What’s On Calendar
September 2012
Free Skating on the Natrel Rink
Open Daily
Hours may vary
Skating
Set against the beautiful shoreline of Lake Ontario, the city’s most scenic rink awaits! Skate & helmet rentals available. Call the Rink Hotline at
Masterclass: The Fellowship of the Strings
Saturday, September 1, 2012
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Aiming to recreate the sound of these classic European klezmer ensembles, the Festival Strings Masterclass is a unique group of professional and amateur musicians assembled for the 2012 Ashkenaz Festival. Participants will learn the function of melodies and their accompaniments, ornamentation and variation, culminating in a multi-level suite.
Rexite on the Radio: The Golden Age of Yiddish American Music
Saturday, September 1, 2012
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Yiddish radio matinee idol Seymour Rexite is brought to life in this entertaining retrospective by singer, actor and former Ashkenaz artistic director, Mitch Smolkin, accompanied by renowned pianist and composer Nina Shapilsky.
Guy Mendilow Ensemble - Tales from the Forgotten Kingdom: Ladino Songs Renewed
Saturday, September 1, 2012
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Starting in ancient Spain and winding through Sarajevo and Jerusalem, this award-winning ensemble breathes new life into old Sephardi songs.
Veretski Pass - The Klezmer Shul
Saturday, September 1, 2012
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Virtuosic musicianship and raw energy come together in an exciting combination of old country Ottoman-era music.
Freydi Mrocki - Oystralia: The Yiddish Community of Melbourne
Saturday, September 1, 2012
7:00pm – 8:00pm
An overview of Australian-Jewish history, focusing particularly on the cultural life of Melbourne’s Yiddish community in the second half of the 20th century.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
8:00pm – 9:15pm
Canada’s first Klezmer revival band celebrates the 30th anniversary of their founding with a very special reunion concert.
Festival Havdallah featuring The Abayudaya
Saturday, September 1, 2012
9:15pm – 9:45pm
Ashkenaz marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of weekend festival events with the one of the most beloved Jewish rituals, Havdallah.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
9:45pm –11:00pm
Mixing sounds from his own history into sample-based beats, the music of Socalled is catchy, smart, hilarious, emotional and timeless.
Global Shtetl Cabaret Hosted By Aviva Chemick
Saturday, September 1, 2012
10:00pm – 1:00am
An eclectic stage showcasing the diversity and vibrance of Jewish music traditions from all around the world. Hosted by Toronto’s Aviva Chernick.
When Our Bubbas and Zeydas Were Young: Di Schaechter Techter on Stage
Saturday, September 1, 2012
10:00pm –11:00pm
Attracting a new generation to Yiddish song, the dynamic Schaechter Sisters bring to life the youth of their grandparents in Eastern Europe. Directed by Josh Waletzky.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
11:00pm – 1:00am
Post-Soviet klezmer and pop collides with reggae, ska, funk and rock in the electrifying music of Opa!, Russia’s hottest new World music party band.
Masterclass: The Fellowship of the Strings
Sunday, September 2, 2012
10:00am –12:00pm
Aiming to recreate the sound of these classic European klezmer ensembles, the Festival Strings Masterclass is a unique group of professional and amateur musicians assembled for the 2012 Ashkenaz Festival. Participants will learn the function of melodies and their accompaniments, ornamentation and variation, culminating in a multi-level suite.
Abraham Lichtenbaum - Jewish Life in South America
Sunday, September 2, 2012
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Abraham Lichtenbaum will give a talk about the experiences of the first Jews in South America.
Guy Mendilow Ensemble - Sailors, Sirens & Kings: A Children's Adventure in Song
Sunday, September 2, 2012
1:00pm – 2:00pm
An exhilarating interactive adventure for children through Ladino songs, stories and games. Led by the Guy Mendilow Ensemble.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
1:00pm – 2:30pm
A lively showcase of local community groups and up-and-coming ensembles in the Toronto klezmer scene.
Bob Bossin - Songs and Stories of Davy the Punk: My Father's Life in the Gambling Business
Sunday, September 2, 2012
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Canadian folk music legend Bob Bossin presents a new, one-man show about his father's exploits in Toronto's gambling demimonde of the 1930s and '40s.
Ira Moskowitz: Curatorial Talk with Lindy Green and Diana Gordon
Sunday, September 2, 2012
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Curator Lindy Green interviews Diana Gordon, daughter of Ira Moskowitz, in a curatorial talk that will provide a personal context to the exhibition.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Ventanas explores many musical forms and languages from flamenco palos to Balkan broken rhythms, Sephardic diaspora to Hutsul Ukraine.
Paul Buhle - Yiddishkeit: Jewish Vernacular and the New Land
Sunday, September 2, 2012
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Paul Buhle explores images and insights from his anthology Yiddishkeit, and about his late co-editor, the underground comic book writer and personality, Harvey Pekar.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Legendary Canadian family entertainers mix Yiddishkeit with iconic favourites such as "One Elephant" and "Skinnamarink."
Sunday, September 2, 2012
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Shashmaqam performs a panorama of the classical and folk music of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as the liturgical repertoire of Bukharan Jews.
Jewish Jug Band Featuring Joshua Skye Engel
Sunday, September 2, 2012
4:00pm – 4:45pm
Families and kids of all ages join in with Joshua Skye Engel in the return of one of the festival's most popular family programmes.
Ann Samson - The Jews of India
Sunday, September 2, 2012
4:30pm – 5:30pm
An overview of the history, customs and traditions of India's Jewish community, presented by Ann Samson, one of the founders of Toronto's Indian-Jewish Congregation Bina.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
5:00pm – 6:00pm
One of the world's great cantorial voices, Bensoussan debuts his adventurous new CD, Maroc N Roll, of contemporary Sephardi pop rock.
The Yiddish Songs of Arkady Gendler
Sunday, September 2, 2012
5:00pm – 6:00pm
This special tribute concert and CD release celebrates the original work of one of the greatest living treasures of Yiddish song.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Showcasing klezmer legend Peter Sokolow on piano and the music of the late, great clarinetist/composer Dave Tarras and clarinetist Naftule Brandwein.
Judith Cohen - Inquisition to Internet: The Musical World of the Portuguese Marranos
Sunday, September 2, 2012
6:00pm – 7:00pm
From inquisition to internet: the musical world of the Portuguese Marranos, a lecture from Canada's preeminent Sephardic specialist.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
7:00pm – 8:00pm
The musical traditions of Uganda's Jewish community presented by two of their musical and spiritual leaders, Rabbi Gershom Sizomu and JJ Keki.
Basya Schechter's Songs of Wonder
Sunday, September 2, 2012
7:00pm – 8:15pm
Basya Schechter's new solo project sets the Yiddish poetry of revered philosopher and civil rights activist Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel to original music.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
8:00pm – 9:15pm
Israeli composer, producer and performer Shye Ben Tzur mixes Hebrew and Middle Eastern influences with those of the Indian sub-continent.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
9:45pm –11:00pm
With an explosive, 21st century brew of Yemenite-Jewish song and poetry, West African grooves and American jazz, blues and funk, Yemen Blues is the most exciting new music act out of Israel. Co-presented by Jewish National Fund (JNF).
The Other Europeans: The Broken Sound
Sunday, September 2, 2012
10:00pm –12:15am
An extraordinarily candid behind-the-scenes look at The Other Europeans and their exploration of music and cultural identity.
Canadian Cabaret Hosted By Finjan
Sunday, September 2, 2012
10:30pm – 1:00am
A showcase of some of the leading new artists and veterans of the Canadian Jewish music scene. Hosted by the members of Finjan.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
11:00pm – 1:00am
Toronto's own 13-piece Balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk-super-band brings their lively, street-savvy, Eastern European folk music to Ashkenaz.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
11:00pm – 1:00am
Revive your spirit with late-night dancing under the stars to music so quiet you can hear the dancers’ feet scrape the boardwalk.
Masterclass: The Fellowship of the Strings
Monday, September 3, 2012
10:00am –12:00pm
Aiming to recreate the sound of these classic European klezmer ensembles, the Festival Strings Masterclass is a unique group of professional and amateur musicians assembled for the 2012 Ashkenaz Festival. Participants will learn the function of melodies and their accompaniments, ornamentation and variation, culminating in a multi-level suite.
Monday, September 3, 2012
1:00pm – 2:00pm
The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir is the oldest continuing Jewish performing group in Canada. Conducted by Alexander Veprinsky.
Pete Sokolow - The Last of the Old Guys
Monday, September 3, 2012
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Legendary klezmer/jazz pianist Pete Sokolow presents a musically-illustrated discussion of his six-decade career in NY's Jewish music scene.
Monday, September 3, 2012
1:30pm – 3:00pm
A unique programme of little-known Renaissance-era Italian-Jewish music performed on period instruments in Hebrew, Italian and Ladino.
Monday, September 3, 2012
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Some of Montreal's top young folk/world musicians, Fanfare Severni captures the raucous energy of Balkan brass and east European village music.
Monday, September 3, 2012
2:30pm – 3:30pm
One of Canada's longest-running and most-acclaimed Klezmer/Balkan fusion ensembles returns to Ashkenaz for the first time since 2008.
Fern Lindzon Quartet - Buster Keaton's Sherlock Jr.
Monday, September 3, 2012
2:30pm – 3:30pm
This live musical score by Fern Lindzon weaves klezmer themes into a delightful new accompaniment to a Buster Keaton silent film classic.
Monday, September 3, 2012
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Mexico City's Klezmerson reflects the diverse urban sounds of its hometown by injecting Latin American musical influences into its music.
Michael Wex - Heartburn as History: Traditional Ashkenazi Food
Monday, September 3, 2012
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Award-winning author, Yiddish raconteur and Ashkenaz fave Michael Wex returns to the festival with a sneak preview of his latest book about Jewish food.
Jewish Jug Band Featuring Joshua Skye Engel
Monday, September 3, 2012
3:00pm – 3:45pm
Families and kids of all ages join in with Joshua Skye Engel in the return of one of the festival's most popular family programmes.
David Buchbinder - Diasporic Genius: Transforming the City through Creative Power
Monday, September 3, 2012
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Ashkenaz Festival co-founder presents the vision behind his latest venture, Diasporic Genius, a non-profit organization engaged in intercultural artistic creation and community-building.
Monday, September 3, 2012
5:00pm – 6:00pm
With a mix of good-natured shenanigans and striking musical skill, Sagapool is known for their high-intensity, spirited live shows.
Jerry Gray - From the Jewish Folk Choir to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Monday, September 3, 2012
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Co-founder of The Travellers, Jerry has travelled across around the world singing for labourers, picketers, protesters, politicians, children and royalty.
Sholem Aleichem: The Ger Mandolin Orchestra
Monday, September 3, 2012
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Inspired by a dusty photograph, the Ger Mandolin Orchestra is recreated by 11 of the world’s finest mandolinists. Exclusive sneak preview.
Monday, September 3, 2012
6:00pm – 7:00pm
African-American by birth and Jewish by choice, Anthony Russell's heartfelt programme of Yiddish art song simultaneously evokes Sidor Belarsky and Paul Robeson.
Leo Spellman’s Rhapsody 1939-1945
Monday, September 3, 2012
6:00pm – 7:00pm
The Canadian premiere performance of 99-year-old Toronto composer’s tour de force, originally written in 1947 in a German DP camp.
Nicole Borger - Jewish Music and Culture in Brazil
Monday, September 3, 2012
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Cultural organizer and singer-songwriter Nicole Borger discusses the Brazilian Jewish community and its cultural life over five centuries.
Masterclass: The Fellowship of the Strings
Monday, September 3, 2012
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Aiming to recreate the sound of these classic European klezmer ensembles, the Festival Strings Masterclass is a unique group of professional and amateur musicians assembled for the 2012 Ashkenaz Festival. Participants will learn the function of melodies and their accompaniments, ornamentation and variation, culminating in a multi-level suite.
Monday, September 3, 2012
7:00pm – 9:30pm
The festival comes to a rousing close with a series of performances by some of this year's headline artists, culminating in a massive jam session.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
11:00am
Learn about the Toronto Music Garden's unique design and history on a guided, one-hour tour, led by a volunteer Toronto Botanical Garden guide.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
5:30pm
Learn about the Toronto Music Garden's unique design and history on a guided, one-hour tour, led by a volunteer Toronto Botanical Garden guide.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
7:00pm
Baroque cellist Kate Haynes performs J.S. Bach's beautiful, dark-hued Suite No. 2 in D Minor for unaccompanied cello. Note: Short concert (ca. 30 minutes) due to early sunset. Thanks to Q Media Solutions.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
4:00pm
The Ton Beau String Quartet performs music with cross-cultural threads by Haydn, Dvorak and Kevin Lau. Thanks to Judy & Wil Matthews.
INTERNATIONAL LECTURE SERIES / Omer Fast
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
7:00pm
Berlin-based artist Omer Fast will speak about his acclaimed art practice in conjunction with solo exhibition at The Power Plant, Continuous Coverage, opening 14 September.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
11:00am
Learn about the Toronto Music Garden's unique design and history on a guided, one-hour tour, led by a volunteer Toronto Botanical Garden guide.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
5:30pm
Learn about the Toronto Music Garden's unique design and history on a guided, one-hour tour, led by a volunteer Toronto Botanical Garden guide.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Thursday, September 13, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Friday, September 14, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
2:30pm
TyTy is excited to take part in the Vietnamese Lantern Festival this year, singing two songs from her heart.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
3:00pm
As a VWAT Music Class participant, Thien Oanh will showcase what she has learned at this year's Vietnamese Lantern Festival.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
3:20pm
Come listen to eight-year-old Julie Nhu Ha, whose voice is sure to capture your heart at this year's festival!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
3:45pm
Don't miss singing sensation Nguyen Hoang Nam on the Redpath Stage!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
4:50pm
Across U-hub will bring their not-to-miss musical performance to this year’s Vietnamese Lantern Festival stage!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
5:05pm
Tran Dinh Tu has sang in many venues around the world. Don't miss your chance to see him at this year's Vietnamese Lantern Festival.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
5:30pm
Eleven-year-old Jacey Nguyen will be presenting her own cover of a song by Christine Perri called "Jar of Hearts" at this year’s Vietnamese Lantern Festival.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
5:35pm
Making her vocal performance debut at this year’s Vietnamese Lantern Festival is Christine Van, a talented eight-year old singer with a mesmerizing voice you will love!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
5:55pm
Come listen to eight-year-old Julie Nhu Ha, whose voice is sure to capture your heart at this year's festival!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
6:40pm
Don't miss singing sensation Nguyen Hoang Nam on the Redpath Stage!
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Saturday, September 15, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
2:30pm – 3:00pm
Enjoy the beauty and power of Korean drum and dance in this harvest-themed performance by Jeng Yi.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Sunday, September 16, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
4:00pm
Glorious music from Baroque Venice, performed by three brilliant young artists: Christopher Verrette (baroque violin), Kate Bennett Haynes (baroque cello) and Matthew Wadsworth (theorbo). Thanks to Margaret & Jim Fleck.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
5:30pm – 6:00pm
Raging Asian Women (RAW) continues to mesmerize audiences while pounding out the powerful sounds of social justice on the taiko. Keep your eyes and ears open for the sound of RAW's thunder!
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Sunday, September 16, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
11:00am
Learn about the Toronto Music Garden's unique design and history on a guided, one-hour tour, led by a volunteer Toronto Botanical Garden guide.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Thursday, September 20, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Friday, September 21, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Saturday, September 22, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Saturday, September 22, 2012
8:00pm –10:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
SUNDAY SCENE / Public Studio: Elle Flanders & Tamira Sawatzky
Sunday, September 23, 2012
2:00pm
Toronto-based filmmaker and artist Elle Flanders and architect and artist Tamira Sawatzky have collaborated since 2010 as Public Studio. They will speak about the exhibition Omer Fast: Continuous Coverage at The Power Plant.
Eventual Ashes presents: Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong
Sunday, September 23, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Hiding Words (for you) delves into nushu, a secret language created in 400 A.D. when Chinese women were not allowed to read or write. The performance seamlessly blends together theatre, poetry, hip hop, western and Chinese classical music, modern dance, performance art, and the visual arts.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
11:00am
Learn about the Toronto Music Garden's unique design and history on a guided, one-hour tour, led by a volunteer Toronto Botanical Garden guide.
There's always something happening at Harbourfront Centre!
- Check out our Visual arts exhibitions
- Visit our Craft & Design Studios
- Check out the greenery at the Toronto Music Garden
For details, inquire at the Info Desk or call 416 973 4000.
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