Volume 17 Issue 8 - May 2012

D. The ETCeterasSEE Hear!The marriage between sound and vision is explored thismonth by several presenters. In a month popular for weddings,audiences can engage their senses in a variety of ways.The Toronto Jewish Film Festival has zoomed in on the relationshipbetween film and music previously. In 2006, the Rhythm& Jews series focused on the connections between Jewish andBlack music, and how this phenomenon resulted in the AmericanSongbook; in 2009 Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance paid tribute to TinPan Alley and the American musical; and last year, The ThreeLennys showcased the musical genius of Leonard Bernstein andLeonard Cohen.Curated by Ellie Skrow, The Sound of Movies: Masters of theFilm Score is the TJFF’s Sidebar Series this year. Celebratingthe lives and works of Jewish film composers, the 12-part seriesincludes American pioneers Alex North and David Shire, as wellas Toronto-born luminaries Howard Shore, Laurence Rosenthal andPhilip Glass.British composer Michael Nyman is the subject of Michael Nymanin Progress, a highly personal exploration of his Polish Jewish rootsand musical influences. Nyman is probably best-known for creatinga voice for the mute character of Ada McGrath in Jane Campion’sThe Piano.Many of the screenings highlight the film composer’s choices,including a presentation called “Composer’s Choice.” On May 6at 3:30pm at Innis College there’s a rare opportunity to view theclassic Planet of the Apes on a big screen. The film was selectedfor inclusion by Canadian film composer Mychael Danna, who willbe present at the screening to discuss Jerry Goldsmith’s groundbreakingscore.The 20th annual Toronto Jewish Film Festival takes place May 3to 13 in various cinemas in downtown Toronto. Visit www.tjff.comfor the complete schedule.Recipient of no less than six honorary doctorates, as well as theinaugural Bruce Ricker Lifetime Achievement Award, legendarycomposer and multi-instrumentalist David Amram will be atToronto’s Gallery 345 on May 22 at 8pm. His famous collaborationwith beat poet Jack Kerouac will be revisited in a concert featuringthe composer on various instruments along with bassist RobertoOcchipinti and flutist Les Allt.The following day at the Theatre Direct Studio of ArtscapeWychwood Barns (May 23 from 10am to 5pm) the octogenarianAmram will offer two lectures. The first will focus on how to findand maintain one’s own voice and the creation of a cultural centerwithin a community. The second will offer insight into compositionfor theatre, film, opera, spoken word, improvised lyrics and more.Participants are encouraged to bring instruments, a poem, a songwith a lead sheet and chord changes. The cost is $60 per individualsession or $95 for both. — Ori DaganGALAS & FUNDRAISERS• May 05 1:00: Cantabile Chorale of YorkRegion. TEA for TWO (pianos). Bob and LonaRichardson, pianos. Three seatings, approximatelyone hour each, in Thornhill (call for exactlocation). 905-731-8318. $10 suggesteddonation, includes refreshments.• May 05 6:00: King Edward Choir. 60th AnniversaryGala. Following world premiere ofcommission by playwright/composer Leslie Ardenat Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, the choircelebrates 60 years with a gala dinner featuringentertainment. Liberty Banquet Hall, 100Caplan Ave. Barrie. 705-252-5212. $55(includes2:00 concert and gala).• May 06 2:00: Children’s Aid Foundation.SPARK Gala: “Rhythm & Soul.” Randy Bachman,Jackie Richardson and others will inspireover 400 young guests on the theme ofthe transformative power of art and music inthe life of a child; featuring performances byMASTERS OF THE FILM SCOREA 12-part series celebrating the Jewish composers who createthe music for the movies, through the artistry of the film score.“If you could perform a magical act of alchemy and combinesome of the great Russian-Soviet composers, say Shostakovichor Prokoviev, with Duke Ellington or Billy Strayhorn, you mightproduce a wonder such as Alex North.” – John WilliamsAlex North (Spartacus, A Streetcar Named Desire) is just oneof the outstanding screen composers spotlighted in thisspecial film series. Showcasing music by Elmer Bernstein,Jerry Goldsmith, Aaron Copland, Erich Korngold,Bernard Herrmann, Michael Nyman, Lalo Schifrin and more!DAVID SHIRE – (The Conversation, Saturday Night Fever,The Taking of Pelham One, Two Three),STEVEN NORTH – (Emmy-Award Producer of The LastButterfly, featuring his father Alex North’s last score),MYCHAEL DANNA – (Canadian composer).Check www.tjff.com for full filmdescriptions, ticket info and schedule.Sistema Toronto, Sanskriti Arts and others.Carlu, 444 Yonge St. 416-923-0924 x275.$250.• May 06 6:00: Music Toronto. Dinner withWine-Tasting at Scaramouche Restaurant. 24thannual fundraising event. 1 Benvenuto Pl. 416-214-1660. $200.• May 07 6:30: Regent Park School ofMusic. Annual Fundraiser. Gala to raise fundsfor school which provides at-risk youth withhigh quality, subsidized music lessons. Silentauction and performances by Molly Johnson,Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats, Cadence,the RPSM Choir and others. Toronto Board ofTrade, First Canadian Place, 77 Adelaide St. W.416-364-8900. $125.• Jun 03 2:30–5:00: Toronto Early MusicPlayers Association. T.E.M.P.O. FundraisingTea and Silent Auction. Members of T.E.M.P.O.will perform throughout the afternoon. Friends’Meeting House, 60 Lowther Ave. 416-245-3413. Admission by donation.THE SOUND OF MOVIES INCLUDESTICKETED EVENTSVenue Rental• in the heart of Yorkville• historical heritage building• Steinway Grand Piano• recital and special events• lighting and sound systems• accomodates caterers• reasonable ratesPremiere Source for HigH quality food(416) 364-7397 www.pasqualebros.com35 Hazelton Avenue, Heliconian Hall416-922-3618 rentals@heliconianclub.org54 thewholenote.com May 1 – June 7, 2012