Fresh off the New York run of his play “Secrets of a Black Boy”, Darren Anthony is now starting the transition from stage to film. Check out this mini doc on his experience in New York. If you like what you see, there will be a fundraiser to help support his efforts in creating the film on Oct 20th at Harlem Restaurant (745 Queen St. W) at 10:30pm.
For more info: playingwithcrayonsinc.com
On Saturday, September 29th we started our Nuit Blanche adventure in the heart of the city at the one and only Toronto Eaton Centre. Our first stop was at guest services to pick up our very own ‘Outsider’, as part of the interactive installation #Outsiders2012 inside Toronto Eaton Centre’s Urban Eatery. The installation was produced by an artist collective known as the Seeingred, who share an interest in social commentary and making art more accessible. The idea was for us to take our life-sized, luminous friend around the city, take photos and see how people react.
Seeingred Artist: Kim Renders
Before we hit the streets, we checked out a few of our favourite places in Toronto Eaton Centre. We attempted to grab a quick bite at Liberty Noodle, but our Outsider attracted so much attention we had to keep it moving. We also made a quick visit to see our friends at the Roots Canada store before snapping some pics in front of artist Max Streicher’s installation “Vertical Constructions: Dancer #1 & #2″.
It seemed like our Outsider was more of an Insider, as everyone wanted a pic with our new friend! Check out some of the photos we took while wandering the streets of Toronto for Nuit Blanche 2012.
Installation – King St: Green Invaders by Yves Caizergues
Installation – Old City Hall: 9 Beet Stretch by Leif Inge
Installation – Red Bull 381 Projects: Street Language by Malcolm Levy.
To see more photos, visit facebook.com/1LOVETO
For more info: outsiders2012.com
Follow @toeatoncentre
Photography by @TahaPhoto
It’s about to go down…
For more info: themanifesto.ca
Previously: Manifesto: The Business of Art (Panel Discussion), Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture
Toronto based illustrator Michael Cho started drawing back alleys near his home in 2008. Since then, he released “Back Alleys & Urban Landscapes” (May 2012), a collection of illustrations that capture both the gritty city life as well as Toronto’s beautiful urban settings.
Our friends over at ThinkContra recently got the chance to sit down with Michael to discuss his artistry.
To purchase the book, CLICK HERE.
Do you believe that investment in youth, arts & culture matters?
Lately there’s been a lot of speculation about the value of investing in young people and the arts. As Toronto’s creative young people whose lives have been positively impacted by our exposure and engagement with the arts, and as those who have the honour of working in the sector and serving our communities – we know just how valuable it is.
It’s time to mobilize. We are calling out artists, organizers, mentors, youth, elders, community leaders, community members, and visionaries to walk in solidarity for youth, arts, and cultural programs. Bring your artistic expression, rally your communities and add to a collective energy as we move down Yonge Street into Manifesto’s Live At The Square – an annual youth arts festival happening that day. Calling out participation from dancers, poets, street writers, emcees, beatboxers, visual artists, documentarians, drummers, percussionists & more – it’s time to write our story ourselves.
WHAT: Yonge Street Walk For Youth, Arts & Culture
WHEN: Sunday September 23, 2012
START: Meet at the North East corner of Yonge & Bloor (2:45PM)
FINISH: Yonge & Dundas Square
For more info: walkforyoutharts.org
#walk4youtharts
Nabeel Zackery Mirza, better known by his stage name Zack Mirza, is a Toronto based Street Magician who’s been performing since the age of 10. His interest in magic was sparked from an early childhood experience while attending a carnival in London, England where a magician brought him on stage to participate in the show. Since that day, magic has become his obsession and he’s spent countless hours learning and perfecting his craft. Lately, Zack’s been gaining popularity while performing for the likes of Mohammed Ali, The Neptunes, Joell Ortiz and many more.
Most recently, Zack decided to take his talent to the streets of NYC for Episode 1 of his new “Mystifier” web series. He’ll be shooting more episodes in Miami and of course right here in Toronto!
For more info: zackmirza.com
Toronto’s own Kate Melville makes her directorial feature debut with “Picture Day”, a film she not only directed, but wrote and produced. The film features rising star Tatiana Maslany as Claire Paxton as well as Canadian actors Steven McCarthy and Spencer Van Wyck.
Synopsis:
Forced to repeat her senior year of high school, Claire’s (Maslany) reputation is sliding from bad-ass to bad joke. Armed with an acid tongue and shielded by ever-present headphones, Claire locks onto the only student clueless to her sordid rep: Henry (Van Wyck), a nerdy freshman she used to babysit. At night, Claire escapes to raucous concerts where she catches the eye of 33-year–old Jim (McCarthy, frontman of The ElastoCitizens), a would–be rock star who feeds on young fans’ adoration. Jim leads her into an intoxicating world of hard-partying musicians, while at school, Claire takes Henry under her wing. She reinvents her dorky friend as the mysterious rebel, throwing Henry’s life into hilarious turmoil. As Claire dances across the surface of these relationships, she eventually learns hard lessons about the difference between sex, intimacy, and friendship.
Screening:
Sunday, September 16
TIFF Bell Lightbox 4
6:45PM
For more info: picturedaythemovie.com
This fall Art Starts is celebrating 20 years of using the arts as a vehicle to encourage social change in Toronto neighbourhoods. In celebration of this anniversary, they’ve decided to tell 20 stories by releasing a series of videos featuring key people who have helped along the way.
The #6 video above features Yvette Martin, once an Art Starts volunteer who is now the Program Manager for the Villaways community. She’s an artist facilitator who also runs a drug prevention program for kids.
Take a minute to listen to these important community stories.
CLICK HERE to see more stories.
For more info: artstarts.net
The Manifesto Festival and The City of Toronto present: The Business of Art (Panel Discussion)
The arts can be viable as sound business opportunities and the idea of translating art into a viable business is a creative process many endeavour to accomplish but that few manage to master. Understanding that you have to respect art when you’re doing business with it, while also respecting the complex nature that exists between business and art, a carefully selected panel of artists turned entrepreneurs will discuss their personal journeys and experiences in translating their creative art processes into business ventures.
Date: Saturday, September 22
Place: Ryerson University – Engineering Building, Classroom A, 299 Church St (at Gould)
Time: 4 – 5:30pm
Panelists:
Bryan Brock – 1 LOVE T.O.
Dameion Royes – Big It Up
Addy Chan – Zeta Productions
Priya Ramanujam – Urbanology Magazine
Seah Brown – The Art of Reuse
REGISTER NOW
(This is a pay what you can event)
#EachOneTeachOne
Previously: Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture
The good people from City Prints have included the Rogers Centre (Skydome for those who remember) in their latest Ballpark series of printed maps. The artwork is 12″ x 12″ in size and printed on high quality Ice Pearl Cover, which is a heavy paper stock with a subtle metallic shimmer. The unframed prints go for $40, but if you want a more complete look, you can spend $180 on custom framing.
For more info: cityprintsmapart.com
The 6th Annual Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture is taking place September 21-23, 2012.
Launch Party & Art Show: September 21, 2012
Opening night will mark the first opportunity for the public to see the newly-constructed Regent Park Arts & Culture Centre.
Fresh Arts 20 x Manifesto Summit: September 22, 2012
The festival’s second day will be an inspiring array of panel discussions, keynote speakers and mentor classess.
Live at the Square: September 23, 2012
Toronto’s Yonge & Dundas Square will be transformed into a local marketplace showcasing some of Toronto biggest brands, artists, dancers and music.
For more info: themanifesto.ca/festival
Remember the sold-out art show/mexican taco fest called UNO? Well, here’s a great re-cap video breaking down all the event details. The video includes show curator Clay Rochemont, plus artists such as Sam Flores and Mike Giant, as well as La Carnita co-founders Andrew Richmond and Amin Todai.
We can’t wait for DOS!
For more info: lacarnita.com
