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Torontowide Christmas And Holiday Guide - with a few unrelated items of interest to spice up your holidays (Cont'd)
Toronto Symphony Orchestra:
Toronto's Favourite Messiah :: It wouldn't be the
holiday season without Handel's Messiah – performed with matchless spirit by the TSO! This year the immortal oratorio masterwork is in the hands of conductor Noel Edison, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and a stellar
quartet of Canadian singers.
As always, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir will participate in the Messiah, and the stellar cast of Canadian vocalists - all making their TSO debuts - are: soprano Gillian Keith,
mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, tenor Frédéric Antoun, and bass Robert Gleadow.
Dec. 16, Dec. 17, Dec. 19 & Dec. 20 @ 8:00 PM Dec. 21
@ 3:00 PM Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. | Tickets: $35 - $99 Phone: 416 597-7840 or to order online, please click
Soweto Gospel Choir Christmas Tour
:: Two-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir
thrilled sold-out audiences on each of their previous visits in 2005 and 2007. Their first North American Christmas tour is not to be missed – these return performances will include their newest holiday offerings as
well as traditional favourites!
Expect earthy rhythms, rich harmonies, a cappella numbers as well as accompaniment by an exciting four-piece band and percussion section. Add energetic dancing and vibrant,
colourful costumes, and the mix is awesome. The Choir performs in six of South Africa's 11 official languages.
The popular Choir has made its mark on the international stage performing with such luminaries as
Bono, The Eurythmics, Jimmy Cliff and many others. They have also performed for Nelson Mandela. Often referred to as the "Voices from Heaven", the Choir reaches across cultural boundaries and each performance is
uplifting, exhilarating and thrilling.
Dec. 17 & Dec. 18 Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. | Tickets: $18 - $78 Phone: 416 872-4255 or to order online
click here
Nathaniel Dett Chorale:
An Indigo Christmas ::
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, twenty-one classically-trained outstanding vocalists led by Founder and Artistic Director Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, presents AN INDIGO CHRISTMAS and will be joined by a live band and members of the York University Gospel Choir to perform
Great Joy, along with other favorite Christmas songs in the classical style.
The Gemini-award winning The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada's first professional choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music
of all styles, including classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues. These multi-faceted vocalists have performed at events honouring world leaders Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Muhammad Ali and
recently returned from France where they had been invited to participate at Polyfollia 2004: An International Showcase for Choir Singing.
Founder Brainerd Blyden-Taylor named The Chorale after internationally
renowned African-Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943), who was dedicated to the cause of Black music. Blyden-Taylor established The Chorale to draw attention not only to Dett's legacy, but also to the wealth
of African choral music, and to create a professional chorale group where young singers of African heritage could see themselves represented in the majority.
Dec. 17 & Dec. 20
@ 8:00 PM Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W. (CBC) | Tickets: Phone: 416 205-5555 or order online by clicking here
Tafelmusik: Handel's Messiah
::
An intimate Christmas performance of this baroque masterpiece and a moving experience in the style and spirit of Handel's own productions. This is one of Tafelmusik's most popular concerts, always drawing rave review from critics and patrons alike.
Dec. 17 - Dec. 20 @ 7:30 PM Trinity-St. Paul Centre, 425 Bloor St. W. | Tickets: $39 - $79 Phone: 416 964-6337 or Order online by clicking here
Canadian Children's Dance Theatre:
Wintersong :: A world premiere based on a ritual
of the sun by Andrea Nann and Artistic Director Deborah Lundmark's Unquiet Dreams, based on Celtic myth and set to live Celtic music by Kirk Elliott, highlight this year's performances.
Wintersong weaves a
tapestry of Native, Jewish, Christian and secular mid-winter dance by such stellar choreographers as Carol Anderson, Santee Smith and Kim Frank. This celebration of solstice-inspired dances premiered to critical acclaim
in 1988 and has warmed audiences in theatres across Ontario for 21 seasons.
Dec. 19 & Dec. 20 Fleck Dance Theatre (formerly the Premiere Dance Theatre), 207 Queens Quay W.
| Tickets: $28 Phone: 416 973-4000 or order online by clicking here
For further details,
please click here
Puppetmongers Theatre: Bed & Breakfast
::
Puppetmongers' winter holiday performances have been a tradition for families and theatre-goers in Toronto since 1990. Set in an exquisitely detailed Edwardian-style dollhouse and peopled with tiny perfect servants and aristocrats,
Bed & Breakfast is a clever retelling of the fairytale classic "The Princess and the Pea," created and performed by the brother and sister team of Ann Powell and David Powell.
Under the direction of Sue Miner, Puppetmongers turns the classic fairytale on its ear when Prince Cuthbert confesses his love for under-housemaid Amy to a very displeased Queen Daphne and, on a stormy
evening, a mysterious stranger seeks refuge at Poshingham Palace. |
Dec. 20 - Jan. 1 Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgeman Ave. with matinees daily at 2:30PM, and two evening shows,
Saturday December 20 and 27 at 7PM | Tickets: $8 per child $25 for New Year's Day Gala & Party Phone: 416 531-1827
Tafelmusik: Sing-Along Messiah ::
This festive sing-along with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and Orchestra, led by a feisty Maestro Handel, is an annual tradition. The sheer joy you will feel as your voice joins a mass choir of 2,500 to sing the Hallelujah chorus may be the best Christmas gift you receive. Bring your own score, or purchase one at Massey Hall. Seating is by voice part, and non-singers are always welcome. A great outing for the whole family!
Sun. Dec. 21 @ 2:00 PM Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. | Tickets: $22 - $30 Phone: 416 872-4255 Online, click here
The Canadian Brass Holiday Concert
:: The Canadian Brass is back, in what's become an annual
holiday favourite. This concert promises festive favourites, fine new repertoire, and mischievous hijinks, so characteristic of the Brass, with special guest Eric Robertson, Juno Award-winning organist.
You'd
expect any artist with a career approaching its fourth decade to spend more time looking back than forward. Not so for the members of Canadian Brass. This pioneering quintet certainly has no shortage of past glories
upon which to reflect, but they are far, far too busy for that. Now in its 38th year, the group has always followed its heart, performing and recording the music it loves, regardless of its genre of origin. Whether
rooted in classical, opera, jazz, or pop, they tackle their chosen compositions with a potent combination of enthusiasm and technical virtuosity. The current lineup of Canadian Brass comprises Chuck Daellenbach, Gene
Watts, French horn player Jeff Nelsen, and trumpeters Joe Burgstaller and Brandon Ridenour.
Tues. Dec. 23
@ 8:00 PM Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. | Tickets: $30 - $60 Phone: 416 872-4255 or to order online, please click
Toronto Operetta Theatre: The Bird Seller
:: Charm, sentiment, romance, comedy and folklore come together
in the Tyrol, a place of enchantment where the gift of a perfect rose symbolizes the gift of your heart... willingly and forever. THE BIRD SELLER is music theatre from the best of the Golden Age of operetta with
waltzes, marches, extraordinary choral ensembles and memorable songs of great appeal.
Dec. 26, 27, 28 & 31, Jan. 2,3 & 4 Jane Mallet Theatre, 27 Front St. E. |
Tickets: $39 - $75 Phone: 416-366-7723 / 1-800-708-6754 or purchase online by clicking here
The Champagne Symphony: A Tribute To Benny Goodman
:: Virtuoso jazz clarinetist (and multi-reed player), Bob
De Angelis will be returning with his performing ensemble, "The Champagne Symphony Pops Orchestra".
For this occasion, Bob has focused on his accomplished clarinet playing, and created a special holiday
presentation, "The King of Swing" - a celebration of the music of the legendary swing-era clarinetist, Benny Goodman.
In the 1930's, the enormous breakout success of The Benny Goodman Orchestra
heralded the birth of the "Swing Era", which was a unique time in our social and musical history, earmarked by the events leading up to World War II, domination of big bands on the radio airwaves, and the
elevation of their leaders to the status of major pop stars. In 1938, Benny Goodman turned the world on its ear with a phenomenal performance at Carnegie Hall, that clearly established him as "The King of
Swing".
Last year, The Champagne Symphony raised audiences at Roy Thomson Hall to their feet with multiple standing ovations. Join virtuoso clarinetist Bob DeAngelis and fifty of Canada's premiere jazz
and classical musicians once again in a celebration of Benny Goodman's famous Carnegie Hall concert.
Dec. 31 @ 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM Roy Thomson Hall, 61 Simcoe St. | Tickets: $39 - $99 Phone: 416 872-4255
Lula Lounge: New Year's Eve Salsa Party
::
The fabulous Lady Son (Yeti Ajasin) rings in the new year with her powerful voice and muy caliente Afro-Cuban rumba/ son band.
Arriving for dinner at Lula you will be ushered into another world – part old Havana and part Sao Paolo with just a splash of Mumbai.
Have a seat overlooking our expansive red dance floor and enjoy a
Lula-style Cuba Libre or Mojito and the sounds of Bebel Gilberto, Gilberto Gil and Celia Cruz while contemplating what to choose from chef Crinson's tropical fusion menu.
At 9pm, there will be an hour-long
beginner salsa lesson so that you'll be comfortable with some basic salsa moves when the band starts at 10pm.
Salsa fans are in for a special treat when Lady Son and Articulo Veinte – lead by the powerful
vocalist Yeti Ajasin – take the stage. Influenced by the great singers of salsa, Celia Cruz, Ibrahim Ferrer, Oscar D'Leon, Hector Lovoe and Eliadas Ochoa, Lady Son brings a fresh female essence to Toronto's salsa
society. Funky base lines, adventurous trumpet, keyboard and violins backed up by hard core salsa percussion create a unique energy when combined with the Yeti's strong and assured vocals.
Dec. 31
6:00 PM until the wee hours Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ( 2 blks west of Dufferin) | Admission: $150 includes tax, tip and champagne, $50 inc. salsa lesson, without dinner. $20 midnight salsa with
Lady Son - reservation required. To reserve online, please click here
Massey Hall's 6th Annual New Year's Eve Comedy Extravaganza :: Jump-start your New Year's Eve with a comedy laugh blast curated by Yuk Yuk's funny man Mark
Breslin. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll kiss the year goodbye! Plus you'll be at your next party before the clock strikes twelve!
Featuring; Deborah DiGiovanni, Darren Frost, Irwin Barker, Steve Patterson, Roy Daye, Alison Smith, Jeff McEnery, Chuck Byrn. Sean Cullen hosts.
Dec. 31
@ 8:00 PM Massey Hall | Tickets: $39.50 - $59.50 To buy online, please click here
12th Annual Salute To Vienna
:: Salute to Vienna, inspired by Vienna's world-famous
New Year's Concert, continues to captivate capacity crowds year after year. Led by a dynamic Viennese maestro, this year's celebration features a cast of 75 musicians, singers and dancers showcasing the glorious
waltzes, polkas and songs of Johann Strauss, Jr. and his contemporaries.
Jan. 1
@ 2:30 PM Roy Thomson Hall, 61 Simcoe St. | Tickets: $55 - $130 Phone: 416 872-4255 or for online purchase, please click here
Musicians In Orcinary New Year's Day Concert: Viennese Baroque Music ::
Soprano Hallie Fishel and John Edwards, theorbo and archlute, perform music from 18th century Vienna on New Year's Day.
The music
comes from Vienna of 1700-1750, a time when much of the music was written by Italian composers. It includes cantatas and sonatas by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) and cantatas by Antonio Caldara (1670-1738), both of whom
were born in the Republic of Venice and died in Vienna.
There are also keyboard works by Austrian composer Johann Joseph Fux (1660-1741), and an unusual Sinfonia à Solo di Arciliuto for archlute and
harpsichord by an anonymous composer – a rarity for an instrument that is usually featured in solo music or as an obbligato instrument in opera, as well as a continuo.
Thurs. Jan. 1, 2009 @ 2:00
PM Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. (north of Scollard Street in Yorkville; Bay St. subway) | Tickets: $15 - $20 Phone: 416 535-9956
North American International Motorcycle Supershow
:: Features great deals on products for all types of motorcycling.
Over 400 exhibitors with more than 1000 motorcycles on display. Get information on motorcycle clubs & associations, meet racing champions, motocross and vintage displays, touring displays, wild customized
motorcycles, stage shows, live bands and special guests. The New Rider Academy features rider training seminars and demonstrations for those new to motorcycling. Kids ride area as well.
Jan. 2 - Jan. 4, 2009
International Centre, Hall 3, 6900 Airport Rd. Mississauga Tickets: Adults $18 Children (above 6 years) $5 |
