The days are shorter, but the nights are longer: so it’s a perfect time to visit some of the extraordinary events happening across Ontario!
Check out OCAF on Facebook for all the latest updates on our events!
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JULIE
OPENS THIS WEEK
Julie opens this week at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto. A co-production between Soundstreams Canada and Canadian Stage, this chamber opera is based on the classic Strindberg play and features work by the acclaimed composer Phillippe Boesmans.
The Globe and Mail featured Julie this past Friday, discussing the complex musical score by Boesmans with director (and Canadian Stage artistic director) Matthew Jocelyn. “Philippe’s work is a masterpiece,” says Jocelyn. “If you spend a moment with the score, you’ll see layer upon layer of thematic material – things that you wouldn’t even think possible that co-habit within the orchestra.”
For tickets to Julie, click here!
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CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH SOULPEPPER FAMILY FESTIVAL
The holiday spirit will soon be in full-swing, and Soulpepper Theatre will be in the thick of it with their Family Festival! Presented annually, the Soulpepper Family Festival features a family-friendly lineup of holiday classics and Canadian treasures. This year’s highlights include Parfumerie (beginning December 10), Dora-winning Alligator Pie (beginning December 16), and the classic A Christmas Carol (beginning December 3).
“Our seasonal family programming continues to be one of the hottest tickets in town,” says Albert Schultz, Soulpepper’s Founding Artistic Director. “The whole Family Festival, with the return of Alligator Pie and A Christmas Carol, and the addition of David Ben’s Tricks, is a celebration of the wonder and magic of the theatre, perfect for audiences young and old.”
The festival wraps in early January, but not before Winter Waves, two days of free family programming throughout the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. For more details and to get your tickets, head to the Soulpepper website!
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#WARMtheSOLE ALL NOVEMBER AT THE BATA SHOE MUSEUM
The Bata Shoe Museum is running their annual “Warm The Sole” sock drive this November, raising awareness about homelessness in Toronto and encouraging the public to donate socks. Socks are a staple in basic care, but are one of the least often donated items to organizations working with the homeless population. All socks donated will go to the Scott Mission, with a goal of providing enough socks to last the Mission the entire winter season. Additionally, the BSM will feature Stockings, an installation by local artists Nicholas Reddon, Stephan van Eeden, and Erik Skouris. Visit this unique installation (on display until November 30) and head to the Bata Shoe Museum’s website for more information about #WarmTheSole!
Need more incentive to participate? The BSM is offering free admission to anyone who donates on a Saturday or Sunday until the end of November!
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TIFF PRESENTS: ABBAS KIAROSTAMI
TIFF and the Aga Khan Museum will be co-presenting two retrospectives of the film director/photographer Abbas Kiarostami. Famous for his often minimalistic and allegorical films, Kiarostami has carved out a truly global view of the human experience. He is also well-known for his poetry and photographic works: the Aga Khan retrospective features the simultaneously intriguing and nostalgic installation entitled Doors Without Keys.
To celebrate the TIFF Cinematheque retrospective of his work (running throughout Winter 2016), Kiarostami will be at the Bell Lightbox on November 23 for a conversation with TIFF Director & CEO Piers Handling. For tickets to this intimate dialogue on the life and work of this truly fascinating artist, see the TIFF website.
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OPERA ATELIER’S ARMIDE PRESENTS IN FRANCE
“We are humbled by the bravery of the French people and are honoured to have this opportunity to demonstrate our solidarity with them.”
Opera Atelier will continue with Armide’s international tour to France this week. The production is being presented as part of an ongoing invitation from the Royal Opera House of the Palace of Versailles, just outside of Paris.
Looking for more about Opera Atelier’s residency in France? See their Twitter feed for the most up-to-date news, and their website for general information.
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BALLET JORGEN VISITS QC and NFLD
Ballet Jörgen’s cross-Canada tour continues, with an enchanting visit last week to Quebec. This week, the world premiere of the ballet’s new interpretation of Sleeping Beauty is headed to Newfoundland, before returning home to Ontario, ahead of the holiday season. Sleeping Beauty‘s tour will begin again in Ontario in the new year, before heading out west, with performances in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan. For more information, and to grab your tickets, head to Ballet Jörgen’s website!
Next on the docket for the award-winning ballet company? An Ontario-wide tour of the holiday classic The Nutcracker!
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GRYPHON TRIO VISITS THE ISABEL
The Isabel kicks off December with a classical performance by the Gryphon Trio on December 1. This Juno Award-winning Canadian classical music trio has regularly performed to great acclaim from critics and audiences alike. To get a taste of their talent, watch the video below!
The performance on December 1 will feature the trio’s Listen Up! community outreach and arts education project, involving collaboration between the artists and the audience to create music together. For tickets, visit the Isabel’s website.
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CULTURE TALKS CONTINUE UNTIL DECEMBER
OCAF Fund Officer Thomas Vaughan with MTCS Minister Michael Coteau and Bear Witness from Tribe Called Red at the Ottawa CultureTalks forum.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport’s public consultation for Ontario’s inaugural Culture Strategy closes in just three weeks! The strategy will inform Ontario’s direction on all issues related to arts, culture, and heritage.
The conversation continues, with sessions in London (with guest speakers actor/director Ravi Jain and web developer Ali Al-Aasm) and Toronto (featuring editorial director Alana Wilcox and artist/rapper Kardinal Offishall). Visit the Culture Talks website for locations and times, and learn more about Ontario’s Cultural Strategy!