Contact Photography Festival
The annual city-wide photo festival usually takes over in May but will roll out gradually over the year in public spaces and galleries as pandemic restrictions ease. A few public exhibitions are still happening now. Toronto photographer Jeff Bierk’s billboards are up, and a handful of exhibitions and talks are happening online this month too. Check out our picks for the 25th anniversary event here.
May 1-31. Free. contactphoto.com
Six Characters In Search Of An Author
Luigi Pirandello’s modern classic – in a new dramaturgical adaptation by director Daniele Bartolini and Luke Reece, in collaboration with a first-rate cast – is the latest audio drama in Soulpepper’s excellent Around The World In 80 Plays series. Also available for listening is Moonlodge and The Walls.
May 6 to June 30 at soulpepper.ca
Theatresports
Connor Low hosts Bad Dog Theatre’s flagship show, which brings a competitive feel to improv comedy.
May 6 at 9 pm, baddogtheatre.com
A Singer Must Die
The Art Of Time Ensemble is presenting a virtual version of its popular tribute to Leonard Cohen. Expect orchestral renditions of the late Montreal songwriter’s rich catalogue sung by guest singers including Sarah Harmer, Steven Page, Sarah Slean, Tom Wilson and more.
May 6-May 9, 7:30 pm. Free at artoftimensemble.com
Jane’s Walks
Walking in big groups is not considered safe, so the annual urban exploration and amateur history event is going virtual again. There will be three types of walks: live walks (via online platforms such as Instagram Live), self-guided walks (pre-recorded audio/visual walks) and 3D walks (walks created with Google VR Tour Creator). This year’s walks will cover Trinity Bellwoods, Danforth, Corktown, Leaside, Ontario Place, Casa Loma and more.
May 7-9. Free. janeswalkfestivalto.com
Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Organizers of TCAF are seizing the opportunities that come with going virtual to expand the comics-centric festival to eight days and include on-demand programming. This year there will be 600 virtual exhibitors, with an emphasis on the zine and indie gaming worlds (Canzine is a partner). Programming includes a kick-off panel on the history of important Canadian comics creators, a live drawing event with Loop Sessions Toronto, a panel on protest comics and much more.
May 8-15. torontocomics.com
Honey Jam After Hours Sessions
Honey Jam, the local platform for women in Canadian music, has been putting on a series of virtual concerts with Flow 93.5 prerecorded at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. It concludes this week with a strong lineup of R&B talent: Savannah Ré, Devaney and Kelsey Vaz.
May 9 at 10 pm. Free on Happin.
