Tyler Ramsey of Band of Horses sounds downright giddy when talk turns to their upcoming show at Toronto’s venerable Massey Hall. “I know, we’re all really excited and on edge about it,” he says. “Massey is one of those places that has that history; you just want to make sure you put on the best show you possibly can.” This from a band that has toured across the globe since the release of their critically acclaimed fourth album, Mirage Rock.
Every Monday, we round up the most exciting music news happening in Toronto. In this edition: Jason Collett kicks off his basement revue series at The Dakota Tavern, Julie Doiron announces more tour dates and more.
When I was a teenager in university, I had a beloved friend and mentor twice my age with whom I attended much theatre and film and many art galleries. She used to often walk out, turn to me and declare, “Sure, it’s filthy. But is it art?” We always howled at this inspired witticism together. So much artistic achievement through history is crude and violent; but then, not everything that challenges our values, taste and sense of decorum is necessarily great art, is it?
As the famed adage goes, “this is the business we’ve chosen,” and when you’re living in a dark, depressed world, running a suicide shop is pretty good business. Such is the case with Patrice Leconte’s The Suicide Shop, a French animated musical with a less-than-subtle commentary about desensitization and enjoying the finer things in life. Featured in this year’s TIFF, the flick opens officially tonight at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
The Little Years, by Toronto playwright John Mighton, is a deeply moving and profound study of a woman who is crushed by family and society. Running at the venerable Tarragon Theatre until Dec. 16, it is well worth the trip.
The Distillery District is the proud home of the Toronto Christmas Market, drawing inspiration from old-timey European Christmas with its sweeping lights, carolers, musicians, and beer gardens. Running from Nov. 30 till Dec. 16, the Christmas Market has something for everyone to get into the holiday spirit.
The vampire trend has crossed over to cosmetic procedures
Leslie Seiler and Lauren Ash are basically twinsies. After having been hired into the Toronto Second City Touring Company on the same day, the two have been practically joined at the funny bone ever since, eventually developing the comedy duo known as Cory! Collectively, they’ve won a bunch of Canadian Comedy Awards (Ash won this year for her role in Almost Heroes), and when they’re not performing together across the city, they’re shooting TV pilots.
If recent rumours surrounding Aerosmith are to be believed, it’s a wonder that they even managed to make it onstage at the Air Canada Centre last night. From reports of a tour in chaos to accusations of racism from Nicki Minaj, hardly a day goes by without the rock veterans making the news for all the wrong reasons.
Nine-year-old survivor and mom appear in hospital campaign
Legendary mountaineer inspires Toronto writer’s debut novel
In the town of Richmond Hill, there is plenty of good news and many satisfied people. I know this because I hear it everywhere when I am out in the community. The results of our recent 2012 Community Survey say that the overwhelming majority of 94 per cent of residents said they are happy with … Continued
