What's On with Aparita Bhandari

Friday October 30, 2015

What's On: Halloween and other ghoulish delights

It's Halloween weekend. But why should the kids get to have all the fun?! There are many seasonal options for adults as well. Here are some of them:

The (Improvised) Shining
Oct 30
Bad Dog Theatre

If you know the Stephen King novel, on which the classic film was based, this will be a lot of fun. If you don't, it will still be a lot of fun! Organizers ask you to look on as the "Torrence family's eventful stay at the Overlook Hotel [turns] into a hilariously creepy show."

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Good Evening: A Night of Improvised Suspense
Oct 31
Bad Dog Theatre

"In a world where birds attack children, motel owners stab women and Jimmy Stewart stares out a window; what horrors will befall our actors on this night of improvised suspense?" ask the show organizers.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Fan Fiction the Show: Harry Potter
Oct 31
Comedy Bar

The Halloween edition of the show takes on the story of the Boy Who Lived. Using original fan-generated material from across the globe, local comics give their own spin to the well known story.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Pumpkinfest 2016
Oct 31
The Junction

Enjoy all sorts of pumpkin inspired treats! From beverages to baked goodies, the squash will be celebrated in many forms. There will also be family friendly activities including pumpkin carving.

For more information, check out the Junction BIA website.

Screenings: Night of the Living Dead/The Exorcist
Oct 30 (11:15 PM)
Rainbow Cinema Market Square

Two classic movies that have become Halloween favourites are on the screen again!

For more information, check out the Rainbow Cinema website.

The Grandstone Budapest Hotel
Oct 31
Gladstone Hotel

The Gladstone Hotel transforms itself into a Wes Anderson inspired wonderland. And to join in the fun, you are asked to show up dressed as one of your favourite Wes Anderson character.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

In Concert: Mamselle Ruiz
Oct 30
ROM

Originally from Mexico, Mamselle Ruiz now makes her home in Montreal. She takes part in the #FNLROM series at the museum, which celebrates Mexico's Day of the Dead tradition.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Categories: Columnists, Past Episodes, What's On with Aparita Bhandari

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Thursday October 22, 2015

What's On: Disability Arts Showcase and more

The Disability Arts Showcase highlights the challenges of accessibility on the TTC, and it's just one of many event to check out in the city this weekend:

Disability Arts Showcase
Oct 23
The Artists Newsstand

This is a celebration of "sick and disabled queer brilliance and revolutionary love." And the venue of the performance highlights the issue of accessibility and the TTC. Chester subway station, home to The Artists Newsstand, is not accessible. So a procession will start out from Broadview Station at 6:45 PM.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Reading: Sharon Butala and Erna Buffie
Oct 23
Another Story

The two Prairie authors bring their new works to Toronto as part of a fall launch tour. Well known author Sharon Butala's latest work Wildrose is a historical novel set in rural Quebec. Meanwhile, award-winning filmmaker Erna Buffie presents her debut novel Let Us Be True tells the story of three women and the secrets they carry.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Planet in Focus
Oct 21 to Oct 25
Various Location

The environmental film festival is back for its 16th year. The opening night gala features After the Last River, filmmaker Vicki Lean's powerful documentary about the effects of diamond mining on the community of Attawapiskat.

For more information, check out the Planet in Focus website.

The Path
Fridays, Oct 23 to Nov 20
Bad Dog Theatre

The underground pedestrian system in the downtown core is the inspiration for this unscripted comedy. It's where "indie businesses duke it out with corporate behemoths, cellphone kiosk empires rise and fall, eyebrow threaders lurk in every corner: there is a war waged under our feet that ends at 5pm every day... and only on weekdays."

For more information, check out the Bad Dog Theatre website.

Night of Dread
Oct 24
Dufferin Grove Park

The 16th annual Night of Dread returns to help summon and banish our personal and collective fears. This is achieved "through parade and pageantry, music and masquerade, dance and a devilishly good party."

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Pedestrian Sunday
Oct 25
Kensington Market

The final Pedestrian Sunday at Kensington Market takes place this weekend. This means it's your last chance to wander around the neighbourhood when the streets are closed off to vehicular traffic. It's also the final instalment of the Kensington Market Art Fair, which feature local artists.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

In Concert: Mike Tompkins et al
Oct 24
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

YouTube stars will be available IRL this weekend. A concert showcase features acapella stars such as Mike Tompkins.

For more information, check out the Buffer Festival website.

Categories: Columnists, Past Episodes, What's On with Aparita Bhandari

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Friday October 16, 2015

What's On: A new beginning for a queer literary festival and more...

In a city that loves books, there are many literary celebrations. Naked Heart is one of the most recent additions to that landscape. More on that, and other events this weekend:

Naked Heart
Oct 16 to Oct 18
Various Locations

The idea of a queer literary festival is not new to Toronto. However, after a gap of many years, this is the first literary festival to celebrate and examine queer culture. The festival features famous figures such as Larry Duplechan and Shyam Selvadurai, as well as local talent such as Vivek Shraya and Farzana Doctor. However, the festival isn't about just listening to famous people. It also offers many panels that address issues within the queer community, and exploring them in a creative way.

For more information, check out the Naked Heart website.

EstDocs
Oct 15 to Oct 20
Various Locations

This festival celebrates films with Estonian connections. The special gala presentation screening Friday night is a film called Those Who Dare. The film about a former Icelandic foreign minister Jon Baldvin Hannibalson who played a central part in the 1991 Estonian Singing Revolution has been made by his daughter, screenwriter Kolfinna Baldvinsdóttir.

For more information on the line-up of films, check out the EstDocs website.

Toronto Russian Film Festival
Oct 16 to Oct 18
Innis Town Hall

The festival shines a spotlight on famous Russian actor and filmmaker Alexey Serebryakov, who now makes Toronto his home. Serebryakov will be in attendance and will take part in Q&A after the screenings. All films are in Russian with English subtitles.

For more information, check out the Toronto Russian Film Festival website.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival
Oct 15 to Oct 23
Scotiabank Theatre

This film festival is dedicated to horror, sci-fi, action and cult films.

For the complete line-up, check out the Toronto After Dark website.

Halloween Prop Making Workshop
Oct 17
Annex Art Centre

Magical fairy wands. Princess Tiaras. Knight's Helmet. This workshop will help you make props for the little ones, and offer some make up tips for the older ones.

For more information, check out the Annex Art Centre website.

Craveyard Halloween Party
Oct 18 (1-4 PM)
Nestlé Canada's Sterling Road Chocolate Factory

Now in its third year, this event is sure to be a hit with the kids. Entertainment includes live musical performance, fun fair park, face painting and pumpkin decorating. And there will likely be lots of candy.

For more information, check out the Nestle Canada website.

In Concert: You(th) Vote!
Oct 16
The Central

This event to inspire young people in the city to vote features a range of performances, including Iman & the Wasted Lala's.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.