New Orford String Quartet New Orford, made up of current and former principal players of the Montreal and Toronto symphony orchestras, revels in the rapidly changing moods of Schubert’s String Quartet No. 15, a work that alternately dances and grieves, without ever losing its grip on a melody that so tugs at the heart. Find out more »
The Book Lover’s Ball If you’re the kind of person who always waits for the lower-priced paperback or routinely scours bookstore remainder displays for deals, this glitzy black-tie gala might not be for you. If, however, you can see yourself ponying up the steep ticket price for the sake of charity and the chance to mingle with dozens of notable Canadian authors, then it may be time to pick out a tux or dress. All proceeds go to the Toronto Public Library Foundation. Find out more »
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Today in Toronto: New Orford String Quartet and The Book Lover’s Ball
Literary elite gather in honour of Canadian authors for the 26th annual Writers’ Trust Gala
Writers’ Trust executive director Don Oravec and author Margaret Atwood (Image: Tom Sandler)
Forty-three of Canada’s most distinguished authors were invited to share an evening with over 400 guests last night, raising $190,000 for the Writers’ Trust of Canada. Members of the literary elite like Margaret Atwood, Lawrence Hill, Karen Connelly, Michael Lista and Jane Urquhart were presented with white medals alongside more unexpected authors, such as Fashion Television host Jeanne Beker, politician Michael Ignatieff, celebrity chef Mark McEwan, Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean and Dragons’ Den’s Kevin O’Leary. Authors were scattered throughout the space, each seated at a roundtable of paying guests—every attendee received an autographed book from their table’s author. “We’re trying to expose writers to an audience. If people meet the author, they’re more likely to not only buy the book, but also to become fans of the author,” explained executive director Don Oravec. Proceeds from the night went towards Berton House, a writers’ retreat residence, and the Woodcock Fund, an emergency fund for writers. Check out the scene in a gallery after the jump.
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Cute puppy models walked the runway for the annual Paws for the Cause gala and fashion show
Welcome to the doghouse (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
In support of the Ontario Veterinary College’s Pet Trust Fund (a charity not for snooty Forest Hill trust-fund puppies, but dedicated to advancing the health and wellbeing of companion animals), Paws For the Cause hosted their second annual fundraiser at Airship 37 near the Distillery District last night. The fundraiser included a fashion show, where models like eTalk’s Tanya Kim, Flare’s Mosha Lundström-Halbert, Degrassi stars Alicia Josipovic and Luke Bilyk, the Harbord Room’s Cory Vitiello, NKPR owner Natasha Koifman, actor Meghan Heffern and MTV’s Aliya-Jasmine Sovani wore Philip Sparks clothing and walked dog models that sported designs by Babies and Beasts. Some complaints of dogism were heard as partygoers joked that there were too many French bulldogs and not enough larger pups (of the 10 doggies, six were French bulldogs); we assume French bulldogs are a breed that actually puts up with being trotted out in dog clothes. Guests munched on treats supplied by Pusateri’s (without reservations about their recent shutdown), including satays served in dog bowls (we like a party that sticks with a theme). Up today’s “awww” factor with our puppy slideshow after the jump.
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THE SCENE: An Unforgettable Night at the sixth annual benefit for the Alzheimer Society
Maureen McTeer and Margaret Trudeau
On Wednesday night, the Four Seasons Hotel was bursting with honorary guests for the sixth annual Alzheimer Society Unforgettable Night gala in honour of all Canadians who care for someone with dementia. Mila Mulroney joked that “there’s no first wives club in Canadian politics,” and yet the room was filled with them: Gellis Turner (wife of John Turner, who was also present), Margaret Trudeau and Maureen McTeer came together in support of the cause despite their differing political views. The mixed crowd included Michael Ignatieff and wife Zsuzsanna Zsohar, Ben Mulroney and wife Jessica Brownstein, theatre community darling Louise Pitre (Mamma Mia) and actress Fiona Reid (King of Kensington), among others. Check out the scene and find out who made a special surprise performance after the jump.
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TIFF 2011 Roundup: The winners, and the losers, from this year’s installment of the Toronto International Film Festival
(Images: Christopher Drost)
Well, it’s a wrap. Some might suggest that there are no winners and losers at TIFF, and that the festival is a harmonious celebration of filmmaking and the artistic spirit. For our part, we say these people are wrong. Life is a competition, and we’ve got the goods on the stars, the parties, the neighbourhoods, the red carpet galas and the films that came out on top—and on the bottom—this year, after the jump.
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Today at TIFF: A Beginner’s Guide to Endings, Janie Jones, Frankie Knuckles and more
Our daily roundup of opening galas, parties and screenings.
• 6 p.m. Aftershock at Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
• 6:30 p.m. A Beginner’s Guide to Endings world premiere gala at Roy Thomson Hall
• 9 p.m. A Beginner’s Guide to Endings Post Screening Gala at UrbanAmish Interiors
• 9:30 p.m. Janie Jones world premiere gala at Roy Thomson Hall
• 10 p.m. At Ellen’s Age North American premiere at Bell Lightbox 3
• 11:59 p.m. Stake Land world premiere at Ryerson Theatre
• Frankie Knuckles at The Roosevelt Room Supper Club
Today at TIFF: Casino Jack, Master Kev, Louis and Anane Vega and more
Our daily roundup of opening galas, parties and screenings.
• 6:30 p.m. Casino Jack world premiere gala at Roy Thomson Hall
• 10 p.m. Music mixed by Louis and Anane Vega at Ame
• 10:30 p.m. Uncle Bonmee Who Can Recall His Lives Past North American premiere at Isabel Bader Theatre
• Master Kev with Nitin, Dirty Dale and Morgan Shim at Cobra
TIFF opening night film to feature jazz hands and hockey pucks
Three people you'd never thought you'd see together: Noah Reid, Margaret Atwood and Olivia Newton-John are all in Score: A Hockey Musical
The Toronto International Film Festival’s opening act has been announced: Score: A Hockey Musical. The selection is a welcome change from last year’s decision to open with something not Canadian and not interesting (Creation, the Charles Darwin biopic-snoozefest). Score features a whack of unusual homegrown stars, such as this list of non-actors: Nelly Furtado, Hawksley Workman, George Stroumboulopoulos, Dave Bidini (from the Rheostatics), Evan Solomon and—wait for it— Margaret Atwood, who plays herself. Noah Reid, currently hard at work on the Soulpepper stage in Jitters, plays the 17-year old protagonist catapulted to hockey celebrity by his decidedly non-athletic parents Olivia Newton-John and Marc Jordan.
The Star‘s Martin Knelman also leaked that on September 12—the Sunday after the opening—there will be a premiere of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Mordecai Richler‘s Barney’s Version.
• Knelman: TIFF chooses hockey musical for opening night [Toronto Star]
(Images: Newton-John, Alan Light; Atwood, Q TV; Reid, Gary Goddard Agency)
Today at TIFF: September 19, 2009
Our daily roundup of the most buzz-worthy opening galas, parties and screenings.
• Madonna: Truth or Dare free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, noon
• What’s Your Raashee? premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 1:30 p.m.
• The Young Victoria premiere, Visa Screening Room, 6 p.m. and Roy Thomson Hall, 8 p.m.
• Copyright Criminals: This is a Sampling Sport world premiere and free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, 7 p.m.
• Festival wrap party, Yonge–Dundas Square, 9 p.m.
Today at TIFF: September 18, 2009
Our daily roundup of the most buzz-worthy opening galas, parties and screenings.
• Don’t Look Back free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, noon
• Grandma’s Boy free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, 3 p.m.
• The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Roy Thomson Hall, 6 p.m.
• Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound premiere and free public screening with an appearance by Baez, Yonge–Dundas Square, 7 p.m.
• Max Manus premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 9:30 p.m.
Today at TIFF: September 17, 2009
Our daily roundup of the most buzz-worthy opening galas, parties and screenings.
• U2: Rattle and Hum free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, noon
• It free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, 3 p.m.
• Phantom Pain (Phantomschmerz) premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 6:30 p.m.
• Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky North American premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 9:30 p.m.
• Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky after party, Cheval, 10 p.m.
Today at TIFF: September 15, 2009
Our daily roundup of the most buzz-worthy opening galas, parties and screenings.
• Monterey Pop free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, noon
• Robin Hood free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, 3 p.m.
• Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans premiere, Ryerson Theatre, 6 p.m.
• The Private Lives of Pippa Lee premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 6:30 p.m.
• Shinan Govani’s book release party, Holt Renfrew
• Free swing-dance lessons and a live concert from Aelita with the Galaxy All-Star Orchestra in support of the Russian musical Hipsters, Yonge–Dundas Square, 7 p.m.
• Youth in Revolt premiere, Winter Garden theatre, 8:30 p.m.
• J’ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother) premiere, Isabel Bader Theatre, 9:30 p.m.
• Micmacs (Micmacs à tire-larigot) premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 9:30 p.m.
• InStyle party (possible guests include Naomi Watts, Keanu Reeves and Michael Cera), Windsor Arms
• Cinema Against AIDS Toronto benefit for Amfar (performance by Sarah McLachlin), The Carlu
• Bad Lieutenant after party (guests include Nicolas Cage), Ultra
Today at TIFF: September 12, 2009
Our daily roundup of the most buzz-worthy opening galas, parties and screenings.
• The Harder They Come free public screening, Yonge–Dundas Square, noon
• Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire showcase hosted by director Lee Daniels with a reading by the author, Yonge–Dundas Square, 4 p.m.
• Up in the Air premiere, Ryerson Theatre, 6 p.m.
• Get Low premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 6:30 p.m.
• Triage premiere, Winter Garden Theatre, 8:30 p.m.
• A Serious Man premiere, Visa Screening Room, 9 p.m.
• Solitary Man premiere, Varsity 8, 9 p.m.
• I Don Giovanni premiere, Roy Thomson Hall, 9:30 p.m.
• Harry Brown premiere party (guests include Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer), Lower Bay Station, 8 p.m.
• Solitary Man post screening party (guests include Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Edward Norton, Susan Sarandon, Mary Louise Parker and Jenna Fischer), Brant House, 10 p.m.
• Down for Life (guests include Danny Glover) post screening party, Maro, 10:30 p.m.
• Hello! Hollywood cocktail reception (guests may include Michael Douglas, Mary Louise Parker and Woody Harrelson), Birks on Bloor Street, 7 p.m.
• One X One concert (guests include Matt Damon and a performance by Mary J. Blige), Koolhaus
• Holt Renfrew party (guests include models Coco Rocha and Behati Prinsloo and a performance by The Stills), Burroughes Building
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