Eifman Ballet St. Petersburg will present the Toronto Premiere of RODIN
at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for a short three day run, beginning on Thursday May 23, 2013.

This modern ballet (which is a clash of several cultures) gives us two acts, which start and end in a mental hospital with our lead protagonist, whom we come to realize is not Auguste Rodin but his lover, Camille. Throughout all of Act 1, we are shown the story between Rodin and Camille, as Rodin give us (the audience) and Camille sex, art and mania through dance.

The performances from all of the lead dancers pack an in-your-face intensity, with a graphic sensuality that is not too much, but just enough. The staging have enough darkness and special effects to create mood and different techniques without using too many props. For example: a chain link fence in one scene that all the dancers become attached to.

Act 1 had a seamless perfection to it and Act 2 added an extra bit of splash with more of the ensemble cast being used (for example: a Russian can-can dance number).

Elfman has written Rodin as the charismatic embodiment of consuming passion — for his art and for his women. In Rodin, human relationships are shown as the collateral damage of genius.

Toronto audiences loved Rodin and have been waiting so long for this moment. But for those that didn’t have the chance to attend, tickets are still available for performances at the Sony Center. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Scene and Heard explores the Indie / Rock culture and music in Toronto. We will bring coverage from events as well as interviews with bands and people in the scene.

I had the opportunity to chat with singer/songwriter Noel Johnson recently. Having just released his second full length album, The Remedy, Johnson brings you ten solid tracks with catchy hooks and thoughtful lyrics. The album was recorded at The Chalet Studios just outside of Claremont Ontario, co-produced and engineered by Josh Rob Gwilliam. The album is a reflection into Johnson’s past as well as a description of the struggles he faced when he moved to Toronto from Calgary and the appreciation of having someone there while you endure certain struggles. We spoke about his new album and his experiences in Toronto.

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RedefiningTO highlights the people, projects, programs and places making a difference in Toronto and beyond. We hope that sharing these stories will inspire you to join the ranks in redefining Toronto for the better.One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. – Virginia Woolf

Photo: That’s Women’s Work Arts Network

In a culture where art is chronically underfunded and undervalued, talented and driven women artists are being forced to choose between their artistic passions and earning a decent wage each and every day. Many women artists are spending their days working at unfulfilling jobs in order to support themselves and their families, relegating their artistic talents to afterthoughts once the dishes are done and the children are in bed. Their talents remain undiscovered by the public, leading to an ever increasing chasm in our cultural landscape.

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HEART T.O. checks out the Toronto arts scene with stories from galleries, events, and expos. We will also have interviews with some of Toronto’s cultural contributors.

The Gladstone Hotel is welcoming Toronto to its second-floor gallery space where Jonathan Hobin’s “In The Playroom” exhibit is currently being featured as part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival.

The Canadian artist, who is internationally renowned, bends our perception of childhood innocence in the modern media-crazed context. The 17 pieces drawn from Hobin’s ongoing series illustrate the eerie truth of our growing inabilities to protect children from the gruesome news stories in today’s media.

Photos: Mac Bauer

“News stories have become our fairytales,” Hobin is quoted saying in the exhibit’s information booklet.

Although they’re complete with colour and imagination, his photos hanging in the sun-filled space are anything but cheerful.

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Tragedy Plus Time takes us into the world of comedy in Toronto. With reviews of venues and shows as well as interviews and profiles with some of Toronto’s comics. Follow @TIAComedy

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival
Best of the Fest Encore Show

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival was held during March of this year. The festival has been running since 2005 and is the largest of any independent comedy festivals in the country.  Featured artists and acts include Michael Ian Black, Sassy Gay Friend, FrankenMatt, Picnicface, members of Kids in the Hall, Falcon Powder and This is That Live.

The favorites of the festival are returning as Best of the Fest Encore Show.

The show is in partnership with NXNE which means 50 wristband or pass holders can make the rush line on the day for free admission.

The three favorite acts to be featured are She Said What, Deadpan Powerpoint and The Rocket Scientists. 

She Said What won the 2013 Second City Best of the Fest Award. She Said What have previously been nominated for Canadian Comedy Award.

Deadpan Powerpoint (great name) won the festival’s Now Magazine Audience Choice Award for the second time, previously having won in 2010. This award is more the audience choice award of the festival as opposed to the previously mentioned award which is determined by a jury. Democracy or philosopher kings? They probably both have their wisdom.

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Breaking Bread is a weekly column that explores the culinary highlights of Toronto. Features include recipes from local chefs, editorials, interviews, restaurant reviews and more.

For chefs and foodies, the name Joanne Kates is the most talked about name in Toronto.  It is a name said with much love, fear but most of all, much respect.

After 38 years as the restaurant critic for The Globe and Mail, Kates boldly traded in her critiques in the printed pages for a new job at Post City Magazine, online (with some print). It’s here at Post City that Joanne has taken on the feat of putting out the much talked about (loved, loathed and criticized) Top 100 Toronto Restaurants.I had the opportunity to talk to Joanne regarding the Top 100, her career and any advice for aspiring food bloggers (like myself).

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