Earth Hour in Roncesvalles Village.
Transformation by Fire
What is it that Alicia Keys sings? "This girl is on fire"? In that same spirit of empowerment, the Gardiner Museum presents an exhibition of ceramic pieces that reflect women's strength to survive in the face of adversity, specifically violence. The works in clay are by female artists who give shape to their experiences, a process of both artistic expression and therapeutic exercise. To April 28. Free. Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen's Park, 416-586-8080 or gardinermuseum.on.ca.
The Four Seasons
James Kudelka has been called many things, possibly even a man for all seasons. (Certainly his sumptuous Nutcracker speaks to his flair for wintery themes.) Now that spring has sprung, we can move onto the dancemaker's classic 1997 ballet, a series of four duets set to Vivaldi's famous score. April showers bring May flowers, but the National Ballet of Canada brings Kudelka's master work of choreography, music and theme, all without a wait. (Presented with Crystal Pite's Emergence.) March 23 (2 and 7:30 p.m.) and March 24 (2 p.m.). $25 to $239. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. West, 416-345-9595 or national.ballet.ca.
Earth Hour in Roncesvalles Village
World Wide Fund Canada for Nature Canada sponsors a lantern-lit tour and a free outdoor concert to bring awareness to energy conservation. A few speeches will happen – organizers promise brevity, so as to not waste hot air – but the event is geared to eco-friendly folks of all ages, with free hot chocolate available for those who bring their own mugs. March 23, 8 to 9:30 p.m. Meet at Grafton Park or near Revue Cinema, with each group walking towards the other, meeting on Wright Avenue for concert. wwf.ca.
Rock of Ages
To paraphrase Whitesnake, here they go again. The joyous salute to campy drama and 1980s hair-metal music – not such different things, really – won a Dora Mavor Moore audience-choice prize when it rocked the Royal Alex in 2010. Since then, the Tony-winning romantic musical was adapted for a Tom Cruise feature film. With a score that includes shiny over-sung classics from the canons of Foreigner, Night Ranger, Styx and REO Speedwagon, there's no reason for fans nostalgic for the era to fight the feeling any longer. March 23 (2 and 8 p.m.) and March 24 (2 p.m.). $20 to $100. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 1-855-872-7669 or sonycentre.ca.
Canada Blooms
Not since the Group of Seven has anyone done so well with landscapes. Presented with the National Home Show, the flower and garden festival brings together more than 700 experts in the art of blossoms and botany. Tomorrow, the event offers its Sit Down Sunday, which is an opportunity for you to book 20 minutes with an expert who will answer questions specific to your garden. Those planters are consummate gardeners, guaranteed to flora you with their expertise. March 23 (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.to 5 p.m.). $16 to $20 (includes admission to home show). Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes' Blvd., canadablooms.com.
Brad Wheeler