PERFORMANCES Jim Gaffigan (Saturday): Jim Gaffigan hits the Massey Hall stage this weekend in what’s sure to be a very funny evening. You may know Gaffigan from his appearances on late night shows with David Letterman and Conan O’Brien but my personal fave was his guest appearance as the loveable, if odd, best friend to Murray on Flight of the Conchords (recall his initial introduction to Murray’s “newly added friends” Bret and Jermaine over barbeque). Check out the embedded video above for some of Gaffigan’s more classic stand-up, this time on the topic of camping from his perspective (he notes that he is “what you would call indoorsy”).
Spencer Wells, Deep Ancestory: Inside The Genographic Project (Monday): The third presentation in this year’s new National Geographic Live series, Spencer Wells is a Population Geneticist who is currently taking it upon himself to create a “detailed, genetically-based map of human migration.” Seriously impressive stuff, right? (Makes your victory dance about the accomplishment of finally cleaning the attic this weekend seem a bit lacklustre, doesn’t it?). You can read all about the project here and learn about how you can participate by doing a cheek swab to “reveal your deep ancestry” here.
PERFORMANCES Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Creole Christmas: (Thursday): Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns to Roy Thomson Hall on Thursday night with their special holiday concert, Creole Christmas. The legendary band is celebrating its 50th anniversary in style in the new year with a special concert at Carnegie Hall featuring the likes of My Morning Jacket, Allen Toussaint, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Mos Def (via Consequence of Sound) – that’s some fine company. Check them out at Roy Thomson Hall this week and also be sure to read this LA Times article on the musical influences of band leader Ben Jaffe.
Toronto Children’s Chorus: A Chorus Christmas – Mystery of the Season (Saturday): An annual tradition at Roy Thomson Hall, the voices of the Toronto Children’s Chorus fill the Hall to the brim with joy this weekend. This year’s concert features the premiere of a Maori song with percussion and special guests True North Brass accompanying the chorus. You can hear (and see) a group of 35 of the 300 singers this Thursday afternoon at 4:20pm when they perform live (and video stream) at The New Classical 96 FM.
JUST ANNOUNCED
Last week we announced two shows coming up in the spring. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings will perform at Massey Hall on Wednesday March 21, 2012 in their show titled, Kings and Queens Live. The show will include appearances from and collaborations with a variety of women (or “Queens”) including Holly Cole, Amy Helm, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Serena Ryder and more. The Rodeo Kings new album, Kings and Queens, released in June 2011 features duets from the likes of Lucinda Williams, Roseanne Cash, Serena Ryder, to name a few. You can stream the tracks on the band’s site.
Also announced last week is a performance from Dala (in celebration of their forthcoming album, Best Day) with special guest Kevin Fox. Dala, comprised of duo Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine, are JUNO Award CONTINUE READING >
PERFORMANCES Classic Albums Live, The Band: The Last Waltz (Friday): If you haven’t yet had the chance to see a Classic Albums Live show, what a fantastic time to start! Classic Albums Live presents albums, “note-for-note, cut-for-cut” live, each show with a fantastic hand-crafted band for that recording. This Friday brings to Massey Hall an aural re-creation of The Band’s epic concert recording (and film) masterpiece, The Last Waltz, on the evening of the original event’s 35th anniversary.
Justin Rutledge (Friday): We’re delighted that one Justin Rutledge will appear on the Glenn Gould Studio stage this Friday night and you should be too: his latest album, The Early Widows, was produced by Hawksley Workman and one of the tracks was co-written by canonized Can-lit icon Michael Ondaatje. For a complete Justin Rutledge-themed evening, check out CBC Radio 3 to try your hand at Mr. Rutledge’s Pear and Gorgonzola Linguine recipe. Saturday Saints start the night as Special Guests – you can check out their MySpace page here.
Women’s Blues Revue (Saturday): This weekend also brings to Massey Hall the Toronto Blues Society’s 25th annual Women’s Blues Revue. As usual, the performers on the bill are top notch – this year the show features Shakura S’Aida, Suzie Vinnick, Kat Danser, Ada Lee, Emma-Lee, and Treasa Levasseur. The Women’s Blues Revue Band backs the evening and includes, among other talented folk, Brandi Disterheft, who also performs solo at Glenn Gould Studio this February. Can’t wait until Saturday? Watch Ada Lee discuss why she is looking forward to the event, here – and check the live recording from last year’s event over on CBC Concerts on Demand.
It’s another busy week in The Buzz, friendly readers. See below for all the good stuff coming up this week.
PERFORMANCES I Believe (Tonight – Tuesday): Last week, award-winning Canadian composer Zane Zalis posted on Soundboard about his experience composing the music and writing lyrics for this work in its Toronto Debut Performance tonight. The work, a “90-minute Holocaust oratorio for today’s generation, written in 12 movements” promises a “non-religious humanitarian story” that will compel us to reflect on both our history and our future.
Tyler Duncan (Thursday): Baritone Tyler Duncan performs with pianist Erika Switzer in the first edition of our new Canadian Voices vocal recitals series at Glenn Gould Studio. Duncan and Switzer recently visited the New Classical 96 FM Lobby Studio for a performance and interview. You can check it out on the Classical TV website (just click the Tyler Duncan option in the library at the bottom of the page) for a taste of what a treat we’re in for this Thursday.
Liza Minnelli (Friday): Liza Minnelli triumphantly returns to Roy Thomson Hall this week in what we’re sure will be an utterly fantastic performance. Minnelli has an impressive CV with both Oscar and Tony declaring her seriously talented not to mention accolades from the Golden Globes, the Emmy Awards, and the Grammy Awards. You can check out video on our event page (just click “video” under the photo) in preparation for the big night on Friday.
Bahamas with Special Guest Doug Paisley (Thursday): Bahamas arrives at Glenn Gould Studio this Thursday for a performance sure to impress. His raw yet sweet songwriting makes him a real diamond in the rough – see for yourself in this recent In-Studio performance over at National Post’s Ampersand. Special bonus: Roots-folkster Doug Paisley is Special Guest for the evening – for a taste, check him out over on NPR Music or on Myspace.
Royal Wood with Special Guest Hannah Georgas (Friday): You loved him last year in his stellar performances at Glenn Gould Studio, this year we bring the charismatic and innovative singer-songwriter to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (on the grounds of the CNE) for a presentation that will knock your argyle socks off. Super fun extra: Hannah Georgas appears as Special Guest on the bill. You can check each of them out in advance at their (individual) Concerts on Demand over on CBC – Royal Wood (at our own show at Glenn Gould Studio) is here and Hannah Georgas can be heard performing live at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver here or as part of this year’s CBC Radio Song Questhere.
Barenaked Ladies with Special Guest Jenn Grant (Friday): Barenaked Ladies, a part of the Canadian music tapestry, perform at Massey Hall this Friday. Their new album, All In Good Time, is their first as a four-piece and has been met with mass critical acclaim. Of their latest material and recent performances, Ed Robertson says “It’s a little more raw and rough. It’s a little more rock. Yeah, I think there’s a little more space for everybody to step out and shine.”. Ed Robertson, Tyler Stewart, Kevin Hearn, and Jim Creeggan (the four-piece BNL) welcome as their special guest, the charming Jenn Grant (who performed at Glenn Gould Studio last year).
Women’s Blues Revue (Saturday): This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Toronto Blues Society who present with us the Women’s Blues Revue, now in its 24th year. It must be said, there are some seriously amazing women in blues here in Canada and we are so proud to be a part of celebrating that and invite you to join us for the party! Here’s a really neat thing: Rita Chiarelli, performing in this year’s Revue, recently took a “pilgrimage to the birthplace of the blues” – Angola Maximum Security Prison. Bruce MacDonald directs a compelling documentary about her determined journey called Music From the Big House, check out the site for more details and the trailer here.
Bellydance Superstars: Bombay Bellywood(Monday): The Bellydance Superstars will take over the Queen Elizabeth Theatre next Monday with their energetic take on “fusion” bellydancing. Featuring the company’s first male dancer, Samir (formerly of Cirque du Soleil), and a cast of brilliant female dancers “[d]ecked out in yards of swirling silky Technicolor-hued fabric,” the bellydancers bring to Toronto their interpretation of Bollywood dancing in what promises to be a performance full of life, beauty, and creative expression.
JUST ANNOUNCED
In the spring we announced that soprano Angela Gheorghiu would be gracing the Roy Thomson Hall Stage on April 7, and now we are thrilled to announce the full complement that will join her – Conductor Steven White and none other than the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra. The concert – a program of opera arias – is the long-awaited Toronto debut of Ms. Gheorghiu and is sure to be a beautiful night of music.
Maceo Parker takes the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on February 10. Parker has musical history with James Brown, George Clinton, and Bootsy’s Rubber Band. This is one funky show that is not to be missed. The sultry Lizz Wright is set to deliver her signature R&B at Glenn Gould Studio – including material from her new album – on February 20.
We’re thrilled to let you know that The Wilderness of Manitoba will be the very special guest of one Jenn Grant this Thursday evening at Glenn Gould Studio. The Wilderness of Manitoba has been compared to Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver – which, if you ask me, is quite a compliment. The folks out there in the blogosphere are pretty excited about this group too: just take a look at It’s Not the Band I Hate It’s Their Fans, who put the group on their list of Top Ten Hottest Canadian Bands 2009, and North by East West. Between the recent mad props for The Wilderness of Manitoba and Jenn Grant’s Music Nova Scotia loot (she recently won Fem
ale Artist Recording for her latest, Echoes), this show is going to be a guaranteed good time. CONTINUE READING >
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