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Prince tribute events in Toronto

Pure talent. A true legend. Gentle superstar. These were some of the words eulogizing Prince on the Toronto Prince Fans Facebook page hours following the artists death. The singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor born Prince Rogers Nelson died at the age of 57 in his home recording studio on April 21. No further details have been released.

Local politicians, musicians, artists, fans and businesses alike have been mourning Princes death online. And while both the CN Tower and Toronto sign were lit purple in celebration of Queen Elizabeth IIs 90th birthday on April 21, many Prince fans also saw it as a nod to the Purple Rain singer.

In Toronto, events paying tribute to Princes work are already being planned. Here are a few below. The list will be updated as more events are scheduled.

Purple Rain at Kingsway Theatre

Prince fans have two chances to catch Purple Rain at Kingsway Theatre (3030 Bloor W) this weekend. The 1984 rock-music movie directed by Albert Magnoli will be shown at 11pm on April 22 and 23. Prince stars as a struggling musician who falls in love with an aspiring singer, while dealing with abusive parents at home. The film won an Academy Award for its soundtrack and spawned the hit song of the same name. Tickets are $15.

Purple Rain at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema

If you cant make it to Kingsway Theatre, Purple Rain will also be shown at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema (506 Bloor W) on April 23. The special screening will be preceded by a DJd reception. Doors open at 9pm and the movie starts at 10pm. Tickets range from $6 to $18.

Tribute to Prince at TRANZAC

The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club (292 Brunswick Avenue) is throwing a Prince tribute night on April 23 at 10pm. Local musicians including Ryan Driver, Alex Lukashevsky, Henri Faberge, Abigail Lapell and Paul Kolinski will play Prince cover songs all night, and attendees are encouraged to wear purple.

A Tribute to Prince at Nathan Phillips Square

The City of Toronto will host a free Prince music tribute outside City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square on April 25 from 8 to 9pm. Mayor John Tory announced the last-minute event via Twitter, giving props to Councillor Paula Fletcher of Ward 30 for spearheading the tribute. Additionally, Tory confirmed that the iconic Toronto sign will be lit purple in honour of Prince.

Choir!Choir!Choir! sing Prince at Clinton’s Tavern

Toronto’s popular drop-in community choir, Choir!Choir!Choir!, will pay tribute to the music of Prince with several performances. At their weekly meetups at Clinton’s Tavern (693 Bloor W), the group will sing When U Were Mine, a song from Prince’s 1980 album Dirty Mind, on April 26. The song was later covered by Cyndi Lauper. The following night, on April 27, C!C!C! will sing Manic Monday, a song written by Prince for The Bangles’ 1986 album, Different Light. Doors open at 7pm and admission is $5 at the door.

Prince tribute at Velvet Underground

Dance along to all your favourite Prince hits at Velvet Underground (508 Queen W) on April 29 starting at 10pm. Local DJ Lazarus will spin Prince albums accompanied by video projections at the nightclub. Cover is $5.

Prince: A Celebration of His Music and Life at Revival Bar

More than half a dozen Toronto musicians will gather at Revival Bar (783 College Street) on May 1 for a live-music celebration of Prince’s life. Confirmed artists include singer-songwriter Trust Chen Pow, singer Jennie Laws, guitarist Ricky Tillo, bassist Calvin Beale, performer Alana Bridgewater and drummer Shamakah Ali. The event starts at 6pm, with DJ KC spinning Prince classics until showtime at 7pm. Tickets are $20 to $30 and can be purchased online in advance.

Choir!Choir!Choir! sing When Doves Cry at Massey Hall

If you miss the C!C!C! Prince tribute at Clinton’s on April 26 and 27, the community choir is hosting a second event at Massey Hall (178 Victoria Street) on May 2 at 8pm. Singers of all levels are invited to join in on a performance of When Doves Cry, sung in three-part harmony. Tickets are $19.99 and can be purchased online in advance. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Regent Park School of Music as well as the Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall’s Share the Music Program. Earlier this year, C!C!C! hosted a similar event at the AGO after David Bowie died.

Purple Rain at Cineplex Theatres

Cineplex will celebrate the legacy of Prince with a special showing of Purple Rain at 54 theatres across the country on May 2. In Toronto, screenings will take place at Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas, VIP Don Mills and Famous Players Canada Square. Tickets are $6.99 and $1 for each ticket sale will be donated to MusiCounts.

Princes Birthday Bash Double Bill at the Royal Cinema

Prince wouldve turned 58 on June 7, so the Royal Cinema (608 College Street) is throwing the artist a birthday bash posthumously. Starting at 7pm on June 7, watch a screening of director Christopher Kirkleys 2015 film, Rain The Color Blue With A Little Red In It. A revolutionary story involving guitars, motorcycles and purple robes in an epic battle set in the Niger desert, the film is told in the Saharan Tuareg language and is a literal translation of Purple Rain. Then, at 9:15pm, the Royal will show Mognolis Purple Rain starring the one and only. Ticket information will be announced soon.

Purpleelectricity Prince Party at The Marquis of Granby

The 31st edition of Purpleelectricity, the annual celebration of Princes music, will take place at the Marquis of Granby (418 Church Street) later this summer. Scheduled for August 20 at 10pm, this years edition of the popular dance party will also honour the 30th anniversary of Parade, the soundtrack album to the 1986 film Under The Cherry Moon. Tickets are $8 and will be available online soon.

michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas

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