#9: Post A Letter Social Activity Club
1. Reel Artist Film Festival, Thursday, February 23 (runs until February 26). Obviously, The Artist is Present, the film about the godmother of performance art Marina Abramovic, was my initial reason for attending this film festival. However, there are plenty more great options like Oliviero Toscani: The Rage of Images, a portrait of the controversial photographer from the 90s who gave us images like those infamous Benetton ads.
2. An Elegant Banquet, Thursday, February 23. Forgetus Gallery regularly exhibits art and puts on pretty rad shows, but on this particular night, guests will be laughing along to some of the high priests (I just made that up) of local comedy. It will only cost you a toonie to laugh so hard that you can’t breathe properly anymore. And you’ll probably get hungry from laughing so much, but fear not as there is a complimentary grilled cheese station! Yes!
3. Star Talks: Jorn Weisbrodt, Thursday, February 23. Anybody who may have heard his name will likely only know Jorn Weisbrodt for being the other half of Rufus Wainwright. But Jorn has worked with some of the most prestigious art organizations from around the world and is a new resident of our city as he is set to take on the role of artistic director of Toronto’s Luminato Festival. Come by to hear what his vision is for the esteemed festival of arts and creativity.
4. Grease: Sing-A-Long, Friday, February 24 (until Sunday, February 26). If you like to enjoy movies silently and at peace with no interruptions from anything other than what’s on the big screen, then ignore this event entirely. After being a sell-out hit at the Lightbox back in the summer and also in December, this interactive portrayal of the classic John Travolta movie is back for a few more shows. Audience members are encouraged to dress up as characters from the film and sing and dance along to the entire show. You don’t need to be a diehard fan, just bring some friends and go crazy. Also, if you’re male and attending, please wear leather pants? Thank you.
5. Les Sexareenos, Friday, February 24. Local music legend Mark Sultan loves giving his Toronto fans what they want to hear. And Friday nights at the Horseshoe is no exception. Back with legendary garage punks Les Sexareenos, this show also has a set from the Sphinxs and a DJ set from Ell V Gore. I don’t care if there’s 20 centimeters of snow, everybody Sexareeno!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixUqoSmL49w
6. The Tormentors Film Screening, Friday, February 24. If you’re looking for an obscure film to fill your Friday evening (even if it means braving the snow), look no further than Trash Palace’s latest screening. The film is about a man whose girlfriend is killed by Nazi bikers and how he infiltrates their group and decides to kill them all off. So if this completely turned you off, maybe you could go see The Vow? At least watch the trailer for The Tormentors before you make your decision. Are you crying? Sorry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eruYAw_9wn8
7. Women’s Arm Wrestling for Charity, Saturday, February 25. Every few months or so the people behind The Good Kids host this charitable event at 751 with all proceeds going to Plan Canada. Ladies are encouraged to dress up as their own superhero with by choosing a fake name, costume and even entrance music! So come compete for the Championship Belt, or have a few beers and watch from the sidelines; it’s all in good fun, and for a good cause.
8. Shelter Building for Homeless Cats, Saturday, February 25. If you like the company of cats more than that of human beings, you are probably a cat person. And therefore you should come to this and build homes for them. Yes, this is real. Honestly though, this is for a good cause to help the many feral cats roaming our streets. So if you really don’t have a good heart and can’t be bothered to help the many homeless people in Toronto, then at least help the damn cats, okay?
9. Post a Letter Social Activity Club, Wednesday, February 29. Remember when getting mail was more than a one-worded text message, and remember the joy and excitement that was felt when you received that deeply personal memento of love and friendship? Well, luckily there is Post a Letter Social Activity Club, who aim to promote letter writing across Toronto as a social and political too. They seek to expand their club worldwide, but meanwhile I look forward to writing to a dear friend who just moved West.
10. Art Battle Leap Year, Wednesday, February 29. The advertisements for this pretty much tell you everything you need to know; “Live Competitive Painting.” Well, alright then. Look for music, art, and lots of craziness. A lot of these art battle type events have been popping up around the city in the past year, but you better not miss this one as the next one won’t be until Monday, February 29 in 2016.
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Christina Welton is an intern at Toronto Standard.
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