Events in Toronto: February 24 – 26, 2017

1. Mohsen Namjoo

Dubbed “the Bob Dylan of Iran” by The New York Times, singer-songwriter Mohsen Namjoo is a true musical rebel in style and spirit. His powerful songs meld Western and Persian traditions: electric guitar and sitar, rock and avaz. Details

2. Art of Time Ensemble with Brent Carver: The Songbook

Brent Carver’s career has spanned from leading roles in Stratford to Tony Award-winning performances on Broadway. He and the Art of Time Ensemble will perform classics from the American Songbook and Broadway, specially arranged by the best composers in Canada. Details

3. “Rising Stars”, Springboard To Music Fundraiser Concert

“Springboard To Music” presents “Rising Stars”, featuring 6 of the top students, all under 18, from the Royal Conservatory’s Phil & Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists. The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy provides elite musical training for Canada’s brightest young musicians. Details

4. Skydiggers

Long-running JUNO Award-winning alt-country group Skydiggers, well known for having crafted a catalogue full of acclaimed original material over a quarter-century career, celebrate one of the world’s most treasured songwriters on their latest album, Here Without You – The Songs of Gene Clark. Clark co-founded legendary rock group the Byrds in 1964 and went on to write not only some of the group’s most popular songs, but some of the most progressive, trailblazing and much-loved pop music across his three-plus decade career. Details

5. National Arts Centre Orchestra

Ottawa’s celebrated National Arts Centre Orchestra makes a welcome visit. Their program offers two works by Sir William Walton: the dynamic Symphony No. 1 and the picturesque score for Sir Laurence Olivier’s film version of Shakespeare’s Henry V. Plus, legendary Spanish guitarist Pepe Romero joins the Orchestra in a performance of Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo. Details

6. Ashley MacIsaac and The Once

Renowned Cape Breton fiddle player, pianist, and step dancer, Ashley MacIsaac has garnered international acclaim by playing the fiddle in Cape Breton style with his own spin. Newfoundland-based The Once has collected three Canadian Folk Music Awards and was named Newfoundland & Labrador Art Council’s Artist of the Year for their joyous, harmony-rich acoustic music. Details

7. Aurora Winter Blues Fest

The Aurora Winter Blues Festival is York Regions only genuine Blues festival featuring Canada’s Top Award Winning Blues acts. Details

Performing Arts Events

Performing Arts & Theatre in February

Events this week include

1. Sousatzka @ Elgin Theatre
2. The Elephant Girls, Wilde Festival @ Red Sandcastle Theatre
3. The Audience @ Royal Alexandra Theatre
4. How Black Mothers Say I Love You by Trey Anthony @ Factory Theatre
5. Peace River Country @ Tarragon Theatre
6. Five Faces for Evelyn Frost @ Berkeley Street Theatre
7. John & Waleed @ Theatre Passe Muraille
8. Breath In Between @ Streetcar Crowsnest

and more!

2. Port Credit Comedy Festival

Stand Up comedy Festival. Details

3. Rhubarb Festival

Canada’s longest-running new works festival returns for a 38th year. Rhubarb transforms Buddies into a hotbed of experimentation, with artists exploring new possibilities in theatre, dance, music, and performance art. Rhubarb is the place to see the most adventurous ideas in performance and to catch your favourite artists venturing into uncharted territory. Details

1. 4th Annual Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause

4th Annual Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause – 1km & 5km Walk/Run Presented by Toronto Zoo and Canada Running Series. Join the cause and move YOUR paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species! Support our polar bear family! Details

2. Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Provincial and territorial teams from across the country along with the defending champion (Team Canada) will compete to be crowned the Canadian women’s curling champions and represent Canada at the World Championship. Details

3. Toronto Raptors

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

5. Live Professional Boxing.

6. Mississauga Steelheads

1. An Honest Farewell

A celebration like never before, and never again! The Centre for Social Innovation and Toronto for Everyone are ecstatic to present to you – An Honest Farewell: A four-day city festival honouring our beloved bargain basement, Honest Ed’s. Details

2. Polar Bear Fest 2017

Celebrate International Polar Bear Day and show your love for polar bears by joining us at our very ‘cool’ Polar Bear Festival. Visitors will be able to take part in fun and educational activities that help raise awareness and support this threatened Canadian species. Polar Bear Fest includes polar bear themed children’s activities and crafts (indoors!), silent auction with a chance to win a special feeding at polar bears, and much more! Details

3. Bloor-Yorkville Icefest 2017

This year’s theme will celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary, transforming the neighbourhood into a magical showcase of 20,000 lbs. of crystal clear ice sculpted into majestic sculptures inspired by the celebration of Canada’s Confederation. Details

4. Toronto Light Festival

The Toronto Light Festival, the City’s first-ever light art festival, is coming to the Distillery Historic District! Visitors will be taken on a new visual journey and cerebral adventure, designed to entertain and inspire. The Festival will transform the picturesque historic neighbourhood into one of the largest open-air galleries in North America, lighting up the long winter nights with distinctive works from local and international light artists. Details

5. Auto Show 2017 – “O Canada”

The Canadian International AutoShow is the BIGGEST and BEST AutoShow in Canada. With over 300,000 visitors each year in a 650,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, this is the largest consumer show in the country. The industry looks to the AutoShow as a leader in lifestyle, technology and all things automotive, and has a media program that reaches more Canadians than all other auto shows in the country combined. Details

6. Toronto Golf & Travel Show

Get into the game as the Toronto Star Golf & Travel Show tees off its 27th year! With a number of exhibitors featuring golf equipment, golf courses, travel options, demonstrations and onsite lessons, the Golf Show is the pre-season destination for lovers of the game. Details

7. The Outdoor Adventure Show

Canada’s largest adventure show offering pre-season deals on the newest outdoor gear and amazing travel destinations! See canoe & kayak experts in the Whitewater Demo Pool, watch scuba demos in the Dive Tank, climb the Rock Wall or ignite your passion for biking, hiking, running, water or mountain sports at over 300 exhibits! Details

8. The Artist Project

From collectors and curators, to gallerists and designers, visitors can explore and discover works of art from over 250 top contemporary artists from Canada and abroad. This is a unique opportunity to meet and buy art directly from artists at Toronto’s favourite art fair. Details

9. Vintage Postcard Show

Canada’s largest vintage postcard show. 1,000’s of postcards for sale. 40 tables of antique postcards from many countries covering many topics. Easy to search in the organized and catalogued dealer boxes. Of interest to historians, genealogists, philatelists, and more. Come and see what this very interesting collecting hobby is all about. Details

10. Winter Stations

Winter Stations is now in its third-year, bringing temporary public art installations to The Beaches, exhibited to celebrate Toronto’s winter waterfront landscape. The winners of the Winter Stations International Design Competition in 2017 will have their designs displayed for all to enjoy this Winter. Details