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Volume 25 Issue 7 - April 2020

  • Text
  • Violin
  • Musical
  • Performing
  • Concerto
  • Jazz
  • Theatre
  • Symphony
  • Arts
  • Toronto
  • April
After some doubt that we would be allowed to go to press, in respect to wide-ranging Ontario business closures relating to COVID-19, The WholeNote magazine for April 2020 is now on press, and print distribution – modified to respect community-wide closures and the need for appropriate distancing – starts Monday March 30. Meanwhile the full magazine is right here, digitally, so if you value us PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN. It's the safest way for us to reach the widest possible audience at this time!

WAGNER’S MAY 1–16

WAGNER’S MAY 1–16 416-363-8231 | coc.ca ❍❍Chorus Niagara. Topsy Turvy! The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan. Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. 905-688-0722. ; (sr 60+); (st valid id); (ch under 15 valid id); (eyeGO high school st valid id). May 2, 7:30pm. ❍❍Civic Light Opera Company. Tevye and Golde. Music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Zion Cultural Centre, 1650 Finch Ave. E. 416-755-1717. . Opens Apr 15, 7pm. Runs to Apr 26. Wed (7pm), Thurs-Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). ✖✖Drayton Entertainment. Kinky Boots. Music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, book by Harvey Fierstein. Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. 46 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge. 1-855-372-9866. -.50. Opens Mar 11, 2pm. Runs to Apr 5. Days and times vary; visit draytonentertainment.com for details. CANCELLED. ✖✖Drayton Entertainment. Billy Bishop Goes to War. Written and composed by John MacLachlan Gray with Eric Peterson. St. Jacob’s Schoolhouse Theatre, 11 Albert St. W., St. Jacob’s. 1-855-372-9866. -.50. Opens Apr 8, 2pm. Runs to May 3. Days and times vary; visit draytonentertainment.com for details. CANCELLED. ✖✖Grand Theatre. Grow. Music by Colleen Dauncey, lyrics by Akiva Romer-Segal, book by Matt Murray. Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St, London. 519-672-8800. -. Opens Apr 14, 7:30pm. Runs to May 2. Tues-Thurs(7:30pm), Fri/Sat(8pm), Sat/ Sun(2pm). Note: Open caption performances May 1(8pm), May 2(2pm). CANCELLED. ✖✖International Resource Centre for Performing Artists. Ten Singing Stars - New Generation - A Concert and Live Broadcast. Zoomer Hall, 70 Jefferson Ave. 416-362-1422. . May 4, 7:30pm. CANCELLED. ❍❍Kempenfelt Community Players. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Music by Steven Lutvak, lyrics by Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman, book by Freedman. Ferndale Banquet Hall, 24 Ferndale Industrial Dr., Barrie. 705-739-4228. -. Opens May 6, 8pm. Runs to May 10. Wed-Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). ✖✖Kingston Road Village Concert Series. Mass Hysterical, A Comedic Cantata. C. Music Theatre St. Andrew’s United Church (Markham), 32 Main St. N., Markham. 416-699- 6091. /$25(adv). Apr 24, 8pm. Also Apr 25(Georgetown), May 3(Waterloo). CANCELLED. ✖✖Kingston Road Village Concert Series. Mass Hysterical, A Comedic Cantata. St. John’s United Church (Georgetown), 11 Guelph St., Georgetown. 416-699- 6091. /(adv). Apr 25, 8pm. Also Apr 24(Markham), May 3(Waterloo). CANCELLED. ✖✖Kingston Road Village Concert Series. Mass Hysterical, A Comedic Cantata. Emmanuel United Church (Waterloo), 22 Bridgeport Rd. W., Waterloo. 416-699-6091. $25. May 3, 8pm. Also Apr 24(Markham), Apr 25(Georgetown). CANCELLED. ✖✖Lower Ossington Theatre. Beauty and the Beast. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book by Linda Woolverton. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. 1-888-324-6282. .99-.99. Opens Mar 5, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 5. Thurs- Sat(7:30pm), Sat(3:30pm), Sun(12pm/4pm). CANCELLED. ❍❍Lower Ossington Theatre. Matilda. Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, book by Dennis Kelly, based on the novel. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. 1-888-324-6282. .99- .99. Opens Apr 18, 3pm. Runs to May 10. Fri-Sat(7:30pm), Sat(3pm), Sun(12pm, 4:30pm). ❍❍Mansfield’s Cabaret. Evil Dead, the Musical. Music by Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris, George Reinblatt, lyrics and book by George Reinblatt. Mansfield’s Cabaret, 50 Bond St. E., Oshawa. 905-233-8420. .99. Opens Apr 17, 8pm. Runs to Nov 28. Fri/Sat(8pm). CANCELLED THROUGH APR 30. ✖✖Mirvish. Come From Away. Music, lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W. 416-872-1212. and up. Ongoing. Tues- Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). CANCELLED THROUGH APR 12. ✖✖Mirvish. Hamilton. Music, lyrics and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. 416-872-1212. and up. Opens Feb 11, 8pm. Runs to May 17. Tues- Sat(8pm), Sat/Sun(2pm), Sun(7:30pm). CANCELLED THROUGH APR 12. ✖✖Mirvish. Room. Music and lyrics by Cora Bissett and Kathryn Joseph, book by Emma Donoghue, based on the novel. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St. 416-872-1212. and up. Opens Apr 4, 8pm. Runs to Apr 26. Tues-Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). CANCELLED THROUGH APR 12. ✖✖Mirvish. The Boy Friend. Music, lyrics and book by Sandy Wilson. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. 416-872-1212. and up. Opens Mar 29, 2pm. Runs to May 3. Tues- Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). Note: Open caption performance May 3(2pm). CANCELLED. ❍❍Mirvish. Miss Saigon. Music by Claude- Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Alain Boublil and Richard Maltby Jr. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. 416-872-1212. and up. Opens May 5, 8pm. Runs to May 24. Tues- Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). ✖✖Musical Theatre Productions. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice. Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St, London. 519-672-8800. .90. Opens Mar 27, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 5. Tues-Sat(7:30pm), Sat/Sun(1:30pm). CANCELLED. ✖✖Off Centre Music Salon. Beethoven, After All. Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-466-6323. ; (sr); (13-25); (12 and under). Apr 19, 3pm. POSTPONED. ✖✖Onstage Uxbridge. The Mikado. Music by Arthur Sullivan, libretto by W. S. Gilbert. Uxbridge Music Hall, 16 Main St. S., Uxbridge. onstageuxbridge.com. $25. Opens Mar 26, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 4. Thurs-Sat(7:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). CANCELLED. ❍❍Opera Atelier. The Resurrection. Music by George Frederic Handel, libretto by Carlo Sigismondo Capece. Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208. - 5. Opens Apr 11, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 19. Days and times vary; visit operaaterlier.com for details. ❍❍Orchestra Toronto. Sueños Ibericos. George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre (formerly Toronto Centre for the Arts), 5040 Yonge St. 416-467-7142. $25- ; (sr); (OTOpus); (under 13). Apr 19, 3pm. ❍❍Peterborough Theatre Guild. Annie. Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, book by Thomas Meehan. Showplace Performance Centre, 290 George St. N., Peterborough. 705-745-4211. ; (sr); (st). Opens May 1, 8pm. Runs to May 9. Wed- Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). ✖✖Royal City Musical Productions. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Music by Jimmy Roberts, lyrics and book by Joe DiPietro. Co-Operators Hall, River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St, Guelph. 519-763-3000. ; $25(st). Opens Apr 23, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 26. Thurs-Sat(7:30pm), Sat/Sun(1:30pm). POSTPONED, DATE TBD. ❍❍Scarborough Music Theatre. Cabaret. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. 416-267-9292. -. Opens Apr 30, 8pm. Runs to May 16. Thurs-Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). Note: May 16 show at 2pm. ✖✖Shaw Festival. Gypsy. Music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents. Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-lake. 1-800-511-7429. and up. Previews begin Apr 8, 2pm. Runs to October 13. Days and times vary. Visit shawfest.com for details. CANCELLED THROUGH APR 30. ✖✖St. James Players. Matilda. Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, book by Dennis Kelly, based on the novel. St. James Auditorium, 221 Romaine St., Peterborough. 705-743- 9901. ; (sr/st). Opens Apr 24, 7pm. Runs to Apr 26. Fri/Sat(7pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). POSTPONED, DATE TBD. ✖✖Stratford Festival. Chicago. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St, Stratford. 1-800-567-1600. and up. Previews begin Apr 11, 2pm. Runs to Nov 1. Days and times vary. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for details. CANCELLED THROUGH MAY 2. ❍❍Tapestry Opera. Rocking Horse Winner. Music by Gareth Williams, libretto by Anna Chatterton. Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave. 416-537-6066. -. Opens Apr 23, 8pm. Runs to May 2. Days and times vary; visit tapestryopera.com for details. ✖✖Theatre Ancaster. British Invasion, the Concert. Ancaster High School Auditorium, 374 Jerseyville Rd. W., Ancaster. 905-304- 7469. ; (sr); (st). Opens Apr 24, 7:30pm. Runs to May 3. Days and times vary; visit theatreancaster.com for details. CANCELLED. ✖✖Theatre Aquarius. Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St, Hamilton. 905-522-7529. and up. Opens Apr 15, 7:30pm. Runs to May 2. Tues-Sat(7:30pm), Sat/Sun(1:30pm). POSTPONED, DATE TBD. ✖✖Theatre Sheridan. Guys and Dolls. Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Macdonald-Heaslip Hall, 1430 Trafalgar Rd, Oakville. 905-815- 4049. ; (sr). Opens Apr 7, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 19. Tues-Thur(7:30pm), Fri- Sat(8pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). Note: no show Apr 10. CANCELLED. ✖✖Theatre Sheridan. In Real Life. Music and lyrics by Kevin Wong, book and lyrics by Nick Green. Studio Theatre, 1430 Trafalgar Rd, Oakville. 905-815-4049. ; (sr). Opens Apr 9, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 19. Tues- Sat(7:30pm), Sat/Sun(2:00pm). Note: no show Apr 10. CANCELLED. ❍❍Theatre Unlimited Performing Arts. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman, book by Jeremy Sams. Meadowvale Theatre, 6315 Montevideo Rd., Mississauga. 905-615-4720. ; (sr); (st). Opens Apr 17, 8pm. Runs to Apr 26. Thurs-Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). Note: extra show Apr 25, 2pm. ✖✖Toronto City Opera. Il Giubilo: From Sicily to Toronto - A Celebration of Culture and Music. St. Andrew’s Church (Toronto), 73 Simcoe St. 647-699-9391. . Fundraising concert followed by food, wine and silent auction. Apr 19, 3pm. CANCELLED. ❍❍Tweed and Company Theatre. Hot Mess. Featuring Kelly Holiff. Marble Arts Centre, 13 Bridgewater Rd., Tweed. tweedandcompany.com. . Opens Apr 25, 7pm. Also Apr 26. ✖✖TYT Theatre. Rapunzel: The Family Friendly Musical. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst St. tyttheatre.com. .99-.99. Opens Apr 10, 12:30pm. Runs to May 2. Days and times vary; visit tyttheatre.com for details. POSTPONED, DATE TBD. ✖✖VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert. Adriana Lecouvreur. Music by Francesco Cilea, libretto by Arturo Colautti. Sung in Italian with English Surtitles. Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723. -. Apr 5, 2:30pm. POSTPONED, DATE TBD. ✖✖Wavestage Theatre. Chicago. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Newroads Performing Arts Centre (formerly Newmarket Theatre), 505 Pickering Cres., Newmarket. wavestagetheatre.com. and up. Opens Apr 2, 7:30pm. Runs to Apr 5. Thurs/Fri(7:30pm), Sat(7pm), Sun(2pm). POSTPONED TO NOV 19-22. ❍❍Windsor Light Music Theatre. Chicago. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Chrysler Theatre, St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor. 519-974-6593. ; (sr/st); (ch). Opens May 1, 8pm. Runs to May 10. Fri/Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). 42 | April 2020 thewholenote.com

Beat by Beat | Mainly Clubs, Mostly Jazz! Social Distancing While Staying in Touch COLIN STORY As I write this – on March 20, 2020, five days into Toronto’s period of mass social distancing and self-isolation/quarantine – all live musical performances have been cancelled in Toronto venues for the foreseeable future. While it isn’t possible to know when, exactly, we will all be able to return to some semblance of normalcy, it is still possible to celebrate the April shows that would have been. In this month’s edition of my column, I’ve interviewed five different artists, involved in four different April shows, including a long-term weekly residency at La Rev, a month-long weekly residency at The Rex, a double-album-release show at the Array Space, and a doctoral recital in the jazz performance program at the University of Toronto. It is imperative, at this critical moment in the history of the Toronto music community, to continue to support one another: musicians, venues, patrons, schools, and publications alike. If you’re new to the artists below, please follow them on social media, check out their websites, and, if you enjoy their music, consider purchasing an album on Bandcamp, or on other services. This goes for any of your favourite local musicians, many of whom, beyond cancelled performances, are also experiencing a drastic cut in teaching, recording and other activities. Also, even in the early stages of this period, many musicians are live-streaming concerts, offering online lessons, and creating new ways to interact with the community. So, please: be in touch! Just not literally. The Artist: Aline Homzy, violinist The Event: Ongoing weekly residence at La Revolucion, 2848 Dundas St. W. The Project: Lions d’Or, a hot-club group with co-leader guitarist Tak Arikushi and guest bassists, including Scott Hunter (Lions d’Or was formerly known as Les Petits Nouveaux) Contact details: www.alinehomzy.com, www.instagram.com/homzya, www.lespetitsnouveaux.bandcamp.com Aline Homzy The group’s relationship to La Rev: “Tak and I have been playing together for over five years at La Rev and all over Toronto. We are excited because as we relaunch our weekly performances as Lions d’Or, we also have new arrangements and new original music. This residency has meant a lot to us as we are able to bring in different repertoire and explore it in front of an audience, every single week. Not having the ability to do this [due to mandated April venue closures] changes the relationship to how we can develop our music. La Rev has been incredibly generous to us and Indira (owner and musician) has helped us and other musicians in so many ways. The absence of this ‘repetitive musical meeting’ will definitely be a strange change in routine.” On future projects: “I have two albums funded and waiting to be recorded. One is with my group Aline’s étoile magique, which features Thom Gill, Dan Fortin and Michael Davidson. The other will be all string music with some special guests. Lions d’Or also would like to record an album when this is all over. Learning from our current moment: “I hope that the bigger community will see how live music impacts them, or rather the lack of live music right now. Our development often depends on a faceto-face public…I believe we will see lots of interesting art come out of this. But I do hope that people take care of themselves and of each other and take as much time as they need to find the right mindset to be creative.” MICHAEL DAVIDSON D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) Due to the ongoing social distancing mandate, all Toronto shows in the immediate future have been cancelled or postponed. Though it is not yet clear when live music will resume, it is probable that most – if not all – April shows at local venues will not be taking place. As such, instead of our typical listings of individual shows happening at specific venues, we’ve chosen instead to list all of the venues, as they currently stand, and to encourage our readers to reach out to their favourite venues directly as the current quarantine situation progresses. Much like musicians, venues are facing an unprecedented challenge, and will need major community support to re-establish themselves once we’re all allowed outside once again. Some are offering food pick-up/delivery; others are selling merch; the Tranzac, a notfor-profit, has a membership option. If you’d like to be proactive and to support a venue in some capacity, please be in touch with them to find out what you can do to help. 120 Diner 120 Church St. 416-792-7725 120diner.com (full schedule) All shows: PWYC (- suggested) Alleycatz 2409 Yonge St. 416-481-6865 alleycatz.ca All shows: Call for cover charge info. Artword Artbar 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 905-543-8512 artword.net (full schedule) The Blue Goose Tavern 1 Blue Goose St. 416-255-2442 thebluegoosetavern.com (full schedule) Bloom 2315 Bloor St. W. 416-767-1315 bloomrestaurant.com (full schedule) All shows 7pm 19+. Call for reservations. Burdock 1184 Bloor St. W. 416-546-4033 burdockto.com Ticket prices vary by show, but typically -; check website for individual show prices. Cameron House 408 Queen St. W. 416-703-0811 thecameron.com Castro’s Lounge 2116 Queen St. E. 416-699-8272 castroslounge.com (full schedule) All shows: No cover/PWYC C’est What 67 Front St. E. (416) 867-9499 cestwhat.com (full schedule) All concerts are PWYC unless otherwise noted. thewholenote.com April 2020 | 43

Volumes 26-29 (2020- )

Volumes 21-25 (2015-2020)

Volumes 16-20 (2010-2015)

Volumes 11-15 (2004-2010)

Volumes 6 - 10 (2000 - 2006)

Volumes 1-5 (1994-2000)