Faculty, students and alumni from York’s Faculty of Fine Arts are performing in dozens of events in and around Toronto over the next two weeks and beyond. Below is a selection of events and performances in which they or their work will appear.
Theatre Passe Muraille’s Backspace
Moleman productions presents Erika Batdorf, a professor in York’s Theatre Department, in her new solo performance piece “Poetic License”, which opened Friday and runs until May 26 at Theatre Passe Muraille’s Backspace. Directed by theatre alumnus Todd Hammond (BFA ’90) and designed by faculty members Teresa Przybylski (sets, costumes) and Elizabeth Asselstine (lighting design), the show runs Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm. For tickets, call the theatre box office at 416-504-7529. Theatre Passe Muraille is located at 16 Ryerson Ave. near Bathurst St. and Queen St.
Stephen Bulger Gallery
Until June 25, the Stephen Bulger Gallery presents, Larry Towell: No Man’s Land, a solo exhibition by the acclaimed photojournalist and alumnus of York’s Department of Visual Arts (BFA ’76). The gallery, located at 1026 Queen St. W., is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-6pm.
Shaw Festival
The Brecht/Weill musical Happy End, directed by Tadeusz Bradecki with musical direction by Paul Sportelli and costumes designed by Teresa Przybylski, York theatre professor, runs until Oct. 28 at the Shaw Festival’s Royal George Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Jackman Hall, AGO
Internationally renowned sculptor and theorist William Tucker, L.L. Odette Visiting Artist in Sculpture in York’s Department of Visual Arts, gives a free public lecture on the work of Italian sculptor Medardo Rosso (1858-1928) on Thursday, May 19, at 8pm, followed by a reception, at the Art Gallery of Ontario, 316 Dundas St. W.
The Distillery
York jazz Professor Sundar Viswanathan performs on Sunday, May 22, at the Distillery Jazz Festival with Rez Abbasi’s Indo-jazz band Snake Charmer, featuring Abbasi (guitar), Ben Stivers (organ), Kiran Ahluwalia (vocals) and York instructor Anthony Michelli (drums) at 4pm. Later that day, at 8pm, Viswanathan appears with Michael Morse’s Dignity of Labour Ensemble. The Distillery is located on Mill St. near Front St.E. and Parliament St. in Toronto’s Distillery District.
Factory Theatre
Adult Entertainment and End of Civilization from George F. Walker’s Suburban Motel series, are both playing in repertory until June 12 at Factory Theatre. the plays are directed by Ken Gass, with sets & costumes by Shawn Kerwin, Chair of York’s Department of Theatre. Factory Theatre is located at 125 Bathurst St. (at Adelaide St.). For information and tickets call the box office at 416-504-9971.
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
A solo exhibition of early works by Michael Semak, a York professor emeritus of visual arts, runs until Nov. 13. The exhibition reviews the early career of the Toronto-area photographer and the variouis projects he unterook during the ’60s and ’70s. See the Web site for admission and museum hours. The museum is located at 1 Rideau Canal in Ottawa.