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An actor on horseback from the theatre production "Odysseo"The Canadian Press

ART & MUSEUMS

Berenice Abbott : Photographs

The celebrated chronicler of New York in the 1930s – she sought elegances, the squalor, the curiosities, the monuments, the triumphant faces and the sad – gets a fantastic 120-photograph survey that includes many works far less familiar than her photos of skyscrapers. To Aug. 19. $11 to $19.50. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648.

CLUBS

Ana Egge

Approved by Lucinda Williams, Joel Plaskett and Steve Earle, this American-raised native of Saskatchewan uses her lonesome alto voice on vivid alt-country material – a grittier Kathleen Edwards-style. May 26, 7 p.m. $10 . Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.

Kandle

"Your mother she's an heiress, owns a block in St. John's Wood, and your father'd be there with her, if he only could." The Montreal indie folk-pop darling's father is actually 54-40 singer Neil Osbourne, undoubtedly proud of a daughter whose debut gauzy-retro EP includes original compositions as well as a cover of the moody Rolling Stones' classic Play With Fire . June 1 (opening for Coeur de Pirate at the Opera House; ticket.web); June 2, 8 p.m. $10. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street W., 416-531-5042.

CONCERTS

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

It was 45 years ago today, that George Martin and psychoactive drugs taught the band to play. To mark the sapphire anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Art of Time Ensemble presents the Beatles' groundbreaking album in a reimagined and reinvented form, with Andy Maize, John Mann, Craig Northey and Steven Page singing about meter maids, marmalade skies and a splendid time guaranteed for all. May 31 to June 2, 8 p.m. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., $29 to $59. 416-973-4000.

Yo-Yo Ma, with the TSO

Among the first pieces Yo-Yo Ma ever performed with the TSO, Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 was composed in 1919 as a bittersweet farewell to the world that was destroyed by the First World War. Here the superstar cellist renders it once again, along with a colourful piece he commissioned from the Uzbek composer, Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky. May 30 and 31, 7:30 p.m. $49 to $185. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255.

THEATRE

Lost in Yonkers

As the mom of the 1950s-loving Happy Days series, the actress Marion Ross is no stranger to nostalgia. Here Ms. Ross is the intimidating grandmother looking after two teenage boys in Neil Simon's coming-of-age comedy, set in New York City in 1942. To June 10, $42.50 to $79.50. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E., 416-366-7723.

Cavalia's Odysseo

How does the horse-spectacle company Cavalia outdo its 2003 production, Cavalia: Encounter Between Man and Horse? By making the new Odysseo bigger and bolder, of course. The Montreal-based troupe not only has equestrians, they've got answers. Tickets are available through June 17. Tuesdays to Fridays (8 p.m), Saturdays (3 p.m.); Sundays (2 p.m.). $29.50 to $119.50. Port Lands, 324 Cherry St., 1-866-999-8111 or cavalia.net.

Home

The British playwright David Storey's enigmatic 1970 comedy is set in a lunatic asylum and is crazy-sharp with the wordplay, handled finely by a strong Soulpepper cast. To June 20. $51 to $68. Young Centre, 55 Mill St., 416-866-8666.

Stockholm

The title refers to more than the Swedish city a Bergman-loving couple plan to visit on holiday, with British dramatist Bryony Lavery depicting a relationship as an emotional sort of hostage situation. A dance-heavy production explores an unsettling romance. To June 3. $20 to $30. Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827 or nightwoodtheatre.net.

DANCE

Ghosts of Violence

Initially taking form as a short work created for an advocacy group fundraiser, the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada's Ghosts of Violence has grown into a touring full-length ballet about domestic homicide. Women's groups across the country are clamouring for this multimedia piece – strong evidence as to the power of art as an instrument of social change. May 26, 7:30 p.m.. $29 to $99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E., 416-366-7723 or stlc.com.

Hamlet

Created for Stuttgart Ballet in 2008, Kevin O'Day's abstract adaptation of the Shakespearian tragedy about a brooding Danish prince makes its North American premiere with the National Ballet of Canada. Expect a succinct, highly physical style of ballet, somewhere between classical and contemporary. June 1 to 10. $25 to $234. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595.

Elegant Beasts

Andrew Davidson's 2009 novel The Gargoylecovers multiple genres – gothic, erotica, and horror – but we never saw an adaptation that uses break-dancing coming. Larchaud Dance Project offers a modern, intense take on an unconventional romance. May 30 to June 2, 8 p.m. $25. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave., 416-504-7529 or danceworks.ca.

COMEDY

Script Tease Project

We haven't been this excited over the contents of an envelope since last year's Dora Mavor Moore Awards. Playwrights such as Ins Choi, Sky Gilbert, Michael Healey, Karen Hines, Anusree Roy and Kids in the Hall's Scott Thompson each write the first two pages of a new play and seal the contents in an envelope that's opened by brainy, zany improv troupe National Theatre of the World. Each performance – 10 in all – they'll perform the first two pages of the "script-tease" cold, and then extrapolate the rest of the play on the spot. May 28 to June 3. $15 to $20. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave., 416-504-7529.

Whoopi Goldberg

She has been an actress, comedienne, disc jockey, author, talk show host and a granny-glasses-wearing partner to both Ted Danson and Frank Langella. Let's call these the Goldberg Variations – the diversities she'll discuss as part of the Unique Lives & Experiences series. June 1, 7:30 p.m. $35 to $135. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255.

EVENT

Spadina Museum's Annual Plant Sale

Go ahead and horde their horticulture, but get there early for this popular perennial happening. May 26, 9 a.m. Free. 285 Spadina Rd., 416-392-6910.





FILM

Clue

Whodunnit? Inside Out has done it, once again. The annual festival of queer film closes on May 27 with a gala party at Hotel Ocho (195 Spadina Ave.), but four days later celebrates its success with an outdoor screening of the Tim Curry-starring comedy-mystery from 1985. May 31, 9 p.m. Free (suggested donation $5). Alexander Street Parkette, 12 Alexander St. insideout.ca

FREE

Doors Open Toronto

You say "knock-knock," they say "come on in, the doors are open – no joke." Self-guided architectural tours of more than 150 buildings across the city include new-to-the-event places such as Fool's Paradise, the eccentric former residence and charming 12-acre property of the beloved Canadian artist Doris McCarthy (at 1 Meadowcliffe Dr.). May 26 and 27. Various venues and times. toronto.ca/doorsopen.

Waterfront Blues

The annual family affair of blues music and carnival atmosphere has settled in nicely at breezy Woodbine Park. This year's highlights include the charismatic soul-blues singer Tad Robinson and the Chicago guitarist John Primer – the kind of touring musicians who used to show up regularly at clubs here, but sadly no longer do. June 1 to 3. Eastern and Coxwell avenues, waterfrontblues.ca.

FAMILY

Toronto Festival Of Clowns

They've been sent in, just for you. Top buffoons and physical-theatre performers get up to outlandish mischief and artful shenanigans. May 31 to June 3. $10. Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement, 6 Noble St., torontofestivalofclowns.com.

CONTINUING

Alisa Weilerstein, with the TSO May 26. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255.

More Than Just a Yardage Sale To May 26. Textile Museum of Canada, 416-599-5321.

Contact Photography Festival To June 6. scotiabankcontactphoto.com.

BOOKING AHEAD

Hidden Gardens and Private Spaces Tour June 3. Cabbagetown, cabbagetownpa.ca.

Toronto Jewish Book Festival June 4 to 7. Toronto Reference Library, kofflerarts.org

Luminato June 8 to 17. luminato.com.

Power Ball June 14. Power Plant, 416-973-4018.

Hannibal Buress June 22. Horseshoe, 1-855-985-5000.



bwheeler@globeandmail.com

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