Laura Mennell in Tear the Curtain!
ART & MUSEUMS
Joanne Tod: Invited Invasion
She's like a ceramist in a china shop. The local artist, who describes herself as "realist-based," offers new works on vitreous china, presented alongside the pieces from the Gardiner's historical collections that inspired them. To Nov. 11 (artist's tour, Oct. 16, 6 p.m., $10 to $15). $6 to $12. Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen's Park, 416-586-8080.
Josef Sudek: The Legacy of a Deeper Vision
It has been said the the black-and-white photographs of Josef Sudek ( (1896-1976) are so loaded with expression that they almost shed tears onto the floor. Mind the puddles, and take in the first-ever Canadian retrospective of the poetic Prague-pic specialist. To April 7, 2013. $11 to $19.50. Art Gallery of Ontario 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648.
CLUBS
Declan O'Donovan
Here comes the Yukon native, who does bluesy-bohemian piano things on his new self-titled album. He reminds some of Tom Waits or Joe Henry, and others of Julian Fauth, the local avant boogie-woogie specialist who guests at this show. Oct. 9, 9:30 p.m. $7. Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W., 416- 703-0811.
Joss Stone
The bare-footed, blue-eyed, big-voiced alto from Dover, Kent, is into retro soul. The Soul Sessions Volume 2, her new album of covers, represents a welcome comeback and includes record-crate-robbing nuggets previously done by Eddie Floyd, Sylvia Robinson and Womack & Womack. Oct. 9, 8 p.m. $32.50 to $55. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 1-855-985-5000.
CONCERTS
Tafelmusik
When Mount Vesuvius wasn't wreaking hell and havoc, baroque Naples enjoyed a healthy music scene. In that spirit, early music specialists Tafelmusik team with the Vesuvius Ensemble for Bella Napoli, a program of elegant concertos, comic arias and earthy South-Italy street songs. Oct. 11 to 13 (8 p.m.) and Oct. 14 (3:30 p.m.), $36 to $85. Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W., 416-964-6337.
Robi Botos and Friends
The pianist Robbie Botos, a bright light on the local jazz scene, sits in for a reunion of saxophonist Branford Marsalis's original quartet, a band he grew up in Budapest idolizing. Botos replaces the late Kenny Kirkland for the group's first live performance in more than a decade. Oct. 12, 8 p.m. $35 to $150. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208.
THEATRE
Tear the Curtain!
Two of Vancouver's top creative minds - Jonathon Young and Kevin Kerr - have written a thriller about a mob-based clash between theatre and film interests that took place in the age of Art Deco. In an earlier run in Vancouver, the Globe's Michael Harris found that director Kim Collier ably guided the audience through a highly complex juggling act involving "sumptuous" film noir (on a massive screen) and live theatre. Oct. 9 to 20 (preview, Oct. 7). $24 to $99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E., 416-368-3110 or canadianstage.com.
La Cage aux Folles
The Tony-winning revival stars the mahogany-colored George Hamilton in a musical about drag-show shenanigans and glitzy nightclub happenings. Oct. 10 to Nov. 18. $45 to $107. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., 416 872-1212 or mirvish.com.
Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare
They check in, and then they check out. A black comedy by Winnipeg's Adam Brazier concerns a a 19th-century Scottish boarding house where serial killing turns guests into medical school cadavers. October 12 to 28 (previews begin Oct. 9). $49 to $69. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., 416 872-1212 or mirvish.com.
DANCE
Dichterliebe: The Poet's Love
Sixteen choreographies created by dancers, playwrights, architects and others make up a night of cabaret-style diversions. Performed by Laurence Lemieux (with singer Alexander Dobson and pianist Jeanie Chung), the program celebrates the naming of the Mimi Herrndorf Studio Theatre. Oct. 10 to 13, 8 p.m. $25 to $35. The Citadel, 304 Parliament St., 416-364-8011 or colemanlemieux.com.
Departure 00:00
An hour-long program of contemporary and traditional African dance features three new works by Lua Shayenne, including War Child, based on the story of child soldiers. Oct. 11 to 13 (8 p.m.) and Oct. 14 (5 p.m.). $30. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington St., 416-915-6747 or lowerossingtontheatre.com.
COMEDY
How do you get to New York? Fund-raise, fund-raise, fund-raise. The whimsical wordsmith Sean Cullen, the tweet-happy, knee-slapping comic Debra Digiovanni and the magician Incredibrent help the cash-strapped Fratwurst troupe make it to the New York Sketch Comedy Festival. Oct. 9, 9 p.m. PWYC. Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., 416-596-1908.
LITERATURE & LECTURE
Toronto Book Awards Gala
Did you know that wherever Matt Galloway goes, the insanely rhythmic Metro Morning theme music follows him? Be that as it may, the book-loving CBC radio host will be on hand with the shortlisted authors (Dave Bidini, Andrew J. Borkowski, Farzana Doctor, Michele Landsberg and Suzanne Robertson), to announce the winner of this year's local literature prize. Oct. 11, 7 p.m. (reception, 6 p.m.) Free. Toronto Reference Library,789 Yonge St., 416-393-5577.
FILM
Dial M For Murder
We haven't seen a scissor scene this scary since our mother cut our bangs with dull blades back in the day! The classic Hitchcock rotary-dial thriller is revived in a new, eye-popping 3-D digital restoration. To Oct. 11. $10.50 to $15. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433.
FAMILY
HarbourKIDS: Folk
Seeking to entertain and educate a new generation of folk-art aficionados, Harbourfront Centre brings old-timey country group the Cowgirl Choir, the indie-popsters the Elwins and the energetic folk-pop duo Sunparlour Players for a festival that also includes the hands-on fun of weaving, quilting and urban knitting. To Oct. 8. Free. 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
I On the Sky
Acrobatics, storytelling and colourful visuals are part of what Montreal's Dynamo Theatre calls its "enormously theatrical production," involving a young runaway and a woman disorientated by a storm. Oct. 9 to 21. $10 to $20. Young People's Theatre, 165 Front St. E., 416-862-2222 or youngpeoplestheatre.ca.
CONTINUING
Pro Arte DanzaTo Oct. 6. Fleck Dance Theatre, 416-973-4000.
Toronto International Antiquarian Book FairTo Oct. 14. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, torontoantiquarianbookfair.com.
COC's Il TrovatoreTo Oct. 31. Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231.
COC's Die Fledermaus.To Nov. 3 Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231.
Sister ActTo Nov. 4. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 416-872 1212.
BOOKING AHEAD
Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics and PaintingOct. 20 to Jan. 20. Art Gallery of Ontario, 416-979-6648.
John LegendNov. 3 (postponed). Massey Hall, 416-872-4255.
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandNov. 10 to 25. Four Seasons Centre, 416-345-9595.
Snow White: The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical!Nov. 23 to Jan. 5. Elgin Theatre, 1-855-599-9090.
Lady GagaFeb. 8 (sold out) and Feb. 9. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000.
Brad Wheeler