PERFORMANCES
Brian Skerry, Ocean Soul: Photographing the Underwater World for National Geographic (Tonight-Tuesday): National Geographic Live returns to Roy Thomson Hall for the second in this series of four speaker events. Canadian photographer Brian Skerry, has spent more than 10,000 hours underwater learning and photo-documenting this mysterious world. Like the last presentation at Roy Thomson Hall from National Geographic (by photographer and filmmaker, Mattias Klum), the evening features prepared remarks and a showcase of the speaker’s work as well a Question and Answer session. Just last month, Boston Magazine had the opportunity to ask some questions and get some answers in this interview – check it out.
Bon Iver (Tonight-Tuesday & Wednesday): Bon Iver, who was just nominated for no less than four Grammy Awards (see Accolades, below) returns to town this week with two shows at Massey Hall. Lianne La Havas also performs on these nights – if you’re one of those do your homework in advance types, check out her website for a snapshot of her lovely music. We’re very much looking forward to a proper introduction (i.e. from the stage of Massey Hall) tonight and tomorrow.
Tori Amos (Thursday): Tori Amos performs at Massey Hall this week and we’re excited to see and hear what she’s been up to with her latest recording, Night of Hunters. You can read all about the project, a bit of a departure from the pop world and into the classical, in this weekend’s Globe and Mail. Rolling Stone has a CONTINUE READING >
Nicole Cabell (Friday): The lovely Nicole Cabell returns to Roy Thomson Hall with accompanist Spencer Myer. When she performed at Roy Thomson Hall in March 2009, John Terauds (of the Toronto Star) called the show “the kind of love-in usually reserved for the world’s great divas” and he declared that she had “a natural musicality that caresses pleasing shapes out of musical phrases, a warm presence.” The soprano takes the stage this Friday evening – it’s your chance to hear this magnificent voice again or for the first time.
Lizz Wright (Sunday): The sultry-voiced Lizz Wright performs at Glenn Gould Studio this weekend. In a recent New York Daily News article, Wright is differentiated from the “melisma-mad” (think Christina Aguilera’s take on Aretha Franklin this weekend). In the article, Wright is quoted: “I let the song guide me… I move through the space that I’m given, rather than trying to make an impression on the material. I’m curious to learn from the music.” We can’t wait to learn from you this Sunday!
Chelsea Handlerwith special guest Chris Fanjola (Saturday): Funny lady Chelsea Handler’s star continues to shine brighter still: in October, her show on E!, Chelsea Lately, reached 600 episodes; just last month she was given her own publishing imprint called Borderline Amazing/A Chelsea Handler Book (and that’s after writing three bestsellers); and that’s not to mention she is #33 on the Forbes list of 100 Most Powerful Women. Check her out in person this Saturday at Massey Hall.
Canadian Brasswith special guest Quartetto Gelato (Monday): Canadian Brass has been an institution since their inception in 1970 (see above clip!) and they return to the Roy Thomson Hall stage on Monday with their holiday show promising “festive favourites, treasured classics, and mischievous hijinks.” The second half of the concert will include collaboration with special guests Quartetto Gelato. Winner of the 2010 Indie Award for Favourite Classical Artist/Group, Quartetto Gelato just released their new album The Magic of Christmas.
ACCOLADES
Everybody is talking about how the Arcade Fire got some Grammy nominations (you can read about that over at Pitchfork , or Chartattack or Exclaim! if you prefer your music news to be CanCon). We’re also excited to see that the following folks scored some nominations: CONTINUE READING >
Chantal Kreviazuk (Tuesday): We mentioned Winnipeg-born Chantal last week because she has been selected to write, perform, and record one of the songs for CBC’s Great Canadian Song Quest, but today we mention the songstress because she returns to Massey Hall for a performance as part of her Plain Jane tour. Chantal has a heart that is anything but plain: she and her husband, Raine Maida, have done extensive work for War Child Canada, including participating in this fall’s Busking for Change event. More recently, Chantal recorded a song with other Canadians for compilation album War Child 10 called “People Have the Power.”
Il Divo (Friday): Il Divo takes the stage at Roy Thomson Hall, just after releasing their latest last Tuesday: a CD/DVD set entitled An Evening With Il Divo: Live in Barcelona. This performance in Toronto could well give Barcelonaa run for its money. Who needs romantic Spain anyway, when the sweet sounds of these gentlemen singing live are right here at home? CONTINUE READING >
Soundboard is the official community of musicians, music fans, and friends of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada. It’s your behind-the-scenes source for related music news, recommendations, and rewards.
