetel Ejiofor, who gives a wrenching performance as a man who must deny his very self in order to survive in his new reality. Brad Pitt does turn up as the world’s least convincing Canadian, but in fairness Canada didn’t actually exist at the time.

6 museum hours Jem Cohen

In the same year that gave us Before Midnight, here’s another delicate two-hander about long conversations. Cohen’s small-scale drama follows the friendship that develops between a Canadian woman (Mary Margaret O’Hara) and an Austrian guard (Bobby Sommer) after they meet in Vienna’s magnificent Kunst­ historisches Museum. A small, lovely little life study that opens itself wider and wider as it goes along.

leviathan 7 Lucien Castaing-Taylor, ­Verena Paravel Castaing-Taylor and Paravel’s remarkable documentary looks at the commercial fishing industry from the end product’s point of view. It’s an immersive, almost assaultive work of subjec­tive cinema designed to literally plunge us into the deep, and it won’t work nearly as well on disc as it does on the big screen.

8 a Jiatouch of sin Zhang-ke

Jia (Platform, The World, Still Life) trades his usual ironic distance for righteous anger in this epic look at

continued on page 54 œ

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53

movies

The

best of

2013

œcontinued from page 52

Historical horror stories The Act Of Killing (top) and 12 Years A Slave came out on top.

institutional corruption and personal compromise in contemporary China.

A series of interconnected stories paint a picture of a nation sunk deep in moral despair, its citizens lashing out against one another while the nominal authorities watch in apathy.

It’s the Chinese version of Gomorrah, and it’s thrilling.

The Coen brothers’ portrait of a struggling folksinger in 1961 New York City plays as comedy, musical and drama all at once, its tone steered by Oscar Isaac’s soulful interpretations of tra­ditional folk songs that somehow manage to reflect precisely what his character is feeling in the moment. Beautifully realized and packed with delightful incidents (the recording of Please Mr. Kennedy is probably the most pleasurable three minutes you’ll spend in a movie theatre this year), it also understands its characters in a way few movies do.

8 blue jasmine

3 gravity

Alfonso Cuarón’s thriller about an astronaut (Sandra Bullock) trying to find her way home is nail-biting, awe-inspiring and emotionally drenching. It delivers old-fashioned pleasures with state-of-the-art CGI and, more than any other film this year, needs to be seen on as big a screen as possible.

sightseers Ben Wheatley

This jet-black comedy about two very odd people (Alice Lowe and Steve Oram, who created the characters and developed the screenplay) on an awkward caravan holiday through the English countryside was the year’s strangest, funniest road movie, layering an unsettling comedy of manners with gruesome farce and a compelling empowerment allegory. Director Wheatley is fast becoming one of my favourite filmmakers; his next picture, the TIFF freakout A Field In England, is just as distinctive while being entirely different, as you’ll see when it opens next year.

RUNNERS-UP: The stirring All Is Lost, the devastating Beyond The Hills, the retro Computer Chess, the melancholy Her, the compelling A Hijacking, the delightful In A World…, the fantastic Pacific Rim, the delicate The Spectacular Now, the jittery Short Term 12 and the delirious The World’s End (if not for that damn coda).

4 inside llewyn davis

GLENN SUMI’s

Top 10 movies It was tougher than usual to come up with a list of just 10. But these are the films I can see myself watching again and again to see how and why they work.

1 the act of killing

Joshua Oppenheimer and co-director Christine Cynn and their anonymous collaborators travel deep into the heart of darkness with this astonishing look at former Indonesian death squad

online exclusive The Worst Movies of 2013 From stupid sci-fi (After Earth) and lame comedies (The Internship, Grown Ups 2) to bloated biopics (Diana, Salinger) and one of the worst TIFF openers ever (The Fifth Estate), things weren’t all rosy at the pictures.

See the full article at nowtoronto.com/movies.

54

7 frances ha

Noah Baumbach’s black-and-white coming-of-age dramedy is an Annie Hall for the overeducated and underemployed sexting generation. The luminous Greta Gerwig made us fall in love with her awkward non sequiturs, impromptu street dancing and meaningful looks at her bestie across a crowded party floor.

llewyn davis Joel and Ethan Coen 9 inside

10

city becomes a disturbing look at the ugly legacy of slavery. First-time feature director Kleber Mendoça Filho is one to watch.

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

leaders who, buoyed by vanity, seduced by the power of movies and ­perhaps wanting to exorcise some guilt from their rotted souls, stylishly and absurdly re-enact for the camera some of the atrocities they committed decades earlier. Never has the banality of evil been documented so persuasively and with such a mixture of ­emotions.

2 12 years a slave Another historical horror story, that of real-life slave Solomon Northup, captured by director Steve McQueen and writer John Ridley with unblinking power and – especially in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s soulful, empathetic Solomon – dignity.

Without winking knowingly at the viewer, the Coen brothers capture the spirit of an era through the picaresque adventures of a grasping, flawed folksinger (a terrific Oscar Isaac) trying to eke out a career – not to mention find a place to crash for the night. A film that will make you weep over its honest, human story and music.

5 a touch of sin Many films have depicted the human cost of a rapidly changing China, but few have done it with such brutal ­anger and violence. Jia Zhang-ke’s decision to integrate wuxia to heighten moments was inspired.

6 neighboring sounds What starts out as a quiet, poetic look at the upper-middle-class residents of a single street in a Brazilian

In Woody Allen’s best film in over a decade, Cate Blanchett delivers the performance of her career – think Blanche DuBois in Chanel – as a privileged woman who falls down the ­social ladder and moves in with her working-class sister. If there were any justice in the world, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Dice Clay (!) would be battling for supporting ­actor awards.

9 the spectacular now It was a great year for acting by young men (Mud; The Way, Way Back; The Kings Of Summer). But few actors of any age show the range and complexity of Miles Teller in this heartbreaking adaptation of Tim Tharp’s novel about an alcoholic teen whose charm and fucked-upness attract an unpopular girl (a lovely Shailene Woodley) with issues of her own.

10 spring breakers

Harmony Korine chronicles the death and dearth of the American dream with hypnotic, poetic grace, getting an actual performance out of Selena Gomez and a wickedly fun, unpredictable one from James Franco. That poolside piano, the montage to Britney and the machine gun ballet are like images from a feverish nightmare. Man, I’m glad I don’t have kids.

RUNNERS-UP: Fruitvale Station; The Way, Way Back; Cutie And The Boxer; Short Term 12; Upstream Color; The Conjuring; Pacific Rim

The Best & Worst Movie Trends of 2013 • Cast Dwayne Johnson in everything • Only use 3-D when you need it • Tighten things up a bit (yes, that includes you, Mr. Scorsese) See full article at nowtoronto.com/ movies.

“A ridiculously entertaining hybrid of Rosemary’s Baby, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Birds, Damien: Omen II, and more.

It’s the schizophrenic mother of all ‘70s drive-in oddities.’”

- Village Voice

THEY KNOW WE’RE HERE

THE VISITOR

DEC 30 - JAN 1 @ 9:30pm

TIFF/ BELL LIGHTBOX 350 KING STREET WEST

filmswelike

Trailer at filmswelike.com

CONTEST Blue Is The Warmest Color (clockwise from top), Neighboring Sounds, Hannah Arendt and After ­Tiller all took big risks.

SUSAN G. COLE’s

Top 10 movies

I love films that take risks.

These 10 go right to the edge, through ­subject matter, craft or performance­.

1 Blue is the Warmest Color

Abdellatif Kechiche took the Palme d’Or alongside his two actors, Léa Seydoux and Adéle Exarchopoulos, for this mesmerizing meditation on intimacy and class difference.

There’s lots of lesbian sex, too, but that’s not really the point.

2 After Tiller One of the best pro-choice films ever, Martha Shane and Lana Wilson’s documentary tracks three American doctors who perform third-trimester abortions, facing powerful opposition and profound ethical dilemmas.

3 Neighboring Sounds Can’t believe this gorgeous mood piece about a beach town that hires a surveillance company to monitor the streets is Kleber Mendonça Filho’s debut film.

4 The Act Of Killing

Joshua Oppenheimer and Christine Cynn’s documentary in which ­unrepentant Indonesian war criminals re-enact their killings is wildly original and utterly devastating.

5 20 Feet from Stardom­ This documentary by Morgan Neville sheds as much light on racism in ­America as it does on the lives of its fabulous backup singers.

6 Hannah Arendt Rarely does a movie of ideas – this one about the embattled author of Eichmann In Jerusalem: A Report On The Banality of Evil – make such an emotional impact.

PICK OF THE WEEK

7 DALLAS BUYERS CLUB As a straight redneck who contracts AIDS in the 80s, Matthew McConaughey transforms from reactionary to compassionate activist in what has to be the male performance of the year

8 Blue Jasmine

Cate Blanchett is gobsmackingly good as a wealthy woman who loses everything and moves in with her working-class sister. Woody Allen commenting on class politics – who knew?

9 Lore

Cate Shortland manages to make the children of Nazis sympathetic in an exceptional feature on the fallout of war.

10 Ginger & RosA

Indie icon Sally Potter puts the focus on the friendship between two girls (how often do you see that?) in late 50s London, where nuclear ­panic is setting in.

OVERRATED Gravity, which is like a cool theme park ride: harrowing but not exactly life-changing.

OVERLOOKED Graceland, the riveting Philippines-set nail-biter about a chauffeur whose daughter, along with his boss’s daughter, is kidnapped from his car.

THE VISITOR A young girl with telekinetic powers becomes the centre of a cosmic battle between good and evil, in this gobsmacking ‘70s sci-fi cult classic starring Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Shelley Winters, Glenn Ford, Franco Nero (Django) and directors John Huston and Sam Peckinpah.

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55

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Playing this week How to find a listing

deadlines, only 4-25.

Movie listings are comprehensive and organized alphabetically. Listings include name of film, director’s name in brackets, a review, running time and a rating.

Reviews are by Norman Wilner (NW), Susan G. Cole (SGC), Glenn Sumi (GS), John Semley (JS) and Radheyan Simonpillai (RS) unless otherwise specified.

The rating system is as follows:

movies/listings NNNNN Top 10 of the year NNNN Honourable mention

NNN most Entertaining r the

Due to holiday deadlines, our film times only include Dec. 24-25.

Please go to

nowtoronto.com/ movies/listings

(or call theatres) for the most updated times.

NN Mediocre N Bomb

Ñ= Critics’ pick (highly recommended)

Movie theatres are listed at the end and can be cross-referenced to our film times on page 60.

ALL IS LOST (J.C. Chandor) may not

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break new cinematic ground for the survival thriller in the way Gravity does, but it doesn’t have to; it’s just one hell of a good movie, starring Robert Redford as a Everything Toronto sailor trying to steer his damaged boat to rescue. Chandor’s intimate, immediate direction puts us right there with him for every second of it. 106 min. NNNN (NW) Canada Square

AMERICAN HUSTLE (David O. Russell) is nominally a story about the barely remembered 1978 Abscam sting, in which the FBI used a small-time con artist to snare politicians on bribery and corruption charges. But the plot is incidental to the shouting. Director/co-writer Russell has fully embraced the notion that drama only exists when characters are yelling at one another in mid-shots. Everybody races around shouting about their ambitions and desires, and whoever shouts the loudest is the person with whom we’re supposed to sympathize. Some people love this strategy; I find it exhausting and pointless – especially in the second half, when scenes seem to exist because Russell had noticed Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence’s characters hadn’t yelled at each other in a while. American Hustle is being compared to Goodfellas (because crime) and Boogie Nights (because sideboob, I guess). Let’s throttle back on that and see it as what it is: an incoherent, overacted mess. 138 min. NN (NW) Opens Dec 20 at Beach Cinemas, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24 ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES

(Adam McKay) is beset by its own selfconsciously epic quality. McKay and Will Ferrell’s script unfolds like a remix of the original. The recycling of old gags and ceaseless string of cameos (Drake, Kanye, Jim Carrey, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, a minotaur, Will Smith, etc) strain, coming across as desperate to please. That there’s (plenty) more of the same isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for Anchorman diehards. Like its predecessor, Anchorman 2 is most itself when its stars goof around with one another. It’s a shame the film expends so much energy and calls in so many favours trying to imitate the original – a film that at its best seemed to be

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making it up as it went along. 118 min.

NNN (JS) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24

ANTISOCIAL (Cody Calahan) is another

zombie movie – shot in Guelph and Toronto – about a group of friends whose New Year’s Eve house party goes to hell when a mysterious rage plague breaks out around the world. Could the strangely addictive, not-at-all-like-Facebook site TheSocialRedroom.com have anything to do with it? Writer/director Calahan seems to think he’s breaking new ground with the social-media angle, but it’s basically just warmed-over Romero and Raimi with one really nifty visual concept (with which, sadly, nothing is ever done) and a third act that’s both dull and ridiculous. A sequel is promised. Swell. 90 min. NN (NW) Carlton Cinema

THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY (Malcolm D. Lee) is like the Christmas dinner that starts off with laughs and high spirits but keeps dragging along until you can’t hold down the eggnog. This sequel to 1999’s The Best Man is an overstuffed turkey. The itinerary for this holiday weekend includes the typical sex, secrets and scandals, followed by a rah-rah football game, a shamelessly dour cameo by the Grim Reaper and a climactic visit from the stork. There’s enough material to last until Easter. The schmaltzy, contrived sub-dramas clamour for attention, but none warrant a kleenex despite the best efforts of a mostly fine ensemble cast. They do much better with the gags and camaraderie in the early goings. Terrence Howard is the gift that keeps on giving as the chronic bachelor who drops the best zingers, including one that could describe the whole movie: “That was some melodramatic shit.” 120 min. NN (RS) 401 & Morningside, Interchange 30 BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR

ñ

(Abdellatif Kechiche) tracks university art student Emma’s (Léa Seydoux) multi-year relationship with high schooler Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos). The big buzz surrounding this Palme d’Or winner cen-

tres on the protracted sex scenes, but there’s more going on here than a whack of lesbian erotica. Kechiche shoots in intense close-up, showing people eating, showering, weeping (chronic crier Adèle is a mess of bodily fluids) in what turns out to be a unique, in-your-face exploration of intimacy and sensuousness. And it’s as much about what happens when an artist partners with someone who lacks similar aspirations. Emma works toward success as a painter, while Adèle is happy to become an elementary school teacher, to Emma’s increasing dissatisfaction. Both Seydoux and Exarchopoulos – who received a dual acting award at Cannes – are superb, and, yes, the sex is plentiful and hot. Let’s hope there’s no American remake. They’d wreck it. Subtitled. 179 min.

NNNN (SGC) Carlton Cinema, Kingsway Theatre, TIFF Bell Lightbox

THE BOOK THIEF (Brian Percival) reframes the Second World War as a coming-of-age story about a young German girl (Monsieur Lazhar’s Sophie Nélisse). Director Percival has helmed a lot of Downton Abbey episodes, and it shows in film’s odd propriety. A movie about the Holocaust can’t be afraid of confronting its own message. 131 min. NN (NW) Canada Square, Interchange 30, Kingsway Theatre, SilverCity Mississauga CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (Paul Greengrass) stars Tom Hanks in a fantastic performance as the eponymous skipper of a commercial vessel hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009.

The rest of the film is far more problematic, with director Greengrass applying the tense, jangled docudrama aesthetic of United 93 to another true-life hostage crisis. Some subtitles. 134 min. NNN (NW) Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Interchange 30, Yonge & Dundas 24 THE CRASH REEL (Lucy Walker) wants to

enlighten and inform audiences about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries, which would seem to conflict with the feel-good arc of injured snowboarder Kevin Pearce enduring rehab so he can get back to the powder. But director Walker (Blindsight, Waste Land) never finds a way to highlight the contradictions in the stories she’s telling, or even to acknowledge them.

She’s a talented filmmaker, but this feels as though it was thrown together on the run, a documentary about the awesomeness of Kevin Pearce that turned into a documentary about his traumatic brain injury. It could stand to lose half an hour of snowboarding footage, but who’d want to see it then? 108 min. NNN (NW) TIFF Bell Lightbox

ñDALLAS BUYERS CLUB

(Jean-Marc Vallée) stars Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof, a hard-living, womanizing Texas electrician who became an unlikely AIDS activist in the mid-1980s after being diagnosed with HIV. McConaughey shed 47 pounds for the role and is almost unrecognizable, but his charm and passion shine through, and he gets strong support from Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner. Expect major acting nominations come awards season. 117 min. NNNN (GS) Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Kingsway Theatre, SilverCity Mississauga, SilverCity Yonge, Yonge & Dundas 24

Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate dispense with subtlety in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.

Caution: tons of (non-explicit) porn clips.

90 min. NNN (SGC) Scotiabank Theatre

THE EXPEDITION TO THE END OF THE WORLD (Daniel Dencik) looks at Arctic

exploration. 90 min.

Opens Dec 27 at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema

47 RONIN (Carl Rinsch) is an action-adven-

ture pic about 47 samurai warriors who fight supernatural forces that killed their master. Keanu Reeves stars. No press screening – see review December 27 at nowtoronto.com/movies. 118 min.

Opens Dec 25 at 401 & Morningside, Carlton Cinema, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale

FREE BIRDS (Jimmy Hayward) finally brings audiences the inevitable talkingturkey CGI Thanksgiving comedy. Thankfully, it’s actually decent. Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson lend their voices to a pair of turkeys who travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving to take their ancestors off the menu. Pixar veteran Hayward and long-time Kevin Smith collaborator Scott Mosier deliver a surprisingly clever script packed with just enough silly slapstick for kids and pop culture references for parents to turn the dull concept into an

amusing comedy. It’s ultimately just family fluff, but at least it’s fun family fluff, and that’s really all you can ask from a talking-turkey picture. 91 min. NNN (Phil Brown) Interchange 30, SilverCity Mississauga

FRIEND 2: THE LEGACY (Kwak Kyung-taek)

is a self-important, melodramatic sequel to the 2001 South Korean crime drama Friend. Picking up 17 years after the original, a crime boss (Yoo On-Seong) wraps up his prison sentence for ordering a hit on his best friend/rival gang leader.

Reuniting with his Busan crime family only to discover that the new leadership isn’t too keen on returning control, he mounts a violent takeover effort with a prison mate (Kim Woo-bin), a young firecracker in desperate need of a father figure. The pair’s emotional entanglements give this sequel some much-needed heft, and Kim’s fine performance especially enlivens the derivative material. Subtitled. 124 min. NN (RS) Yonge & Dundas 24

FROZEN (Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee) feels like a throwback to the classic golden period of Disney animated musicals, and while it doesn’t reach the heights of a Lion King or Beauty And The Beast, it’s entertaining enough, despite a lopsided narrative and the lack of a compelling villain. Orphaned continued on page 58 œ

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DELIVERY MAN (Ken Scott) finds Quebec

writer/director Scott remaking his 2011 comedy Starbuck for the American market, with Vince Vaughn replacing Patrick Huard and the action moved from Montreal to Brooklyn. It’s exactly the same movie, but it holds up okay. 105 min. NNN (NW) Canada Square, Colossus, Queensway, SilverCity Mississauga, Yonge & Dundas 24

DON JON (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) stars writer/director Gordon-Levitt as a pornaddicted stud who thinks porn is more exciting than the real thing – including Barbara (Scarlett Johansson, who’s terrific), his latest gorgeous but demanding conquest. The script is sometimes supersavvy but it’s just a little too on the nose.

Kristen Bell and Broadway stars Ben Stiller, Kristen Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff Wiig and Sean and Josh Gad lend Penn star in this ambitious update their voices to this entertaining of James Disney musical Thurber’s novel about a perpetual loosely inspired by the Snow Queen dreamer who fairy tale. wakes up to reality.

Toronto film critics recently named Alfonso Cuarón the year’s best director for this technically impressive, nailbiting story about an astronaut (Sandra Bullock) trying to make her way home.

The Coen brothers’ moving film looks at a talented but unsuccessful folk singer (Oscar Isaac) trying to get by in Greenwich Village in the early 60s.

NOW DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014

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Joaquin Phoenix flirts with his computer’s operating ­system in the clever and moving Her. œcontinued from page 57

Due to holiday deadlines, our film times only include Dec. 24-25.

Please go to

nowtoronto.com/ movies/listings

(or call theatres) for the most updated times.

min. NNNNN (NW) 401 & Morningside, Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Colossus, Yonge & Dundas 24

Grudge Match (Peter Segal) stars Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone as aging boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one last bout. Screened after press time – see review December 25 at ­nowtoronto.com/movies. 113 min.

Opens Dec 25 at 401 & Morningside, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity ­Mississauga, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale

HAUNTER (Vincenzo Natali) mashes up

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princesses Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) have grown up apart (but in the same castle) since childhood, ever since Elsa’s power to turn everything to ice nearly got Anna killed.

But when Elsa ascends the throne, her gift reveals itself, and she flees to icy isolation in the mountains, followed by Anna, loner outdoorsman Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and happy-go-lucky snowman Olaf (Josh Gad). It’s basically The Snow Queen mixed with Wicked, but the creators were smart enough to cast one of the latter’s stars (Menzel) and a host of other Broadway belters. The songs are derivative but ­effective, but only Olaf’s hilarious ditty about wanting to experience summer is destined for classic status. And Gad’s Olaf is the most entertaining sidekick since ­Timon and Pumbaa. 102 min. NNN (GS) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, ­Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, ­Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, ­Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24

ñGood Vibrations

(Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn) is a manic, joyous dramatization of the story of Terri Hooley, a man so in love with music that he dedicated himself to spreading it, and changed the culture around him as a result. (Small problem: Terry lived in Belfast in the 70s, when opening a record shop and asking patrons to leave their politics at the door could be a very dangerous idea.) Richard Dormer is entirely ingratiating as the effervescent Hooley, and Jodie Whittaker co-stars as his mostly supportive bride. It’s more or less an Irish version of 24 Hour Party People, and that film’s director, ­Michael Winterbottom, is credited here as an executive producer. You should consider that an endorsement. 101 min.

NNNN (NW) Opens Dec 20 at TIFF Bell Lightbox

Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón) plays as

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both an immediate, nail-biting t­ hriller and a stunning technological ­accomplishment, following two astronauts (Sandra Bullock, George Clooney) stranded in orbit and cut off from mission control. It’s not science fiction – it’s set firmly in the present day, and the stakes are as intimate as they come. Cuarón’s screenplay, co-written with his son Jonás, is a triumph of psychological realism and narrative efficiency; there isn’t a wasted shot or an extraneous line of dialogue.

There are things here you’ve never seen before; this is a great, unprecedented ­picture. One word of warning, though: even if you don’t have vertigo, the IMAX 3D version may well leave you with it. 91

58

Groundhog Day, The Others and two or three older haunted-house pictures for a story of a teenage girl (Abigail Breslin) slowly figuring out why she and her family are stuck repeating the same day. The problem is, Brian King’s screenplay functions on the level of a young-adult novel, and director Natali’s sensibility is decidedly more adult. The result is a movie that generates real intensity and suspense ­before pulling back from a real payoff, over and over again. There’s one great, horrible image that hints at where full ­engagement with the material might have taken it, but Haunter never comes together the way it should; instead of landing with a bang, it just sort of fades into its own fog. 97 min. NN (NW) Carlton Cinema

Her (Spike Jonze) is set in the very

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near future, in a Los Angeles where emotionally withdrawn Theodore Twombley (Joaquin Phoenix) installs an operating system on his PC that’s basically an artificial intelligence – and winds up falling in love with it. Of course he’s drawn to it, or her (as voiced with perfect, perky opacity

by Scarlett Johansson). Why wouldn’t he be? She’s perfect for him. She just doesn’t, you know, exist in the physical realm. Her is as wide-open and genuine as writer-­ director Jonze’s adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are, though not as emotionally raw. It’s a movie where people process their feelings rather than release them, essentially about how technology can ­facilitate a relationship over impossible distances and what happens when one partner evolves more quickly than the other. In the end, it’s a movie as beholden to Annie Hall as it is to 2001, and don’t think that isn’t the strangest sentence I’ve written this year. 125 min. NNNN (NW) Queensway, Varsity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

(Peter Jackson) is another two hours and 40 minutes of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his dwarf allies encountering giant spiders and orcs and elves and more orcs (or possibly the same orcs again) and a soupçon of political treachery on the way to the mountain where the dragon Smaug lies sleeping in his plundered gold.

You may ask yourself why this isn’t the end of it. There isn’t enough story for three Hobbit movies, so Jackson’s had to invent new characters and new subplots – fan service to Tolkien diehards who need to actually see the rise of Sauron (also irrelevant to the story of The Hobbit), or to Jackson himself, whose swooping camera movements and elaborate single-take ­action sequences are starting to feel a ­little creaky and self-indulgent. Of course, making a nine-hour movie out of a short novel is pretty self-indulgent in itself.

Some subtitles. 161 min. NN (NW) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow

december 26 2013 - january 1 2014 NOW

Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale

Homefront (Gary Fleder) is an utterly

generic shoot-’em-up starring writer/producer Sylvester Stallone’s Expendables buddy Jason Statham as an ex-DEA agent who moves to a small Louisiana town with his young daughter (Izabela Vidovic), only to run afoul of some angry locals. Not original in the slightest, but it is entertaining.

100 min. NNN (NW) Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarbo­ rough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Yorkdale

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

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(Francis Lawrence) proves the Oscar curse can be beaten. Best-actress winner Jennifer Lawrence is a knockout in this second instalment of the franchise, which, unlike many actors’ releases following Oscar wins, is not total crap. It’s much better than Part 1: the script doesn’t need much set-up, there’s more focus on the relationship between Katniss (Lawrence) and Gale (which means more charismatic Liam Hemsworth), and director Lawrence keeps the violence offscreen instead of sanitizing it. Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are having trouble faking the love relationship that made them co-winners of the 74th Hunger Games, the arena spectacle in which a male and female from 12 districts fight to the death until there’s one person standing. But they’re sparking revolution against the wealthy 1 per cent, so baddie President Snow dreams up a new tourney in which the winners of the previous 24 games have to go into the ring. Who cares about plot holes in a ­fantasy? This is highly entertaining, and Lawrence is red hot in all ways. 145 min.

NNNN (SGC) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Canada Square, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Promenade, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Varsity

ñInside Llewyn Davis

(Joel Coen, Ethan Coen) plays as comedy, ­musical and drama all at once, with the tone steered by Oscar Isaac’s soulful interpretations of traditional folk songs that somehow manage to reflect precisely what his character, itinerant troubadour Llewyn Davis, is feeling in the moment.

Beautifully realized and packed with delightful incidents – the recording of Please Mr. Kennedy is probably the most satisfying three minutes you’ll spend in a movie

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theatre this year – Inside Llewyn Davis understands its characters in a way few movies do, giving Isaac and co-stars Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Adam Driver and F. Murray Abraham room to detail their performances into something much more than folk scene clichés. 105 min.

NNNN (NW) Opens Dec 20 at Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Queensway, TIFF Bell Lightbox, ­Varsity

Jingle Bell Rocks (Mitchell Kezin) dives into the rich, strange world of alternate Christmas music, and the results are odd and frequently joyful. Though the music industry will never stop covering White Christmas and Little Drummer Boy, each new yuletide produces a few weird, lovely tracks like The Flaming Lips’ A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn’t So), Clarence Carter’s Back Door Santa and Clarence Reid’s Winter Man, all of which Kezin investigates at length. He even tracks down bebop legend Bob Dorough, who collaborated with Miles Davis on the bitter, pointed Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern).

Kezin’s fascination with the Nat King Cole track The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot – with which he’s been obsessed since childhood – does edge into the maudlin, but it pays off in a pretty great way. 83 min. NNN (NW) Kingsway Theatre Justin Bieber’s Believe (Jon M. Chu) is a backstage look at the Stratford, Ontario, native’s rise to superstardom. No press screening – see review December 27 at nowtoronto.com/movies. 92 min.

Opens Dec 25 at 401 & Morningside, ­Canada Square, Coliseum Mississauga, ­Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Yonge & Dundas 24 Last Vegas (Jon Turteltaub) stars veterans Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, ­Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline in a bachelor party comedy that sets up gags as familiar as the routine in a seniors home. Even the jokes have bunions. Yet the four Oscar winners are so good at playing against each other, you can’t help wondering why they finally decided to do so now n a comedy that pays out as rarely as a slot machine. 110 min. NN (RS) Colossus, Interchange 30, SilverCity Mississauga

ñMaidentrip

(Jillian Schlesinger) is a documentary about Holland’s Laura Dekker, who at 14 decided to take two years off to sail around the world alone, attempting to become the youngest ­person ever to do so. When she set out in August 2010, there was no follow boat or support team. Her only companion was a video camera, whose footage director Schlesinger has edited effectively. She also

uses graphics, old family photos (for backstory) and scenes where Dekker disembarked to visit countries and make friends with strangers. It all adds up to a remarkable story about an independent, resourceful young woman whose psychological motivations aren’t as important as her spirit and fearlessness. Along with the great footage of vast oceans (there’s some rough weather), it’s fascinating to see not just Dekker’s physical transformation but also her evolving ideas of home and nationality. Some subtitles. 82 min. NNNN (GS) Opens Dec 20 at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (Jus-

tin Chadwick) features a knockout performance by Idris Elba, who skilfully portrays Nelson Mandela’s transformation from arrogant barrister without a cause to inspiring leader willing to sacrifice everything in his quest for his people’s freedom.

The film leaves out Mandela’s childhood entirely and ends when he’s released after 27 years in prison. But streamlining all these events forces the writer into clichés, and telling the story in chronological order strikes me as lazy. The politics are confusing: you’re never sure who’s fighting whom or why, especially when the conflict is between blacks. And the context of activist wife Winnie’s promotion of violence against black collaborators is never made clear, even though the political tension between the rage-driven Winnie and the reconciliation-oriented Nelson is a focal point. The script does pay attention to Mandela’s reputation as a young womanizer and gives credence to the idea that the sainted Madiba knocked his first wife around. Long Walk To Freedom can’t be called pure hagiography. But Elba’s the essential element. 141 min. NNN (SGC) Opens Dec 25 at Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24

ñMuscle Shoals

(Greg Camalier) is about the musically inclined backwater town in Alabama that has seen everyone from Aretha Franklin to the Rolling Stones come through to produce hits.

They’re among the many who speak affectionately here about their time with Rick Hall, of FAME Studios, arguably the backbone of the Muscle Shoals music industry. The interviews are woven together like music, composing a film with storytelling rhythms that strikes emotional chords. Soul aficionados will savour every beat. 111 min. NNNN (RS) Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, Kingsway Theatre

Nebraska (Alexander Payne) is a black-

and-white road movie about a Montana speaker salesman (Will Forte) who gets to know his remote, alcoholic father (Bruce

= Critics’ Pick nnnnn = Top ten of the year nnNn = Honourable mention nnn = Entertaining nn = Mediocre n = Bomb

Out of the Furnace (Scott Cooper) pos-

itions itself as a grand American tragedy, but it’s just a turgid, laughably grim slog through hoary old working-class clichés.

Christian Bale stars as Russell Baze, a noble ex-con in Braddock, Pennsylvania, who works at the mill, cares for his dying father and tries his best to keep his hapless brother Rodney (Casey Affleck) out of trouble. Rodney’s a veteran who expresses his PTSD through bare-knuckle boxing, which puts him on a collision course with Harlan DeGroat (Woody Harrelson), a seething brute who runs an underground fight club up in the mountains. One thing leads to another, and eventually Russell winds up on a collision course with Harlan as well, against the warnings of the local law (Forest Whitaker). And it’s here that Out Of The Furnace goes completely off the rails, spinning into one preposterous contrivance after another in order to reach its predetermined conclusion. There’s no dramatic weight or emotional resonance, just affectation. And the plot wouldn’t sustain an episode of Justified, let alone a feature film. It’s kind of awesome that Whitaker delivers all his lines in Bale’s ­Batman growl, though. 116 min. N (NW) Carlton Cinema, Courtney Park 16, Kingsway Theatre, Scotiabank Theatre

ñThe Pervert’s Guide to Ideology

(Sophie Fiennes) indulges philo­ sopher Slavoj Zizek as he excitedly slurs through mini-sermons on pet subjects: desire, “the paradox of Coke,” John ­Carpenter’s They Live, Kinder Eggs, etc.

Deconstructing Zizek, as usual, proves as dicey an enterprise as parsing statements like “A commodity is an object full of ­theological, even metaphysical, niceties.

Its presence always reflects an invisible transcendence.” But questioning his political radical bona fides and his ideas for solutions to the problem of late capitalism always feels beside the point. He’s as much an entertainer as a thinker, and it’s enjoyable to get lost in the eddies of Zizeks thought, swept up in the rhetorical currents even he seems to get lost in. 136 min. NNNN (JS) TIFF Bell Lightbox

ñPhilomena

(Stephen Frears) tells the true story of journalist Martin Sixsmith’s attempt to help an Irish woman, Philomena Lee, track down the son she was forced to give up five decades earlier. It’s an odd but effective combina-

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ñRush

(Ron Howard) chronicles the ongoing rivalry in the mid-70s ­between two wildly different Formula One racers: the cold, cerebral Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and the wildly charismatic English playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). Director Howard and superb screenwriter Peter Morgan contrast their stories effectively, getting even non-fans intrigued by the politics of commercial ­endorsements and the psychology of competition. 123 min. NNNN (GS) Kingsway Theatre

Saving Mr. Banks (John Lee Hancock) covers the last several months of the 20plus years that Walt Disney (Tom Hanks, who’s terrific) spent convincing author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) to sell him the rights to Mary Poppins. Charming Walt gets the prickly author in a room with composers Robert and Richard Sherman (B.J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman), who try to win her over with their cheery tunes, but unfortunately, she has daddy issues. The narrative moves between 1961 L.A. and Travers’s childhood in Australia where the alcoholic father she loves (Colin Farrell) dies. The older Travers is portrayed as an old lonely prune who only lightens up after she’s been in Disney’s orbit. I don’t expect a Disney pic to highlight Travers’s lesbian love life or her very serious spiritual pursuits, but this rendering is insulting. It’s is all about burnishing Disney’s personal reputation. 125 min. NN (SGC) 401 & Morningside, Canada Square, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum ­Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, ­Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, SilverCity Mississauga, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) finds the director/star trying for something a little more substantial than he has in movies like Zoolander and Tropic Thunder, using James Thurber’s short story about a daydreamer to explore loneliness and the need for human connection in the increasingly disconnected digital age. Stiller’s Mitty is a photo archivist at Life Magazine who after decades of simple competence launches himself on a global adventure in search of a missing image for the final issue. The movie disappears into Walter’s imagination for a series of clever set pieces, but the real world is always more important, Stuart Dryburgh’s cinematography growing more and more beautiful as the film progresses. The narrative’s a little bumpy – the story basically stops and backs up over itself so it can have a third act – but Stiller’s ambition and low-key charisma will hold you. He’s picking at something really meaningful here, and even if his movie doesn’t totally get there, the journey is the thing. 114 min. NNN (NW) Opens Dec 25 at 401 & Morningside, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24

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Follow us on Twitter NOW @nowtoronto Michael Hollett ........................................................................@m_hollett Alice Klein ....................................................................................@aliceklein ON NOW UNTIL JANUARY 3 Susan G. Cole ..........................................................................@susangcole TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX Enzo DiMatteo ............................................................. @enzodimatteo Reitman Square, 350 King Street West Norm Wilner .....................................................................@wilnervision Glenn @glennsumi Returning just in timeSumi for the............................................................................... holidays, this dazzling 18-film showcase devoted to the Julia LeConte .......................................................................@julialeconte Academy Award®–winning animation studio features such classics as My Neighbor Totoro and the rarely screened masterpiece Grave of the Fireflies.

Steven Davey ......................................................@stevendaveynow Life & Style..............................................................................@nowlifestyle John SUPPORTING PARTNER Visit tiff.net/ghibli forSemley full film ........................................................@johnsemley3000 lineup and tickets.

TIFF prefers Visa.

Ben Spurr .........................................................................................@benspurr Jonathan Goldsbie .................................................................@goldsbie Adria Vasil .................................................................... @ecoholicnation

© 2011 Nibariki - G

Nicky’s Family (Matej Minac) covers the heroics of Sir Nicholas Winton, dubbed “Britain’s Schindler,” who masterminded the evacuation of almost 700 Jewish children from German-occupied Czechoslovakia before the Holocaust. However, instead of the Spielberg treatment, this doc gives Winton something more akin to a Heritage Minute, complete with kitschy re-enactments. Better ignore those utterly unnecessary segments and just listen to the heartfelt memories of Winton and his rescued children (now seniors). Together they chronicle how they found refuge among welcoming homes in Britain after being torn from their own families, who eventually experienced the worst of Hitler. This stagey doc seems to do everything in its power to dull the affect, but the story – complete with a sexy Nazi spy, a few thrills and gut-wrenching tragedy – is still inspiring. 97 min. NNN (RS) Kingsway Theatre

tion of investigative drama and buddy ­picture, as the devout, working-class Lee (Judi Dench) and the privileged, cynical Sixsmith (Steve Coogan, who also cowrote and co-produced the film) find common ground in the search for her son.

Director Frears lays it on a little thick in the glimpses of the young Philomena at a home for wayward mothers, but the rest of the story is handled far more elegantly, framing the historical blemish of baby trafficking through an immediate, personal lens. It’s a tribute to both actors that Dench’s performance doesn’t feel like a naked Oscar bid, nor does she totally obliterate Coogan’s fine supporting turn. 98 min. NNNN (NW) Canada Square, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Eglinton Town Centre, Interchange 30, Kingsway Theatre, Queensway, SilverCity Yonge, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24

® Toronto International Film Festival Inc. © 1988 Nibariki - G

Dern) as the pair drive to Lincoln to cure the older man’s obsession with a sweepstakes. It lacks the highs and lows of The Descendants and Sideways, feeling much more like director Payne’s 2002 drama About Schmidt: a slow, deliberate roll through a series of modest incidents that inform our understanding of its central character. Problem is, Nebraska never surprises. Road movies are by definition formulaic, but there’s a predictability to the way Bob Nelson’s screenplay trickles out details and shading that feel more calculated than they should. This isn’t to say that Nebraska is bad, but it’s awfully safe and contrived – not what we’ve come to expect from Payne. 115 min. NNN (NW) Canada Square, Kingsway Theatre, Varsity

Follow us on Twitter NOW @nowtoronto Michael Hollett .................................................@m_hollett Alice Klein .............................................................@aliceklein Susan G. Cole ...................................................@susangcole Enzo DiMatteo ...................................... @enzodimatteo Norm Wilner .............................................. @wilnervision Glenn Sumi ........................................................ @glennsumi

Julia LeConte ................................................@julialeconte Steven Davey ...............................@stevendaveynow Life & Style.......................................................@nowlifestyle John Semley .................................@johnsemley3000 Ben Spurr ..................................................................@benspurr Jonathan Goldsbie ..........................................@goldsbie

continued on page 60 œ

NOW december 26 2013 - january 1 2014

59

œcontinued from page 59

SPINNING PLATES (Joseph Levy) works well enough as food porn, but it doesn’t have the transcendent feel of something like Jiro Dreams Of Sushi. There’s no greater statement being made about the three restaurants profiled here, which left me hungry but unsatisfied. 93 min. NNN (NW) TIFF Bell Lightbox

ñTHOR: THE DARK WORLD

(Alan Taylor) is a very silly movie for all its self-seriousness, which is why it works.

Once again, Tom Hiddleston steals the picture as the unpredictable Loki, though Kat Dennings comes awfully close to stealing it herself as Jane Foster’s scrappy sidekick.

Some subtitles. 112 min. NNNN (NW) Carlton Cinema, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yorkdale

Cretaceous period for the iCarly generation, in which prehistoric creatures dish out lines like “You are about to get served.” Co-directors Nightingale (BBC Earth) and Cook (Disney) collaborate on this peppy adventure for kids that has the accuracy of a nature doc. Justin Long gives a broad reading as the voice of young Patchasomething who must endure the winter migration while staying clear of deadly mini-T-Rexes called gorgonzolas or something – the lesson didn’t stick. These dinos may not be familiar to the average Jurassic Park fan, but everything else about the movie certainly is. The educational mandate doesn’t get much of an assist from the attempts at thrills, gags and romance, which are so old and decayed they’re fossilized. 87 min. NN (RS) Opens Dec 20 at 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Canada Square, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Mississauga, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24

Online expanded Film Times

Aurora Cinemas • Cine Starz • Elgin Mills 10 • First Markham Place SilverCity Newmarket • SilverCity Richmond Hill • Interchange 30 5 Drive-In Oakville • SilverCity Oakville • Winston Churchill 24

nowtoronto.com/movies

(CE)..............Cineplex Entertainment (ET).......................Empire Theatres (AA)......................Alliance Atlantis (AMC)..................... AMC Theatres (I)..............................Independent

Due to holiday deadlines, our film times only include Dec. 24-25.

go to the ñfinds McQueen rebounding from Please 12 YEARS A SLAVE (Steve McQueen)

lndividual theatres may change showtimes after NOW’s press time. For updates, go online at www.nowtoronto.com or phone theatres.

Available for selected films:

RWC (Rear Window Captioning) and nowtoronto.com/movies/listings DVS (Descriptive Video Service)

uneven Shame with this stunning adaptation of the memoir by Solomon Northup, a free American sold into slavery in 1841 and forced to spend more than a decade concealing his identity on a series of Southern plantations before he could contact his friends in the North. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a revelation as a man forced to conceal his intelligence and compassion – his very essence – in order to survive, and Benedict Cumberbatch and McQueen regular Michael Fassbender offer diametrically opposed performances as Northup’s masters over the years. Alfre Woodard, Sarah Paulson and Michael Kenneth Williams make effective appearances, and producer Brad Pitt turns up as a good-natured Canadian. McQueen directs with a total lack of sentiment, crafting each sequence with a merciless forward momentum that compensates for the episodic nature of the narrative. One of the best films of the year. 133 min. NNNNN (NW) Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Courtney Park 16, Interchange 30, SilverCity Mississauga, Yonge & Dundas 24

(or call theatres) for the most WATERMARK (Jennifer Baichwal, Edward Burtynsky) feels very much ñ updated times. like a continuation of Manufactured Landscapes, collaborators Baichwal and

TYLER PERRY’S A MADEA CHRISTMAS

(Tyler Perry) is easily the most enjoyable Perry movie in years. Granted that’s not saying a whole lot since Perry’s brand of comic soap opera is as repellent to critics as it is welcome to its target “urban” audiences. This time around Perry holds back on the emotional suds (up to a point) and looks to have a jolly old time. He throws his vulgar mammy Madea into the Alabama backwoods for the Christmas holiday, which turns out to be ripe new scenery for her to chew on with her rambling, freestyle gags. She’s visiting her niece (Tika Sumpter), who is living on a farm and secretly married to a local (read: white guy), which causes a whole lot of mishap between the chocolate and vanilla in-laws and leaves Madea winningly playing referee. 105 min. NNN (RS) 401 & Morningside, Coliseum Mississauga, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24

ñWADJDA

(Haifaa Al-Mansour) tracks 10-year-old schoolgirl Wadjda (Waad Mohammed), who enters a Koran study contest so she can buy a bicycle with the winnings. The premise is sly enough – females aren’t allowed to drive in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia – and Mohammed is appealing as the young heroine, but Al-Mansour’s depiction of everyday Saudi life is what counts here.

Subtitled. 97 min. NNNN (SGC) Interchange 30, Kingsway Theatre

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (Barry Cook,

Neil Nightingale) is a lesson on the late

60

Burtynsky’s previous work, once again exploring the effects of human industry on the natural world – in this case, our oceans and rivers. Baichwal’s contemplative approach meshes nicely with Burtynsky’s fondness for finding geometric patterns in gargantuan constructions like dams and aquifers, and producer-cinematographer Nicholas de Pencier captures some splendid high-definition images. (Watermark may set a record for the most helicopter shots in a Canadian production.) Baichwal and Burtynsky cushion their potentially grim ecological message with philosophical digressions and moments of unexpected whimsy, which seems like an awfully good idea right now. Some subtitles. 90 min. NNNN (NW) TIFF Bell Lightbox

WHEN JEWS WERE FUNNY (Alan Zweig) is

a survey of North American Jewish comics with an elusive theme and a lack of female subjects. But it’s very entertaining – it took Best Canadian Feature honours at TIFF 2013 – and interviews with the likes of old pros Norm Crosby, Jack Carter and Shelley Berman are fascinating. 90 min.

NNN (SGC) Kingsway Theatre

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (Martin Scor-

sese)is another sprawling look at the inner workings of a massive criminal enterprise, like Goodfellas and Casino; here, it’s the stock frauds and swindles of rich prick Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio). Scorsese’s prior kicks at this particular can are shot through with real consequence, but the worst thing that can happen to Belfort is that he might face a little jail time for the his white-collar crimes, which are so complex that the movie can’t even engage with them. Since the stakes are so low – and since Belfort is so unlikeable – Scorsese plays the story as a cartoon, treating the ludicrous corporate culture of Belfort’s company, Stratton Oakmont, like a bacchanal and rushing alongside him through the increasingly Dionysian universe he creates around himself. But the movie doesn’t know when to quit, and three hours of spectacular excess proves exhausting.. 180 min. NN (NW) Opens Dec 25 at 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Courtney Park 16, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Varsity 3

DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014 NOW

Due to holiday deadlines, our film times only include Dec. 24-25.

Please go to

nowtoronto.com/ movies/listings

(or call theatres) for the most updated times.

Downtown

BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA (I) 506 BLOOR ST. W., 416-637-3123

MAIDENTRIP (G) Wed 4:00 MUSCLE SHOALS (PG) Wed 9:00

CARLTON CINEMA (I) 20 CARLTON, 416-494-9371

47 RONIN (PG) Wed 3:55, 6:40, 9:20 ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (PG) Tue 1:25, 4:00, 6:40 Wed 4:00, 6:40, 9:20 ANTISOCIAL Tue 4:10 Wed 4:10, 9:30 Everything Toronto BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (R) Tue 1:15, 4:50, 8:30 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (14A) Tue 1:15, 6:30 DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (18A) Tue 1:30, 4:05, 6:50 Wed 4:05, 6:50, 9:35 GRAVITY (PG) Tue 4:15, 7:00 Wed 4:15, 7:00, 9:15 GRUDGE MATCH (14A) Wed 4:10, 6:45, 9:20 HAUNTER (PG) Tue 1:45 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (PG) Tue 1:10, 2:00, 4:40, 5:30 Wed 4:40, 5:30, 8:00, 9:00 OUT OF THE FURNACE (14A) Wed 9:30 THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (PG) Wed 3:50, 6:40, 9:10 THOR: THE DARK WORLD (PG) Tue 1:20, 3:55, 6:45 12 YEARS A SLAVE (14A) Tue 1:15, 4:00, 6:45 Wed 4:00, 6:45

RAINBOW MARKET SQUARE (I) MARKET SQUARE, 80 FRONT ST E, 416-494-9371

AMERICAN HUSTLE (14A) Tue 12:50, 3:55, 6:50 Wed 3:35, 6:50, 9:35 ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (PG) Tue 1:00, 3:40, 6:55 Wed 3:40, 6:55, 9:25 FROZEN (G) Tue 12:30, 2:50, 5:05, 7:15 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (PG) Tue 12:35, 1:05, 3:50, 4:30 Wed 3:50, 7:10 SAVING MR. BANKS (PG) Tue 12:40, 3:35, 6:35 Wed 3:35, 6:35, 9:35 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (18A) Wed 4:30, 8:15

SCOTIABANK THEATRE (CE) 259 RICHMOND ST W, 416-368-5600

47 RONIN (PG) Wed 11:15, 2:15 47 RONIN 3D (PG) Wed 10:55, 1:45, 4:40, 5:10, 7:40, 8:05, 10:45, 11:10 DON JON (18A) Tue 12:50, 3:10, 5:25, 8:00, 10:10 GRUDGE MATCH (14A) Wed 11:05, 1:00, 2:00, 3:50, 4:55, 7:00, 7:50, 9:50, 10:30 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 12:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:10, 5:40, 6:10, 7:10, 7:50, 9:20, 9:50, 10:50 Wed 11:55, 12:35, 3:35, 4:20, 7:15, 8:35, 11:00 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE (PG) Tue 11:30, 3:00, 6:40, 10:20 Wed 11:25, 2:55, 6:20, 10:00 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (PG) Tue 1:00, 1:30, 4:40, 5:10, 8:20, 8:50 Wed 1:30, 5:35, 9:20 HOMEFRONT (14A) Tue 12:15, 3:20, 6:00, 8:35, 11:00 THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (PG) Tue 11:40, 12:40, 1:45, 2:50, 4:00, 5:50, 6:20, 7:20, 9:05, 9:35, 10:40 Wed 12:05, 12:50, 3:20, 4:10, 6:50, 7:30, 10:15, 10:55 OUT OF THE FURNACE (14A) Tue 11:30, 2:15, 5:00, 8:10, 11:00 THOR: THE DARK WORLD (PG) Tue 1:15 Wed 11:40, 2:30 THOR: THE DARK WORLD 3D (PG) Tue 4:25, 7:35, 10:30 Wed 5:20, 8:20, 11:10 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (18A) Wed 10:50, 12:20, 1:15, 2:40, 4:30, 5:45, 6:40, 8:50, 9:40, 10:40

TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX (I) 350 KING ST W, 416-599-8433

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (R) Tue 12:00, 8:30 Wed 8:30

Ñ

Everything Toronto

THE CRASH REEL (PG) Tue 12:10, 3:35, 7:10, 9:40 Wed 2:15, 9:40 FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (PG) Wed 6:45 GOOD VIBRATIONS (14A) Tue 12:15, 2:45, 7:15 Wed 12:15, 2:45 INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (14A) Wed 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 6:30, 7:30, 9:05, 10:00 THE PERVERT’S GUIDE TO IDEOLOGY (PG) Tue 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:25 Wed 12:30, 6:50 SPINNING PLATES (G) Tue 2:35, 5:00, 6:20, 9:35 Wed 12:05, 4:40 WATERMARK (G) Tue-Wed 5:05

VARSITY (CE)

55 BLOOR ST W, 416-961-6304 AMERICAN HUSTLE (14A) Tue 12:25, 3:45, 7:00, 10:25 Wed 12:25, 3:45, 7:05, 10:25 HER (14A) Tue-Wed 1:05, 4:15, 7:20, 10:30 THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (PG) Tue 12:00, 3:15, 6:30, 9:50 INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (14A) Tue-Wed 1:20, 2:00, 4:00, 4:45, 6:50, 7:30, 9:40, 10:15 MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM (14A) Wed 12:00, 3:25, 6:55, 10:20 NEBRASKA (PG) Tue 12:40, 3:35, 6:35, 9:30 PHILOMENA (PG) Tue-Wed 12:20, 2:45, 5:20, 7:55, 10:30 SAVING MR. BANKS (PG) Tue 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:10 Wed 11:55, 4:20, 7:15, 10:30 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (18A) Wed 12:30, 2:50, 6:40, 10:10

VIP SCREENINGS

AMERICAN HUSTLE (14A) Tue 12:15, 3:30, 6:45, 9:55 Wed 12:15, 3:15, 6:35, 9:35 HER (14A) Tue 1:00, 4:05, 7:05, 10:00 Wed 1:00, 3:55, 6:50, 10:05 INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (14A) Tue 12:50, 3:40, 6:15, 9:10 Wed 12:05, 3:35, 6:25, 9:55 SAVING MR. BANKS (PG) Tue 12:30, 3:25, 6:25, 9:20 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (18A) Wed 11:55, 2:35, 6:15, 8:50

YONGE & DUNDAS 24 (CE) 10 DUNDAS ST E, 416-335-5323

AMERICAN HUSTLE (14A) Tue-Wed 1:10, 3:30, 4:30, 6:45, 7:45, 10:15, 11:00 ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (PG) Tue-Wed 12:30, 1:15, 2:00, 3:25, 4:15, 5:00, 6:30, 7:15, 8:00, 9:15, 10:10, 11:00 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (14A) Tue 4:40, 10:40 DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (18A) Tue-Wed 12:20, 3:10, 6:10, 9:30 DELIVERY MAN (PG) Tue 1:30, 8:05 DHOOM 3 (PG) Tue 1:00, 4:55, 9:00 DHOOM: 3 THE IMAX EXPERIENCE (PG) Tue 2:00, 6:00, 10:00 Wed 2:30, 6:15, 10:15 FRIEND 2: THE LEGACY (14A) Tue 1:20, 4:25, 7:30, 10:25 FROZEN (G) Tue-Wed 12:00 FROZEN 3D (G) Tue-Wed 2:35, 5:05, 7:40, 10:20 GRAVITY 3D (PG) Tue-Wed 1:50, 4:05, 6:20, 8:35, 10:50 HOLIDAY INN Tue 1:45, 7:00 Wed 1:45, 9:30 HOME ALONE (PG) Tue 4:15, 9:30 Wed 4:15, 7:00 JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (PG) Wed 12:40, 3:15, 5:45, 8:15, 10:45 MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM (14A) Wed 12:05, 3:35, 7:00, 10:25 PERSONAL TAILOR (PG) Tue-Wed 12:55, 3:55, 7:05, 10:05 PHILOMENA (PG) Tue-Wed 12:15

SAVING MR. BANKS (PG) Tue-Wed 12:45, 4:20, 7:25, 10:30 THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (PG) Wed 12:50, 1:55, 3:50, 4:55, 6:55, 7:55, 9:50, 10:55 12 YEARS A SLAVE (14A) Tue-Wed 12:35, 3:40, 6:40, 9:55 TYLER PERRY’S A MADEA CHRISTMAS (14A) Tue 12:05, 2:55, 5:35, 8:15, 10:55 Wed 10:35 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (PG) Tue-Wed 12:10 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS 3D (PG) Tue 2:45, 5:20, 7:50, 10:35 Wed 2:45, 5:20, 7:50

Midtown CANADA SQUARE (CE) 2200 YONGE ST, 416-646-0444

ALL IS LOST (PG) Tue 1:30, 3:50, 6:20 THE BOOK THIEF (PG) Tue 12:45, 3:30, 6:15 Wed 3:30, 6:20, 9:10 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (14A) Tue 12:50, 3:40, 6:30 DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (18A) Wed 4:20, 7:10, 9:40 DELIVERY MAN (PG) Tue 1:40, 4:30, 7:10 GRAVITY (PG) Tue 1:00, 3:05, 5:10, 7:20 THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (PG) Wed 3:30, 6:40, 9:40 JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (PG) Wed 4:40, 7:15, 9:30 NEBRASKA (PG) Wed 3:50, 6:30, 9:00 PHILOMENA (PG) Wed 4:30, 7:00, 9:20 SAVING MR. BANKS (PG) Tue 1:20, 4:10, 7:00 Wed 4:00, 6:50, 9:35 12 YEARS A SLAVE (14A) Tue 1:05, 3:55, 6:45 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (PG) Tue 1:50 Wed 3:50 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS 3D (PG) Tue 4:00, 6:10 Wed 6:10, 8:30

SILVERCITY YONGE (CE) 2300 YONGE ST, 416-544-1236

47 RONIN 3D (PG) Wed 1:10, 4:10, 7:25, 10:25 AMERICAN HUSTLE (14A) Tue 12:20, 3:40, 7:10 Wed 12:25, 3:40, 6:55, 10:10 ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (PG) Tue 1:50, 4:50, 7:50 Wed 1:30, 4:30, 7:40, 10:40 DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (18A) Tue 1:10, 4:10, 7:30 FROZEN (G) Tue-Wed 12:10 FROZEN 3D (G) Tue 2:50, 5:30, 8:10 Wed 2:55, 5:40, 8:20 GRUDGE MATCH (14A) Wed 1:00, 3:50, 6:45, 9:50 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 2:40, 3:30, 6:20, 7:20 Wed 12:00, 3:30, 7:10, 10:50 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (PG) Tue 1:40, 5:20 Wed 1:40, 5:20, 9:10 THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (PG) Tue 12:00, 3:20, 7:00 Wed 11:00 PHILOMENA (PG) Tue 12:30, 3:00, 5:40, 8:05 THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (PG) Wed 12:00, 2:45, 5:30, 8:15, 11:00 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (18A) Wed 12:45, 4:45, 8:45

Metro

West End HUMBER CINEMAS (I) 2442 BLOOR ST. WEST, 416-769-2442

AMERICAN HUSTLE (14A) Tue 12:30, 3:30, 6:45 Wed 3:30, 6:45, 9:40 ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (PG) Tue 12:45, 3:45, 7:00 Wed 3:45, 7:00, 9:50 FROZEN (G) Tue 1:00, 4:00, 7:10 Wed 4:00, 7:10, 9:30 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (PG) Tue 12:00, 3:10, 6:30 Wed 3:10, 6:30, 10:00 THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (PG) Wed 9:30

KINGSWAY THEATRE (I) 3030 BLOOR ST W, 416-232-1939

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (R) Tue 9:30 THE BOOK THIEF (PG) Tue 3:15 Wed 3:40 A CHRISTMAS STORY Tue 11:25 Wed 12:00 DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (18A) Tue 7:30 Wed 9:30 JINGLE BELL ROCKS (PG) Tue 2:50 MUSCLE SHOALS (PG) Tue-Wed 11:25, 9:30 NEBRASKA (PG) Tue 5:30 Wed 5:55 NICKY’S FAMILY (PG) Tue-Wed 1:20, 7:35 OUT OF THE FURNACE (14A) Tue 9:30 PHILOMENA (PG) Wed 7:55 RUSH (14A) Tue 1:10 Wed 1:35 WADJDA (PG) Tue-Wed 4:20 WHEN JEWS WERE FUNNY (14A) Tue 6:00 Wed 2:50, 6:00

QUEENSWAY (CE)

1025 THE QUEENSWAY, QEW & ISLINGTON, 416-503-0424 47 RONIN 3D (PG) Wed 11:15, 2:10, 5:10, 8:10, 11:15 AMERICAN HUSTLE (14A) Tue 1:10, 4:30, 7:55, 11:05 Wed 12:20, 3:40, 7:10, 10:30 ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (PG) Tue 12:45, 2:10, 3:50, 5:05, 7:00, 8:00, 10:10, 11:00 Wed 10:55, 1:50, 4:50, 7:50, 10:50 DELIVERY MAN (PG) Tue 12:00, 2:35, 5:25, 8:10, 10:45 FROZEN (G) Tue 11:20 Wed 11:00 FROZEN 3D (G) Tue 2:00, 5:00, 7:50, 10:35 Wed 1:40, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20

= Critics’ Pick NNNNN = Top ten of the year NNNN = Honourable mention NNN = Entertaining NN = Mediocre N = Bomb

Grudge Match (14A) Wed 1:10, 4:00, 6:50, 9:45 Her (14A) Wed 12:30, 3:50, 7:00, 10:10 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 11:40, 1:35, 2:55, 3:25, 5:15, 6:40, 7:10, 9:00, 10:20, 10:50 Wed 11:50, 3:35, 7:20, 11:10 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 12:35, 4:20, 8:20 Wed 11:10, 2:50, 6:30, 10:15 Homefront (14A) Tue 1:25, 4:10, 6:55, 9:40 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:15, 4:00, 7:30, 10:55 Wed 12:40, 4:10, 7:40, 11:05 Inside Llewyn Davis (14A) Wed 1:30, 4:20, 7:05, 9:55 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (14A) Wed 10:55, 2:30, 6:20, 10:00 Philomena (PG) Tue 1:00, 3:35, 6:30, 9:10 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 1:20, 4:40, 7:40, 10:40 Wed 1:45, 4:55, 8:00, 11:00 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 11:20, 2:20, 5:20, 8:20, 11:15 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 12:50 Thor: The Dark World 3D (PG) Tue 3:45, 6:50, 9:45 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 11:50 Wed 11:05, 1:00 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:55 Wed 3:25, 6:00, 8:30, 10:55 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 2:40, 6:40, 10:40

Rainbow Woodbine (I)

Woodbine Centre, 500 Rexdale Blvd, 416-213-1998 American Hustle (14A) Tue 12:50, 3:45, 6:40 Wed 3:45, 6:40, 9:35 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 1:20, 3:55, 6:45 Wed 3:55, 6:45, 9:30 Frozen (G) Tue 1:15, 4:15, 7:00 Wed 4:15, 7:00, 9:25 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 12:45, 1:10, 4:00, 4:30, 7:30 Wed 4:00, 7:30 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 4:10, 6:50, 9:20 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 1:05, 3:50, 6:55 Wed 3:50, 6:55, 9:15 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 12:55, 2:55, 5:00, 7:05 Wed 5:00, 7:05, 9:10

East End Beach Cinemas (AA) 1651 Queen St E, 416-699-1327

American Hustle (14A) Tue 12:50, 4:00, 7:15 Wed 4:00, 7:15, 10:15 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 2:00, 4:50, 7:40 Wed 4:30, 7:40, 10:40 Frozen (G) Tue 12:30 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 3:45, 6:30 Wed 3:45, 6:45 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 3:30, 7:00 Wed 3:30, 7:00, 10:30 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:00, 4:30, 8:00 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Wed 9:30 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 12:15 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 2:35, 5:00, 7:25 Wed 5:00, 7:25, 9:45 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 4:45, 8:40

North York Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk (CE) 5095 Yonge St., 416-847-0087

American Hustle (14A) Tue 12:20, 3:40, 7:00 Wed 12:20, 3:40, 7:00, 10:20 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 2:00, 5:00, 7:50 Wed 2:00, 5:00, 7:50, 10:45 Frozen (G) Tue-Wed 11:00 Frozen 3D (G) Tue-Wed 1:50, 4:50, 7:40 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 1:20, 4:10, 7:25, 10:15 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 11:10, 2:50, 6:30 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: An IMAX 3D Experience (PG) Tue 12:00, 3:30, 7:10 Wed 12:00, 3:30, 7:10, 10:50 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:40, 5:20 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:30, 4:00, 7:30 Wed 10:25 Inside Llewyn Davis (14A) Wed 12:00, 2:40, 5:20, 8:00, 10:40 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (14A) Wed 11:45, 3:20, 6:55, 10:30 Philomena (PG) Tue 1:30, 4:20, 7:20 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 12:45, 3:50, 6:50 Wed 12:45, 3:50, 6:50, 10:00 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 1:30, 4:20, 7:20, 10:15 12 Years a Slave (14A) Tue 12:05, 3:10, 6:25 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 1:40, 5:40, 9:40

SilverCity Fairview (CE)

Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue-Wed 12:40 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 3:10, 5:40, 8:05 Wed 4:15, 6:50, 9:20 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 12:30, 3:00, 6:45, 10:35

SilverCity Yorkdale (CE) 3401 Dufferin St, 416-787-2052

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:10 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 Wed 1:35, 4:35, 7:35, 10:35 Frozen (G) Tue 12:00, 1:00 Wed 11:45, 12:00 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 4:00, 6:55 Wed 2:35, 5:20, 8:10 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 1:05, 4:00, 7:00, 9:50 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 12:40, 3:30, 4:10, 7:00, 7:45 Wed 11:55, 3:35, 7:15, 10:55 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 2:30, 6:10 Wed 2:55, 6:35, 10:15 Homefront (14A) Tue 1:25, 4:05, 6:45 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:10, 3:35, 7:00 Wed 12:05, 3:30, 6:55, 10:20 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 1:30, 4:25, 7:20, 10:25 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 12:45 Thor: The Dark World 3D (PG) Tue 3:50, 6:50 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 2:10, 4:55, 7:40 Wed 10:50 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue-Wed 12:00 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 2:30, 5:00, 7:30 Wed 11:50, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 2:40, 6:40, 10:40

Scarborough

12:40, 4:05, 7:25, 10:50 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 1:05, 2:10, 4:00, 5:05, 7:00, 8:00, 9:55, 10:55 Wed 12:50, 1:50, 3:50, 4:45, 6:45, 7:45, 9:45, 10:45 Dallas Buyers Club (18A) Tue 2:05, 5:05, 8:05, 11:00 Dhoom 3 (PG) Tue 2:55, 6:45, 10:35 Wed 2:10, 6:40, 10:35 Frozen (G) Tue-Wed 11:55 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 2:40, 5:20, 7:55, 10:20 Wed 2:40, 5:15, 7:50 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 1:45, 4:35, 7:25, 10:15 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 11:30, 12:10, 1:50, 3:00, 3:45, 5:25, 6:40, 7:20, 9:00, 10:30, 11:00 Wed 11:50, 3:30, 7:10, 11:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:00, 4:30, 8:15 Wed 1:40, 5:15, 9:00 Homefront (14A) Tue 12:15, 2:50, 5:30, 8:10, 10:50 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:20, 3:40, 7:05, 10:40 Wed 3:00, 6:30, 10:00 Justin Bieber’s Believe (PG) Wed 12:05, 2:35, 5:05, 7:35, 10:05 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (14A) Wed 11:30, 3:10, 6:50, 10:30 Philomena (PG) Tue 11:40, 2:10, 4:40, 7:10, 9:40 Wed 12:25 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue-Wed 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 10:25 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 11:35, 2:25, 5:20, 8:10, 11:00 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 1:30, 4:10, 6:55, 9:45 Wed 10:40 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue-Wed 12:00 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00 Wed 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 12:45, 4:45, 8:45

Woodside Cinemas (I) 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-299-3456

Biriyani Tue-Wed 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Dhoom 3 (PG) Tue-Wed 12:00, 3:15, 6:30, 9:45 Endrendrum Punnagai Tue-Wed 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15

401 & Morningside (CE) 785 Milner Ave, Scarborough, 416-281-2226

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 4:30, 7:40, 10:30 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 1:50, 4:40, 7:30 Wed 2:20, 4:20, 7:30, 10:15 The Best Man Holiday (14A) Tue 1:15, 4:00, 6:50 Frozen (G) Tue 12:00 Wed 2:20 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 2:40, 5:15, 7:45 Wed 2:50, 5:20, 8:00 Gravity 3D (PG) Tue 1:00, 3:15, 5:30, 7:45 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 4:10, 7:20, 10:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:05, 3:30, 7:00 Wed 3:30, 7:00, 10:25 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:35, 2:35, 5:00, 6:00 Wed 5:00, 8:30 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:25, 3:35, 6:45 Wed 10:35 Justin Bieber’s Believe (PG) Wed 3:10, 5:30, 8:10, 10:30 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 1:25, 4:20, 7:20 Wed 3:45, 6:50, 9:45 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 2:30, 5:10, 7:50, 10:35 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:40 Wed 9:30 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 12:10, 2:25, 4:50 Wed 2:30 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 7:10 Wed 4:50, 7:10 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 4:40, 8:45

Coliseum Scarborough (CE) Scarborough Town Centre, 416-290-5217

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 2:05, 4:55, 7:45, 10:35 American Hustle (14A) Tue 12:50, 4:05, 7:15, 10:25 Wed 12:45, 3:55, 7:05, 10:15 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 2:15, 5:05, 7:55, 10:45 Wed 1:15, 4:15, 7:25, 10:25 Frozen (G) Tue 12:45 Wed 1:00 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 3:45, 6:45, 9:40 Wed 4:00, 7:00 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 1:30, 4:25, 7:10, 10:05 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 1:45, 3:30, 5:20, 7:00, 9:00, 10:40 Wed 12:15, 3:45, 7:15, 10:45 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:05, 4:40, 8:15 Wed 2:45, 6:20, 9:55 Homefront (14A) Tue 2:00, 4:45, 7:35, 10:15 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:25, 3:50, 7:10, 10:35 Wed 12:20, 3:40, 7:00, 10:30 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue-Wed 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 2:00, 4:50, 7:40, 10:30 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 12:55 Thor: The Dark World 3D (PG) Tue 3:55, 7:00, 9:55 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 1:45, 4:25, 7:05, 10:00 Wed 9:45 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 12:15 Wed 1:45 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 2:35, 5:00, 7:25, 9:45 Wed 4:10, 6:45, 9:15 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 2:20, 6:15, 10:10

GTA Regions Mississauga

Coliseum Mississauga (CE) Square One, 309 Rathburn Rd W, 905-275-3456

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 12:40, 4:10, 7:25, 10:30 American Hustle (14A) Tue 1:30, 5:00, 8:30 Wed 12:30, 3:55, 7:20, 10:45 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 12:05, 12:50, 3:00, 3:50, 6:20, 7:10, 9:30, 10:00 Wed 12:50, 1:40, 3:50, 4:45, 6:55, 7:50, 10:00, 10:55 Frozen (G) Tue-Wed 1:10 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 4:10, 7:05, 9:55 Wed 4:30, 7:30, 10:20 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:40, 1:20, 4:20, 5:20, 8:20, 9:20 Wed 1:00, 5:00, 9:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: An IMAX 3D Experience (PG) Tue 12:00, 3:25, 6:50, 10:15 Wed 12:00, 3:30, 7:10, 10:50 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 2:45, 6:30, 10:05 Wed 3:00, 6:40, 10:25 Homefront (14A) Tue 1:00, 4:00, 6:45, 9:40 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:10, 3:30, 6:55, 10:10 Wed 12:15, 3:40, 7:05, 10:40 Justin Bieber’s Believe (PG) Wed 12:00, 2:30, 5:15, 8:10, 11:00 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 12:30, 3:35, 7:00, 10:15 Wed 12:20, 3:35, 6:45, 10:10 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 12:10, 3:20, 6:30, 9:50 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 12:20, 3:20, 6:40, 9:45 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 1:40, 4:30, 7:15, 9:50 Wed 1:20, 4:20, 7:00, 9:40

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue-Wed 12:30, 4:00, 7:30, 11:00 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:05, 3:20, 6:35, 9:50 Wed 12:10, 3:40, 6:55, 10:10 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (14A) Wed 12:20, 3:55, 7:25, 10:50 Out of the Furnace (14A) Tue 12:00, 2:45, 5:30, 8:10, 10:55 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 1:20, 4:20, 7:15, 10:10 Wed 12:15, 3:20, 6:30, 9:25 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 1:35, 4:20, 7:05, 9:50 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 12:55 Thor: The Dark World 3D (PG) Tue 3:40, 6:25, 9:10 12 Years a Slave (14A) Tue 12:10, 3:15, 6:55, 9:55 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 12:20, 2:50, 5:25, 7:55, 10:25 Wed 10:25 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue-Wed 12:05, 12:35 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue-Wed 2:55, 5:15, 7:35, 10:00 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 3:00, 6:50, 10:40

SilverCity Mississauga (CE) Hwy 5, east of Hwy 403, 905-569-3373

The Book Thief (PG) Tue 1:00, 4:00, 7:05 Wed 3:35, 6:45 Dallas Buyers Club (18A) Tue 12:45, 3:25, 6:35 Wed 3:50, 7:05, 9:50 Delivery Man (PG) Tue 1:30, 4:15, 7:00 Wed 4:20, 7:30, 10:20 Free Birds (G) Tue 12:35, 2:50, 4:55, 7:05 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 4:00, 5:00, 7:00, 7:45, 9:40, 10:30 Last Vegas (PG) Tue 1:00, 3:45, 6:40 Wed 10:10 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 12:30, 1:20, 3:40, 4:20, 6:45, 7:30 Wed 3:30, 4:10, 6:30, 7:15, 9:30, 10:25 12 Years a Slave (14A) Tue 12:15, 3:30, 6:55 Wed 3:45, 6:55, 10:00 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 12:55, 3:35, 6:20 Wed 3:30, 6:15, 9:00 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 2:40, 5:10, 7:25 Wed 4:30, 7:20, 10:05

110 Courtney Park E at Hurontario, 416-335-5323

Please go to

Colossus (CE) Hwy 400 & 7, 905-851-1001

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 11:25, 2:15, 5:05, 7:55, 11:10 American Hustle (14A) Tue-Wed 12:50, 4:00, 7:15, 10:30 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 12:45, 1:45, 3:45, 4:45, 6:45, 7:45, 9:55, 10:45 Wed 11:05, 11:50, 1:55, 2:45, 4:45, 5:35, 7:35, 8:25, 10:25, 11:30 Dallas Buyers Club (18A) Tue 1:25, 4:20, 7:20, 10:20 Delivery Man (PG) Tue 1:20, 4:05, 6:50, 9:40 Frozen (G) Tue 11:45 Wed 11:00, 12:00 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 2:20, 4:45, 7:30, 10:05 Wed 2:40, 5:25, 8:00, 10:35 Gravity 3D (PG) Tue 12:30, 2:50, 5:25, 7:50, 10:10 Wed 11:10, 1:30, 3:50, 6:15, 8:40, 11:00 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 11:30, 2:20, 5:20, 8:05, 11:15 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 1:30, 2:10, 3:30, 5:10, 5:50, 7:10, 8:45, 9:30, 10:45 Wed 12:15, 3:45, 7:20, 11:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: An IMAX 3D Experience (PG) Tue 11:30, 3:00, 6:40, 10:15 Wed 11:40, 3:10, 6:40, 10:15 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:00, 4:30, 8:15 Wed 1:45, 5:15, 8:40 Homefront (14A) Tue 12:35, 3:05, 5:35, 7:55, 10:25 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 11:50, 3:10, 6:35, 10:00 Wed 1:00, 4:15, 7:40, 11:15 Justin Bieber’s Believe (PG) Wed 12:30, 2:55, 5:25, 7:50, 10:20 Last Vegas (PG) Tue 1:40, 4:25, 7:00, 9:50 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (14A) Wed 11:20, 2:50, 6:30, 10:00 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 1:50, 4:40, 7:40, 10:40 Wed 11:10, 2:00, 4:50, 7:45, 10:55 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 11:45, 2:30, 5:30, 8:15, 11:25 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 12:10 Thor: The Dark World 3D (PG) Tue 3:20, 6:30, 9:35 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (14A) Tue 12:25, 2:55, 5:30, 8:00, 10:35 Wed 12:40, 3:15, 5:45, 8:10, 11:05 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 11:35, 12:15 Wed 11:00 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 2:35, 5:00, 7:25, 9:45 Wed 1:20, 3:40, 6:05, 8:30, 10:50 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 11:15, 12:20, 3:00, 4:20, 6:50, 8:20, 10:40

(or call theatres) for the most updated times.

1901 Eglinton Ave E, 416-752-4494

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 2:00, 4:50, 7:55, 10:55 American Hustle (14A) Tue 12:45, 4:05, 7:25, 10:50 Wed

Promenade Mall, Hwy 7 & Bathurst, 416-494-9371 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue-Wed 1:10, 3:55, 6:55, 9:30 Frozen (G) Tue 1:20, 4:05, 7:00, 9:20 Wed 1:20, 4:05, 7:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:00, 3:45, 4:30, 7:30, 8:00 Wed 1:00, 4:30, 8:00 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:45, 3:45, 6:45, 9:45 Wed 9:25 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 1:05, 4:00, 7:05, 9:40 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue-Wed 12:55, 3:00, 5:05, 7:10, 9:15, 9:30 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 12:45, 4:20, 8:00

West Hwy 410 & Steeles, 905-455-1590

nowtoronto.com/movies/listings

Eglinton Town Centre (CE)

Rainbow Promenade (I)

Grande - Steeles (CE)

North

Due to holiday deadlines, our film times only include Dec. Courtney Park 16 (CE)24-25.

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 12:50, 3:45, 6:45, 9:35 American Hustle (14A) Tue 12:45, 3:55, 7:05, 10:15 Wed 1:05, 4:10, 7:15, 10:20 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 1:00, 2:00, 3:50, 4:50, 6:40, 7:40, 9:30, 10:30 Wed 12:10, 1:00, 2:00, 3:50, 4:50, 6:40, 7:45, 9:30, 10:35 Dhoom 3 (PG) Tue-Wed 2:25, 6:05, 9:45 Dhoom: 3 The IMAX Experience (PG) Tue-Wed 12:00, 3:35, 7:10, 10:45 Frozen (G) Tue-Wed 12:00 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 2:35, 5:10, 7:45, 10:20 Wed 2:35, 5:10, 7:50 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 2:05, 4:45, 7:20, 10:05 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 1:30, 3:30, 5:00, 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 Wed 12:00, 3:30, 7:00, 10:30

The Best Man Holiday (14A) Tue 2:15, 4:50, 7:20 Wed 2:15, 4:50, 7:20, 9:55 The Book Thief (PG) Tue-Wed 2:00 Captain Phillips (14A) Tue 4:30, 7:15 Wed 4:30, 7:15, 10:00 Carrie (14A) Tue 2:25, 4:55, 7:25 Dhoom 3 (PG) Tue 6:30 Wed 2:00, 5:30, 9:00 Elysium (14A) Tue 2:30, 5:05, 7:45 Wed 2:30, 5:05, 7:40, 9:55 Ender’s Game (PG) Tue 2:15, 4:45, 7:15 Wed 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:50 The Family (14A) Tue 2:00, 4:35, 7:10 Wed 2:00, 4:35, 7:10, 9:50 Free Birds (G) Tue 3:10, 5:15, 7:35 Wed 2:20, 4:50, 7:00, 9:30 Last Vegas (PG) Wed 2:05, 4:30, 7:05, 9:35 Philomena (PG) Tue 2:55, 5:00, 7:25 Wed 2:55, 5:00, 7:25, 9:45 Prisoners (14A) Tue 3:15, 6:25 Wed 3:15, 6:25, 9:25 12 Years a Slave (14A) Tue 3:20 Wed 4:00, 7:00, 9:50 Wadjda (PG) Tue 3:00, 5:10, 7:30 Wed 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40

47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 4:25, 7:15, 10:05 American Hustle (14A) Tue 12:30, 3:40, 7:15 Wed 3:40, 6:55, 10:15 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 1:40, 4:35, 7:30 Wed 4:35, 7:30, 10:20 Frozen (G) Tue 12:45 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 3:30, 7:10 Wed 4:00, 7:20 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 3:50, 7:35, 10:25 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:00, 3:25, 7:00 Wed 3:30, 7:00, 10:30 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 12:45, 2:00, 4:15, 5:30, 7:45 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:05, 3:25, 7:00 Wed 10:10 Saving Mr. Banks (PG) Tue 1:20, 4:10, 7:05 Wed 4:10, 7:05, 10:00 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 4:55, 7:45, 10:30 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 12:20 Thor: The Dark World 3D (PG) Tue 3:35, 7:20 Walking With Dinosaurs (PG) Tue 12:15 Walking With Dinosaurs 3D (PG) Tue 2:35, 5:00, 7:25 Wed 5:00, 7:25, 9:45 The Wolf of Wall Street (18A) Wed 4:15, 8:15 3

Due to holiday deadlines, our film times only include Dec. 24-25.

Please go to

nowtoronto.com/ movies/listings

(or call theatres) for the most updated times.

Interchange 30 (AMC)

30 Interchange Way, Hwy 400 & Hwy 7, 416-335-5323

Everything Toronto

About Time (14A) Tue 4:45, 7:25 Wed 4:45, 7:25, 10:00

Fairview Mall, 1800 Sheppard Ave E, 416-644-7746 47 Ronin 3D (PG) Wed 1:20, 4:35, 7:30, 10:25 American Hustle (14A) Tue 1:10, 4:25, 7:50 Wed 12:50, 4:00, 7:10, 10:20 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (PG) Tue 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 Wed 1:00, 4:10, 7:20, 10:15 Frozen (G) Tue 1:55 Wed 12:45 Frozen 3D (G) Tue 4:45, 7:30 Wed 4:25, 7:15 Grudge Match (14A) Wed 1:30, 4:30, 7:25, 10:10 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D (PG) Tue 12:30, 1:00, 3:55, 4:30, 7:20, 7:55 Wed 12:55, 3:30, 7:00, 10:30 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (PG) Tue 1:50, 5:30 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG) Tue 12:50, 4:20, 7:45 Wed 10:00 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG) Wed 1:15, 4:05, 7:05, 9:55 Thor: The Dark World (PG) Tue 1:40 Thor: The Dark World 3D (PG) Tue 4:50, 7:40

Everything Toronto

NOW december 26 2013 - january 1 2014

61

indie&rep film complete festivals, independent and

repertory schedules

How to find a listing

Repertory cinema listings are comprehensive and appear alphabetically by venue, then by date. Other films are listed by date.

ñ= Critics’ pick (highly recommended) How to place a listing

All listings are free. Send to: movies@nowtoronto.com, fax to 416-364-1166 or mail to Rep Cinemas, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7. Include film title, year of release, names of director(s), language and subtitle info, venue, address, time, cost and advance ticket sales if any, phone number for reservations/info or website address. Deadline is the Thursday before publication at 5 pm.

wed 1 – Great White Shark. 11 am, 1 & 3 pm.

Flight Of The Butterflies. 2 pm. Under The Sea. Noon & 4 pm.

A welcome Visitor

reg hartt’s cineforum 463 Bathurst. 416-603-6643.

thu 26 – Silents: The Greatest Question (1919) D: DW Griffith. 4 pm. Alice In The Wall: Alice In Wonderland (1933) D: Norman Z McLeod, with a soundtrack from Pink Floyd’s The Wall.

5:30 pm. Darkside Of Oz: The Wizard Of Oz (1939) D: Victor Fleming, with a soundtrack from Pink Floyd’s Darkside Of The Moon. 7 pm.

Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) D: Gerald Scarfe. 9 pm. sat 28 – Silents: Why Change Your Wife (1920) D: Cecil B. DeMille. 4 pm. The Best Of The Sex & Violence Cartoon Festival. 7 pm. sun 29 – Silents: Cabiria (1914) D: Giovanni Pastrone. 4 pm. Jane Jacobs: Urban Wisdom (2007) D: Don Alexander. 6 pm. Kid Dracula: Nosferatu (1922) D: FW Murnau, with the soundtrack of Radiohead’s Kid. 7 pm.

Mon 30 – Silents: The Shamrock Handicap (1926) D: John Ford. 4 pm. Safety Last (1923) D: Fred C Newmeyer. 7 pm. The Beautiful Blond From Bashful Bend (1949) D: Preston Sturges. 9 pm. tue 31 – Silents: Sunrise (1927) D: FW Murnau. 4 pm. Metropolis (1927) D: Fritz Lang. 7 pm. wed 1 – Silents: Napoleon (1927) D: Abel Gance. 5 pm.

Cinemas big picture cinema gerrard 1035 gerrard e. bigpicturecinema.com

26 – Muscle Shoals (2013) D: Greg Freddy” Camalier. 7:30 pm. ñ“­thu fri 27 – Muscle Shoals. 3:30 pm. A Touch Of Sin (2013) D: Zhang-ke Jia. 7:30 pm. ñ sat 28 – A Touch Of Sin. 9 pm. sun 29-mon 30 – Muscle Schoals. 3:30 pm. A Touch Of Sin. 7:30 pm. ñ tue 31 – A Touch Of Sin. 2 pm. Muscle Shoals. 4

The Midnight Madness crowd will eat up this 1979 cult flick.

ñ

pm.

wed 1 – Muscle Shoals. 2:30 pm. A Touch Of

Sin. 4 pm.

BLOOR hot docs Cinema

506 Bloor W. 416-637-3123. bloorcinema.com

Thu 26 – 20 Feet From Stardom (2013) D: Morgan Neville. 12:30 pm. 2013 Cannes Lions Awards: The World’s Best Commercials.

3 pm. Maidentrip (2013) D: Jillian Schlesinger.

6 pm. Rafea: Solar Mama (2013) D: Mona Eldaief and Jehane Noujaim. 8:30 pm. fri 27 – Maidentrip. 1 pm. The Expedition To The End Of The World (2013) D: Danielo Dencik. 3:15 pm. The Square (2013) D: Jehane Noujaim. 6 pm. Stories We Tell (2012) D: Sarah Polley. 9 pm. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) D: Jim Sharman. 11:30 pm. sat 28 – 2013 Cannes Lions Awards: The World’s Best Commercials. 1 pm.

Maidentrip. 3:45 pm. The Crash Reel (2013) D: Lucy Walker. 6 pm. The Expedition To The End Of The World. 8:45 pm. sun 29 – Maidentrip. 1:30 pm. The Expedition To The End Of The World. 3:30 pm. 2013 Cannes Lions Awards: The World’s Best Commercials. 6 pm. Sound City (2013) D: David Grohl. 8:45 pm. mon 30 – 2013 Cannes Lions Awards: The World’s Best Commercials. 1 pm.

Maidentrip. 4 pm. Cutie And The Boxer (2013) D: Zachary Heinzerling. 6:15 pm. The Expedition To The End Of The World. 8:30 pm.

Tue 31 – Maidentrip. 3:30 pm. The Expedition To The End Of The World. 5:45 pm.

The Dude’s New Year’s: The Big Lebowski (1998) D: Joel and Ethan Coen. 9 pm. $20, adv $17.

Wed 1 – Cannes Lions Awards: The World’s Best Commercials. 1:30 pm. Blackfish (2013) D: Gabriela Cowperthwaite. 4:15 pm. Maidentrip. 6:30 pm. The Expedition To The End Of The World. 8:45 pm.

ñ

ñ

ñ ñ

THE VISITOR (Giulio Paradisi) Rating: NNN A batshit bad seed movie of intergalactic proportions, The Visitor was originally released to withering reviews and disappointed audiences in 1979. It has since attained that dubious status known as “cult,” which sometimes becomes attached to ­disasters so spectacular they deserve our admiration. Or mockery. Or both.

A mysterious prophet travels from a distant planet to Atlanta to (1993) D: Tomomi Mochizuki. 5 pm. Sing-ALong: The Sound Of Music. 7 pm. sat 28 – Sing-A-Long: The Sound Of Music. 1 & 7 pm. sun 29 – Studio Ghibli: Whisper Of The Heart (1995) D: Yoshifumi Kondo. 1:30 pm. Crash (1996) D: David Cronenberg. 4:30 pm. Studio Ghibli: My Neighbor Totoro (1988) D: Hayao Miyazaki. 7 pm. mon 30 – Studio Ghibli X 3: Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984) D: Hayao Miyazaki. 1 pm. Spirited Away (2001) D: Hayao Miyazaki. 3:45 pm. The Cat Returns (2002) D: Hiroyuki Morita. 6:45 pm. Rabid (1977) D: David Cronenberg. 9 pm. The Visitor

ñ ñ

find Katy, a telekinetic girl believed to be the sole progeny of Sateen, an ancient force of evil. Potty-mouthed and empathy-impaired, Katy “accidentally” shoots her mother in the back and hurls innocent ice skaters through plates of glass. A corporate cabal urges their po-faced emissary (Lance Hen­rik­ sen) to impregnate Katy’s mom so that Katy can have a brother to mate with and spread Sateen’s sinister genes.

This must be stopped.

Did I mention the cast includes Hollywood legends John Huston, Glenn Ford, Shelley Winters and Sam

Peckinpah? Their presence elevates The Visitor’s weirdness factor to considerable heights. As do the gory scenes of avian terror and Franco Micalizzi’s mega-­portentous score, which combines elements of power funk, Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho and that disco version of Thus Spake Zarathustra.

Obviously, a must-see for the Midnight Madness set – as well as people who simply hate children.

Opens Monday (December 30) at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. See listings, JosÉ Teodoro this page.

(1979) D: Giulio Paradisi. 9:30 pm. tue 31– Studio Ghibli X 2: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) D: Hayao Miyazaki. 1 pm; My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999) D: Isao Takahata. 3:30 pm. Shivers (1975) D: David Cronenberg. 6 pm. The Visitor. 9:30 pm. wed 1 – Studio Ghibli X 3: Ponyo. 2 pm.

The Cat Returns. 4:30 pm. Grave Of The Fireflies (1988) D: Hayao Miyazaki. 6:30 pm.

The Visitor. 9:30 pm.

Meatballs 2 3D (2013) D: Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn. 2 pm. Gravity 3D (2013) D: Alfonso Cuarón. 4 & 7 pm. Captain Phillips (2013) D: Paul Greengrass. 9 pm.

Mon 30 – Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 3D. 2 pm. Captain Phillips. 4 & 9 pm. Gravity 3D. 7 pm. tue 31 – Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 3D. 2 pm. Gravity 3D. 4 pm. Captain Phillips. 7 pm. wed 1 – Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 3D. 2 pm. Gravity 3D. 4 & 9:30 pm. About Time (2013) D: Richard Curtis. 7 pm.

ñ ñ

Fox Theatre

2236 Queen E. 416-691-7330. foxtheatre.ca

Thu 26-sun 29– Cloudy With A Chance Of

ñ

GRAHAM SPRY THEATRE

CBC Museum, CBC Broadcast Centre, 250 Front W, 416-205-5574. cbc.ca

thu 26-wed 1 – Continuous screenings ­ onday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Dec 26 M and Jan 1. Free. fri 27 AND mon 30-Tue 31 – Holiday season and winter preview.

Camera Bar

ontario science centre

1028 Queen W. 416-530-0011. camerabar.ca

sat 28 – Closed.

770 Don Mills. 416-696-3127. ontariosciencecentre.ca

cinematheque tiff bell ­lightbox

thu 26-fri 27 – Great White Shark. 11 am, 1 &

3 pm. Under The Sea. Noon & 4 pm. Flight Of The Butterflies. 2 pm.

Sat 28-sun 29 – Great White Shark. 11 am, 1 & 3 pm. Under The Sea. Noon & 4 pm. Flight Of The Butterflies. 2 pm. mon 30 – Great White Shark. 11 am, 1 & 3 pm. Flight Of The Butterflies. 2 pm. Under The Sea. Noon & 4 pm. tue 31 – Great White Shark. 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm. Flight Of The Butterflies. 2 pm. Under The Sea. Noon.

reitman square, 350 king w. 416-599-8433, tiff.net

thu 26 – Studio Ghibli X 2: Princess Mononoke (1997) D: Hayao Miyazaki. 1 pm; The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010) D: Hiromasa Yonebayashi. 4 pm. Sing-A-Long: The Sound Of Music (1965) D: Robert Wise.

7 pm. fri 27 – Studio Ghibli X 2: Ponyo (2008) D: Hayao Miyazaki 2:30 pm; The Ocean Waves

ñ

62

Kiki’s Delivery Service flies into the Lightbox on NYE.

December 26 2013 - January 1 2014 NOW

Ñ

revue cinema

400 Roncesvalles. 416-531-9959. revuecinema.ca

Thu 26-fri 27 – Cloudy With A Chance Of

Meatballs 2 3D (2013) D: Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn. 2 pm. Gravity 3D (2013) D: Alfonso Cuarón. 4 & 7 pm. Captain Phillips (2013) D: Paul Greengrass. 9 pm. sat 28-mon 30– Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 3D. 2 pm. Captain Phillips. 4 & 9 pm. Gravity 3D. 7 pm.

Tue 31 – Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 3D. 2 pm. Captain Phillips. 4 pm. Gravity 3D. 7 pm.

Wed 1 – Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 3D. 2 pm. Gravity 3D. 4 & 9:30 pm. About Time (2013) D: Richard Curtis. 7 pm.

the royal

608 College. 416-466-4400. theroyal.to

Thu 26 – Closed. fri 27 – Ernest & Celestine (2012) D: Stéphane

Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner. 7 pm. Blue Jasmine (2013) D: Woody Allen. 9 pm. sat 28 – Ernest & Celestine. 2 pm. The Wizard Of Oz (1939) D: Victor Fleming. 7 pm. Blue Jasmine. 9 pm. sun 29 – The Wizard Of Oz. 2 pm. Blue Jasmine. 7 pm. How I Live Now (2013) D: Kevin McDonald. 9 pm. mon 30 – Blue Jasmine. 7 pm. How I Live Now. 9 pm.

Tue 31 – Private event. wed 1 – Closed.

ñ ñ

other films

thu 26-tue 1 – The CN Tower presents Legends

Of Flight 3D. Continuous screenings daily 9 am-10 pm. 301 Front W. 416-868-6937, ­cntower.ca.

Casa Loma presents The P­ ellatt Newsreel (2006) D: Barbra Cooper, a film and permanent exhibit on the history of Casa Loma and Henry Pellatt. Daily screenings 10 am-4:30 pm. Closed Jan 1. Included w/ admission. 1 ­Austin Terrace. 416-923-1171, c­ asaloma.org.

The Hockey Hall of Fame presents Stanley’s Game Seven 3D, a film of Stanley Cup history.

Plays daily at the top of and half past each hour. Mon-Sat 9:30 am-6 pm, Sun 10 am-6 pm. Closed Jan 1. Included w/ admission.

Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge. hhof.com.

3 Blu-ray/dvd column returns January 9, 2014.

= Critics’ Pick nnnnn = Top ten of the year nnNn = Honourable mention nnn = Entertaining nn = Mediocre n = Bomb

Classifieds 416 364 3444 CONTACTS > classifieds@nowtoronto.com 416 364 3444 fax 416 364 1433 189 Church, Toronto, ON M5B 1Y7 DEADLINES > Tuesday at 6pm Adult Classifieds ~ Monday at 6pm

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massage therapy *** For non-sexual massage and health practitioners only.

Sales Reps/Brokers Submit your FREE Open House Gallery listings by Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. Add a MLS photo for an extra $35 gst included. Fax:416-364-1433 or email beve@nowtoronto.com

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automobiles UP TO $3500 A1A Best Price For Any Scrap Car. Fast Free Tow 24/7 Call 416-303-8881

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Jan. 1st Call Aldo 416-621-7728

LOOKING FOR YOUR

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Holiday Move-in Heart of Leslieville. Queen and Logan. 2 bdrm apt. completely reno'd, $1,400+ hydro. Wont last.

Call Steve 289-597-8253 swolk@rogers.com Happy Holidays.

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Keele and St. Clair 300- 25,000 sq.ft. High ceilings , skylights, hardwood, Suit artists, photographers, woodworkers etc. $1 per foot per month.

musicians wanted Full Line Peavey & B.C. Rich Dealer.

Busters Music, 932 Bloor St. West 416-536-2274 www.torontobusters.com Located near Ossington Subway

dance classes

Puzzle appears weekly on first Classified page.

movers

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HOLIDAY YOGA BAG SALE Leather bags. reg. $200. Now $150. (16 units left). Faux Leather. Reg. $150. Now $75. JACKET REPAIR SALE. Reline and Recondition combo.

20% OFF. We also do alterations, replace zippers & buckles, reupholster leather furniture restore vintage items and make custom belts.

Serving Toronto since 1982! Mentioned in NOW's Best of Toronto.

First-Aid for Leather - Bring us your Sick Leather 416-533-6-335

Clinics located in Scarborough and Peterborough.

www.hemptimes.com Articles & features on industrial hemp, hemp issues, clothing, etc...

www.animalalliance.ca

www.rabble.ca

Committed to the protection of all animals.

Canada's irreverent news website, covering independent news since 2001.

www.canadianseedexchange.com 150 Cannabis Seeds, Salvia Extracts, Mushrooms & other sacred herbs.

66 Wellesley St E 3rd Fl Toronto ON M4Y 1G2, 416-850-3795, Downtown

www.veg.ca Toronto Vegetarian Assoc. All the info you need to go vegetarian!

905-271-2001

Artist & Prof. lofts Dupont/Symington Comm. studio loft prof. space/Envir. from 800 to 4000 sq ft, high ceilings, 2 pc bathroom, bright, hrdwd flrs, combine units, office, photo, computer, internet design from $900 a month. 416-654-2915 or 416-630-2116

Keele and Dundas Nice work studio with sink, power/window 800 square feet. $850 per month 905-271-2001 others

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Please call 416.392.2273 to book an appointment.

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Volunteer Opportunities of the Week

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The Barbra Schlifer Clinic provides legal and counselling support to women who have experienced violence. A volunteer with educational and professional experience in the Legal sector is needed to assist with returning and responding to legal intake calls and other admin tasks. Tuesdays, 9am-5pm.

College/Bathurst. 3 month commitment.

Contact Paula: p.alves@schliferclinic.com

Classifieds 64

DECEMBER 26 2013 - JANUARY 1 2014 NOW

Circle of Care seeks Volunteer Visitors to provide socialization for isolated and/or lonely older adults with similar interests living in North York. 1 hour a wk, flexible times. Russian language is an asset. Meals On Wheels Volunteers needed to deliver meals to isolated seniors. Any weekday, 9-11am. Clean driver’s licence and car needed. Contact Lysa: lspringer@circleofcare.com

everything goes. in print & online.

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St. Felix Centre is looking for Computer Lab Coaches for their After School Program to teach children keyboarding, Microsoft Word, word processing and basic computer applications.

Queen/Spadina. Monday – Friday, between 3pm - 6pm. Ideally volunteers will be able to help out 1 hour every weekday, but if not, at least one hour a week. Age 18+. Contact Julie: volunteer.sfc@rogers.com BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Do you have analytical skills and a strategic outlook that can contribute to the greater good?

The Toronto Vegetarian Association seeks volunteers for their Programs Review Committee to evaluate programs and provide recommendations. 4 hours monthly based on your schedule plus 6-10 meetings per year over 2 years. Send résumé and letter describing interest to Maria at volunteer@veg.ca

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Savage Love

By Dan Savage

I’ve talked to my girlfriends, my mom

and his mom, but I need some unbiased advice. I’m a 28-year-old woman in a relationship for 3.5 years with a wonderful man, also 28. I hit the jackpot: he is loving, sweet, kind, driven, active, handsome, generous, etc. We’re very committed to each other and planning our future together. We’ve lived together for 2.5 years. Life is so great! Enter the issue: we’ve been discussing marriage since January of this year. Until May, he was opposed to it. Not in the can’t-see-spending-the-rest-of-my-life-with-you way, but in the not-wanting-to-marry-anyone-in-thenear-future way. “I don’t feel old enough yet,” he says, which makes me want to slap him, because my baby-making years are flying by. We talk about wanting the same things in life, like a family and a home, but those are things I won’t do with him unless we are married and also things I don’t want to start doing when I’m 35.

We’ve talked about not wanting to be old

parents and we seem to agree on everything – except he won’t pull the trigger. I just don’t get it! We did make some progress. In August, he mentioned the possibly of a proposal around the holidays, which are upon us. But when his mom asked if they should go shopping for a ring, he told her no! That blows a holiday engagement! I am ready for the next phase. He says he is too, but he won’t propose. I don’t get it!

Some guidance would be great.

Put Off Proposal Depresses A Queenslander

the case not for men to do more housework (god forbid), but for men and women to live together in filth – made me say, “So glad I’m gay.” Out loud. On an airplane. I sometimes have that reaction when I read stories about “the gender wars,” which Marche is currently writing a book about, or when I read smutshaming bullshit about straight men and porn. But Marche’s essay elicited a different sort of so-glad-I’m-gay response. It went something like this: “I’m so glad I’m gay because my husband and I don’t have the option of defaulting to the stupid gender norms, roles, expectations, neuroses and riptides that plague so many straight couples.”

So despite the fact that we’re both men, my husband and I do not live together in filth.

When a bed needs to be made or a dish needs to be washed or a floor needs to be mopped – or a spouse’s cock needs to be sucked – one of us makes, washes, mops or sucks it. When there’s something that needs doing, we do it. We don’t sit around staring at an unmade bed or a dirty dish or a grimy floor or an unsucked spousal cock and think, “I have a dick – so bed-making/dish-doing/ floor-mopping/cock-sucking isn’t my job.”

Do you see where I’m going with this, POPDAQ? There’s something at your place that needs ­doing – a proposal needs making – and you’re sitting around waiting for him to do it. Why? Because he has the dick.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi said that*, POPDAQ, but I don’t need to tell you, right?

Because that quote was at the bottom of your e-mail. So here’s a thought: be the change you want to see in your own fucking relationship. You want to get engaged to this guy? Propose to him.

This is going to seem random, POPDAQ, but indulge me for a second. There was an article in the New York Times recently about how young men still aren’t doing their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. “Women today make up 40 per cent of America’s sole or primary breadwinners for families with children under 18,” Stephen Marche wrote. “[But] men’s time investment in housework has not significantly altered in nearly 30 years.”

Reading Marche’s piece – in which he makes

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* Gandhi did not say that. He said: “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.” ** Do not confuse penis-havers with penishalvers. Something else not to do: a Google Images search on “genital bisection.”

Test fantasy with a pro Hello from Hong Kong! I’m a 28-year-

ld gay guy living happily with my boyo friend. My sexual interests have always been men, but a few months ago, I stumbled across femdom porn on the internet.

Images of submissive men under the control of dominant women are so fascinating to me that I have been masturbating three times a day watching femdom porn. I have never been interested in straight porn or fucking someone without a cock, and I have no experience in BDSM at all. Gay BDSM porn doesn’t get me as aroused as femdom porn. I now fantasize about being dominated and humiliated by a woman. I began looking at pro dom ads on the internet and I hesitate to see one. I love my boyfriend, and emotionally we connect, but my femdom fantasy has become a taboo between us.

My questions: is seeing a pro dom considered cheating on my boyfriend? Should I go see a pro dom and keep it a secret? How can I talk to my boyfriend about my new sexual interest?

Gay Man Seeks Lady Dom

If your boyfriend considers it cheating, then it’s cheating. But I nevertheless think you should see a pro dom for a no-sex domination session. (Most pro doms offer only nosex sessions.) You might find the reality of being abused by a dominant woman less arousing than the fantasy, GMSLD, so a single session could snap you out of it, i.e. this out-of-sexual-character fever could break.

And if it doesn’t? Then you need to have a talk with your boyfriend about your evolving sexual identity, your newly discovered kinks and whether you can have him and your femdom fantasies and/or realities, too. Good luck.

Boyfriend fears sex I’m a straight 18-year-old girl, and I

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Glenn Sumi ......................................................@glennsumi

Yes, yes: He has a penis, and traditionally the penis-havers** do the proposing in Breederville. But it’s not unheard of for someone to make a marriage proposal to a man. Just ask my husband.

ave been dating my boyfriend for eight h months. He recently told me that he wishes we never had sex because he feels like he raped himself by doing it. He has had some bad sexual experiences in the past, but he has initiated almost all of our sexual activity. He says he has problems and a low sense of self-worth. I told him that we can take it slow, but I’m not sure he’s ever going to be all right with sexual things. He said that he doesn’t mind if I get sex from other people, but I want to help him understand that he’s a good person and that sex isn’t a bad thing.

How do I do this?

My Sad Boyfriend

P.S. We’re both fairly sure that he could be asexual. Can asexual people enjoy sex at all?

Your boyfriend doesn’t need a girlfriend, MSB. What he needs is loving, concerned friends (you could be one) and a trained, competent therapist (you are not one). If having a girlfriend with sexual interests and needs traumatizes your boyfriend, then he shouldn’t have a girlfriend with sexual interests and needs. If he’s a miserable, gameplaying jerk who likes to make other people miserable, MSB, and he’s discovered that playing the victim after sex (that he enjoyed) makes his girlfriend miserable, then you shouldn’t have him. his holiday season, send the Savage Lovecast T as a gift! Find it at ­savagelovecast.com. mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage on Twitter

NOW december 26 2013 - January 1 2014

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december 26 2013 - January 1 2014 NOW