Mr. Toronto

Not sure if Mr. Toronto has divulged this before, but I am a music freak – iPod docked in my office, going to concerts on an almost weekly basis, songs running through my head throughout the day (I’m also the guy people call when they need a rock trivia question answered at 2am from some boozy bar…).  So I have been in absolute heaven since my last blog entry, as it has been one musical event after another!

Started off the week by attending a press conference for the latest addition to Toronto’s amazing summer concert season…the new BlackCreek Music Festival.  A VERY ambitious series- spearheaded behind the seasons by the impresario/marketing genius Garth Drabinsky of Livent/Phantom fame (has to be behind the scenes – he’s about to go to jail for embezzlement, but that’s another story…) – this is a 14-week festival launching June 4th.  It’s taking place at the Rexall Centre up at York University, which until now has been used only for Rogers Cup Tennis Tournaments that are held every year (my favourite sporting event – the subject of a future blog, I’m sure!).  It’s a very eclectic festival, launching with the superstar Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, then featuring everyone from Marvin Hamlisch to the London Symphony Orchestra to Diana Krall with Tony Bennett, to James Taylor.  Check out www.blackcreekfestival.com for details.

My next meeting was with the Toronto Jazz Festival. It’s their 25th Anniversary (!!!) this year, and have announced the first of what will be many fantastic concerts (many free).  Pushing my button in particular are Paco de Lucia (amazing flamenco guitarist), Return To Forever featuring Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke, among others (one of the first concerts I ever saw – and one of the only ones with my dad – WAY back in the ‘70’s!), and Bela Fleck – a banjo virtuoso (yes, really) – reuniting wit his incredible band the Flecktones.  The Jazz Fest takes place June 24- July 3rd, and this year moves down to Metro Square, as it’s usual home- Nathan Phillips Square- is under a massive renovation project… it’s a great space off King St.West that links Metro Hall with Roy Thomson Hall, across from the Royal Alex Theatre.  www.torontojazz.com for the whole line-up!

Delhi 2 Dublin

Metro Square is also the new home for the last of the announcements I went to this past week, for Luminato- Toronto’s Festival of Arts and Creativity, taking place June 10-19 (also celebrating an anniversary – #5).  While it is not strictly a music festival – it bills itself as “an annual multi-disciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, music, literature, food, visual arts, fashion, film, and more” (what more could there be??!!) – the event I went to focused on their music offerings, which are spectacular.  And again, many free, including Grammy Award winning k.d. lang and Kronos Quartet, quirky pop combo-turned children’s act They Might be Giants (my sister dated their guitar player – you will NOT be reading about that in a future blog…) and Canadian favourites The Joel Plaskett Emergency.  Yes, all FREE!! And I just have to give a plug here for one of the coolest indie bands I have ever seen who performed for us at the press conference (and will be opening for Punjabi superstar Malkit Singh of Bend it Like Beckham fame).  They’re called Delhi 2 Dublin, and like the name implies, they are an amazing mix of Indian and Irish music, wrapped up in a neo-punk blanket…

See you out at ALL these shows! Mr. Toronto

Thought I would let a guest blogger take over for this one (well, that’s a bit of a stretch – this was originally written for Tourism Toronto’s newsletter, not as a “blog” per se…). Author is Carolina Avaria, who is Chef Concierge of the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville hotel….

When was the last time you treated yourself to a night out at the theatre in Toronto? If you haven’t, allow me to point out how lucky we are to have access to some of the best directors, actors, designers, musicians and production teams in the country. It is encouraging to see how many of our theatres are celebrating anniversaries this year: The Factory Theatre and the Tarragon are turning 40, Canadian Stage is turning 20, Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People is turning 45 and Soulpepper at the Distillery District is celebrating its 12th season. After so many active years and hundreds of productions, clearly these theatres know what they are doing and how to ensure great art is presented on our stages.

If you are undecided on where to start, may I suggest visiting the TAPA (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts) ticket booth “T.O. Tix” at Yonge Dundas square? TAPA believes that a city is enriched by public participation in culture. Its key role is to link the public to the experience of the performing arts and it achieves this, in part, through its services at T.O.Tix which sells full price and discount performing arts tickets, theatre & dining packages as well as being a TicketKing and Ticketmaster outlet. On its website, www.tapa.ca, you will also find a link to www.golive.ca which is a comprehensive site of all theatre performances on a daily basis.

If you need a little encouragement, I have compiled my favourite evening “combo-platters” to enjoy. These are a sure thing when it comes to a great night out:

1. Tarragon Theatre, www.tarragontheatre.com – known for developing and producing new plays from across the country, they have high production values and fabulous actors, in an intimate space with general admission seating. Start the evening off with great margaritas and homemade nacho chips with guacamole at one of our city’s hidden gems Dos Amigos Restaurant.

2. Canadian Stage, www.canstage.com – under the leadership of a brilliant new Artistic Director, Matthew Jocelyn; the theatre delivers contemporary shows. Start or end your night around the corner at The Wine Bar, which features delicious local cuisine and exquisite wine and service.

3. Soulpepper Theatre, www.soulpepper.ca – this company began with twelve actors who wanted to explore the great stories of classical theatre and inspire the next generation of artists and audiences – and they have! Stop in at Pure Spirits in the Distillery District and enjoy a dozen oysters and a smart cocktail on your way in or out of the show.

Finally, if you have children please have a look at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People website www.lktyp.ca. Undoubtedly something in their season will speak to your child’s creative development.

Enjoy the shows!

I have a file full of ideas that I want to blog about, but they keep on getting bumped because of stuff I’ve done recently that I just have to share with you. Specifically this past week, did three really cool things that you might want to know about:

1. Had one of those fantastic and unexpected Toronto experiences that just “happen” sometimes…was coming out of the Art Gallery of Ontario (which I believe I have gone on about previously – it really is a fantastic place), and remembered that nearby was the home — and studio — of one of Canada’s most well-known, respected and prolific artists, Charles Pachter. Articles have been written about the place — called The Moose Factory (he uses the iconic Canadian Moose in many of his works) — it is an architectural gem. Anyway, the studio/gallery is open to the public, but by appointment only. So I called on a whim, and Charlie himself answered the phone, told me to come by, and spent an hour with me giving me a fantastic personal tour. I’m sure he’d do the same for you, especially if you were a prospective client! Much of his artwork is actually very reasonable/undervalued, and a great investment. Check out http://www.cpachter.com/moose_factory/moose_factory.html
2. Went to the opening of Young Frankenstein, the latest Mirvish Production at the gorgeous Princess of Wales Theatre. I have to say, I am a little tired of movies being made into plays, especially movies that were fantastic and hold great memories. This Mel Brooks’ classic is one of those, and like most adaptations, I’d watch the movie (again) rather than see the play (again). But it had its moments, and is still a fun night out.
3. Went to an announcement for the big blockbuster exhibit coming to the Royal Ontario Museum starting end of June (and running through the fall) — The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army. Most people have heard something about the Terracotta Warriors, but the story is spellbinding — straight out of a Spielberg movie — and the exhibit of artifacts should be outstanding. Stay tuned…

Finally, as I’m mentioning the end of June, a warning: The G-20, a meeting of twenty of the world’s leaders, is coming to Toronto the weekend of June 25-27. While it’s an exciting and high profile event for our City, it will be a bit of a logistical nightmare (security, traffic, etc.). So if you can, I’d stay away then and book your summer visit for another time! Could be the best tip I’ve given you yet!

Mr. Toronto