Events in Toronto: March 31 to April 2, 2017

1. Any Dream Will Do

Get to know the man behind ‘The Music of the Night’ through a magical evening of story and song brought to life by Canada’s top performers of stage and screen. Featuring hit songs such as Memory, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, Love Changes Everything, Unexpected Song, Tell Me on a Sunday, and many more. Details

2. Brit Floyd

Aptly named “The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Tribute Show,” Brit Floyd ignites their most ambitious project to date, the dazzling Immersion World Tour 2017. Covering every aspect of Pink Floyd’s career and every landmark album, and featuring a million-dollar light and video show, Immersion is the ultimate fan experience.. Details

3. Alina Ibragimova with Cédric Tiberghien Duo

“The immediacy and honesty of Ibragimova’s playing has the curious ability to collapse any sense of distance between performer and listener.” (The Guardian) She was the recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist Award, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, the Classical BRIT Young Performer of the Year Award, and was a member of the BBC New Generation Artists Scheme. She and pianist Cédric Tiberghien will perform sonatas by Bach, Brahms, and Schumann, as well as Six Melodies by John Cage. Details

4. Jason Moran and The Bandwagon

Jason Moran and The Bandwagon & Alexander Brown Trio: Jason Moran “is like no other pianist at work. His improvisations are dynamic, eruptive, keyed to the compositions at hand.” (Village Voice) A recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship and winner in DownBeat’s 2011 Critics Poll for Jazz Artist of the Year, Jazz Album of the Year, and winner in both 2011 and 2013 for Pianist of the Year, Jason Moran is “a startlingly gifted pianist with a relentless thirst for experimentation.” (The Los Angeles Times) Alexander Brown’s music mingles classical, rhythm & blues, hip-hop, Afro-Caribbean, and Brazilian styles. “Brown can play!” (DownBeat) Details

5. Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Beethoven Violin Concerto. Details

6. BRASSapalooza

A celebration of all things bright and brassy, featuring the talent and energy of the members of the Hannaford Youth Program. A not to be missed concert featuring the rising stars of tomorrow and a jaw-dropping finale with both bands combined! Details

7. Anton Nel

International pianist Nel, “a consummate artist … [with] that rare ability to lift music off the page and into the hearts and minds of his listeners.” (La Scena Musicale) ! Details

8. Overdrive

By Esprit Orchestra. The Iron Foundry and Pacific 231 are imaginative musical depictions of forces at the height of the industrial revolution that suggest both organic and mechanical extensions of human feelings. The sonic materials of Adès’ concerto are sheets of sound in differing orbits, overlapping, sometimes clashing circular forms, and playful, easeful cycles in harmony at different rates. Adams’ Short Ride elevates the level of excitement and Harman pushes things into overdrive. Details

9. Guinness World Record Attempt

In Canada’s 150th year, Epidemic Music Group, The Earl of Whitchurch and a massive community of music lovers will be taking the Guinness world record for “Longest Concert by Multiple Performers”. This will be a 16 day, 24 hour a day concert raising money and awareness for 16 charities. Details

March 30: Lionel Richie: All The Hits With Very Special Guest Mariah Carey @ Air Canada Centre

April 1: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan @ Hershey Centre, Mississauga

April 2: Big Sean: I Decided Tour 2017 @ Rebel

April 3: John Mayer @ Air Canada Centre

April 10: Bon Jovi – This House Is Not For Sale – Tour @ Air Canada Centre

For live music at nightclubs, see under Nightlife/Food Events

Performing Arts Events

Performing Arts & Theatre in April

Events this week include

1. Toronto Dance Theatre presents CHIASMATA @ Winchester Street Theatre
2. Sousatzka @ Elgin Theatre
3. Little Pretty and The Exceptional @ The Theatre Centre
4. Spoon River @ Young Centre for the Performing Arts
5. Mrs Henderson Presents @ Royal Alexandra Theatre
6. Genus & Tarantella & Self and Soul & The Concert – National Ballet @ The Four Seasons Centre
7. The Emancipation of Ms. Lovely @ Streetcar Crowsnest
8. A Mickey Full of Mouse @ Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
9. Tough Jews @ Kensington Hall
10. Norm Foster’s Opening Night @ Studio Theatre at the Toronto Centre for the Arts

and more!

2. Human Rights Watch Festival

Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. Through our Human Rights Watch Film Festival we bear witness to human rights violations and create a forum for courageous individuals on both sides of the lens to empower audiences with the knowledge that personal commitment can make a difference. Details

3. Water Docs

Water Docs is a documentary environmental film festival celebrating all things water. Enjoy the features and shorts, take part in lively discussions with filmmakers and guest speakers, learn about water issues, and discover action possibilities from our featured community partners. Details

4. Kalanidhi International Festival of Indian Dance

16th Kalanidhi International Festival of Indian Dance and Symposia: ‘Whirling Streams’
Goes Global with Live and Live-Steamed Performances, Symposia, Film Retrospective. The live and live-streamed Festival will present over 40 dancers from Canada and India and feature the classical and contemporary dance styles of Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Chhau, Kathakali and Modern over the course of six days. Details

1. Champions Challenge

2. Toronto Raptors

3. Mississauga Steelheads

4. Toronto FC

5. National Cheerleading Championships

This is the only National event hosted within the Greater Toronto Area and is the OCF’s largest event; welcoming teams from across the country. Divisions: All Star Cheer, All Star Dance & High School.

1. Toronto Storytelling Festival

Over ten days of concerts, storytalks, and workshops, the finest storytellers from Canada and around the world make Toronto the centre of the storytelling renaissance. Details

2. One of a Kind Spring Show & Sale

The mission of One of a Kind is to provide a juried marketplace to bring together makers and buyers who share a commitment to handmade excellence. Since its inception in 1975, One of a Kind has been cultivating creativity, craftsmanship and connection in order to deliver an inspired shopping experience.Details

3. Spring Cottage Life Show

More than 550 exhibitors, experts and Cottage Life personalities will be on hand to help cottagers get ready to open their cottage offering renovation advice and décor tips, landscaping and gardening ideas. NEW this year, escape to the Cottage Garden sponsored by Nature Conservatory and Burt’s Bees featuring native pollinator-friendly flowers and plants. Play some Cottage Games and then get hands-on at the Tree Planting Zone to pot a white pine seedling. Details

4. The Spring Baby Show

The Baby Show has everything for the modern parent! Find parenting experts, products from top brands and services to help guide you through your pregnancy, life with a new baby and parenting in those first few years. The Baby Show is the premium pregnancy and early parenting show in Toronto! Details

5. Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival

Join in for the biggest Maple Syrup party in GTA. Celebrate “big” when it comes to showcasing the sweet “liquid gold” harvested at our local farms. In addition to the chance to buy maple syrup and maple syrup products, the annual Festival invites families to enjoy a kaleidoscope of activities. It’s a feast for the senses, from start to finish. Details

6. Toronto Yoga Conference and Show

Spend time shopping amongst 300+ conscious minded organizations and companies offering products and services inline with your mindful attitudes. Participate in over 60 hours of Yoga, Cultural Arts and Lectures. Details

7. Scarborough Seedy Saturday & Green Fair

Come out and learn how to live more sustainably, exchange seeds with other seed savers, buy heirloom and organic seeds or attend our great workshops on seeds, gardening, and biodiversity. New to gardening or have a gardening dilemma? Then stop by one of our local garden clubs’ or gardening vendors’ booths and ask an expert. Details

8. Other Events

1. 1,200 Is Not Enough: Canada has officially recognized the ISIS genocide of the Yazidis yet, inexplicably, also capped the number of Yazidi refugees we will welcome this year at 1,200. Mirza Ismail (Chair, Yazidi Human Rights International), Geoffrey Clarfield (Director, Mozuud) and Debbie Rose (Coordinator, Project Abraham) describe the genocide and what now needs to be done. Details

2. Humans of the North: The People of Canada:
In Celebration of Canada’s 150th, we present HUMANS OF THE NORTH: THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, an Interactive Art Event showcasing Canadians and their stories through portrait photography. Featuring Julia Tomlinson and DJ Jesse Futerman. All Proceeds support SKETCH Toronto and the George Brown College Foundation. Details

 

3. Easter Centrepiece Workshops
Spring is almost upon us! Get ready for the season with our Easter egg dyeing and centrepiece workshop. Learn traditional egg dying techniques using homemade natural dyes. Then, practice your sewing skills as everyone creates a personalized centrepiece to show off their Easter eggs. Do not fear if your sewing skills aren’t as grand as your peers – a simple stitch is all it takes! Details