Arts & Culture — photojunkie

Fringe Festival : Cellar Hotel

July 7, 2011 By alinakulesh 2 Comments

FRINGE. And I’m not talking the kind you find on a hipster’s head. I am referring to drama, drama, drama. The Toronto Fringe Festival prides itself on being one of the largest theatre and performance festivals–drawing in more than 70,000 audience members over 12 days to view 140 productions in 25 venues in Toronto. There’s something for everyone–improv, musicals, comedies, dance, and family programming. Not being very familiar with FRINGE, I found guidance in Ashley Gibson–a second year participant who was willing to share her wisdom.

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Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Blog Tagged With: Ashley Gibson, Cellar Hotel, Fringe

9 to 5 The Musical

July 2, 2011 By photojunkie Leave a Comment

On Wednesday night, I attended the opening night of 9 to 5 The Musical, the touring production, presented by Dancap at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. A group of friends decided to check out the musical, and not wanting to be left out, I came along for the ride.

Overall, the Musical, featuring Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris and American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo was a fun show with stunning vocals and acting, especially with the dynamic retro sets, and costuming, but there was something that lacked in the show, which didn’t fully sell me. Perhaps the dated plot line, didn’t really speak to me, like it may have 30 years ago when the movie, which the musical was based upon was released. I also thought that DeGarmo’s uncanny rendition of Dolly Parton a little too dead on and over done.

For any Dolly Parton fans, The show is a must see, if only for the pre-recorded Dolly Parton cameo’s at the beginning and end of the production. If you are looking for something that is moving and inspirational, this isn’t the musical for you, but if you want to have a fun out night with your girlfriends, this could be a good entertaining laugh for y’all.

9 to 5 The Musical, will be playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts until July 10th.

Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Blog Tagged With: 9to5, Dee Hoty, Diana DeGarmo, Dolly Parton, Mamie Parris, musical, Toronto Centre for the Arts

10 x 10 Opening and Book Launch

July 2, 2011 By photojunkie Leave a Comment

On Thursday, June 30th, I had the pleasure of being a part of an amazing group show featuring the work of 10 queer photographers including myself. We each presented 10 portraits culminating in a body of work which showcased 100 images of queers in the arts.

The exhibit 10×10: 100 Portraits Celebrating LGBT People in the arts is running at the White House studio space at 277.5 Augusta Ave (just south of College in Kensington Market) until Friday, July 8. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m

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Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Events, Queer

10×10 : That’s like 100 queers!

June 30, 2011 By photojunkie Leave a Comment

So can I take a moment and talk about the elephant in the room? It’s Pride week here in Toronto and tonight I have an exhibit opening that celebrating LGBT People in the arts. A couple of months back, my buddy James Fowler asked me if I wanted to be a part of this project. The main premise was to have 10 queer photographers shoot 10 portraits of queers in the arts. And it’s all coming together tonight with an exhibit opening and book launch at The White House (studio), 277.5 Augusta Avenue.

I’m super pleased to be a part of this project and I was blessed to have 10 great people pose for me; Paul Bellini (pictured above), Maggie Cassella, Jonathan Cooper, Nick May, Renee Navarro, Richard Ryder, Rob Salerno, Jeffery Straker, Shawn Syms, and Jeremy Vandermeij.

The exhibit features photographs by: Tania Anderson, Joey Bruni, Paul Buen, John Caffery, InkedKenny, Patrick Lightheart, David Pike, G. Elliott Simpson, Tanja-Tiziana, and myself.

Proceeds from the book ($40) will go toward an award in the form of a grant for a young LGBT person or group seeking money for an arts project. The show runs from Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 8. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m at The White House Studio Space, 277.5 Augusta Ave., Toronto.

For more information, visit http://10x10toronto.wordpress.com.

Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Blog, Queer

Gallery Profile: Analogue Gallery

June 22, 2011 By alinakulesh 1 Comment

NXNE is a great time to discover new artists, new sounds, and new venues; for several days Toronto sleeplessly enjoys ecclectic variety of music. In the spirit of ‘discovery’, I recently stumbled upon a gem of a gallery: Analogue Gallery–an intimate space that houses an impressive collection of authentic candid photographs of artists/bands and iconic signed vinyls.

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Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Blog, NXNE, Photography, Toronto

What is Bü? Art Showcase & Launch Party

June 16, 2011 By alinakulesh Leave a Comment

What is Bü? A question that was on everybody’s minds prior to attending the Art Showcase & Launch party hosted by Crywolf, a Toronto Indie clothing company.

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Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Blog

Luminato – Sargasso by Philip Beesley Architech Inc.

June 10, 2011 By photojunkie Leave a Comment

A worldwide pioneer in the field of responsive architecture, Beesley and his team bring the Allen Lambert Galleria to life with Sargasso, this innovative installation. Their goal was to create a piece that felt like it was alive and personally I think they achieved it. The installation itself feels extra terrestrial in nature like something out of science fiction, if you stand in the middle long enough you feel like you are a part of it. Sargasso is also well suited to the majestic architecture of the galleria, as if born from it.

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Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Blog, Luminato