September to April

A sampling of all styles of music in a friendly and accessible environment, produced especially for families. Upcoming concerts for November & December: All for One and One for All and Cadence for Christmas. Also, enjoy post-concert refreshments of a milk beverage and cookies ... See more
 

October to May

Harbourfront Centre’s 23rd annual contemporary dance season returns with an exciting line-up from renowned Canadian and international dance. Upcoming performances for November & December: Danzahoy, Toronto Dance Theatre and BJM Danse ... See details
 

November 12 to December 31

Explore exhibition spaces showcasing local and international works in many disciplines. Upcoming exhibitions: The Suitcase Show, Untitled–Music Box Installation, Bag, Windowing, White, Equivocal Ceramics, Coupling, and Stumped or Another Tom’s Ballad …See details
 

November 19 & 20

This annual fair offers handmade Swedish crafts and traditional Christmas decorations, a Lucia pageant, folk-dancing, singing and more... See details
 

November 19 to March 12

Free skating on Canada’s largest artificially-frozen outdoor rink. Also, Learn to Skate: Session I begins on November 21 with fun-filled and safe skating classes for all ages and skill levels... See details
 

November 25 to 27

This annual festival at Harbourfront Centre is an excellent opportunity to shop for unique and unusual gifts from over 35 countries... See details
 

November 30 to March 5

Upcoming exhibitions: Simon Starling, On Kawara – Consciousness. Meditation. Watcher on the hills and Cold City Years … See details

EVENTS

DANCE

November 8 to 12
Danzahoy – Celebrating the poetic in the everyday, Danzahoy embodies the open, culturally diverse society of Venezuela with their uniquely expressive style. In the nostalgic Exodo, we find that the bittersweet spirit of the tango is never far away. Warm and sad, scratchy like an old vinyl record, Exodo speaks of lost souls, the nature of love and the eternal search for meaning in the face of oblivion.

November 22 to 26
Toronto Dance Theatre – The Toronto Dance Theatre joins forces with alt-pop sensations The Hidden Cameras for a brand new production. The audience is guaranteed to be on its feet in this joyful, edgy, high energy riot of dance and music. Called "a match made in heaven" by Carl Wilson of The Globe and Mail, TDT’s first collaboration with The Hidden Cameras was completely sold out.

December 6 to 10
BJM Danse – Canadian choreographic sensation Crystal Pite’s The Stolen Show is an irreverent sketchbook of movement set on the dynamic and sexy dancers of BJM Danse. After 32 years as Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, this reinvigorated company really shows us what they’ve got with a trio of dance works that are part homage and part parody, full of theatrical invention and sparkling with witty irreverence.

DanceSpeak – A post show Q&A allows audience members to interact with the choreographer and company members and learn more about the creative process of dance. DanceSpeak is held on the second evening of each company’s performance run. Sponsored by Dance Current and hosted by a variety of dance journalists.

Upcoming performances: Danny Grossman Dance Company, January 25 to 28; Julia Sasso dances, January 31 to February 4; Pappa Tarahumara, February 14 to18; Tero Saarinen Company, March 14 to 18; Grupo Corpo, March 21 to 25; Stan Won’t Dance, March 30 to April 1; Toronto Dance Theatre, April 4 to 8; Ronald K. Brown, April 18 to 22; Dancemakers, April 25 to 29 and May 3 to 6 and Cas Public, May 25 to 27 (Part of the Milk International Children’s Festival of the Arts.)

Mi Young Kim Dance: So Ryu Festival presents Roots Revitalized – November 3 to 5 – Premiere Dance Theatre -- For information and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

Newton Moraes Dance Theatre presents City of Gold – November 9 to 12, 8 p.m. – Harbourfront Centre Theatre – For information and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

DanceWorks presents Louise Bédard – Ce qu’il en reste – November 18 & 19 – Harbourfront Centre Theatre – For information and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company – December 2 to 4 – Premiere Dance Theatre –For information and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

HARBOURKIDS

HARBOURFRONT CENTRE LEARNING

School Visits – September 13 to June 23, weekdays – Open to visiting school groups, School Visits provides a unique lakefront adventure for students from kindergarten to high school. Students gain firsthand experience with strong curriculum links and clear expectations in urban studies by discovering Toronto= s waterfront and Island environment, Chinatown and Kensington Market, Mapping and Orienteering, Government Study, Towers and Tunnels; visual arts programmes include mask-making, drawing, painting, clay work, weaving, collagraphy and more. Returning this season: Orienteering at the Toronto Music Garden, an opportunity to explore art and nature; Food, the Marketplace, and You, a chance to visit the St. Lawrence Market and the Redpath Sugar Museum; Discover the Waterfront Aquatic Habitats; Taking Flight, learn the characteristics of flying and Make and Skate, a combination of visual art and skating, on the Natrel Skating Rink at Harbourfront Centre. Make and Skate takes place only in January and February. Workshops with Harbourfront Centre’s Performing Arts and Literary departments are available. Programme cost for a full day is only $9 per student or $7 per student for a half-day. Registrar: 416-973-4091.

NEW! Learning for Living – October to May – Harbourfront Centre is pleased to offer Learning for Living, an exciting new programme that provides adults with lifelong learning opportunities by offering diverse programmes in all areas of contemporary culture. Courses include Acting for the Terrified, The Book Club, Design for Set & Stage, The Diner’s Club, Flamenco Dance, Joking Around: the Art of Play, and Life Drawing. Learning for Living also offers a singles programme where adults can meet and mingle while skating, cooking or learning the art of improv comedy. The new programme offers different types of courses: series courses over a period of time, one day workshops, weekend workshops and drop-in courses. In August, course details will be available on our website at harbourfrontcentre.com. Registration begins on August 22. To register, the public can call 416-954-6114 or register on-line. Please register at least one week in advance of course start date. Some courses require minimum number of registrants. Costs vary.
 

LITERARY

November 21 - Joan Didion
 

MARINE

Nautical Centre – Sailing, canoeing and kayaking adventures begin at the Nautical Centre. Instruction, charters, rentals, camps and clubs for all ages and abilities are available. For more information the public can contact Queens Quay Yachting Inc. at 416-203-3000; Queens Quay Disabled Sailing Program at 416-214-0358; or the Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak School at 416-203-2277.

MUSIC

Art of Time in association with Harbourfront Centre presents American Song – November 4 & 5 – Harbourfront Centre Theatre – A ‘hybrid’ ensemble comprised of Canada’s best classical and jazz musicians will perform vocal and instrumental works from the American song book, including pieces by Oscar Levant, Cole Porter, Charles Ives, Tom Waits and Leonard Bernstein, arranged by Canada’s foremost musicians. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

Music with Bite B selected Sundays, 1 p.m. B York Quay Centre B Music with Bite, a co-production with Jeunesses Musicales of Ontario, is designed to bring families to Harbourfront Centre and give them the opportunity to sample music of all styles in a friendly and accessible format. All the artists selected to perform at the concerts bring an element of interactivity, education and entertainment to their programmes. Each performance includes a post-concert Natrel milk beverage and cookies. Admission is free. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit harbourfrontcentre.com.

November 13 - All for One and One for All – A theatrical performance by four young string players, who are all nervous and competitive as they auditions for the World Orchestra at the King’s palace. As they begin to play for each other, their love for music triumphs over their competitive differences. The repertoire stretches from Dvorak to the Beatles.

December 18 - Cadence for Christmas – This formidable foursome has been celebrating their unique blend of harmony, instrumental imitation and high-energy audience participation across North America. They have the ability to create a full range of instrumental and vocal sounds using only their voices as a tool. The quartet illustrates that the voice is the most versatile of all instruments in a programme of Christmas favourites.

Toronto All-Star Big Band – November 27 – York Quay Centre – For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

RECREATION

Learn to Skate: Session I – November 21 to December 11 (weather permitting) – Harbourfront Centre offers fun-filled and safe skating classes for all ages and skill levels, instructed by our qualified staff. Small classes provide a comfortable setting for learning new skills. Classes available for adults are: Absolute Beginners, Refresher, Advanced and Learn at Lunch. For children: Parent and Tot, Kinderskate, Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Classes costs $45-$85. To register or for more details the public can call 416-973-4093 or visit harbourfrontcentre.com after October 1.

The Natrel Skating Rink at Harbourfront Centre – November 19, 2005 to March 12, 2006 (weather permitting) – daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. except Friday and Saturday till 11 p.m. – Visitors can enjoy a free morning, afternoon or evening skate on Canada’s largest artificially-refrigerated outdoor rink while taking in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Ontario and Toronto Island. On-site skate rentals, change rooms, rental lockers and skate-sharpening are available. Also, off-site bulk skate rentals are available. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.
 

THE POWER PLANT

The Power Plant is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to the art of our time. A prominent, non-collecting exhibition facility, it is on a par with the finest international institutions and features new work by today’s best artists. Power Plant exhibitions celebrate the diverse tendencies of visual art practice as it evolves, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, installation and other media. Public programmes designed to complement the year-round exhibition programmes include gallery tours, lectures and artist/curator talks.

The Power Plant’s Fall Exhibition

Geoffrey Farmer & Joëlle Tuerlinckx – The Power Plant premieres two works created specifically for the gallery by Vancouver artist Geoffrey Farmer and Brussels artist Joëlle Tuerlinckx. Both focus on the formal properties of space, the role of public art galleries, and the relationship between visual art institutions and their larger communities. Building on a legacy established by her compatriot Marcel Broodthaers, Belgian Joëlle Tuerlinckx (who came to international recognition in Documenta XI) works in the vein of institutional critique. Her practice, however, is distinguished by its ephemeral, transient and contingent nature. Confetti, projections, video and drawing are often accompanied by subtle alterations to the gallery and gestures that call attention to the time and space of the viewing experience. As she states: "When I am offered an exhibition space it is as though I received a kind of parcel, a packet of air." Geoffrey Farmer’s multi-media installations combine video, film, performance, drawing, sculptural elements, found objects and texts, and link provocative readings of popular culture with highly imaginative uses of gallery architecture. In his practice Farmer has sought to articulate the transformative qualities of artistic production with works presented as installation kits. In his most recent work, Wash House (2004), Farmer created a working laundry facility for students, placing it within a shack based on one from a Canadian World War II Internment Camp. For The Power Plant, Farmer plans an ambitious installation titled Pale Fire, which references the transformative qualities of modernity and the social agency of art. This will be the first major solo show in Toronto for Farmer and the second exhibition in North America for Tuerlinckx.

Simon Starling – In elaborately staged installations British artist Simon Starling creates breathtaking relationships that enact cyclical, sometimes absurd detours across geography and time. "When I’m making art," says Starling, "I’m thinking up novels in a way. Whether things I’m telling are true or not … I’m involved in an activity which is similar to that of a narrator." Simon Starling was recently honoured with a nomination for the 2005 Turner Prize, Britain’s prestigious award for artists under the age of 50, and this December, 2005 The Power Plant will showcase a small selection of Starling’s recent works as well as an ambitious new, site specific installation created for Toronto. In conjunction with the exhibition, and in collaboration with the Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Basel, who recently staged the artist’s first comprehensive retrospective in June, 2005, the Power Plant has co-published a major new monograph on Starling’s work, which includes an essay by Power Plant Curator Reid Shier.

On Kawara – Consciousness. Meditation. Watcher on the hills – The Power Plant is pleased to present a retrospective exhibition of works by On Kawara: Consciousness. Meditation. Watcher on the hills. Kawara is one of the most respected and influential contemporary artists, and this marks a rare opportunity to view his work. Time is central to Kawara’s art. On January 4, 1966 he began what he refers to as the Today series, which now includes more than 2,000 paintings. Each painting in the series is a painting of the date on which it was made. If the painting is not finished by the end of the day, by midnight, it is destroyed. The exhibition features 37 paintings from this seminal series, all Sundays, from 1966 to 2005. The exhibition also includes over one hundred telegrams bearing the message ‘I am still alive’ sent by Kawara to colleagues and friends since 1969, as well the monumental bookworks One Million Years - Past (1970-71) and One Million Years - Future (1980-96). Each of these companion works comprise 10 large volumes, within which, typewritten, are transcribed one million successive years. They are dedicated respectively to "all those who have lived and died" and to "the last one". On Kawara: Consciousness. Meditation. Watcher on the hills is curated by Jonathan Watkins, Director of the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham UK, and organized in collaboration with Le Consortium, Dijon.

Cold City Years – The Power Plant is pleased to present an exhibition of ephemera and artwork from the Cold City Gallery (1986-1999). A unique hybrid, part artist-run centre and part commercial gallery, Cold City played a significant role in the shaping of contemporary art history from its inception. The gallery helped to develop the careers of many Canadian artists as well as offering an opportunity for numerous international artists to exhibit in Canada. The exhibition, co-curated by Nancy Campbell, Marlene Klassen and Pamela Meredith, will trace the history of Cold City through its archives and include a number of key works as identified from that history.

VISUAL ARTS

Imaged Text – Presented in collaboration with the 26^th annual International Festival of Authors – Featuring works by more than one hundred graphic novelists, authors and illustrators including, Nick Bantock, Charles Burns, Umberto Eco, Barbara Hodgson, Seth, Adrian Tomine and Chris Ware. Along with featured readings and special events at the International Festival of Authors which seeks to illuminate the rapidly developing relationship between text and image in contemporary literary publishing.

Reforestation – An exhibition of new sculpture by Toronto artist Michael Davey. With his elaborate forest of totems constructed of plastic found objects Davey supplants the lumber industry’s singular reliance on reforestation as the antidote to modern-day clear cutting methods.

Team Macho – Draws Similar Conclusions – An installation by Toronto artists and illustrators collective Team Macho. Team Macho is a collection of five old young men who prefer to appreciate each other from afar. This will be their first venture into formal installation.

The Needle and the Damage Done – An exhibition of record works by artists including carved, etched, scratched, stepped on, drilled and otherwise altered vinyl records. Featuring Christian Marclay, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Milan Knizak, Roger Miller (Mission of Burma), Boyd Rice and others. Curated by Dave Dyment.

On Physics – An exhibition of photographs by English artist Naglaa Walker where she uses diptyches which juxtaposes blackboard images of chalked equations with carefully staged photographic images.

Cohabitate – An exhibition of images on objects which tell a story – A collaborative exhibition of new works by the Craft Studio Residents Julie Gibb, glass and Arounna Khounnoraj, textile.

TELL – The exploration of narrative themes in craft reflects the changes and conditions of our time. They comment on social status, record and mediate environmental, cultural and political undercurrents within society. These craft artists tell a story through the use of imagery, iconography and codes real and imagined. Artists include: Pattie Chalmers, Gordana Olujic, Robert Windrum, Amir Sheikhvand, Sandra Goss, Marina Dempster, Heather Goodchild and Chung-lm Kim.

The Suitcase Show – An exhibition of new work by Toronto artist collective Torotoniensis and guest artist from Scotland.

Untitled – Music Box Installation – Three Toronto artists create a new-media installation made up of scavenged music box components. Artists include: Annie MacDonell, Alex Geddie and Nick Stedman.

Bag – A kinetic installation by Toronto artist Doug Guildford which expands on his ongoing large crochet works.

Windowing – An exhibition of eight unique project spaces from across Toronto. Artist will have work at York Quay Centre and the chosen city sites.

White – Toronto artist Kadija de Paula creates semi-abstract photographs of everyday stories of intimacy. The female role and the domestic environment are predominant themes in the work of Kadija de Paula. In her new series, White, a series of large scale, quasi-abstract photographs, de Paula tells everyday stories of intimacy and domesticity.

Coupling – An exhibition of new work by Craft Studio resident Rachel Wong.

Equivocal Ceramics – An exhibition of work by Marc Egan.

Canada Quay at Harbourfront Centre – Art installations are viewed from the building’s exterior.

For more information on Government of Canada programs and services, please visit their website at www.canada.gc.ca or call 1-800-O CANADA. For information on the exhibitions, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

September 17 to November 6 - Concession – An exhibition of new work by Toronto artist James Carl.

November 12 to December 31 - Stumped or Another Tom’s Ballad – An installation by Andrew Hunter.

Premiere Dance Theatre Upper Lobby – An exhibition space on the second floor mezzanine displaying paintings, photography and prints. Access to this exhibit is by paid admission by Premiere Dance Theatre event patrons.

October 5 to December 31 The Choreography of Ruin: Katy McCormick – An exhibition of photographs which examines the relationship between French formal gardens and dance plotting.
 

CRAFT

The Craft Studio – Operating 11 months of the year in full view of the public, the Craft Studio is a unique Canadian institution that assists emerging craftspeople to establish professional careers. At the same time, the Studio exposes the public to the world of contemporary craft through residencies, exhibitions, workshops, lectures and classes. Visitors can watch professional craftspeople work in ceramics, glass, metal and textiles. For details, the public can call 416-973-4963 or visit our website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

Craft Courses – ongoing – Classes in glass blowing, ceramics, jewellery and textiles. Taught by the Craft Studio residents, these beginner courses are an excellent creative challenge. Courses take place in the Craft Studio, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Please note: Pre-registration is required. A list of classes and fees can be obtained by calling 416-973-4963 or by visiting our website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

Bounty: Contemporary Canadian Craft Shop – Visitors can shop from a dazzling array of Canadian-made functional fine craft, including work by Harbourfront Centre’s own Craft Studio residents, choosing from blown glass, wheel-thrown ceramics, lathe-turned wooden bowls and a generous selection of contemporary handmade jewellery. The shop is located in York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. For more information the public should call 416-973-4993.
 

SPECIAL INTEREST

View Points – first Thursday – November 3 – York Quay Centre – 7 p.m. – $10/$5 students/seniors – View Points is a series of points of view about contemporary culture, focusing on current affairs and issues in culture-making locally, nationally and internationally. Some discussions will integrate music, theatre and visual arts. Participating guests will include writers, editors, artists, intellectuals, filmmakers and political activists. For information and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

Swedish Christmas Fair – November 19 & 20 – York Quay Centre – free admission – Harbourfront Centre’s festive season begins with the Swedish Christmas Fair. At this annual fair there will be a large sale of handmade Swedish crafts and Christmas decorations, plus baked goods and delicacies, a Lucia pageant, and Swedish folk-dancing and singing. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

Mennonite Christmas Festival presented by Ten Thousand Villages – November 25 to 27 – York Quay Centre – free admission – This annual festival at Harbourfront Centre is an excellent opportunity to shop for unique and unusual gifts from 35 countries. Support goes to artisans from developing nations. Presented by SelfHelp Crafts, a non-profit programme of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.
 

THEATRE

HATCH: emerging performance projects – York Quay Centre – Four local performance companies showcase innovative new work and inventive talent through a one-week residency. For information and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit harbourfrontcentre.com.

November 8 to 13: TBA

November 29 to December 4: TBA