Image from #3: The Gatherer
1. WORN Fashion Journal Presents: February Mending Night, Thursday, February 2. On the first Thursday of every month, bring your friends and ripped clothes to Freedom Clothing Collective. It’s more of a social gathering than a craft class, so prepare to stay long after you’ve sewn that pesky button back onto your polka-dotted blouse.
2. Nostalgia for the Present, Thursday, February 2 (until February 11). The west-end’s much-liked Forgetus Collective has a new expo, showcasing videos, images and projections from over 50 worldwide artists. If you can’t make the opening jam, be sure to get there soon; it’ll only be on display for little over a week.
3. KODAK Lectures Presents: BAS VROEGE, Thursday, February 2. Ryerson’s Student Lecture Series has hosted renowned artistic luminaries in the past, but none quite as striking as Bas Vroege. Join the Dutch curator as she speaks on the evolution of documentary photography in Holland (which hopefully touches on her own curated works).
4. The Gatherer, Thursday, February 2 (runs until February 26). The Gatherer brings together four local artists working separately within the frameworks of collage and in a variety of mediums. The quartet includes Georgia Dickie, whose previous works include 2011’s astonishing “Monolith with Ear” (look it up!), so this is one not to miss.
5. D-PAD: Directions in Play/Art/Design, Friday, February 3. The name of this event alone should be reason enough for you to attend. But if that’s not enough, then go to this event because it’s all about video games. Yes. Featuring works from local artists, D-PAD will showcase installations and performances all inspired by the art of the video game. Also, curator mrghosty will be djaying music on two modified PSPs. Brilliant.
6. Bry Webb Album Release Show, Saturday, February 4. Lead singer for The Constantines for over a decade, Bry Webb has been embarking on a solo project for a year-ish now. He’s throwing a party this Saturday to celebrate the release of his new album with not one, but two performances in the same night.
7. Fashion Blackout, Saturday, February 4. This multi-faceted event, part of the Harbourfront Centre’s Kuumba festival, aims to educate Torontonians on the diversity (and controversy) surrounding skin color in the world of fashion. Look for a modeling workshop with television personality Stacey McKenzie and a panel discussion that includes our very own Sarah Nicole Prickett (my lovely editor!).
8. Canada Reads: True Stories — Live Debates!, Monday, February 6 (until Thursday February 9). A debate on the non-fiction entries for this year’s Canada Reads, this event should be an interesting way to thrust Canadian literature upon the masses. Although, we’re not quite sure what authority these panelists have on our literary talent. Alan Thicke, anyone?
9. CONCESSION @ COLLISION, Tuesday, February 7. Opening on Tuesday, but expected to run for a few days every week, CONCESSION is local bartender/chef Owen Walker’s pop-up restaurant. Not sure what the grub’ll be like, exactly, but since it’s being held at Ted’s Collision in Little Italy, there’s bound to be cheap drinks and good peeps.
10. Raconteurs Presents: “CRUSH”, Wednesday, February 8. Since it’s almost Valentine’s Day, why not go out and share your embarrassing love woes to an audience of strangers? Guests are encouraged to share their memories of crushes they’ve had, or people who have crushed on them. Let’s hope this continues on to another night, because I have more than enough embarrassing stories to share.
Christina Welton is an intern at Toronto Standard.
For more, follow us on Twitter at @torontostandard, and subscribe to our newsletter.
