Events in Toronto: March 3 – 5, 2017

1. Venice Baroque Orchestra

“Thrilling to hear and watch,” (The Times) Benedetti and the Venice Baroque Orchestra perform Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and works by Galuppi, Avison, and Geminiani. Born in Scotland of Italian heritage, Nicola Benedetti was the winner of Best Female Artist at the 2013 Classical BRIT Awards. Her passion for Italian Baroque music and historical performance is heard in her collaboration with the Venice Baroque Orchestra. Founded by Baroque scholar and harpsichordist Andrea Marcon, the Venice Baroque Orchestra is committed to the rediscovery of 17th- and 18th-century masterpieces. Details

2. Viva España!

The sounds and rhythms of Spain have enchanted many great composers. Let their musical impressions warm your soul. Come and feel the passion!  Details

3. Sinfonia Toronto

Sinfonia Toronto’s concert will feature the brilliant Montréal cellist performing Saint-Saens’ popular Cello Concerto No. 1. The program will include Grieg’s G Minor String Quartet arranged for orchestra especially for this occasion by Maestro Nurhan Arman who will also conduct the concert titled ‘Cello Passion’. Celebrating the 100th birthday of renowned Canadian composer Oskar Morawetz the orchestra will also perform his ‘Sinfonietta’. Details

4. Tanya Tagaq

This program ranges from an imposing work for piano and orchestra by Jörg Widmann to the World Premières of works by the TSO’s RBC Affiliate Composer Jordan Pal and the astonishing throat singer and 2014 Polaris Music Prize–winner Tanya Tagaq, written with Christine Duncan and Jean Martin, with orchestrations by Christopher Mayo. Details

5. Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience

Enter the world of Westeros with the Game of Thrones® Live Concert Experience — an immersive music and visual experience that will bring the Seven Kingdoms to life on a scale never seen before. Using state-of-the-art technology, Game of Thrones® composer Ramin Djawadi, along with a full orchestra and choir, will take fans on a musical journey through the realm – from King’s Landing to Winterfell, along the northern stretches of the Kingsroad to The Wall and across the Narrow Sea to Braavos, Meereen and beyond. Details

6. Quintessential Quintets

Amanda Tosoff Quintet
Amanda Tosoff – piano, Alex Goodman – guitar, Felicity Williams – vocals, Jon Maharaj – bass, Morgan Childs – drums

Barbra Lica Quintet
Barbra Lica – vocals, Will Fisher – drums, Tom Fleming – Guitar, Joel Visentin – Piano, Marc Godfrey – bass. Details

7. Goran Bregovic & His Wedding and Funeral Band

Small World Music and Massey Hall present The trans-Balkan musical extravaganza that is Goran Bregovic and his Wedding and Funeral Band has been dubbed a “musical spectacle unlike anything else on North American stages” (San Francisco Chronicle) and “brought down the house” at their last Carnegie Hall appearance. The band features Gypsy brass players, led by legendary guitarist and composer Bregovic. Bregovic rose to fame as the founding member of Bijelo Dugme (White Button), one of the biggest rock acts to come out of the former Yugoslavia. Founded in 1974, they sold millions of albums across the region, shaking things up with their Balkan-infused hard rock that gave voice to a generation stifled by communist conformity. Details

8. Sing Joyfully!

The TMC, the Minster Singers from Yorkminster Park, and organist William Maddox join forces for a great hymn sing. Experience some beautiful anthems performed by the two choirs, including Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, Paul Halley’s Jesu, the very thought of thee, and Healey Willan’s Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones. Then add your voice to a stirring selection of audience hymns, all taken from Ancient and Modern, the new edition of the world’s best-known hymn book. Details

9. Orchestra Toronto – France

Orchestra Toronto’s very own principal cellist Tom Mueller will perform Camille Saint Saens’ Cello Concerto No 1 in A minor Op. 33. We’ll also perform Claude Debussy’s La Mer and Selections from Gabriel Faure’s Pelleas and Mellisande Suite Op.80. Details

10. Boston Symphony Orchestra

Considered one of the finest ensembles in North America, the BSO was founded in 1881. Tanglewood, its summer festival in northwestern Massachusetts, is the most prestigious of its kind on the continent, and includes a highly-respected training program. Latvian-born rising-star conductor Andris Nelsons became the artistic head of the organization at the start of the 2014-15 season and will lead the Orchestra in this rare and not-to-be-missed Toronto performance. Details

11. Fern Lindzon

Juno nominated jazz vocalist and pianist Fern Lindzon moves assuredly and creatively through a highly-personalized repertoire of her own arrangements of jazz standards, pop, and world music. “Smart and smouldering” and “sublimely elegant.”(!earshot). Details

2. Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival is Canada’s premier festival celebrating scripted, ensemble comedy. It’s 12 days of hilarity on 5 Toronto stages featuring over 200 comedians. Since 2005 the Festival has brought sketch comedy to wider audiences with ticketed and free performances showcasing hundreds of emerging comedians and a slate of top-flight headliner acts such as Kate McKinnon, The Kids in the Hall, This is That, Michael Ian Black, Gavin Crawford, and The Irrelevant Show. Details

3. Curious Minds Weekend

Inspired by the popular Curious Minds Morning Speaker Series which has brought thousands of curious people and life-long learners to the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema over the past two years, the CURIOUS MINDS WEEKEND is three days of intriguing panels, presentations, lectures, discussions and, of course, a film screening. Details

1. Monster Energy AMA Supercross

Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is the world’s premier stadium motorcycle circuit, comprised of 17 races of heart-stopping racing action in some of the largest venues in North America. Details

2. Toronto Rock

3. Toronto Marlies

4. Mississauga Steelheads

1. Toronto Antique & Vintage Market

 Downtown Toronto’s twice a year urban marketplace returns to the Queen Elizabeth Building. Filled with antiques, vintage, retro (and loads of decorator finds), the event features a packed show floor and an inventory of “fabulous”!   Details

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show – Shop for amazing vintage clothing, jewellery & accessories – including one of a kind designer pieces

2. 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

3. Toronto International Bicycle Show

The Toronto International Bicycle Show is the best place to shop for bicycles and accessories, preview the newest trends in cycling from the top manufacturers and distributors plus enjoy thrilling action-packed events. Details

4. Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show & Sale

Learn about the RV & Camping Lifestyle and talk directly to Manufacturer Representatives about the right recreation vehicle for your family. The largest RV consumer show in Canada and the only show promoted by the Canadian RV Association. Details

5. Celebrate Toronto

Celebrate Toronto, the 2-day festival honouring Toronto’s 183rd Anniversary, will be held at Nathan Phillips Square. The festival will include vendors, shopping, food trucks, interactive activities, skating, DJ skate party, and annual photography competition.Details

6. The Study and Go Abroad Fair

Study and Go Abroad Fairs are Canada’s largest international university and student travel expos, and are held in various cities across Canada. Top-ranked universities from around the world attend to meet with students in Canada looking to study an undergraduate or postgraduate degree abroad. Visit the Travel Zone for work abroad, volunteering, internships and language travel. Details