Art by Kristin Bjornerud
ART
Lauren Hall
With her exhibition Crystal Column and Clear Shrines of Pearl, the Canadian artist Lauren Hall works humble building materials into lovely new sculptural works that reference topography as extreme as remote arctic landscapes and sunny tropical beaches. To March 3, Tuesdays to Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Free. University of Waterloo Art Gallery, Waterloo, Ont., 519-888-4567.
Kristin Bjornerud
Featuring works made during a recent residency on the island of Gotland, Sweden, the Alberta-born surrealist's lyrical watercolours drew inspiration from the region's mythology, and intertwine feminist themes with fables. The works, according to Globe art critic R.M. Vaughan, are "charmingly whimsical at first glance, but grow increasingly spirited (in all senses of the word), and at times menacing, upon further inspection." To May 21, $4 to $10. Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton, Ont., 905-527-6610.
CLUBS
The Way We Feel: A Celebration of the Music of Gordon Lightfoot
In the decade that Hugh's Rooms has held these annual salutes to the Sundown singer, Gordon Lightfoot has released just one album, 2004's Harmony. Not that the usual all-star cast of musicians and vocalists – this year including Rick Fines, Suzie Vinnick and Lori Cullen – are hurting for material. A four-day festival is rich with limitless supplies of tunes and reverence. Jan. 19 to 22, 8:30 p.m. $36 to $38.50, 2261 Dundas St W., 416-531-6604.
Colleen Brown
The bold Edmonton singer-songwriter has a grand vision for her gigs of the future, involving a comedic host, theatrical costumes and organic food. On Friday, she'll have to settle for the fish tacos at the Dakota Tavern, where her well-crafted songs and Joni Mitchell-styling will be more than show enough. Jan. 20, 7 p.m. $8. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.
CONCERTS
Maple Blues Awards
The woke-up-this-morning-and-my-dog-was-dead thing notwithstanding, the blues are a celebratory music. On Monday, the Canadian blues community fetes itself with an evening of trophy-giving and performance – always a warm, popular and decidedly upbeat affair. Jan. 16, 7 p.m. $37 to $45 . Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir
Handel's Hercules, often described as a "musical drama in three acts, is presented by the period ensemble with the dancers of Atelier Ballet. The opera's big role – Dejanira, the distressed wife of a returning uncommunicative warrior – is handled by the mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, whose opaque and velvety smooth voice is, in the words of Globe reviewer Elissa Poole, "almost other-worldly in its lack of edge." Jan. 19 to Jan. 21 (8 p.m.) and Jan. 22 (3:30 p.m.). $4 5 to $99. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208.
THEATRE
The Blue Dragon
From Robert Lepage, an extravagant multimedia production about the life of an expat Canadian living in Shanghai is an allegory for the fading fortunes of the West and the rising stock of Asia. To Feb. 19. $ 25 to $99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., 416-872-1212 or mirvish.com.
American Idiot
Catchy tunes and a propulsive choreography makes for, according to Globe theatre critic J. Kelly Nestruck, a 90-minute spectacle of "eye-catching and ear-pleasing movement and sound." A musical based on an album by U.S. pop-punksters Green Day explores the furious world of disaffected youths. Jan. 14 (2 and 8 p.m.) and Jan. 15 (2 p.m.). $62 to $180, Toronto Centre For the Arts, 5040 Yonge St., 416-644-3665 or DancapTickets.com.
Penny Plain
Billed as an "end-of-the-world romance told heartbreakingly, horrifyingly and hysterically," the puppeteer Ronnie Burkett's acclaimed nationally touring new show is marionette madness, featuring Penny as an elderly blind woman inhabiting a post-apocalyptic world with talking dogs and a strung-out serial killer. Jan. 20 to Feb. 26 ). $30 to $55. Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971.
DANCE
Gallim Dance
Two pieces from the New York company include I Can See Myself in Your Pupil, a radically physical full-length piece from artistic director/choreographer Andrea Miller that concerns human frustrations, desires and insecurities. Seeing the piece at Spoleto, Globe critic Paula Citron found the work to be fabulously and eclectically scored, and overall "fresh, daring and provocative." Jan. 19, 8 p.m. $10 to $54. Markham Theatre, Markham, Ont., 905-305-7469 .
Peggy Baker Dance Projects
Three pieces make up The Sound and Feel of It, including Piano/Quartet, in which the iconic choreographer and performer Peggy Baker (who dances a solo in the program) sets four dancers in motion in a bid to translate, through movement, a series of complex poems by John Cage, the thinker and composer whose centenary is celebrated. The Canadian pianist Andrew Burashko is involved as well, for an exercise where prose is expressed, not heard. Jan. 20 to 22 and Jan. 25 to 29, 8:30 p.m. (Sundays, 4 p.m.). $22 to $28. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis St., 1-888-222-6608.
COMEDY
Tom Green
The highly unusual Canadian comic, rapper and Drew Barrymore-marrying shockster pops in for surreal standup. Jan. 14, 8 and 10:30 p.m. $ 26.55 Yuk Yuk's, 224 Richmond St. W., 416-967-6425.
The Soaps: The Live Improvised Soap Opera
Stop them if you've heard this one before – but, of course, you haven't heard anything like it. A strong cast of improvisers make it up on the spot for an unscripted melodrama set in Smalltown, Ontario, where a local radio station is in peril. Thursdays, 8 p.m. (pay what you think). Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540.
LITERARY AND LECTURE
Julie Weiss
Does this dress make me look Oscar-y? The busy Hollywood costume designer talks about her life, creative process and the wars of the wardrobe room. Jan. 14 . 8 p.m. $28 to $40. Bell TIFF Lightbox, 350 King St. W., caftcad.com/learning.
Juliette Lewis
"Hi Juliette, big fan. Um, what was it like to ride around the shoulders of Rodney Dangerfield while screaming like a banshee in Natural Born Killers?" The interesting actress (and rock star) discusses a career that's found her in the famous films of directors Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Oliver Stone, among others. Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m. $15 to $18.75. Bell TIFF Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433.
Christian Holstad
The distinctive and provocative New York and Cologne-based artist Christian Holstad, who is part of the current Power Plant group exhibition Coming After, speaks about his labour-intensive work, which includes sculptural installation, collage, drawing, and textiles. It's all marked by humour amidst pathos, with a warm kindliness toward discarded and homespun materials. Jan. 18, 7 p.m. $6. 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4949.
EVENT
Bedlam: All Girl Pillow Fight Revue
Female competitors go (goose) down for the count at an evening that says yes to head shots and bar shots both. Jan. 14, 10 p.m. $15 – $20. Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., bedlampillowfighting.com.
Toronto International Boat Show
All but Somali pirates are welcome at a ship-shape event of indoor wakeboarding, water sports, seminars, fishing tips and, you bet, boats. To Jan 22. $12 to $22. Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, torontoboatshow.com.
Shirley's Dirty Bingo
If you prefer your simplistic communal games of chance to be rollicking and R-rated, a saucy ball-rattling host named Shirley has your number. Jan. 14, 10 p.m. Free (proceeds go to charity).Castro's Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., 416-699-8272; reservations recommended, at Shirley@shirleysdirtybingo.com.
Occupy Toronto Activist Assembly
There's nothing worse than attending a protest rally and finding that all the portable potties are, you know, occupied. A three-day conference offers discussions and lectures on mass mobilization, mob recruiting, media relations and peaceful-assembly logistics. Jan. 20 to 22. Free (donations accepted). Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, 252 Bloor St. W., pre-register at occupyto.org.
FREE
This is War
The earth-scorching general William Sherman famously said that war was hell, and not much has changed in that regard since the 1860s. Here, the star playwright Hannah Moscovitch examines the horrors of armed conflict, with modern soldier characters talking to an unseen journalist in a workshop presentation of her new topical drama. Jan 20, 21, 26 and 28, 8 p.m. (no reserved tickets). Tarragon WorkSpace, 30 Bridgman Ave.
Nerd Nite Toronto
Contrary to what a certain film franchise would have you believe, the so-called nerds of the world are not obsessed with revenge. On Thursday, the proud-and-brainy play trivia, enjoy a presentation on the history of taverns (by Christine Sismondo, author of America Walks into a Bar) and toast Bill Gates like every 10 minutes. Jan. 19, 8 p.m. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave., 416-923-8137.
FAMILY
Disney Live! – Three Classic Fairy Tales
What the production lacks in suspense – spoiler alert: They live happily ever after – is made up for in likable song, special-effect staging and warm narrative. Behold the charm of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Jan. 14 (noon, 3 and 6 p.m.) and Jan. 15 (noon and 4 p.m.). $22.20 to $90.30. Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, 855-985-5000 or disneylive.ca.
Lunar Fest
There's plenty fishy about a waterless aquarium. A giant lantern installation where artful aquatic vertebrates float and swim is a must-see component of a five-day happening that celebrates the Chinese Year of a Dragon. Jan. 20 to 24. Free, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
CONTINUING
Next Stage Festival To Jan. 15. Factory Theatre, 416-966-1062.
The Golden Dragon To Feb. 19. Tarragon Theatre, 416-531-1827.
Shen Yun To Jan. 15. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 416-248-1168.
The Penelopiad To Jan. 29. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 416-975-8555.
Kim's Convenience Young Centre, 55 Mill St., 416-866-8666.
BOOKING AHEAD
Aga Boom Jan. 22. Markham Theatre, 905-305-7469.
Joe Henry Jan. 30 Hugh's Room, 416-531-6604.
Canadian Music Week March 21 to 25. cmw.net.
Nickelback April 22 (on sale Jan. 21, 10 a.m.). Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000.
Paul Oscher April 28. Peters Players, Gravenhurst, Ont., petersplayers.com
Great Lake Swimmers June 2. Music Hall, 416-778-8163.
Foster The People June 19. Downsview Park's Meadow Site, 1-855-985-5000.
Coldplay July 23 and 24. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000.
bwheeler@globeandmail.com
Brad Wheeler