More than the backstory of how The Beatles became The Beatles, Backbeat is a musical that focuses on the triangular relationship between the band’s original bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe, the German photographer with whom he fell in love and his friendship with John Lennon. (Sorry, Ringo fans, but he’s not in this production.)
Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., 416-872-1212. Now – Sept 2.
Here stand the women sharpshooters of 1914. Sure, they look docile, but in just one instant they’d totally put you in a half nelson while aiming a rifle at you.
For those of you who have not had a chance to take in the often-hysterical, usually profane, but always interesting plays of Chicago’s David Mamet, I would urge you to see a production of Glengarry Glen Ross (whether on stage or on film). Soulpepper, this country’s finest theatre company, knew enough to put on a superb Glengarry several seasons ago.
The Weaker Vessels are a new “transatlantic sketch troupe” featuring graduates from The Second City training centre. With the group set to perform its first-ever show next week, member Charlie Booth says the show is bound to be unpredictable: “We’ve got an hour’s worth of sketches and none of them have ever been performed in front of an audience. Maybe we just get off on risk; maybe we’re just idiots.”
On the surface, this guy isn’t exactly prime babysitting material, but legend has it this debonair dude gave Mary Poppins a run for her money. With his flying wagons, magical bowler hat and war medals that were actually made of chocolate, every day was an adventure in babysitting.
When we were young, we believed that a plastic fortune teller named Zoltar really could make our wishes come true. And when we were young, we believed movies were so magical they could change the world. It’s no surprise, then, that the theme of the second Christie Pits Film Festival is tales of youth and growing up. It kicks off this Sunday.
There’s nothing like walking the streets of Toronto on a Saturday just as the sun comes up, right? (FYI: seconds after this picture was taken, this dude hopped into a rocket and blasted off to planet Antareus). Happy weekend, everyone!
Care to dine on deliciously authentic Asian cuisine under the stars while looking out at the lake this weekend? Okay, so maybe a street food festival isn’t the ideal atmosphere for romance, but the third annual Waterfront Night Market isn’t exactly your typical food fest. An array of authentic Asian offerings will be available well into the night, with other festivities including three-on-three basketball and nightly screenings of contemporary Asian cinema.
On Valentine’s Day in 2002, Sauci Calla Horra was sewing roses onto her lingerie in preparation for her first burlesque show. She was helping out her friend Tanyacheex, the founder of Skin Tight Outta Sight, one of Toronto’s first burlesque troupes. What was supposed to be a one-night-only engagement turned into a full-blown love affair with burlesque for Calla Horra. Five years later, she would start Toronto’s first Burlesque Festival.
Nowadays we can just summon our own ice cream trucks when we get a sweet attack. But back in 1913, Torontonians lumbered for hundreds of miles to this dump, turning into puddles of broken dreams and broken feet along the way, cursing frozen dessert and wishing for lactose intolerance.
They may have formed in Toronto, but The Rural Alberta Advantage’s inspiration lies in the prairies. This indie-rock threesome marries gritty vocals, energetic guitar riffs from Nils Edenloff (Canada’s answer to Jeff Mangum) and Amy Cole’s honeyed voice with punchy beats from monster drummer Paul Banwatt (also one-half of Woodhands).
It’s hard enough finding someone you can get along with in this city, so, gentlemen, when you find a good woman who’s up for roughing it in the great outdoors (without a tent!), hold on to her tightly and never let her go. Unless you see a bear; then use her as a human shield.
