SonyaThe Fall season is beautiful in the city and we’re all for gathering our friends to get out and enjoy some of these incredible events. Here’s what’s happening in and around Toronto for the month of October.
Anthropocene at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) : until January 6, 2019.
One of the most important exhibitions of the year. World-renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky and multiple award-winning filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier have created a powerful series of new photographs, including larg-scale murals augmented by film extensions, film installations and augmented reality (AR) installations, that take us to places we are deeply connected to – but normally never see. Anthropocene dramatically illustrates how we, individually and collectively, are leaving a human signature on our world. www.ago.ca
Empty Bowls: October 11. Gardiner Museum
For 26 years now, this charity event invites patrons to choose (and keep) a one-of-a-kind bowl donated by potters, potter’s guild, and students and fill them with delicious soups prepared and ladled by some of Ontario’s most talented chefs. The event is a North American wide project to aid the homeless. All of the proceeds from this event go directly to the Anishnawbe Health Toronto, a culture based native centre committed to changing lives through traditional healing practices. $55 per person. More info at www.gardinermuseum.on.ca
Boobyball: October 12
Bust out your cowboy hats and boots in support of breast cancer research and awareness at this annual fundraising event. This year’s bash aims to wrangle in all the fun and funds complete with rodeo rides and saloon fun. More info and tickets at www.boobyball.com
LEGENDS OF HORROR presented by Captain Morgan at Case Loma: September 28 to October 31
Who doesn’t love a good fright during the month of October? This annual theatrical haunting event brings all the guys and ghouls out featuring The Vampire Circus, a cabaret performance that has been called a “fusion of Tim Burton and Cirque du Soleil”. The cafe, located half way along the walk, will be transformed by Captain Morgan into the hull of a pirate ship (cocktails and food available for purchase) and 3D images will be projected onto the walls of the castle itself. Walk your own pace through the two kilometre trail that winds through the lower gardens and through the tunnels and darkest spaces in the bowels of the castle. 19+ event. For tickets go to www.legendsofhorror.ca
WATERLICHT Light Installation at The Bentway: October 12-14
A large light installation designed by acclaimed Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde will be on display in this public space. The work will illustrate the universal power, poetry and danger of water. Waterlicht is a dream landscape created through the imaginative use of LEDs, special software, and lenses. Larger-than-life cascading waves of blue light will soar under the Gardiner Expressway, simulating a virtual flood and calling attention to the water levels along Toronto’s shoreline. The installation can only be viewed at sunset between 7 pm to 11 pm. The piece is part of The Bentway’s fall public art exhibition “If, But, What If?” exploring what could be be, what should be, and what may never be. More info at TheBentway.ca/Waterlicht
Bat Out of Hell – The Musical: October 16 to November 4. Ed Mirvish Theatre.
The critically-acclaimed new musical based on one of the best selling albums of all time returns to thrill audiences in this rock and roll production. Andrew Polec returns to lead the cast in this high energy performance and fans of Meatloaf will love. More info at www.mirvish.com
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival: October 17 to 21.
The world’s largest arts festival showcases film, video, audio, and digital & interactive media made by Indigenous screen content creators from Canada and around the world. The festival reflects the diversity of the world’s Indigenous nations celebrating excellence in the arts. More info at www.imaginative.org
La Dolce Vita with Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay at Square One: October 17, 7 – 10 pm
Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay and Square One join forces to host the 2nd annual La Dolce Via fundraising event. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Oakville Hospital Foundation and Trillium Health Partners Foundation. The even will transform the shopping centre’s Grand Rotunda into an Italian Piazza-inspired destination. Enjoy food, live music and various entertainment and unexpected surprises. Top Chef Canada personality and restauranteur Janet Zucchini will emcee the event. www.shopsquareone.com/ladolcevita
The Wellness Market: Artscape Wychwood Barns, October 21
This day is made for you and whatever your body, mind, and soul currently needs. From motivational speakers, meditation and yoga sessions to meeting health and wellness experts, it’s all in one space. Sample and purchase goods from over 40 vendors. www.thewellnessmarket.ca
Planet in Focus International Environmental Film Festival: October 25 to 28.
The 19th annual Planet in Focus Film Festival explores and tell the stories about the world in which live. The goal is this juried festival is to enlighten, engage, and entertain audiences of all backgrounds. The films are diverse in perspectives that celebrate, question and inspire thought. Family Day programming on October 27 includes A FREE 40-minute program of international short films curated especially for young people. Following the screening, Rishma Malik of Rishma Yoga will lead a youth yoga session. Bring your mats, and join in afterwards for a light breakfast! For more info www.planetinfocus.org
THE WOLVES: Streetcar Crowsnest/Crow’s Theatre. October 9 to 27
A girls indoor soccer team warms up. From the safety other stretch circle, nine girls navigate and question the world around them with the determination of warriors. This provocative play, a 2017 Pulitzer Prize finalist, captures the profound beauty of adolescence and paints a portrait of nuanced young women navigating the game, their lives and a growing understanding of a complicated world. The Wolves first premiered off Broadway in September 2016 at TheDuke on 42nd Street to universal critical acclaim, eventually transferring to Lincoln Centre. www.crowstheatre.com
