Posted Toronto Five things to do this week: March 5-11 Jason Rehel March 4, 2011 – 8:05 am
The Art of Canadian Music is a collection of new portraits of our nation's musicians, from impressionist to realist, and from Canadian soprano legend Adrianne Pieczonka to country starlet Shania Twain. For details on the exhibition, see No. 4 below.
1. Who the heck is James Taylor? Between M. Ward and Pete Yorn, the landscape of American singer-songwriters is being rewritten in the image of Generation X, even if the themes, especially on Yorn’s latest album, of alienation, the open road and death, are universal. You know, that and teaming up with a Hollywood starlet for your side project. March 5, 8 p.m. Opera House, 735 Queen St. E. $25; tickets at Rotate This, Soundscapes.
2. We die within days without it. Astrophysicists scan the universe looking for the slightest traces of it. And most of us take it for granted when we turn on the taps. Water: The Exhibition offers up the Royal Ontario Museum’s take on the precious resource, examining everything from global fresh water distribution to the state of Great Lakes’ wetlands — with displays of a few water monsters thrown in for good measure. Mar. 5 to Sept. 5. 100 Queen’s Park. $31. rom.on.ca.
3. Honouring International Women’s Day next week, chef Lynn Crawford leads a star-studded lineup of female chefs such as Anne Yarymowich (AGO), Donna Dooher (Mildred’s Temple Kitchen) and half a dozen others for Kitchen Sisters, a four-course meal in support of Sistering, a community group that supports women in need with material goods and advocacy. Diners will be treated to cedar planked Ontario trout, braised beef short ribs and a farm-fresh rhubarb tart. Warm, fuzzy feeling included. Mar. 8, 6 p.m. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, 85 Hanna Ave. $500 ($350 tax receipt); sistering.org or call 416-926-9762 ext. 243.
4. The Portrait Society of Canada celebrates a new group of works that adds to the case for a permanent, publicly accessible home. This year, The Art of Canadian Music showcases members’ portraits of our musicians, including the likes of Louise Pitre, Shania Twainand dozens of others. Mar. 8-Apr. 1. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. John B. Aird Gallery, 900 Bay St. Free; airdgallery.org.
5. As always, the comedic chameleons of Second City are tuned directly into the zeitgeist: This Party’s a Riot, the company’s 67th mainstage revue, revels in Middle East protests, Jersey Shore and the notion of freedom. Can a cameo by Muammar Gadaffi be expected? We sure hope so. Open Mar. 8, Tues.-Sun. The Second City, 51 Mercer St. $24-$29; secondcity.com.