American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington goes colossal at the Danforth Music Hall on June 17.
NXNE
Music isn't all fun and games. Or maybe that's exactly what it is. This year's North by Northeast festival is placing new emphasis on video gaming, with a speaker series, industry panels and a job fair focusing on the thriving opportunities available to musicians in the Mortal Combat and Halo world. On the music side, the festival moves its outdoor hub to Port Lands (at Cherry and Commissioners streets), while continuing to showcase nascent artists in downtown clubs. A highlight? The American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington goes colossal at the Danforth Music Hall on June 17.
June 13 to 19. Various prices and venues, nxne.com.
Toronto Art Book Fair
Although its place in Canadian arts history is not insignificant, the artistic print culture is often overlooked when it comes to discussions on this country's cultural identity. This will not stand, and so here comes a new happening dedicated to pumping up the understanding and appreciation of art books here and everywhere. A five-day affair offers oodles of vendors, exhibitions and workshops, along with speakers that include the Art Gallery of Ontario's Jim Shedden, the photo-based artist Joi Arcand and the Toronto-based interdisciplinary creator Jp King.
June 16 to 19. Free. Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St., torontoartbookfair.com.
Voyager Golden Records
Roll over Beethoven, tell Pluto the news. Something of a message in a bottle, the Voyager Golden Records were recordings placed on the 1977 spacecraft sent into deep space. The visually enhanced phonographs feature Earthian thoughts, science and sounds, including the music of Beethoven, Chuck Berry and Bulgarian folk musicians. As part of the Soulpepper Theatre Company's continuing concert series, a cabaret has songs, dance and dramatic readings related to the interstellar theme or representing Voyager's musical payload.
June 9, 10 and 15, 7:30 p.m. $25 to $60. 416-866-8666 or soulpepper.ca.
Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Dress Casual
He's Mandy Patinkin, a Tony-winning Broadway marvel who walks onto the stage preceded by a full beard and a temperamental reputation, both equally as bristly. At Ed Mirvish Theatre, accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano, all the handful that is Patinkin needs to be is a generous and gifted concert performer, having at a repertoire of popular songs written by Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and Harry Chapin. Expect full passion, brilliant execution and your money's worth, all from a man whose voice is "a gift from God," or so no less than Sondheim has said.
June 15 and 16, 8 p.m. $59 to $250. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St., 416- 872-1212 or mirvish.com.
James Ehnes Plays Elgar
James Ehnes describes the composer Edward Elgar as a frustrated violinist, one who was "good enough to know what was in theory possible, but not good enough himself to realize his own ambition." Maybe that's why Elgar came up with Violin Concerto, a long and emotional piece that is a test for even the best bow-wielding professionals, of which Ehnes is one. Here, the Manitoba-born virtuoso accepts Elgar's challenge in a program that also includes The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky.
June 9 (2 p.m.) and June 10 and 11 (7:30 p.m.). $29.50 to $148. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-593-4828 or tso.ca.
Brad Wheeler