Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles
ART
The Kingston Prize
The 30 finalists in Canada's biennial portrait competition make for a curious exploration of human expressions. They come in all different poses and settings (some close-ups and some not), and the self-nude in front of the bathroom mirror is nonchalantly full of Monty. To Jan. 29, 2012. $12 to $15. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, 416-586-8000.
Sotheby's Auction of Important Canadian Art
He had a mesmerizing way with people and their animals. This week's major sale-by-gavel is highlighted by a pair of Alex Colville paintings: his 1952 work Woman, Jockey and Horse (with a pre-auction estimate of $100,000 to $150,000) and 1955's Cattle Show (which might fetch as much as $350,000). Both are frozen moments in time – inscrutable and oddly elegant. The two Alex Colville paintings are expected to be among the highlights of a Sotheby's auction in Toronto later this month. Nov. 28, 7 p.m. (previews to Nov. 28). Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, 416-586-8000 .
CLUBS
Devon Sproule
"The most minimal, fluid music ever… It was like they were using music to quiet their minds." The interesting and captivating U.S.-based singer-songwriter Devon Sproule speaks about The Silt, an avant-garde Canadian trio who helped make her latest album, I Love You, Go Easy, an expansion of her already eclectic way with folk, jazz and pop. Nov. 27, 8 p.m. $8. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave., 416-923-8137.
Lana del Ray
What sounds like a Southern California surf-town is, in fact, Lizzie Grant, the American singer/glamourpuss who calls her self Lana del Ray and makes spooky-stylish music she describes as "Hollywood sadcore." Nov. 30, 8 p.m. $13.50 (sold out). Mod Club, 722 College St., 888-222-6608.
CONCERTS
Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles
They're definitely four, and, in their own way, they're fab. The touring quartet dons period-perfect costumes and facial hair to play note-for-note recreations of Beatles' hits. Nov. 26 (2 and 8 p.m.) and Nov. 27 (2 and 7 p.m.). $30 to $99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., 416-872-1212.
La Voix Humaine and Les Mamelles de Tirésias
Two one-act operas (both by Francis Poulenc, but otherwise dissimilar) are presented by the U of T's faculty of music. La Voix Humaine (The Human Voice) is a one-hander based on Jean Cocteau's 1932 play about a woman's final farewell to her lover, while Les Mamelles de Tirésias (The Breasts of Tiresias) is a quirky satirical piece on feminism, fertility and boobs that make like balloons and float away. Dec. 1 to Dec. 3 (7:30 p.m.) and Dec. 4 (2:30 p.m.). $20 to $30. MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen's Park, 416-408-0208.
THEATRE
Jesus Chrysler
New from playwright Tara Beagan, the story of the Toronto activist-director Eugenia (Jim) Watts and the poet Dorothy Livesay – a complex relationship involving socialist rabble-rousing, theatre rehearsals and personal betrayal. Dec. 1 to 11 (previews begin Nov. 29). $15 to $30. Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Ave., 416-504-7529.
Hamlet (Solo)
He's not hot – he's positively skull-ding. As part of The Word Festival (a three-day salute to the Bard and the King James Bible), the indefatigable Raoul Bhaneja goes solo with the Bard's tragedy about royalty, treachery and the most iconic stage prop in history. Nov. 26 (2:30 p.m.) and Nov. 27 (6:30 p.m.). $10 to $15. Young Centre, 55 Mill St., 416-866-8666.
The Sankofa Trilogy
She's got the powah: The Jamaican poet-playwright-actress d'bi.young anitafrika finishes off her Sankofa Trilogy with word!sound!powah!, a one-woman tour de force about a young performance-poet embroiled in a fictional Jamaican election. The energetic piece, which stands well on its own, is presented in repertory with the three-parter's previous two instalments. To Dec. 4. $20 to $51. Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827.
DANCE
SHUMKA at 50!
Bouncy, foot-stamping, billowy-trousered, big-smilin', arms-a-wavin', colour-costumed, high-kneed, whirlwind-causin', Cossack-crazed fun. The Edmonton-based Shumka Dancers celebrate a half-decade of traditional Ukrainian dance. Nov. 26, 8 p.m., $40 to $93.50. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 855-872-7669.
Romeo and Juliet
Will the ballet by any other choreographer still smell as sweet? The National Ballet celebrates its 60th anniversary with the world premiere of a new version of the classic piece, crafted by New York's industrious Alexei Ratmansky. Nov. 26 (2 and 7:30 p.m.) and Nov. 27 (2 p.m.). $25 to $234. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595.
Soulful Messiah
Quincy Jones and an R&B-singing dream team of Aretha Franklin, the Boys Choir of Harlem, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight won a Grammy for their expressive rendition of Handel's dynamic holiday favourite. Here Ballet Creole jazzes things further, setting elements of tap, ballet, Afro-Caribbean and modern dance to the Jones-conceived recording. Dec. 2 to 4. $20 to $45. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
LITERATURE and LECTURE
45 Books in 45 Minutes
Goodness – we've known Giller speeches that have lasted longer. The book monger Ben McNally takes less than an hour to whip through a presentation of a few dozen of his favourite books this year, just in time for the gift-buying season. Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. Free. Ben McNally Books, 366 Bay St., 416-361-0032.
FUNDRAISER
Live and Unleashed
It's a dog's life – but it doesn't have to be. Performances by singer Steven Page, comedian Colin Mochrie and actress Debra McGrath and others benefit the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Nov. 28, 8 p.m. $50 to $100. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., liveandunleashed.ca .
SPORT
Roller Derby World Cup
Sugar, spice and some things not so nice. Flat-track roller-gals lace up and lash out at the first international meeting of wheel-women. Dec. 1 to 4. $35 (some days sold out). Downsview Park Bunker, 75 Carl Hall Rd., rollerderbyworldcup.com.
FREE
European Union Film Festival
Two dozen movies from two dozen countries, with a variety of styles and subject matters deeper than the Spanish national debut. The Euro-tainment continues through Wednesday, with the closing-night screening of My Piece of the Pie, a French dramedy about a fiery single mother whose loses her factory job (Nov. 30, 6 p.m.). To Nov. 30. Royal Cinema, 608 College St., 416-466-4400.
Cavalcade of Lights
Because it was his last Christmas as our city's leader, former mayor David Miller put away the decorative lights from 2010 in a haphazard manner. It took the Ford brothers forever to untangle the mess, but, rest assured, when the switch is flipped tonight, there will be light (and fireworks and music from Justin Hines and Jarvis Church). Nov. 26, 7 p.m. Nathan Phillips Square, Queen and Bay streets, toronto.ca.
Stephen Lewis
Though Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently said the goal of an "AIDS-free generation" is within reach world-wide, Africa is still a country much in peril. The envoy for humanitarian efforts Stephen Lewis is part of an evening of discussion, poetry and African drums and dance to help keep awareness alive, on the eve of World Aids Day. Nov. 30, 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). Great Hall, 7 Hart House Circle (pre-register j.kopelow@utoronto.ca.).
Natrel Rink
Possibly the best part of a Toronto winter just got better. A new lounge area inside the Lakeside Café offers a respite from the frost with fireplaces and comfort food. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturday). Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4866.
COMEDY
The Soaps
If all goes as unplanned, an improvised soap opera set in an old-fashioned Ontario town where the local radio station is losing its signal will have audiences on the Edge of Wetness (speaking of spur-of-the-moment melodramas). Thursdays. PWYC. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540 .
Mick Foley
With their outrageous antics and hilariously phony punches, pro wrestlers must have a hard time keeping a straight face. Mick Foley, the author and former full-nelson enthusiast, no longer has to fake it any more – he's here for a night of smile-cracking standup. Dec. 2, 8 p.m. $20 . Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Ave., 888-222-6608.
FAMILY
The Wizard of Oz
Pay attention to the "man" behind the curtain – he's Ross Petty, not only the producer of this wacky pantomime, but the actor portraying the Wicked Witch of the West. Dec. 1 to Jan. 6 (now in previews). $27 to $80. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 855-985-5000.
Write A Letter To Santa Claus
He knows when they've been naughty and when they've been nice, and yet Kris Kringle is having one heck of time reading your kid's penmanship. At a Georgian row house, the little scribblers are invited in to write with old-fashioned pen, ink and stationery, giving those text-tired thumbs a rest. To Dec. 24. $2.38 to $5.71. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., 416-392-6915.
CONTINUING
Great Outdoors & DIY Weekend To Nov. 27. International Centre, greatoutdoorsDIY.com
One of Kind Christmas Show and Sale To Dec. 4. Direct Energy Centre, 416-960-3680.
Mary Poppins Princess of Wales Theatre, 416-872-1212.
Two Pianos Four Hands To Dec. 4. Panasonic Theatre, 416-872-1212.
BOOKING AHEAD
Larry King Nov. 29 (cancelled). Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255.
bwheeler@globeandmail.com
Brad Wheeler