Toronto Dance Theatre performs Severe Clear
ART & MUSEUMS
Analogue Gallery
Opened in 2009, the relaxed Queen Street West space offers an array of music-based photography, covering such time-stopping treasures as a riveting close-up of a young Diana Ross and artful shots of concert venues, from Massey Hall to the now-demolished London Astoria. Buyers and browsers welcome. Tuesdays to Saturdays (noon to 7 p.m.) and Sundays (noon to 5 p.m.). 673 Queen St. W., 416-901-8001.
Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale
A fascinating event - art pieces created by stars and students alike, with their identity a mystery until the piece is purchased - is one of the most popular fundraising ideas in town, no question about it. A gala auction and sneak preview (Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. $150) raises dollars for the Ontario College of Art & Design. Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m . (previews, Nov. 17 to 19 ). Free (pieces cost $75). 100 McCaul St., 416-977-6000 .
CONCERTS
Vladimir Spivakov and Moscow Virtuosi
The conductor and violinist founded the renowned Russian ensemble in 1979 and he's been stringing audiences along fantastically ever since. Here, pianist Alexander Ghindin makes his Toronto debut as soloist with Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9 - the famed "Jeunehomme," which Albert Einstein compared favourably, relatively speaking, to Beethoven's famed Symphony No. 3. Nov. 18, 8 p.m . $45 to $105 . Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255 .
B.B. King
Things to see before you die: The pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, and B.B. King, the greatest ambassador the blues has ever known. The Mississippi-born elite guitarist and testifying, tuxedoed singer does two nights of whomping Delta swing. Nov. 19 and 20 , 9 p.m. $55.60 to $66.90 . Casino Rama, Rama, Ont., 416-870-8000.
CLUBS
Johnny Flynn
A British folk artist with a taste for lilting, moody ballads and more rigorous fare, the critics' darling Johnny Flynn celebrates his intriguing sophomore release Been Listening. Sunday, 9 p.m. $12.50 to $15 . Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. , 416-870-8000.
Aloe Blacc
The I Need a Dollar singer says his next album will be hip hop, but for now expect the Curtis Mayfield-meets-Marvin Gaye soul of Aloe Blaac's latest album Good Things. By turns gritty and uplifting, the tracks are uniformly addictive. Nov. 15, 9 p.m . $15 . Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St. W ., 1-888-222-6608 .
THEATRE
The Year of Magical Thinking
With the excellent Seana McKenna as the grieving "cool customer," a one-handed adaptation of Joan Didion's bestselling memoir is an event of magical acting. To Dec. 12. $22 to $44. Tarragon Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827.
Photog: An Imaginary Look at the Uncompromising Life of Thomas Smith
They're not warriors, but when the fighting starts, they're in there shooting. A world-premiere study of battlefield picture-taking, presented by the Vancouver-based multidisciplinary performers Boca del Lupo, is based on the real-life accounts of top war photographers. Nov. 17 to 20 , 8 p.m . $15 to $35. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. , 416-973-4000.
Voice-Box
Boxing, singing and gender issues make the sweet science that much more sweet. The creative team behind the a cappella sewing opera Stitch bobs, weaves and otherwise explores female aggression. Saturday (8 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). $35. Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
DANCE
Cinderella
Hmm, is that midnight standard-time or midnight daylight-savings? Before it's too late, catch the National Ballet's opulent production of the fairy tale involving a slipper-savvy prince, a volatile pumpkin and a clock-watching heroine. T o Nov. 20. $24.04 to $226.87. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595.
The Merchants of Bollywood
Globe and Mail dance critic Paul Citron absolutely vouches for what these merchants are selling, citing a dizzying array of production numbers, a spectacular stage presentation and a riot of "eye-boggling" costumes. The patented mix of Hindi-film choreography and melodrama continues this weekend with three final shows. Saturday (2 and 8 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). $25 to $102.50. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 416-872-2262.
Severe Clear
Just in time for winter, Christopher House's masterful 2000 hymn to cold and stark beauty is remounted by the Toronto Dance Theatre. Nov. 17 to 20 . $19 to $32. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W ., 416-973-4000.
Eonnagata
The story of the 18th-century French diplomat, spy and man-woman Chevalier d'Éon - talk about your double agent - cross-dresses and mixes genres with a kabuki-loving collaboration between ballerina Sylvie Guillem, theatrical visionary Robert Lepage and choreographer Russell Maliphant. Nov. 18 and 19, 8 p.m . $44 to $167.50. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E ., 416-872-2262 .
LECTURES AND LITERARY
Globe and Mail/Ben McNally Brunch
Four authors (Charlotte Gray, Roméo Dallaire, Deborah Cadbury and Arthur Ainsberg) discuss the subjects of their latest works of non-fiction. On the menu, respectively: Klondike gold-rushing, child-soldiering, chocolate wars and the discovery of insulin. Sunday, 10 a.m. $45 . King Edward Hotel, 37 King St. E ., 416-361-0032 .
Local Motion Election Hangover Party!
What motivates ordinary citizens to take action and improve their community? How do neighbours organize together? What can we do with those pesky streetwise raccoons? A book launch for Local Motion: The Art of Civic Engagement in Toronto features a panel discussion with The Globe and Mail's Kelly Grant and others. Nov. 16, 8 p.m . $5 . Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. , 416-588-0307 .
COMEDY
John Leguizamo
With his one-man show Ghetto Klown, the actor and comedian gives a high-energy account of his life - from childhood capers in Queens, N.Y., to wild anecdotes of Hollywood. To Nov. 20. 8 p.m. $65. Berkeley Street Theatre (downstairs). 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110.
Who's Your Mommy?
In benefit of mother-child reunion helpers, Adoption Support Kinship, top-notch sketch artist Teresa Pavlinek and improv ace Lisa Merchant chuckle it up with a cast of others. Nov. 18, 8 p.m. $15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 647-898-5324.
SPORT
Toronto Roller Derby
"Cause she's a roller/a high roller, baby." The rock group April Wine wasn't actually singing about those foot-wheeling, elbow-padded women, but others are fanatical indeed about the local league of ladies who go round and round. (So much so, that tickets for today's championship match are sold out.) Saturday, 6:30 p.m. $12 to $18. The Hangar, Downsview Park, 75 Carl Hall Rd., torontorollerderby.com.
CINEMA
The Man of a Thousand Songs
Closing the annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival is William MacGillivray's portrait of Ron Hynes, an oft-troubled Newfoundland troubadour with three faces and, apparently, more than 992 songs, some of which will be heard during a post-screening concert by the deep-repertoired singer-songwriter himself. Saturday, 8 p.m. $10. Workman Arts Theatre, 651 Dufferin St., 416-583-4606.
Sharktopus
When cheesy movies attack! A half-shark, half-octopus terrorizes bikini-clad beach babes in a film that features a sea-list cast. Nov. 18, 9:30 p.m. $10. Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., 416-516-2331.
EVENT
Trivia Night
There's nothing to do in Toronto on Wednesday nights for under $3 - is that your final answer? The weekly skill-testing party continues at the Drake Hotel's lounge. Nov. 17, 8 p.m. $2. 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042.
Gourmet Food & Wine Expo
Is it pronounced "clah-motto" or "clah-mato"? Find out at the Mott's-sponsored Caesar school, part of the 16th annual eat, drink and meet. Nov. 19 to Nov. 21 (special preview night, Nov. 18, $35). Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., 866-414-0454, ext. 350 or foodandwineexpo.ca.
FREE
Four Seasons Centre
Trinidad-born master of the steelpan, Mark Mosca, offers bang for the buck on Tuesday, while the chamber-music bright-lights of the Royal Conservatory's Young Artists Performance Academy reveal their promise on Wednesday. Nov. 17 and 18, noon to 1 p.m. 145 Queen St. W., 416-363-8231.
Moose Show
Nothing says fine craft like a giant elk-like beast. Works in metal, glass, textile and pottery fill the CBC's spacious atrium. Nov. 18 to 20. 250 Front St. W., mooseshow.com
FAMILY
Xstrata Ensemble Studio
Performed by training performers and presented by the Canadian Opera Company, a pair of child-friendly operas ( Isis and the Seven Scorpions, 1 p.m.; Cinderella, 3:30 p.m.) are part of an afternoon of workshops and post-show chit-chats. Saturday. $10 to $15. Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, 227 Front St. E., 416-363-8231 or coc.ca.
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
New this year is the Woof & Hoof, which sounds like the absolute worse pub name ever, but is actually an event of ponies and pooches who run around barrels and do other essential barnyard things. Part of the Fair's famous horse show, the Woof & Hoof happens Sunday (1 p.m.). To Sunday. $18.75 to $22.75. Exhibition Place, 210 Princes' Blvd., 416-263-3400 or royalfair.org.
A Year with Frog and Toad
A musical for kids up to Grade 5, based upon the books of Arnold Lobel, follows a cheerful frog and a grumpy toad - he's hopping mad! - as they sing and dance their way through four seasons. Nov. 18 to Dec. 19. $10 to $20. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front St. W., 416-862-2222.
BOOKING AHEAD
Santa Claus Parade Nov. 21. thesantaclausparade.com.
Sotheby's Important Canadian Art Nov. 23 Royal Ontario Museum, 416-926-1774.
One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale Nov. 25 to Dec. 5. Exhibition Place, oneofakindshow.com.
Show Wolf Parade Nov. 26. Sound Academy, 416-870-8000.
Cuff the Duke Nov. 26. Horseshoe Tavern, 416-870-8000.
Tim Burton: The Exhibition Opens Nov. 26. TIFF Bell Lightbox, tiff.net.
Usher Nov. 29. Air Canada Centre, 416-870-8000.
André-Philippe Gagnon Dec 1 to 5. Canon Theatre, 416-872-1212.
Toronto Classical Singers: Handel's Messiah Dec. 5 Christ Church Deer Park, 416-443-1490.
bwheeler@globeandmail.com