The AGO is
back! The spectacular extension by Toronto's Frank Gehry is winning
over the critics and the public. It houses a bigger and better collection
of art, with some tremendous additions from the Thomson and Frum collections.
They include a flotilla of extraordinary model ships, an
array of art and sculpture from sub-Saharan Africa, and a recent anonymous
donation of the most significant collection of Australian Aboriginal
art outside Australia.
Plus there's the old favourites: 11000 years of Canadian art, Dutch and
Flemish masters, Henry Moore, and a massive contemporary collection now
overlooking Grange Park. The AGO is now as
unique on the inside as it is on the outside. Get updated on the AGO
site.
Bonjour Tristesse |
The Cinématheque's Fall season, running to December 14, includes a series of films by the great British director David Lean. Don't miss Otto Preminger's 1958 film of Bonjour Tristesse, starring David Niven and Jean Seberg.
Also coming up is Quinzaine, a spotlight on the Cannes film festival’s prestigious Directors’ Fortnight programme, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It'll feature a selection of groundbreaking Canadian and international films, including Don Shebib’s Goin' Down the Road, Robert Bresson’s Le Diable probablement, Denys Arcand’s Réjeanne Padovani, and Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets. Keep an eye on the Cinématheque site, and drop in to Le Sélect before or after to discuss the movie. Cinématheque screenings take place at Jackman Hall in the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) - enter on McCaul St south of Dundas.
At the Royal Ontario
Museum, better known as the ROM, new
galleries continue to open.
The latest are the regional galleries
devoted to South Asia, the Middle East,
Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific,
and finally, the Textile gallery. The Nature of Diamonds
runs to March 22. This blockbuster exhibition has packed them
in from New York to Tokyo, and now it's
Toronto's turn. Wedgwood:
Artistry and Innovation collects 100 of the best examples of
the English ceramics manufacturer (to
July 5, 2009).
Plus there's the permanent collection - everything from Chinese temple art to every kid's favourite, the Bat Cave. Keep your eyes on the ROM's website.
Denis Farley's New Work (Greenhouse) at Leo Kamen Gallery |
Katharine Harvey: Current |
Still in our neighbourhood (and even closer to Le Sélect) is Nicholas Metivier Gallery, 451 King St West (west of Spadina). Current, an exhibition of paintings by Katharine Harvey, explore the mobile and dimensional qualities of light. It's on from November 27 to December 20. Check out the gallery website.
Factory Theatre is also an easy walk from Le Sélect, and always features outstanding new Canadian theatre. The 2008-09 season continues with Toronto The Good by Andrew Moodie, directed by Philip Akin, from January 31 to March 1 2009. A police officer is charged with racial profiling when she randomly pulls over a black male and finds a gun. See more on the Factory Theatre website
The Canadian
Opera Company is now at the Four Seasons
Centre at Queen and University. Beethoven's only
opera, Fidelio, takes the stage from
January 24 to February 24. Dvorak's dreamy Rusalka
fills the in-between dates from January 31 to
February 23. Check the COC
website for details.
Also, get familiar with the COC's free
concert series- a run of lunchtime gigs
covering everything from world music to dance to chamber music.
The Nutcracker |
