A round up of the best/weirdest things to do this weekend in Toronto…
Friday May 25th
360° SCREENINGS | Secret Location TBA
In the past, cinema has seen some dubious innovations. There was Smell-O-Vision, theaters equipped with sprinklers to mist and rumble seats to shake movie-going audiences, and there’s the current 3D revival. A new cinema experience coming to Toronto this Friday aims to give audiences all those things and more; a real 360° experience complete with audio, visual, touch and smell. The project will mix live performance and film. In a secret location to be revealed 24 hours before the event, organizers will assemble food, music, props and performers to bring together a facsimile of what the real life experience would be. Breaking away even more from traditional cinema and the expectations of an audience, 360° Screenings will bring you in and ask you to engage with the space. Even the film being presented isn’t announced to the public, so if you’ve seen it before you’ll be wondering around inside scenes from potentially one of your favourite flicks. If you haven’t seen it before, or have forgotten, it’s an even more intriguing mystery.
Secret Location, more than a movie ticket; less than seats at the opera, 7PM-12:30AM
THE FILMS OF LILLIAN SCHWARTZ | National Film Board
When computers first entered the public consciousness, the room filling technology was somewhat alarming to the average person. So pervasive was the fear of computers that when IBM began working on Personal Computing projects the company hired legendary designers, filmmakers and tastemakers Charles and Ray Eames and their firm to create films to ease the public into the idea of letting computers enter their lives and homes.
American artist Lillian Schwartz was on the forefront of computer-aided art during this period and created many videos using computer imaging. In 1976 Schwartz created “The Artist and the Computer”. Produced by American telecommunications giant AT&T, the film doesn’t have quite the same effect as the Eames’ IBM films, in fact the screening of her films at the National Film Board this Friday comes with a warning to people who are prone to seizures or are epileptic, suggesting it might be better that they just sit this one out. Nine of the artists films created between 1971 and 1993 will be screened. The event is free but you must reserve a seat here.
National Film Board (150 John St), Free, 6PM
Also happening Friday…
- Pop with Brains at the Rivoli
- The Royal Crowns CD Release Party at the Dakota
- Fleck Dance Theatre presents Arena
- Exposure Photo and Video Imaging Expo
- Fantasy Show present by the Association of Russian Craft, Art & Fashion
- More Than Just a Yard Sale at the Textile Museum of Canada
- Jacques Greene at 161 Spadina
- Wrongbar’s 4th Anniversary with Todd Terje
- Ariane Moffatt at the Drake Underground
- Slim Twig (band), Deloro, and Man Made Hill at the Garrison
- Visiting Artists Exhibition: Mark Crofton Bell & Catherine Lane
Saturday May 26th
VISITING ARTISTS + OPEN DOORS TORONTO | 401 Richmond
Each year Open Studio, Canada’s leading printmaking centre, invites four professional artists, whether they have printmaking experience or not, to pair up with an artist in the studio to create traditional or experimental works using an array of printmaking techniques. The popular program was started in 1983 and receives applications from artists the world over.
Arthur Desmarteaux & Allison Moore, Micropolis, screen and digital prints on cardboard, 2010
This of course coincides with Open Doors Toronto. It’s also the bicentennial of the War of 1812, which I guess, is the theme of this year’s weekend. Looking back on 200 years of peace 135 architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings will open their doors to showcase the buildings that made this city what it is and the people who made them.
Open Studio (Studio 104) 401 Richmond, Free, May 25, 2012 to Saturday June 23
109OZ POP-UP URBAN GARDEN CENTRE | 109 Ossington
You can look down your nose all you want at the condo developments that are slated for construction all over downtown, but urban density is good for the environment, and good for the city. Also good for the city is urban gardening. Toronto’s Reserve properties is using it’s presentation centre at 109 Ossington to host two weekends of workshops, plant sales and food trucks on May 26/7 and June 2/3. It’s a pretty good way to get people on board with those glass towers. Get advice from expert gardeners, pick up some local produce and soak up some sun.
Toronto the Good, Toronto that Could.
109 Ossington, Free, 10AM-4PM
Also happening Saturday…
- 2nd Annual Vegan Spring Expo
- Toronto International Music Summit
- Crystal Fighters and Is Tropical at Wrongbar
- Vic Ruggiero (of the Slackers) at Bovine Sex Club
- Reissue Party for Dennis Lee’s Alligator Pie at Type Books
- United Electronic Audio Workers 002: Matt Thibideau and Akumu
Sunday May 27th
REDHEADED STEPCHILD | Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
I don’t know how it started, but I want you all to know that calling redheads Gingers is not okay. It might not be evident here in Canada but in some other parts of the world redheads still cause a genetic-shudder in some people and that leads to bullying and mistreatment. In England and environs Ginger is a derogatory word. So just cut it out already, okay?
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents a showing of Redheaded Stepchild before it hits the road and does the fringe-fest circuit. Written and preformed by Johnnie Walker and directed by Morgan Norwich, featuring music by Henri Fabergé with free food by Comida del Pueblo (you know, those guys who do the cornbread grilled cheese with guacamole and crème fraîche). What’s the play about? Some kid who is a redhead and become someone’s stepkid. Who cares? It’s going to be a great night.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander St) , $20 advanced/$25 at the door, 7PM
Also happening Sunday…
- Crosswires #14: Nicola Ratti (Italy), BZARYN, Still Authors
- Toronto Mid-Town Record Show
- The Early November at the Opera House
- Gogol Bordello at Sound Academy
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Yuli’s PP [Artist Profile]
