Skating at Harbourfront
ART & MUSEUMS
Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts
This is how they rolled: A custom-built, ochre-saffron Rolls-Royce Phantom II from 1934 is just part of a lavish exhibit of 200 pieces including paintings, furniture, decorative arts and jewellery belonging to opulent Indian rulers from the beginning of the 18th century to the mid-20th century. To April 3, 2011. $11 to $19.50. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648.
Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale
A fascinating event - art pieces created by stars and students alike, with their identity an enigma until the piece is purchased - is one of the most popular fundraising ideas in town, no question about it. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission (pieces cost $75). Ontario College of Art & Design, 100 McCaul St., 416-977-6000.
Heffel Fine Art Auction House
There are so many major art marts happening this week, you won't be able to swing a ping-pong paddle without coming home with a Riopelle. While his 1966 oil-on-canvas Le Sanglier is expected to fetch $300,000 at one of two Heffel auctions on Nov. 25, other big bidding on Canadian art happens on Nov. 22 (at Joyner's, 111 Bathurst St.) and one day later at Sotheby's (Royal Ontario Museum). Nov. 25, 4 and 7 p.m. Park Hyatt Hotel, 4 Avenue Rd ., 416-961-6505.
CONCERTS
Masque of the Muses
The daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus apparently inspired not only the English rock band Muse, but the arts and sciences of ancient times. From whom do we take our inspiration today? With poetry, visual art, dance, film, and a complete performance of Clérambault's cantata La Muse de l'Opéra, the Toronto Masque Theatre seeks answers. Nov. 25 to 27, 8 p.m. (7:15 p.m., pre-show chat ). $15 to $30 . Winchester Street Theatre , 80 Winchester St., 416-410-4561 .
Hannah Georges, with Royal Wood
A pair of rising singer-songwriters, for your consideration: Vancouver's Hannah Georges, who brings verve and a range of emotions to quirky folk-pop; and Toronto's Royal Wood, the well-fashioned pianist with the melodic sensibilities comparable to those of Ron Sexsmith. Enjoy. Nov 26 , 8 p.m . $15 to $35 . Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 190 Princes' Blvd, 416-870-8000.
CLUBS
Ohbijou, and Lisa Bozikovic
The local troupe, which does a dreamy, eventful sort of orchestral folk music, shares an evening with Lisa Bozikovic, a thoughtful singer-songwriter whose autumnal melodies are more persistent than they first appear to be. The concert benefits the venue, the Tranzac club. Saturday, 8 p.m . $15 to $17. 292 Brunswick Ave ., 416- 923-8137 .
Brooke Fraser
"I'll wear a demeanour made of bright pretty things." The nimble-voiced New Zealand pop star brings the sing-along cheer of her bouncy single Something in the Water and the more character-driven material of her new album Flags. Nov. 23 , 8 p.m. $20 (sold out). Opera House, 735 Queen St. E. , 416-870-8000.
Wolf Parade
Where were you in 1986? With their third album, Expo 86, Montreal's music-press heroes find inspiration in the transportation-themed Vancouver World Fair of that year. The result is an anxious, compelling work of post-punk music, but, strangely, without an ode to monorails. Nov. 26, 8 p.m . $34.50. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St ., 416-870-8000.
THEATRE
Bethune Imagined
Let's just say he made his fair share of house calls: Not only was Norman Bethune a political revolutionary and a medical pioneer, he was a man who often loved ladies. Set in 1936, a drama explores three women of the good doctor's life. To Dec. 12 . $23 to $40. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St ., 416-504-9971.
Death of a Salesman
Attention must be paid - and quickly. Soulpepper's production of a tragedy concerning a descending mediocre man and his family closes today. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m . $22 to $75.33. Young Centre, 55 Mill St. , 416-866-8666 .
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert
In a disco-loving musical, a bus bound for the Australian Outback (and Broadway, for that matter) carries a trio of gender-perplexed entertainers well beyond the thunderdome. To Jan. 2, 2011. $45 to $130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W., 416-872-1212.
Abraham Lincoln Goes to the Theatre
But, other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? In Larry Tremblay's tragicomedy Abraham Lincoln va au théâtre, two actors are hired re-enact an infamous presidential assassination. The Théâtre français de Toronto production is presented in French (Nov. 24 to 28), with English surtitles on Nov. 24, 26 and 27. $28 to $57 . Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs, 26 Berkeley St ., 416-534-6604 .
DANCE
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. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. $19 to $32. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000.
National Ballet of Canada
With George Balanchine's haunting Serenade (Tchaikovsky's Serenade in C Major for String Orchestra) and the dark-hued Dora winner Emergence, a mixed program is highlighted by the Canadian premiere of Chroma, a piece by the Royal Ballet's Wayne McGregor that includes interesting orchestrations of three songs by rock-duo the White Stripes. Nov. 24 to 28 . $24.04 to $226.87 . Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W ., 416-345-9595 .
Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold
Appearing with the Toronto-based flamenco enthusiasts of the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company is Juan Ogalla, the fine dancer who arrives from Spain. Nov. 25 to 28 . $23 to $43 . Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. , 416-973-4000 .
Loan Sharking
Six dancers from Montreal's RubberbanDance Group pay debts to b-boying and ballet in a piece strong with irreverence and athleticism. Nov. 26 and 27, 8 p.m. $20 to $33.50 . Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. ., 416-973-4000.
LECTURES AND LITERARY
Positively No Self Loathing
Some of us have such low esteem that we can't trust ourselves to make the right decision on which self-help book to purchase. Perhaps with that in mind, the artist Joy Walker transformed a bookstore's window with an installation based on recommended confidence-boosting titles. On Tuesday, the novelist Sheila Heti and theatre maverick Daniel Brooks discuss the role of self-help books. Nov. 23, 7 p.m . Free. Type Books, 883 Queen St. W. , 416-366-8973.
Munk Debate on Religion
Former British prime minister Tony Blair and the God Is Not Great author Christopher Hitchens will differ on the idea of religion as a force for good in the world. If you don't have a ticket, resolve yourself to watching it live online - $4.99 at munkdebates.com - because the event is sold out. Nov. 26 , 7 p.m . $25 to $80. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.
COMEDY
John Leguizamo
Hoo Ahh! Presenting his autobiographical one-man show Ghetto Klown, the actor reveals a long-hidden talent for imitation, including comedic likenesses of Al Pacino and other Hollywood A-listers. Saturday, 8 p.m. $65. Berkeley Street Theatre (downstairs). 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110.
Cream of Comedy
A handful of fast-rising comedic talents - they're on the laugh track, you might say - vie for the $5,000 Tim Sims Award with competing sets of standup. Sunday, 7:30 p.m . $15 . Second City, 51 Mercer St. , 416-343-0011 .
CINEMA
Look at What the Light Did Now
If Leslie Feist is singing 1-2-3-4, as her iconic song goes, the pop star may be counting the number of behind-the-scenes artists and musicians who helped on her Grammy-nominated The Reminder. A new documentary on the album and subsequent tour is screened, accompanied by a Q&A with the musician and the film's director (Anthony Seck), hosted by CBC's George Stroumboulopoulos. Nov. 21, 8:30 p.m. $20 . Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park Cir., 416-586-5797 .
Tim Burton: The Exhibition
Unlike, say, Woody Allen: The Show, a comprehensive display that charts the creative vision and process of director Tim Burton is a highly anticipated event. Curated by The Museum of Modern Art, this exhibition of drawings, puppets, costumes, storyboards and films explores the gothic fantasy and dark humour found in films such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow. Opens Nov. 26 . $15.93 to $22.75. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 416-599-8433 or tiff.net .
FUNDRAISER
It's Always Something
An annual blockbuster for Glida's Club Greater Toronto is always, well, something. Expect sketch and stand-up comedy, celebrity walk-ons, theatrical performances and this year, Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor and host Russell Peters. Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. $99 to $250. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W., 416-872-1212
FREE
Matthew Good at the MLS Cup Final
Before the things get kicking inside the stadium, pop-music icon Matthew Good gives a free concert outside. The warm-up event precedes the soccer showdown of the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas. Sunday, Concert starts at 6 p.m. (pregame celebrations, 4 to 8 p.m.). BMO Field, Exhibition Place, torontofc.ca.
Cuban Contradanzas
Flash-handed pianist Hilario Duran meets flutist Jane Bunnett at the crossroads of jazz and Havana, where they present a wide-ranging program that includes obscure Cuban folk-dance music from the 19th century. Nov. 25, noon to 1 p.m. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-363-8231.
FAMILY
Santa Claus Parade
Mom! Dad! He's coming - he just tweeted his location! The social-media friendly fat guy is all "ho-ho-ho" over his new Santa Parade iPhone App. Find out all about it at thesantaclausparade.com. Sunday, starts at 12:45 p.m. at Christie Pits, ending at St. Lawrence Market.
Beauty and the Beast
The wig-wearing guys of the riotous musical Priscilla over at the Princess of Wales aren't the only cross-dressers in town. Starring in this year's zany Ross Petty musical is Scott Thompson, the audacious Kids in the Hall comedian who takes the pants out of the pantomime. Dec. 2 to Jan. 2 (previews begin Nov. 25). $27 to $85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 416-872-5555.
UPCOMING SEASONAL EVENTS
CBC's Sounds of the Season Dec. 3. Glenn Gould Studio and in the CBC Atrium, cbc.ca.
Kenny Rogers: Christmas & Hits Dec. 3. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255.
Toronto Classical Singers: Handel's Messiah Dec. 5 Christ Church Deer Park, 416-443-1490.
Soulpepper's A Christmas Carol Dec. 6 to 30. Young Centre, 416-866-8666.
Andy Kim Christmas Show Dec. 15. Mod Club Theatre, 416-870-8000.
TSO's Messiah Dec. 16 to 21. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255.
Bowfire: Holiday Heart Strings Dec. 17. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255.
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Dec. 17 to Jan. 2. Sony Centre, 416-872-2262.
Tafelmusik's Sing-Along Messiah Dec. 19. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255.
Peaches Christ Superstar (Peaches and Chilly Gonzalez) Dec. 21. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 416-870-8000.
Disney On Ice, Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin' Road Show Jan. 14 to 16. Rogers Centre, 416-870-8000.
bwheeler@globeandmail.com