Events in Toronto: January 27 – 29, 2017

Current Weekend: Things to do in Toronto this Weekend

1. Classic Albums Live

John Lennon – Imagine and Paul McCartney and Wings – Band on the Run

One of pop music’s ultimate songwriting duos get the CAL treatment separately, as the celebrations of the Beatles’ last Toronto appearance continue into 2017. Both records were early solo ventures for two of rock and roll’s biggest names, but quickly proved – and continue to prove in the more than 40 years since their release – that the Fab Four’s writing core were powerful individual songwriting forces. Details

2. Dariush

Dariush is considered as one of, if not the greatest Iranian artist in the history of pop, best known for his warm and poignant bass voice heard in both ballads and socio- political songs.
He is also a social activist who has been promoting education, awareness and prevention with regards to social maladies such as human rights violations, substance abuse, AIDS, street children and the plight of refugees among others. Details

3. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

Enjoy a lively concert of classical and contemporary choral music performed by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Grammy-nominated Elora Singers chamber choir. The two choirs will be conducted by the five conductors who have come from across North America to attend the TMC’s week-long Choral Conductors’ Symposium. The concert will include works by composers from Bach, Mozart and Mendelssohn to a number of contemporary Canadian works, including Leonard Cohen’s iconic Hallelujah. Details

4. TO.U Collective

TO.U Collective/Music at St Andrew’s Present Rob MacDonald, guitar. Program: Helmut Oehring: Foxfire Eins “natriumpentothal”; Simon Steen-Andersen: in-side-out-side-in; Doell: Casualties. Details

5. Bluebird North

Canadian songwriters Jessica Mitchell, Skye Sweetnam with Matt Drake, and NEFE come together with host Blair Packham to perform their music and tell us about the inspiration, the songwriting process, and the stories behind the songs. Details

6. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1

Superlative works by Tchaikovsky and Dvorák anchor this hearty program. Pianist Stewart Goodyear, whom the Los Angeles Times has called “a phenomenon who deserves wide attention,” masters every dimension of Tchaikovsky’s commanding concerto. The Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra joins the TSO in a performance of Dutch-Canadian composer Edward Top’s sesquicentennial commission. Details

7. Spread the Warmth

Morning Fame presents “Spread the Warmth: A Charity Show for Syrians”. Join us for a fun afternoon of music, snacks and networking with like minded individuals. Featuring Live Performances by Band Morning Fame (led by Vik Kapur) and as well as special guest Arlene Paculan. Details

8. The American Songbook

The American Songbook: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Andrew’s Sisters, and Bobby Darin. Join Toronto native A.J. Stewart & the Toronto All Star Big Band as they take you back in time with some of the greatest music ever written. Featuring The Vocal Trio, Sisters of Swing.. Details

1. Performing Arts Events

Performing Arts & Theatre in January

Events this week include

1. Jeff Dunham: Perfectly Unbalanced @ Air Canada Centre (Jan 25)
2. Louis C.K. @ Air Canada Centre (Jan 26)
3. Come What Mayhem! @ The Second City Toronto
4. Sequence @ Tarragon Theatre’s Mainspace
5. Sister Act @ Lower Ossington Theatre
6. Infinity @ Tarragon Theatre’s Extraspace
7. The Winter’s Tale & Measure for Measure @ Winter Garden Theatre
8. The Audience @ Royal Alexandra Theatre
9. The Magic Hour @ The Theatre Centre
10. Empire of the Son @ Factory Studio Theatre
11. THE BIG ‘WHAT NOW?’ presented by Everything But the Kitchens Inc. @ Fleck Dance Theatre
12. Icebreakers Comedy Festival @ Niagara-on-the-Lake

and more!

2. Art is Hard presents BLANKET FORT

Revisit the best of your childhood with BLANKET FORT. Created by Art is Hard and constructed by YOU, BLANKET FORT is a pyjama party where everyone is invited! From January 24 to 29, build your own little corner of the fort – hang blankets, rebuild the structure or collaborate with other people to make the BLANKET FORT the best it can be. Young or old, engineer or artist: anyone can join in! Details

1. Toronto Raptors

2. Toronto Rock

3. Raptors 905

4. Mississauga Steelheads

5. Monster Jam

Monster Jam® is the most action-packed live event on four wheels where world-class drivers compete in front of capacity crowds in both monster truck racing and freestyle competitions. Celebrating 25 years of adrenaline-charged family entertainment, Monster Jam combines spontaneous entertainment with the ultimate off-road, motorsport competition. Monster Jam features the most recognizable trucks in the world including Grave Digger®, Max-DTM, El Toro Loco®, Monster Mutt® and many more. Details

1. Winterlicious

Toronto’s winter culinary celebration offers the perfect opportunity to discover delicious cuisine at more than 200 restaurants and experience unique culinary events. Details

2. York University Crossroads Literary and Reading Festival

Hosted by YU Write Club, in conjunction with York U Creative Writing featuring guest speakers/readers. Featuring experienced publishers and authors, online writing communities, industry insiders, faculty, alumni and YOU. Bookselling tables, mingling time, food and drinks included. Details

3. 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

4.Toronto Tea Festival

The Toronto Tea Festival has gathered world-renowned tea sommeliers, published authors, historical fashion experts, musicians and vendors who are keen to steep the enquiring, novice and aficionado in tea lore and culture. Details

5. Burlington Winter Beer Festival

Products from over 30 breweries, cider houses and wineries; loads of food options from local venues; and live music all weekend! This year, guests will enjoy mini seminars hosted by our very informative breweries, an expanded VIP area, special activities and promotions from local businesses, visits from The Hamilton Bulldogs & Burlington Bandits and much more! Details

6. Niagara Falls Icewine Festival

Cozy-up to loved ones as you sip your way through premium VQA Wines and Icewines from over 20 of Niagara’s exceptional wineries. These wines will pair perfectly with the savoury dishes offered by 10 of Niagara’s Top Culinary Chefs. Details

7. Toronto International Boat Show

The boat show is the best place to see boats — and the best place to buy them! Plus, there is fun for everyone with the world’s largest indoor lake, Kids Fishing and Boating Zones, the Great Canadian Fish Tank, and 100s of FREE seminars with topics on everything imaginable that is boating-related! Details

8. Winter Season Show

Exhibiting artisan and craft vendors from Toronto & the GTA. Details

9. MOSAIC Storytelling Festival

Come celebrate the Lunar New Year with storytellers Diana Tso and Bernice Hune! Brave villagers and greedy emperors join Dragon, Tiger and Mouse on wild adventures in the Chinese Moon Calendar! Details