THINKFREE JANUARY 29–FEBRUARY 4 2015 • ISSUE 1722 VOL. 34 NO.21 MORE ONLINE @ nowtoronto.com 33 INDEPENDENT YEARS
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THE TOP
51
ISSUE
SHOWS, EVENTS AND ADVENTURES THAT WON’T COST YOU A DIME P. 16
JANUARY 29 – FEBRUARY 4
CONTENTS
This week’s top five most-read posts on nowtoronto.com
36 MUSIC
36 The Scene Hamilton Leithauser, Petra Glynt and Zoo Owl, Coda’s first birthday, New Fries and others 40 Club & concert listings 42 Interview Viet Cong 43 T.O. Notes 44 Ones to Watch Electronic 48 Album reviews
D
FREE TORONTO
ONLINE
50 STAGE
50 Theatre reviews Small Axe; The Other Place; BOOM; Don Giovanni; A Side Of Dreams 52 Theatre listings 53 Dance interview Vincent Mantsoe; Dance listings 54 Comedy listings
16
Free for all With 51 days of winter left, we spotlight 51 ways to consume culture, get smart and find adventure – without opening your wallet
NEWSFRONT
49 BOOKS
Review The First Bad Man Readings
7 Proud moment Mathieu Chante10 Shelter skelter Why more homelois takes over Pride Toronto less are choosing the streets 9 News briefs The bad news in Tory’s 11 Sanctuary City We’re not yet transit boost; HarperCons beat law- 12 Undocumented hell My call from and order drum inside the Lindsay Superjail
13 BLACK HISTORY MONTH
13 In his own words MC/producer Kwame Jr. speaks out, plus listings
14 DAILY EVENTS 29 LIFE&STYLE
49 ART
Review Niall McClelland Must-see galleries and museums
THE WEEK IN TWEETS
55 MOVIES
“Whoa, they added Friends to Netflix! *keeps scrolling*”
55 Director retrospectives Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Álex de la Iglesia 56 Composer interview A Most Violent Year’s Alex Ebert; Reviews Red Army; Wild Card; Black Or White 58 Also opening Project Almanac 59 Playing this week 62 Oscar shorts Rating them for that office pool 63 Film times
@MARKMARKLITTLE on the latest
nostalgic addition to the Netflix roster.
“How funny would it be if they cast Cameron Diaz as Slimer?” @RILAWS on the announcement that
the Ghostbusters reboot’s all-female cast will include very funny leads Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon and Melissa McCarthy.
29 Take 5 Must-have skin savers 30 Haute topic Shop Canadian now Astrology 31 Ecoholic Makeup remover guide, Ontario guts Endangered Species Act, and more
FOLLOW NOW ON TWITTER @NOWTORONTO
66 CLASSIFIED
32 FOOD&DRINK
66 66 68
32 Tracking trends Four chefs make dishes with what they think is 2015’s hot ingredient 35 Drink up! How to shop local
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1. Soup’s on! From Toronto’s finest ramen to tom yum, from matzoh ball to chowder, food writer Karon Liu slurps the best of the best to bring you our top 10 soups. 2. Guv Luv Twenty years is a long lifespan for any venue, but the Guvernment’s closing will still leave a huge hole in Toronto music lovers’ hearts. 3. Race reckoning Candidates of colour who ran in the last municipal election share stories of racism, hate speech and death threats. 4. Prison purgatory An immigration detainee has been in a maximum security jail for 16 months because his work permit is no longer valid. 5. Ana Lily Amirpour The writer and director of A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night tells us about what inspired her take on vampire flicks.
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Ani DiFranco
Righteous babe Ani DiFranco brings her new album, Allergic To Water, to the Danforth Music Hall on Monday (February 2), just about a year after her controversial move to host an artists’ workshop on a former plantation in Louisiana. Known as much for her activist work as for her indie folk-rock songwriting, she cancelled and apologized. It’ll be interesting to see if the misstep affects the reception of her new material, which is less political and more personal than ever before. Doors 7 pm. $55-$70. ticketmaster.ca.
This week
January 29 – February 4 Thursday 29
NTU/Skwatta South African dancer/choreographer Vincent Mantsoe presents a double bill of solos, at Harbourfront Centre Theatre until January 31. 8 pm. $19-$37. 416-973-4000. See story, page 53. Occupy this Peace and justice activists report back on their trip to the Occupied Territories this past November. 7-9:30 pm. $5. Beit Zatoun. beitzatoun.org.
Friday 30
A Most Violent Year J.C. Chandor’s new film earns comparisons to classics like Serpico and The Godfather. Opening day. See story, page 56.
1976, Have Several Choreographer Dana Michel recreates her work for
Dancemakers. To January 31 at the Dancemakers Centre for Creation. $20-$25. 8 pm. dancemakers.org.
Saturday 31
Owen Pallett All-ages afternoon and 19+ shows by the baroque pop genius. Lee’s Palace. 2 and 9 pm. $15. rotate.com.
Craft Beer Fest Winter showcase of Ontario’s best suds outside the Roundhouse, with food and sampling. 11 am-5 pm. $20-$25. craftbeerfest.ca.
Coldest Day Of The Year Ride Bike from south gates at Trinity Bellwoods Park to Metro Hall. 11:45 am. Free. cycleto.ca.
FEB 4-14 | 416.593.4828 | TSO.CA/Piano
Sunday 1
Miriam Toews Author discusses her Writers’ Trust fiction award winner All My Puny Sorrows alongside debut novelist Alix Hawley at the Reference Library, part of the Eh Series. 416-395-5577. 7 pm. Sold out.
Monday 2
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Tuesday 3 FESTIVAL PARTNER
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The Book Of Negroes Conversation with Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo and Aunjanue Ellis at TIFF Bell Lightbox. 7 pm. Free. Pre-register.
Wednesday 4
Niall McClelland Multimedia punktinged art show is at Clint Roenisch to February 28. Free. Review, page 49.
4
january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
Next week February 5–11
The New Pornographers The connoisseurs of bright, shiny power pop hit the Danforth Music Hall with fiery Operators. Not to miss. Doors 7 pm. $24.50-$34.50. ticketmaster.ca. February 5. Rufus & Loudon Wainwright Father and son play a benefit for PatientsCanada.ca at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Doors 8 pm, all ages. $30$100. ticketfly.com. February 6. Roxane Gay Outspoken African-American author presents her novel An Untamed State as part of Kuumba at Harbourfront Centre. 4:30 pm. $18. harbourfrontcentre. com. February 7. Stanzie Tooth The painter’s alt-landscape show at General Hardware Contemporary closes February 7. Free. 416-821-3060. Snow Angel Celebrate the snow with Nikki Loach’s show told with no dialogue. At Young People’s Theatre. Various times. $15-$30. 416-862-2222. February 10 to 19.
Book now
These will sell out fast
Kate McKinnon The SNL star, Biebs impressionist and just announced cast member of the female Ghostbusters movie plays two shows at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. March 9 at 7 and 9:30 pm. $39. Randolph Theatre. torontosketchfest.com. The Jesus and Mary Chain Can’t complain about amazing reunions. The alt-rockers bring Psychocandy to Canadian Music Week. Details to come. May 1.
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NOW JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015
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2015-01-28 10:04 AM
email letters@nowtoronto.com Tory ignoring practical SmartTrack idea
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See this week’s Classified section for more info or visit volunteertoronto.ca Everything Toronto. 416 364 3444 • nowtoronto.com/classifieds
6
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
Classifieds
Re John Tory’s SmartTrack Under Fire (NOW, January 22). How shocking that the candidate who expressed a willingness to listen to both people and experts – and who cannot possibly claim that all who voted for him unequivocally endorsed SmartTrack – appears to be ignoring practical suggestions and claiming a false mandate. Ordering cops to issue rush-hour parking tickets is one thing; governing will require something more of this mayor. Kyle Vale Toronto
City has no explaining to do on Stollerys
Re An Act Of Butchery (NOW, January 22-28). How about Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) president Richard Longley explaining why he waited until the weekend the demolition permit was issued to ask the city about the historical significance of
“Ridiculous” TTC pass looks like lotto ticket
I am from Europe living in this great city for over a year now. I love it, but I am baffled by the excess and waste on the TTC. John Tory’s broken election promise not to raise fares (NOW, January 19) really bothers me. I buy my pass each month and display it accordingly, but why is there no way to top up the card online to prevent the waste of plastic and resources printing new cards each month and per week – not to mention the unnecessary queues to buy them? Why does the day pass look like a lottery ticket, and why is it such a ridiculous size? Why do the staff at the booths never look up when you walk through like an idiot brandishing your pass? And why are there four conductors on subway trains to check platforms are clear when cameras can do the job? Answer all these questions and I will be happy to pay my extra 10¢. David Patrick Toronto
Wong-Tam’s racism charge doesn’t fly
Re Race Reckoning (NOW, January 22-28). Give me a break! Ward 27 Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam received 62 per cent of the vote in the recent municipal election, so she shouldn’t be moaning about a few racist comments directed her way. Ward 27 needs to be split. She has support south of Bloor, but her loopy ideas don’t fly much in the north end. She wanted to move the Casey House coach house to a totally unsuitable site, wanted to start a Cityowned bank, and that’s just a start. Maybe she should start listening to the whole ward! Steve Oakley From nowtoronto.com
the Stollerys building? The city has nothing to explain to him or the ACO. They did everything right (as far as we know). S. Gardenguy Toronto
Squeegee swipe from Ford Nation’s undead
My first thought was not to respond to letter-writer James Chow’s Kid, Get Your Effing Squeegee Off My BMW (NOW, January 15-21). He seemed trollish and therefore best ignored. But I decided Chow’s intent was not just to provoke and run. His letter seemed a kind of manifesto, perhaps of Ford Nation’s undead citizens. If nothing else, it shows how toxic public discourse remains in Toronto, especially around issues of class, race and otherness of many kinds, including cyclists and the homeless . Michael Bryant should be the target of James Chow’s anger, not me or my late son, Darcy Allan. So why does Chow think Michael Bryant “lost a very promising political career” due to his involvement in my son’s death? Even if one buys the special prosecutor’s version (which I and many objective witnesses at the scene do not), one can still ask if Bryant showed the grace under pressure we expect in someone who still aspires to political leadership. Allan Sheppard Edmonton, Alberta
Native irony smacks of “yellow journalism”
I agree with the content of Drew Hayden Taylor’s story about putting more aboriginal people on juries (NOW, January 22-28). But his writing, with its melodramatic turns of phrase intended to manipulate emotions, smacks of yellow journalism. In this case the facts more than speak for themselves; the flowery writing only distracts. I didn’t dislike the piece, but dial it back a bit, buddy. Kris Law Toronto
Toronto executive director MATHIEU CHANTELOIS
Thus, new Pride Toronto executive director Mathieu Chantelois introduced himself at a semi-swanky event at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre on Wednesday, January 21. He succeeds Kevin Beaulieu, who abruptly left the organization following last year’s WorldPride. One of original cast members of U8TV: The Lofters – and more recently John Tory’s election-day French-language spokesperson – Chantelois promised that future Pride fests would be “Bold! Big! Sexy! Fabulous! Inclusive! Accessible! Cultural! Fun!” Since he was the past chair of the 519 Church Street Community Centre, credited with establishing its wildly successful Green Space parties, none of that was especially in doubt. But when Chantelois ran out of adjectives, former Pride board member Susan Gapka shouted one more from her spot in the audience: “Political!”
Women in skilled trades an inspiration
I am an elementary school principal and have shared your Class Action articles featuring women in the trades (NOW, January 22-28) with our intermediate students. Thank you for these relevant and insightful stories, which educate and inspire people to follow their dreams. Phil Gahunia Pickering
Benefits of protein powders pumped up
Adria Vasil presents a clear and detailed comparison of the environmental impacts of five products in Shake It Up: The Protein Powder Guide (NOW, January 22-28). However, the best choice would be not to consume any of them. Protein powders, like most supplements, are at best of marginal benefit and may actually cause harm. Few people in developed countries are in protein deficiency. It is a good idea to consume 20 grams of protein within an hour after muscle building exercises. But this can be done with a snack and does not justify chugging protein shakes throughout the day. Plus, the body can only metabolize a small amount of protein. Any excess will be burned or stored as fat, which defeats the whole purpose of the powder. Moses Shuldiner Toronto NOW welcomes reader mail. Address letters to: NOW, Letters to the Editor, 189 Church, Toronto, ON M5B 1Y7. Send e-mail to letters@nowtoronto.com and faxes to 416-364-1166. All correspondence must include your name, address and daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length.
CANNISCRIBE MARIJUANA PRESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
“Without the political aspect, there’s no Pride.”
Q&A
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“... arguably the greatest narrative filmmaker of the past several decades.” —J. Hoberman, The Village Voice
NEW SPRING SINGLE EVENING COOKING CLASSES These classes specialize in specific dietary needs prepared by some of the best-qualified instructors in Toronto. 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. $70. + HST. MARCH 2 MARCH 9 MARCH 23 MARCH 30 APRIL 13
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Motor Vehicle Accidents, Worker’s Comp, Injuries and Arthritis Qualify for medical marijuana
When NOW caught up to him later, he offered on that point that “every action, everything that we do, will have to be political. For me, without the political aspect... Pride [is] just another festival.” What does Chantelois plan to do if his friend Tory follows through on his election threat to cut funding for Pride if it allows Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) to march in the parade? “I’m ready to address the issue with Mr. Tory,” he says. “And I know that he will listen like he’s always listened in the past.” So it’s about convincing him to keep the funding going despite whatever Pride does? “Yeah, and it’s about keeping in mind that freedom of speech will always be one of the core values of what we do.” Full Q&A at nowtoronto.com.
Details @ nowtoronto.com/contest
UPCOMING SCREENINGS: A TIME TO LIVE AND A TIME TO DIE January 31 3:30pm
THE BOYS FROM FENGKUEI February 3 6:30pm
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This internationally touring retrospective is organized by Richard I. Suchenski (Director, Center for Moving Image Arts at Bard College) in collaboration with Amber Wu (Taipei Cultural Center, NY), Teresa Huang (Taiwan Film Institute), and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of China (Taiwan). TM Toronto International Film Festival Inc.
thebigcarrot.ca
Mon-Fri 9-9pm • Sat 9-8pm • Sun 11-6pm NOW JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015
7
newsfront The Matador rises again
R. Jeanette MaRtin
The Matador opened its doors to its Dovercourt neighbours for the first time in eight years on Tuesday, January 27, to view owner Paul McCaughey’s plans for the 100-year-old building that once housed the honky-tonk immortalized in Leonard Cohen’s Closing Time. Words and (more) pictures at nowtoronto.com.
8
January 29 - February 4 2015 NOW
Cityscape
ROGeR CullMan
a month after the shooting deaths at Paris satirical mag Charlie Hebdo over its publication of Muhammad cartoons, the israel-based Coordination Forum for Countering anti-Semitism issued a report ahead of international Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 labelling France the most dangerous country in the world for Jews. the report calls “Muslim extremists... the main instigators of global anti-Semitism,” and notes that acts of anti-Semitism rose 400 per cent in France during israel’s military operations in Gaza last summer. israeli PM Benjamin netanyahu encouraged French and other european Jews to move to israel after four Jews were killed at a kosher market in a hostage-taking connected to the Hebdo shootings. Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld in Washington, DC, suggests that Canada, particularly French Canada, would be a safer bet for French Jewish émigrés, although the number of anti-Semitic incidents rose here, too, during israel’s attack on Gaza.
enzO DiMatteO
Je suis Juif
What Peter Dickinson-designed tower demolition on Dundas east. Where One of three Dickinson creations being knocked down as part of the Regent Park redevelopment. Why an important example of modernist architecture. there had been talk of preserving at least one of the buildings – the one on Blevins was given a historical designation by the city in 2005 – but no dice. it’s going down.
COMING THIS SPRING
NEWS IN BRIEF GOOD TTC NEWS: MUSEUM SUBWAY STATION ONE OF WORLD’S BEST
Diamond Schmitt Architects’ archaeologically inspired redo rates a mention in the Guardian’s list of the world’s most beautiful metro stops.
BAD TTC NEWS: IT’S MORE BUSES OR BUST FOR TORY’S TRANSIT PROMISES Mayor John Tory’s announced beef-up of bus and streetcar service last week may be one of the largest single-year increases in service in the TTC’s 90-plus-year history. But in order for Tory to deliver on these promises, the TTC will need to consider rebuilding older buses in its current fleet, because there’s not enough money to buy new ones, says Adam Giambrone. The TTC has resorted to refitting vehicles to respond to funding shortages and service issues in the past, most recently converting about 100 buses from compressed natural gas engines to clean diesel. More on this story at nowtoronto.com.
ARGOS FUMBLE HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINT A football fan has complained to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal that the Toronto Argos’ support for the White Ribbon Campaign constitutes discrimination against him as a man. Offended that the team runs PSAs on the Jumbotron for the org that brings men together to end violence against women, season ticket holder Robert Heath wrote that “having advertisement [sic] that discriminates against men does not give me the feeling of being secure and to enjoy the games.” In a recent decision, the tribunal ruled that “a person’s hurt feelings, anxiety or upset about a situation does not mean that the [Human Rights] Code was violated.” The tribunal, however, will proceed with a hearing on whether the Argos threatened to cancel Heath’s season ticket subscription (which the team denies) when he initially called to register his displeasure.
HARPERCONS SET ELECTION AGENDA Election season must be upon us – the Harper Conservatives have started beating the law-and-order drum. The
government returned to the House this week with plans to introduce new legislation to give more powers to Canada’s spy agency and police to combat “domestic threats” (i.e., terrorism). On the one hand, the government has declared a war on terror in the name of protecting our freedoms; on the other, it’s seeking more powers to restrict those freedoms. What’s wrong with this picture?
GUVERNMENT TAKEOVER Every year for the past decade we’ve heard vague rumours that the Guvernment would be demolished to make way for condos. It still feels surreal that they’ve finally come true. On Sunday, January 25, the dust on the rafters was disturbed by pounding bass for the last time, bringing to a close a remarkable 19-year run for the sprawling Queens Quay nightclub. Even the haters have to admit that the closing of the longrunning venue will leave a major hole in the Toronto music scene, writes Benjamin Boles at nowtoronto.com.
CRICKETS FOR LEAF, ROARS FOR RAPTORS AT JUNO SHINDIG There were plenty of air kisses and hearty huzzahs as the Canadian music industry gathered at the Danforth Music Hall Monday morning, January 26, for the unveiling of this year’s Juno Awards nominees. Before the music industry went into in free-fall, the event was a boozy afternoon affair, but these days muffins are cheaper than Molson’s. Various Canuck celebs appeared onstage and via video to announce the noms. A great whoop went up when Canada’s Favourite Canadian©, Chris Hadfield, appeared on the big screen. But when Toronto Maple Leaf Joffrey Lupul appeared on tape... crickets. At least they didn’t boo. Raptors Kyle Lowry, fresh from his fan-fuelled NBA all-star selection, and DeMar DeRozan announced the rap nominees, and the room roared again. More proof the Dinos are rapidly gaining on the once adored Leafs.
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DANBAR15009 NOW Coming Soon v2.indd 1
2015-01-27 11:59 AM
Compiled by NOW staff with files from Jonathan Goldsbie, Benjamin Boles and Adam Giambrone.
NOW January 29 - February 4 2015
9
ON THE STREET
GIMME SAFE SHELTER
WHY ARE THE HOMELESS DYING? SOME WOULD RATHER TAKE THEIR CHANCES OUTSIDE IN THE FREEZING COLD THAN RISK THE DANGERS OF AN OVERCROWDED SHELTER SYSTEM. By PETER BIESTERFELD
I
t’s minus-17 but it feels a lot nastier with the wind chill. Downtown office and hospital workers scurry past the homeless couple huddled among sleeping bags and belongings on top of one of the coveted warm-air grates at Queen and Victoria. Some passersby do a double take at the moving mass of sleeping bags under which the two have burrowed. A woman drops two Harvest Crunch nutrition bars on the pile. Someone else rousts them and offers a knitted scarf, a pair of fleece mittens, long johns and a Russian-style hat with ear flaps, all clearly appreciated by the couple. Four homeless people froze to death on the streets of Toronto in January. The city responded by renting blocks of motel rooms to create 90 new temporary shelter spaces. “It’s shameful that it takes four deaths to get people even talking about it,” says Lauren Gostick, a frontline social worker with North-York-based humanitarian org Ve’ahavta. Gostick and a colleague spend six hours a night every Sunday to Thursday patrolling the streets in their van, on the lookout for homeless people in need. They deliver survival essentials such as hygiene and medical supplies, hot coffee, sandwiches, soup and warm clothes. “We equip them with what they need in the moment, but that’s more like an icebreaker to see if they need any counselling, referrals or a ride to a warming centre. That’s what we’re there for,” says Gostick. When temperatures drop to minus-15 or colder, Toronto’s medical officer of health calls an extreme cold weather alert. That’s the cue for select emergency warming centres to open their doors and let people in out of the cold. Seven alerts have been issued so far in January. Last year, Metro Hall was a pilot warming centre. This year the St. Felix Centre in the west end and Margaret’s Drop-in in the east have been equipped to stay open all night. Gostick says many of her clients prefer the warming centres and, in some cases, even the streets to shelters. “The shelter systems in general are broken and they’re old,” she says. “You’re thrown in with a large group of people who are all in an immediate, acute crisis situation. One person may have extreme mental health issues, another is dealing with substance abuse and somebody else is smoking crack in the bed across from you. It’s survival of the fittest.” The city has its own outreach program, Streets To Homes, but “their primary goal is to get people into their facilities. The more people who are sleeping in their beds, the more money they get to continue doing what they’re doing,” says Gostick. “Not to say that getting people inside isn’t obviously vital,” she continues,
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january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
“but when you’re working with a demographic that is street-involved, you have to meet people where they’re at. And in the last few weeks, people are dying outside, so that need isn’t being addressed, clearly.” Sixty-year-old Charley Rankin lost his job three months ago and suddenly found himself homeless. The former iron worker has seen the inside of nearly every shelter in the city. “A lot of people don’t like going to the city shelters because they don’t feel they’re safe. You’ve got to sleep with your steel-toed boots on if you want to ever see them again,” he says. “And there’s nothing you can do. There’s guys in there that look like they work out six days a week. Even the staff is scared. They run the shelters, not the staff. The staff is three women in a glass cage, and there’s 273 men. They don’t go outside that cage after bed check. They know it’s lawlessness.” Rankin says he sometimes stays in all-night coffee shops, but that’s not safe either. “There are homeless gangs in downtown Toronto, 20-year-olds. You think they’re kids just coming home from a bar,” he says. “They kind of half-surround you [and] as soon as you fall asleep, they rifle through your backpack, and anything they need that they won’t have to go buy they grab.” Rankin prefers the warming centres in the Toronto Drop-In Network, which runs Out Of The Cold programs in locations across the city. Most offer a hot meal, a mattress to sleep on and a blanket. “You get a coffee and maybe some juice and a bowl of porridge, and they give you a (TTC) token and away you go. Your belly’s full and you’re good for the day.” Initially intended as a temporary solution, Out Of The Cold has been serving the homeless and the marginally housed for nearly 30 years while waiting for politicians to take over the work of caring for Toronto’s most vulnerable. When he’s not looking for work or transitional housing that’s safe and affordable, Rankin is busy working on a crowdsourcing campaign (startsomegood.com) “to raise funds for a new shelter here in Toronto.” He says goodbye to the couple huddled on the steam grate and leaves with this parting shot: “If you have a normal 9-to-5 job and a place to stay, you don’t even realize that there’s any kind of crisis for the homeless. But believe me, seeing it from the bottom rung of the ladder, there is a definite crisis in the streets of Toronto, and that’s why people are freezing to death.” Nathalie-Roze Fischer upcycles previously enjoyed clothing for a living. Since October she’s been putting her design skills to work cutting up old sweaters and converting them into toques and neck warmers. She calls her enterprise the Lennie Project, after her late uncle, “a big-hearted person who was particularly interested in the underdog and the homeless community.” When Fischer gets creative, a medium or large men’s sweater can yield three hats, some headbands and a
“The staff is three women in a glass cage, and there’s 273 men. They don’t go outside that cage after bed check. They know it’s lawlessness.” Charley Rankin
“The shelter systems are broken and old. You’re thrown in with people who are all in an immediate, acute crisis situation. It’s survival of the fittest.” Lauren Gostick
pair of mittens. As soon as the pieces are done, she drops them off at shelters across town. Fischer’s initial thinking was to donate a toque to a shelter for every one she sold. But she soon realized the need was much greater than that. On January 24, Fischer and some craftivist colleagues from the Toronto Etsy Team, a street seller collective, gathered for a major sewing event. Fischer recognizes they're offering band-aid solutions for a much larger problem. “Is this about not having enough housing? Is it about mental health issues? We’re just trying to make it a less miserable situation.” The Homeless Hub, an online research library and information centre, has published some alarming numbers showing that the life expectancy of a homeless person in Canada is 39, lower than life expectancy
SANCTUARY SOLD SHORT?
PETER BIESTERFELD
By BEN SPURR
in the Congo. On any given night, 35,000 Canadians may be experiencing homelessness. But there are some encouraging signs in other parts of Canada, where homelessness is being met with innovative housing-first initiatives. The Homeless Hub defines housing-first as “a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that centres on quickly moving people into permanent housing and then providing additional supports and services as needed.” In the last five years, Medicine Hat, a city of 61,000 about 300 kilometres southeast of Calgary, has been wrestling chronic homelessness to the ground with robust implementation of its housing-first policy. Out of a homeless population of 850, more than 700 have been placed in permanent housing. Medicine Hat mayor Ted Clugston, dubbed by local media “the mayor who ended homelessness,” said in a recent CBC Radio interview the aim is to get people off the street “within 10 days of us recognizing that you don’t have a home or you’re sleeping rough or in a shelter.” The city donated land and resources, and with help from the province of Alberta has managed to build townhouses. Clugston estimates that providing emer-
gency housing and services to a homeless person who is in a state of acute crisis costs around $80,000 a year, whereas a long-term housing-first approach will bring the cost to taxpayers down to $20,000 a year. The Homeless Hub’s 2014 State Of Homelessness In Canada Report notes that while Canada’s population has grown by 30 per cent over the last 25 years, annual national investment in housing has dropped by more than 46 per cent. The report estimates that homelessness costs the Canadian economy $7 billion a year, and that an investment of $106 a year per taxpayer would mean an increase of 8,800 new units of affordable and supported housing annually and could reduce the cost of homelessness by $3 billion each year. Solving homelessness seems like a no-brainer. But “as much as we talk about working on housingfirst initiatives, there is still this connotation that certain people deserve housing and others don’t,” says Gostick. “It shouldn’t matter about substance use or mental illness. Everyone needs to have their basic needs met before they can achieve any kind of human potential.” 3 news@nowtoronto.com | @nowtoronto
Drop-off stations for the Lennie Project EAST Lady Marmalade (898 Queen East) The Purple Purl (1162 Queen East)
Pippins Tea Company (2098 Queen East) Lazy Daisy’s Cafe (1515 Gerrard East)
WEST CSI/Centre for Social Innovation (720 Bathurst) Beadle (1582 Dundas West)
Common Sort (1414 Queen West) The Workroom (1340 Queen West)
Hussan says he hopes New York’s program “serves as a signpost” for Toronto to follow, but he cautions that it’s “not a panacea.” He says better training for city workers, a complaints process for immigrants who are denied service, and a public education campaign to inform undocumented residents of their rights should also be priorities. According to a 2014 city report, implementing an ID program here could be difficult. Unlike in New York City, where the municipal government has jurisdiction over everything from education to the correctional system, here the province provides many important services. Unless Queen’s Park also signed on, the I.D. program would have “limited validity,” the report warned. More importantly, by law the city must retain any personal information it collects from residents for one year and would be legally obligated to share it with other levels of government. That would make undocu-
The hottest ticket in New York City these days is not for admission to a Broadway show or a new exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. Instead, for much of the past three weeks, thousands of New Yorkers have been lining up for hours to get their hands on a new city I.D. card. A signature initiative of progressive mayor Bill de Blasio, the cards are designed to make it easier for undocumented immigrants to rent an apartment, open a bank account, interact with police or anything else that can be difficult without proper identification. The program should also benefit other marginalized groups like the homeless. In Toronto, where half of residents were born outside the country, a municipal ID is also on the radar after council voted in 2013 to declare Toronto a “Sanctuary City” and guarantee undocumented immigrants “access without fear” to municipal services. A report is expected this spring or summer. But the mayor seems lukewarm. City eyes municipal I.D. so Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam believes Toron- immigrants and marginalto needs to seriously conized groups can access sider a municipal I.D. proservices “without fear,” but gram if it’s to live up to its mayor may not be so keen. Sanctuary City title. “We have a large number of people who are trying to regismented immigrants who applied for ter their children for childcare, want the card vulnerable to deportation by to be able to use health clinics, stay in federal authorities. emergency shelters or somehow Even if those issues could be adneed to prove their identity to the podressed, an I.D. card may lack suffilice,” she says. “It is extremely helpful cient support at City Hall. During the when someone can pull out their I.D. 2014 election, Mayor John Tory opcard and say, ‘This is who I am.’” posed giving undocumented resiIt’s not known how many undocudents the right to vote, a position that mented immigrants live in Toronto, suggests he would have little appealthough the number could be as tite for the I.D. project. Tory declined high as 250,000. Most entered Canato comment on the issue, telling NOW da legally but have since outstayed through a spokesperson that staff are their visas, or have chosen to stay studying it and he doesn’t want to after being denied refugee status. “pre-empt that process.” Prior to the Sanctuary City vote, it The proposal could also face a widwas already city policy to provide er backlash. Despite our status as services to all residents regardless of “the most multicultural city in the their immigration status. But advoworld,” a series of racist incidents cates for undocumented migrants during last year's council race say the policy isn’t always followed. showed that anti-immigrant sentiA 2013 audit by the Solidarity City ment is more prevalent here than Network of 185 city-funded service we’d like to think. providers – including childcare cenBut Ratna Omidvar, executive dirtres, homeless shelters and food ector of Maytree Global Diversity Exbanks – found that 25 per cent of staff change at Ryerson University, says thought that people without immithe that a city I.D. wouldn't make it gration status were ineligible for help. any easier for undocumented immi“The problem is inconsistent acgrants to stay here illegally. cess. People are being turned away,” Instead, she says, guaranteeing says Syed Hussan, a spokesperson un documented immigrants access to for the Solidarity City Network. city services “confers on them a basic A municipal I.D. program was one level of security.” 3 of a raft of initiatives the network recommended council adopt or study.
bens@nowtoronto.com | @BenSpurr
NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
11
IMMIGRATION
TRAPPED IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY PURGATORY MY CALL FROM AN IMMIGRATION DETAINEE INSIDE THE LINDSAY SUPERJAIL: "THEY TELL US, 'YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO GET OUT OF HERE, NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.'" By DESMOND COLE
I
n recent months I’ve been receiving collect calls from a man who’s being held at the Central East Correctional Centre, also known as the Lindsay Superjail. He’s one of about 200 immigration detainees who began hunger strikes at the jail in September 2013 to protest lengthy detentions and seemingly endless immigration hearings. More than a year later, many of them are still in a maximum-security purgatory that sounds like hell on earth. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) detains migrants who lack permanent immigration status. The agency says many are a public threat or might go into hiding unless they are locked up. Some of the detained are eventually deported to their home countries. Others cannot be sent back because their lives would be in danger, yet the government offers them no pathway to permanent status, even those who worked and paid taxes in Canada for years. The caller, whom we’ll call DH (he doesn’t want his real name published because he fears reprisals) immigrated to Canada from the Middle East more than 15 years ago. He was accepted here on a work permit in the service industry and moved to a city in Ontario. DH was preparing to apply for permanent residency in 2013 when immigration officials told him his permit was no longer valid. He was married to a Canadian citizen at the time and had never been required to renew his permit, when local police abruptly showed up at his door. “They came and picked me up. They
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january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
said, ‘There’s a warrant for you, for being out of status.’ They locked me in [and] refused to give me legal aid.” (While Legal Aid Ontario could not comment specifically on DH’s situation, spokesperson Genevieve Oger says that access to aid depends upon an individual’s income as well as the merits of a case, or likelihood of a positive outcome.) DH says he told me he had simply been working and paying taxes. He also proudly stated to police that he has never collected welfare, EI or even been eligible for provincial health benefits. “I’ve managed to live all my life on my own income,” he says. That was 16 months ago. He spends most of his time with another inmate inside a small cell with a steel door, reading and writing. His meals are shoved though the door. “They say, ‘We don’t have enough staff,’ so you’re locked up sometimes three days [in a row].” Sometimes he’s let out of the cell for an hour and 45 minutes in a 24-hour period. DH’s only other human interactions are his monthly immigration hearings with officials from the Immigration and Refugee Board, who meet with him via Skype. They ask the same questions every time and offer no explanation for his indefinite incarceration. “Everyone says, ‘It’s not my fault. I’m not the one who detained you and keeps you here.’” It’s a familiar game that leaves detainees with only two choices: wait out the process or risk being sent back. DH says his immigration status doesn’t warrant such treatment. When I ask if he’s confined with men convicted of violence and even mur-
der, he becomes animated. “I swear to god, there’s some killers here.” He says jail officials use intimidation tactics. One night during the hunger strike – DH drank only water for two weeks – he says guards came to his cell, handcuffed him and took him to “the hole,” solitary confinement. He was told he was being placed there so a nurse could better monitor his health. “They said, ‘You might die in a few days, so we’ll take you to the hospital to die.’” DH says he started eating right after that. I can hear him crying over the phone. He reports that some detainees are coerced into signing deportation documents. “They talk to people here, playing psychology, like ‘You are never going to get out of here no matter what you do.’” According to DH, immigration officials offered to help him access legal aid in exchange for signing travel documents that would allow him to be deported. He refused. I contacted the office of Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander several times to ask about DH’s claims. Alexander’s office never responded. Opposition NDP MP Andrew Cash says he’s very concerned about what he describes as a “tangled and distorted” immigration system. He disputes that many of the Lindsay detainees need to be in jail at all. “Individuals who don’t pose a threat to public safety absolutely should not be detained indefinitely,” says Cash, although he stops short of suggesting a maximum period for detentions. Many countries, including the United States, have a 90-day limit.
The system seems to be a revolving door to bring in migrant workers who will never be granted legal status. Cash cites a recent Red Cross report that notes that detention is particularly harmful to “refugee claimants who have experienced armed conflict, torture and other traumatic experiences.” He says the government is exploiting the incarceration of such migrants for strictly political purposes. “The society we believe in is one that has compassion for the most marginalized,” says Cash. The immigration system, however, seems an intentional revolving door that allows the government to bring in labourers who will never be granted permanent status. In this context, CBSA’s detention and deportation of migrants, particularly those whose presumed crime is simply that they lack permanent status, seems intended to maintain a sense of fear and remind migrant workers of the precariousness of their situation. A representative of CBSA insists in an email response to my questions that detention of migrants “is applied as a last resort.” CBSA says it detains non-citizens who are “considered to be a danger to the public” or who are “unlikely to appear for examination, an admissibility hearing
or removal from Canada.” These criteria give the agency the latitude to detain migrants like DH who have no criminal record. CBSA jails “higher-risk” detainees. The agency argues that “detention is an effective enforcement tool against those who seek to circumvent immigration processes and is preventive, not punitive.” According to 2013 CBSA figures, the agency spends an average of $239 a day to keep a detainee in prison. Those like DH who were once working and paying taxes are now costing taxpayers millions each year. And as they languish, they experience trauma, health problems and isolation from family and friends. Immigration lawyer Macdonald Scott, who’s represented some of the men in the Lindsay Superjail, says the government is deporting people without giving them proper access to legal representation. “It’s almost impossible to get counsel in touch with them,” Scott says in a phone interview. “The chance that someone is going to be able to get in there and stop the removal is almost impossible.” Scott says the feds have even revoked migrants’ refugee status in order to deport them, and that the list of countries to which removal is prohibited is constantly changing. “What if they are actually in danger?” Scott asks of the many migrants who come from conflict zones. “Those lawful processes are there because CBSA often makes mistakes and removes people to places they shouldn’t be removed to.” Scott believes somewhere between half and two-thirds of the 200 migrants who went on hunger strike have since been deported, but confesses that “it’s pretty hard to keep track of them. I know of at least 15 who have been released.” A group called the End Immigration Detention Network, which consists of dozens of provincial and local community and legal groups, is demanding that the government release all migrants who have been held longer than 90 days, end maximum security detentions and overhaul the adjudication process that currently keeps migrants in a perpetual legal limbo. Through limited contact with advocacy groups like No One Is Illegal, DH and others have heard about public demonstrations and advocacy on their behalf. But DH says he’s disappointed that on the rare occasions he’s able to watch the news, he never hears concerned Canadians speaking out on the situation. “I would like the Canadian public to speak up. If I commit a crime, I believe there’s a punishment for everything we do. But if you don’t deserve to be in jail…. Super-maximum jail for someone like me?” DH is still waiting for a lifeline and keeping faith that the public will question detentions like his. During our most recent conversation, he reassures me, “I still love the Canadian people.” 3 news@nowtoronto.com | @nowtoronto
black history month
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By KWAME JR.
Before you even think about engag ing in any conversations about Black History Month, understand a few things. Like why it’s important to ac knowledge black history and who designated this month for us. In the meantime, here in Canada, some people don’t even know the history of their own towns and cities because we are mainly taught U.S. history. Does the history of the for mer slaves who fled the U.S. and landed in Halifax as refugees ever get told? Believe it or not, I have heard ig norant shit like “That happened al most 100 years ago. Black people need to get over it and stop blaming society.” Really? Recently, some black musicians have riffed about feeling that music genres like blues and rock have be come whitedominated and stripped of their authentic cultural roots. But I think what’s really changed is that the power has shifted back in the di rection of artists (as opposed to label owners), and black ones can be just as conniving and manipulative. A capi talist is a capitalist.
MC prodcuer Tona (aka Kwame Jr.) says black history is everybody’s business every day of the year.
Yes, African peoples are several million years old, and there is so much more that we as black people could know about our history, but it is the responsibility of everybody, black and white, to learn about black history. Learning about slavery, segrega tion, persecution and colonization reveals the evolution of humanity. The fact that we have such a resilient culture deserves to be celebrated not only during the month of February, but all year round. It’s the responsibility of those who have knowledge to share to pass on their wisdom to those around them.
Certain individuals come along in every era who are willing to sacrifice their lives to change outcomes. If you cannot sacrifice the time to acknow ledge that, you aren’t shit. If you hope to influence a mass group of people – whether you use music, poetry, the internet or fashion – and decide not to address the issues that impact people’s lives, you aren’t shit. Celebrate black history not only in February, but every second, every minute, every hour. And keep it rele vant. That is all our responsibility. 3 Kwame Jr. is also known as MC/producer Tona (Freedom Writers, Naturally Born Strangers). news@nowtoronto.com
SHELTER
BlACk HiSTory eveNTS THiS week Tuesday, February 3
Matter Toronto Coalition, and more. 7-11:30 pm. $15, adv $12. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas W. ago.ent/firstthursdays. HUe: A mATTer of ColoUr Film screening. 5 pm at Centennial Library (578 Finch W); 6 pm at Agincourt Library (155 Bonis). Free. torontopubliclibrary.ca. UNder THe STArry Sky Screening of the Dyana Gaye film. French w/ English subtitles. 7 pm. Free. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Rd. alliance-francaise.ca.
AN eveNiNg HoNoUriNg THe Book of NegroeS Conversation and Q&A with
Friday, February 6
Thursday, January 29
Monday, February 2
Complex A U of T student tutors a troubled
dAlToN HiggiNS Meet the author/activist.
teenager from an at-risk neighborhood in this staged reading of Rebecca Applebaum’s play followed by a talkback session. Jan 29 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw, studio 101. kofflerarts.org. NTU ANd SkwATTA DanceWorks and Harbour front NextSteps present a double bill by South African choreographer/dancer Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe. Jan 29-31, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $19-$37. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. danceworks.ca. SmAll Axe by Andrew Kushnir (Project: Humanity/Theatre Centre). A queer white documentary theatre-maker learns a lot about himself while investigating homophobia in Jamaica. To Feb 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $22. Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. theatrecentre.org.
Friday, January 30 AfrikA djelly African music open mic & DJ party with Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison, Tresor Otshudi, Se’lah Genesis, Afromadjiik and others. 8:30 pm. $10. Blakbird, 812 Bloor W. facebook.com/events/815830888458396.
Saturday, January 31 freedom CiTy: UNCoveriNg ToroNTo’S BlACk HiSTory Exhibit of original paintings, drawings, photographs, manuscripts and broadsides with research and contributions from historians Karolyn Smardz Frost and Afua Cooper. Jan 31-Mar 28. Reference Library, 789 Yonge. 416-395-5577.
10:30 am. Free. Maryvale Library, 85 Ellesmere. torontopubliclibrary.ca. rowAre mAke ANd TAke workSHop Create a cool African game at this family-friendly workshop. 10 am. Free. Barbara Frum Library, 20 Covington. torontopubliclibrary.ca.
Clement Virgo, Lawrence Hill and Aunjanue Ellis and screening of episode 5. 7 pm. Free. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King W. RSVP 416445-1446, eventbrite.ca/e/15275102242.
Wednesday, February 4 HolodeCk follieS Toronto’s black im-
prov community joins the Dandies on a Star Trek adventure. 8 pm. $8. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth. improvdandies.wordpress.com. THroUgH geNerATioNS Group art exhibit that explores past, present and future narratives of black consciousness in the African Diaspora. Feb 5-Mar 1, reception 7-11 pm Feb 4. Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas. danielsspectrum.ca.
Thursday, February 5 firST THUrSdAy Installations and art talks inspired by the Jean MichelBasquiat exhibit. Music by Grandmaster Flash and Bonjay, panel discussion presented with Black Lives
kUUmBA The festival
of black culture features visual arts, theatre, films, comedy, dance workshops, panel discussions and more. Feb 6-8, see website for full schedule. Free and ticketed events. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre. com/kuumba. 3
The Book Of Negroes star Aunjanue Ellis appears at TIFF on February 3.
SHELTERFURNITURE.CA 885 CALEDONIA RD TORONTO 416 783-3333 MON-SAT 10-6 SUN 12-5 *Buy one item at regular price & get a second item of equal value or less at half price. Regular priced items only.
NOW MAGAZINE IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR STREET TEAM! Are you interested in helping promote Canada’s leading alternative news & entertainment weekly? Are you passionate about media, the arts, culture and all things Toronto? Are you over 19? Do you like free stuff (concert tickets, movie passes and much more)? We’re looking for motivated street team members to help out with on-site promotion at a wide range of festivals & events throughout the city. Street Team members will also be representing NOW at tons of concerts, events, festivals and movie screenings all season long! APPLY NOW by sending your resume to promotions@nowtoronto.com
NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
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daily events meetings • benefits
festivals • expos • sports etc.
How to find a listing
5
How to place a listing
Events
1976, The moves Public dance class with Dana Michel. Non-dancers welcome. Noon-2 pm. $12 (pre-register). Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. eventbrite. ca/e/14511884437.
BeTTer and sTronger: 9 sTePs To BecomIng your own healTh chamPIon Seminar on a
continuing
9-step approach. 7 pm. Free. The Big Carrot, 348 Danforth. 416-466-2129, thebigcarrot.ca.
FesTIval oF The Body Panel discussions, video screenings and exhibitions on the
cITIzenshIP educaTIon menTorIng cIrcle
Toronto Public Health researcher Stephanie Gower. 4:10 pm. Free. Room 179. University College, 15 King’s College Circle. environment. utoronto.ca.
FFwd adverTIsIng & markeTIng week 2015
Conference for those who work or want to work in the communications industry. Includes speakers, workshops, parties and more. To Jan 30, see website for schedule and other venues. Various prices. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King W. advertisingweek.ca.
hands on: arTIsTs/acTIvIsTs dIscuss sTaTe and PolIce vIolence Forum as part of Hack-
ing The Culture: A Speakers’ Series on Media Activism and Social Justice with documentary filmmaker Amar Wala, new media artist Cheryl L’Hirondelle, and others. 7-8:30 pm. Free. Ryerson School of Image Arts, 122 Bond. 647-241-1224. In search oF The sTeadFasT olIve Report back from peace and justice activist Bob Holmes and others who visited the occupied
Palestinian territories last November. 7-9:30 pm. $5. Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham. beitzatoun.org.
InTernaTIonal crImInal law aT The crossroads Conversation with James Stewart, of
the International Criminal Court and Richard Dicker ofHuman Rights Watch. 6-8 pm. $10, free for U of T students. Reserve. Munk School of Global Affairs, 1 Devonshire Place. munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/16985. nanne de ru Lecture hosted by the Dept of Architecture. 6:30-8 pm. Free. Ryerson Architectural Science, 325 Church. arch.ryerson.ca. reInvenTIng The wheel Panel discussion between a choreographer, a visual arts curator and municipal planner on the merits of artistic methods of appropriation. 7 pm. Free. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. dancemakers.org.
socIal InFluencer naTIon – meeT n’ greeT
Networking event for agencies and marketers to connect and talk about viral marketing and social media. 6:30-9 pm. $35-$40. Parlour, 270 Adelaide W. socialinfluencernation.com. walk For healTh & well-BeIng Meet at the library with good shoes and a bottle of water for a 60 min outdoors walk. 1:30 pm. Free. Deer Park Library, 40 St Clair E. stevensjason0926@yahoo.com. wInTer Farmers markeT Local cheese, eggs, baked goods and more at this indoor market. 3-6:30 pm. Artisans At Work, 2071 Danforth. artisans-at-work.com.
FIlm From The auTIsm sPecTrum Young filmmakers screening of works from the non-profit video production camps. 7-9 pm. $10 (supports programming for youth on the Autism Spectrum). Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex. eventbrite.com/e/15007653295. PerFecT For gaTherIng here Today weddIng exPo Curated wedding expo with florists, DJs, catering samples, door prizes and more. Free/ pwyc (donations to Daily Bread Food Bank). 11 am-5 pm. 2nd Floor Events, 461 King W. 416656-0707.
Events
a celeBraTIon oF musIc and Prayer aT The mnJcc Celebration of Shabbat Shira and conExperiencetheKoreantea ceremonyattheTorontoTeaFestival. body in art and science, with a focus on the PanAm/ParaPan Am Games. See website for schedule. Free. OCAD U, 100 McCaul. 416977-6000 ext 330, www2.ocadu.ca/ node/6589. To Feb 5 Moffatt, Brian Finch, Ian Lynch, Tony Ho and others. 10 pm. $15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.
Events
hPv and oTher sexually TransmITTed InFecTIons Health talk followed by Q&A. 1-2:30
pm. Free (pre-register). In the Auditorium. Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst. 416603-6475. Tea & Books Join a librarian for tea, snacks and reading recommendations. 2-3 pm. Free. Agincourt Library, 155 Bonis. 416-396-8943.
Saturday, January 31 coldesT day oF The year rIde Meet at the
south gates for a bike ride to Metro Hall. 11:45 am. Free. Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen W. facebook.com/events/517182255090432. geT money awesome In 2015 Workshop for arts workers on bookkeeping, taxes and more. 5-7 pm. $25. Fringe Creation Lab, 720 Bathurst.
Friday, January 30
Benefits
my BroTher’s wIener Comedy benefit show for a comic’s brother’s medical costs due to a bike accident w/ Zabrina Chevannes, Ashley
Jim Mezon and Tamsin Kelsey, photo: David Hou
january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
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Benefits
the other place
14
Movie reviews Movie times
Sunday, February 1
Progress: InTernaTIonal FesTIval oF PerFormance and Ideas SummerWorks
and the Theatre Centre present performances, workshops and conversations featuring six international shows, six languages and five free artist workshops and talks. See website for schedule. $15-$30, some free events. Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. thisisprogress.ca. Feb 4 to 15 ToronTo Tea FesTIval Tea sommeliers, authors, musicians, tea lore and culture, historical fashion show, tea ceremony, sustainably sourced tea and more. 10 am-5 pm. $15, two-day pass $25, early bird $12, two-day pass $20. Reference Library, 789 Yonge, Bluma Appel Salon. teafestivaltoronto.com. Jan 31 to Feb 1
52 53 54
427 Bloor W. torontosalsapractice.com. you goTs To chIll dJ skaTIng ParTy Never Forgive Action, DJs Numeric & Dalia (throwback/boom-bap/classic hip-hop) 8 to 11 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
works in installation, loops and more. $5, festival pass $23. Polish Combatants Hall, 206 Beverley. 416-703-2236, the8fest.com. Jan 30 to Feb 1
Thursday, January 29
cumulaTIve rIsk assessmenT For healTh ImPacTs oF aIr PolluTIon In ToronTo Talk by
Theatre Dance Comedy
The 8 FesT Festival of small-gauge films,
For Black History Month listings, see page 13.
of meditation in everyday life and instruction for developing a home practice. 7-8 pm. Free. Register. North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge. 416-395-5660.
40 49 49
this week
All listings are Free. Send to: events@nowtoronto.com, fax to 416-364-1168 or mail to DailyEvents,NOWMagazine,189 Church,TorontoM5B1Y7. Include a brief description of the event, date, time, price, venue name and address and a contact phone number, e-mail or website address for the event. Listings may be edited for length. Deadline is the Thursday before publication at 5 pm. If your free listing requires a correction, send info to: fixevents@nowtoronto.com.
connecT wITh your True selF: an InTroducTIon To medITaTIon Discussion on the value
Live music Art galleries Readings
Festivals
Daily events appear by date, then alphabetically by the name of the event. r indicates kid-friendly events indicates queer-friendly events
Weekly meeting for newcomers to study for the test, practice English and more. 6-8:30 pm. Free. Burrows Hall Library, 1081 Progress. 416588-6288 ext 231, culturelink.ca/citizenship. clImaTe vegan Teach-In Participatory exercises featuring a primer on climate change, its impacts and the vegan connection. 7-10 pm. Free. OISE, 252 Bloor W. facebook.com/ events/1525171634414917. communITy QuIlT grouP Learning and sharing get-together. 6-8 pm. All welcome. Free. Gibson House, 5172 Yonge. 416-395-7432.
listings index
rmosaIc sToryTellIng FesTIval Story-
telling every other Sunday till Mar 15. 3 pm. Pwyc. St David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands. 416-466-3142, mosaicstorytelling.ca. To Mar 15 eventbrite.ca/e/15208654495.
medITaTIons on dIversITy PhoTograPhy workshoP Explore how a transgender fluid
model is transformed by lighting and drapery. 2-5 pm. $110 (pre-register). Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw. easycameraart.com.
rmeeT The ausTIns: a ToronTo FamIly BeTween The wars Themed tour on the Austin
family and their home. 12:15, 1, 1:45, 3:15 and 4 pm. $8, srs/youth $5.75, child $5. Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd. 416-392-6910. murder aT The rom Scavenger hunt for adults. 1-3:30 pm. $35. Pre-register. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park. 416-8952378, urbancapers.com. rowl Prowl An evening with live owls on a guided walk. 7-9 pm. $12, srs/children $6; family $30. Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley. 416-667-6295.
The roundhouse wInTer craFT Beer FesTIval Outdoor showcase of Ontario craft brew-
ers with food vendors, sampling and more. 11 am-5 pm. $20-$25. Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd. craftbeerfest.ca. salsa socIal Lesson followed by social dancing. 8:30 pm. Free. The Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 3, 150 8th St. latinenergy.ca. rsTayIng alIve – FamIly naTure walk Learn how critters survive the cold. 1:30-3 pm. $2. High Park Nature Centre, 440 Parkside. highparknaturecentre.com. suPerkIck’d: TaBula rasa Pro wrestling and live music with stars from WWE, TNA and ROH with main event Chris Sabin vs Paul London. 8 pm. $20-$50. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen W. superkickd.com. ToronTo salsa PracTIce No lesson, beginners to pros, no partner required. 3:30-5:30 pm or 5:30-8 pm. $5. Trinity St. Paul’s Church,
ference exploring the meaning of music and prayer with panels, song circles and more. 1-6 pm. $20, stu $10. Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina. 416-924-6211, mnjcc.org.
across InTernaTIonal BoundarIes: TrackIng BIrds and BuTTerFlIes Lecture by Ryan
Norris. 2-3:30 pm. Free. Macleod Auditorium. Medical Sciences Bldg, 1 King’s College Circle. 416-977-2983, royalcanadianinstitute.org. an enchanTed evenIng Group meditation, live music and a vegetarian meal. 6-8 pm. Free, pwyc donation for meal. Trinity St. Paul’s Church, 427 Bloor W. 416-539-0234, meditationtoronto.com.
envIronmenTal JusTIce, The Tar sands and IndIgenous rIghTs Talk about the extraction process and its effects with Heather Milton Lightening, Keith Stewart and Anna Zalik. 2 pm. Free. Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham. beitzatoun.org. general chaos vIsuals Wavelength Music Festival Talk Series workshop with analog visuals Steve Lindsay. 3 pm. Free. HuntClub Studios, 709 College St. wavelengthtoronto.com.
learnT wIsdom lecTure serIes: reckless aBandon Four speakers tell short stories. 2
pm (take the 1:30 pm ferry for a guided walk from Ward’s Island). Pwyc. Centreville, Centre Island. facebook.com/learntwisdomlectures. 5lgBT dance classes Queer and trans salsa classes. To Mar 29, Sun from 3 to 5 pm (beginner to advanced). $15 drop-in, course $45-$90 (pre-register). Multifaith Centre, 569 Spadina. lgbtdance.com.
lIne 9, The Tar sands and canada’s clImaTe challenge Public talk by Shelly Madden and
John Riddell. 10:30 am. Free. Unitarian Fellowship of Northwest Toronto, 55 St Phillips. ufnwt.com.
rmeeT The ausTIns: a ToronTo FamIly BeTween The wars Themed tour on the Austin
family and their home. 12:15, 1, 1:45, 3:15 and 4 pm. $8, srs/youth $5.75, child $5. Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd. 416-392-6910. mosses, moose’s and mycorrhIzas Illustrated lecture by ecologist Terry Carleton. 2:30 pm. Free. Northrop Frye Hall, 73 Queen’s Park, Rm 003. torontofieldnaturalists.org. murder aT The rom Scavenger hunt for adults. 1-3:30 pm. $35. Pre-register. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park. 416-8952378, urbancapers.com.
oPTImIsTs alumnI drum & Bugle corPs TORONTO STAR
DIRECTED BY
Daniel Brooks STARRING
Tamsin Kelsey Jim Mezon Haley McGee Joe Cobden
BY
Sharr White
tickets 416.368.3110
.com
JENNIFER BUNDOCK/GREENPEACE
big 3
Activists and researchers talk about the dangers of tar sands development on February 1.
NOW editors pick a trio of this week’s can’t-miss events
1
TAR SANDS VS INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Heather Milton Lightening of the Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign joins Greenpeace climate campaigner Keith Stewart and York U environmental sciences prof Anna Zalik Sunday (February 1), 2 to 5 pm, to talk tar sands destruction in the Athabasca watershed, where indigenous communities are experiencing high rates of rare cancers. It’s the second in a series of talks on climate change at Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham. Free. beitzatoun.org. ReheaRsal New adult members welcome, no experience necessary, instruments provided. Noon-5 pm. Free. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344, 1395 Lake Shore Blvd W. optimists-alumni-org. TheRooTsofReligiousexTRemisminiRaq
Talk by history professor Thabet Abdullah. 10:10 am. Free. St Clement’s Church, 70 St Clement’s. 416-483-6664.
ToRonToaBC–leTTeRWRiTingToPRisoneRs Learn about and write to the Cleveland 4. 6-9 pm. Free. Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham. beitzatoun.org.
Monday, February 2 ThegReaTCanadianTaxdodge Screening
the documentary about tax avoidance by Canadian corporations and government indifference, followed by a panel discussion with experts. 6:30 pm. Free. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. cogentbenger.com.
moTheRCaRefoRThyself:ThemysTeRyof hoRmonesandimmuniTy Discussion on
Tuesday, February 3 aRTisTTalk:heidimCkenzie The local ceramic
sculptor brings her perspective to selected artifacts. 6:30 pm. $20, stu/srs $12. Pre-register. Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford. agakhanmuseum.org.
daTingsToRies:ValenTine’sdayediTion
Storytelling night. 7:30 pm. Free. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas W. 416dating@gmail.com. kundaliniyoga Exercise, relaxation, meditation. 8-9:30 am. $5, stu free. Multifaith Centre, 569 Spadina. gurufathasingh.com.
neWComB’sdesigneRs:aConsCiousReVoluTion Curator Sally Main talks about the Newcomb exhibit. 7-8 pm. $15. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, 111 Queen’s Park. gardinermuseum.on.ca. 5ouTinThenighT Cinema Politica and Inside Out LGBT Film Festival film screening. 6 pm. Pwyc, suggested $5-$10. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor W. cinemapolitica.org.
ReCRuiTingandReTainingTheRighTVolunTeeRs Talk for people who manage volunteer-
run, non-profit organizations. 6:30-8 pm. Free. Canadian Management Centre, 150 York. Preregister. volunteertoronto.site-ym.com. seTTingaseCuRefoodTaBle Speaker panel event on establishing sustainable food systems, influencing policy and promoting healthier and safer foods. 6-9 pm. $15 (preregister). Centre for Social Innovation Annex,
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HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE CROSSROADS
WORK DOWN TO
The Munk School of Global Affairs hosts a conversation on the International Criminal Court a decade after it started hearing cases, featuring two of the most prominent lawyers in the field: ICC deputy prosecutor James Stewart and Richard Dicker, director of Human Rights Watch’s international justice program. Thursday (January Follow us on 29), 6 pm. $10, U of T students free. Twitter Register to watch a free liveNOW webcast of the event. 1 Devonshire. munkschool. utoronto.ca.
In Europe, Asia and Latin America, supermarket checkout clerks work sitting down. In North America they stand all day. Internationally recognized occupational health expert Karen Messing discusses what scientists can learn about work from the people who actually do it, part of the Reference Library’s Thought Exchange talk series. Tuesday (February 2), 1 pm. Free. 789 Yonge. torontopubliclibrary.ca/thoughtexchange.
720 Bathurst. eventbrite.ca/e/14951645775.
ThehealThyheaRT Talk on natural agents to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. 7 pm. Free. The Big Carrot, 348 Danforth. thebigcarrot.ca. ToRonTosPoRTsmen’sshoW Showcase for fishing, hunting and outdoors enthusiasts with a birds of prey show, vendors and more. To Feb 8. $13-$19, kids under 6 Free. Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes Blvd, Exhibition Place. 905-361-2677, torontosportshow.ca.
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@ nowtoronto
ThisnuCleaRage:TheCuBanmissile& oTheRnuCleaRCRises Lecture about the nu-
clear age with Vinay Jindal. 4-6 pm. Free. University College, 15 King’s College Circle, Room 179. scienceforpeace.ca. TuniTalks22 Social mixer for young professionals with speakers Ratna Omidvar and Nicole Verkindt. 7 pm. Free. Hard Rock Cafe, 279 Yonge. tuni22.eventbrite.com.
WhaTCansCienTisTsleaRnaBouTWoRk fRomThePeoPleWhodoiT? Occupational
health expert Karen Messing talks about how she went from looking at test tubes to talking to workers. 1-3 pm. Free. Reference Library, 789 Yonge. torontopubliclibrary.ca/ thoughtexchange. WildTales NOW Magazine presents a screening of the film. 9 pm. Free. Royal Cinema, 608 College. nowtoronto.com.
Wednesday, February 4 kano:sCReeningandaCademiCPanel
Michael Hollett .....................................................................................@m_hollett Alice Klein .................................................................................................@aliceklein Susan G. Cole .......................................................................................@susangcole Enzo DiMatteo ..........................................................................@enzodimatteo Norm Wilner ....................................................................................@normwilner Glenn Sumi ............................................................................................@glennsumi Kate Robertson.....................................................................................@katernow Sarah Parniak ..............................................................................................@s_parns Ben Spurr ..................................................................................................... @benspurr Jonathan Goldsbie ..............................................................................@goldsbie Adria Vasil .................................................................................@ecoholicnation Sabrina Maddeaux ................................................@SabrinaMaddeaux NOW Promotions ...............................................@NOWTorontoPromo
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Business meeting at 7:30 pm, talk by Neil Brochu of the City of Toronto’s Collections & Conservation Centre at 8:15 pm. Free. Annette Library, 145 Annette. wtjhs.ca. zeuleRlima Public lecture hosted by the Ryerson Dept of Architecture. 6:30-8 pm. Free. Ryerson Architectural Science, 325 Church. arch.ryerson.ca. 3
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Douglas Coupland Sarah Parniak ..........................................................@s_parns
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Screening the film about the Taiwanese team in the 1931 Japanese high school baseball championships followed by a discussion on the history behind the film. 4 pm. Free (RSVP). Michael Hollett ................................................ @m_hollett Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex. kano.eventbrite.ca.
loVesToRiesfRoma12ThCenTuRyPeRsian Alice Klein ............................................................@aliceklein everywhere RomanCe Storytelling in English accompanied Susan G. Cole .................................................. @susangcole
is anywhere is anything is everything
by classical Persian music. 6:30 pm. $15, stu pwyc. Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre. Enzo DiMatteo ......................................@enzodimatteo textilemuseum.ca. Norm Wilner ................................................@normwilner single,sePaRaTed&diVoRCeddads Q&A Glenn SumiWomen ........................................................@glennsumi and support group weekly meeting. welcome. 7-9 pm. Free. Room A5. Eastminster Kate Robertson ........................................ @katernow PRESENTED BY United Church, 310 Danforth. father.org. WinTeRfaRmeRsmaRkeT Indoor market with local farmers. 2-6 pm. Free. Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas W. 416-394-8113.
Insertion date: JANUARY 29, 2015 Size: 5.833" x 4.59" 4C NP
how to support a healthy immune system. Noon-1 pm. $10. Schecter Dental, 930 St Clair W. schecterdental.com. naTionalgeogRaPhiCPuBquiz Trivia night entirely dedicated to animals, plants, natural science, archaeology and conservation. 7 pm. $2. Beaver, 1192 Queen W. facebook.com/ events/320943401432234.
2
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Ben Spurr .................................................................@benspurr Jonathan Goldsbie ......................................... @goldsbie Adria Vasil .............................................@ecoholicnation Sabrina Maddeaux ............@SabrinaMaddeaux NOW Promotions ...........@NOWTorontoPromo
upcoming
Thursday, February 5
Benefits
BookloVeR’sBallafTeRdaRk This afterparty in the stacks follows the fundraising gala and features live music, cocktails and more. 9 pm. $100-$150 (Toronto Public Library Foundation). RSVP. Reference Library, 789 Yonge. eventbrite.ca/e/7995856823.
Events
TheaRThusTle Conversation with established artists about building a viable artistic career. 7-9 pm. $15-$20. Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw. eventbrite.ca/e/13871677561.
eaTingdisoRdeRaWaRenessWeeksPoken WoRdeVenT National Eating Disorder Infor-
mation Centre celebration of natural size through spoken word, poetry and music. 7 pm (open-mic sign-up 6:30 pm). $10, stu $5. Round Venue, 152A Augusta. 416-340-4156.
One of Canada’s most provocative cultural thinkers and artists questions what our future holds ONE EXHIBITION. TWO VENUES. ROM: January 31 – April 26, 2015 MOCCA: January 31 – April 19, 2015 couplandto.ca
OP
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#COUPLANDTO
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
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Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything is organized and circulated by the Vancouver Art Gallery and curated by Daina Augaitis, Chief Curator/Associate Director. The exhibition is presented in Toronto by the Royal Ontario Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art and is being held concurrently at both institutions. This exhibition was made possible with the generous support of The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, and The Artworkers Retirement Society. Images: Left: Douglas Coupland, Brilliant Information Overload Pop Head, 2010, acrylic and epoxy on pigment print, Collection of Lucia Haugen Lundin. Right: Douglas Coupland, Towers (detail), 2014, Lego, 50 components, Courtesy of the Artist and Daniel Faria Gallery. Photos: Rachel Topham, Vancouver Art Gallery. The ROM is an agency of the Government of Ontario.
NOW january 29 - february 4 2015 ROM-0038a-DouglasCoupland_NOW_5.833x4.59_Jan29_v3.1.indd 1
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1/26/15 2:52 PM
Free Toronto
With 51 days left of winter, we’ve got 51 ways you can consume culture, get smart and find adventure –
without opening your wallet.
SteFaNia yaRHi
Perfect timing now that you’ve received those soul-crushing holiday bills. Who says you can’t get something for nothing? 16
january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
#1 Skate the night away
One of the most magical ways to ice-skate is on Harbourfront Centre’s Natrel Rink overlooking Lake Ontario. Best: its series of free DJ’d skating parties include You Gots To Chill with Never Forgive Action on Saturday (January 31), Soca On Ice on February 7, and Yes Yes Y’All Valentines with DJ Crew on that day of love. Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West, harbour frontcentre.com.
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NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
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Free Toronto # 5
# Meet your 2 fave writer
The Fords tried to trash them, but our libraries triumphed, continuing to host Canada’s best writers – all of whom the Fords have doubtless never heard of. Kim Echlin appears on March 5 at the Reference Library (789 Yonge), and Helen Humphreys hits the City Hall branch (100 Queen West) March 12. You can also check in with all five of the RBC Taylor Prize finalists – Plum Johnson (They Left Us Everything), David O’Keefe (One Day In August: The Untold Story Behind Canada’s Tragedy At Dieppe), Barbara Taylor (The Last Asylum: A Memoir Of Madness In Our Times), M.G. Vassanji (And Home Was Kariakoo: A Memoir Of East Africa) and Kathleen Winter (Boundless) – on February 26 at the Reference Library, an event cosponsored with IFOA. Or, if gossip’s your thing (we’re sure there’ll be some heft, too), head to the Don Mills Branch (888 Lawrence East) on February 18, when editor and publisher Douglas Gibson dishes on what it was like to work with Alice Munro, Robertson Davies and others.
# 3
You’d be forgiven for thinking the tortured souls of the dead are floating around the city. Toronto was a scary place when it was known as Muddy York. Public floggings and hangings were a semi-regular occurrence outside the original City Hall at St. Lawrence Market. Close to 10,000 people stood on Toronto Street to bear witness to the hangings of Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews for their roles in the Rebellion of 1837. Thanks to the Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society, you can learn more about the spookier side of local history – and take the self-guided tour. torontoghosts.org
Aga Khan Museum
The treat’s on Sun Life
M.G. Vassanji
With just your library card you can score a free pass for your family (two adults and up to four children) to T.O.’s premier museums, including the Aga Khan, AGO and Ontario Science Centre, and attractions like Spadina Museum, Colborne Lodge and more. You just have to show up the day of your excursion at 9 am at any branch. Some choose the lucky winners by draw, others on a first come, first served basis. There are other rules and regulations – including restrictions on how often you can score a pass – but this opportunity is as good as it sounds. More info on Sun Life Financial passes at torontopubliclibrary.ca/ museum-arts-passes.
# 6
# 4
R. JEANETTE MARTIN
Freeze frame
Winter is manageable only if you succumb to it, and by that we mean learning to love the stuff you want to hate. Like ice, for example. You can hide from it at home or revel in its beauty at IceFest on February 21 and 22, noon to 5 pm, at Yorkville Park. Best part? The incredible ice sculptures, this year inspired by ancient Egypt, using – count ’em – 20,000 pounds of ice. bloor-yorkville.com.
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january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
Go ghostbusting
Feed your head
The coldest month of the year is also the hottest to get your activist on. On February 10 at Beit Zatoun, Peter Larson talks about PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s drive to enshrine the concept of the Jewish state in Israel’s constitution. A round table there on February 16 addresses the rise of the far right in Europe and challenges for the left. 612 Markham, beitzatoun.org. On February 24, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression executive director Tom Henheffer explores how governments are killing dissent. It’s been a deadly year for the Fifth Estate. North York Central Library, 416-3955660, torontopublic library.ca.
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NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
19
# 7
# 10 Get into the graffiti
Your City Hall Facebook posts are a tad less subversive than you think they are. Luckily, the Don Valley’s graffiti trail features enough municipal bylaw violations to excite any budding anarchist. Head south under the half-mile bridge and you’ll see colourful works on your left for over a kilometre parallel to the parkway.
# 8
# 9
Women before and behind the camera
Ryerson Image Centre draws on its treasure of 20th-century photojournalism, the Black Star Collection, for insightful lens-based exhibits. Currently, Burn With Desire surveys depictions of Hollywood-style glamour, while Anti-Glamour: Portraits Of Women offers a corrective through the female gaze of nine artists – including Rebecca Belmore, who gives a talk on February 25. To April 5, 33 Gould, ryerson.ca/ric.
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january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
Stop and smell the flowers
With bananas, bamboo, screw pine and other tropical flora packed into six greenhouses, the Allan Gardens arboretum’s orgasmic offering of blossoms will blow your senses away. It’s a floral feast befitting royalty. Indeed, the original horticultural gardens established here in 1860 were opened by the Prince of Wales, Edward VII. Romantic, no? 19 Horticultural (Sherbourne and Gerrard), 416-3927288.
# 11 Talk to the animals
Nestled in Cabbagetown and open year-round, Riverdale Farm is full of cute animals – like the internet, but real life. Even in winter there’s something cathartic about hanging with donkeys, pigs, cows and goats just a few blocks from a streetcar line. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm, 201 Winchester, toronto.ca/parks.
R. JEaNETTE MaRTIN
It was premature of you to swear off winter biking even after skidding out on Bathurst. Many winter bikers are hardier than you, and you can join them at Cycle Toronto’s Coldest Day Of The Year Ride on Saturday (January 31). Meet at 11:45 pm at the southern gates of Trinity Bellwoods Park, then cycle to Metro Hall. The more adventurous among you can fit studded tires and tackle the Don trails. cycleto.ca.
ANTI-GLAMOUR: PORTRAITS OF WOMEN (INSTALLATION VIEW), 2015 © EUGEN SAKHNENKO, RYERSON IMAGE CENTRE
MaRTIN REIS
Bike lanes are still open
R. JEaNETTE MaRTIN
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# 12
# 13 Score a birthday present
Having a birthday? Head to Hotel Gelato (532 Eglinton West, 416-9322663) and get a free gelato. Just sign for the newsletter and show I.D. to prove your birth date. Starbucks gives out prezzies, too, but you have to sign up for their gold card at starbucks.ca and complete 12 transactions before you get the freebie. Jet Fuel (519 Parliament, 416-9689982), on the other hand, offers any beverage, but you have to prove it’s your big day.
EXPLORE FAMED CITY HALL For about a year it was the most famous City Hall in the world. If you’ve never stepped inside, you really should. Grab a pamphlet for a self-guided tour of the embroidery, mosaic and nail art on the walls. Or ask a reporter to point you to the spot where the former mayor smacked face-first into a camera, so you may lay a rose. Open weekdays 7:30 am to 9:30 pm, weekends and holidays 8 am to 6 pm. 100 Queen West, toronto.ca.
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Free Toronto # 14 Expand your electronic smarts Though HackLab sounds like it can teach you how to get into your boss’s email, the community space’s name is actually a reference to the original meaning of “hack”: to expand an item’s capability beyond its original use. Every Tuesday at 5:30 pm, the lab’s team of volunteers assist with personal projects, hardware builds, coding-language questions and more. 1266 Queen West, suite 6, hacklab.to.
# 15
# Conquer your computer the many good reasons for dump16 Among ing Rob Ford as mayor was his ignorance of what libraries have to offer. It goes way beyond books. Check out the free classes on 3D printing, image editing using Adobe Photoshop and GIMP and more at the Toronto Reference Library. And you can use the on-site 3D printer and design workstations for no charge. 789 Yonge, 416-395-5577. Sign up for classes online at torontopubliclibrary.ca.
# EAT A BIG CARROT what you tell yourself, a box of pou17 Despite tine isn’t the best way to eat all four food
Queer pics
The Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, an invaluable resource, is mounting Code, Read, a mini film festival and exhibit about depiction of queer lives before and after the Hays Code, which caused the stereotype of the sissy to be replaced by innuendo and subtext. See also Vito Russo’s seminal book, The Celluloid Closet. The Sunday film nights (February 8, 22, March 1 and 8) include popular works like Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope and Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot, as well as camp classics like Ed Wood’s Glen Or Glenda. But also screening are silents like Charles Bryant’s 1923 Salomé and Gladys Rankin’s 1914 A Florida Enchantment. The exhibit begins February 8 at the CLGA. Seating is limited. 34 Isabella, clga.ca.
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january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
groups. You’d do better to consult iconic natural foods emporium the Big Carrot, which offers individualized nutritional tours and, every Tuesday, lectures on nutritional and health-related topics. 348 Danforth. Book nutritional tours by calling 416-466-2129. thebigcarrot.ca.
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Gabrielle De Montmollin’s Ignorant Man Despising What He Doesn’t Know Standing In My Studio, at Red Head Gallery.
Check out the eye candy
Connect with your inner Rodin The Al Green Sculpture Park, whose namesake shouldn’t be confused with the American soul singer, is actually named after the philanthropist (and former developer) who’s also known for some trippy works of art. Balliol between Yonge and Mt. Pleasant.
# 20
A leisurely stroll through a series of neighbouring galleries is a pleasant, free way to spend an afternoon. Even new post-industrial spaces are relatively small, so it’s easy to take in a three or four shows. Condofication is squeezing art out of the Ossington corridor, but Angell, O’Born and InterAccess are still on Oz; Paul Petro, Stephen Bulger, Edward Day and Katharine Mulherin on Queen; Koffler Gallery in Artscape Youngplace on Shaw, and Cooper Cole and Loop on Dundas. Some have decamped to industrial spaces further west. On Bloordale’s St. Helens, openings often happen on the same night at Clint Roenisch, Daniel Faria and Robert Kananaj. Gallery TPW’s opening soon, and Scrap Metal’s around the corner. It’s a short trek north to Arsenal/Division, and a longer one to Jessica Bradley and Katzman Contemporary in the Junction Triangle. Alternatively, head south to Christopher Cutts and Olga Korper on Morrow. Gallery House and Narwhal are nearby on Dundas. A central hub on Spadina, 401 Richmond is home to Gallery 44, A Space, Abbozzo, Open Studio, Prefix, Red Head, Urbanspace, WARC and YYZ, plus video showcases Trinity Square and Vtape on the upper floors. South toward King and Spadina find Contact photography gallery and Nicholas Metivier, or go east to OCAD U’s Onsite Gallery on Richmond.
Coupland fever # 19 Catch Vancouver-based Douglas Coupland, whose witty works employ everything from Lego to QR codes, takes over Toronto with shows at MOCCA and the Royal Ontario Museum (you’ll have to pay there) appropriately called Everywhere Is Anywhere Is Everything Is Anything. His local gallery, Daniel Faria, joins in with a Coupland show called Our Modern World. You can even add your chewing gum to a Coupland sculpture at Holt Renfrew on Bloor. January 31-April 19 at MOCCA, 952 Queen West, mocca.ca; January 31-April 26 at ROM, 100 Queen’s Park, rom.on.ca; to March 21 at Daniel Faria, 188 St. Helen’s, fariagallery.com; to March 9 at Holt’s, 50 Bloor West.
Douglas Coupland’s 345 Modern House, with 100 components, will be in view at MOCCA.
# 21 CELEBR ATE LOVE & WIN R. JeANeTTe MARTIN
Share your most romantic Toronto moment for your chance to win this custom Sirius Star and Argyle diamond necklace for Valentine’s Day—the first necklace made with Fairtrade, Fairmined chain in North America, designed by Fair Trade Jewellery Co. NOWTORONTO.COM/NOWXOTO
GO SWIMMING – SERIOUSLY Sorry, you can’t cite frozen-over lakes as an excuse not to jump in. The city has 23 community centres with free programs, including the spectacular, spanking new Regent Park Aquatic Centre. It offers learn-to-swim, first aid and coach training programs. Open daily. 640 Dundas East, 416-338-2237.
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#NOWXOTO #MADEWITHLOVE
&
present the Think Free screening of Move that body
As much as your Netflix-addled brain might want to deny it, it’s pretty easy to stay active in the winter. Turn off that second season of The Gilmore Girls and head out to one of Mountain Equipment Co-op’s free yoga jams, or prep for your Icycle debut at one of their free winter biking clinics. 400 King West, events.mec.ca.
# 25
Learn to fix stuff
The Repair Café can help fulfill your sustainability-related New Year’s resolution like nothing else. The event, which pops up every month at different venues, is a monthly gathering where volunteers teach visitors how to fix pretty much everything, from household items to that MacBook charger you accidentally yanked out of the wall. Venue info at repaircafetoronto. ca/events, or email info@repaircafetoronto.ca.
Get with the program
If, when you google your name, the first thing that comes up is that picture of you shotgunning a PBR, that’s probably why you didn’t get that callback interview. Time to create a personal website. Luckily, MaRS hosts a free all-day conference February 22 in the MaRS Discovery District, where you can learn HTML and CSS from people who get paid to know that sort of thing. 101 College, thehtml500.com.
Get real about black history
Martin Luther King Jr. gets the most credit for leading America’s 1960s civil rights movement, but the more militant Malcolm X played a key role. Poet laureate George Elliott Clarke, dub poetry icon Lillian Allen and others honour Malcolm’s legacy with poetry, rap and more at Malcolm X: 50 Years After, Pertinent Or Passé? on February 20. Reference Library, 789 Yonge, torontopubliclibrary.ca.
Academy Award Nominee - Best Foreign Language Film
100% FREE First 100 guests to arrive will receive a Free Popcorn and Pop.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Doors at 8:30pm Screening at 9pm The Royal 608 College St.
Visit nowtoronto.com or www.theroyal.to for more info NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
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Free Toronto Attend A city council meeting!
# 26
CHEOL JOON BAEk
Now that Rob Ford is no longer mayor, there’s a substantially smaller chance you’ll face physical danger when attending a council meeting. Depending on what kind of diversions you’re looking for, that could be a good or bad thing. But watching council in action remains a fascinating and frequently absurd experience: smart people argue with stupid people, with real-world consequences at stake. Few things are equally entertaining and important. Regular meetings February 10 and 11; special budget meeting March 10 and 11, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, 2 pm to after 8 pm. Council Chamber, City Hall, 100 Queen West, toronto.ca.
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Go Wild
Let it Snow
The title of TIFF’s year-long Free Screen retrospective, WySiWyg: the Films of michael Snow, is a little puckish. Yes, Snow’s cinema can be watched literally, but the legendary Canadian artist makes it very difficult to do that. He forces our attention to specific actions or aspects of the frame with epic zooms (Wavelength, which kicks off the series Saturday, January 31) and dolly shots (Breakfast [Table Top Dolly], March 12). In this spring’s screenings, he uses a remotely controlled camera (La Région Centrale, April 23) or excruciating slow motion (See You Later – Au Revoir, May 17). These are all motion pictures as conceptual works of art. Don’t miss the chance to see them as they were intended to be seen. 350 King West, 416-599-8433, tiff.net.
It wouldn’t be right to tell you about free events around the city without offering one of our own – so NOW is throwing an advance screening of Mongrel Media’s Wild tales at the Royal on Wednesday (February 4) at 9 pm. A contender for this year’s best foreign-language film Oscar, Argentine writer/director Damián Szifrón’s anthology comedy presents six (mostly) comic tales about vengeance that have delighted audiences at festivals around the world. Admission is free for NOW readers. We’re even throwing in free popcorn and a drink for the first 100 guests. 608 College, 416-4664400, theroyal.to. noW presents Wild tales at the Royal February 4.
# 29
tank girl screens as part of cinSSu’s winter series.
More free flicks
Free movies don’t just happen in outdoor spaces in the summer. They’re shown year-round at u of t’s cinema Studies Student union’s Friday-evening screenings and Hart House’s conscious Activism documentary Series. CINSSU’s winter lineup includes Frances Ha (January 30) and a kick-ass February 20 Cult Night triple bill of tank girl, Foxy Brown and Baise-moi (Cinssu.ca/blog), and if you missed it on the festival circuit be sure to check out the yes men Are Revolting at Hart House (February 2, harthouse.ca/events). And don’t forget that you can borrow DVDs from all branches of the Toronto Public Library. You’ll be surprised at the wide selection. But, as with video stores, watch those late fees (torontopubliclibrary.ca)!
New casual trattoria on King West! VEGAN MEALS featuring: • INJERA - GLUTEN FREE BREAD • ORGANIC TEFF FLOUR Reservations recommended
FREE LENTIL SOUP
w/ Purchase of an entrée Expires Feb 28, 2015.
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• Neapolitan-style pizzas and simple pastas • Gluten-free options
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Buy one pizza and get ONE FREE APP per table! Bring in this ad.
# 30
Think about art and science
So not everybody’s thrilled about the traffic snarls and general hysteria sure to be generated by the Pan Am and ParaPan Am Games this summer, but some cool arts events are leading up to the extravaganza. OCAD U’s Festival Of The Body helps launch the school’s new specialization, life studies, and examines the body in art and science at a panel discussion called Science on February 5, with Suzanne Ankor, Francis LeBouthillier and others, at the Great Hall, 1087 Queen West. www2.ocadu.ca/ event/6589/ festival-of-thebody.
# 31
Discover a whole new Weston
Tucked into the netherworld between the former cities of York and Etobicoke in the city’s northwest corner, the former village known for its Masonic history and planning mishmash also features some of the city’s best century-old homes and funky circa-1970s architecture. John north of Lawrence and Weston, toward Elm, William and King, westonhistoricalsociety.org.
# 32 TORONTO’S LOCAL
Switch to glide
From Nathan Phillips Square to DJ skate nights at Harbourfront and the Colonel Sam Smith trail in Etobicoke, there’s no shortage of cool places to strap on the blades and cut a few figures. Christie Pits’ surface rates right up there, too, along with Greenwood Park, the latter especially if you prefer to do your skating under cover. If you’re looking for a more authentic skating/shinny experience, you can’t do much better than High Park’s Grenadier Pond (1873 Bloor West, 416-338-0338), except for maybe the lagoons of Long Pond on the Toronto Islands. There are a few rules, though. At High Park it’s to ignore the signage telling you not to skate; Torontonians have been skating here since the 19th century, and nothing like the 1867 skating disaster in London’s Regents Park has been recorded, so.... As for Long Pond, half the battle is getting there – the ferry ($3.50-$7, under 2 free, 416-392-8193) doesn’t run to Hanlan’s in the winter, so you’ll have to go to Ward’s Island and walk from there. It’s worth the trek. Knowing when it’s safe is, of course, crucial: bide your time until we’ve had a few cold days in a row. Once there, you’ll no doubt find locals enjoying the environs and talking up plans for a city-run skate rink between Ward’s and Hanlan’s to rival Ottawa’s Rideau Canal. Now, that would be something.
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NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
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Free Toronto # 33
Talk the talk Long-running independent music series Wavelength celebrates turning 15 with a deluge of programming, like the free Talk Series. General Chaos Visuals gives a workshop on February 1, a February 8 panel focuses on Ontario music funding, punk pioneer Art Bergmann tells stories on February 14, and electro-pop musician Mozart’s Sister shows off her techniques and technology on February 15. HuntClub Studios, 709 College, wavelengthtoronto.com
Chew on some culture Why eat at your desk when you can munch on lunch while watching some great performers? The Canadian Opera Company’s free Richard Bradshaw Concert Series includes everything from operatic ensembles to chamber music and dance performances. Highlights include Emanuel Ax (also see the master classes item next column), Pavel Kolesnikov and Orion Weiss playing opera transcriptions for piano (February 5), and soprano Jane Archibald and pianist Liz Upchurch performing a pre-Valentine’s selection of songs of love and longing (February 10). Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen West, 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
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# 35 Spy on classical stars When visiting classical musicians are in town to perform, flog a book or give a lecture, they often agree to hold master classes. too. Talented students get to play snatches of works while the master stops and starts them to impart some wisdom. It’s fascinating stuff and can teach the audience a lot about a famous artist’s philosophy and approach to his or her craft. It also gives you the chance to a) learn about classical music, b) discover up-andcoming talent and c) note how said talent takes criticism. Some upcoming classes are led by TSO artistic director Peter Oundjian (who’s also a fine violinist) on February 9 and March 2, and world-renowned pianists Emanuel Ax (February 13) and Leon Fleisher (March 5 and 6). Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor West, 416-408-2824 ext 320, rcmusic.ca.
Nu and notable
Host a black history event
Don’t wait for someone else to plan your dream black history event. The folks at Harlem restaurants are stepping up to expand Black History Month’s reach. Throughout February, they’re offering the upstairs Renaissance Room at Harlem East (67 Richmond East, 416-368-1920) and the back space at Harlem Underground (745 Queen West, 416-3664743) to those who want to organize meetings or cultural events related to black history – for no rental fee. Cool or what? harlemrestaurant.com.
# 37 # 34
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# 36
Sing a song... in front of an audience
Keep stoking your creativity during the last bit of winter by hitting up one of the myriad open mics and instrument jams. The east end does ’em best. Standouts include Julian Taylor’s House Party at Dora Keogh (141 Danforth), which runs Mondays from 5 pm to midnight, and the Corktown Ukulele Jam, newly relocated to the Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas East) on Wednesdays. A paid workshop starts at 8 pm, followed by a free group jam and open stage at 9:30 pm. In the west end, you can’t go wrong with Dr. B’s Acoustic Medicine Show with Brian Gladstone on Saturday afternoons at Free Times (320 College).
# 38 Mine the museums
Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario gratis Wednesday evenings (special exhibits are discounted). Admission is free to the Power Plant (with free talks almost every Sunday) and Harbourfront Centre, MOCCA and university galleries Ryerson Image Centre, Art Gallery of York U, Justina M. Barnicke and U of T Art Centre. Watch for occasional free bus tours to suburban galleries.
# 39 Kuumba connection
The dance component of Harbourfront Centre’s Kuumba festival, marking Black History Month, riffs on the theme of Zayo! (Zulu for “future”), a reference to Afrofuturism. On February 7 at 8 pm and February 8 at 4:30 pm at the Lakeside Terrace, check out the Black Stars dance group that uses hiphop and house music with a mix of African and Caribbean movement styles in a show that gives a glimpse of what’s to come in dance. Also free at Kuumba, a screening of the film Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise, a tribute to the great musician and his Arkestra, February 7 at 4 pm at the Studio Theatre. 235 Queens Quay West, harbourfrontcentre.com.
# 40 Second City surprises
If you’re a comedy fan, you already know about the open mics around town, some with covers, some without. They’re hit-andmiss, a mix of pros trying out material and aspiring newbies, and you can check NOW’s comedy listings for those. For a guaranteed laugh, head to Second City for their postMainstage-show improv sets, when the cast jam on scenes that might make it into the next revue. As a bonus, there are often cool celeb guests. 51 Mercer, secondcity.com; times vary – call 416-343-0011.
# 41 Meet an Olympian (and challenge her to bouncy castle) Yup, you can do that at the Family Day festivities on February 21, when, rumour has it, a few of Canada’s top Olympians will be on hand. Or just go for the magicians and dog sports demos. Harbourfront Centre, Queen’s Quay Terminal and PawsWay, 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Ben Harper once sang that rock and roll is free, and when it comes to Nu Music Nite Tuesdays at the Horseshoe (and often Shoeless Mondays), he’s dead right. You’ve got lots of possibilities: Billy Moon on Tuesday (February 3); Luke Warm and the Cold Soup (February 17); Field Days (February 24). Full calendar at horseshoe tavern.com. Horseshoe, 370 Queen West
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EXHIBITION Toronto versus New York Ι Feb. 4
THEATRE
WINE & CHEESE
Italian Wines Ι Feb. 18
Fear and trembling Ι Feb. 11
FREE MOVIE
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French Classes + Cultural Centre WWW.ALLIANCE-FRANCAISE.CA
Get your folk on
Catch a huge variety of blues, folk and more during Winterfolk from February 13 to 15. Most gigs by the 150-plus acts are free, plus events like Duelling Tubas And Other Nerdy Pursuits, Songs Of Protest And Social Change and the Nik Beat celebration. At the Black Swan (154 Danforth), Globe Bistro (124 Danforth), Dora Keogh’s (141 Danforth) and Terri O’s (185 Danforth). winterfolk.com.
Music in the stacks
Libraries go way beyond book-lending nowadays. You can also catch bands. For free. Playing quieter than normal. Tiki Mercury-Clarke, Amado Kienne, Tich Maredza and others hit the Reference Library (789 Yonge) on February 6 for From Griot To HipHop: The Music Is The Story. Ska group Arsenals play Deer Park Library (40 St. Clair East) on February 7. torontopubliclibrary.ca.
French classes
General
Specialized
Kids & Adults
Winter session 2
Registrations
Corporate
Tinkle those ivories
In love with 88 keys? You’re in luck. Piano takes over the town throughout February with the TSO’s Pianos In The City on February 4, which sees Steinways set up at five locations, including City Hall (100 Queen West, tso.ca), for free short-works performances. Pianopalooza, meanwhile, comes to Koerner Hall (273 Bloor West, rcmusic.ca) on February 8, with an afternoon of free piano mini-concerts by Robi Botos, Annie Zhou, Pavel Kolesnikov and others.
Opening Feb. 10
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# 46 Furnish your apartment
We mean it. We looked at Craigslist’s free pages and saw just about everything you need: a bed, bookshelves, a desk, sofas, a television, tables, chairs, a Hammond organ (who doesn’t love a little live music in your living room?) and a hamster cage. What more do you need? craigslist.ca, usedtoronto.com.
P
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1648 Queen St W (E of Roncesvalles) • 416-537-2222 Open 6 days a week (Closed on Tuesdays)
DINE-IN: Free Appetizer with purchase of entrée
# 47 Protesting can be fun
Tobogganing is now political activism since Orangeville banned the activity on city turf. Sledding’s safe under Mayor Tory for the time being, but support all those radical tobogganers in the burbs by careening down the hills at roomy Riverdale Park (Broadview and Danforth) – and check out the beautiful skyline view while you’re at it. There’s also the steep Winston Churchill Park (Spadina Road and St. Clair) for adrenaline seekers, and a variety of challenging hills in High Park (1873 Bloor West).
Book your pickup by email:
valet@bestlaundry.ca NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
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Free Toronto Blogo Blow Dry Bar
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Free deals NOW has partnered with
local business to make available a bunch of free deals. Here’s what’s on offer.
Amico’s Pizza
The Parkdale institution, excellent for old-school Italian, offers a free appetizer for dine-in customers (with purchase) through the month of February. Open Wednesday to Monday, 4 pm to 4 am.
The hair spot offers a free blow-dry on Monday or Wednesday with the purchase of two blow-drys. Expires April 1. 393 Danforth, 416-466-4346
Big Carrot
Win a free vegetarian cooking class at the health emporium. Gluten And Dairy Free For The Whole Family, March 23, 7 to 9:30 pm, with holistic nutritionist Kate McMurray. More details at nowtoronto.com/ contests. 348 Danforth, 416 466 2129, thebigcarrot.ca
Contests NOW always offers opportunities to score great free stuff. Here’s what you can win right now at nowtoronto.com/ contests.
AGO First Thursday
Win a pair of tickets to February’s sold-out edition of First Thursdays, including admission to Now’s The Time: JeanMichel Basquiat (exhibit preview) and music by the legendary Grandmaster Flash.
Boss at the Toronto Black Film Festiva l
Win a pair of tickets to the special tribute to Fred “The Hammer” Williamson and a screening of Boss, February 13 at Jackman Hall. torontoblackfilm.com, @TOblackfilmfest)
Free registration at Trebas Institute
Go to nowtoronto.com/contests for your chance to win free registration ($100 value) from the Trebas Institute.
317 Dundas West, ago.net, Check out2340 our Dundasonline West, @agotoronto Lalibela Ethiopian Check out our online 416-966-3066, trebas.com Restaurant
1648 Queen West, east of Roncesvalles. 416-537-2222, amicospizza.com, @AmicosPizzaTO
Reach for the moon
Anti Records
The Shack is giving away a free flavoured condom with any purchase, a free Tenga Egg with any purchase over $50 pre-tax, or free Fuck Water lube with purchases over $100. Offer valid to February 14.
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Crip experience
Attend a Police Board meeting!
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The sex-positive store offers free Good for Her massage oil with $30 purchase ($5 value), a free vibrator with $75 purchase ($14 value) or a free XConfessions film by Erika Lust with $100 purchase ($30 value).
Get an entrée free with the purchase of another of equal or greater value. Redeemable with a copy of the ad in this week’s NOW. Limit one coupon per table, valid to February 13.
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Amsterdam Brewhouse
The brewhouse on the lake offers free guided tours and tastings every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 4 pm and every Saturday and Sunday at 3 and 5 pm. Register online at
Embrace presents Sam Feldt
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Free breakfast at the Beverley
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Zap Mama & Antibalas at Koerner Hall
Win a pair of tickets to see Zap Mama & Antibalas at Koerner Hall on February 7.
Amsterdam
Win dinner for two at the Amsterdam Brewhouse.
245 Queens Quay West, 16-504-1020, amsterdambrewhouse.com, @amsterdambh
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Passes to Jupiter Ascending
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Win a pair of tickets to the Friday Night Live Carnival event at the Royal Ontario Museum on February 6.
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Win a pair of tickets to see Sam Feldt on February 7 or Giraffage on February 6, both at the Hoxton. embracepresents.com, @embracepresents
Win a pair of passes to Jupiter Ascending, a Warner Bros. release, and a movie prize pack. You could also win the grand prize, a fully computerized GoTo telescope and $200 gift certificate to Wish Restaurant.
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Win a pair of tickets to Accidental Death Of An Anarchist, running January 29 to February 21 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
Search by rating, genre, Win one of seven copies of the The Beverley, in the heart of by rating, soundtrackSearch to A Most Violent price, neighbourhood, trendy Queen West, offers free Year. Check it out before the breakfast with the any overprice, theatres January review & more! film opens ingenre, night stay. Just mention NOW 30. neighbourhood, Magazine. elevationpictures.com, warnerbroscanada.com, 335 Queen West. 416-493-2786 , 67 Front East, 416-867-9791, @elevation_pics @wbpictuescan thebeverleyhotel.ca review cestwhat.com & more! C’est What
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231 Queen West, 416-596-7515, condomshack.com
Project Creative Users, an artist group focused on disability justice activism, presents a two-night show called Crip Interiors Thursday and Friday (January 29-30) from 7 to 9 pm at Artscape Youngplace. Installations by seven artists explore the labour, creativity, humour and love that people with disabilities apply to the task of negotiating public and private space. 180 Shaw, creativeusers.net.
If city council meetings are comedy, Toronto Police Services Board meetings are drama, as the seven civilians charged with overseeing the cops try to work with them to change protocols for the better. Not surprisingly, there is often tension and conflict. On February 19, the board considers Chief Bill Blair’s proposal on the future of carding. February 19 and March 19, 1:30 to around 5 pm. Auditorium, Police Headquarters, 40 College, toronto.ca.
♥
Condom Shack
Win a pair of all-access passes to the Wavelength Music Festival at various venues, February 13-15.
Soulpepper Theatre’s production of Accidental Death Of An Anarchist
GUIDE GUIDE
Go to nowtoronto.com/ AntiRecords for free downloads of songs by Calexico, Daniel Lanois, Son Little, Dr. Dog, Title Fight, Tweedy and Pops Staples. anti.com
The Meeting Of Drums, Dragon Of Glory and Sheep Parade are part of Chinese New Year celebrations at LunarFest this year. Walk the forest of lanterns in this festival of art and life that’s as awe-inspiring as a trip to the moon itself. Okay, maybe not, but where else can you wear red and pretend to scare off the mythical beast Nian? Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, February 28 to March 1, harbourfrontcentre.com.
RESTAURANT
Wavelength 15
RESTAURANT The Ethiopian eatery offers a free lentil soup with the purchase of an entrée. Offer expires February 8.
or Wed by April 1, 2015 R Eany SMon TAU R ANT with purchase of 2 Blow Drys.
nowtoronto.com/food Online
RE S TAU R ANT GUIDE
nowtoronto.com/food blogo.ca
GUIDE
Home of the $25 Blow Dry OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY
OVER WALK-INS WELCOME 2,000
393 Danforth Ave (at Chester)
RESTAURANTS! 416-466-4346
O
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O
life&style
5 take
By SABRINA MADDEAUX
Skin saviours Dryness, redness, much-dreaded winter acne – January’s deep freeze wreaks havoc on even the best complexion. It’s time to fight back with these top skin care picks.
You can’t see the sun, but it can still damage your skin. Protect yourself with SkinCeuticals’ paraben-free and fragrance-free Physical UV Defense SPF 30 ($49, skinceuticals.com/Canada).
So you want a little colour, minus the cancer risks and signature faux tan stink? Try Vita Liberata’s odourless and organic Tinted Self-Tan Mousse ($24-$45, vitaliberatacanada.com).
Minimize redness, dullness and discolouration with NARS’s new All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. Bonus: the advanced pump releases just enough product to cover your entire face, so you don’t waste a precious drop ($57, Hudson’s Bay, 176 Yonge, 416861-9111, and others, narscosmetics.com).
Add Consonant’s all-natural HydrExtreme to your daily moisturizing routine for ultimate hydration. Nothing else does the trick quite like this little guy, which also helps calm eczema and other skin irritations ($72 for 10 mL, 2479 Yonge, 416-925-2855, consonantskincare.com).
wewant…
Winter getaway swimwear that neither costs $200 nor falls apart on the first wear
Finding good swimwear isn’t easy. Quality designer brands retail for hundreds of dollars, which isn’t exactly practical when you live in a country that counts itself lucky to clock two full months of summer weather. Cheapies from fast fashion shops never quite fit, not to mention they often stretch, discolour and tear after a few
jaunts in the pool. Enter Australian brand Triangl. Not your average swimwear, Triangl’s designs are made of neoprene – yes, the stuff of scuba suits. This means they have more stretch resistance, and hug and smooth your curves in a way that’ll make your Spanx incredibly jealous. The neoprene doesn’t slip or
Most winter acne is caused by dry skin that clogs pores. Prevent breakouts with moisture, moisture and more moisture from a proven cream like Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Soft Crème ($49, 125 King East, 416-921-2961, and others, avedainstitute.ca).
shift on skin, so no more awkward wedgies when you get out of the water. The brand’s signature styles boast an array of colour-blocked neon hues, perfect for forgetting all about winter’s deep freeze on some Caribbean island… or in your condo’s swimming pool ($94$106, triangl.com). continued on page 30 œ
NOW JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015
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life&style
astrology freewill
œcontinued from page 29
Haute Topic:
ARIES Mar 21 | Apr 19 Do you have an entourage
The second annual Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) take place Saturday, January 31, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. It’s not too late to purchase tickets to the gala ceremony ($500) or after-party ($100) at cafawards.ca. Even more important than the big, glitzy event is its message: Canadian design talent needs more public support. This means skipping the Forever 21s, H&Ms and GAPs of the world next time you get the shopping bug and seeking out homegrown labels that need your dollars to survive and thrive. Don’t know where to start? Here’s the rundown on five noteworthy CAFA nominees.
DAVID HAWE
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Label Jenny Bird (jenny-bird.com) Known for Cool-girl chunky metallic jewellery that layers well and makes a statement. Available at Gotstyle, Frock, Andrews
➔ Label Smythe (smythelesvestes.com) Known for Impeccably tailored jackets that can take you from the boardroom to the swankiest bar in town. Look out for their upcoming collab with fellow CAFA nominee Beaufille (beaufille.com). Available at Holt Renfrew, revolveclothing. com, neimanmarcus.com
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JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
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Label Sid Neigum (sidneigum.com) Known for One of the most creative young designers to hit the Toronto Fashion Week runway in years, Neigum keeps things fresh with unexpected textiles and, most recently, laser cutting. Available at The Room at Hudson’s Bay, coming soon to Jonathan + Olivia. Follow him on Twitter @SidNeigum for updates on sample sales.
2015
by Rob Brezsny
OUR CANADIAN DESIGNERS NEED YOU
Label Greta Constantine (gretaconstantine.com) Known for Red carpet and cocktail dresses that flatter the female form like few others can. Available at Holt Renfrew, TNT, By Tocca
01 | 29
Label Wings + Horns (wingsandhorns.com) Known for Sleek streetwear for men that combines modern fabrics with classic cuts. Available at Nomad, Uncle Otis, Holt Renfrew
or posse that helps you work magic you can’t conjure up alone? Is there a group of co-conspirators that prods you to be brave and farseeing? If not, try to whip one up. And if you do have an inspirational crew, brainstorm about some new adventures for all of you to embark on. Scheme and dream about the smart risks and educational thrills you could attempt together. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you especially need the sparkle and rumble that a feisty band of allies can incite. TAURUS Apr 20 | May 20 The cosmos seems to be granting you a licence to be brazenly ambitious. I’m not sure how long this boost will last, so I suggest you capitalize on it while it’s surging. What achievement have you always felt insufficiently prepared or powerful to accomplish? What person or club or game have you considered to be out of your league? What issue have you feared was beyond your understanding? Rethink your assumptions. At least one of those “impossibilities” may be more possible than usual. GEMINI May 21 | Jun 20 When I attended the University of California at Santa Cruz, my smartest friend was Gemini writer Clare Cavanagh. She headed off to Harvard for her graduate studies, and later became a pre-eminent translator of Polish poetry. Her work has been so skillful that Nobel Prize-winning Polish poet Czselaw Milosz selected her as his authorized biographer. Interviewing Milosz was a tough job, Clare told blogger Cynthia Haven. He was demanding. He insisted that she come up with “questions no one’s asked me yet.” And she did just that, of course. Formulating evocative questions is a Gemini specialty. I invite you to exercise that talent to the hilt in the coming week. It’s prime time for you to celebrate a Curiosity Festival. CANCER Jun 21 | Jul 22 “Somewhere someone is travelling furiously toward you,” writes poet John Ashbery, “at incredible speed, travelling day and night, through blizzards and desert heat, across torrents, through narrow passes. But will he know where to find you, recognize you when he sees you, give you the thing he has for you?” This passage might not be literally true, Cancerian. There may be no special person who is headed your way from a great distance, driven by a rapt intention to offer you a blessing. But I think Ashbery’s scenario is accurate in a metaphorical way. Life is in fact working overtime to bring you gifts and help. Make sure you cooperate! Heighten your receptivity. Have a nice long talk with yourself, explaining why you deserve such beneficence. LEO Jul 23 | Aug 22 In 1768, Britain’s Royal Society commissioned navigator James Cook to lead a long naval voyage west to Tahiti, where he and his team were supposed to study the planet Venus as it made a rare transit across the face of the sun. But it turned out that task was a prelude. Once the transit was done, Cook opened the sealed orders he’ been given before leaving England. They revealed a second, bigger assignment, kept secret until then: to reconnoiter the rumoured continent that lay west of Tahiti. In the coming months, he became the first European to visit the east coast of Australia. I foresee a comparable progression for you, Leo. The task you’ve been working on lately has been a prelude. Soon you’ll receive your “sealed orders” for the next leg of your journey. VIRGO Aug 23 | Sep 22 According to computer security company Symantec, you’re not in major danger of contracting an online virus from a porn website. The risk is much greater when you visit religious websites. Why? They’re often built by inexperienced programmers, and as a result are more susceptible to hackers’ attacks. In the coming weeks, Virgo, there may be a similar principle at work in your life. I suspect you’re more likely to be undermined by nice, polite people than raw, rowdy folks. I’m not advising you to avoid the dogooders and sweet faces. Just be careful that their naïveté doesn’t cause problems. And in the
meantime, check out what the raw, rowdy folks are up to. LIBRA Sep 23 | Oct 22 Life has a big, tough assignment for you. Let’s hope you’re up for the challenge. There’s not much wiggle room, I’m afraid. Here it is: You must agree to experience more joy and pleasure. The quest for delight and enchantment has to rise to the top of your priority list. To be mildly entertained isn’t enough. To be satisfied with lukewarm arousal is forbidden. It’s your sacred duty to overflow with sweet fulfilment and interesting bliss. Find ways to make it happen! SCORPIO Oct 23 | Nov 21 You may never have sampled the Southeast Asian fruit called durian. It’s controversial. Some people regard it as the “king of fruits” and describe its taste as sweet and delicious. Naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace said it was like “a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds.” But other people find the durian unlikeable, comparing its aroma to turpentine or decaying onions. TV chef Anthony Bourdain asserts that its “indescribable” taste is “something you will either love or despise.” I foresee the possibility that your imminent future will have a metaphorical resemblances to the durian, Scorpio. My advice? Don’t take things personally. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 | Dec 21 Talking will be your art form in the coming week. It’ll be healing and catalytic. You could set personal records for most engaging phone conversations, emails, text messages and face-to-face dialogues. The sheer intensity of your self-expression could intimidate some people, excite others and generate shifts in your social life. Here are a few tips to ensure the best results. First, listen as passionately as you speak. Second, make it your intention to communicate, not just unload your thoughts. Tailor your messages for your specific audience. Third, reflect on the sometimes surprising revelations that emerge from you. They’ll give you new insights into yourself. CAPRICORN Dec 22 | Jan 19 Let’s say you want to buy an 18-karat gold ring. To get that much gold, miners had to excavate and move six tons of rock. Then they doused the rock with poisonous cyanide, a chemical that’s necessary to extract the good stuff. In the process, they created toxic waste. Is the gold ring worth that much trouble? While you ponder that, let me ask you a different question. What if I told you that over the course of the next five months, you could do what’s necessary to obtain a metaphorical version of a gold ring? And although you would have to process the equivalent of six tons of raw material to get it, you wouldn’t have to use poison or make a mess. Would you do it? AQUARIUS Jan 20 | Feb 18 In 1899, the king of the African nation of Swaziland died while dancing. His only son, Sobhuza, was soon crowned as his successor despite being just four months old. It took a while for the new king to carry out his duties with aplomb, and he needed major guidance from his grandmother and uncle. Eventually, he showed great aptitude for the job, though, and ruled until his death at age 83. I’m getting a Sobhuza-type vibe as I meditate on you, Aquarius. New power may come to you before you’re fully ready to wield it. But I have confidence you will grow into it, especially if you’re not shy about seeking help. PISCES Feb 19| Mar 20 In the 1951 animated movie version of Alice In Wonderland, Alice says to herself, “I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.” I hope you won’t be like her, Pisces. It’s an excellent time for you to heed your own good advice. In fact, I suspect that doing so will be crucial to your ability to make smart decisions and solve a knotty problem. This is one of those turning points when you really have to practise what you preach. You’ve got to walk your talk. Homework: What’s the most important thing you’ve never done? Testify at FreeWillAstrology.com.
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ecoholic
When you’re addicted to the planet By ADRIA VASIL
TAKE IT OFF: THE MAKEUP REMOVER GUIDE YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO SMEAR YOURSELF IN TOXINS TO LIFT AWAY YOUR FAVOURITE COSMETICS. SO WHICH BRANDS DO THE TRICK NATURALLY? NEUTROGENA/SIMPLE In 2015, does Neutrogena still need to make eye makeup remover lotion with estrogenic propylparabens or for that matter, petrochemicals? The oilfree version is parabenfree but contains benzalkonium chloride, the active antimicrobial in Lysol, which is toxic to fish. At least Neutrogena Naturals remover is free of both. Not the case for UKbased Simple, which claims to have “no harsh chemicals” but contains both propylpara bens and red flagged for maldehyde releasers 2bromo2 nitropropane 1,3diol and DMDM hydantoin. Take a pass. $12/$10. SCORE: N
quote OF THE WEEK
“We are setting ourselves up to replay the process of wildlife Armageddon that we engineered on land.”
Ecologist Douglas McCauley of UC Santa Barbara commenting on the study he co-authored for the journal Science that says ocean life is on the verge of mass extinctions over the next 100 years thanks to overfishing and climate change.
TE ST L
AB
EARTH SCIENCE
GREEN BEAVER
PROVINCE APOTHECARY
OIL
This mostly plantderived, California made health store brand is tops for performance but less so for purity. Some of my buddies who have to wear heavyduty HDTV makeup every day for work swear Earth Sci ence is the only health store remover that will get rid of anything. But like Derma E, which also gets the job done, it contains the preservative phenoxyethanol, which is outlawed by some natural cosmetic certifiers like Ecocert. Un fortunately, the sodium hydroxy methylglycinate in Earth Science also releases formaldehyde, though it’s a somewhat lesser concern than 2bromo. Until it cleans up its pre servatives, I’m docking points. $8. SCORE: NN
This plantbased Canadian prod uct has a lotiony feel that doesn’t require rinsing. Keep it mind that it works well on easily removable natural cosmetics, but not so much on, say, waterproof mas caras. Ingredients include glycerin, local organic sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil, aloe and (allergen alert) almond oil. Preserved with grapefruit seed extract tested to be free of contaminants, though the formula will change a little when it gets certified or ganic later this year. $16. SCORE: NNNN
If you’re happy to splurge on makeup remover, you might as well do it on one that doubles as a facial cleanser, crafted right here in Kensington Mar ket with 98 per cent certified organic ingredients, including some grown in Canada. You can apply it to an organ ic cotton pad and swipe or, to avoid disposables, massage a few drops with a drop of water onto your face and wipe away with a soft face cloth. The Today Cause metics version donates $10 to women financially struggling with breast cancer. Pre served with super safe rosemary leaf extract. $42/120 ml (unscented); $16/30 ml (regular). Prov inceapothecary. com, causemetics. ca SCORE: NNNN
My very favourite makeup remover can be found in your kitchen. I’m talking about the stuff you sauté and toss salads with. It’s not only economical; it’s one simple edible ingredient that just so hap pens to remove even waterproof mas cara. Really, you can use any oil on your skin, but its best to avoid junky GMO oils like corn, canola or palmladen generic “vegetable oil.” Better to reach for a quality olive or fair trade organic coco nut oil – or for something more local like safflower or sunflower, though organic is ideal. The only thing: If you use some on your lids in the mor ning, wash with cleanser after. Other wise, your freshly applied liner or mascara will end up smearing all over the place. SCORE: NNNNN
nature notes GUTTING ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION If a caribou is killed for a pipeline, does Ontario care? Not since the province quietly gutted its Endangered Species Act, say the environmental groups that took the province to court last week. Ontario was lauded for introducing what was described as the “gold standard” in species protection back in 2007. The Endangered Species Act outlawed killing, harming or destroying endangered species habitat. Six years later, the government snuck in a loophole you can drive a dump truck through: Regulation 176/13 exempts large segments of industry, including mining, forestry, oil, gas – even residential developers. The groups want the courts to throw out the regulation, arguing that the province failed to assess the impact of the new reg on each individual species at risk. Presently, companies can escape possible prosecution by simply going online and agreeing to “minimize” habitat destruction. Eco-justice lawyer Charles Hatt tells
NOW that “the idea of the act was presumption of protection. Now there’s a presumption of permission.” Companies can’t kill species wantonly, but according to Hatt, the regulations are written in such a way that “not a single species has protection under the act.” Environmental groups say 155 at-risk species in Ontario are threatened, including the woodland caribou, American eel, Blanding’s turtle and Acadian flycatcher. It wasn’t the first time the province tried to weaken the act through the back door. It tried to sneak amendments into the budget bill in 2012. A year later, regulation 176/13 was slipped in, a move that only required the approval of Cabinet, thereby avoiding public scrutiny. A verdict on the court challenge isn’t expected for several weeks.
ecoholic pick
AL GORE, PHARRELL ANNOUNCE CLIMATE CONCERTS At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last week, everyone from International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde and World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim to Al Gore and music maven Pharrell ramped up the drumbeat for cli mate action. Amid jam sessions on carbon pricing and building for extreme storms, Gore and Pharrell made the biggest concrete announcement of the week: a new round of Live Earth con-
green
DIRECTORY
certs for seven cities on June 18. “The purpose,” explained Gore, “is to have a billion voices with one mes sage to demand climate change action now.” Gore says it’s “absolutely crucial we build public will” for a global climate accord in Paris later this year. Kim called the move to cleaner, greener more livable cities a “nobrainer.” The IMF’s Lagarde used stronger terms to describe the climate change imperative. “We are at risk of being grilled, fried and toasted,” she said. ecoholic@nowtoronto.com | @ecoholicnation
Get your copy of Adria Vasil’s latest book, Ecoholic Body: Your Ultimate Earth-Friendly Guide To Living Healthy And Looking Good
– in bookstores everywhere!
Call 416.364.1300 ext. 381 to book your ad today!
ORGANIC GROCERIES
1556 Queen St. W., West Parkdale, Toronto Open 10am to 10pm daily
Toronto’s Organically Grown Store. Come see what’s new!
416.531.5574
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NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
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food
TREND WATCH 2015
CHEFS’ CHALLENGE: PREDICTING THE NEXT BIG INGREDIENTS OF 2015
Ingredient trend: BITTER FLAVOURS
Ingredient trend: FERMENTED FOODS
CHEFS Curt Martin and Cory Vitiello WHERE THR & Co. (97 Harbord, 647-748-7199, thrandco.com) and The Harbord Room (89 Harbord, 416-9628989, theharbordroom.com, @TheHarbordRoom) THE DISH Dandelion pesto
CHEF Wayne Morris WHERE Borealia (59 Ossington, 647-351-5100, borealiato.com, @Borealia_TO) THE DISH Seared cod with split pea miso and apple cider vinegar broth
Dandelion Greens
Miso Powder
david hawe
Chefs Martin and Vitiello from sister restaurants THR & Co. and the Harbord Room teamed up for this challenge, saying that bitter flavours will reign over your taste buds in the next months. “Curt and I like assertive ingredients that can stand on their own, and I find bitter foods pair better with cocktails, which are a very important component of both of our restaurants,” says Vitiello. “A bitter ingredient like dandelion also lends itself better to rustic-style cooking – salads, pastas, pizzas.” The two came up with a creamy pesto sauce that uses bitter dandelion leaves rather than basil, tossed it with spaghetti, chilies, white anchovies, ricotta salata and their other bitter ingredient, Meyer lemon zest. The pesto is creamy and nutty, with a grassy, bitter freshness punctuated by the chilies, a hint of sweet lemon and the tartness of the anchovies. Simple to make but complex in flavour.
Chef sees fermented foods continuing to appear on menus. “It’s been a growing restaurant trend, as we’ve seen with kimchi. My mom, for one, is making kombucha and kaffir, so you know it’s getting popular,” he says. “Fermented foods last longer, they make vegetables like beets and cabbage look more vibrant, and they have that umami factor that adds a salty, tart accent to dishes.” He sears black cod and grilled celeriac and sautés black trumpet mushrooms in butter, finishing the dish with a light broth of celeriac, apple cider vinegar and whey. A light dusting of miso powder made from split peas completes it.
CHEF’S INGREDIENT TIP Vitiello’s quick way to serve dandelion leaves is to sauté them with garlic, olive oil and lemon zest. Pair them with roasted fish or even a grilled steak; the bitterness of dandelion can stand up to stronger flavours like beef. As for Meyer lemons, the cooks favour these over regular lemons because the Meyer, a rounder lemon native to China, has a sweeter and less acidic flavour as well as a thinner pith, which means more of the fruit is usable.
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january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
CHEF’S INGREDIENT TIP Miso, whether in paste or powder form, goes excellently with a mild whitefish like cod, while apple cider vinegar cuts through the miso’s saltiness.
Cronuts, cupcakes, quinoa, pork belly... while no one can precisely predict what food trends will overtake our palates, it’s fun to guess what vegetable will inspire as much fervour as kale. (Seriously, who saw that coming?) So we asked some of the city’s best chefs to create a dish using an ingredient they think will be popular in the upcoming months. By KARON LIU
JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 12, 2015
Ingredient trend: KOHLRABI CHEF Dinesh Butola WHERE Pukka, 778 Saint Clair West, 416-342-1906, pukka.ca, @PukkaToronto THE DISH Kohlrabi curry “Cauliflower was last year, and this time it’s going to be kohlrabi,” says Pukka co-owner Harsh Chawla. “It’s actually related to the cauliflower, is rich in vitamin C and tastes like a sweeter version of broccoli. Where I’m from in northern India, it’s a staple ingredient.” For this dish, chef Butola started with a vibrant curry base of onions, tomatoes, cloves and fennel and mustard seeds and then added lightly roasted kohlrabi, sweet potatoes and squash.. Crunchy, sweet and lightly spiced, this vegetable curry is like no other you’ve had. Want to try it? It’s been added to the Pukka menu this week.
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30 CHEFS + 2 CRAFT BREWERS + 4 WINERIES
R CHEF’S INGREDIENT TIP To cook kohlrabi at home, cut off the hard stems and save the leaves. Peel off the root’s tough surface and chop into small pieces. You can eat the root raw (Chawla says it makes an excellent coleslaw) or blanch it lightly and sauté or roast it. Treat the leaves like spinach: sauté them or treat them like salad greens.
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food Ingredient trend: INSECTS telling me about their families’ insect recipes. “Insects are full of iron and protein and low in fat. They’re also a more environmentally friendly option compared to beef, since raising them requires much less land and water.” With help from Next Millennium Farms, a commercial edible insect farm east of Peterborough, Hay added ground crickets to his energy bars containing walnuts, goji berries, almonds, coconut flour, cocoa nibs and honey. Thrown into the mix, the cricket flour is absolutely undetectable. Let us know what you think: Hay is making a few extra bars at the restaurant this week.
Insects have been mentioned every few years as an upcoming North American food trend and occasionally appear on eclectic tasting menus, but chef Hay thinks now more than ever, bugs will creep onto mainstream menus. “It would be a disservice to just have insects in high-end restaurants when they are such a nutritious food,” he says. “They’re already a common ingredient in other parts of the world. We have a very diverse kitchen staff, and a few of them were
Crickets
Keep up with the bitter trend at chocolatier Soma.
Bone broth
Everyone’s talking about bone broth. More concentrated than stock, bone broth has become a morning drink consumed in mugs like coffee, with fans claiming it’s anti-inflammatory (kind of like how chicken soup is the go-to cure for colds). Bone broth pop-ups have yet to hit Toronto – head to New York for that – but you can easily make your own by sautéing carrots, onion and celery and then adding animal bones and lots of water. Boil for 12 hours or more. If you don’t have animal bones kicking around, head to your local butcher. The Healthy Butcher (565 Queen West; 298 Eglinton, 416-674-2642, thehealthybutcher. com, @healthybutcher), for example, has organic chicken bones for $12.45/5 lbs and marrow bones (from the cow’s shank) for $5.49/lb.
DAVID HAWE
Toast
CHEF’S INGREDIENT TIP On their own, crickets have a crispy, nutty flavour that’s perfect with beer. Resist finding them wild in the backyard and buy them from a reputable farmer like Next Millennium (NextMillenniumFarms.com).
open since 1984
Bitter
I agree with chefs Curt Martin and Cory Vitiello that bitter foods are making strong headway. Toronto cookbook author Jennifer McLagan released a book called Bitter last fall, paying tribute to this much-maligned flavour. We’ve already covered greens, but there are so many other bitter flavours out there: coffee, aperitifs like aperol and Campari, olive oil, IPAs and of course, chocolate. Choco-mecca Soma (32 Tank House, 416-815-7662; 443 King West, 416-599-7662, somachocolate.com, @somachocolate ) has a huge selection of bars using beans sourced from around the world. Our pick: the Arcana bar ($5.50) made of four kinds of cacao beans and free of additional flavourings or sugar emulsifiers. It’s 100 per cent chocolate, so proceed with KL caution.
Fresh dish Opening
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1/2 Price Appetizers Everyday 5-6:30, Closed Mondays
595 Markham St,Bathurst Subway 416•536•3211 southernaccent.com
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Californians popularized steamed baos and Korean tacos, and their latest craze is toast. Not BLTs or club sandwiches stacked high, but simple buttered toast. We’re not ready to tell you to go out for toast, so here’s a great way to make your own. Head up to Bakery Nakamura in J-Town (3160 Steeles East, 905-752-1355, jtown.ca/English/ nakamura/e.html), the Japanese food mecca in Markham, for a loaf of their
preservative- and additive-free white sandwich bread ($7.25). It’s pricier than the average loaf, but it’s unlike any Western-style sandwich bread – airier and chewier, with a slight tanginess. Have the bakers slice it thick, and toast it to a golden brown. Top with a nice butter, sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon, or do it Hong Kongstyle with condensed milk on top.
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
Furlough, a new cocktail bar and restaurant by the team behind BarChef, has opened over the weekend in the former Ursa space at 924 Queen West (at Shaw). Take note of this warm, dimly lit bistro with delicious cocktails for your Valentine’s Day plans. In the Entertainment District, chef Cory Vitiello of the Harbord Room is opening a rotisserie chicken and salad joint called Flock Rotisserie + Greens in the soon-come Peter Street Condominiums at the corner of Adelaide West and Peter, right be-
side Khao San Road. Vitiello, who is also a co-owner, says the place will focus on healthy eating, and rotisseries are being shipped in from Paris. He hopes to open at the beginning of March. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Cakes Cove, a pastry and chocolate shop specializing in custom cakes (its Tumblr shows impressive creations shaped like a Dalek and a Nikon DSLR), opens February 7 at 1074 St. Clair West (at Lauder). At that grand opening, the shop offers entertainment, giveaways and sipping chocolate for the public.
Changes
Singapore-style restaurant Hawker Bar (164 Ossington, at Foxley) is expanding with a second-floor 30-seat dining room as of February 15. They’ll also start taking reservations and add menu items like braised duck leg with red Thai curry and a take on Hainanese chicken, along with nocorkage Mondays and “Tuesday Toonie half-pints.”
Super Bowl Sunday
If you want to watch the kickoff but avoid the sports bars, THR & Co. (97 Harbord, at Spadina) is airing the game and offering a snack menu that
includes ancho-braised beef cheek tacos, grilled pork ribs and what will probably be a very classy take on nachos. Five-dollar drink specials and giveaways, too. Know of any openings, closings or deflated cupcake controversies? Email food@nowtoronto.com.
MICHAEL WATIER
CHEF Michael Hay WHERE O&B Canteen (330 King West, 647-288-4710, oliverbonacini.com/canteen) THE DISH Jiminy Energy Bars
Other trends to eat
drinkup
By SARAH PARNIAK drinks@nowtoronto.com | @s_parns
R.JEANETTE MARTIN
WHERE TO DRINK RIGHT NOW!
West Avenue Cider
Not cider season, you say? A crisp drink for brisk weather is my retort. West Avenue was named the best cider in Ontario at last year’s Golden Tap Awards, and Heritage Dry (made from 100 per cent Ontario heritage apples) has become a draught staple in Toronto pubs, bars and restaurants. (Find Ontario bars and restos serving West Avenue at westavenue.ca).
Stop playing monopoly Avoid the Beer Store – brews of all flavours and intensities are on tap or in bottles at Indie Ale House and other spots.
The Beer Store is under fire because of the privately owned multinational conglomerate’s non-competitive sweetheart deal with the LCBO and the province. Earlier this month, the New York Times heralded the Byward Market Wine Rack (one of 160-odd boutique-size Ontario wine shops owned by Constellation Brands of Victor, New York) as a notable destination in our nation’s capital. We can only hope the near future brings emancipation from the boa-constrictor-like grip of the booze monopolies on our wallets. We can remain caged animals in Ontario’s booze zoo, whimpering for independence and pouncing on any choice liquids poured in the trough, waiting for the powers that be to loosen their multi-billion-dollar leash on beer, wine and spirits sales (though LCBO profits at least come back to the taxpayer), or we can take matters into our own cups by proactively supporting local producers and sellers closer to the source. Yes, this means sucking up the mild inconvenience of sniffing out smallbatch local products, but consider it a rewarding adult treasure hunt.
Visit brew pub bottle shops at Indie Ale House (2876 Dundas West, 416-760-9691, indiealehouse. com), Bellwoods (124 Ossington, 416-535-4586, bellwoodsbrewery.com), Duggan’s (1346 Queen West, 416-588-1086, duggansbreweryparkdale. com) and Granite (245 Eglinton East, 416-3220723, granitebrewery.ca). Or go knocking on the door of the awesome local breweries selling their beer on site, like Great Lakes (30 Queen Elizabeth, 416-2554510, greatlakesbeer.com), Amsterdam (245 Queens Quay West, 416-504-1020, amsterdambrewhouse.com) and Mill Street (21 Tank House, 416-681-0338, millstreetbrewpub.ca).
Shop local
Drink out
Contact local wineries directly to purchase cases of vino (you can divide it amongst friends), check out their stands at farmers’ markets or sites like winewire.ca or kwaf.ca for exclusive bottles from Ontario and local wine agents.
Visit wine country
And don’t play the “it’s freezing” card – snow is way more scenic in the country, and wine tours inevitably stoke warmth. Book a weekend in Niagara or Prince Edward County and pay a visit to smaller and lesser-known vineyards. Spend some time tasting and buy what you love. Map your outing at winecountryontario.ca winecountryontario.ca. Prefer structure? Check out iYellow Wine Club tours at iyellowwineclub.com.
WHAT WE’RE DRINKING TONIGHT
Go local and sip happy LAILEY ZWEIGELT
Rating: NNN Why Sour cherries, red fruit and light spice make Lailey’s Zweigelt (a red grape popular in Austria) a trim and pleasant sip. Really nice when slightly chilled. Price 750 ml/$14.20 at the Niagara-on-theLake winery. Availability Lailey, laileyvineyard.com, and at select establishments like Archive (909 Dundas West, 647-7480909, archive909.com)
Where better to drink up local goodness than at the independent establishments helping to shape the bar and restaurant scene? There’ve never been more taps and lists devoted to Ontario, and out and about is where you can taste some of the best stuff.
BELLWOODS ñ MONOGAMY
APA: SUMMIT
Rating: NNNN Why The latest release in the Monogamy single hop series showcases the savoury, earthy and citrus-forward Summit hop. Price $5.50 Availability I scored this at the Bellwoods bottle shop (124 Ossington, 416535-4596, bellwoodsbrewery.com) last week, but chances are it won’t last long. If you missed out, grab any four-pack in Bellwoods’ fridge; it’s hard to go wrong. Look forward to a new Monogamy release in the next few months.
DILLON’S ABSINTHE
Rating: NNN Why Dillon’s first batch of absinthe (a base of 100 per cent Ontario rye grain infused with homegrown wormwood, lemon balm, hyssop and anise, and bottled at 67.5 per cent) is the only local expression of the spirit that supposedly influenced Van Gogh to cut off his ear. Lap up its herbal eccentricities in a louche or a cocktail. Availability Currently sold out at the Beamsville distillery (dillons.ca), it’ll be available at spots like Bar Isabel (797 College, 416-532-2222, barisabel.com) and Geraldine (1564 Queen West, 647-352-8815, geraldinetoronto.com) in coming weeks.
TASTING NOTES Brave New world
The Independent Wine Education Guild is offering a brand new course called Ontario’s Brave New Wines highlighting the province’s biodynamic, natural, organic and sustainable vintages. Endorsed by the Wine Council of Ontario and featuring 10 local wineries, the five classes cost $375 and run from February 7 to May 7 at Evergreen Brick Works. Register online at iweg.org/courses/ ontario-s-brave-new-wines.
Ñ
FeBREWary’s coming soon
Beau’s announced plans last week for its month-long celebration of beer, FeBREWary. Starting January 29 with the release of O.G.: Original Gruit (brewed with yarrow, bog myrtle and Labrador tea), Beau’s will release a beer a week until the end of February. All FeBREWary releases will be available at over 100 bars across the province.
= Critics’ Pick NNNNN = Ambrosial NNNN = Dangerously drinkable NNN = Palate pleaser NN = Sensory snooze N = Tongue trauma
NOW JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015
35
music
more online
nowtoronto.com/music Audio clips from interview with Viet Cong + Live at Massey Hall with Timber Timbre + The Beat Stops at the Guvernment + Searchable upcoming listings
PETRA GLYNT and
ZOO OWL at Huntñ Club Studios as part of
Wavelength’s pop-up gallery launch, Thursday, January 22. Rating: NNNN
Wavelength’s pop-up gallery at HuntClub Studios – a small space that looks like an office, dropped ceiling panels and all – was transformed into party central for the Thursday-night launch. General Chaos worked his magic, projecting psychedelic visuals onto the white sheet that opener Zoo Owl and then Petra Glynt used as a backdrop. Zoo Owl uses the visual aspect of performance to his advantage. Wearing a pair of eyeglasses that shoot intense blue-white light onto his electronics, he sways, stands and crouches behind his machines. His electronic pop has a dark jungle element to it, while his high vocals, thick with reverb, sail overtop. Petra Glynt, rocking leather overalls, delivered a similar style of experimental electro-pop, but her low, enchanting voice set her apart. And her sound has a dancier, harder edge. Effortlessly singing, drumming, twisting dials and pushing buttons, she got the crowd grooving till the pop-up shop closed for the night.
ZOO OWL
NIC POULIOT
CARLA GILLIS
the scene
PETRA GLYNT
Shows that rocked Toronto last week
HAMILTON LEITHAUSER at the Drake Underground, Tuesday, January 20. Rating: NNN
When you’re the singer of on-haitus New York City indie rockers the Walkmen, you can bring out a decent-sized crowd on a Tuesday evening in a small basement bar, as Hamilton Leithauser did. Alongside a three-piece band, he performed as if the Drake Underground were Madison Square Garden, belting out his dramatic Strokesian rock from the get-go until his neck veins bulged. Midway through, half the band left the stage and Leithauser picked up an acoustic and brought things way down, including on Alexandra, from last June’s Black Hours album. Further stripped-down ballads hushed the room – enough for fans to shush any remaining talkers and allow Leithaus-
36
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
er’s powerful voice to command all attention. Despite the impassioned performance and tasteful songwriting, his overall sound lacks that special something. This became especially clear during the encore, when Leithauser, who sounds more than a little like Bob Dylan, chose Annie’s Going To Sing Her Song, written by Tom Paxton and popularized by Dylan around 1970. Its sweet simplicity, enhanced by thunderous and ambient electric guitar, CG finally hit that elusive sweet spot.
ART DEPARTMENT, MY
FAVORITE ROBOT at ñ Coda, Friday, January 23.
Rating: NNNN Joel Smye should be smiling. It’s the first night of a weekend of anniversary parties for Coda, the dance club he and his partner, Stephan Philion, opened a
year ago, and the place is packed full of happy partiers, but he’s got a frown on his face because something isn’t quite right with the additional speakers they just installed in the lounge area. Even if the newest upgrades still need some minor tweaking, though, no one else in the club is complaining; that constant stream of improvements and attention to detail are important reasons his venue is already able to boast such a dedicated following. Toronto house duo Art Department played Coda’s opening party, so it’s fitting that they’ve returned to headline the club’s anniversary bash. Their recent second album, Natural Selection, found Jonny White and Kenny Glasgow moving even further away from the dance floor and deeper into dark introspective electro-pop territory, but their DJ performances remain very much in touch with the after-hours
party vibe. Compared to previous Toronto appearances, this set felt a bit harder and more minimal, but a strong soulful undercurrent kept things from BENJAMIN BOLES getting too abrasive.
THE CLASS OF 2015 featuring NANCY PANTS, NEW FRIES, BILE SISTER, NIKKI FIERCE and BB GUNS at the Silver Dollar, Saturday, January 24.
Rating: NNN The Silver Dollar’s recent recognition as an official heritage destination nods to the iconic venue’s past, but its commitment to the future also deserves kudos. Case in point: the Class Of 2015 series featuring bands destined to make it big this year. Toronto’s BB Guns projected an earnest mod vibe. Their tightly wound fuzz rock dusted with 90s rock-radio
Ñ
guitar solos by lead singer Laura Hermiston eventually brought the crowd around. The poor mix that hampered BB Guns and sparse trio Nikki Fierce was smoothed out for Montreal trio Nancy Pants, whose swinging set had a serious Detroit Cobras feel. Their dark verses leading into insanely catchy choruses made their set the evening’s highlight. New Fries showed none of the poppiness of the three earlier acts but were engaging in their own right. Lead singer Anni Spadafora seemed possessed at times and took the band’s spastic punk to strange places. When it worked, it was tough to look away. But other times they lacked direction. Bile Sister finished with the late set, letting loose their ambient, electronic pop on a crowd that wasn’t entirely foJOSHUA KLOKE cused.
= Critics’ Pick NNNNN = Perfect NNNN = Great NNN = Good NN = Bad N = Horrible
PINK MARTINI TUES JUNE 30 8 PM
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RT - Rotate This, SS - Soundscapes All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees.
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All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees.
NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
39
clubs&concerts hot
TREBLE CHARGER, THE TWO KOREAS, BAD ZEPPELIN/ MARVELOUS MARK Junction City Music Hall (2907 Dundas West), Thursday (January 29) Reunited Canrockers roll on. DAN FORTIN, ROBIN DANN/CLAIRE HARVIE Music Gallery (197 John), Friday (January 30) Jazz bassist plays Emergents series. WOLFGANG GARTNER Uniun (473 Adelaide West), Friday (January 30) Electro house for Beethoven lovers. VIET CONG The Garrison (1197 Dundas West), Saturday (January 31) See preview, page 42. OWEN PALLETT, FOXES IN FICTION, JENNIFER CASTLE Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Saturday (January 31) All-ages 2 pm set, legal age at 9 pm. FRESH SNOW, MIMICO Polish Combatants Hall (206 Beverley), Saturday (January 31) Instrumental rock with Super 8 films.
SOYBOMB FUNDRAISER w/ S.H.I.T., Foxmoulder, HX KY, Jack Moves, Brandon Quigley’s Inconsistent Choir Soybomb (156 Bathurst), Saturday (January 31) Help the DIY punk venue pay back rent. MARILYN MANSON Sound Academy (11 Polson), Monday (February 2) The Pale Emperor rises. ANI DIFRANCO Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), Monday (February 2) The Littlest Folk Singer. FLEETWOOD MAC Air Canada Centre (40 Bay), Tuesday (February 3) Christine McVie victory lap tour. NAPALM DEATH, VOIVOD, EXHUMED, IRON REAGAN, BLACK CROWN INITIATE Opera House (735 Queen East), Wednesday (February 4) Grindcore straight outta Birmingham.
tickets
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PRESENTS EMBRACE ENTERTAINMENT INC.; 5.5417 in; 538137; 2cols
Absolutely free
Psyched-out Krautrock trio Absolutely Free are finally making time to throw a Very Special Hometown Show to celebrate the release of their self-titled debut LP, which earned some nice reviews (including 4Ns from NOW) when it came out via Arts & Crafts in September. Matt King, Moshe Rozenberg and Mike Claxton, who joined forces following the demise of DD/MM/YYYY, are known for going all out at their gigs. They performed live soundtracks to classic NFB films during last fall’s Toronto International Film Festival, threw a pool party in the summer and organized a MuchMusic inspired video dance party back in 2013. With success comes busyness. Lately, Absolutely Free have spent more time on the road than they have on turning local indie rock haunts into audiovisual extravaganzas. Friday’s gig at Geary Lane is a one-off between lengthy tours with Alvvays and Viet Cong. To make it extra-special, they’ve recruited Dan Thornhill to do projections, U.S. Girls to open and album producer Mike Haliechuk of Fucked Up, Diana’s Joseph Shabason and Marcel Ramagnano to perform an extended rendition of album cut Spiral Jetty. Friday (January 30) at Geary Lane (360 Geary), 9 pm. $15, adv $13. absolutelyfree.ca, soundscapesmusic.com.
just announced
NLP, REPLICONS, GODSTOPPER, LIVE AMPS Parts & Labour 9 pm. $8. In The Shop. February 5.
SAILBOATS ARE WHITE, POSTER BOY, TYBURN FIELDS Johnny Jackson doors 9
MANIC STREET
A WILHELM SCREAM
PREACHERS PERFORMING: THE HOLY BIBLE
& TEENAGEBOTTLEROCKET
MAR 21 :: THE DANFORTH
IN IT’S ENTIRETY
APR 27 :: THE DANFORTH
UPCOMING
ON SALE FRIDAY 12PM!
PRIMAL SCREAM MAY 15 :: THE DANFORTH
THE HOXTON
FEB 06
LUCIANO
FEB 12
ANTI FLAG
FEB 13
BLASTERJAXX w/ JOE GHOST
MAISON MERCER
JAN 30
GRANDTHEFT & THUGLI w/ PUSHER
THE HORSESHOE TAVERN
JAN 31
RAINER + GRIMM
FEB 06
GIRAFFAGE w/ POMO & TEEN DAZE
FEB 07
SAM FELDT
MUZIK
BROOKE FRASER
FEB 16 / 17
pm. $5. February 7.
BOX OF KITTENS, ALIENINFLUX Loft
THE MOD CLUB
FEB 19
JMSN
THE DRAKE HOTEL
FEB 26
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE DJ SET
THE DRAKE HOTEL
FEB 28
KASTLE
MAR 3
WOLF ALICE
MAR 6
TRASH TALK + RATKING
FEB 13
VICEROY w/ NTRL ANML & GRAY MOONEN
FEB 14
MIKE MAGO
THE DRAKE HOTEL
FEB 15
BRODINSKI w/ MYD
STUDIO BAR
FEB 20
SLANDER
FEB 21
MATOMA & SOLIDISCO
FEB 27
SWEATER BEATZ w/ TORY LANEZ + HRMXNY
FEB 28
NO NEON w/ CHOCOLATE PUMA & HUNTER SIEGEL
MAR 7
KLANGKARUSSELL
STUDIO BAR
MAR 07
MAGIC MAN w/ PANAMA WEDDING
THE GARRISON
MAR 13
FASHAWN
THE DRAKE HOTEL
MAR 17
CRAFT SPELLS
MAR 21
DADA LIFE COUMPOUND
HARD LUCK BAR METRO CONVENTION CENTER
MAR 28
HERMITUDE w/ MEMORECKS
STUDIO BAR
APR 04
PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING
THE DRAKE HOTEL
APR 14
DAN + SHAY
THE MOD CLUB
MAR 20 BROODS w/ ERIK HASSLE
MAY 28
THE SCRIPT
MASSEY HALL
MAR 26 GORGON CITY LIVE
THE DANFORTH MUSIC HALL JAN 31
RIFF RAFF
FEB 07
THE ACOUSTICAL SOUNDS OF BIG SUGAR
FEB 12/13 (SOLD OUT) FEB 14 STARS W/ HEY ROSEETTA! FEB 20
KONGOS W/ SIR SLY & COLONY HOUSE
FEB 21
LETTUCE W/ BREAK SCIENCE
FEB 27
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE: BATTLE OF THE SEASONS
FEB 28
SILVERSTEIN
MAR 07
FLIGHT FACILITIES W/ TOUCH SENSITIVE
MAR 28
TYCHO
APR 16/17
KODALINE
APR 24 DANKO JONES W/ SAY YES MAY 16 LAIBACH
MAR 13 ALVIN RISK w/ KODAK TO GRAPH
APR 04
BAKERMAT
APR 16
SHLOHMO (LIVE)
CODA JAN 30 CATZ N’ DOGZ JAN 31 HONEY DIJON FEB 14
DJ TENNIS
FEB 20
TIGA + MATTHIAS MEYER
FEB 28
CHRIS LIEBING
MAR 8
CASHMERE CAT w/ PUSHER, OBESON & HRMXNY
MAR 12 HYPERDUB TOUR w/ KODE9 & IKONIKA APR 09 NOSAJ THING & CLARK w/ RIVAL CONSOLES APR 10 JOHN TALABOT (DJ SET) w/ PIONAL
MAY 18 MATT AND KIM
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT TICKETMASTER.CA / WWW.TICKETWEB.CA/EMBRACE - ROTATE THIS & SOUNDSCAPES FOR INFO VISIT WWW.EMBRACEPRESENTS.COM.
40
January 29 - February 4 2015 NOW
404 Sunday Afternoon Social, 3 pm. $20. February 8.
ROBERT GORDON & CHRIS SPEEDING, EVIL ELVIS, PAUL EKNESS Phoenix Con-
cert Theatre doors 8 pm. $25. February 13.
DRUNK LIPS, THE HOUSE OF HAUNT, THE OXY MORONS, SECOND SONS
Bovine Sex Club Friday The 13th Freakshow, doors 9 pm, $5. February 13. SPEEDY ORITZ, HSY, WISH The Garrison doors 8 pm. $10, with RSVP $3. February 12. MOOSH & TWIST, GROUND UP Hard Luck Bar The Patiently Waiting Tour, 7 pm. $13-$17. ticketfly.com. February 20.
SIDEWALK CHALK, DJS NUMERIC, DALIA, TED DANCIN Revival Hip-Hop
Karaoke + Sidewalk Chalk album release, doors 9:30 pm. $16.50 adv. February 20.
TIGA & MATTHIAS MEYER, GERA, JADE
Coda doors 10 pm. $25-$30. February 20. KAKI KING, LOOM Geary Lane 8 pm. $25, adv $10. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketscene.ca. February 26.
THE OBGMS, BREWS WILLIS, MAD ONES, THE EFFENS Horseshoe 9 pm. $10.
THE SOUL MOTIVATORS, GRAND ANALOG, THE OUT OF TOWNERS, DJ JOHN KONG Lee’s Palace 9 pm. $15. rotate.
com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketfly.com, horseshoetavern.com. March 5. AMELIA CURRAN The Great Hall 8:30 pm. $25. March 6.
JUKEBOX THE GHOST, LITTLE DAYLIGHT Mod Club doors 6:30 pm. $15.50.
rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketfly. com. March 7. SALES Drake Hotel doors 7:30 pm. $12. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketfly. com. April 14. MAX JURY Drake Hotel doors 8 pm. $10. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketfly. com. April 20. MANIC STREET PREACHERS The Danforth Music Hall doors 7 pm. $23.50. rotate. com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketmaster.ca. April 27.
THE JESUS AND MARY
CHAIN Venue tba Canadian Music Week May 1.
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS Sony Centre for
the Performing Arts 8 pm. $44.50$99.50. May 3 and 4. FAITH NO MORE Sony Centre doors 7 pm, all ages. $39.50-$79.50. ticketmaster.ca. May 9.
POKEY LAFARGE Horseshoe 8 pm. $18.50. soundscapesmusic.com, rotate.com, ticketfly.com. May 10. LAIBACH Danforth Music Hall Details TBA. May 16. ROMEO SANTOS Molson Amphitheatre Details TBA. June 10. CLEAN BANDIT Danforth Music Hall doors 8pm, all ages. $22.50. soundscapesmusic.com, rotate.com, ticketmaster.ca, tinyrecordshop. com. June 12. RUSH Air Canada Centre R40 Live Tour: Celebrating 40 Years, 8 pm. Details TBA. ticketmaster.ca. June 17 and 19. DAVID BYRNE, NELLY FURTADO, HOW TO DRESS WELL, DEVONTÉ HYNES, KELIS, NICO MUHLY, IRA GLASS, ST. VINCENT, TUNE-YARDS Air Canada Centre Contemporary Color: A Pep Rally Pop Music Mashup, part of the Luminato Festival. 7 pm, $39 and up. luminatofestival.com. June 22 and 23.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, TLC, NELLY Air Canada Centre 7 pm. $46-$118. ticketmaster.ca. June 28.
MÖTLEY CRÜE, ALICE COOPER Air Canada Centre
7 pm. $56.25-$144.25. t icketmaster.ca. August 22.
February 28.
CHRIS LIEBING, JAMIE KIDD, MIKE GIBBS, MEASURE DIVIDE Coda
doors 10 pm. $25$30. February 28.
MIX MASTER MIKE, GRAND WIZARD THEODORE, KC ROBERTS & THE LIVE REVOLUTION, SPLATTERMONKEY Phoenix Concert Theatre The Masters Series, doors 10 pm. $20-$40. playderecord. com, wantickets.com/mixmaster. February 28.
David Byrne Air Canada Centre, June 22-23
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NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
41
VIET CONG POST-PUNK
“It feels a lot less volatile than Women....” By CARLA GILLIS
Cong’s existence experimenting in Monty’s basement, trying to figure out West), Saturday (January 31), doors 8 pm. where to go next. $10. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, “I’d always written, but I’d never ticketfly.com. been the main songwriter in a band up until Viet Cong,” says Flegel from NaCalgary experimental post-punks Viet naimo, where he has temporarily reCong formed in the aftermath of some located. “It was great to have another trying experiences: the breakup of vehicle to get some ideas under way.” beloved noisers Women in 2010 and Though Flegel points out that Viet the sudden death of that band’s guitarCong wasn’t a direct response to ist, Chris Reimer, in 2012. Reimer’s death, he says the tragedy Bassist/singer Matt Flegel and definitely got them motivated. “It guitarist Scott “Monty” Munro (who is made us want 1:25 to doPM something,” RCM_NOW_1-4_4c_Jan22+29.qxp__V 2015-01-19 Page 1 he also in Chad VanGaalen’s live band) says. “I think that’s often what essentially spent the first year of Viet
VIET CONG at the Garrison (1197 Dundas
happens when people die.” In 2013, they brought aboard guitarist Daniel Christiansen and ex-Women drummer Mike Wallace, fleshing out songs in their Calgary studio garage and releasing their Cassette cassette/ vinyl EP shortly after. Then they kicked this year off right with an astounding self-titled album – NOW’s first 5N album review of 2015. Crafted mostly through playing live – a Viet Cong concert is an explosive, must-see experience – the tracks are all dark, pummelling ferocity and breathtaking tangents set against lo-fi
TORONTO STAR
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FRI., FEB. 6, 8PM KOERNER HALL Pavlo brings his Mediterranean guitar Follow us on music to Toronto one Twitter NOW night only for this very special concert with his band, guest musicians, and dancers!
onstage fight. “I knew what to expect with Mike. We were in Women together. Monty is the most positive person I know. Really motivated. He’s up for trial and error and will spend two days trying to find a synth tone, which I think is amazing. “And Danny is a little energy ball. He’s consistently excited. He’s never done world tours before, so it’s nice to be able to see that. The excitement rubs off on everybody else. He hadn’t been to the States before we toured there last year. He’s not jaded yet.” 3
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KOERNER HALL IS:
“As Good as it Gets!”
noise, shardy guitar and a gothy backdrop. They’re also incredibly melodic. Holy Fuck’s Graham Walsh engineered the album, getting the job in part because of his work on the METZ album. “The response we’re getting has been great, so we’re all really pumped,” says Flegel. “The tour schedule is filling up like crazy. Everyone is excited to get on the road and play music. That’s why we do it.” Flegel credits his band members as the reason so much is coming together. “It feels a lot less volatile, personality-wise, than Women,” he says of his former band, which broke up after an
and Antibalas
SAT., FEB. 7, 8PM KOERNER HALL Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band Antibalas with Zap Mama’s polyphony, Afro-pop, and hip hop beats.
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Michael Hollett .....................................................................................@m_hollett Alice Klein .................................................................................................@aliceklein OLIVIA CHANEY Susan G. Cole .......................................................................................@susangcole Tuesday, February 10 Enzo DiMatteo ..........................................................................@enzodimatteo Doors: 6:30 pm The Dakota Tavern Norm Wilner ....................................................................................@normwilner 19+ RT/SS $13.50 Glenn Sumi ............................................................................................@glennsumi Kate Robertson.....................................................................................@katernow OSarah n s ale Parniak n ow. C h e..............................................................................................@s_parns c k o u t c o l l e c t i ve c o n c e r t s .c o m f o r m o r e inf o. Ben Spurr ..................................................................................................... @benspurr CABARET VALTAIRE: Jonathan Goldsbie ..............................................................................@goldsbie AN EVENING OF Adria Vasil .................................................................................@ecoholicnation SURREAL LOVE Sabrina Maddeaux ................................................@SabrinaMaddeaux Saturday, February 14 Doors: 9 pm NOW Promotions ...............................................@NOWTorontoPromo Lee’s Palace 19+ HS/RT/SS $20
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42
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JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
Follow us on Twitter NOW @nowtoronto
@nowtoronto
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, online at nowtoronto.com, for venue address and phone number.
ñ 5
= Critics’ pick (highly recommended) = Queer night
How to place a listing
All listings are free. Send to: events@nowtoronto.com, fax to 416-364-1168 or mail to Music, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7. Include artist(s)/band(s), genre of music, event name (if any), venue name and address, time, ticket price and contact phone number or website. Deadline is the Thursday before publication at 5 pm. Weekly events must confirm their listing once a month. If your free listing requires a correction, send info to: fixevents@nowtoronto.com.
Thursday, January 29 PoP/Rock/HiP-HoP/Soul
C’est What Jesse Laine 9 pm. the Garrison Good Enough Live Kara-
oke Karaoke w/ a live band, doors 9 pm. ñ Gate 403 Stacey Y, Chelsey Bennett (soul/
R&B/jazz/pop), 9 pm. handlebar Ted Kennedy 10 pm. hapa izakaya Dwayne Morgan, Omar “Oh” Lunan, The Recipee Band, DJ Lissa Monet Liive Thursdays, Intimate & Interactive (poetry, live music, DJs), doors 7 pm. horseshoe Beams, Loon Choir, Jose Contreras Record release party, doors 8:30 pm. huntClub studios Blevin Blechdom, NAW Wavelength Music Festival. 8 pm. JunCtion City MusiC hall Treble Charger, The Two Koreas, Bad Zeppelin/ Marvelous Mark doors 8 pm. karla’s roadhouse Tommy Rocker (classic rock), 9:30 pm. kensinGton lodGe Derek Mok 7 pm. lula lounGe Los Otros (Spanish rock), Let’s Rock 2015 en Español, 10 pm. not My doG Hot Peach, Bare Claws, Buddy Black & the Ghost Umbrellas Launch Party Festival, 11 pm. pauper’s pub Mike Barnes Jam, 10:30 pm. phoenix ConCert theatre Pete Rock & Maseo doors 8 pm. the piston Surrender Heads, Brent Randall & The Turtledoves, Charlotte Cornfield 10 pm. the sister The Celebration Army, Subject To Change, Tundra Fun, NorthStar Launch Party Festival, 9:30 pm. sMilinG buddha Alex G, Teen Suicide doors 8 pm. southside Johnny’s Skip Tracer (rock/top 40), 9:30 pm.
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Skylight Series: 4 x 4, 7:30 pm. edWard Johnson buildinG Wind Ensemble 7:30 pm. eMMet ray bar Vokurka’s Vicarious Virtuoso Violin (jazz/folk/Gypsy/swing), 9 pm.
four seasons Centre for the perforMinG arts The COC Orchestra Academy Introdu-
cing The Academy, noon to 1 pm [Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre]. Jane Mallett theatre The St Lawrence String Quartet 8 pm. Jazz bistro Bill King Trio, Selena Evangeline, Gavin Hope 9 pm. kaMa Mike Malone, John Sherwood & Neil Swainson Thursdays At Five, 5 to 8 pm. MusideuM Don Naduriak’s Jambanda (jazz/ Latin), Party Music 7, 8 pm. old Mill inn Joe Sealy & Paul Novotny Duo (jazz) 7:30 pm [Home Smith Bar]. the passenGer The J-Train Jazz In The Junction, 9:30 pm. poetry Jazz Cafe Mozayic w/ Zaynab Wilson 9 pm. the rex French/Turcotte 9:30 pm. Kevin Quain (vocals/solo piano) 6:30 pm. rose theatre Bowfire (jazz/classical/rock/ bluegrass/Celtic), 8 pm. royal Conservatory of MusiC Esprit Orchestra doors 8 pm [Koerner Hall].
dance muSic/dJ/lounge
Clinton’s Throwback Thursdays (90s hip-
hop/pop).
Club 120 5DJ Todd Klinck T-Girl Party, 10 pm. CraWford DJ Downunda. holy oak Cafe DJ Nelson 10 pm. parts & labour Mikky & Alex DJ set, (indie dance/hip-hop/disco), 10 pm.
West bar DJ Dennis Rojas (80s/90s/R&B/hiphop/house), 10 pm.
Friday, January 30 PoP/Rock/HiP-HoP/Soul
bovine sex Club MOFX, Danny & the Havoks,
Hüsker Dü(des) (punk rock covers), doors 9 pm.
Castro’s lounGe The Straight Eights (50s style rockabilly), 6 pm.
Cavern bar Piece Of Mind, The Stowaways
doors 9:30 pm.
continued on page 44 œ
T.O. Music NOTes SOUND ACADEMY TO CLOSE... NOT
There’s nothing like attempting to flag a cab or catch a TTC bus in subzero weather outside Sound Academy after a concert that ended at 1 am. Who needs to go home, really? Huddling against a bus stop while singing Nearer My God To Thee with 40 other freezing concertgoers is way more glamorous. So when Interpol posted online that they were cancelling a rescheduled T.O. show because the desolate Polson Street club was closing , many took to social media to rejoice. Turns out owner INK Entertainment is temporarily closing the venue for upgrades and renovations in the wake of the Guvernment shuttering this month. No timeline has been given, but shows are booked at Sound Academy through March.
BEAT BATTLE IN L.A.
Lord Quest, WondaGurl and Rich Kidd are among the Toronto hip-hop producers who will compete in the Battle Of The Americas beat-making competition in Los Angeles during Grammy Week. The February 5 event is produced by Toronto-based nonprofit Beat Academy, which is all about fostering new production
talent. T.O.’s beatsmiths will go head to head with Team Los Angeles producers Skhyehutch, Angel Ramirez and the Beat Brigade, among others.
album props, as did Jane Bunnett and Maqueque’s self-titled recording for jazz album. For a complete list, see junoawards.ca.
JUNO NOMINEES
TINY EXHIBITIONS
Toronto musicians made out good when the Juno nominations rolled out on Tuesday, January 27. Drake got a nod for Fan Choice Award and single of the year, Deadmau5 and the Weeknd for artist of the year, Arkells for group of the year, Alvvays and Zeds Dead in the breakthrough group category, Elliott Brood for roots album, Melanie Durrant for R&B/soul album, Bahamas for songwriter of the year and adult alternative, and Timber Timbre, July Talk and Alvvays for alternative album. Elizabeth Shepherd’s The Signal got vocal jazz
The Tiny Record Shop is organizing a series of themed vinyl exhibitions this winter. The Leslieville store displayed a curated selection of the Smiths’ 12-inches this month and will showcase highly collectible 90s records from February 3 to 10. From March 3 to 10, owners Trevor Larocque and Maude FallonDavesne will highlight some choice Japanese vinyl.
NEWCHOIR IN NYC
Local rock choir newchoir, which performs choral reworkings of pop mega-hits like Bad Romance and Purple Rain, have booked a gig at legendary New York venue Carnegie Hall on March 29. The 160-member group’s singers range in age from 22 and 65 and are led by artistic director Scott Pietrangelo. The gig is part of Total Vocal, a celebration of a cappella music from the movies Pitch Perfect and The Sing-Off.
ñ ñ
Folk/BlueS/countRy/WoRld
aspetta Caffe Open Mic 8 pm. CaMeron house Corin Raymond 6 pm. Castro’s lounGe Jerry Leger & the Situation (folk/rock/country), 8 pm. ñ free tiMes Cafe Lynnea Rose (folk), 9 pm.
habits Gastropub Joseph Kargi, Ginger
Grey, David O’Hearn (singer/songwriters), WonderFest Music Series, 9 pm. lee’s palaCe Dead Submarine, YZRA!, Bam Thwok (folk pop), 9 pm. loCal Jay Aymar (roots/songwriter), 9 pm. loCal Gest Open Mic With Porter 9 pm. lula lounGe Tash Lorayne (blues/jazz/soul/ folk), 8 pm. MonarCh tavern James Burrows (folk/rock). native Canadian Centre Big Drum Social 6:30 pm. sony Centre for the perforMinG arts The Scottish Tattoo Music Of Scotland, 7:30 pm. tranzaC Houndstooth Bluegrass Thursdays, 7:30 pm [Southern Cross]. Urban-Gypsy Band 10 pm [Southern Cross].
Jazz/claSSical/exPeRimental
CaMeron house Thelonious Hank (honkyjazz), 10 pm.
Corkin Gallery The LARK Ensemble (classical) NOW January 29 - February 4 2015
43
ONES TO WATCH:
ELECTRONIC Final edition of our local music series includes deep house gems, cosmic disco and a little bit of yacht rock By BENJAMIN BOLES
clubs&concerts œcontinued from page 43
DAKOTA TAVERN Gold & Marrow, The Oxford Wild (indie pop/folk), CD release, 6 to 9 pm. DOUBLE DOUBLE LAND Marty Topps Album release party (musical comedy), 9 pm. DRAKE HOTEL Canvas, Old English, Seas 8 pm. THE GARRISON Dilly Dally, Grand Analog, Brannigans Law doors 9 pm. GEARY LANE Absolutely Free, US Girls Release party, 9 pm. HORSESHOE The Commoners, Conor Gains Band, Dan Kosub, Art & Woodhouse, The Cardinal Dream EP release show, 9:30 pm. JOHNNY JACKSON Pink Wine, Nasa Valley, Army Girls, Pony, Germaphobes 9 pm. KOOL HAUS Kes The Band (soca/Caribbean), Doh Cry Ah Leavin’ XX, 10 pm. LEE’S PALACE Ukae, Rival Boys, Carolina Hum doors 9 pm. MAGPIE TAPROOM Stuck Out Here, Jon Creedon, Hinindar Two Nights, 9 pm. NOT MY DOG We Are French, Johnny Awesome & the Goodtones, Girls of St Louis Launch Party Festival, 11 pm. PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE August Burns Red, Miss May I, Northlane, Erra doors 6:30 pm, all ages. RANCHO RELAXO The Nasties, Kill Sid doors 9:30 pm. RIVOLI Jacquelyn Tober, Tear Away Tusa, GG Cole, Lakeview doors 9 pm. ROCKPILE Wednesday 13, Eyes Set to Kill, Hollywood Sins, House of Haunt, Die So Fluid doors 8 pm. ROY THOMSON HALL Classic Albums Live: The Beatles – Let It Be 8 pm.
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HARRISON
Harrison Robinson’s smoothly produced deep house and mellow instrumental hip-hop beats first came to our attention when he was only 17 but already generating an impressive amount of attention on SoundCloud. In the two years since, he’s dialed back his use of old funk and disco samples, instead putting the focus on his own synth melodies and programmed rhythms. He was recently signed to Last Gang, who will release his debut album sometime next year.
JEX OPOLIS Recently relocated to Brooklyn (though we’re still claiming him for Toronto), he’s been performing and producing under other names for many years, but it’s his recent work as Jex Opolis that’s got us most excited. His sound combines aspects of cosmic disco, Balearic and a little bit of yacht rock. The vibe is always laid-back but still dance-floorfriendly, even at his most chilled-out. He recently remixed Alister Johnson for a release on Do Right! and continues to put out music on his own Good Timin’ label.
HRMXNY
In less than a year, Chris De Minico went from experiencing his first club event at the Hoxton as a fan to playing there regularly. He’s already performed with big names like Diplo and Gaslamp Killer, but his style is closer to Kaytranada (whom he’s also opened for). His recent In Time EP gives a good glimpse of his approach, which blends hip-hop and deep house influences with an ethereal soul vibe. While very new to the game, he displays extraordinary confidence as a producer. At the Edward Day Gallery Saturday (January 31).
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION TODMORDEN BRANCH 10 Pepper Shakers 8 pm. SILVER DOLLAR Pet Sun, NOBRO, Champion Lover, Several Futures, CANYUN ñ Class Of 2015/#7, doors 8:30 pm.
THE SISTER Blind Cats, The Manvils, Pretty
Odd, Maria Ryan & Chris Bennett Music Launch Party Festival, 9:30 pm. SNEAKY DEE’S G Milla, ThaCapitalE, Aden (rap) 9 pm. STUDIO BAR Cyprian, St Andrews, Waterbodies, Little Junior EP release party, doors 9 pm.
ñ
FOLK/BLUES/COUNTRY/WORLD
ASPETTA CAFFE Open Mic 8 pm. BLAKBIRD Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, Tresor
Otshudi, Se’lah Genesis, Afromadjiik and others Afrika Djelly – African music open mic & DJ party, 8:30 pm. CAMERON HOUSE David Celia 6 pm. Patrick Brealey 8 pm. Nick Teehan 10 pm. THE CENTRAL Mary Caroline CD release. FREE TIMES CAFE James Gray (singer/songwriter), 8 pm. HABITS GASTROPUB Arlene Paculan & The Cool Ones, Bluebelle & The Briar Woodsmen doors 8:30 pm. HUGH’S ROOM Garnet Rogers 8:30 pm. LULA LOUNGE Havana Norte w/ Roberto Linares Brown, DJ Suave Cuba Libre Fridays, 10:30 pm. SMOCK CAFÉ evalyn parry Catweazle Open Stage, 8 pm. TRANZAC The Foolish Things (folk), 5 pm [Southern Cross]. WHITE ELEPHANT Sean Pinchin 7 pm.
ñ
JAZZ/CLASSICAL/EXPERIMENTAL
SOUTHERN SHORES Originally from Halifax, Toronto-based Southern Shores started getting buzz a few years back for their New World EP on NYC/UK indie label Cascine, and are still working on their upcoming full-length album. In the meantime, they’ve dropped a fun summer remix of Popcaan’s Everything Nice, a bouncy reworking of Superhumanoids’ Black Widow and a steady stream of eclectic DJ sets. Think Nordic dance pop, tropical beach parties and smooth house grooves.
AVENUE
Like HRMXNY and Harrison, Avenue’s Sam Willows is barely out of high school but already racking up serious numbers on his SoundCloud page. He got a major boost when Tears for Fears gave his bootleg remix of Shout some love online, and he’s continued to knock out a string of very catchy disco pop remixes, including some officially sanctioned mixes for California indie rockers Carousel, Swedish nu-disco producer Tobtok and Vancouver’s Hannah Georgas.
RAINER + GRIMM This Toronto pair are the most likely candidates on this list to get so big so soon that we start to get sick of them. Their slow, sultry remix of Sam Smith’s Stay With Me has over 3 million plays on SoundCloud, while their mix of Golden Coast’s Break My Fall is getting close to 2 million views on YouTube. Their sound is based in melodic deep house but geared for big rooms and even commercial radio, with an overt enough pop sensibility for mainstream crossover to be inevitable. At the Hoxton Saturday (January 31). 3 benjaminb@nowtoronto.com @benjaminboles
44
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE Trio Classic Hassiba Happy Birthday Mozart, 7 pm. CARR HALL The Musicians In Ordinary The Cure For Religious Melancholy, 8 pm. DESOTOS Anthony Abbatangeli Jazz Jam, 8 pm. EDWARD JOHNSON BUILDING Wind Symphony 7:30 pm. THE FLYING BEAVER PUBARET Christopher Sawchyn w/ Tom King 7 pm. HARLEM David Hutchinson Jazz & Blues Band 7:30 pm. HELICONIAN HALL Hillcrest Village Choir, Ben D’Cunha, Bob Brough, Alex Coleman, Ethan Ardelli Winter Showcase Celebration, 8 pm. HOLY OAK CAFE Croque Monsieur (30s jazz), 7 pm. JAZZ BISTRO Bill King Trio, Selena Evangeline, Gavin Hope 9 pm. LULA LOUNGE Roberto Linares Brown Trio World/Jazz Fridays, 7:30 pm. MUSIC GALLERY Dan Fortin, Robin Dann/ Claire Harvie Emergents II, 8 pm.
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continued on page 46 œ
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NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
45
huntCluB studiOs Rave Tapez, Allegories
clubs&concerts œcontinued from page 44
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
UTOPIA MUSIC FEST
MusideuM Shetzen/Brinton/Thompson Trio
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Old Mill inn Jordana Talsky Trio (jazz) 7:30
(jazz), 8 pm.
BOMBAY NIGHTS
pm [Home Smith Bar].
POetry Jazz Cafe Straight No Chaser w/
Thompson Egbo 9:30 pm. rePOsadO The Reposadist Quartet (gypsy bop), 9 pm the rex Hogtown Syncopators 4 pm. Artie Roth Quartet 6:30 pm. Ryan Oliver 9:45 pm. tranzaC The Ryan Driver Sextet (jazz), 10 pm [Southern Cross]. trinity st. Paul’s ChurCh Group Of 27 (classical), 8 pm.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 PRESENTED BY INERTIA ENTERTAINMENT
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Dance Music/DJ/Lounge
ULI JOHN ROTH, GARY MOORE, BLACK NIGHTS RISING & OLD JAMES
3030 dundas West DJ Fase (funk/soul/hip-
hop/old-school) 10 pm. 751 Bar DJ Miss Barbrafisch (black/thrash/ extreme metal), A Fistful Of Metal, 10 pm. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 the Cage 292 DJ Osaze 10 pm. PRESENTED BY INERTIA CastrO’s lOunge DJ I Hate You Rob (soul/ funk/R&B/punk rock/pop/rockabilly) 10 pm. the Cave DJ Trevor (60s mod Brit pop), Bif Bang Pow, 10 pm. CluB 120 DJ Aeryn Pfaff Jack (dance party), 10 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 pm to 3 am. COda Catz N’ Dogz, Jamie Kidd, Jeff Button, Talal & Zoi doors 10 pm. drake hOtel DJ Your Boy Brian 10 pm [Lounge]. DJs Maysr, Caff & Fathom Party Machine, 11 pm [Underground]. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 handleBar The Art Of “The West” (hip-hop dance party), 10 pm. harleM undergrOund DJ Hitmon, Glitch (hip-hop/reggae/waybacks/trap), Foreplay Fridays, 11 pm. hOly Oak Cafe DJ LP (electropop/spacejunk), 10 pm. 722 COLLEGE STREET RCM_NOW_contests_1-5bw_Zap.qxp__V 2015-01-19 1:22 PM Page 1 the hOxtOn Grandtheft & Thugli, Pusher, Krubera doors 10 pm.
ALESTORM’S PIRATEFEST
OZIMOZIS EVENTS
ROOTS REGGAE
themodclub.com
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Wavelength Music Festival interactive dance party. 8 pm. Marquis Of granBy 5DJ Producer Barry Harris 10:30 pm. ryze Logistics, Nicky Blackmarket, Optical, Marcus Visionary, Mr Brown, Polaris, Tru Troopa (drum and bass), doors 10 pm. the steady Cafe & Bar DJs Alikulapo, Hoiking, Teej Mahal (hip-hop/dancehall/R&B), ESSENCÉ, 10 pm.
uniun
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Wolfgang Gartner. West Bar DJ Nine (current/classic hits from the 90s to today), 10 pm.
Saturday, January 31 PoP/Rock/HiP-HoP/souL
3030 dundas West Aaron Berger & the Blue
Stars, Whitney Pea (singer/songwriter), 10 pm.
alleyCatz Soular. CastrO’s lOunge Bidiniband. The Cosmotones (rockabilly), 6 pm. ñ Cavern Bar Kalila Badali, Riley Szulc Band,
Komorebi, Mayraki DYI T.O. Winter Series, doors 9 pm. CineCyCle Goodbye Honolulu, Garrett Olson & The 49th Parallel, Pins & Needles, Nords 8:45 pm, all ages. the danfOrth MusiC hall Riff Raff (rap), doors 7 pm, all ages. drake hOtel Unbuttoned, Gadda, Faiza, Taya Marquis, DJ Hustlegrl, DJ Pho Northern Lights, 8 to 10:45 pm. dOuBle dOuBle land The Cluttertones, Isla Craig, Brodie West CD release, doors 8 pm. the flying Beaver PuBaret Jennifer Noble & Gus Apostolos Songs To Slay The Bitter Cold, 7 pm. the garrisOn Viet Cong, Crosss doors 8 pm. See preview, page 42. geary lane The Responsables, General Eclectic, K-Zar Dubwise, Maracatu Mar Aberto (funk/reggae roots/dirty grooves), Uma Nota Winter Nite, 10 pm. grOssMan’s Caution Jam 8 pm. harleM Kristin Fung (soul/R&B), 7:30 pm. hOly Oak Cafe Westaway, Isis Giraldo. hOrseshOe Catl, Invasions, Bella Clava, The Cool Hands 9 pm. kOOl haus Kes The Band (soca/Caribbean), Doh Cry Ah Leavin’ XX, 10 pm. lee’s PalaCe Owen Pallett doors 2 pm (all ages, w/ Foxes In Fiction) & doors 9 pm (19+ w/ Jennifer Castle). MagPie taPrOOM Brutal Youth, Worry, Peace Be Still, Liver, Threes Two Nights, 8 pm. the PaddOCk Hot Apollo, Juncture, Blackened Blues 9:30 pm. Pearl lOunge Prime Time Band 9 pm. Pegasus Bar & grill Stiletto Flats (classic rock), 9 pm. POlish COMBatants hall Fresh Snow, Mimico Wavelength/The 8 Fest, 11 pm. the rex Bacchus Collective (funk/soul/R&B classics & originals), 7:30 pm. Danny Marks noon.
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CONTESTS
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riChMOnd hill Centre fOr the PerfOrMing arts Alan Doyle 8 pm. rivOli Junia-T, SeT, Morakoza, Johnny Active doors 9 pm. ñ rOCkPile Wednesday 13, Eyes Set to Kill,
Hollywood Sins, House of Haunt, Die So Fluid doors 8 pm. the sister Hugh Wilson, Jenna Strautman, MIP, Aaron Florendo, Warren McGoey Launch
Zap Mama and Antibalas SAT., FEB. 7, 8PM KOERNER HALL Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band Antibalas with Zap Mama’s polyphony, Afro-pop, and hip hop beats. WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THIS CONCERT AT:
nowtoronto.com
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 416.408.0208 www.performance.rcmusic.ca 273 BLOOR STREET WEST (BLOOR & AVENUE RD.) TORONTO
Party Festival Acoustic Brunch, noon to 4 pm. sOuthside JOhnny’s The Bear Band (rock/ blues), 4 to 8 pm. sOyBOMB S.H.I.T., Foxmoulder, HX KY, Jack Moves, Brandon Quigley’s Inconsistent Choir (punk), Soybomb Fundraiser, doors 8 pm, all ages.
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st MiChaels COllege sChOOl Centre fOr the
arts Cadence & newchoir (a capella pop/rock and jazz), Unplugged, 8 pm. studiO Bar D-Pryde, JWalk, 1st Class, Jutes, Nham (rap), Richvale Homecoming Show, doors 9 pm.
FoLk/BLues/countRy/WoRLD
Beit zatOun The Canadian Arabic Ensemble East Meets West, 7:30 pm. BlaCk sWan Brian Gladstone & Tony Quarrington Amazing Flying Fingers show, 9 pm. C’est What The Boxcar Boys (old-time/folk) 3 pm. Marlon Chaplin 9 pm. CaMerOn hOuse Colonel Tom & the American Pour 6 pm. Greg Cockerill Band (Canadiana), 10 pm. Centre fOr sOCial innOvatiOn annex Jack de Keyzer, Heather Whaley and Niki Andre The Evolution Of Blues Guitar In Story And Song (StoryFusion Cabaret!), 8 pm. free tiMes Cafe Dr B’s Acoustic Medicine Show Open mic/jam, 2 pm. Mathieu Alepin (singer/songwriter), Album release, 8:30 pm. grOssMan’s The Happy Pals 4:30 to 8 pm. hirut fine ethiOPian Cuisine Winter Wonderland At Hirut Poetry and music by Lizzie Violet, Valentino Assenza, Matt Gerber and Lacey Wilson. 9 pm. hugh’s rOOM Connie Kaldor 8:30 pm. huMBle Beginnings Michael Keith (singer/ songwriter), 2:30 to 4:30 pm. lOCal David Meenan Irish session, 5 pm. lula lOunge Salsotika (classic 80s/90s salsa), 10:30 pm. On Cue Ken Yoshioka & Pete Schmidt (blues), 9:30 pm. PlaCeBO sPaCe Dan Walsh (singer/songwriter), 9 pm. tranzaC Blunt Chunks 8 pm. Jamzac 3 pm [Southern Cross].
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Jazz/cLassicaL/exPeRiMentaL
Chalkers PuB Bernie Senensky Trio + Pat Labarbera 6 to 9 pm the flying Beaver PuBaret Doug Balfour & Suzi Wesson Baby, It’s Cold Outside, 9 pm. haBits gastrOPuB Harry Vetro (jazz jam), 9 pm. Jazz BistrO Bill King Trio, Selena Evangeline, Gavin Hope 9 pm. MusiC gallery Flute Street: Distinctively Canadian (music for flute choir), doors 7 pm. Old Mill inn Russ Little Quartet (jazz) 7:30 pm [Home Smith Bar]. POetry Jazz Cafe Katie Temple Forbidden Fruit. the rex Mike Downes Quartet 9:45 pm. Socialist Night School 3:30 pm. rOyal COnservatOry Of MusiC Glenn Gould School Vocal Showcase 7:30 pm. viCtOria COllege ChaPel Scaramella (17th18th c. Germanic church and chamber music), In Paradisum, 8 pm.
Dance Music/DJ/Lounge
Beaver 5DJs Lobodotcom & Gen.eralist (indie-electro/nu disco/classics), Gotta Pay The Rent, 10:30 pm. CaBal lOunge DJs Joey Anderson, Basic Soul Unit, Derek Codlin. the Cave DJ Pat Full On Alternative, 9 pm. ClintOn’s Bangs & Blush (60s soul/rock & roll), Shake, Rattle & Roll, 10 pm. CluB 120 5DJ Nate Nightcall Crush Beach Party, (Queer + sex positive party w/ burlesque & drag), 10 pm to 3 am. drake hOtel DJ Dougie Boom 10 pm [Lounge]. Tom Wrecks, Demiggs Itzsoweezee, 11 pm [Underground]. eMMet ray Bar DJ Serious (hip-hop/soul), 10 pm. handleBar Deeper Arcades 10 pm. harBOurfrOnt Centre You Gots To Chill Skating Party Never Forgive Action, DJs Numeric & Dalia (throwback/boom-bap/ classic hip-hop) 8 to 11 pm. suPerMarket DJ John Kong & MC Abdominal (funk/soul/boogie/hip-hop), Do Right Saturdays! 10 pm. West Bar DJ Dave Campbell, Kazen Media (R&B/hip-hop/house/top 40), 10 pm. White elePhant Sticky Cuts & Ticky Ty Toastr! (dancehall/hip-hop/deep house/tech/ trap), doors 9:30 pm.
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Sunday, February 1 PoP/Rock/HiP-HoP/souL
the Cage 292 The Mizfit Collective, Jeta May,
46
January 29 - February 4 2015 NOW
Se’lah Genesis, Corymaaane, DJ Dick Jones Mizfit Artist Showcase, 8:30 pm. CaMerOn hOuse Drew Leith (folk-rock), 7 pm. Cavern Bar Open Mic Sundays doors 9 pm. dakOta tavern Public Animal, Panic, Public 10:30 pm. $10. drake hOtel The Monkey Bunch (kids’ musical entertainers), Family Febu-Hairy Series, 3 pm [Underground]. hOly Oak Cafe Lisa Bozikovic, Strands, LUKA 10 pm. hugh’s rOOM Michael Occhipinti & Shine On, Elizabeth Shepherd, Yvette Tollar, Dominic Mancuso, Kevin Turcotte The Universe Of John Lennon, 8:30 pm. huntCluB studiOs Ghostlight: The Winter Womb and 15 Wavelengths: An Ambient Suite Wavelength Music Festival, 8 pm. Jazz BistrO Sherie Marshall (soul/R&B/ reggae/jazz) 7 pm. luxy nightCluB DeeWunn (yardcore/hiphop), Bunx Up Tour. rivOli Playout, Quails in the Nest Indie Night, doors 8 pm. rOse theatre Alan Doyle (East Coast rock/ country) 8 pm. the sCarBOrOugh JunCtiOn Tommy Rocker (classic rock) 8 pm. sOuthside JOhnny’s Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix (pop/rock), Open Jam, 9:30 pm.
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FoLk/BLues/countRy/WoRLD
BlaCk Bear PuB SNAFU Jam, 4 to 8 pm. C’est What Cadre (roots/blues), 3 pm. the Cage 292 Phill Hood Jam, 10 pm. CaMerOn hOuse J Swinnerton 10 pm. eMMet ray Bar Chris Murray FOLKnMIC open mic, 8 pm.
free tiMes Cafe The Shpeelers (folk/klezmer),
Jewish Brunch Buffett, 11:45 am. Singer’s Edge: Unplugged (songwriters), 7:30 pm. grOssMan’s Brian Cober (double slide guitar), Open Blues Jam, 10 pm. hirut fine ethiOPian Cuisine Nicola Vaughan Jam, 3 to 6:30 pm. lula lOunge Jorge Maza Sunday Salsa Brunch, 11 am. Massey hall Ben Howard (singer songwriter) doors 7 pm. MCgradies taP and grill Dan Walek Open Jam, 6 to 10 pm. relish Bar & grill Paul Brennan & David MacMichael Stir It Up Sundays Open Mic, 9 pm. the rex Club Django 3:30 pm. tranzaC No Angels Dancing 1 pm. Monk’s Music 5 pm. Zebrina 7:30 pm. The Woodchoppers Association (folk), 10:30 pm [all in the Southern Cross Lounge]. yellOW griffin PuB Another Bloody Folk Club 7 pm.
Jazz/cLassicaL/exPeRiMentaL
heliCOnian hall Melanie Conly, Kathryn
Tremills, Peter Stoll (soprano, piano, clarinet), Syrinx Concert, 3 pm. Jazz BistrO Eli Pasic Brunch, noon to 3 pm. MOrgans On the danfOrth David Restivo & Beverly Taft (jazz) 2-5 pm. the rex Autobahn 7 pm. Excelsior Dixieland Jazz noon. Scott Marshall 9:30 pm. sCarBOrOugh CiviC Centre Danny’s 11 Sunday Concert Series, 2 to 4 pm. tranzaC Jonathan Feldman’s Zebrina (jazz), 7:30 pm.
Dance Music/DJ/Lounge
ryze DJ Mike Stoan Stripper SuperBowl Party. 4 pm-midnight.
Monday, February 2 PoP/Rock/HiP-HoP/souL
the Cave Empire! Empire!, Warren Franklin And The Founding Fathers doors 8 pm. drake hOtel St. Royals (Motown/soul), 10:30 pm. hOrseshOe Truth Panel, Odd Ones doors 8:30 pm. sOund aCadeMy Marilyn Manson doors 7 pm, all ages.
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FoLk/BLues/countRy/WoRLD
CaMerOn hOuse Autumn Portrait 10 pm. The Conductors 6 pm.
the danfOrth MusiC hall Ani DiFranco (folk-pop), doors 7 pm. ñ free tiMes Cafe Dylan Hennessy Open Stage, 7:30 pm.
Massey hall Ben Howard (singer/songwriter)
doors 7 pm.
MCgradies taP and grill Dan Walek Acoustic Jam, 8 to 11 pm. Old niCk Amy Kate, Patrick Ballantyne, Lucio
Agostini M-Factor Mondays (singer/songwriters), 7:30 pm. Tranzac Chris Banks Open Stage, 10 pm [Southern Cross].
Jazz/ClassiCal/ExpErimEntal
EmmET ray Bar God’s Gift To Yoda (jazz), 9
pm. Steve ‘n’ Tyler Quartet (jazz), 7 pm. HarlEm UndErgroUnd Neil Brathwaite (jazz), 8 to 11 pm. THE rEx Humber College Student Jazz Ensembles 9:30 pm. University Of Toronto Student Jazz Ensembles 6:30 pm.
THE DAKOTA TAVERN Thur Jan 29 9PM GREG COCKERILL Fri Jan 30 6PM GOLD & MARROW 9PM
HELLBOUND HEPCATS
Tuesday, February 3
Sat Jan 31 10-2PM BLUEGRASS BRUNCH
pop/roCk/Hip-Hop/soul
9PM
With The Show Tour, 8 pm. ñ camEron HoUsE Johnson Crook 6 pm. Run
Sun Feb 1
air canada cEnTrE Fleetwood Mac On
THE MERCENARIES 9PM
with the Kittens 10 pm.
casTro’s loUngE The Tom Waits Apprecia-
tion Congregation 8:30 pm. HorsEsHoE Billy Moon, Run Coyote, Common Deer, The Shakedown Nu Music Nite, doors 8:30 pm. mod clUB Uli Jon Roth, Vinnie Moore, Black Knights Rising, Old James Extreme Guitar Tour, 7 pm. snEaky dEE’s The Sidekicks, LVL UP doors 8 pm.
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Folk/BluEs/Country/World
THE dUkE livE.com Frank Wilks Open Jam,
8:30 pm.
FrEE TimEs caFE Best Of The Open Stage 8 pm. Holy oak caFE David Hartman & Jess Kussin
LEGENDARY HOME OF THE BLUES SINCE 1943
BLUEGRASS BRUNCH
PUBLIC ANIMAL W/PANIC
Tue Feb 3
9PM
REDSTEPS
w/SPECIAL GUESTS
Wed Feb 4 9PM THE Thu Feb 5
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TREASURES SARAH BURTON
& THE OLE FASHIONED
249 OSSINGTON AVE (just north of Dundas) 416-850-4579 · thedakotatavern.com
THURSDAY JANUARY 29
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FRANKIE FOO 10pm-2am SATURDAY JANUARY 31
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c’EsT WHaT NorthStar 9 pm. camEron HoUsE Jay Pollock 8 pm. Dave
ITZSOWEEZEE S
Quanbury 10 pm.
W/ TOM WRECK
Holy oak caFE Ghislain Aucoin & Alex Sam-
aras (jazz/pop), 10 pm. Jazz BisTro Soul Stew (R&B), 8 pm. massEy Hall Billy Idol, Broncho doors 7 pm, all ages. mElangE Van Leer Open stage, 6-11 pm. oPEra HoUsE Napalm Death, Voivod, Exhumed, Iron Reagan, Black Crown Initiate 6:30 pm. PHoEnix concErT THEaTrE Machine Head doors 8 pm. Unicorn PUB The B-Sides 9:30 pm.
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FRIDAY JANUARY 30
G MILLA, SEAN LEON, ADEN, THACAPITALE EVERY SATURDAY
SHAKE A TAIL
Folk/BluEs/Country/World
FrEE TimEs caFE La Veenie 8 pm. Tranzac Grannis Bea 10 pm [Southern Cross].
Fricks, Anni Spadafora DJ Glass Blotch Deep. GIF Immersion Party: Sidewalkscreening.gif Launch, 8 pm [Underground]. vElvET UndErgroUnd That Hip Hop S#*! DJ Heights hosts, doors 9:30 pm. 3
MON 2 COMEDY OPEN Sign up and knock ‘em dead...
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pop/roCk/Hip-Hop/soul
craWFord Connected Reggae Party 9 pm. drakE HoTEl taxxxhaven, Dad Art, The
TRIVIA
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4
BRUCE DOMONEY 10pm-2am
Wednesday, February 4
danCE musiC/dJ/loungE
SUN 1 BRASS FACTS The best quiz night in the city...
MZ DEBBIE & THE DON VALLEY STOMPERS 9:30pm-1am
church, Kerry DuWors Poèmes Pour Mi, noon to 1 pm [Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre]. Jazz BisTro Bill Charlap Jazz.FM91 Piano Series, 7 and 9:30 pm. koErnEr Hall Aleksey Igudesman & Hyung-ki Joo (classical/pop culture piano fusion), Another Little Nightmare Music, 8 pm. mUsidEUm Sandra Taylor & Lana Sugarman (meditation/spiritual songwriters), 8 pm. THE rEx Chris Gale (sax), Classic Rex Jazz Jam, 9:30 pm. Trevor Giancola Trio 6:30 pm. salTy dog Jazz Tuesdays 7 pm. Tranzac Peripheral Vision (jazz), 10 pm [Southern Cross].
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SAT 31 SWEAT PANTS w/DJ Coolin... Best party in town, Hip Hop, Soul, RnB, all the good stuff to keep you movin’ and skakin
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3
FoUr sEasons cEnTrE For THE PErForming arTs Aviva Fortunata, Karine Boucher, Liz Up-
cHalkErs PUB Lisa Particelli Girl’s Night Out Jazz Jam. 8 pm to midnight. ciTy Hall Emanuel Ax Piano Extravaganza: Pianos In The City (performances on several pianos) 11 am-2 pm [Rotunda]. EmmET ray Bar Kevin Butler & Darlin’ (folk/ singer-songwriter), 9 pm. koErnEr Hall Glenn Gould School Concerto Competition Finals 10 am. naWlins Jazz Bar Jim Heineman Trio 7 to 11 pm. THE rEx Brett Higgins Group 6:30 pm. Matt Wilson Quartet 9:30 pm. roy THomson Hall Emanuel Ax, Pavel Kolesnikov, Toronto Symphony Orchestra Piano Extravaganza, 8 pm.
FRI 30 GET BUCK COME OVER RELEASE PARTY... Hip hop, dancehall, soul, RnB and beyond
NO BAND REQUIRED 10pm-2am
Jazz/ClassiCal/ExpErimEntal
Katie DuTemple 7:30 pm [Southern Cross].
THU 29 FAT LACES w/ DJ Big Jimmy Mills... Old school hip hop, dancehall, slowjams from the scratch monster...
MONDAY FEBRUARY 2
(folk), 9 pm.
Jazz/ClassiCal/ExpErimEntal
THE OSSINGTON
Thu Jan 29
SURRENDER HEADS BRENT RANDALL & THE TURTLEDOVES CHARLOTTE CORNFIELD
SHINDIG!
DJS SPLATTERMONKEY Fri Jan 30 GENERAL ECLECTIC & DOUBLE K
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OPEN EARLY – EAT LATE LUNCH • BrunCH • DINNER
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THE SIDEKICKS, LVL UP, WAYFARER, LIVER EVERY WEDNESDAY 6:30-9:30PM
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416.532.3989 • 937 Bloor Street West www.ThePiston.ca NOW January 29 - February 4 2015
47
album reviews
Strangers, Rich Kidd. Much of Carpe Diem establishes what some have long known: Tona is a highly gifted emcee capable of inspiration and piercing introspection in the same breath. But he would benefit from stretching himself vocally so songs that require poignancy would pack more of a heart-rending wallop. Fairy Tale Divorce is a well-written meditation on a contentious relationship, but Tona’s flow lacks the emotional heft to carry the song. Still, his technical strengths are legion. On This Town, an ode to the city’s rap scene, he’s magnanimous without being overly moralistic. Tona peaks on Long Winded Road, where he sounds paradoxically (and enticingly) distant and passionate over mournful production by Kidd. Top track: Long Winded Road JORDAN SOWUNMI
album of the week
ñBJÖRK
Vulnicura (One Little Indian) Rating: NNNN “Eternal pain and horrors” is one of many traumatic lyrics Björk uses to describe her breakup with artist Matthew Barney on her ninth studio album. On the song Notget, agitated strings collide with panting beats as she screeches “deeeaaathhhh” like a Japanese horror movie demon crawling out of your stereo speakers. The Icelandic musician has been recording since age 11, but this is the first time she has opened up in such excruciatingly specific – even vitriolic – detail. Her last album, Biophilia, was an intricately detailed conceptual work exploring patterns in science, nature and music, but these nine ballads are stripped to essentials – beats, strings, stirring vocals – full of beautiful and eerie contrasts that highlight Björk’s loneliness, anger and fleeting moments of optimism. Her intuitive approach to melody, phrasing and rhythm feels more anti-pop than on Biophilia but also more apt given Vulnicura’s wild emotionality. Bits of arrangements and melodies are reminiscent of her other albums, but Björk’s vulnerability recalls her gut-wrenching performance in Dancer In The Dark more than past music. Vulnicura is less a breakup album than an excavation (or autopsy). Top track: Black Lake KEVIN RITCHIE
Pop/Rock CAIRO A History Of Reasons (Maple)
Rating: NNN Some bands emerge so fully formed and polished, it makes you wonder how they got to that place so quickly. Toronto’s Cairo are like that. Their full-length debut album sounds like a major-label release, all high production values and commercial-radio finesse despite being funded through PledgeMusic. Their sound is cinematic, moody pop reminiscent of a less playful Gotye. It’s earnest. Very earnest. Frontman Nate Daniels, born in Vancouver, tackles big subjects – see standout track Age/Sex/Race – and sings with sensual seriousness. Violin and synths add lushness and ambient texture. High guitar leads chime. The album’s first half benefits from smart songwriting, surprising arrangements and pop hooks. But those things eventually fall by the wayside for less interesting soundscape drama and pensive balladry. Top track: Age/Sex/Race Cairo play an album release party at Lee’s Palace on February 20. CARLA GILLIS
MARILYN MANSON The Pale
Emperor (Dine Alone) Rating: NNN When I was kid hiding records like Smells Like Children and Antichrist Superstar (still holds up; I checked), Marilyn Manson
meant something. He was like a stupid, sorta scary Muppet whose singular purpose was pissing off your parents. And his carefully stage-managed evolution from shock rock to dark glam on 1998’s Mechanical Animals was totally convincing. But by 2000’s Holy Wood, I – and, I suspect, most people who aren’t doomed to be 11 forever – lost interest. Catching up with Manson 15 years, a whole childhood and half an anguished adolescence later is odd. His sound has morphed into a kind of sanitized gothic lounge music, with opener Killing Strangers swaying with mock sensuality under Manson’s creaky vocal fry. Birds Of Hell Awaiting marries strutting blues with Framptonesque talk-box experiments. Unlike Manson’s previous records, there’s no real guiding concept here, which is probably for the best. The fading shockmeister and self-proclaimed “god of fuck” has mellowed into a capable purveyor of greasy soundtracks for stickyfloored strip clubs and spooky barbershops. Top track: Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge JOHN SEMLEY TWERPS Range Anxiety (Merge) Rating: NNN Australia’s Twerps specialize in a mellow kind of twee pop that will appeal to fans of Young Marble Giants and the Clean. The 13 songs on their second full-length
R&B
ñJAZMINE SULLIVANNNNN
album have lots of jangle guitar and girl/ boy lead vocals, but melancholy riffs, organ lines and anxious lyrics add some welcome cloud cover to the sunshine. Singer/guitarist Martin Frawley has a dry delivery, while singer/guitarist Julia McFarlane has a sweet coo, and they balance each other well. Back To You is upbeat pop perfection, with a seriously catchy chorus and a terrific arrangement. It’s instantly familiar while also being unique, a balance the band frequently achieves. McFarlane takes the lead on Shoulders, which has a surprising and effective Celtic touch. It’s a song abut loneliness offset by an optimistic melody. The four-piece dabble with a variety of tones while keeping things cohesive. Occasionally their influences come through too heavily, and the album would’ve benefited from one or two fewer songs. Still, a hugely pleasant listen. Top track: Back To You CG
Hip-hop/Rap TONA Carpe Diem (District Entertain-
ment) Rating: NNN On former Stylus Award winner Tona’s Carpe Diem, the Scarborough-bred wordsmith takes his game in a new direction by going personal overtop strong production by Grammy-nominated Paperboy Fabe and Tona’s compadre in Naturally Born
Reality Show (RCA/Sony) Rating: That Jazmine Sullivan is a lover of “ratchet” reality TV is not entirely surprising; after all, the singer’s second single was called Bust Your Windows. Much like the medium referred to in its title, the American singer/songwriter’s third album airs a pile of dirty laundry accrued during a rocky relationship. This is a breakup album, but its overarching theme is not love, but respect. The lyrics, which mainly focus on the ways toxic relationships shatter self-esteem, are incisive, scathing and darkly funny. Brand New is about a woman whose rapstar-wannabe boyfriend keeps his relationship on the down low, and she unpacks female beauty standards on Mascara, a smoky ballad full of difficult vocal acrobatics and hip-hop phrasing she performs effortlessly. She’s a hugely captivating singer with a voice full of surprises and textures, including a pained rasp that emphasizes the B in R&B. Her emotions are nuanced and messy, but the production is very clean and radio-friendly. Some trendy lite disco and uplifting, singalong hooks give her voice more to compete with and play up the universality of experience, but Sullivan sounds better the more specific she gets. Top track: Mascara KR
Americana
PRASS NNNN ñNATALIE
(Spacebomb) Rating: It’s rare to come across a debut that sounds at once classic and fresh, a balance Virginia-bred, Nashville-based singer/
Part 8 (Accidental) Rating: Matthew Herbert’s music has become increasingly experimental and conceptual over the past 20 years, so much so that the most shocking thing about the latest addition to his Parts EP series, revived last year after a long dormancy, is how comparably normal the music sounds. Recent albums were constructed out of samples from the life cycle of a pig (2011’s One Pig) and the sound of a bomb being dropped on Libya (2013’s The End Of Silence), but now he’s returned to playfully deconstructing club music tropes, the concept that originally launched his career. While accessible by his standards, the final instalment in the Parts series is still far wonkier than anything currently rocking clubs. His recordings under the Herbert moniker represent his more housemusic-influenced side, but these songs are more like impressions of dance music, in which he deliberately gets everything a bit wrong while winking at the listener. That mischievous sense of fun is evident throughout. And apparently he felt so inspired while working on this series that his forthcoming album will also be released as Herbert. Top track: The Wrong Place BENJAMIN BOLES
WEEKLY ART GALLERY DIRECTORY
REINHARD REITZENSTEIN
Astrology JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
NNNN ñHERBERT
RESERVE YOUR ART EVENT OR GALLERY - CALL 416-364-1300 X 381
Rob Brezsny’s Free Will
48
Electronic
ART LINK
Need some advice?
Find out what’s written in the stars, page 30.
songwriter Natalie Prass pulls off gracefully on her self-titled album, a soul-spun take on traditional Americana. Recorded in 2012, the release is only seeing the light of day now due to the unexpected early success of Virginia label/ studio Spacebomb, who lend their lush production style to Prass’s slow-burn countrified torch songs. Both Emmylou Harris’s twang and Jenny Lewis’s charisma (Prass recently toured as a backup singer and keyboardist for Lewis) find a home in her honey-sweet vocals, which push wellworn heartsick lyrical tropes beyond mere cliché, as on lead track My Baby Don’t Understand Me. The Stax-style arrangements lend just the right embellishment to her otherwise straightforward songcraft, like the soaring strings and blasts of brass that bracket the jaunty handclaps on Your Fool, or the horns punching up the slinky vibe of Bird Of Prey. The slower, sentimental ballads can veer into maudlin territory, and the spoken-word Reprise seems utterly unnecessary, but such minor missteps are easily overlooked when the rest is such a satisfying listen. Top track: Bird Of Prey TABASSUM SIDDIQUI
Confessions of a Dendrophiliac Jan. 31 - Feb. 21 Opening Sat Jan.31, 2-5 PM
Ñ
olga korper gallery
17 Morrow Ave, Toronto 416 538 8220 | olgakorpergallery.com
= Critics’ Pick NNNNN = Perfect NNNN = Great NNN = Good NN = Bad N = Horrible
art
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MULTIMEDIA
ARTSCAPE YOUNGPLACE Crip Interiors,
Street smarts McClelland marked by ambivalence By DAVID JAGER NIALL McCLELLAND at Clint
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Roenisch (190 St. Helens), to February 28. 416-516-8593. Rating: NNNN
Hot Sauce, Niall McClelland’s show of painting, prints, video and sculpture, is hard to parse at first. Spanning a jumble of sensibilities, it doesn’t even come across as the work of one artist. Yet underneath it all, a few themes can be discerned. For one, McClelland mines his ambivalence about his youth spent in mosh pits and skate parks, paying tribute to the scenes that gave birth to his artistic sensibility even as he distances himself from them. Bad Teenage Poetry, for example, appears to be four formalist abstract shapes silkscreened across separate panels. But it’s also the gate-fold from a cassette by early favourite hardcore band Rancid, with the lyrics blotted out. A series at the start of the show takes its images from old ads and cartoons. Representing everything from badly drawn sexual puns to Kurt Co-
bain’s suicide note and Peanuts’ philosophical Linus, their scratchy surfaces and black humour bring to mind scarred high school desks carved by bored skatepunks. McClelland betrays his fascination with double meanings and misdirection in other ways. Five giant canvases in the back room may strike you as high-minded expressionism. Rolled over and splattered, they’re the result of casual layering applied on the studio floor. They’ve been worked on, obviously, but he’s not letting us know how much.
July just awful THE FIRST BAD MAN by Miranda July (Scribner), 288 pages, $29.99 cloth. Rating: N Miranda July’s first novel is funny – in its second sentence. After which it careens downhill and hits bottom so hard it gets buried in its own bullshit. Forty-something single woman Cheryl Glickman, who works at a women’s self-defence org called Open
READINGS THIS WEEK Thursday, January 29 DESCANT FINAL ISSUE (D167): IN A CABINET OF CURIOSITIES Launch for the final issue of the
literary journal with readings by Josh Stewart, Kay Armatage, Jim Nason and others. 7 pm. Free. Supermarket, 268 Augusta. descant.ca. MIRANDA JULY Talking about her novel The First Bad Man with Sheila Heti. 7 pm. Free (ticket required). Reference Library, 789 Yonge. torontopubliclibrary.ca.
Saturday, January 31 WINTER WONDERLAND AT HIRUT Poetry and
music by Lizzie Violet, Valentino Assenza, Matt Gerber and Lacey Wilson. 9 pm. Hirut Fine Ethiopian Cuisine, 2050 Danforth. 416-551-7560.
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The show’s lone video sums it up. It’s the ghostly slowed-down image of an early street ball hero engaging in a style of aggressive and humorous
THIS WEEK IN THE MUSEUMS
B = Black History Month event AGA KHAN MUSEUM The Lost Dhow, to
ñ ñ
Apr 26. 77 Wynford. 416-646-4677. $15-$20. AGO Art Spiegelman, to Mar 14. Suzy Lake, to Mar 22. Henryk Ross, to Jun 14. Mohamed Bourouissa, to Feb 8. 317 Dundas W. 416-979-6648. $11-$19.50, free Wed 6-8:30 pm. ART GALLERY OF YORK U Biding Time: The Collection Strikes Back, to Mar 15. 4700 Keele, Accolade E bldg. 416-736-5169. BLACKWOOD GALLERY Inside, to Mar 2. 3359
books SHOCK FICTION
Niall McClelland references images that influenced him when he was young.
Mississauga N, UTM. 905-828-3789.
JUSTINA M. BARNICKE Sign, Sign, Everywhere
A Sign, to Mar 7. 7 Hart House. 416-9788398. MOCCA Douglas Coupland, Jan 31-Apr 19. 952 Queen W. 416-395-0067. Pwyc. B POWER PLANT The Unfinished Conversation: Encoding/Decoding, to May 18. 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4949. ROM Bernice Eisenstein, to Feb 8. Douglas Coupland, Jan 31-Apr 26. Wildlife Photographer Of The Year, to Mar 23. 100 Queen’s Park. 416-586-8000.
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Palm, has two abiding obsessions: Phillip, the septuagenarian she’s hot for, and Kubelko Bondy, the baby she loves but which doesn’t really exist except in her delusion that he inhabits the soul of every baby she comes in contact with. Cheryl also has her life organized in such a compulsive way that even the smallest disruption can be catastrophic. Enter Clee, the daughter of Cheryl’s two bosses, who’s forced on her as a
roommate and upends her ordered life in a big way. Clee’s stinky, cruel and useless around the house. Suddenly, she and Cheryl are playing a quasi-sexual, violent (consensual) adult game that takes their relationship to a new level. Phillip, in the meantime, wants Cheryl to approve his sexual bond with a 14-year-old girl. This, during Cheryl and Clee’s adult play, triggers a series of sexual fantasies involving
Sunday, February 1
sents a discussion of Amélie Nothomb’s Fear And Trembling. 6:30 pm. Free. Reference Library, 789 Yonge. 416-922-2014.
MOSAIC STORYTELLING FESTIVAL Norman Perrin and Diana Tso. 3 pm. Pwyc. St David’s Church, 49 Donlands. mosaicstorytelling.ca.
Monday, February 2 THE EH LIST AUTHOR SERIES: MIRIAM TOEWS Toews talks about All My Puny ñ Sorrows plus debut novelist Alix Hawley talk-
ing about All True Not A Lie In It. 7 pm. Free (ticket required). Reference Library, 789 Yonge, Appel Salon. torontopubliclibrary.ca. PRISCILA UPPAL & CHRISTOPHER DODA Uppal launches Cover Before Striking plus the latest instalment of Best Canadian Essays series edited by Doda. 7 pm. Free. Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton. openbooktoronto.com.
Tuesday, February 3 EUROPEAN READING CLUB II Martha Baillie pre-
play no longer allowed in the NBA. It’s a style McClelland hopes to evoke. 3 art@nowtoronto.com
7-9 pm Jan 29-30. Encounters: York U MFA students, to Feb 7. 180 Shaw. 416530-2787. BIRCH CONTEMPORARY A Print Salon, to Feb 21. 129 Tecumseth. 416-365-3003. CENTRE SPACE Kent Monkman, Jan 30Feb 28. 65 George. 416-323-1373. CONTACT GALLERY Michel Huneault (photos), Jan 29-Mar 13, reception 6-9 pm Jan 29. 80 Spadina. 416-539-9595. DANIEL FARIA Douglas Coupland, to Mar 21. 188 St Helens. 416-538-1880. DIAZ CONTEMPORARY Helio Montiel, Rubén Ortiz-Torres and Saúl Villa (painting), to Feb 14. 100 Niagara. 416361-2972. EDWARD DAY GALLERY John Climenhage (painting), Feb 1-28. 952 Queen W. 416921-6540. FEHELEY FINE ARTS Lucy Tasseor (sculpture), Jan 31-Feb 21. 65 George. 416323-1373. GALLERY 44 Tatiana Grigorenko and Zoë Heyn-Jones, Igor Omulecki (photos), to Feb 21. 401 Richmond W. 416-979-3941.
ñGENERAL HARDWARE CONTEM-
$14.50-$16; Fri discounts 4:30-8:30 pm.
RYERSON IMAGE CENTRE Burn With Desire;
Anti-Glamour: Portraits Of Women, to Apr 5. Zinnia Naqvi, to Feb 22 33 Gould. 416979-5164. TEXTILE MUSEUM From Ashgabat To Istanbul: Oriental Rugs, to Apr 15. 55 Centre. 416599-5321. $6-$15; pwyc Wed 5-8 pm. U OF T ART CENTRE The Story Of Canadian Art: As Told By Hart House Collection; Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign, to Mar 7. 15 King’s College Circle. 416-978-1838.
MORE ONLINE
Complete art listings at nowtoronto.com/listings
Phillip or Cheryl’s therapists, who, incidentally, have never seen a boundary they’re not prepared to cross. The whole thing is not be believed, but that’s probably what July has in mind. It strikes me as an extended joke, and a lot of people have taken the bait. Critics are creaming all over it, touting July’s edgy characters, groundbreaking strategies and unique voice, while celebrities, including Lena Dunham, have given it their unequivocal approval. For what? Though Open Palm offers a rich area, there’s no satire, unless you think being vicious to an unlovable loser qualifies. July milks the Phillip fantasy for its fundamentally disappointing payoff, but Erica Jong did the same thing with the zipless
PORARY Stanzie Tooth (painting), Jan 10-Feb 7, reception 3-6 pm Jan 10 1520 Queen W. 416-821-3060. MKG127 Michael Dumontier, to Feb 7. 1445 Dundas W. 647-435-7682. NARWHAL Noel Middleton (sculpture), to Feb 7. 2104 Dundas W. 647-346-5317. RED HEAD Gabrielle de Montmollin (mixed media), Feb 4-28. 401 Richmond W. 416-504-5654. STEPHEN BULGER Subway group show (photos), to Mar 14. 1026 Queen W. 416-504-0575. TRINITY SQUARE VIDEO Video Fever: student show, to Feb 6. 401 Richmond W. 416-593-1332.
fuck over 40 years ago, so no ground broken there. As for Dunham’s recommendation, Girls features equally unlikeable characters, but at least their conversations seem real. I’ve searched in vain for a single line of authentic dialogue in this novel. Every once in a while – like maybe three times – July shows flashes of brilliance that recall the creative filmmaker who gave us You And Me And Everyone We Know. But they just make this lazy exercise all the more infuriating. SUSAN G. COLE Don’t be fooled. July appears at a sold-out event at the Reference Library Thursday (January 29). See Readings, this page. susanc@nowtoronto.com | @susangcole
KLIPSPRINGER MAGAZINE PRESENTS: BODIES Launching the latest issue. 9 pm. Free. Cafe Pamenar, 307 Augusta. facebook.com/ events/1535932520023999.
Wednesday, February 4 JASON LOO Launch for Pitiful Human-Lizard
issue 3. 7-9 pm. Free. Silver Snail, 329 Yonge. facebook.com/events/820669314665699. PAUL DORE Launch for The Walking Man. 8-10 pm. Centre for Social Innovation Annex, 720 Bathurst. RSVP. eventbrite.ca/e/14526662639. VELVET HANEY Reading from her debut graphic memoir, The Mousehouse Years. 7 pm. Free. Bloor/Gladstone Library, 1101 Bloor W. torontopubliclibrary.ca. WORDS AT THE WISE Readings by JR McConvey & Andrew Simpson. 8 pm. Free. Wise Bar, 1007 Bloor W. versustheneanderthals.com. 3
Saturday, Feb. 7 4:30pm
READING/INTERVIEW
Box Office/Info: 416-973-4000 ifoa.org
This event is part of
Brigantine Room 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Roxane Gay (USA), An Untamed State Interviewer: Siri Agrell
Kuumba
$18/FREE for supporters, students & youth
Kuumba is part of the TD Then & Now Black History Month Series
= 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?
NOW JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015
49
stage
more online nowtoronto.com/stage Audio clips from interview with NTU AND SKWATTA’S VINCENT MANTSOE • and more Fully searchable listings with venue maps nowtoronto.com/listings
THEATRE REVIEW ROUNDUP
A big show storm Here’s the scoop on the latest openings and must-see productions
Marcel Stewart (left), Sarah Afful and Michael Blake wield a powerful Small Axe.
Big issues SMALL AXE by Andrew Kushnir
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(Project:Humanity/Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen West). Runs to February 1. $22-$25. 416-538-0998. See Continuing, page 52. Rating: NNNN
The best theatre prods, provokes and informs. Writer/performer Andrew Kushnir’s Small Axe does all that,
Poignant Place THE OTHER PLACE by Sharr White (Canadian Stage). At Bluma Appel (27 Front East). To February 8. $30-$99. 416-366-7723. See Continuing, page 52. Rating: NNNN
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Back in 2013, this intense psychological drama about a 50-something pharmaceutical scientist (Tamsin Kelsey) slipping into dementia was American playwright Sharr White’s Broadway debut. In this Canadian premiere, Kelsey’s heart-wrenching portrayal of Juliana, the ambitious, tough-as-nails zoomer who begins to suffer the insidious symptoms of mental illness, takes White’s mind-bending script to the emotional max. The plot skips back and forth over a period of 15 years, focusing on Juliana’s
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and a lot more. It was inspired by a conversation he once had with a fellow actor about homophobia in the Jamaican community. This actor, like Kushnir, is gay, but unlike him he’s black. When he told a story about feeling shunned at a family function because of his sexuality, Kushnir naively chirped that his own experiences as a Ukrainian Canadian were similar.
Not quite. This fascinating piece of docutheatre came about through a series of interviews Kushnir conducted with queers and allies in the Jamaican community. On five separate platforms, black actors Sarah Afful, Michael Blake, Lisa Codrington, Chy Spain and
ject matter, Kelsey makes Juliana quite funny, playing her pessimistic and narcissistic qualities just right to keep the dark and sad themes from being totally overwhelming. Director Daniel Brooks nicely manages the show’s many changes in time and place, making them work as sudden jumps or smooth transitions thanks to wellcoordinated mood-setting projections by designer Jamie Nesbitt. The combination of Judith Bowden’s sleek, refined, minimalist set and Nesbitt’s surreal, singleHaley McGee (left) colour projections comforts Tamsin Kelsey creates a visual foil in The Other Place. for Juliana’s transition into a less or-
strained relationship with her well-to-do oncologist husband, Ian (Jim Mezon). While supportive, he becomes increasingly frustrated as her stubborn and snarky personality is clouded by hurtful bouts of forgetfulness and delusion. Their deep-seated problems appear to stem from their estranged daughter (Haley McGee), who ran away from home as a teenager, but White’s script contains surprises I won’t spoil here. Despite the very serious sub-
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
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= Critics’ Pick
Marcel Stewart morph into those interview subjects, communicating hesitation and doubt at first and including pauses and contradictions that would appear in any actual taped conversation. What emerges, both here and later on when they climb down from those platforms (pedestals?) to talk on a more equal footing with Kushnir, is disturbing in many ways. There are lots of examples of homophobia – one man, Gareth Henry, says during his four years at J-Flag (Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays) 13 friends were killed. But the issue, we learn, is tied to things as varied as colonialism, white privilege and slavery. That’s a lot to unpack, but the script, and Alan Dilworth’s direction, are bracing in their directness and urgency. The actors switch between characters effortlessly, and a lively Pride Parade sequence in the middle effectively mixes up the energy of the proceedings. Even the title is metaphorically powerful. It comes from a story about trees in a forest thinking they’ve found an ally because of the axe’s wooden handle. It could also be a pun on small acts. I wish there were more variety of expression in Kushnir’s persona. He seems constantly in a state of heightened anxiety, and different emotional beats would have made his journey more intriguing. And I would have liked to hear more about how Kushnir got his interview sample. Does it represent a wide socio-economic and educational range? Fittingly, the production ends with a pass-the-mic opportunity for the audience to talk about how the show, and its issues, affected them, highlighting the need for further debate, discussion and – perhaps most imGLENN SUMI portant – listening.
NNNNN = Standing ovation
NNNN = Sustained applause
NNN = Memorable scenes
Miller’s times BOOM written and performed by Rick Miller (Mirvish/Kdoons/Wyrd). At the Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge). Runs to February 1. $25-$79. mirvish.com. See Continuing, page 52. Rating: NNN Rick Miller is one of the country’s most gifted, versatile artists, and that’s on display in BOOM, his 100-minute journey through a quarter-century in the lives of three people from the baby boom generation. But there’s something in the structure and execution that prevents it from soaring. Focusing on three people – an Austrian émigré named Rudi, an AfricanAmerican man named Laurence and his own mother, Maddie – Miller talks, walks and sings us through each year from 1945, when one boom happened (the atomic bomb), to 1969, when another occurred (the Apollo 11 launch). In between, of course, there were plenty of explosive changes: in music, from the crooners to rock ’n’ roll; in politics, from postwar prosperity to Cold War paranoia; and in culture, from conformity and regimentation to rebellion. Miller’s attempt to cram every significant event, person and campy TV commercial into the show soon becomes exhausting, however, and it’s not clear where he’s heading. His impressions of everyone from Winston Churchill to Janis Joplin are amusing, though, and the show’s brilliant, layered design by Yannik Larivée (set, costumes, props) and David Leclerc (projections) allows us to experience several things at once. At times we see a projected image of someone famous, see Miller behind a screen mimicking him or her and simultaneously read information about an dered, less reality-based frame of mind. Silhouette and shadow effects by lighting designer Michael Walton are subtle yet effective contributions to the fractured modernist design. Kelsey’s performance is strengthened by both Mezon, with whom she has great combative chemistry, and McGee, who impresses as three supporting characters who each deal differently with Juliana’s increasingly erratic behaviour. As baby boomers approach their later years, confronting and managing the onset of age-related mental illnesses will become an even more pressing issue – one that, as White points out here, many families are unprepared to deal with. White’s play offers some hope that kindness, patience and understanding can temper an otherwise bleak JORDAN BIMM prospect.
NN = Seriously flawed
N = Get out the hook
Rick Miller displays his huge gifts in BOOM.
ntirelydifferenteventonthatscreen e asonastockmarketticker. Theeffectislikeasped-upversion ofaKenBurnsdocumentary,butwith Millerdoingallthevoices:funandinformative,butgimmicky.What’s lackingisapropersynthesisofinformation.Andthere’satouchofpanderingtoareceptiveaudiencethat wantstoseethegreatesthitsoftheir
well-documentedlivesintheshow. Miller’saddedanintermission aroundthe1960mark,whichhelps lettheinformationsettleand breathe.Andthesecondhalf’srevelations–nospoilers–areparticularly resonant,especiallyinasequence thattiesthethreecharacterstogetherasMillerdoesJoniMitchellsinging GLENN SUMI TheCircleGame.
opera review
Bravo Braun DON GIOVANNI by Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). At the Four Seasons Centre (145 Queen West). Runs to February 21. $22-$424. 416-363-8231. See Continuing, page 52. Rating: NNN You’ve never seen Don Giovanni the way Russell Braun portrays him in director Dmitri Tcherniakov’s production of Mozart’s opera. Rather than a charismatic womanizer whose sexy, seductive nature is apparent to all, this Don Juan is dishevelled and troubled. Yet he attracts the opera’s three women like a Svengali, convincing them to fall for him. Tcherniakov places the contemporary action among relatives in the house of the patriarchal Commendatore (Andrea Silvestrelli) killed by Giovanni at the start of the work, after he’s seduced Donna Anna (Jane Archibald), the Commendatore’s daughter. Donna Elvira (Jennifer Holloway), another of the don’s conquests, is here Giovanni’s wife and Anna’s cousin, while the third woman, Zerlina (Sasha Djihanian), becomes Anna’s daughter. The director’s concept sets up some fascinating episodes, but others are utter nonsense in terms of text and action. You might consider not reading the surtitles but just watching the relationships unfold onstage. Things aren’t as confusing in the second half, which has a believable emotional flow. Too bad the opening performance
Kyle Ketelsen (left), Russell Braun and Jennifer Holloway add modern touches to Mozart.
took a while to settle down musically. Conductor Michael Hofstetter at times allowed his orchestra to drown out the singers, who were at times uncertain in their first numbers. His tempi could also have had more bite throughout. Still, there’s some fine work onstage, notably from Holloway, whose interaction with Braun, and Kyle Ketelsen as Leporello, the don’s accomplice, is often riveting. Archibald’s strong voice gives force to Anna, while Djihanian’s Zerlina singing an aria to Giovanni’s coat reveals her obsession with him rather than with her fiancé, Masetto (Zachary Nelson). The production’s best-defined relationship, though, is that between
Giovanni and Leporello. Ketelsen has a resonant voice and is also a fine clown, and the camaraderie between his gum-chewing, yo-yo-playing Leporello and Braun’s mercurial outsider is alternately playful, fierce and flippant. It’s Giovanni, though, who brings Tcherniakov’s idea to life. Braun draws a complex portrait of an addict who can’t help but attract women even though it gives him little pleasure. Shifting from introspective melancholy to forced, manic outbursts of joy, humour and conviviality, his archseducer is a desperate, weary, angstridden man who’s searching for something, and it’s not necessarily bedding JON KAPLAN every woman he meets.
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2 must-see productions, 1 week!
All Our Happy Days Are Stupid Sheila Heti/Suburban Beast | Canada Produced with Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage
A hilarious and surreal story from Toronto’s indie-literati.
The Cardinals SEE BOTH
From February 11–15 experience the innovative works of these visionary artists.
Stan’s Cafe | UK
Bundle your tickets and receive 20% off your ticket to The Cardinals using promo code BUNDLE.
A meticulously directed and hilarious visual performance exploring belief — in religion and theatre.
Offer available by phone only.
1 | All Our Happy Days Are Stupid, Photo: Erin Brubacher and Jordan Tannahill 2 | The Cardinals, Photo: Grame Braidwood
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2015-01-26 12:43 PM NOW january 29 - february 4 2015 51
theatre listings
Jessica Barrera (left) and Jani Lauzon travel to the past to deal with the present in A Side Of Dreams.
How to find a listing
Theatre listings are comprehensive and appear alphabetically by title. New this week lists shows that open or preview this week; Continuing shows have already opened. Reviews are by Glenn Sumi (GS) and Jon Kaplan (JK). The rating system is as follows: NNNNN Standing ovation NNNN Sustained applause NNN Recommended, memorable scenes NN Seriously flawed N Get out the hook b = Black History Month event
ñ= Critics’ pick (highly recommended) How to place a listing
theatre review
Dream catcher A side Of dreAms by Jani Lauzon (Paper Canoe Projects). At Aki Studio Theatre (585 Dundas East). Runs to February 1. $10-$25. 416-531-1402. See Continuing, this page. Rating: NNN
Sometimes you have to go back to the past to create a positive future. In Jani Lauzon’s A Side Of Dreams, a troubled Métis mother and daughter, Haisa (Lauzon) and Aina (Jessica Barrera), are whisked away to a world of generational memory and age-old enchantment to heal their lives. Haisa’s husband has been killed, and she’s gone mute, unable to communicate with the angry, isolated Aina, who wants her mother back. With the help of the mythical protective spirit Spider Woman (Trish Leeper), Haisa travels to a mist-filled realm where aboriginal history comes to life, complete with dragons and giants. Haisa appears as a puppet in this land of subconscious reality, a parallel plane where she learns lessons about her heritage.
One of the show’s high points is a musical episode that resurrects Haisa’s own mother, Katherine, and also magically includes Aina, who discovers the importance of her ancestral line. The sometimes whimsical show, which will appeal to young audiences as well as grown-ups, makes good use of Leeper’s puppetry and mask-making skills and a score composed by Marcia Coffey working with Lauzon. Other pluses are Melissa Joakim’s lighting and projections, which emphasize the threads of Spider Woman’s web and the circle of life, represented by the dream catcher. Much of the show rests on Lauzon’s shoulders, and she brings charm to the telling. In the course of the hour-long production, she portrays a range of characters, including the mute Haisa, her ebullient mother (who makes a mean apple pie and loves to dance), a mythical serpent and a towering guy in a yellow slicker. Expressive in face and body, she takes the audience on a journey that begins in a cheerless, prosaic world but ends, after an exploration of ancestral memories both sad and joyful, in freedom and flight. JON kAplAN
All listings are free. Send to: events@nowtoronto.com, fax to 416-364-1168 or mail to Theatre, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7. Include title, author, producer/ company, brief synopsis, times, range of ticket prices, venue name and address, and box office/ info phone number or website. Listings may be edited for space. Deadline is the Thursday before publication at 5 pm. If your free listing requires a correction, send info to: fixevents@nowtoronto.com.
New this week Abyss by Maria Milisavljevic (Tarragon The-
atre). A young woman goes missing and her family looks to her lover from a troubled region for answers. Previews from Feb 3, opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. Extraspace. 30 Bridgman. 416-5311827, tarragontheatre.com. AccideNtAl deAth Of AN ANArchist by Dario Fo (Soulpepper). An man arrested after a bombing in Milan falls from the 4th floor of a police station in this satirical farce. Previews Jan 29-Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 21, see website for times. $29.50-$89. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca. cANcer cAN’t dANce like this by Daniel Stolfi (De Lucia/Ferguson/Stolfi). Stolfi uses vivid characters and comedy to portray his battle with cancer in a final performance of his solo show. Jan 30 at 8 pm. $30. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen W. cancercantdancelikethis.bpt.me. bcOmplex by Rebecca Applebaum (Koffler Centre of the Arts). A U of T student tutors a troubled teenager from an at-risk neighborhood. Staged reading followed by a talkback. Jan 29 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw, studio 101. kofflerarts.org. die WAlküre by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). A warrior goddess risks everything to preserve the future. In German with English subtitles. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 22, see website for schedule. $22-$424. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-3638231, coc.ca.
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dOlls iN disgrAce: russ meyer burlesque VixeNs (Disgraceland). Charlie Quinn, Honey
Fury, Maria Juana and Kitty Litteur pay tribute to 60s/70s sexploitation films. Jan 30 at 10 pm. Free. Disgraceland, 965 Bloor W. facebook.com/dollsindisgracefridays. fOOtsteps iN cAmpbell hOuse (U of T Opera/ Campbell House). Audiences walk through the rooms and encounter those who’ve lived in the historic home in this operatic production. Jan 30-Feb 1, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Fri-Sun 2 pm. $20. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. campbellhousemuseum.ca.
gettiNg hitched! AN eNgAgemeNt pArty directed by Alfred hitchmOck by Birgitte
Solem and Brian Caws (MYDT). Dinner theatre comedy whodunit set in a world where the Bates Motel meets Mad Men. Opens Jan 30 and runs to Mar 28, Fri-Sat dinner 6:30 pm, show 8 pm. $45-$87. See website for more times. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre, 2026 Yonge. mysteriouslyyours.com. hOW dO i lOVe thee? by Florence Gibson MacDonald (Canadian Rep Theatre). This play explores the love story of poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning. Previews Jan 31-Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 22, TueSat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (except Feb 1, at 7 pm). $35-$40, previews $20, $15 rush Sun. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianrep.ca.
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january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
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= Critics’ Pick
NNNNN = Standing ovation
lOVe fOr lOVe by William Congreve (George Brown College School of Performing Arts). A nobleman’s son must choose between love or money in this Restoration comedy. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 14, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm (and Feb 11). $20, srs $15, stu $8. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca. melANchOly plAy by Sarah Ruhl (The Empty Room). A girl admired for her “beautiful sadness” becomes happy, disappointing her followers. Opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 8, ThuSun 8 pm. $20-$23, stu $15-$18, opening night pwyc (ltd rush). The Collective Space, 221 Sterling, unit 5. empty-room.com. murder At the burlesque: fembOts & As-
cOts (The Social Capital Theatre/Red Herring Burlesque). This serial incorporates burlesque, improvised comedy and the spy world of the 1960s. Jan 30 at 8 pm. $15. , 154 Danforth. fembotsascotsmatb.eventbrite.ca. Other desert cities by Jon Robin Baitz (Markham Little Theatre). An author returns home for Christmas and announces that her new book will reveal secrets from the family’s past. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 7, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $24-$26. Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd. markhamlittletheatre.ca. prOgress: iNterNAtiONAl festiVAl Of perfOrmANce ANd ideAs (SummerWorks/The-
atre Centre). Performances, workshops and conversations featuring six international shows, six languages and five free artist workshops and talks. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 15, see website for schedule. $15-$30, some free events. Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. thisisprogress.ca. queercAb (BIBT). The monthly open-mic night for youth features music, spoken word, stand-up, drag and more. Feb 4 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com. reVeAl me burlesque (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. Feb 4 at 9 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com. sAbriNA fAir by Samuel Taylor (Amicus Productions). A chauffeur’s daughter returns from Paris profoundly changed and captures the eye of his employer’s son. Opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 7, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 1 and 7 at 2 pm. $22, stu/srs $20. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. amicustickets.ca. sleepiNg beAuty (Nags Players). The fairy tale is presented as a traditional English pantomime. Opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 7, ThuSat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm. $12-$20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. nagsplayers.com. tWisted by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman and Joseph Jomo Pierre (b current/Factory Theatre). Ollie and Nance struggle to survive on the streets of Toronto in this modern re-imagining of Oliver Twist. Previews Jan 31-Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (except Feb 1 at 7 pm). $23-$45. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
Continuing
Alex iN WONderlANd (Solar Stage Children’s
Theatre). A boy follows a White Rabbit into a crazy world in this play for ages 3-10. To Feb 1, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. 4950 Yonge. 416-368-8031, solarstage.on.ca. AVeNue q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to New York City and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. To Feb 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $50-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com. blOOd relAtiONs by Sharon Pollock (Alumnae Theatre). This psychological journey looks at the real-life case of suspected axe murderer Lizzie Borden. To Feb 7, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed $10, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com. bOOm by Rick Miller (Kdoons/Wyrd Productions). Miller journeys through 25 years of turbulent history (see review, page 50). To Feb 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. mirvish.com. NNN (GS) cOuNtiNg sheep (Mark Marczyk and Marichka Kudriavtsev). The story of riot cop- turnedprotester Vasyl and caroller-turned- activist Melanka during the unrest in Kyiv. To Feb 1, Thu-Sun 7 pm. $100. St Vladimir Institute, 620 Spadina. countingsheepkoljada.com. dON giOVANNi by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). A womanizing nobleman meets his match in this classic opera (see re-
NNNN = Sustained applause
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view, page 51). To Feb 21, see website for schedule. $22-$424. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-3638231, coc.ca. NNN (JK) hAmlet by William Shakespeare (Unit 102 Actors Company/the Fresh Mint Project). The classic tragedy is presented in film noir style with suits, bourbon and fedoras. To Feb 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, pwyc Jan 27 & Feb 3. The Theatre Machine, 376 Dufferin. unit102theatrecompany.com. the heArt Of rObiN hOOd by David Farr (Mirvish). A laidback, hipster feel suffuses this uneven take on the Robin Hood story, which comes complete with a feminist subplot, scruffy acrobats as Robin’s merry men and the enjoyable harmonies of neo-bluegrass/folk group Parsonsfield to back up the action. The show has energy and a couple of good sight gags – including many on the remarkable set – but the characters are thin and the performers don’t get to show off their musical chops. To Mar 29, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. mirvish.com. NNN (GS) her2 by Maja Ardal (Nightwood Theatre). An ambitious researcher recruits seven women with breast cancer to undergo a clinical trial. If it fails, they’ll probably die. Sounds earnest but playwright Ardal finds exactly the right tone, mixing droll humour with emotional intelligence that connects you deeply with the patients. The ensemble is outstanding, especially Chick Reid as a highstrung prof and Olunike Adeliyi as an angry teen. I wish the role of the researcher weren’t so sketchily drawn, but that’s a small complaint about an evening of powerful theatre. To Feb 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$45. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, nightwoodtheatre. net. NNNN (Susan G Cole) hOld mOmmy’s cigArette (Shelley Marshall). Marshall performs her solo dark comedy about life, mental illness and survival. To Jan 31, Fri-Sat 8 pm. $25. The Full Bawdy Loft, 290 Carlaw, #202. 416-821-1754, holdmommyscigarette.com. Jesus christ superstAr by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Hart House Theatre). Judas makes a choice between Jesus and the Roman rulers in this musical. To Jan 31, ThuSat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10$15. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca. the Other plAce by Sharr White (Canadian Stage). A successful neurologist’s life seems to be falling apart, but things are not as they seem (see review, page 50). To Feb 7, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat SatSun 1 pm. $30-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com. NNNN (Jordan Bimm) the seAgull by Anton Chekhov (Crows Theatre/Canadian Stage). Working with a superb cast of actors, director Chris Abraham brings to vivid life Chekhov’s characters, who invariably fall in love with the wrong people and ignore those who are enamoured of them. Breaking the fourth wall, the production captures the comedy as well as the heartache of the all-too-human men and women who populate this world. To Feb 8, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed and Sat-Sun 1 pm. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. canadianstage.com. NNNN (JK) A side Of dreAms by Jani Lauzon (Paper Canoe Projects). A single mother discovers the spirit of the Dreamcatcher while searching for a cultural identity (see review, this page). To Feb 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $10-$25. Aki Studio. Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E. 416531-1402, papercanoeprojects.com. NNN (JK) smAll Axe by Andrew Kushnir (Project: Humanity/Theatre Centre). A queer white documentary theatre-maker learns a lot about himself while investigating homophobia in Jamaica (see review, page 50). To Feb 1. $25, stu/srs $22. 1115 Queen W. 416538-0988, theatrecentre.org. NNNN (GS) the ties thAt biNd by James Ince (Our Souls). Ince performs his semi-autobiographical solo show about the facts and fictions society tells itself regarding mental illness. To Jan 31, ThuSat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20-$30, mat pwyc. Backspace. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca. WAitiNg rOOm by Diane Flacks (Tarragon Theatre). Flacks blends two stories, one involving a young couple whose infant daughter is diagnosed with a brain tumour and the other about physicians working on a risky trial for early-onset Alzheimer’s; the former is the stronger narrative. The playwright leavens the tragedy inherent in both tales with a welcome dash of comedy, and her cast is a strong one. To Feb 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $29-$55. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com. NNN (JK) 3
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NN = Seriously flawed
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DANCE PREVIEW
Staggering solos South African dance great plumbs the personal and the political By GLENN SUMI Vincent Mantsoe returns after a nearly a decadelong absence.
NTU AND SKWATTA choreography by Vincent Mantsoe. Presented by Danceworks at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queens Quay West). Thursday to Saturday (January 29-31), 8 pm. $28-$37, stu/ srs discounts. 416-973-4000.
South African dancer and choreographer Vincent Mantsoe is known for his visceral fusion of traditional African forms, martial arts and urban movement. So you might be surprised to learn that his early inspirations were Michael Jackson and the TV show Fame. “In the townships, we were influenced by black American music and soul, and we studied how people like
Jackson and the Temptations moved,” he tells me from a tour stop in Ottawa. “People considered me punk because I had a gold ponytail and wore tight pants, with a handkerchief on my neck to mimic the black American look.” Mantsoe has built a reputation for more original work, especially his invigorating, pulsating solos. This week he returns for the first time in nearly a decade, bringing two more solos, NTU and Skwatta. “NTU is based on the idea of nothing,” he says. “It’s about origins, where things begin, where you can find yourself and what you can create in your mind. The audience can create its own story or idea for what it’s
about. It’s open-minded.” Skwatta, he continues, is a bit more grounded, inspired by the squatter communities that dot the South African landscape. “South Africa has come a long way since apartheid, there’s been a lot of development in terms of infrastructure and jobs,” says Mantsoe, who grew up in the Soweto township outside Johannesburg and currently lives in France. “But something lingers. I visited my parents recently, and they live next to a settlement. I was disturbed by it, but not by the people, who are living their lives and have no choice.” He’s quick to point out that squatter communities exist around the world. “Two or three months before elections, candidates go to these places, shake hands and promise things, and it’s all for publicity – they don’t care. I wanted to create something about the individuals, the characters, the spirituality of these people. Even though they’ve been broken down, they’ve got this spirit, this sense of hope.” While NTU is more abstract, Skwatta’s choreographic language uses symbols and gestures that draw on South African traditions and a few more universal things. “At one point I give the finger,” he says, laughing. “I think everyone understands that.” 3
e Toronto Premier
ON SALE! TICKETS NOW NN
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NOW Magazine
«««ar« Toronto St
son MacDonald by Florence Gib ass G directed by Ken
“Pomegranates. That’s what we need.“ Jan 31 – Feb 22 Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs Tickets online: www.canadianrep.ca Phone: 416.368.3110
featuring Matthew Edison, Nora McLellan, Irene Poole and David Schurmann
glenns@nowtoronto.com | @glennsumi
MORE ONLINE
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dance listings
Waiting Room a world premiere
B = Black History Month event
New this week
by Diane Flacks directed by Richard Gleenblatt
BOWFIRE Fiddle and violin virtuosos play
alongside step and tap dancers. Jan 29 at 8 pm. $47-$63, child $25. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane (Brampton). rosetheatre.ca. BRAZIL, THE LAND OF TEARS AND SOUL Newton Moraes Dance Theatre presents dance that portrays the soulful complexity of contemporary Brazilian culture. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 7, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. coc.ca. BNTU AND SKWATTA DanceWorks and Harbourfront NextSteps present a double bill by South African choreographer/ dancer Vincent Mantsoe (see story, this page). Jan 29-31, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $19-$37. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, danceworks.ca. PIAF: SONGS OF THE NIGHTINGALE Bronwyn Odile Productions presents a dance cabaret showing the evolution of Edith Piaf’s life through a romantic lens. Jan 30-31 at 8 pm. $25, stu $18. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. bronwynodile.wix.com/piafnightingale.
Jan 6–Feb 15, 2015 in the Mainspace
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“Beautifully acted” (Toronto Star) “I was entirely absorbed; I cannot imagine that anyone would be unmoved.” (Mooney on Theatre)
PROGRESS: INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF PERFORMANCE AND IDEAS SummerWorks and
Theatre Centre present performances, workshops and conversations featuring six international shows, six languages and five free artist workshops and talks. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 15, see website for schedule. $15$30, some free events. Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. thisisprogress.ca.
30 Bridgman Ave · 416.531.1827 · tarragontheatre.com
Continuing
season sponsor
1976, HAVE SEVERAL Dancemakers presents
investigations and permutations of Dana Michel’s original dance work. To Jan 31, ThuSat 8 pm. $20-$25. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity. 416-367-1800, dancemakers.org. 3
media sponsor
Michelle Monteith, Jane Spidell; photo by Cylla von Tiedemann NOW JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015
53
comedy listings
2014 | 2015 Season
How to find a listing
Comedy listings appear chronologically, and alphabetically by title or venue. b= Black History Month event
ñ= Critics’ pick (highly recommended) How to place a listing
Vincent Mantsoe (France) NTU and Skwatta • Jan 29-31, 8pm
All listings are free. Send to: events@nowtoronto.com, fax 416-364-1168 or mail to Comedy,NOWMagazine,189Church, TorontoM5B1Y7. Include title, producer, comics, brief synopsis, days and times, range of ticket prices, venue name and address and box office/ info phone number/website. Listings may be edited for space. Deadline is the Thursday before publication at 5 pm. If your free listing requires a correction, send info to: fixevents@nowtoronto.com.
DW 208
Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West A captivating exploration of western street dance, martial arts and traditional African dance, performed by an unparalleled artist.
Thursday, January 29 BeerProv: The DrafT Jim Robinson presents
thirsty young improvisers competing in elimination games. 9:30 pm. $15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. ComeDy aCes Stand up w/ Glen Foster, Lawrence Morgenstern, Kenny Robinson, Rob Ross and Mark Walker. 8 pm. $25. Pilot Tavern, 22 Cumberland. comedyaces.com.
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Corral’s Corral! a KiD’s show for aDulTs
Tickets: $19 - $37
416
Corral Blue presents Drawprov w/ Lindsay Grant, Tom MacKay & Dan Hershfield, songs, puppetry and more. 8 pm. $10. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth. corralblue.com. The Danny show Weekly comedy showcase from 7 pm, open-mic comedy party from 10 pm, karaoke from 11 pm. Free. 120 Diner, 120 Church. 120diner.com. The emergenCy monologues Morgan Jones Phillips presents his comedic storytelling show about being a paramedic in the big city. 8 pm. $20. Cameron House, 408 Queen W. morganjonesphillips@gmail.com. The JimiBoys Sketch comedy. 8 pm. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. KiTCh KomeDy Weekly pro/am show hosted by Dean Young. 9 pm. Free. Kitch, 229 Geary. kitchbar.com. laugh saBBaTh Hosted by Andrew Johnston w/ Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Michael Balazo, Matt Collins, Marty Topps, Jess Beaulieu & Natalie Norman and Sara Hennessey. 9:30 pm. $5. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. laughsabbath.com.
973-4000 Bulmash-Siegel Fund
an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario
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down with b current
mCgregor & ranDall PresenTs sKeTCh nighT Featuring Father Problems, Falcon
Brothers, A Duck That Can Talk and others. 8 pm. $5. Placebo Space, 2877 Lake Shore W. facebook.com/events/390106484487099. reBel wiThouT a Cosmos This isn’t as solid as Second City’s last two revues, but there’s still lots to enjoy, particularly from veteran ensemble members Connor Thompson and Ashley Botting. Thompson scores big laughs as an Owen Sound layabout who has a gift for giving directions, as well as a children’s performer accidentally hired to sing at a Remembrance Day ceremony. Botting gets two big solos that showcase her sassy range. But under director Reid Janisse, many of the sketches need polish, presenting jokey types rather than people. To Jan 31, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $25-$29, stu $16-$18. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity. com. nnn (Glenn Sumi) ryan Dennee Headlining with Jimmy Cassidy and host Denis Grignon. Jan 29-Feb 1, Thu 8:30 pm. Fri 9 pm, Sat 8 & 10:45 pm, Sun 8 pm. $10-$15. Absolute Comedy, 2335 Yonge. 416486-7700, absolutecomedy.ca. saffron & golD ComeDy Weekly show w/ host Elaine Gold and guest comics. 8:30 pm. Pwyc. Christie Pits Pub, 814 Bloor W. facebook.com/saffrongoldcomedy. The sPoTlighT Top Shelf Comedy presents emerging and pro stand-up comics. 9 pm. Pwyc. Reposado, 136 Ossington. topshelfcomedyshow. com.
T WISTED Written by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman & Joseph Jomo Pierre
January 31 – February 22, 2015 Preview Tickets $23 | #Twisted
Call 416.504.9971 or visit factorytheatre.ca
CONTENT ADVISORY: SEX, DRUGS, AND CELLPHONES.
Photo of Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman & Joseph Jomo Pierre by Bronwen Sharp Design by lightupthesky.ca
Twisted Charles Dickens’ classic — reimagined.
sToneD uP ComeDy
Amanda Day presents a weekly stand-up show. 7 pm. $5. Hot Box Puff Lounge, 204 Augusta. 416-203-6990.
sunee Dhaliwal
THE PLURALISM
an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario
54
january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
FUND
Stand-up. To Feb 1, Thu-Sun 8 pm, late
show Fri-Sat 10:30 pm. $13-$22. Yuk Yuk’s, 224 Richmond W. yukyuks.com. ToronTo, i love you BDT presents an unscripted, unconventional love letter to the city. To Jan 31, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, 875 Bloor W. baddogtheatre.com. unsoliCiTeD aDviCe The Weaker Vessels present a full-length sketch comedy revue, starring Lance Byrd, Nadine Djoury and others. Jan 29-31 at 8 pm. $10. Fraser Studios, 76 Stafford. weakervesselsadvice.bpt.me. The winTer of our imProv DisConTenT We Happy Few present improvised plays in the style of Shakespeare. 8 pm. $7. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.
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Friday, January 30 BeerProv Jim Robinson presents a short form
improv competition. 10:30 pm. $20. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. BlaCK CaT ComeDy Stephanie Tolev, Chris Locke, Amanda Brooke Perrin and hosts Steve Patrick Adams & Jordan Foisy. 9 pm. Pwyc. Black Cat Espresso Bar, 1104 College. facebook.com/events/1058581877500610. CaTCh23 Weekly improv pit fight. 8 pm. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. ComeDy KaPow! Stand-up, improv and sketch with a pro headliner. 8:30 pm. Free. 120 Diner, 120 Church. facebook.com/comedykapow.
gooD news, ToronTo: new years DevoluTion Korri Birch presents a live-news-parody
show featuring Lil RasGALS, Bobby Homer, Birch, Zacharie Weingarten and others. 8 pm. $5. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. facebook.com/ GoodNewsTorontoTheShow. hiruT hooT Stand-up w/ Sandra Battaglini, Leny Corrado, Camille Cote, Rachelle Elie, Billy Wiegand, Judy Croon, Mark DeBonis and host Scott McCrickard. 9 pm. $5. Hirut Fine Ethiopian Cuisine, 2050 Danforth. 416-551-7560. imProv game show Weekly Whose Line-inspired competition. 8 pm. $5. 3rd floor. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth. 416903-5388, socap.ca. marTy ToPPs Album release party w/ Nick Flanagan, Sara Hennessey, Tim Gilbert & Topps. 9 pm. $5. Double Double Land, 209 Augusta. martytopps.ca. The meme-ing of life Remount of Second City’s 2013 sketch revue about the wins and epic fails of living on and off the digital highway. 7 pm. $30. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com. my BroTher’s wiener Comedy benefit show for a comic’s brother’s medical costs due to a bike accident w/ Zabrina Chevannes, Ashley Moffatt, Brian Finch, Ian Lynch, Tony Ho and others. 10 pm. $15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. norm maCDonalD Union Events and 102.1 the Edge present the former Saturday Night Live news guy in a live show. Doors 8 pm. $39.50-$49.50. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 190 Princes’ Blvd. ticketfly.ca. PanDora’s Box An improvised show combining myth, mirth and mischief, inspired by the legend of Pandora’s Box. 9:30 pm. $12, stu $10. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, 875 Bloor W. baddogtheatre.com. reBel wiThouT a Cosmos See Thu 29. ryan Dennee See Thu 29. sunee Dhaliwal See Thu 29. ToronTo, i love you See Thu 29.
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Saturday, January 31 The JoKeBox Stand-up by Sam
Feldman, sketch by Two Of Us, There Are Two Of Me and The Palcoholics, hosts Deanna Palazzo & James Dalzell and more. 8 pm. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. laTin live! Sketch, stand-up comedy & music with a Latin touch. 7 pm. Free. 120 Diner, 120 Church. 120diner. com.
GlenFosterand otherveteran stand-upsfly highat ComedyAces on January29.
The miDnighT BreaKouT Late-night stage for rising talent. Midnight. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. reBel wiThouT a Cosmos See Thu 29. ryan Dennee See Thu 29. sunee Dhaliwal See Thu 29. ToronTo, i love you See Thu 29.
Sunday, February 1 Crimson wave ComeDy Jess Beaulieu and Natalie Norman co-host a feminist-friendly, LGBTQ-positive stand-up night. 9:30 pm. $5. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. The PlaygrounD Stand-up comics plus an open mic w/ hosts Melissa Story and Kris Siddiqi. 8:30 pm. Pwyc. 3rd floor. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth. 416-903-5388. real JoKes Weekly comedy w/ hosts Dion Arnold and Scott Belford. 8 pm. Free. Placebo Space, 2877 Lake Shore W. facebook.com/ events/1490828984532340. ryan Dennee See Thu 29. sunee Dhaliwal See Thu 29.
Monday, February 2 alTDoT ComeDy lounge Al Val, Bryan Hatt, Amanda Brooke Perrin, Keith Pedro, Joel Buxton, Sammy Farid, Randy Komi, Aisha Alfa, MC Matt O’Brien & others. 9 pm. $5. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. altdotcomedylounge.com. The BesT of The seConD CiTy Classic and original sketch and improvisation. 8 pm. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. secondcity.com. CheaP laughs Weekly open mic w/ Russell Roy and guests. 9:30 pm. Free. PJ O’Briens Irish Pub, 39 Colborne. 416-815-7562. PanCaKe monDays Weekly comedy and allyou-can-eat pancakes. 7:30 pm. $5. Smiling Buddha, 961 College. facebook.com/groups/ PancakeMondays. 200% voDKa Weekly improv hosted by Matt McCready. 8 pm. Pwyc. 2nd floor. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth. socap.ca.
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Tuesday, February 3 alTDoT ComeDy oPen miC Headliner Monty Scott, MC Rhiannon Archer and ñ 12 spots available. 9 pm. $5. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. altdotcomedylounge.com.
CagemaTCh! Improv competition. 8 pm. $10.
Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca. Classy DrunK Stand-up show. 8 pm. Free. Emmet Ray Bar, 924 College. 416-792-4497.
seConD CiTy sPring 2015 mainsTage revue
Second City presents previews of its upcoming show. In previews from Feb 3-18, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, plus Sat 10 pm. $25$29, stu $16-$18. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416343-0011, secondcity.com. The sKin of my nuTs Open mic w/ host Vandad Kardar & others. 7:30 pm. Free. Sonic Cafe, 60 Cecil. facebook.com/skinofmynuts. sTuDenT BoDies Weekly improv showcasing the Social Capital Rep Players and House Teams. 8 pm. Pwyc. 2nd fl. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth. socap.ca.
Wednesday, February 4 aC Pro-am nighT Black Zeus, Dylan Beeson,
Garrett Jamieson, Michael Kolberg, Stephanie Vittas, Jeff E Strella, headliner DeAnne Smith and host Ben Mathai. 8:30 pm. $6. Absolute Comedy, 2335 Yonge. absolutecomedy.ca. CorKTown ComeDy Byron Collins, Jill Knight, David Shuken, host Brian Coughlin and others. 9 pm. Free. Betty’s, 240 King E. corktowncomedy.com. DoPe n’ miC ComeDy Show presented by Jeff Paul, w/ Craig Fay, Sammy Farid, Ben Bankas, Blair Streeter, Ian Gordon and Alex Nussbaum. 9 pm. $5. Underground Cafe, 670 Queen E. facebook.com/jeffpaulcomedy. hey ‘90s KiDs, you’re olD This sketch show mixes 90s pop culture with the present. 8 pm. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. hey90skids. com. bholoDeCK follies Celebrating Black History Month, T.O.’s black improv community joins The Dandies on a Star Trek adventure. With stand-up comedian Gavin Stephens. 8 pm. $8. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth. improvdandies.wordpress.com. siren’s ComeDy Open-mic stand-up. Host Ben Bankas, headliner Che Durena. 8:30 pm. Free. Celt’s Pub, 2872 Dundas W. 416-767-3339. sPiriTs ComeDy nighT Weekly open mic night. 9 pm. Free. Spirits Bar & Grill, 642 Church. 416-967-0001. ToronTo ComeDy Cavern Ryan Long and others. 9 pm. Free. Cavern Bar, 76 Church. facebook.com/events/1414164218834741. TraCey maCDonalD Stand-up. Feb 4-8, WedSun 8 pm, plus Fri-Sat 10:30 pm. $13-$22. Yuk Yuk’s, 224 Richmond W. yukyuks.com. 3
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movies more online nowtoronto.com/movies
Audio clips from interview with A MOST VIOLENT YEAR’S ALEX EBERT • MID-FEST REPORT FROM SUNDANCE • and more
You won’t find two more different films than Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s Dust In The Wind (left) and Álex de la Iglesia’s Dying Of Laughter, both screening this week.
DIRECTOR RETROSPECTIVES
CONTRASTING VISIONS TIFF Cinematheque launches series by two distinctive lesser-known filmmakers By NORMAN WILNER GOOD MEN, GOOD WOMEN: THE FILMS OF HOU HSIAO-HSIEN from
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Thursday (January 29) to March 1, and
ÁLEX DE LA IGLESIA: DANCING WITH THE DEVIL from Friday (January 30) to March 28, both at TIFF Cinematheque (350 King West). tiff.net. See listings, page 59. Rating: NNNN (both)
I can’t tell whether the programmers at TIFF Cinematheque are altruists or sadists. It’s great that they’re launching retrospectives of two very distinctive filmmakers this week. Too bad they’re doing it in bleakest midwinter. Maybe it’s designed to drive concession sales of coffee and cider. Whatever their motivation, it’s wonderful that the films of Hou Hsaio-hsien and Álex de la Iglesia are being screened at the Lightbox over the next few weeks. These are two immensely talented filmmakers who’ve built strikingly distinct filmographies while never quite breaking out of the art-house circuit, and their
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work depends on immersion: you need to be locked in the dark with it. Hou requires viewers to acclimate themselves to his sparse narratives and deceptively calm rhythms, the better to unpack the relationships and emotions placed so precisely inside. By contrast, de la Iglesia’s gonzo constructions need you to feel that there’s no point in leaving, since the entire world has probably gone insane since you took your seat. Even his most conventional pictures take place at a slight remove from reality. Good Men, Good Women: The Films Of Hou Hsaio-Hsien assembles the totality of the Taiwanese master’s work and presents it out of chronological order, shuffling back and forth through his early genre pieces, his mid-period social studies and his later, more dramatically precise work. Curator Richard I. Suchenski will introduce 1998’s lush historical study Flowers Of Shanghai on Thursday (January 29) and 1987’s culture-shock drama Dust In The Wind
on Friday’s (January 30) – both films presented in new 35mm prints. In movies like City Of Sadness (Sunday, February 1) and Good Men, Good Women (February 7), Hou places his characters against key historical moments: the Chinese invasion of Taiwan after the Second World War in the former, the “white terror” that followed in the latter. Or he’ll use contrasting times, juxtaposing the 1950s sequences of Good Men, Good Women with the making of a contemporary movie about that era, or following a modern woman (Yo Hitoto) researching a 1930s composer in Café Lumière (February 8). And then there are the ostensibly lighter works like Goodbye South, Goodbye (February 20), Flight Of The Red Balloon (February 24) and Millennium Mambo (March 1), which appear not to carry the same political or dramatic weight but etch themselves into your consciousness just the same. Hou’s best films are deliberately
= Critic’s Pick NNNNN = Top ten of the year NNNN = Honourable mention NNN = Entertaining NN = Mediocre N = Bomb
paced, intimate and thoughtful. They’re beautiful and textured, giving a vivid sense of every location, even the unlikely Paris setting of Hou’s collaboration with Juliette Binoche, Flight Of The Red Balloon. The bounce of his early comedies gives way to a deep understanding (and melancholy appreciation) of desire, ambition and resilience. Watch his movies and all will be made clear. In contrast to Hou’s subtlety and control, there’s Álex de la Iglesia, who cares for neither. The Spanish director’s films are raucous, delirious constructions designed to excite and offend, ideally at the same time. His second feature, The Day Of The Beast (Friday, January 30) – starring Álex Angulo as a priest scurrying around Madrid committing blasphemous acts in order to attract the Devil’s attention – has been a favourite since I caught it in TIFF’s Midnight Madness program in 1995. There’s a glee to it, an infectious, giddy joy in spinning out the possibilities of its
premise. That “Well, let’s see where this goes!” quality powers manic farces like 1999’s Dying Of Laughter (Tuesday, February 3), about a long-separated comic team whose rivalry turns bloody at a reunion special; 2004’s A Ferpect Crime (March 3), about a jackass department store clerk whose attempt to get ahead at work triggers a series of truly unfortunate events, and 2013’s Witching & Bitching (March 21), an increasingly ridiculous mashup of gangster movies and supernatural revenge thrillers. Even more straight-faced productions – like Common Wealth (February 21), the director’s ever-escalating riff on Shallow Grave, and As Luck Would Have It (March 14), a biting satire that updates Billy Wilder’s Ace In The Hole for the modern state of media saturation – take place in a world that’s at least temporarily lost its mind. Why be subtle when you can go for broke? 3 normw@nowtoronto.com | @normwilner
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Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain try to get it together in A Most Violent Year.
WIN A SOUNDTRACK TO THIS FILM AT
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EVOKING THAT 70s VIBE Rock musician turned film composer scores another hit By NORMAN WILNER A MOST VIOLENT YEAR written and
ñ
directed by J.C. Chandor, with Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Alessandro Nivola and Albert Brooks. An Elevation Pictures release. 124 minutes. Some subtitles. Opens Friday (January 30). For venues and times, see Movies, page 59.
Alex Ebert didn’t think he’d ever become a film composer. He’s a rock musician, and for years he’d focused entirely on his band, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. But a call from director J.C. Chandor set him on a new trajectory. “It was a call out of the dark,” he recalls, “a call that was just too good to be true. The pitch was ‘Do you wanna do a movie with Robert Redford where he’s out at sea and there’s no dialogue?’” The movie was All Is Lost, and Ebert would go on to win a Golden Globe for his original score. And he was delighted to work with Chandor on the writer/director’s next picture, A Most Violent Year. “He gives me a lot of room,” Ebert explains, “and I chuck a bunch of ideas his way, and then we start talking, and that’s really how we roll. It’s sort of an amorphous correspondence.” All Is Lost is a contemporary survival thriller, but A Most Violent Year is a very different film. Set in 1981, it’s a study of corruption as seen through the eyes of an entrepreneur (Oscar Isaac) trying to
COMPOSER INTERVIEW
ALEX EBERT
56
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4 2015 NOW
REVIEW
break into the New York City heating oil market. “My immediate knee-jerk [response] when I read the script and saw the [unfinished] movie was that I wanted jazz,” Ebert says. “I wanted New York – and not just New York the city, but actually New York movies – to be in there somehow. You know, there’s that era of 70s movies where you have a lot of horns, sorta Quincy Jonesy stuff; and then, of course, the era just sort of after, where you have a lot of synth. I tried a bunch of different things and then ended up in this hybrid zone.” Ebert wanted his score to function as a window into Isaac’s closed-off character, who has “a drive that disassociates him from everyone else’s troubles and the rest of the world. It puts him on his own plane, and we get to go there with him and experience what it’s like to be that driven.” Is there a difference between writing for the movies and writing for the band? Are different skills required? “I’m always conscious of the other people who made [the movie],” he says. “J.C. headed up the movie. In the band, we’re all in the same room. I can account for everything. But for this you really are doing a service. At the same time, what I really love is that the score can also be taken away and listened to on its own. This is a piece of music that stands on its own; you can go buy it and listen to it. And that’s really cool.” 3
A MOST VIOLENT
ñYEAR (J.C. Chandor)
normw@nowtoronto.com @normwilner
more online
Interview clips at nowtoronto.com
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Rating: NNNN J.C. Chandor’s follow-up to Margin Call and All Is Lost is a moody character study of Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac), an entrepreneur who spends a month in the winter of 1981 trying to put his heating-oil business on a solid financial footing. There’s only one problem: someone keeps hijacking his trucks in broad daylight. Chandor uses Abel’s predicament as a window on the corruption and lawlessness of pre-comeback New York City. The film bears comparison to Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon and Prince Of The City for its sense of place and time, and to Coppola’s first Godfather for its depiction of a man who places himself at a moral crossroads in defence of his family. I do not make these comparisons lightly. Neither does Chandor, who deliberately styles Isaac as a doppelgänger for the young Michael Corleone. Jessica Chastain, however, gets to do her own ferocious thing as Abel’s wife, Anna, defining her character’s prickly impatience with the first word she utters on NW screen.
Viacheslav “Slava” Fetisov (left) and Alexei Kasatonov face off in Red Army.
DOCUMENTARY
It scores! RED ARMY (Gabe Polsky). 85 min-
ñ
utes. Some subtitles. Opens Friday (January 30). For venues and times, see Movies, page 59. Rating: NNNN
If you weren’t around in the 80s to hear the tales of the Soviet Union’s hockey squad, Gabe Polsky’s Red Army brings them to vivid life. In his directorial debut, the veteran producer (Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans, Little Birds) delivers a pleasantly off-centre look at the USSR’s fanatical pursuit of superiority in ice hockey, which culminated in the socalled Red Army team of the 80s. Soviet coach Anatoli Tarasov favoured a cooperative strategy and a
refined passing game, which stood in beautiful contrast to the goon-driven NHL. For a while, they were undefeatable – until the siren song of capitalism lured key players to defect to the West. Polsky has fun with the archival material, much of it drawn from Canadian media sources, so there’s a lot of vintage Don Cherry sportswear and bluster. He also tells some compelling stories about the lives of Soviet stars like Vladislav Tretiak and Slava Fetisov and how they balanced their beautiful game with the insane political situation back home. That said, the highlight is Polsky’s present-day interview with a remarkably combative Fetisov, whose prickliness grows funnier and funnier the more time we spend with him. NORMAN WILNER
= Critic’s Pick NNNNN = Top ten of the year NNNN = Honourable mention NNN = Entertaining NN = Mediocre N = Bomb
8
N AT I O N A L B O A R D o f R E V I E W
BEST FILM OF THE YEAR BEST ACTOR OSCAR ISAAC • BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS JESSICA CHASTAIN
A BRILLIANT GANGSTER FILM AWARDS CIRCUIT
PULPY, MEATY, ALTOGETHER
TERRIFIC
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS ®
INCLUDING
BEST PICTURE BEST ACTOR • BEST DIRECTOR • BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY
MORTEN TYLDUM
HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH TORONTO SUN
VANCOUVER SUN
NOW MAGAZINE
HELLO
READER’S DIGEST
TIME OUT
“ONE OF THE GREATEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR.” “BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH’S PERFORMANCE REACHES NEW HEIGHTS” LOS ANGELES TIMES
“KEIRA KNIGHTLEY’S
HHHHH
PERFORMANCE IS TERRIFIC AND POIGNANT”
DYNAMITE
ROLLING STONE
OSCAR ISAAC IS AN IMPLOSIVE
POWERHOUSE JESSICA CHASTAIN IS
FEROCIOUS THE WRAP
CAPTURES AND DOESN’T LET GO
OSCAR ISAAC JESSICA CHASTAIN NEW YORK CITY, 1981
WINNER 2014 GROLSCH PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
T H E I M I TAT I O N G A M E
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drama
White washed BLACK OR WHITE (Mike Binder). 121 minutes. Opens Friday (January 30). For venues and times, see Movies, page 59. Rating: NN
TBFFSPECIALEVENTS
Sofía Vergara and Jason Statham take you on a Wild ride.
thriller
MANOS SUCIAS (DIRTY HANDS)
Solid retread
2014, 82’, Spanish with English Subtitles
WILd CARd (Simon West). 92 minutes.
OPENING FILM Josef Wladyka - Columbia, USA
Executive produced by Spike Lee
Opens Friday (January 30). For venues and times, see Movies, page 59. Rating: NNN
Feb 10 - 7:30PM | Isabel Bader Theatre
Four years ago, in the last week of January, Jason Statham and Simon West released The Mechanic, a surprisingly decent remake of a vintage Charles Bronson thriller. Now they’re back with Wild Card, a surprisingly decent remake of a forgotten Burt Reynolds actioner – 1986’s Heat, based on William Goldman’s novel of the same name. The new version has a different title, presumably to avoid confusion with Michael Mann’s neo-noir classic. It’s just as well. Statham plays Nick Wild, a Las
General admission | $25
CLOSING NIGHT
BLAXPLOITATION PARTY DOUBLE PROGRAM:
Film screening + Back to the ‘70s music
Feb 15 - 9PM | The Revival General admission | $30 ($40 @ the door) AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH
FRED «THE HAMMER» WILLIAMSON
TRIBUTE + FILM “BOSS” by Jack Arnold + DISCUSSION with Williamson
Vegas chaperone who’s pretty much Jason Statham’s cinematic resumé: sharp, competent, grumpy, slow to warm up to people, intensely loyal and driven by a code of honour. This being a thriller, Nick’s principles will wind up pitting him against a mobbed-up rapist (Milo Ventimiglia) who’s assaulted a friend (Magic City’s Dominik García-Lorido). It will not be pretty. Much like The Mechanic, Wild Card is more about tension than action, but the handful of fight scenes are fantastic (and they ought to be, since they were choreographed by Statham’s Transporter collaborator Corey Yuen), and the character stuff isn’t bad either. Goldman’s barely reworked screenplay offers plum opportunities for Jason Alexander and Stanley Tucci. It ain’t anything new, but it’s enterNORMAN WILNER taining.
Feb. 13 - 6:30PM | Jackman Hall (AGO)
Don’t expect many shades of grey in Mike Binder’s Black Or White. Inspired by a true story, it’s about as edgy as Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner meets Kramer Vs. Kramer. High-powered attorney Elliot (Kevin Costner) has just lost his wife (Jennifer Ehle, in unfortunate flashbacks) in a car accident. That leaves him taking sole care of their mixed-race granddaughter, Eloise (Jillian Estell). The couple became her guardians after their daughter died giving birth. Eloise’s deadbeat druggie dad, Reggie (André Holland), is MIA. But soon Eloise’s paternal grandmother, Rowena (Octavia Spencer), comes a-knocking and asking to share custody. She says Reggie’s cleaned up his act. When Elliot, an alcoholic, says no, Rowena (or Wee Wee, as she’s annoyingly called) brings in her lawyer brother, Jeremiah (Anthony Mackie). This is movie-of-the-week material, pitting the salt-of-theearth Rowena and her warm, loving extended family (including her lesbian daughter and her partner who live across the street) against Elliot’s sterile WASPness. Only Costner’s salty, unselfconscious turn as a cranky codger makes the film almost GLENN SUMI bearable. Kevin Costner and Jillian Estell bond in cringeworthy Black Or White.
General admission | $20 TRIBUTE TO
BILL COBBS
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Feb. 14 - 6:30PM | Jackman Hall (AGO) General admission | $20
BLACK ACTORS IN HOLLYWOOD, THEN AND NOW
Time’s a ticking for Project Almanac’s Jonny Weston and Virginia Gardner.
DISCUSSION WITH:
also opening
Fred Williamson, Lanette Ware, Bill Cobbs
Feb. 15 - 5PM | Jackman Hall (AGO)
Project Almanac
General admission | $20
TBFF COMMUNITY PROGRAM INCLUSIVITY IN SCREEN BASED MEDIA
Examining history and planning our future. Presented by ACTRA Toronto
FREE PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Feb. 14 & 15
NATURAL OR NOT? THAT IS THE QUESTION!
A real-talk about Black women’s hai & identity in today’s society. Co-Presented by RastaFest, Toronto Naturals, I Heart my Hair
See schedule & details: www.torontoblackfilm.com
Passport card (Priority access to all events) : $145 | Regular ticket : $10 Tickets & complete program : www.torontoblackfilm.com 58
January 29 - February 4 2015 NOW
(D: Dean Israelite, 106 min) Amy Landecker, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Virginia Gardner and Johnny Weston star in this sci-fi thriller about a group of teens who construct a time machine, but things don’t turn out the way they expect. Opens Friday (January 30). Screened after press time – see review January 30 at nowtoronto.com/movies.
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= Critic’s Pick NNNNN = Top ten of the year NNNN = Honourable mention NNN = Entertaining NN = Mediocre N = Bomb
in which it all takes place is a production designer’s dream. 108 min. NNNN (NW) Colossus, Kingsway Theatre
Playing this week How to find a listing
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), and Radheyan Simonpillai (RS) unless otherwise specified. The rating system is as follows: NNNNN Top 10 of the year NNNN Honourable mention NNN Entertaining NN Mediocre N Bomb
BIG EYES (Tim Burton) reunites the director with Ed Wood screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski for the story of Margaret Keane (Amy Adams), who obsessively painted sad-eyed children, and her husband (Christoph Waltz), who became a minor celebrity by selling her art as his own. It’s stronger and more interesting than Alice In Wonderland or Dark Shadows, but Burton can’t or won’t engage honestly with the tale’s darker turns. 106 min. NNN (NW) Canada Square, Carlton Cinema
ñBIG HERO 6
(Don Hall, Chris Williams) centres on 14-year-old robotics genius Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter), who “upgrades” himself and four college-aged scientists to battle an emerging super-villain. Directors Hall and Williams find new angles on the required action beats, but their real focus is on Hiro’s bond with his initial subject, a marshmallowy medical droid called Baymax (30 Rock’s Scott Adsit). The world
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BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) (Alejandro González
NOW picks your kind of movie ART HORROR FOREIGN
DRAMA
FAMILY
BLACK OR WHITE (Mike Binder) 121 min.
A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT
STILL ALICE
PADDINGTON
Iñárritu) is a near-total fiasco from a filmmaker bent on impressing the world with his prodigious talent, a show-offy drama about a former superhero actor (Michael Keaton) making his Broadway debut by writing, directing and starring in a drama based on the stories of Raymond Carver. It’s a godawful mess. 119 min. NN (NW) Canada Square, Cineplex VIP Cinemas Don Mills, Colossus, Fox, Kingsway Theatre, Regent Theatre, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24 See review, page 58. NN (GS) Opens Jan 30 at Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway, Yonge & Dundas 24
BLACKHAT (Michael Mann) is a typically
brooding and self-serious Mann thriller in which Chris Hemsworth plays a computer whiz sprung from maximum-security prison to find the mysterious cyberfiend behind attacks on Wall Street and a Chinese nuclear plant. But it isn’t until the home stretch, when Mann strips away all the cyber-nonsense and narrows his focus
A vampire (Sheila Vand) cruises the streets of a fictional Iranian city picking up men to kill in this moody film that owes a lot to Godard, Lynch and Bigelow.
LEVIATHAN
A property dispute between a hotheaded family man and the corrupt local mayor of a Russian fishing village leads to tragedy in this bleak winner of the Golden Globe for foreign-language pic.
Julianne Moore is almost guaranteed to win an Oscar for her moving, layered performance as a linguistics prof confronted by early-onset Alzheimer’s. Solid support cast. Bring Kleenex.
The best-reviewed film of 2015 is Paul King’s delightful adaptation of the children’s books. A lost bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) from Darkest Peru finds a new family in London and a place to belong. A perfect film.
continued on page 61 œ
Ñ= Critics’ pick (highly recommended)
Movie theatres are listed at the end and can be cross-referenced to our film times on page 63.
DIRECTED BY
MARTIN
ADVANCED STYLE (Lina Plioplyte) follows
seven stylin’ women over 60 who are devoted to all things fashionable. They’re all delightful and fascinating in their own way, but you don’t get enough of any them, and the film has no narrative arc. Pleasurable, though. 72 min. NNN (SGC) Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
AMERICAN SNIPER (Clint Eastwood) turns the alpha-male autobiography of Navy SEAL turned Iraq War sniper turned rightwing poster boy Chris Kyle into a dull, bythe-numbers war drama. A bulked-up, bearded Bradley Cooper does a fine job of showing us how deeply uncomfortable Kyle is stateside, but Eastwood’s disconnected direction means we spend the entire movie with a man in stasis. At 84, he’s earned the right to coast – but we don’t have to pretend he’s still making good movies. 132 min. NN (NW) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Cineplex VIP Cinemas Don Mills, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24 ANNIE (Will Gluck) is a hip-hop and R&B
influenced adaptation of the Broadway musical about an orphan searching for her parents and being taken in by a wealthy tycoon. The writing and direction are execrable. This is a cynical, heartless ode to greed. 119 min. N (GS) Canada Square, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway
AWAKE: THE LIFE OF YOGANANDA (Paola
di Florio, Lisa Leeman) is the kind of hagiography you’d expect to find in a gift shop at a New Age store. With serene talking heads, plenty of sitar plucking but not much tension, it tells the story of Paramahansa Yogananda, who brought Eastern religion to the West. 87 min. NN (GS) Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, Kingsway Theatre
SCORSESE
“VIVID… ENLIGHTENING.”
“SMART...CELEBRATORY.”
– Los Angeles Times
– The New York Times
AWAKE: THE LIFE OF YOGANANDA
THE 50 YEAR ARGUMENT
Directed by Paola di Florio, Lisa Leeman
Directed by Martin Scorsese
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BEYOND THE LIGHTS (Gina Prince-Bythe-
wood) is a love story about an English hiphop singer who falls for the Los Angeles cop who stops her going over a balcony. They’re three-dimensional characters with compatible personalities, but the film puts increasingly silly obstacles in the way of their happiness. When the couple clicks, though, it still feels pretty damn good. 116 min. NNN (NW) Revue
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œcontinued from page 59
down to his trademark conflict between evenly matched professionals, that Blackhat finally feels like a movie. Some subtitles. 127 min. NN (NW) 401 & Morningside, Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Woodbine, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yorkdale
The Boy NexT Door (Rob Cohen) is a latenight W Network slot filler in which Jennifer Lopez’s high school teacher is seduced and then stalked by her student. Everyone involved in this piss-poor Fatal Attraction-style thriller seems confident that they’re making a terrible movie, so the actors adjust their performances for camp, while director Cohen slyly shoots his reveals from the most unexpected places so audiences can stifle laughs instead of shrieks. 90 min. N (RS) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24
ñBoyhooD
(Richard Linklater) is the best American movie I’ve seen in years – and one of the very best movies about America ever made, capturing the maturation of Texas kid Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from first grade through leaving for college. If I see another movie more ambitious, more honest or more illuminating this year, I’ll be stunned. 164 min. NNNNN (NW) Carlton Cinema, Fox, Kingsway Theatre, Mt Pleasant, Yonge & Dundas 24
Cake (Daniel Barnz) stars Jennifer Aniston as a deeply damaged woman who becomes fixated on understanding the suicide of a woman in her chronic-pain group (Anna Kendrick, wasted). Aniston is terrific, but director Barnz surrounds her with stereotypes, cheap psychological gimmickry and at least two of the plot lines from 2010’s far more successful Rabbit Hole. 102 min. NNN (NW) Canada Square, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Queensway, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24 esCoBar: ParaDise LosT (Andrea Di Stefano) doesn’t have enough Benicio Del Toro. He commands the screen as Pablo Escobar with mythical aplomb. However, the focus here is Josh Hutcherson’s bland Canadian surfer boy Nick, who hooks up with the drug lord’s niece and becomes an unwitting pawn in a generic gangland thriller. Filtering Escobar through Nick’s perspective is like brewing dark roast Colombian coffee at Tim Hortons. 120 min. NN (RS) Carlton Cinema exoDus: GoDs aND kiNGs (Ridley Scott)
exists in relation to The Ten Commandments in much the same way producer/ director Scott’s Oscar-winning Gladiator did to The Fall Of The Roman Empire – a big, historically questionable genre picture upscaled with CGI and a lot of very serious acting. Scott’s self-serious approach demands sombre realism even during the depiction of miracles, which proves kind of a drag. 150 min. NN (NW) Colossus, Scotiabank Theatre
ñThe 50 year arGumeNT
(Martin Scorsese, David Tedeschi) is a documentary about the New York Review of Books, which celebrated a half-century of publication in 2013. It’s a bracing film about the value of radical ideas and the importance of being courageous enough to consider them. 118 min. NNNN (NW) Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Ñ
ñForCe majeure
(Ruben Östlund) follows a picture-perfect Swedish family’s skiing vacation in the French Alps, where the father (Johannes Kuhnke) panics in a moment of potential crisis, destroying his standing as benevolent patriarch and sending him into a spiral of self-justification. The deeper he digs, the funnier Force Majeure gets, and the more perceptive and uncomfortable it becomes. Some subtitles. 118 min. NNNN (NW) Kingsway Theatre, Mt Pleasant
two hours and 24 minutes it’s the shortest of the trilogy, but it still feels longer than it needs to be, especially since the Smaugrelated cliffhanger is resolved 15 minutes in. Some subtitles. 144 min. NN (NW) 401 & Morningside, Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Fox, Grande Steeles, Queensway, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24
The humBLiNG (Barry Levinson) features
a perfectly cast Al Pacino as a panicking aging actor, but the film just can’t shake its creepy premise. Famed thespian Simon, fearing that he’s dogged by dementia, hurls himself off the stage during a performance and heads for a month to a mental facility. When he returns to his Connecticut mansion, he has an affair with the lesbian Pegeen (Greta Gerwig), much to the distress of her exes and, of course, her parents. There’s no reason for Pegeen to be a dyke except to build on the
FoxCaTCher (Bennett Miller) finds director Miller returning to the chilly tone of his debut feature Capote for another real-life tale of interpersonal tensions and murder. All three leads wear distracting prosthetics, which work against Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo’s naturalistic performances and make Steve Carell’s precise, creepy turn as the self-absorbed, de— LOS ANGLES TIMES luded John du Pont seem far too obviously unhinged. 134 min. NNN (NW) Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Eglinton Town Centre, Fox, Kingsway Theatre, Varsity
grand finale. 123 min. NNN (SGC) Colossus, Grande - Steeles, Scotiabank Theatre
ñThe imiTaTioN Game
(Morten Tyldum) stars Benedict Cumberbatch as mathematician and cryptanalyst Alan Turing, who’s hired by the British government to crack the Germans’ Enigma code during the Second World War. He must collaborate with a team of misfit geniuses and keep their work a secret. Also secret is his homosexuality. The film explores fascinating moral issues, and Cumberbatch is revelatory as Turing. 114 min. NNNN (GS) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Cineplex VIP Cinemas Don Mills, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24
HHHH — NOW MAGAZINE
“CAPTIVATING!” “EXUBERANT!” —TIME MAGAZINE
The GamBLer
(Rupert Wyatt) is a decent reworking of Karel Reisz’s 1974 thriller about a literature professor whose gambling addiction threatens to consume his life, assuming you can buy Mark Wahlberg instead of James Caan in the lead. 112 min. NNN (NW) Scotiabank Theatre
ñiNhereNT viCe
(Paul Thomas Anderson) is a giddy adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s detective novel about a sometime detective (Joaquin Phoenix) fumbling further and further into an elaborate (and frankly insane) conspiracy in 1970 L.A. Phoenix makes an excellent tour guide to the Pynchon/Anderson funhouse, and the director’s casual mastery of image and sound is here to be admired, as always. It’s a fantastically dense movie worthy of repeat viewings. 149 min. NNNN (NW) Canada Square, Fox, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Scotiabank Theatre, Varsity
iNTersTeLLar
(Christopher Nolan) is a stunning visual accomplishment in service of a story a GirL WaLks that’s pretty dopey T H E R I S E A N D F A L L O F A S O V I E T H O C K E Y D Y N A S T Y. . . home aLoNe if you think about it aT NiGhT (Ana Lily for even a microsecAmirpour) follows ond. Matthew Mca vampire (Sheila Conaughey plays an Vand) as she cruisastronaut-turnedes the streets of a corn-farmer who LANGUAGE fictional Iranian pilots a mission into PRODUCED, WRI T TEN AND DI R ECTED BY MAY OFFEND city inviting men to a wormhole in chat her up, make a hopes of finding a move, bring her new home for the AFTER THE 7:30PM SHOW AT CINEPLEX CINEMAS YONGE & DUNDAS— home. Shooting in human race, but MODERATED BY MICHAEL HOLLETT, PUBLISHER/EDITOR OF NOW MAGAZINE black-and-white director/co-writer Showtimes: Fri 2:35, 5:00, 7:30, 10:30 widescreen, writer/ Nolan undercuts Sat-Sun 12:10, 2:35, 5:50, 8:15, 10:30 Mon-Tues 1:55, 4:10, 6:25, 8:50 director Amirpour the hard-SF premise has built a marvelwith a weirdly lous world that goopy reliance on fantasies of the aging Philip Roth, who shares its DNA with Godard, Jarmusch, primal concepts like destiny and the was well into his 70s when he wrote the Lynch, Tarantino and Bigelow. Subtitled. power of love. 169 min. NNN (NW) original novella. And the relationship goes 99 min. NNNNN (NW) Kingsway Theatre, Scotiabank Theatre off the rails in nonsensical ways. Director TIFF Bell Lightbox Levinson does good work with his actors iNTo The WooDs (Rob Marshall) is an – Gerwig, as always, is great, sustaining The GraND BuDaPesT hoTeL (Wes awkward adaptation of Stephen Sondan edgy energy – but this is really two Anderson) finds director/co-writer heim’s witty and profound musical stories: one about an old guy trying to Anderson building a magnificent playmashup of fairy tales. Sondheim’s prove he’s still got it sexually, and the house, populating it with actors he knows musicals are constructed for the theatre. other about an artist losing his grip on his and trusts – among them Ralph Fiennes, His clever wordplay, complex rhythms and craft. The latter plot point is decent. The Adrien Brody, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, harmonies, the way his stories intersect former? Yuck. 106 min. NN (SGC) Jeff Goldblum and Edward Norton – and and unfold – none of these things transCarlton Cinema running riot. And when moments of lates easily to film. There’s poignant genuine emotion pierce that perfectly material here about parents and children, The huNGer Games: moCkiNGjay – constructed artifice, they hit as powerfully loss, commitment and forgiveness, but in ParT 1 (Francis Lawrence) keeps the franas ever. 100 min. NNNN (NW) Marshall’s film, the plot seems convoluted chise in a holding pattern, focusing on Mt Pleasant, Yonge & Dundas 24 and the language laboured. The less time Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) while she spent in these woods the better. 125 min. wrestles with whether she wants to be The hoBBiT: The BaTTLe oF The Five NN (GS) the Mockingjay, the public face of the armies (Peter Jackson) is the climax of Beach Cinemas, Canada Square, Carlton rebellion against the Capitol and evil the director’s gargantuan adaptation of Cinema, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, President Snow (Donald Sutherland). It’s J.R.R. Tolkien’s slender prequel to The Lord Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway, Silververy well made and Lawrence is riveting, Of The Rings, and most viewers will be City Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & as usual, but it’s all just set-up for the struggling with Middle-earth fatigue. At Dundas 24
ñ
GABE POLSKY
FRIDAY ONLY: MEET DIRECTOR GABE POLSKY FOR A SPECIAL Q&A
EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT STARTS FRIDAY!
10 DUNDAS ST EAST • 416-977-2262
ñ
= Critics’ Pick nnnnn = Top ten of the year nnnn = Honourable mention nnn = Entertaining nn = Mediocre n = Bomb
ñLasT Days iN vieTNam
(Rory Kennedy) looks at the absolute chaos of the final weeks of America’s presence in the convulsing nation. Documentarian Kennedy and her crew collect stories from Americans and Vietnamese who were there and match them to archival footage to construct a narrative that’s as close to definitive as possible. It’s a fascinating story of institutional denial and personal commitment. 98 min. NNNN (NW) Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
ñLeviaThaN
(Andrey Zvyagintsev) is an epic drama set in a small Russian town where a property dispute between a hotheaded family man (Alexey Serebryakov) and the venal local mayor (Roman Madyanov) leads to a series of escalating confrontations. And it plays equally well as slow-motion domestic tragedy and a study of the internalized corruption of post-Soviet Russia. Subtitled. 141 min. NNNNN (NW) Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, TIFF Bell Lightbox
The meTroPoLiTaN oPera: Les CoNTes D’hoFFmaNN Live is a high-def broadcast of the Offenbach opera, starring Vittorio Grigolo as the eponymous poet and adventurer. 230 min. Jan 31, 12:55 pm, at Beach Cinemas, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Cineplex VIP Cinemas Don Mills, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge
morTDeCai (David Koepp) is a godawful caper picture that continually reminds you how godawful it is every moment that its star is on screen. Johnny Depp has lost himself in annoying characters before, but what he does here is unparalleled in its self-indulgence and wrong-headedness. God knows I’ve seen worse films, but I’m not sure I’ve seen a worse performance. 107 min. N (NW) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale vioLeNT year ña mosT NNNN
(J.C. Chandor) 124 min. See interview and review, page 56. (NW) Opens Jan 30 at Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Cineplex VIP Cinemas Don Mills, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Yonge, Varsity
ñmr. TurNer
(Mike Leigh) stars Cannes best actor winner Timothy Spall as painter J.M.W. Turner at the peak of his fame. Dick Pope shoots the landscapes that inspired the paintings spectacularly, but writer/director Leigh also conveys the impact of reality – slave ships, the rise of the steam engine – on the artist’s otherworldly masterpieces. An art film in every sense of the word. 150 min. NNNNN (SGC) Kingsway Theatre, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Varsity
my oLD LaDy (Israel Horovitz) stars Kevin Kline as a penniless, middle-aged loser who travels to Paris to claim a sprawling apartment in the Marais bequeathed him by his dad. But under the viager system, the previous owner (Maggie Smith) and her daughter (Kristin Scott Thomas) can still live there. The plot’s telegraphed in the first 10 minutes, but the stars are watchable. 107 min. NN (GS) Kingsway Theatre
NaTioNaL GaLLery (Frederick Wiseman)
puts the noted doc director’s fly-on-the wall camera inside London’s National Gallery. For the most part, very knowledgeable docents guide gallery-goers through the venerable institution’s impressive collection of Old Masters, shedding light on the storytelling powers of painting. Too bad Wiseman he wasn’t shooting during a particularly interesting period. 180 min. NNN (SGC) Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
continued on page 62 œ
NOW january 29 - february 4 2015
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401 & Morningside, Canada Square, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, SilverCity Yorkdale, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24
œcontinued from page 61
NigHT AT THe muSeum: SeCReT Of THe TOmb (Shawn Levy) occasionally amuses
thanks Ben Stiller and his cohorts, who manage to be funny despite the lazy screenplay. In the franchise finale, Stiller’s night watchman and his crew head to the UK to battle more reanimated relics. For all the CGI whizz-bang and encyclopedia of historical figures, director Levy still hasn’t figured out how to make the proceedings exciting. 98 min. NN (RS) Canada Square, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Queensway, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, Yonge & Dundas 24
ñNigHTCRAWleR
(Dan Gilroy) is a twitchy Los Angeles thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a creepy loner who worms his way into a career as a freelance videographer. His performance keeps you watching even as writer-director Gilroy’s slippery character study backs itself into a narrative corner. 117 min. NNNN (NW) Scotiabank Theatre
THe 100-YeAR-Old mAN WHO Climbed OuT THe WiNdOW ANd diSAppeARed
(Felix Herngren) stars Robert Gustafsson as the titular hero, a former explosives expert who escapes from a seniors facility and finds a suitcase full of money belonging to drug dealers. The Forrest Gumpian conceit feels very old, and the scattershot attacks on historical figures make no distinctions between good and bad guys. Worse, the pic’s not funny. Subtitled. 114 min. NN (SGC) Kingsway Theatre
ñpAddiNgTON
(Paul King) is perfect. Writer/director King’s remarkable adaptation of Michael Bond’s beloved children’s books spins the story of the lost little bear from Darkest Peru into a thoughtful and genuinely moving metaphor for the immigrant experience. It’s cartoonish in precisely the right way, situating its talking, marmalade-loving, tragically accident-prone protagonist (voiced by Ben Whishaw) in a lush, just slightly exaggerated universe of delightful British actors. I’d have loved this when I was a kid. Hell, I love it now. 95 min. NNNNN (NW) 401 & Morningside, Beach Cinemas, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24
SONg Of THe SeA (Tomm Moore) draws peNguiNS Of mAdAgASCAR (Eric Darnell, Simon J. Smith) is a deflated return to the franchise’s blah beginnings, where the antic humour and infectious Red Bull energy of Europe’s Most Wanted make only brief cameos. This Madagascar spinoff focuses on those super-smart and selfserving penguins, who must step up from scene-stealers to characters with an arc, becoming derivative in the process. 92 min. NN (RS) Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles
ñpRide
(Matthew Warchus) is an excellently played crowd-pleaser based on the true story of a London gay and lesbian grassroots organization that offers to support striking mineworkers against Margaret Thatcher’s vicious regime. It gets a bit too warm and fuzzy – bordering on manipulative – at the end, but this is an important story proving that activists with ingenuity can build improbable political coalitions. 119 min. NNNN (SGC) Kingsway Theatre
pROjeCT AlmANAC (Dean Israelite) 106
min. See Also Opening, page 58. Opens Jan 30 at Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Market Square, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24
ñRed ARmY
(Gabe Polsky) 85 min. See review, page 56. NNNN (NW) Opens Jan 30 at Yonge & Dundas 24
ñROSeWATeR
(Jon Stewart) finds first-time filmmaker Stewart tackling the story of Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari, whose appearance in a Daily Show segment about the 2009 Iranian election was a factor in his subsequent arrest, detention and torture by the Ahmadinejad government. It’s an assured, thoughtful and very moving debut, with fine performances by Gael García Bernal as Bahari and Danish actor Kim Bodnia (Pusher) as his interrogator. 103 min. NNNN (NW) Royal
ñSelmA
(Ava DuVernay) traces key moments in the movement for black voting rights in 60s America and comes at a time when racist killings have galvanized activism all over the U.S. David Oyelowo’s superb performance as King and DuVernay’s skill directing both the massive set pieces and intimate details would make this a powerful film even without its current political resonance. 128 min. NNNN (SGC)
from Gaelic folklore to tell the story of young children discovering magic and peril. The animation is imaginative and rich, but the sluggish plot and characters left me wanting a bit more Pixar-brand pizzazz. Though the adventure drags along, it features some of the most artistic designs outside of Studio Ghibli. 93 min. NNN (RS) Carlton Cinema, Kingsway Theatre
january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
Don’t forget to vote for Feast on your office Oscar pool ballot.
SONg ONe (Kate Barker-Froyland) stars
Anne Hathaway as a grad student who comes home to New York after her brother is hit by a cab and falls for a British singer/songwriter (Clouds Of Sils Maria’s Johnny Flynn). If you’re a huge Hathaway fan, this will be worth your time; she’s in every scene, and builds a convincingly tense relationship with screen mom Mary Steenburgen. But if you’re looking for the next Once, well, this isn’t it. 88 min. NN (NW) Kingsway Theatre
STill AliCe (Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland) follows a woman slowly losing her mind to early Alzheimer’s. It’s not easy to give that premise much texture, but Still Alice succeeds because the script focuses less on Alice’s (Julianne Moore) relationships with family, including her husband (Alec Baldwin), and more on the ingenious strategies she uses to keep the ravages of her disease at bay. Moore gives a powerful performance (no surprise there), Baldwin’s sensitive turn goes against type, and Kristen Stewart, as one of Alice’s kids, proves she can show a pulse if given the chance. The film does have a predictable trajectory – how could it not? – but it’s certainly not movie-of-the-week fare. 99 min. NNN (SGC) Queensway, Varsity STRANge mAgiC (Gary Rydstrom) is a CGanimated take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream about elves, fairies and bog monsters who all fall in love with each other while singing dad-rock standards. It doesn’t make a lick of sense. 99 min. NN (NW) 401 & Morningside, Canada Square, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Humber Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24 TAkeN 3 (Olivier Megaton) forces Liam
Neeson’s glowering security expert Bryan Mills into a clumsy reworking of The Fugitive. Director Megaton can’t cut an action scene coherently, screenwriters Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen seem to have assembled this script by cutting and pasting from the previous ones, and Dougray Scott is so embarrassingly miscast that he might as well have been digitally superimposed from old Mission: Impossible II footage. Some subtitles. 109 min. N (NW) 401 & Morningside, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Cineplex VIP Cinemas Don Mills, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Promenade, Rainbow Woodbine, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24
THe THeORY Of eveRYTHiNg (James
Marsh) takes the remarkable, complex story of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and imprisons it in the inspirational treacle of a disease-of-the-week movie about a young couple struggling with life-altering illness. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones make it worth watching, but Anthony McCarten’s script sees Johnny Depp, Mortdecai and his them only as noble sufferers moustache got scathing reviews. waiting for the next challenge. But you’re kinda curious, aren’t you? 123 min. NNN (NW) Eglinton Town Centre, Fox, Humber Cinemas, Queensway,
62
oscar shorts spotlight
Ñ
Sizing up shorts OSCAR SHORTS at TIFF Bell Light-
ñ
box (350 King West) from Friday (January 30). tiff.net. Rating: NNNN
Before jumping into this year’s Oscar pool, you’d best familiarize yourself with the nominated live action and animated short subjects, screening in separate programs this week at the Lightbox. The live action slate once again betrays the Academy’s weakness for dramas in which two people change each other’s lives forever. Aya, Parvaneh and The Phone Call (co-starring Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent) all play some variation on that theme. Meanwhile, Boogaloo And Graham tries a different but equally time-worn premise: a pair of cute kids grapple with the harsh realities of life in Northern Ireland. But there’s still room for an original vision to break through, and this year that’s Butter Lamp, which employs an intriguing visual device and an unconventional Rainbow Market Square, Royal, SilverCity Yonge, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24
ñTOp five
(Chris Rock) is a showbiz satire starring director Rock as a comic-turned-movie-star who’s had a string of flops since going sober and trying to become a serious actor. He uses his familiarity with the industry to goofy and hilarious ends, but surprises us with an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and pain – a human side to celebrity that is often overlooked. 102 min. NNNN (RS) Scotiabank Theatre
TRu lOve (Kate Johnston, Shauna Mac-
Donald) follows commitment-phobe Tru (co-director/co-writer MacDonald), who meets Alice (Kate Trotter) – the mom of Suzanne (Christine Horne), one of her onenight stands – and is shocked to discover herself falling for the older woman. Tru Love has a seriously soapy quality, and scenes between Alice and the ghost of her husband definitely get in the way. And why would Suzanne, who is so upset with Tru, have her meet her mother in the first place? But the performances are exceptional. Horne is all twitchy intensity, and Trotter, with that great voice of hers, is delightful as a woman discovering new possibilities. You can see what’s turning Tru on. But it’s MacDonald, winning as the title character, who makes you care about what happens. She’s infinitely watchable. 87 min. NNN (SGC) Carlton Cinema, Kingsway Theatre
ñTWO dAYS, ONe NigHT
(Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne) is another
narrative structure to relate the tale of a commercial photographer and his Tibetan subjects. The animated nominees are more innovative, taking conceptual risks and changing up the way they tell their stories. Given the medium, anything should be possible. The Dam Keeper is a painterly morality play enacted by funny animals. The Bigger Picture uses multiple formats to tell a small, deeply human story. The jaunty, time-shuffling A Single Life shifts from adorable to seriously disturbing in a matter of seconds, while Me And My Moulton – this year’s sole Canadian entry – is a charming memoir of a childhood in Norway recounted in simple 2D animation. I’m not sure I had a more fulfilling six minutes in a movie theatre last year than I did while watching Feast, the tale of a Boston terrier, his owner and their shared dietary habits. It made me feel all warm NORmAN WilNeR and fuzzy inside. excellent working-class drama from the Dardenne brothers, starring the magnificent Marion Cotillard as a depressed woman whose co-workers voted to eliminate her factory job to save their bonus. Cotillard’s quivering face and resigned posture beautifully convey her fight against mental illness and to keep her job. It’s a powerful, minimalist film about rallying self-worth in a dehumanizing economy. Subtitled. 92 min. NNNNN (RS) TIFF Bell Lightbox
uNbROkeN (Angelina Jolie) tells the story of how Louis Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) survived a Japanese prison camp during World War II, where he was unremittingly brutalized by the camp commander (Takamasa Ishihara, who’s excellent). But there’s no point here, beyond measuring Zamperini’s endurance. Strictly for sadists. 137 min. NN (SGC) Eglinton Town Centre, Scotiabank Theatre uNdeR THe SeA (Howard Hall) is a daz-
zling travelogue airily narrated by Jim Carrey, an alternative for those of us who can’t afford to go scuba diving off southern Australia. The mere 40-minute run time might make it a waste for those who have to travel just as long to see it. 40 min. NNN (RS) Ontario Science Centre OMNIMAX
THe WeddiNg RiNgeR (Jeremy Garelick) gives Kevin Hart material to work with, unlike those movies that simply drop him in a scene, pull the string on his back and let him loose. Jimmy, who pinch hits as a best man for friendless grooms, is an emo-
= Critics’ Pick nnnnn = Top ten of the year nnnn = Honourable mention nnn = Entertaining nn = Mediocre n
tive character with some decent punchlines instead of the usual hot air of Hart’s act. As the groom who hires his services, Josh Gad also clicks as Hart’s straight man, making it easy to overlook how lazy, predictable and mildly offensive The Wedding Ringer often is. 101 min. NN (RS) 401 & Morningside, Carlton Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Coliseum Scarborough, Colossus, Eglinton Town Centre, Grande - Steeles, Queensway, Rainbow Woodbine, SilverCity Fairview, SilverCity Yonge, SilverCity Yorkdale, Yonge & Dundas 24
WHIPLASH (Damien Chazelle) is a battle of wills between a drummer (Miles Teller) who challenges a monstrous conductor (J.K. Simmons) for a potentially lifechanging spot in his school’s jazz orchestra. Teller and Simmons commit completely, but Chazelle’s plot twists grow increasingly ridiculous – to the point where the final act has the feel of a fever dream. I just couldn’t go with it. 106 min. NN (NW) Canada Square, Carlton Cinema, Colossus, Kingsway Theatre WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL? (Sion
Sono) pays off in a spectacular sword battle between rival gangsters, choreographed with massive helpings of gore, twisted humour and meta-narrative. It’s a thrilling, insane set piece – but to get us there, writer/director Sion needs to slog through 100 minutes of meandering character scenes, almost none of them is fun or engaging. All the good stuff is at the end … but if you can make it there, it’s a hell of a payoff. Subtitled. 129 min. NNN (NW) Royal
WILD (Jean-Marc Vallée) stars Reese
ñ
Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed, who walked 1,100 miles solo along the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. What could have been a mawkish and sentimental true-life story plays as intelligent drama thanks to the sure hand of director Vallée, and Witherspoon is entirely credible as the worndown Strayed. 115 min. NNNN (NW) Beach Cinemas, Queensway, Rainbow Promenade, Varsity, Yonge & Dundas 24
WILD CARD (Simon West) 92 min. See
review, page 58. NNN (NW) Opens Jan 30 at Carlton Cinema
ñWINTER SLEEP
(Nuri Bilge Ceylan) is set at an exclusive Turkish hotel owned by retired actor Aydin (Haluk Bilginer), who chats with his guests and maintains some neighbouring properties. A charged confrontation with a tenant in one of those properties forces Aydin to reflect on his life. Not much happens, but Ceylan understands the power of setting and the subtle shifts that happen when complex people bump up against each other. Subtitled. 196 min. NNNNN (GS) TIFF Bell Lightbox
THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH (Tom Harper) is a so-so spook show
that packs none of the original’s scariness and emotional punch, offering instead a predictable story, drab visuals and heavily underscored jump scares. Forty years after the events of the first film, a psychologically damaged teacher and her little band of moppets are evacuated from the London Blitz to the remote ruin where the titular ghost plies her murderous trade. 98 min. NN (Andrew Dowler) Coliseum Scarborough, Scotiabank Theatre 3
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(CE)..............Cineplex Entertainment (ET).......................Empire Theatres (AA)......................Alliance Atlantis (AMC)..................... AMC Theatres (I)..............................Independent
THE IMITATION GAME (PG) 12:40, 3:40, 6:50, 9:35 Sat, Tue 11:05 late INHERENT VICE (14A) Thu 3:15, 9:30 MORTDECAI (14A) Thu 12:50, 3:50, 7:05, 9:40 PADDINGTON (G) 12:25, 2:30, 4:45, 7:00, 9:05 PROJECT ALMANAC (PG) 12:50, 3:50, 7:05, 9:20 Sat, Tue 11:45 late SELMA (PG) 3:15, 9:30 Sat, Tue 11:30 late THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (PG) 12:30, 6:55
NIGHTCRAWLER (14A) Thu 7:20 PAN’S LABYRINTH (14A) Mon 9:50 PROJECT ALMANAC (PG) Thu 7:20, 10:10 Fri 12:30, 3:00, 5:35, 8:15, 10:45 Sat 12:30, 3:00, 5:40, 8:15, 10:45 SunMon 12:20, 2:50, 5:20, 7:55, 10:30 Tue 12:25, 2:50, 5:20, 7:55, 10:30 Wed 12:25, 2:50, 5:20, 8:00, 10:30 THE ROCKETEER (PG) Fri 3:30 Sun 1:00 Tue 7:35 Wed 12:45 TAKEN 3 (14A) Thu 2:00, 4:50, 7:50, 10:20 Fri 2:30, 5:10, 8:00, 10:40 Sat 1:40, 5:30, 8:05, 10:40 Sun-Tue 2:25, 5:00, 7:45, 10:30 Wed 2:25, 5:00, 7:50, 10:30 TOP FIVE (18A) Thu 10:00 UNBROKEN (14A) Thu 1:00, 3:55, 6:55, 9:55 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH (14A) Thu 2:35, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50 X-MEN (PG) Sat 9:55 Tue 5:30 X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (PG) Sat 12:00 X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (PG) Sat 2:35 X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (PG) Sat 5:15 X2: X-MEN UNITED (14A) Sat 7:20 Wed 5:10
lndividual theatres may change showtimes after NOW’s press time. For updates, go online at www.nowtoronto.com or phone theatres.
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ANOUK DE CLERCQ: ARCHITECTONICS (14A) Sun 6:30 THE BOYS FROM FENGKUEI (14A) Tue 6:30 BUCK AND THE PREACHER (PG) Sun 12:40 A CITY OF SADNESS (14A) Sun 3:00 COTTON COMES TO HARLEM (R) Thu 9:30 THE DAY OF THE BEAST (14A) Fri 9:30 DO THE RIGHT THING (R) Sat 6:30 DUST IN THE WIND (14A) Fri 6:30 DYING OF LAUGHTER (14A) Tue 9:00 FLOWERS OF SHANGHAI (14A) Thu 6:30 A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (14A) Thu 4:30, 8:45 Fri 3:45, 9:20 Sat 3:15, 9:25 Sun 5:30, 8:45 Mon 6:10, 10:20 Tue 4:50, 9:30 Wed 3:30, 9:45 LEVIATHAN (14A) Thu, Wed 12:15, 3:15, 6:20, 9:20 Fri 2:30, 4:30, 7:25, 9:40 Sat 12:20, 3:25, 6:20, 9:15 Sun 12:20, 3:25, 6:25, 9:20 Mon 6:20, 9:25 Tue 12:00, 2:55, 6:20, 9:20 MR. TURNER (14A) Thu 6:45, 9:50 Sat 12:10, 3:45 Sun 12:00, 9:30 Mon 8:30 Wed 12:30, 3:40 THE OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS 2015: ANIMATED (PG) Fri, Sun, Tue 12:10, 7:10 Sat, Wed 2:35, 9:35 Mon 9:35 THE OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS 2015: LIVE ACTION (14A) Fri, Sun, Tue 2:10, 9:10 Sat, Wed 12:00, 7:00 Mon 7:00 A RAISIN IN THE SUN (PG) Sat 9:45 A TIME TO LIVE AND A TIME TO DIE (PG) Sat 3:30 TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT (PG) Thu 12:00, 2:15, 7:30, 9:45 Fri 12:20, 5:00, 7:30, 10:20 Sat 12:30, 4:45, 6:50, 9:00 Sun 3:15, 5:00, 7:45, 10:00 Mon 6:00, 8:10 Tue 1:00, 3:20, 7:20, 9:45 Wed 12:10, 2:20, 4:45, 9:30 WAVELENGTH (G) Sat 1:00 WINTER SLEEP (14A) Thu 12:30, 4:45 Fri-Sat 5:30 Sun 5:40 Mon 6:30 Tue 3:30 Wed 5:45
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608 COLLEGE ST, 416-466-4400
Downtown BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA (I) 506 BLOOR ST. W., 416-637-3123
ADVANCED STYLE (PG) Thu 2:00 AWAKE: THE LIFE OF YOGANANDA (G) Fri 4:00 Sat 3:00 Sun 12:30 Mon 6:30 Tue 3:30 THE 50 YEAR ARGUMENT Thu 4:00, 9:00 Fri 6:30, 8:45 Sat 12:45, 5:15 Sun 2:45, 8:45 Mon-Tue 9:00 LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM Thu 6:30 NATIONAL GALLERY (G) Sat 7:45 Sun 5:00 OUT IN THE NIGHT Tue 6:00 THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (14A) Fri 11:30 THE SEARCH FOR GENERAL TSO Wed 6:30, 9:15
CARLTON CINEMA (I) 20 CARLTON, 416-494-9371
AMERICAN SNIPER (14A) 1:15, 4:00, 6:45, 9:30 BACKSTREET BOYS: SHOW ‘EM WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF Fri-Wed 1:30, 4:00, 6:45, 9:00 BIG EYES (PG) Thu 1:45 Fri-Wed 9:10 BLACKHAT (14A) Thu 1:20, 4:05, 6:55, 9:35 BOYHOOD (14A) Thu 1:25 Fri-Wed 1:15 ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST (14A) Thu 3:55, 9:20 Fri-Wed 9:25 FOXCATCHER (14A) Fri-Wed 3:55, 9:35 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (PG) Thu 9:00 THE HUMBLING (14A) Thu 1:30, 4:20, 7:05, 9:25 INTO THE WOODS (PG) Thu 4:10, 6:50, 9:25 Fri-Wed 1:20, 6:55 MANNY Thu 6:55, 1:55 NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE Wed 7:00 PADDINGTON (G) Fri-Wed 1:30, 3:55, 6:35 PROJECT ALMANAC (PG) 1:25, 4:05, 6:40, 9:15 Sat 11:20 late THE ROOM Sat 11:00 SONG OF THE SEA (PG) Fri-Wed 4:35, 6:50 TAKEN 3 (14A) Thu 4:25, 9:40 TRU LOVE (14A) 2:00, 7:00 Wedno 7:00 THE WEDDING RINGER (14A) Thu 1:40 4:15 7:15 9:35 FriWed 1:40, 4:15, 7:15, 9:40 Sat 11:30 late WHIPLASH (14A) Thu 4:15 9:15 Fri-Wed 4:15, 9:20 Sat 11:25 late WILD CARD (14A) Fri-Wed 1:35, 3:45, 7:05, 9:15
RAINBOW MARKET SQUARE (I) MARKET SQUARE, 80 FRONT ST E, 416-494-9371
AMERICAN SNIPER (14A) 12:45, 3:45, 6:45, 9:25 Sat, Tue 11:00 late THE BOY NEXT DOOR (14A) Thu 4:35, 7:10, 9:20 Fri-Wed 12:35, 2:35, 4:35, 7:10, 9:15
FANTASTIC MR. FOX (PG) Sat 2:00 GROUNDHOG DAY Sun 2:00, 4:00 Mon 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 ROSEWATER (14A) Fri-Sat, Tue 9:20 Wed 7:00 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (PG) Fri, Tue 7:00 Sat 4:00, 7:00 Sun 9:30 Wed 9:20 WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL? Thu 9:15
SCOTIABANK THEATRE (CE) 259 RICHMOND ST W, 416-368-5600
ALIEN Mon 12:30 ALIENS (R) Mon 2:50 AMERICAN SNIPER (14A) Thu 1:30, 3:30, 4:30, 7:40, 10:30 Fri 12:40, 2:20, 3:35, 5:20, 6:30, 8:30, 9:30 Sat 12:30, 3:35, 5:30, 6:30, 8:30, 9:30 Sun-Mon 12:30, 2:10, 3:25, 5:10, 6:30, 8:30, 9:25 Tue 2:10, 5:10, 6:30, 8:30, 9:25 Wed 1:30, 2:10, 4:30, 5:10, 7:25, 8:30, 10:20 AMERICAN SNIPER: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE (14A) Thu 12:45, 3:55, 7:00, 10:00 Fri 1:40, 4:40, 7:40, 10:30 Sat 1:50, 4:40, 7:40, 10:30 Sun-Tue 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:20 Wed 12:30, 3:20, 9:40 BLACKHAT (14A) Thu 1:10, 4:05, 7:15, 10:10 Fri 1:10, 4:25, 7:20, 10:15 Sat 4:30, 7:20, 10:15 Sun-Tue 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:55 Wed 12:45, 3:35, 6:40, 9:55 BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT (14A) Fri 7:30 Sun 3:15 Tue 9:45 DARKMAN (14A) Fri 9:45 Mon 5:25 Wed 3:00 DICK TRACY (PG) Fri 1:00 Sun 7:20 EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS (PG) Thu 12:55, 4:00 EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS 3D (PG) Thu 7:10, 10:30 THE GAMBLER (14A) Thu 1:50, 4:40 HELLBOY (14A) Sun 9:30 Mon 7:20 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 3D (PG) Fri-Sat 3:55, 7:00, 10:05 Sun 3:45, 6:55, 10:00 Mon-Wed 3:50, 6:55, 10:00 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (PG) Fri, Sun-Wed 12:45 Sat 12:40 THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 (PG) Thu 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 9:40 Fri-Sat 1:00, 4:00, 6:50, 9:40 SunTue 12:40, 3:30, 6:40, 9:35 Wed 12:40, 3:25, 6:25, 9:20 INHERENT VICE (14A) Thu 12:50, 3:55, 7:05, 10:25 Fri 12:30, 3:45, 7:10, 10:25 Sat 12:25, 3:45, 7:10, 10:25 SunMon 12:30, 3:45, 6:55, 10:10 Tue 12:40, 3:55, 7:05, 10:20 Wed 12:40, 3:50, 7:05, 10:25 INTERSTELLAR (PG) Thu 2:50, 6:30, 9:55 Fri-Sat 2:40, 6:15, 9:50 Sun-Tue 2:40, 6:10, 9:45 Wed 2:40, 6:10, 9:50 KILL BILL: VOL. 1 (R) Tue 12:30 Wed 7:45 KILL BILL, VOL. 2 (18A) Tue 2:35 Wed 9:50 THE METROPOLITAN OPERA: LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN LIVE Sat 12:55 THE MONSTER SQUAD Fri 5:40 Sun 5:35 MORTDECAI (14A) Thu 1:00, 1:20, 2:20, 4:10, 5:00, 6:50, 7:50, 9:40, 10:20 Fri-Sat 1:30, 2:10, 4:05, 4:50, 6:40, 7:30, 9:20, 10:15 Sun 1:10, 2:00, 3:45, 4:45, 6:20, 7:20, 9:05, 10:00 Mon 2:00, 4:45, 6:40, 7:20, 9:25, 10:00 Tue 2:00, 4:45, 6:40, 7:20, 9:35, 10:10 Wed 1:00, 1:50, 3:45, 4:25, 6:40, 9:30, 10:15 A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (14A) Fri-Sat 1:20, 4:15, 7:10, 10:00 Sun-Tue 1:20, 4:15, 7:05, 9:55 Wed 1:20, 4:15, 7:15, 10:05
350 KING ST W, 416-599-8433
VARSITY (CE)
55 BLOOR ST W, 416-961-6304 BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) (14A) Thu 1:05, 4:30, 7:25, 10:15 Fri-Wed 1:00, 3:50, 6:50, 9:40 CAKE (14A) Thu 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 THE IMITATION GAME (PG) Thu 1:40, 4:25, 7:15, 10:05 Fri-Sun 12:20, 3:10, 6:40, 9:30 Mon-Wed 12:30, 3:15, 6:40, 9:30 A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (14A) Fri-Sat 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:15 Sun 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:05 Mon-Wed 1:15, 4:10, 7:10, 10:05 MR. TURNER (14A) Thu 3:00, 6:25, 9:50 Fri-Sat 12:05, 3:20, 6:35, 9:55 Sun 12:00, 3:20, 6:35, 9:55 Mon-Wed 3:00, 6:25, 9:55 SELMA (PG) Thu 12:40, 3:40, 6:40, 9:35 Fri-Sat 1:25, 4:20, 7:20, 10:20 Sun-Wed 1:25, 4:20, 7:20, 10:15 STILL ALICE (PG) Thu 1:15, 4:00, 6:45, 9:25 Fri 2:15, 4:50, 7:45, 10:30 Sat 12:00, 2:30, 5:05, 7:45, 10:30 Sun-Wed 12:45, 3:40, 7:00, 9:45 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (PG) Thu 12:30 3:15 6:20 9:15 Fri-Wed 12:35, 3:30, 6:20, 9:20 WILD (18A) Thu 12:45, 3:25, 6:15, 9:00 Fri-Sat 12:50, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Sun 12:10, 3:15, 6:10, 9:10 Mon-Wed 1:05, 4:30, 7:25, 10:10
VIP SCREENINGS
BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) (14A) Thu 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:00 Fri-Sun 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, 9:00 Mon-Wed 1:10, 4:15, 7:10, 10:00 FOXCATCHER (14A) Thu 12:30, 3:30, 6:50, 10:15 THE IMITATION GAME (PG) Thu, Mon-Wed 12:50, 3:45,
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6:30, 9:20 Fri-Sun 1:20, 4:10, 7:30, 10:10 INHERENT VICE (14A) Thu, Mon-Wed 2:30, 6:00, 9:40 Fri-Sat 12:30, 3:45, 7:00, 10:30 Sun 12:30, 3:45, 7:00, 10:15 A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (14A) Fri-Sun 12:15, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30 Mon-Wed 12:30, 3:30, 6:50, 10:15
YONGE & DUNDAS 24 (CE) 10 DUNDAS ST E, 416-977-9262
20 ONCE AGAIN Thu 3:40, 6:40, 9:45 Fri 1:50, 4:45, 7:40, 10:35 Sat-Sun 12:40, 3:35, 6:40, 9:45 Mon 1:30, 4:45, 7:40, 10:35 Tue-Wed 1:35, 4:45, 7:40, 10:35 AMERICAN SNIPER (14A) Thu 3:30, 6:45, 10:00 Fri 3:40, 7:00, 10:40 Sat 12:00, 3:40, 7:00, 10:40 Sun 12:00, 3:40, 7:00, 10:25 Mon-Wed 3:00, 6:15, 9:30 BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) (14A) Thu 7:35, 10:30 Fri 2:05, 4:50, 7:55, 10:40 Sat 11:20, 2:05, 4:50, 7:50, 10:50 Sun 11:20, 2:05, 4:50, 7:55, 10:40 Mon-Wed 7:35, 10:40 BLACK OR WHITE Fri-Wed 1:35, 4:20, 7:10, 10:10 THE BOY NEXT DOOR (14A) Thu 3:30, 5:00, 6:00, 7:30, 7:45, 8:30, 10:00, 10:45 Fri 1:45, 2:45, 4:15, 5:00, 5:10, 6:45, 7:45, 8:00, 9:15, 10:15, 11:00 Sat 1:45, 2:00, 2:45, 4:15, 5:00, 5:15, 6:45, 7:45, 8:00, 9:15, 10:15, 11:00 Sun 1:45, 2:00, 2:45, 4:15, 5:00, 5:15, 6:45, 7:45, 7:50, 9:15, 10:15, 10:50 Mon-Wed 2:00, 2:45, 4:15, 4:40, 5:10, 6:45, 7:45, 8:00, 9:15, 10:25, 10:50 BOYHOOD (14A) Thu 4:20, 10:25 Fri, Tue 2:00, 7:30 Sat 2:15, 8:15 Sun 12:00, 6:00 Mon, Wed 4:15, 9:40 CAKE (14A) Thu 2:00, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 THE CON ARTISTS (PG) Thu 1:55, 4:40, 7:25, 10:10 DOLLY KI DOLI Thu 1:50, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 Fri, Mon-Wed 1:45, 4:25, 6:55, 9:35 Sat-Sun 1:20, 3:55, 6:25, 9:20 GAME OF THRONES: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE (SEASON 4, EPISODES 9 AND 10) (18A) Fri-Sat 12:00, 2:40, 5:20, 8:00, 10:45 Sun-Tue 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20 Wed 1:40, 10:20 THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (14A) Thu 1:55, 7:55 Fri, Tue 5:15, 10:45 Sat 12:00, 6:00 Sun 3:30, 9:30 Mon, Wed 2:00, 7:30 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES – AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE (PG) Thu 3:25, 6:55, 10:15 THE IMITATION GAME (PG) Thu 2:20, 2:45, 5:05, 5:45, 7:45, 8:45, 10:25 Fri 2:50, 3:20, 5:30, 6:30, 8:10, 9:30, 10:55 Sat 12:30, 2:50, 3:20, 5:30, 6:30, 8:10, 9:30, 10:55 Sun 12:30, 2:50, 3:20, 5:30, 6:20, 8:10, 9:30, 10:55 MonWed 2:15, 3:25, 5:00, 6:35, 7:50, 9:50, 10:45 INTO THE WOODS (PG) Thu, Mon-Wed 7:15, 10:15 Fri 2:20, 5:15, 8:05, 11:00 Sat-Sun 11:25, 2:20, 5:15, 8:05, 11:00 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB (PG) Fri 2:00 Sat-Sun 11:35 Mon-Wed 2:05 PADDINGTON (G) Thu 1:40, 4:10, 6:50, 9:30 Fri-Sun 1:40, 4:10, 6:50, 9:25 Mon-Wed 6:50, 9:25 PROJECT ALMANAC (PG) Fri 4:30, 7:30, 10:20 Sat 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:20 Sun 1:30, 4:30, 7:20, 10:05 Mon-Wed 4:20, 7:20, 10:30 RED ARMY (PG) Fri 2:35, 5:00, 7:30, 10:30 Sat 12:10, 2:35, 5:50, 8:15, 10:30 Sun 12:10, 2:35, 5:45, 8:15, 10:30 MonWed 1:55, 4:10, 6:25, 8:50 RUNNING MAN Fri 2:55, 5:05, 7:25, 10:25 Sat 12:25, 2:55, 5:05, 7:20, 10:25 Sun 12:25, 2:55, 5:05, 7:25, 10:20 MonWed 2:10, 4:35, 7:25, 9:40 SELMA (PG) Thu 7:00, 9:55 Fri 1:40, 4:35, 7:50, 10:55 SatSun 1:05, 4:00, 6:55, 9:55 Mon-Wed 7:05, 10:05 STRANGE MAGIC (PG) Thu 1:45, 4:05, 7:15, 10:15 Fri 1:35, 4:05, 6:40, 9:10 Sat-Sun 1:25, 3:45, 6:15, 8:45 Mon-Wed 1:40, 4:05, 6:40, 9:10 TAKEN 3 (14A) Thu 3:00, 6:15, 9:15 Fri 3:00, 6:00, 9:00 Sat 12:15, 3:00, 6:00, 9:00 Sun 12:15, 3:00, 5:50, 9:00 MonWed 3:50, 7:00, 10:10 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (PG) Thu 9:05 Fri 3:10, 6:05, 9:05 Sat-Sun 11:50, 3:10, 6:05, 9:05 Mon-Wed 6:30, 9:45 THE WEDDING RINGER (14A) Thu 2:35, 4:30, 5:15, 6:30, 7:15, 10:20, 10:25 Fri 3:15, 5:55, 8:20, 10:50 Sat-Sun 12:20, 3:15, 5:55, 8:20, 10:45 Mon-Wed 6:30, 9:00 WILD (18A) Thu 10:20 Fri 4:25, 7:15, 10:00 Sat-Sun 2:15, 4:55, 7:40, 10:35 Mon-Wed 4:30, 7:15, 10:00
Midtown CANADA SQUARE (CE) 2200 YONGE ST, 416-646-0444
THE AMAZING PRAYBEYT BENJAMIN Fri 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Sat-Sun 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Mon-Wed 5:00, 7:30 continued on page 64 œ
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2015
63
movie times
Oscar nominee Marion Cotillard and Fabrizio Rongione try to get by in the moving Belgian drama Two Days, One Night.
œcontinued from page 63
Annie (PG) Thu 5:35 Fri 3:55 sat-sun 1:05, 3:55 Mon-wed 5:05 Big eYes (PG) Thu 5:15, 8:00 BirdmAn or (The UnexpecTed VirTUe of ignorAnce) (14A) Fri 3:45, 6:40, 9:25 sat-sun 12:50, 3:45, 6:40, 9:25 Mon-wed 5:15, 8:20 BLAckhAT (14A) Thu 5:15, 8:15 cAke (14A) Fri 4:45, 7:15, 9:45 sat-sun 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45 Mon-wed 5:20, 8:25 feng shUi 2 (PG) Thu 5:20, 8:05 foxcATcher (14A) Thu 8:20 The hoBBiT: The BATTLe of The fiVe Armies 3d (PG) Thu 8:10 The hoBBiT: The BATTLe of The fiVe Armies (PG) Thu 5:00 Fri-sun 6:40, 9:50 Mon-wed 8:00 inherenT Vice (14A) Thu 7:50 inTo The woods (PG) Fri 4:00, 6:55, 10:00 sat-sun 1:10, 4:00, 6:55, 10:00 Mon-wed 5:10, 8:15 nighT AT The mUseUm: secreT of The TomB (PG) Thu 5:30 seLmA (PG) Thu 5:30, 8:25 Fri 3:50, 6:50, 9:55 sat-sun 1:00, 3:50, 6:50, 9:55 Mon-wed 5:30, 7:50 sTrAnge mAgic (PG) Fri 4:15, 6:45, 9:20 sat-sun 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:20 Mon-wed 5:45, 8:10 whipLAsh (14A) Thu, Mon-wed 5:40, 8:30 Fri 4:50, 7:30, 10:00 sat-sun 2:10, 4:50, 7:30, 10:00
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675 MT pleasanT rd, 416-489-8484 BoYhood (14A) Thu, Tue 6:45 Fri-sat 6:15 sun 4:00 force mAjeUre (14A) Fri 9:30 sat 3:40 sun 1:30 wed 7:00 The grAnd BUdApesT hoTeL (14A) sat 9:35 sun 7:15
regenT TheaTre (i) 551 MT pleasanT rd, 416-480-9884
BirdmAn or (The UnexpecTed VirTUe of ignorAnce) (14A) Thu, Tue-wed 7:00 Fri 6:30, 9:00 sat 4:00, 6:30, 9:00 sun 2:00, 4:30, 7:00
silverCiTy yonge (Ce) 2300 yonge sT, 416-544-1236
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64
january 29 - february 4 2015 NOW
AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 12:55, 4:00, 4:15, 7:10, 7:30, 10:20, 10:45 Fri 1:20, 4:15, 4:40, 7:30, 7:50, 10:50, 11:00 sat 12:05, 1:00, 1:20, 4:15, 4:40, 7:30, 7:50, 10:50, 11:00 sun 11:45, 1:00, 1:10, 4:15, 4:20, 7:30, 10:35, 10:50 Monwed 1:10, 4:15, 4:20, 7:30, 10:35, 10:50 An AmericAn TAiL (G) sat 11:00 Annie (PG) Thu 12:40 Fri 12:50 sat 12:35 sun 12:20 Monwed 12:30 BLAck or whiTe Fri 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 10:05 sat 12:45, 4:00, 7:10, 10:05 sun 12:50, 3:40, 6:50, 9:45 Mon-Tue 12:45, 3:40, 6:50, 9:45 wed 3:50, 6:50, 9:45 BLAckhAT (14A) Thu 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:45 The BoY nexT door (14A) Thu 2:50, 5:20, 7:50, 10:10 Fri 12:45, 3:10, 5:40, 8:20, 10:45 sat 11:00, 1:40, 5:40, 8:20, 10:45 sun-wed 12:40, 3:00, 5:30, 8:00, 10:25 cAke (14A) Thu 2:40, 5:30, 8:00, 10:30 The hoBBiT: The BATTLe of The fiVe Armies 3d (PG) Thu 6:00 Fri-sat 6:30, 10:00 sun-wed 6:00, 9:20 The hoBBiT: The BATTLe of The fiVe Armies (PG) Thu 2:20 Fri 3:00 sat 2:55 sun-wed 2:10 The imiTATion gAme (PG) Thu 1:00, 3:30, 3:50, 6:30, 6:40, 9:30, 9:35 Fri 1:10, 3:45, 4:10, 7:00, 7:20, 10:10, 10:20 sat 12:30, 1:15, 3:45, 4:10, 7:00, 7:20, 10:10, 10:20 sun 12:30, 1:20, 3:45, 4:10, 7:00, 9:50, 10:20 Mon-Tue 1:20, 3:45, 4:10, 7:00, 9:50, 10:20 wed 1:20, 3:15, 4:10, 7:00, 9:50, 10:20 inherenT Vice (14A) Thu 9:30 inTo The woods (PG) Thu 3:10, 6:10, 9:10 Fri 3:40, 6:40, 9:40 sat 3:45, 6:40, 9:40 sun-wed 3:20, 6:20, 9:20 The meTropoLiTAn operA: Les conTes d’hoffmAnn LiVe sat 12:55 morTdecAi (14A) Thu 1:40, 4:30, 7:30, 10:15 Fri 12:40, 3:30, 6:20, 9:15 sat 12:15, 3:25, 6:20, 9:15 sun 12:10, 3:10, 6:10, 8:55 Mon-wed 12:30, 3:10, 6:10, 8:55 A mosT VioLenT YeAr (14A) Fri 1:30, 2:45, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:20, 10:30 sat 11:30, 11:40, 1:30, 2:45, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:20, 10:30 sun 11:40, 1:00, 2:45, 4:00, 6:00, 7:10, 9:20, 10:10 Mon-Tue 1:00, 2:45, 4:00, 6:00, 7:10, 9:20, 10:10 wed 2:45, 4:00, 6:00, 7:10, 9:20, 10:10 nighT AT The mUseUm: secreT of The TomB (PG) Thu 12:45 Fri, Mon-wed 12:35 sat 12:25 sun 11:50 pAddingTon (G) Thu 1:30, 4:10, 6:50, 9:20 Fri 1:50, 4:20, 7:00, 9:30 sat 11:20, 1:50, 4:20, 7:00, 9:30 sun 1:20, 3:50, 6:40, 9:10 Mon-Tue 1:30, 3:50, 6:40, 9:10 wed 1:30, 3:55, 6:40, 9:10 projecT ALmAnAc (PG) Thu 7:00, 9:50 Fri 12:45, 2:45, 5:30, 8:10, 10:55 sat 11:55, 2:45, 5:30, 8:10, 10:55 sun 11:55, 2:30, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 Mon-wed 2:30, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 seLmA (PG) Thu 12:30, 3:20, 6:20, 9:25 Fri 12:55, 3:50, 6:50, 9:50 sat 3:55, 6:50, 9:50 sun 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30
Mon-wed 12:35, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30 sTiLL ALice (PG) Thu 1:20, 4:20, 7:00, 9:40 Fri-sat 2:25, 5:10, 7:40, 10:20 sun-wed 2:20, 5:00, 7:40, 10:15 sTrAnge mAgic (PG) Thu 2:00, 4:40, 7:20, 10:00 Fri-sat 1:05, 3:35, 6:10, 8:45 sun 12:00, 2:40, 5:15, 7:45, 10:20 Mon-wed 2:40, 5:15, 7:45, 10:20 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 2:10, 3:00, 4:50, 6:00, 7:40, 9:00, 10:25 Fri 2:35, 5:20, 8:00, 10:40 sat 5:20, 8:00, 10:40 sun 1:40, 4:30, 7:20, 10:05 Mon-wed 1:45, 4:30, 7:20, 10:05 The TheorY of eVerYThing (PG) Thu 3:50, 7:00, 10:15 Fri, Mon-Tue 3:15, 6:30, 9:50 sat 12:00, 3:15, 6:30, 9:50 sun 12:00, 3:15, 6:30 wed 6:30, 9:50 The wedding ringer (14A) Thu 2:30, 3:00, 5:10, 6:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:30 Fri 2:45, 3:20, 5:50, 6:00, 8:30, 8:50, 11:00 sat 12:00, 2:45, 3:15, 5:50, 6:00, 8:30, 8:50, 11:00 sun 12:00, 2:45, 5:20, 8:00, 9:50, 10:35 Mon-wed 2:45, 2:50, 5:20, 6:00, 8:00, 8:50, 10:35 wiLd (18A) Thu 3:40
rainBow woodBine (i)
woodBine CenTre, 500 rexdale Blvd, 416-213-1998 AmericAn sniper (14A) 12:45, 3:40, 6:35, 9:30 BLAckhAT (14A) Thu 3:45, 9:25 The BoY nexT door (14A) Thu 1:10, 4:10, 7:05, 9:45 FriTue 1:10, 4:10, 7:05, 9:40 wed 4:10, 7:05, 9:40 nighT AT The mUseUm: secreT of The TomB (PG) 12:50, 6:50 pAddingTon (G) 1:15, 4:00, 6:55, 9:20 projecT ALmAnAc (PG) Fri-wed 12:55, 3:55, 7:00, 9:35 sTrAnge mAgic (PG) 1:00, 4:05, 6:45, 9:15 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 12:55, 3:55, 6:40, 9:40 Fri-wed 3:45, 9:45 The wedding ringer (14A) Thu 1:05 3:50 7:00 9:35 Friwed 1:05, 3:50, 6:40, 9:25
revue (i)
400 ronCesvalles ave, 416-531-9959 showTimes for This TheATre were noT AVAiLABLe for prinT. Times for ALL fiLms cAn Be Accessed onLine AT moVies.nowToronT0.com
East End BeaCh CineMas (aa) 1651 Queen sT e, 416-699-1327
AmericAn sniper (14A) 7:00, 10:00 Fri 3:50 mat sat-sun 12:40, 3:50 mat The BoY nexT door (14A) Thu 7:30, 9:45 Fri 4:20, 7:20, 9:40 sat-sun 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 9:40 Mon-wed 7:20, 9:40 The imiTATion gAme (PG) Thu 6:40, 9:20 Fri 4:00, 6:40, 9:30 sat 6:45, 9:30 sun 1:00, 4:00, 6:45, 9:30 Mon-wed 6:40, 9:30 inTo The woods (PG) Thu 7:20, 10:10 The meTropoLiTAn operA: Les conTes d’hoffmAnn LiVe sat 12:55 morTdecAi (14A) Thu 6:50, 9:30 Fri 4:10, 7:10, 9:50 satsun 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 9:50 Mon-wed 7:10, 9:50 pAddingTon (G) Thu 6:30, 9:00 Fri 4:30, 6:50, 9:10 satsun 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 6:30, 9:00 Mon-wed 6:50, 9:10 wiLd (18A) 7:30, 10:10 Fri 3:40 mat sat-sun 12:50, 3:40 mat
Fox (i)
2236 Queen sT e, 416-691-7330 BirdmAn or (The UnexpecTed VirTUe of ignorAnce) (14A) Fri, Mon 7:00 sat-sun 4:00, 7:00 Tue 9:15 wed 6:45 BoYhood (14A) wed 9:15 foxcATcher (14A) Thu 9:15 The hoBBiT: The BATTLe of The fiVe Armies (PG) satsun 2:00 inherenT Vice (14A) Fri-Mon 9:20 Tue 6:30 The TheorY of eVerYThing (PG) Thu 6:45
North York Cineplex CineMas eMpress walK (Ce) 5095 yonge sT., 416-847-0087
AmericAn sniper: The imAx experience (14A) Thu 3:55, 7:00, 10:05 Fri 4:10, 7:20, 10:25 sat 1:00, 4:10, 7:20, 10:20 sun 1:00, 4:15, 7:20, 10:15 Mon-wed 4:10, 7:20, 10:15 The BoY nexT door (14A) Thu 4:10, 7:20, 9:55 Fri 4:30, 7:55, 10:30 sat 1:30, 4:30, 7:55, 10:30 sun 1:30, 4:30, 7:55, 10:05 Mon-wed 4:30, 7:35, 9:55 cAke (14A) Thu 4:20, 7:30, 10:00, 10:10 The imiTATion gAme (PG) Thu 3:50 6:55 9:50 Fri-wed 3:50, 7:00, 9:50 sun 12:55 mat LeViAThAn (14A) Thu 4:00, 7:10, 10:15 Fri 4:00, 7:10, 10:20 sat-sun 12:50, 4:00, 7:10, 10:15 Mon-wed 3:45, 6:55, 10:05 The meTropoLiTAn operA: Les conTes d’hoffmAnn LiVe sat 12:55 A mosT VioLenT YeAr (14A) Fri 4:20, 7:35, 10:30 sat 12:45, 4:20, 7:30, 10:25 sun 12:40, 3:55, 7:15, 10:10 Monwed 4:20, 7:10, 10:05 ode To mY fATher 3:40, 6:50, 10:00 sat-sun 12:30 mat pAddingTon (G) 3:30, 6:40, 9:40 sat-sun 12:40 mat projecT ALmAnAc (PG) Fri, Mon-wed 4:05, 7:30, 10:10 sat 1:40, 4:50, 6:20, 9:20 sun 1:10, 4:05, 7:30, 10:10 sTrAnge mAgic (PG) Thu 3:35, 6:30, 9:30 Fri, Mon-wed 3:35, 6:30 sat 12:35, 6:30 sun 12:35, 3:00, 6:30 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 4:30, 7:35, 10:10 Fri-wed 9:30 The wedding ringer (14A) Thu-Fri, Mon-wed 4:50, 7:45, 10:15 sat 7:40, 10:10 sun 1:50, 4:50, 7:45, 10:15
Cineplex vip CineMas don Mills (Ce) 12 Marie laBaTTe road, 416-644-0660
AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 3:30, 4:40, 6:30, 8:00, 9:40 Fri 2:45, 4:40, 5:50, 7:50, 9:10, 11:00 sat 12:00, 4:30, 5:50, 7:50, 9:10, 11:00 sun 12:30, 2:30, 3:30, 6:40, 8:50, 9:50 Mon, wed 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:40 Tue 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:40, 10:10 A Big screen eVenT sun 5:30 BirdmAn or (The UnexpecTed VirTUe of ignorAnce) (14A) Thu 2:20, 5:20, 8:30 Fri 2:15, 5:20, 8:30 sat 1:30, 2:20, 5:10, 8:30 sun-wed 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 The imiTATion gAme (PG) Thu 2:00, 3:00, 6:00, 9:10 Fri 3:20, 6:30, 9:50 sat 3:10, 6:30, 9:50 sun 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 Mon-wed 3:30, 6:30, 9:40 The meTropoLiTAn operA: Les conTes d’hoffmAnn LiVe sat 12:55 A mosT VioLenT YeAr (14A) Fri 4:00, 7:10, 10:30 sat 12:30, 3:50, 7:10, 10:30 sun 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:20 Monwed 3:00, 6:00, 9:10 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 10:15
onTario sCienCe CenTre oMniMax (i) 770 don Mills rd., 416-429-4100
greAT whiTe shArk sat-sun 12:00 hUBBLe Fri, Mon, wed 1:00 sat-sun 2:00 The hUmAn BodY 12:00 Thu, Tue 1:00 mat isLAnd of LemUrs: mAdAgAscAr (G) Thu-Fri, Monwed 11:00, 2:00 sat-sun 11:00, 4:00 Under The seA sat-sun 1:00
silverCiTy Fairview (Ce)
Fairview Mall, 1800 sheppard ave e, 416-644-7746 AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 1:00, 3:45, 6:50, 9:50 Fri-sat
Special Screenings Thursday, January 29 roseTTA Screening of the Dardennes broth-
ers film, in French w/ English subtitles. 7 pm. Free. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Rd. 416922-2014, alliance-francaise.ca. Where Are you Go Screening of the doc film following the annual Tour d’Afrique-Trans Continental Bicycle Expeditions, Race & Tours cycling expedition. 6:30-8:30 pm. Free. Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop, 1204 Bloor W. 416533-4481.
Friday, January 30 GreAT DiGiTAl film fesTivAl Fan favourite
sci-fi, action and cult films in digital format at several Cineplex theaters. $6.99. Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, 5095 Yonge, and others. cineplex.com/digitalfilmfest.
629 Danforth. 416-465-2629, theforth.ca.
Monday, February 2 GrounDhoG DAy-A-Go-Go See the Bill
Murray classic once, twice or three times. 5, 7 and 9 pm. $10 (good for all 3 screenings). Royal Cinema, 608 College. theroyal.to. The GreAT cAnADiAn TAx DoDGe Screening the documentary about tax avoidance by Canadian corporations and government indifference, followed by a discussion with experts. 6:30 pm. Free. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. cogentbenger.com.
Tuesday, February 3 An eveninG honourinG The Book of neGroes Conversation and Q&A followed
Film Fest, 7 pm. The Sex & Violence Cartoon Fest, 9 pm. Cineforum, 463 Bathurst. 416603-6643. pAris nATionAl operA BAlleT Screening of operas from Paris National Opera 2014-2015 season. 1:30 pm. $20-$25. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Rd. alliance-francaise.ca.
by a screening of episode 5. 7 pm. Free (pre-register). TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King W. eventbrite.ca/e/15275102242. ouT in The niGhT Cinema Politica and Inside Out LGBT Film Festival film screening. 6 pm. Pwyc suggested donation $5-$10. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor W. cinemapolitica.org/screening/bloor/outnight. WilD TAles NOW Magazine presents a screening of the film. 9 pm. Free. Royal Cinema, 608 College. nowtoronto.com.
Sunday, February 1
Wednesday, February 4
film from The AuTism specTrum Screening of works by young filmmakers. 7-9 pm. $10. Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex. Pre-register online eventbrite.com/e/15007653295. le pATin liBre Film about former figure skaters reinventing dance on ice. Feb 1-19, SunThu 7 pm. Cineforum, 463 Bathurst. 416603-6643. sTripper superBoWl pArTy Exotic dance performances pre/post-game and at halftime. DJ Mike Stoan on the decks. 4 pm-midnight. $10-$20. Ryze, 423 College. rssbp. blogspot.ca. superBoWl pArTy Watch the game on two big projector screens and enjoy a gourmet pub food buffet. $25. Call for info. The Forth,
kAno: screeninG AnD AcADemic pAnel
Saturday, January 31 cineforum sATurDAys The Salvador Dali
1:30, 4:10, 7:10, 10:10 Sun-Wed 1:30, 3:55, 6:55, 9:55 An AmericAn TAil (G) Sat 11:00 BlAckhAT (14A) Thu 3:50, 6:55, 9:55 The Boy nexT Door (14A) Thu 1:05, 4:45, 7:15, 9:35 FriSat 2:50, 5:20, 7:35, 9:55 Sun-Tue 2:00, 4:20, 6:40, 9:00 Wed 4:20, 6:40, 9:00 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies 3D (PG) Thu 3:25, 9:40 Fri-Wed 10:00 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies (PG) Thu 1:15, 6:35 Fri-Sat 3:55, 6:55 Sun-Wed 4:00, 7:00 The imiTATion GAme (PG) Thu 1:30, 4:20, 7:05, 9:45 Fri 1:35, 4:20, 7:05, 9:45 Sat 11:05, 1:40, 4:20, 7:05, 9:45 SunWed 2:05, 4:35, 7:20, 9:50 The meTropoliTAn operA: les conTes D’hoffmAnn live Sat 12:55 niGhT AT The museum: secreT of The TomB (PG) Thu 1:25 Fri, Sun-Wed 1:40 Sat 11:10, 1:40 pADDinGTon (G) Thu 1:10, 3:55, 6:30, 9:00 Fri 2:30, 5:30, 7:50, 10:15 Sat 12:00, 2:30, 5:30, 7:50, 10:15 Sun-Wed 1:35, 4:40, 7:05, 9:30 projecT AlmAnAc (PG) Fri 2:10, 5:00, 7:30, 10:05 Sat 11:40, 2:10, 5:00, 7:30, 10:05 Sun-Wed 1:55, 4:30, 7:10, 9:40 sTrAnGe mAGic (PG) Thu 1:40, 4:10, 6:45, 9:10 Fri 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:40 Sat 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:40 Sun-Tue 1:50, 4:10, 6:45, 9:10 Wed 4:10, 6:45, 9:10 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 1:20, 4:00, 6:40, 9:20 Fri 2:40, 5:10, 7:45, 10:20 Sat 5:10, 7:45, 10:20 Sun-Wed 2:10, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45 The WeDDinG rinGer (14A) Thu 1:50, 4:25, 7:00, 9:30 Fri 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:50 Sat 11:50, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:50 SunWed 1:45, 4:15, 6:50, 9:15
SilverCiTy yorkdale (Ce) 3401 duFFerin ST, 416-787-2052
AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Fri, Mon-Wed 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:10 Sat 12:45, 3:50, 7:00, 10:10 Sun 12:40, 3:50, 7:00, 10:00 An AmericAn TAil (G) Sat 11:00 BlAckhAT (14A) Thu 3:30, 9:40 The Boy nexT Door (14A) Thu 2:20, 5:15, 7:50, 10:15 Fri 1:50, 4:45, 7:20, 9:50 Sat 2:10, 4:45, 7:20, 9:50 Sun 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50 Mon-Wed 2:15, 4:40, 7:30, 10:10 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies 3D (PG) Thu 9:30 Fri-Sat 10:15 Sun 9:45 Mon-Wed 9:40 The imiTATion GAme (PG) Thu 1:20, 4:20, 7:10, 9:50 Fri 1:30, 4:20, 7:30 Sat 1:15, 4:00, 7:30 Sun 1:15, 4:00, 6:50 Mon-Wed 1:20, 4:00, 6:55 inTo The WooDs (PG) Thu 1:00, 3:50, 6:45 Fri 1:00, 6:30 Sat-Sun 12:30, 6:30 Mon-Wed 1:00, 6:40 morTDecAi (14A) Thu 2:10, 5:00, 7:40, 10:15 Fri 1:10, 3:50, 6:50, 10:00 Sat 1:00, 3:40, 6:40, 10:00 Sun 12:50, 3:40, 6:40, 9:35 Mon-Wed 1:40, 4:30, 7:10, 9:50 pADDinGTon (G) Thu 1:10, 4:00, 6:30, 9:00 Fri 1:20, 4:10, 6:40, 9:20 Sat 11:15, 1:40, 4:15, 6:50, 9:20 Sun 12:00, 2:20,
Screening of the film about the Taiwanese team in the 1931 Japanese high school baseball championships followed by a discussion. 4 pm. Free (RSVP). Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex. kano.eventbrite.ca.
film festivals The 8 fesT Festival of small-gauge films, works in installation, loops and more. $5, festival pass $23. Polish Combatants Hall, 206 Beverley. 416-703-2236, the8fest.com. Jan 30 to Feb 1 4:45, 7:10, 9:40 Mon-Wed 1:50, 4:20, 6:50, 9:20 projecT AlmAnAc (PG) Fri 2:20, 5:20, 8:00, 10:40 Sat 12:15, 2:45, 5:20, 8:00, 10:40 Sun 1:45, 4:30, 7:40, 10:15 Mon-Wed 2:00, 4:50, 7:40, 10:15 selmA (PG) Thu 1:10, 6:40 Fri 3:40, 9:30 Sat 3:30, 9:30 Sun 3:20, 9:30 Mon-Wed 3:50, 9:30 sTrAnGe mAGic (PG) Thu 1:30, 4:10, 6:50, 9:20 Fri 2:00, 4:30, 7:10, 9:40 Sat 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:10, 9:40 Sun 1:00, 3:30, 6:20, 9:00 Mon-Wed 1:10, 3:40, 6:30, 9:00 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:10 Fri 1:40, 5:00, 7:40, 10:30 Sat 11:45, 2:20, 5:00, 7:40, 10:30 Sun 1:30, 4:15, 7:20, 10:05 Mon-Wed 1:30, 4:10, 7:20, 10:05 The WeDDinG rinGer (14A) Thu 1:40, 4:30, 7:20, 10:05 Fri 2:10, 5:10, 7:50, 10:20 Sat 12:00, 2:30, 5:10, 7:50, 10:20 Sun 12:10, 2:30, 5:15, 7:50, 10:15 Mon-Wed 2:30, 5:00, 7:50, 10:15
Scarborough 401 & MorningSide (Ce) 785 Milner ave, SCarborough, 416-281-2226
shoWTimes for This TheATre Were noT AvAilABle for prinT. Times for All films cAn Be AccesseD online AT movies.noWToronT0.com
ColiSeuM SCarborough (Ce) SCarborough ToWn CenTre, 416-290-5217
Alien Mon 12:30 Aliens (R) Mon 2:50 The AmAzinG prAyBeyT BenjAmin Fri, Sun-Wed 2:15, 4:55, 7:35, 10:15 Sat 1:00, 3:40, 6:20, 9:05 AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 12:55, 3:55, 7:05, 10:15 Fri, Sun-Wed 12:55, 3:55, 7:05, 10:20 Sat 11:35, 2:40, 5:45, 8:50 An AmericAn TAil (G) Sat 11:00 BlAck or WhiTe Fri, Sun-Wed 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 10:05 Sat 12:25, 3:20, 6:15, 9:10 BlAckhAT (14A) Thu 1:05, 4:10, 7:15, 10:25 BlADe runner: The finAl cuT (14A) Fri 7:30 Sun 3:15 Tue 9:45 The Boy nexT Door (14A) Thu 1:00, 3:15, 5:40, 8:10, 10:35 Fri, Sun-Wed 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:10 Sat 11:45, 2:15, 4:40, 7:05, 9:30 DArkmAn (14A) Fri 9:45 Mon 5:25 Wed 3:00 Dick TrAcy (PG) Fri 1:00 Sun 7:20 fenG shui 2 (PG) Thu 2:20, 7:40 hellBoy (14A) Sun 9:30 Mon 7:20 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies 3D (PG) Thu 6:40, 10:00 Fri, Sun-Wed 10:00 Sat 8:45 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies (PG) Thu 3:20 The imiTATion GAme (PG) Thu 4:05, 7:00, 9:55 inTo The WooDs (PG) Thu 1:10, 4:00, 6:55, 9:50 Fri, Sun-
Wed 1:10, 4:05, 7:00 Sat 2:50, 5:50 kill Bill: vol. 1 (R) Tue 12:30 Wed 7:45 kill Bill, vol. 2 (18A) Tue 2:35 Wed 9:50 The meTropoliTAn operA: les conTes D’hoffmAnn live Sat 12:55 The monsTer squAD Fri 5:40 Sun 5:35 pADDinGTon (G) Thu 1:40, 4:15, 6:50, 9:20 Fri, Sun-Wed 1:50, 4:25, 6:55, 9:30 Sat 11:20, 1:50, 4:25, 6:55, 9:25 pAn’s lAByrinTh (14A) Mon 9:50 projecT AlmAnAc (PG) Fri, Sun-Wed 2:25, 5:05, 7:45, 10:25 Sat 1:05, 3:45, 6:20, 9:00 The rockeTeer (PG) Fri 3:30 Sun 1:00 Tue 7:35 Wed 12:45 sTrAnGe mAGic (PG) Thu 2:00, 4:35, 7:10, 9:40 Fri, SunWed 2:10, 4:45, 7:15, 9:50 Sat 11:30, 2:00, 4:35, 7:10, 9:40 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 2:05, 4:50, 7:35, 10:20 Fri, Sun-Wed 2:05, 4:50, 7:45, 10:25 Sat 1:10, 3:50, 6:40, 9:20 The WeDDinG rinGer (14A) Thu 1:20, 5:00, 7:55, 10:30 Fri, Sun-Wed 2:55, 5:25, 8:00, 10:30 Sat 12:15, 6:10, 8:55 The WomAn in BlAck 2: AnGel of DeATh (14A) Thu 10:10 x-men (PG) Sat 9:55 Tue 5:30 x-men: DAys of fuTure pAsT (PG) Sat 12:00 x-men: firsT clAss (PG) Sat 2:35 x-men: The lAsT sTAnD (PG) Sat 5:15 x2: x-men uniTeD (14A) Sat 7:20 Wed 5:10
eglinTon ToWn CenTre (Ce) 1901 eglinTon ave e, 416-752-4494
AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 4:00, 7:15, 10:20 Fri-Sat 1:05, 4:10, 7:15, 10:25 Sun 1:00, 4:10, 7:15, 10:20 Mon-Wed 4:10, 7:15, 10:20 An AmericAn TAil (G) Sat 11:00 Annie (PG) Fri 12:45 Sat 12:25 Sun 12:20 BlAck or WhiTe 4:20, 7:10, 10:05 Fri-Sun 1:20 mat BlAckhAT (14A) Thu 4:05, 7:10, 10:15 The Boy nexT Door (14A) Thu 2:25, 5:15, 7:40, 10:05 Fri-Sat 1:10, 3:30, 5:50, 8:10, 10:35 Sun 12:40, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 10:00 Mon-Wed 5:20, 7:40, 10:00 foxcATcher (14A) Thu 4:20, 7:25, 10:30 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies 3D (PG) Thu 3:35, 6:55, 10:15 Fri 6:50, 10:10 Sat 6:35, 9:55 Sun 6:35, 9:40 Mon-Wed 6:45, 10:00 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies (PG) Fri 3:35 Sat 3:20 Sun 3:15 Mon-Wed 3:30 The imiTATion GAme (PG) Thu 4:15, 7:05, 9:55 Fri-Sun 1:00, 3:45, 6:30, 9:20 Mon-Wed 3:45, 6:30, 9:20 inTo The WooDs (PG) Thu 3:50, 6:50, 9:45 Fri, Sun-Wed 9:15 Sat 10:15 The meTropoliTAn operA: les conTes D’hoffmAnn live Sat 12:55 morTDecAi (14A) Thu 5:00, 7:45, 10:25 Fri-Sat 2:10, 4:55, 7:35, 10:20 Sun 2:20, 5:00, 7:45, 10:30 Mon-Wed 5:00, 7:45, 10:30 A mosT violenT yeAr (14A) Fri-Sat 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Sun 1:30, 4:30, 7:25, 10:25 Mon-Wed 4:30, 7:25, 10:25 niGhT AT The museum: secreT of The TomB (PG) Thu 4:10, 6:45 Fri, Sun 1:55, 4:25, 6:55 Sat 11:45, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20 Mon-Wed 4:25, 7:05 pADDinGTon (G) Thu 2:15, 4:40, 7:05, 9:30 Fri, Sun 2:05, 4:35, 7:00, 9:25 Sat 11:10, 11:50, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:40 MonWed 4:35, 7:00, 9:25 penGuins of mADAGAscAr (G) Fri 2:50 Sat 2:35 Sun 2:25 pk (PG) Thu 3:20 Fri, Sun 9:30 Sat 9:50 Mon-Wed 9:45 projecT AlmAnAc (PG) Thu 7:00, 9:40 Fri 2:45, 5:25, 8:05, 10:45 Sat 12:10, 2:45, 5:25, 8:05, 10:45 Sun 2:35, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 Mon-Wed 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 selmA (PG) Thu 3:30, 6:40, 9:40 Fri 12:55, 4:00, 7:05, 10:10 Sat 7:05, 10:10 Sun 12:30, 3:40, 6:50, 9:50 MonWed 3:40, 6:50, 9:50 sTrAnGe mAGic (PG) Thu 2:20, 4:50, 7:25, 10:00 Fri, Sun 1:35, 4:05, 6:40 Sat 12:05, 2:40, 5:15, 7:45 Mon-Wed 4:05, 6:40 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 2:15, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 Fri-Sat 5:05, 7:55,
10:40 Sun-Wed 4:45, 7:30, 10:15 The Theory of everyThinG (PG) Fri-Sun 12:50, 3:50, 6:45, 9:45 Mon-Wed 3:35, 6:35, 9:35 unBroken (14A) Thu 9:35 The WeDDinG rinGer (14A) Thu 2:30, 5:05, 7:35, 10:10 Fri 2:55, 5:30, 8:00, 10:35 Sat 12:20, 2:55, 5:30, 8:00, 10:35 Sun 12:15, 2:45, 5:15, 7:50, 10:25 Mon-Wed 5:15, 7:50, 10:25
WoodSide CineMaS (i) 1571 SandhurST CirCle, 416-299-3456
AAmBAlA Thu-Fri, Mon-Wed 4:00, 7:15, 10:30 Sat-Sun 1:00, 4:15, 7:15, 10:30 BABy (PG) Thu 3:30 6:30 9:30 Fri-Wed 3:30, 6:15, 9:30 Sat-Sun 12:30 mat DArlinG Thu 10:15 Dolly ki Doli Thu 4:00, 7:00 Fri, Mon-Wed 3:30 Sat-Sun 1:00, 3:30 hAWAizAADA Fri-Sun 6:45, 9:45 Mon-Wed 6:30, 9:30
GTA Regions
rainboW ProMenade (i)
North ColoSSuS (Ce)
AmericAn sniper (14A) 12:50, 3:45, 6:40, 9:30 The Boy nexT Door (14A) 1:15, 4:00, 7:10, 9:35 The imiTATion GAme (PG) 3:55, 9:25 Thu 12:55 mat, 6:55 late pADDinGTon (G) 1:10, 4:05, 7:05, 9:15 projecT AlmAnAc (PG) Fri-Wed 1:05, 4:10, 7:00, 9:40 selmA (PG) Fri-Sun, Tue-Wed 12:55, 6:45 Mon 6:45 sTrAnGe mAGic (PG) 1:00, 3:55, 6:50 Thu 9:20 late TAken 3 (14A) Thu 4:10, 9:45 WilD (18A) Thu 1:05, 7:00 Fri-Wed 9:20
hWy 400 & 7, 905-851-1001
AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 3:55, 6:45, 9:35 Fri 3:00, 6:30, 9:50 Sat 12:05, 3:10, 6:30, 9:50 Sun-Mon 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30 Tue-Wed 3:30, 6:30, 9:30 AmericAn sniper: The imAx experience (14A) Thu 4:35, 7:25, 10:15 Fri-Sat 1:15, 4:20, 7:40, 10:40 Sun-Mon 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:10 Tue-Wed 4:20, 7:10, 10:10 An AmericAn TAil (G) Sat 11:00 Annie (PG) Thu 3:35 Fri 1:20 Sat-Mon 12:35 BiG hero 6 (PG) Fri-Sat 1:05 Sun-Mon 12:55 BirDmAn or (The unexpecTeD virTue of iGnorAnce) (14A) Thu 4:30, 7:20, 10:00 Fri 1:55, 4:40, 7:20, 10:05 Sat 11:10, 1:55, 4:40, 7:20, 10:05 Sun-Mon 12:40, 3:35, 6:20, 9:15 Tue-Wed 3:35, 6:25, 9:15 BlAck or WhiTe Fri-Sat 1:25, 4:10, 7:10, 10:00 Sun-Mon 1:40, 4:30, 7:15, 10:00 Tue-Wed 4:30, 7:15, 10:00 BlAckhAT (14A) Thu 3:50, 6:50, 9:45 The Boy nexT Door (14A) Thu 3:40, 5:50, 8:00, 10:15 Fri-Sat 1:00, 3:20, 5:40, 8:00, 10:20 Sun-Mon 12:50, 2:50, 5:05, 7:20, 9:40 Tue-Wed 5:05, 7:20, 9:40 exoDus: GoDs AnD kinGs (PG) Thu 3:45 Fri 8:50 Sat 10:10 Sun-Wed 8:45 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies 3D (PG) Thu 3:30, 6:40, 9:50 Fri-Sat 6:45, 9:55 Sun-Wed 6:35, 9:45 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies (PG) FriSat 3:35 Sun-Mon 3:25 Tue-Wed 3:30 The hunGer GAmes: mockinGjAy – pArT 1 (PG) Thu 6:15, 9:00 The imiTATion GAme (PG) Thu 4:10, 6:50, 9:40 Fri 1:00, 3:45, 6:20, 9:05 Sat 3:45, 6:20, 9:05 Sun-Mon 12:30, 3:10, 6:05, 8:55 Tue-Wed 3:45, 6:15, 8:55 inTo The WooDs (PG) Thu 3:50, 6:35, 9:20 Fri-Sat 1:10, 3:55, 6:55, 9:45 Sun-Mon 1:05, 3:50, 6:40, 9:35 Tue-Wed 3:50, 6:40, 9:35 The meTropoliTAn operA: les conTes D’hoffmAnn live Sat 12:55 morTDecAi (14A) Thu 4:15, 7:00, 9:50 Fri 2:15, 5:00, 7:45, 10:35 Sat 11:40, 2:15, 5:00, 7:45, 10:35 Sun-Mon 12:35, 3:05, 6:00, 8:30 Tue-Wed 4:05, 6:35, 9:10 A mosT violenT yeAr (14A) Fri-Sat 1:30, 4:35, 7:30, 10:30 Sun-Mon 1:15, 4:10, 7:00, 9:50 Tue-Wed 4:10, 7:00, 9:50 niGhT AT The museum: secreT of The TomB (PG) Thu 4:05, 6:30, 9:10 Fri 1:05, 3:30, 6:15 Sat 12:45, 5:20, 7:50 Sun-Mon 1:10, 3:40, 6:00 Tue-Wed 3:40, 6:00 pADDinGTon (G) Thu 4:45, 7:10, 9:25 Fri 2:00, 4:30, 7:00,
CONTESTS nowtoronto.com/contests MUSIC
9:30 Sat 11:05, 12:00, 2:20, 4:40, 7:00, 9:30 Sun-Mon 12:45, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 9:55 Tue-Wed 4:35, 6:50, 9:05 projecT AlmAnAc (PG) Thu 7:00, 10:05 Fri 2:40, 5:35, 8:10, 10:50 Sat 12:25, 2:55, 5:35, 8:10, 10:50 Sun-Mon 2:30, 5:15, 7:45, 10:15 Tue-Wed 5:15, 7:45, 10:15 selmA (PG) Thu 4:00, 6:55, 9:55 Fri 4:15, 7:15, 10:10 Sat 3:40, 6:35, 9:35 Sun-Mon 3:20, 6:15, 9:10 Tue-Wed 3:55, 7:05, 9:55 sTrAnGe mAGic (PG) Thu 4:40, 7:05, 9:30 Fri 1:40, 4:00, 6:40, 9:20 Sat 11:20, 1:40, 4:00, 6:40, 9:20 Sun-Mon 1:20, 4:00, 6:45, 9:25 Tue-Wed 4:00, 6:45, 9:25 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 5:10, 7:40, 10:10 Fri 1:50, 4:45, 7:25, 10:15 Sat 11:30, 1:50, 4:45, 7:25, 10:15 Sun-Mon 2:10, 4:50, 7:30, 10:05 Tue-Wed 4:50, 7:30, 10:05 The WeDDinG rinGer (14A) Thu 5:00, 7:30, 10:00 Fri 2:30, 5:10, 7:55, 10:55 Sat 11:55, 2:30, 5:10, 7:55, 10:55 SunMon 2:40, 5:10, 7:35, 10:00 Tue-Wed 5:10, 7:35, 10:00 WhiplAsh (14A) Thu 4:50, 7:15, 9:40 Fri 2:50, 5:45, 8:30, 11:00 Sat 12:15, 2:50, 5:45, 8:30, 11:00 Sun-Mon 1:50, 4:25, 6:55, 9:20 Tue-Wed 4:25, 6:55, 9:20
ProMenade Mall, hWy 7 & baThurST, 416-494-9371
West grande - STeeleS (Ce) hWy 410 & STeeleS, 905-455-1590
The AmAzinG prAyBeyT BenjAmin Fri 4:35, 7:30, 10:05 Sat 12:00, 2:25, 4:55, 7:30, 10:05 Sun 12:00, 2:25, 4:55, 7:25, 9:55 Mon-Wed 5:50, 8:25 AmericAn sniper (14A) Thu 5:10, 8:05 Fri 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Sat 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Sun 12:45, 3:45, 6:45, 9:50 Mon-Wed 5:30, 8:30 BlAckhAT (14A) Thu 5:25, 8:25 The Boy nexT Door (14A) Thu 5:20, 7:45 Fri 5:00, 7:20, 9:55 Sat 12:10, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:55 Sun 12:10, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45 Mon-Wed 5:45, 8:15 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies 3D (PG) Thu 8:20 Fri-Sat 6:30, 9:45 Sun 6:15, 9:30 Mon-Wed 8:30 The hoBBiT: The BATTle of The five Armies (PG) Thu 5:00 Fri 4:05 Sat-Sun 2:55 Mon-Wed 5:15 The hunGer GAmes: mockinGjAy – pArT 1 (PG) Thu 5:05, 8:00 morTDecAi (14A) Thu 5:45, 8:30 Fri 4:15, 7:05, 9:40 Sat 1:10, 4:15, 7:05, 9:40 Sun 12:55, 4:00, 6:50, 9:25 Mon-Wed 5:35, 8:10 pADDinGTon (G) Thu 5:15, 7:50 Fri 5:10, 7:45, 10:10 Sat 12:05, 2:35, 5:10, 7:45, 10:10 Sun 12:05, 2:35, 5:10, 7:35, 9:55 Mon-Wed 5:20, 8:00 penGuins of mADAGAscAr (G) Sat-Sun 12:30 projecT AlmAnAc (PG) Fri 4:45, 7:40, 10:15 Sat 12:05, 2:30, 5:05, 7:40, 10:15 Sun 12:05, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00 Mon-Wed 5:15, 7:50 sTrAnGe mAGic (PG) Thu 5:30, 7:55 Fri 4:30, 7:10, 9:45 Sat 1:25, 4:30, 7:10, 9:45 Sun 1:05, 4:15, 6:55, 9:20 MonWed 5:25, 7:45 TAken 3 (14A) Thu 5:35, 8:15 Fri 4:10, 6:55, 9:50 Sat 1:40, 4:10, 6:55, 9:50 Sun 1:25, 3:55, 6:40, 9:35 Mon-Wed 5:25, 8:20 The WeDDinG rinGer (14A) Thu 5:40, 8:10 Fri 4:00, 7:25, 10:15 Sat 2:15, 4:55, 7:25, 10:15 Sun 2:00, 4:40, 7:05, 10:00 Mon-Wed 5:40, 8:05 3
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Crossword Puzzle The Worst of 2014 — SO MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT By Matt Jones Š2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords editor@jonesincrosswords.com
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 23 25
ACROSS 1 The P of PBR 6 “How do you measure, measure ___?� (“Rent� lyric) 11 Org. for pinheads? 14 Birth country of Amy Adams and Rose McGowan 15 Music in some “Weird Al� Yankovic medleys 16 Cafeteria coffee holder 17 She got a Worst Actress nomination for a 10-Down for “The Other Woman� 19 Hang behind 20 “Dark Angel� star Jessica 21 “Aw, shucks!� 22 Many South Africans 24 #2 on Time’s 10 Worst Songs of 2014
28 Absolute last-minute day for shopping 29 Formal footwear 30 Bicycle shorts material 33 Go after flies 35 Aspirations 38 Reptilian squeezer 39 Sworn enemy 42 Grammy winner Kool Moe ___ 43 It’s not worth much 45 Facts 46 Out there 48 “The Golden Notebook� author Lessing 50 Anti matter? 51 “Conscious Uncoupling� person of 2014, instead of just saying “divorce� 57 Muslim veil
58 59 61 62
NYC thoroughfare “Am ___ only one?� “I ___ Rock� John Travolta mispronunciation that made Rolling Stone’s “Worst TV Moments of 2014� 66 “Morning Edition� producer 67 Big top figure 68 2006 movie subtitled “Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan� 69 Eeyore, for one 70 “The Waste Land� poet T.S. 71 Apartments, e.g. DOWN 1 12-point type
26 27 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 40 41 44 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 60 63 64 65
In any way Animated ruminant ___-Kinney (band with Carrie Brownstein of “Portlandia�) Norse god Breathing interruption Climber’s calling? Whitney with a gin “Alias� equivalent Award celebrating bad movies Bring into a private conversation Author of “The Cat Who...� mysteries Teen turmoil Fearsome sort The Daily Bruin publisher “Thirteen� actress ___ Rachel Wood ___ apso Rumored Himalayan beast “Selma� role “Oh, it’s ___� Glass containers Chart-topper Soaked Mal de ___ (seasickness) Turn from liquid to Jell-O Use Pro Tools, say Santa’s laundry problem Coffee coast of Hawaii “Can you hear me now?� company Mail-in offer Ran off Accra’s country Scaredy-cats Caveman diet Prevent, as a disaster “SNL� alumna Cheri ___ Thins 911 responders The Mavericks, on scoreboards “Never Mind the Bollocks� closer “Aladdin� monkey
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Savage Love By Dan Savage
Double-duty dildo? I have a dIldo that I loooooove, and I was wondering if it’s safe for me to use it in both my ass and my cunt. I would clean it in between uses/orifices, of course, and it has a flared base, so it’s safe for anal play. Can I do this or do I need to get separate toys for ass and cunt? Ass/Cunt Timeshare “First off, never use a toy in the butt and then go straight into vaginal play, because that could result in a nasty bacterial infection,” said Jeneen Doumitt, coowner of She Bop (sheboptheshop.com), an awesome sex toy shop in Portland, Oregon. But there is an option for multiple-hole-havin’ people who aren’t coordinated or organized enough to use two toys – one in the ass and another in the cunt – during a single masturbatory session. “ACT could stack multiple condoms on that beloved dildo,” said Doumitt, “and then peel off a used condom before switching orifices.” If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on condoms, ACT, or if you’re allergic to latex, your dildo will have to be cleaned – and cleaned properly – before you move from one hole to the other. That, of course, was your plan all along: clean the dildo you loooooove between uses/orifices. But can your dildo be cleaned? That depends on what it’s made of. “Best-case scenario, ACT’s beloved dildo is medical-grade silicone, which is nonporous and can be completely disinfected,” said Doumitt. “To clean a 100 per cent silicone toy, ACT can use antibacterial soap or a light bleach solution, or pop it on the top rack of the dishwasher. ACT can even boil it – up to 10 minutes. Worst-case scenario, the dildo is made of jelly rubber. Jelly toys not only contain toxic phthalates, but they’re also porous, which means they can never be fully disinfected. There are other materials, such as elastomer, that don’t contain phthalates but are still bacteria breeding zones, so it’s generally a good idea to use a condom with any toy if you’re unsure of the material.” Don’t know if your dildo is made from a porous or nonporous material? Take a good whiff. “If it has an odor, especially one that lingers, that indicates a porous toy,” said Doumitt. And if the dildo you loooooove is porous, ACT, or if you’re not sure what it’s made of, your best course of action is to fall in loooooove with a brand new dildo, i.e., throw away the one you’ve got, replace it with a 100 per cent silicone dildo (also with a flared base, of course), and get to work on those holes. Follow She Bop on Twitter @SheBopTheShop.
Am I a swinger or what? I’m a 32-year-old woman wIth two young kids, married five years. My husband and I never had an overly exciting sex life, but after the last baby sex became very, very infrequent. I’m a pretty sexual person, I masturbate regularly and I have a good sexual imagination. I tried to spice things up by suggesting toys and a bit of light kink, but he wasn’t interested. He seems pretty asexual to me these days, and now I just fantasize about other men. Last week, a mutual friend came over to have a drink. When we stepped outside to smoke a cig – just me and the other guy – he kissed me and said, “I’m going to ask your husband if I
can fuck you.” He did, and surprisingly enough my husband said, “Go for it!” What a night! I got permission to fuck someone else. Now I’m not sure if I want to swing or just fuck other people. Advice please. Horny Married Chick Solicited advice first: Swinging would theoretically involve you and your husband fucking other people, HMC, and if your husband isn’t interested in sex, if he’s low-to-no-libido or actually asexual, he won’t be any more interested in swinging than he is in having sex with you. As for fucking other people: That “Go for it” may have been a one-time thing or it may have been a whenever-you-want thing, but you’ll have to check in with your husband to find out which. It’s possible that your husband is interested in cuckolding, and knowing you’re messing around with other men will awaken his libido, and it’s possible that he’s neither interested in sex nor threatened by the prospect of his spouse getting it elsewhere. Have a conversation with your husband about what is and isn’t allowed going forward – talk about what you want, talk about what he wants, talk about safety and respect and primacy – but have that conversation when (1) you haven’t been drinking and (2) there’s not a gentleman caller with a boner waiting outside the front door. Unsolicited advice second: Stop smoking. It’s bad for you and it’s bad for your kids. Even if you’re careful not to smoke
around them, HMC, carcinogens and other noxious chemicals cling to your skin, hair and clothes after you’ve smoked. You’re exposing your kids to those harmful substances whenever you hug, hold or breastfeed them. Keep fucking other people (with your husband’s okay), but quit fucking cigs.
Do the obvious thing what would you say to a woman who was forcing you to choose between her and the photos of your late first wife? A Youngish Widower “Good-bye and good riddance, you cruel and psychotic piece of shit.”
Threesome’s a no-go I’m a straIght man wIth a bIsexual wife, married a little over two years. She got me started listening to your podcast and opened up my mind to alternative relationships. Our arrangement at present is a semi-open kind of thing. She gets some female action on the side, and I, in theory, get a happier, lustier wife who will, if her “friend” is game, include me in threesomes. Our first threesome is happening soon. An old friend/sex buddy and my wife are mutually attracted, and plans are being made. There are some red flags: My wife, who had previously gotten off on the idea of seeing me with another woman, has decreed penetration off-limits. She really doesn’t seem all that thrilled about my having any con-
Follow us on Twitter NOW @nowtoronto Michael Hollett ...............................................@m_hollett Alice Klein ...........................................................@aliceklein
tact with the other woman at all. Meanwhile, the friend has told my wife that she can include me if she wants, but it’s my wife that the friend wants. What do I do? I seem to be the only one who wants me to even be involved in this threesome. Do I just keep all my attention on my wife? Do I just watch or even stay out completely? I love my wife and don’t want to create conflict, but I feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick here. Uncertain In Canada I would skip this particular threesome, UIC, if I were you – there’s no bigger boner killer than knowing you’re not wanted. And, like HMC above, you need to have a talk with your spouse. You signed off on her being with other women on the condition that you, in the context of the occasional threesome, would get to be with other women, too. If your wife isn’t into that – if she’s too threatened by the prospect of seeing you with/inside another woman to keep up her end of the bargain – you need to renegotiate your agreement about openness, and reverting to a closed relationship should be on the table. That said, forgoing penetration the first time you have a three-way isn’t that monumental a sacrifice – if oral and mutual masturbation are still on the menu. On the Lovecast, how Dan met Terry, 20 years ago: savagelovecast.com. mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage on Twitter
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