Arts & Culture

Audition material for Plays, Shows and Musical Theatre at the Toronto Reference Library, 5th Floor

We have audition material for upcoming plays and shows that you can use at the Arts Department of Toronto Reference Library (the list is updated regularly).

 

New Auditions:

• Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story; Where the Blood Mixes; Bemused (Theatre North West). Auditions May 16 & 17. Scripts available at desk
• Female of the Species (East Side Players). Auditions May 13 & 14. Callbacks May 16. Posted April 27, 2013. (Script not available).
• Is He Dead? (Amicus Productions). Auditions June 16, 17, 18. Callbacks the following week. Posted May 1, 2013. Script available at desk
• Mousetrap (Lower Ossington Theatre).  Auditions We are currently looking for understudies to be cast immediately for the following roles:  Christopher Wren & Mr. Paravicini.  Posted May 9, 2013 (Script available at desk).
•  Scotland Road (Amicus Productions). Auditions June 16, 17, 18. Callbacks the following week. Posted May 1, 2013. Script available at desk.
• A Month in the Country (Amicus Productions). Auditions June 16, 17, 18. Callbacks the following week. Posted May 1, 2013.
• Dial 'M' for Murder (Bygone Theatre). Auditions May 24 & 25. Callbacks May 26. Posted May 14, 2013
• The Last Resort (Globe Theatre, Regina). Auditions in Toronto May 19 & 20. Posted May 15, 2013
• Man of La Mancha (Globe Theatre, Regina). Auditions in Toronto May 19 & 20. Posted May 15, 2013
• Spamalot (Scarborough Music Theatre). Auditions June 9, 10, 11. Posted May 17, 2013

 

        
                                                        
                                                           
 

         

Know of an upcoming audition?  Tell us in person, phone us (416-393-7157), or email us at trlarts@torontopubliclibrary.ca. Want to leave your script here so you can refer actors to us?  We do that too.                

 

Toronto Reference Library has an extensive collection of monologues for all your audition needs! Come to the Arts Department on the 5th floor to sample some...

Monologues for Women

Monologues for Men

Canadian Monologues

Multicultural and LGBT gay/lesbian monologues

 

Audition items are for use in the library only and on first come first served basis.  There are sometimes copies at other branches that you can borrow or reserve.  We do have photocopying - but you'll need a copy card or blue library card - remember to add money at the Main 1st floor information desk. We're on the 5th floor - Arts Department desk - Toronto Reference Library -  thank you and knock'm dead.

Ceramics and Transformation

Ceramics are another art form that intrigues me.  These books are available in the library system. 

 

                                       

                                          

                                         
 

       
The Transformation By Fire exhibition at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto also caught my attention.  Women overcoming violence through clay, on from February 7th to April 28th, 2013.

 

Library Books at Home 3

Look what I got from the library this month. Isn't this an inviting pile of books?

High Line: The Inside Story of New York City's Park in the Sky is a complete history of New York's most recent public park -- the enourmously successful High Line.

American photographer Joel Sternfeld took these pictures when the High Line was still an abandoned railway line.

This elegant park has become a magnet for both tourists and locals. Expect a crowd.

Being one story above street level makes all the difference. It gives one a feeling of being connected to the city and yet removed from it -- contemplating it in tranquility.

I noticed Be Your Own Decorator on my last visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario's gift shop. I wrote down the title, put in a hold at the library and here it is. Let's have a look.

I was pleased to recognize the Erwin Olaf photograph over the fireplace on the right. I know it from the front cover of this book.

Designers: Stephen Shubel on the left, Eric Cohler on the right

Here's another view of that Shubel room. I like those two couches pushed together and I like all the tables and the low mirrors. This would be a great room for a party.

Designers: Annie Brahler on the left, Alex Papachristidis on the right.

Darryl Carter, another designer in the book, has some decorating advice: "It's...about buying the things you love and making sure they don't match." Pretty funny!

Looking through The Sacred Image in the Age of Art: Titian, Tintoretto, Barocci, El Greco, Caravaggio made me want to learn a lot more about Renaissance painting. I find I can start reading on almost any page and the writing draws me in.

And the design is superb. Look at this chapter opening -- with that gorgeous Bellini on the left. Don't you want to know more about "The Dilemma of Naturalism"?

Who could look at this double page spread and not want to know more about "Michelangelo's Last Judgment and the Failure of the Sacred Image at Midcentury".

What a stunning Titian: a detail from his Christ Carrying the Cross, 1575. The text says this was in Titian's studio at the time of his death.

One more treat. Do you know the boxes and assembliges of Joseph Cornell? Joseph Cornell: Navigating the Imagination is the perfect introduction to his work.

I've never seen this piece before. It's Untitled (Porthole Cage) from 1949. I find it mysterious and haunting.

Cornell did many different versions of what he called Medici Slot Machine. They are among his most popular works.

Look what a master artist can do with a piece of wood, a map and three little toys! Cornell makes being amazing look easy.

Such a nice set of books. What a satisfying way to spend an afternoon!

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More: Library Books at Home and Library Books at Home 2.

Official Photographer of the City of Prague

Josef Sudek: The Window of My Studio, 2007

 

Czech master photographer Josef Sudek has just become much better known. A major show of his photographs at the Art Gallery of Ontario, on until April 7th, is finding him a new audience in Canada, including me.

His photographic prints are small and reward close attention. When I was looking at them on the wall of the gallery I kept wishing I had more time to give them.

Then I found these five Sudek photobooks at the library. They are part of an ongoing series by Prague publisher Torst to publish high quality collections of Sudek's work theme by theme. Two more collections have been announced. Click on a book cover or a title for more information or to put holds on these books.

This exhibition at the AGO is an opportunity to see almost 200 of Sudek's prints up close in a public setting. Then enjoy the intimacy you can only find at home with a book.

 

 Josef Sudek: The Ancient Forest of the Beskids (Mionší Forest), 2009

  

 Josef Sudek: Still Lives, 2008.

  

 Josef Sudek: The Advertising Photographs, 2008.

  

 Josef Sudek: Portraits, 2008.

  

If you are rushing down to the AGO to see the Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera show before it closes try to make time for this charming exhibition.

Library Books at Home 2

Last Sunday afternoon I sat down and had a look at my new books from the library.

Do you know the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston? If you do you'll understand why I was excited to discover a book called Furnishing a Museum: Isabella Stewart Gardner's Collection of Italian Furniture at the Reference Library. I went straight to the on-line catalogue and put my name in for a circulating copy.

In the first years of the 20th century Gardner built herself a Venetian-style palace in Boston -- it's now a public museum. The photographs by Sean Dungan are first-rate -- this one really communicates the Venetian feel of the museum and its contents. These doors lead out into an open Italian-style courtyard.

Gardner bought seven of these chairs from the Palazzo Borghese in Rome. How amazing is that?

   

Alan Chong a former curator at the Gardner Museum tells us about when "Isabella proudly showed off the chairs to Henry James, a guest that summer. James wrote: 'the little lady is of an energy! She showed me yesterday, at Carrer's her seven glorious chairs (the loveliest I ever saw); but they are not a symbol of her attitude -- she never sits down.'"

   

I don't know if I would like a book about 18th century furniture, but the stuff is so great. I love this mid-18th century Venetian sofa. Can't you see yourself sitting on this?

    

Or in this Pozzetti armchair, Venice, mid-18th century?

   

Aren't these putti wonderful? They're at the top of an ornate mirror in her collection.

   

I wish I had the space to show you many more details from the book and more pictures of whole rooms. Here's The Titian Room. That's Titian's Rape of Europa, 1560-62, given pride of place on the red wall.

    

Here is Duggan's portrait of Gardner's unforgettably lush "Long Gallery" spread over two pages. One of my favourite rooms in the museum. So nice to be reminded of it.

   

That was a wonderful experience. I need to just sit a moment and catch my breath.

   

Let's have a look at Van Gogh Up Close It's the catalogue from a show organized by the National Gallery of Canada and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The works appeared first in Philadelphia and then in Ottawa in the spring of this year. I missed this show completely.

   

I've never seen this Japanese influenced painting of cherry blossoms before. It is gorgeous.

   

I'm going to skip ahead in the book to show you this ravishing detail spread across two pages.

   

Look at how the spiraling brush strokes give a sense of the branches growing.

   

   

The book consists of beautifully illustrated medium-length essays by different Van Gogh experts.

   

Jennifer A. Thompson quotes from Van Gogh's letters to bring us his reaction to Delacroix's "Barq du Christ" (Christ Asleep During the Tempest), 1853, -- "these waves are claws, the boat is caught in them, you can feel it." Yikes! And there is Christ serenely not helping.

   

I hadn't known that Van Gogh was strongly influenced by Dürer and that he treasured Dürer's etchings. The text says that there is no evidence Van Gogh saw this particular Dürer: the Great Piece of Turf, 1503

   

but it is hard not to see an echo in these Irises of 1889, which the book displays across the page.

   

Van Gogh hated photography. He found photographs flat and harsh. Yet it's fascinating to see this photograph of his mother next to his painted portrait. I hadn't thought about Van Gogh being influenced by photography before.

   

I'm so pleased to find all these Van Goghs that I've never seen before. Bench in the Park of the Asylum at Saint-Rémy, 1889, was painted the year before he died. Can't you feel the relentlessly snaking energy? It never left the artist alone.

   

Let me show you just one more -- Almond Tree in Blossom, 1888. It's thrilling to see what Van Gogh did with his idea of Japanese art. This book made me wish I had gone to Ottawa to see this show.

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More: Library Books at Home and Library Books at Home 3.

Glass as an Art Form

The centuries old art form of working with glass is introduced here in this range of books.  From the Penland Studio master craftspeople, to glass fusing and stained glass, a short history, and ending with a number of contemporary glass artists from the Seattle area.  Inspiration for those interested in glass.

 

              


                           


This website may catch your attention, the Corning Museum of Glass.

The world  of glass, one of my favourite art forms.

 

Uke Can Do It!

            
     

You’ve always wanted to play a musical instrument, but it was too expensive, or time-consuming, or scary? That’s how I felt, until I bought my first ukulele.

The little instrument with a big following is easy to learn. Without too much investment in money or time, you’ll be strumming and singing lots of your favourite songs.  Toronto Public Library has added many songbooks and how-to books to the collection recently, and has some great CDs and DVDs to inspire budding ukesters.

 

You might want to start by watching The Mighty Uke. It traces the history of the ukulele, and highlights some of the great groups and individual musicians who are playing today, including Canada’s own James Hill.

 

Don’t feel too bad if your playing isn’t quite up to James’s skill – he started playing uke in public school. Give yourself a couple of years to catch up!!

Here are some CDs to inspire you.

 

Ukulele Songs

A very non-traditional album by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam!

 

True Love Don't Weep

Canadian James Hill, such an exciting and original performer.

 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Last but not least, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Izzy),  the man who helped to re-start the ukulele craze!

 

               

And of course, some how-to books to get you started playing today.

 

                
Once you've mastered a few techniques, check out these great songbooks!

No tiptoe-ing through the tulips required – the ukulele repertoire has come a long way since the days of Tiny Tim!

For those of us who like to play with friends and fellow learners, here in Toronto we are lucky to have some great ukulele group opportunities. Check out the legendery Corktown Ukulele Jam, and the Toronto Institute for the Enjoyment of Music for their special events, regular classes and jams.

Many of the greatest pop and rock musicians have included the uke in their repertoire. George Harrison was a huge ukulele fan, and said that everyone should play one. Who are we to argue?

 

Go ahead, release your inner musician, pick up a uke, and start strumming! You know you want to.

Did you know that the Arts Department on the 5^th Floor of the Toronto Reference Library has a large collection of scores and songbooks that you can use here, and in many cases borrow? There is a song index, but you can also browse through the catalogue looking for songs, musicals and instrumental music.  There are 3 photocopiers on the floor but don’t forget to add money to your copy card/library card on the Main Floor .

Fashion Illustration

The pleasure of fashion illustration is presented here in some books that
may interest you.

 

 


 

                       

                         The clothing of the body in interesting ways.

 

Collage and Process

Collage as an art became very popular in the 20th century.  A mixing of images to create a new picture.  For those interested in the art form, some book titles to explore.

 

                                

 

                                

 

                                          

 

A process of creating over again.

New Music 101: Experience contemporary classical music @ Toronto Reference Library (Part 3 and 4)

New to "New Music"? Curious about "Contemporary"? Joins us for the remaining two free concert programs of the "NEW MUSIC 101" series on Monday May 7 and May 14, 7-8pm - Toronto Reference Library Beeton Auditorium (789 Yonge Str.) - everyone is welcome. 

Our series host - the Globe and Mail's music critic Robert Everett-Green and the members of Toronto New Music Alliance will serve as your personal tour guide to the world of contemporary classical music, combining performance and discussion.

Pushing the boundaries of musical expression...prepare yourself for a sonic adventure! 

 

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Program 3: Monday May 7, 7-8pm - CONTACT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC and CONTINUUM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC  

 

Contact ensemble (pictured above) presents "Strumming" - a work for solo electric guitar, soundtrack and video by Tim Brady. The video was created by Tim Brady and Martin Messier and the piece will be performed by guitarist Rob MacDonald.

 

"Telling a Story". there is a long and lively tradition of using music to convey a story, through many forms.

Continuum presents contemporary expressions of the practice, including "l'Elephant de mer" (from "Contes pour enfants pas sages") by west-coast composer Christopher Butterfield, "Why the parrot repeats human words" by east-coast composer Emily Doolittle, and a much-compressed version of Stravinsky's classic "l'Histoire du soldat".

The works call for clarinet, violin, viola and percussion, as well as narrator. 

 

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Program 4: Monday May 14, 7-8pm - NEW ADVENTURES IN SOUND ART and junctQín KEYBOARD COLLECTIVE

 

New Adventures in Sound Art: Christof Migone (pictured on the right) will give a lecture and perform an excerpt from a new version of his work "Radio Naked". "Radio Naked" was a text created in response to the very strict conventions of speaking on radio and programming content on radio.

Christof is making a sound art realization of this text with the changing context of radio in mind for Toronto's Deep Wireless Festival. Darren Copeland will also be on hand to contextualize this presentation in relation to the Deep Wireless festival.

"Pianissimo" is a collection of outstanding contemporary works written for two emerging keyboard instruments: the toy piano and the kalimba (an African thumb piano).  

junctQin keyboard collective will perform works by Canadian composers Monica Clorey and Adam Sherkin and Austrian composer Karlheinz Essl.

 

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We at Toronto Reference Library Arts Department are very excited to offer "New Music 101: Pushing the Boundaries of Sound and Peformance" for a second year and partner with the wonderful artists from the Toronto New Music Alliance.

For the entire four-part series - Download the New Music 101 folded program brochure 2012.

 

Check out our previous blog post about the first two programs April 23 and April 30, 2012 (finished now). Guest presenters were Arraymusic, New Music Concerts, Soundstreams and the Canadian Music Centre.

If you are curious about the "New Music 101" performers and program in Spring 2011 last year - we had blogged about them as well.