Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 73

Malian blues: Boubacar Traoré's new album Dounia Tabolo to be released November 17th 2017

From a media release:

Malian blues:
Boubacar Traoré's new album Dounia Tabolo to be released November 17th 2017
• Pre-order/buy the album (worldwide shipping available)

Boubacar Traoré is the last Malian bluesman of his generation. Since the death of Ali Farka Touré, he has been the musical genre’s only West African icon. In the course of an unsettled life, he became the first star of independence at the start of the 1960s and then vanished from the music scene for nearly 20 years before returning to the limelight in the mid-80s. And ‘Karkar’ is still with us today.

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Boubacar Traoré has an inimitable, wholly personal style. Self-taught and inspired by the Kassonké tradition – he was born in Kayes in Northwest Mali in 1942 – like all the young people of his generation, he discovered blues, rock, jazz, soul and Cuban and Congolese music on the radio, and constructed a musical world like no other for himself. Poetic, fluid and stripped down, his guitar work underpins melancholic melodies inspired by everyday life, the joys and sorrows of love, and passing time. The years have been good to the timbre of his warm, deep voice, which is packed with emotion. Although he has often been compared to Skip James, Robert Johnson and the Mississippi Delta bluesmen in general, he finds inspiration on the banks of the Niger in Bamako, where he now lives.

After an erratic career with long periods of absence, it was at around seventy that the guitarist returned to the public eye in the company of Vincent Bucher, one of the finest contemporary harmonica players and Boubacar’s alter ego. More African-American than French, Vincent brought a new freedom and international culture to Boubacar’s music, as demonstrated by two records – Mali Denhou (2011) and Mbalimaou (2015) – and many concerts given all around the world to audiences who are constantly galvanized by the chemistry of the duo, accompanied by Alassane Samaké’s wonderfully subtle calabash.
Boubacar Traoré en concert - 13 October 2011 - par Fanny SchertzerOn his new album, Boubacar decided to continue with this internationalization, bringing in musicians from the Southern States of the USA he had met on tour: Cedric Watson on violin and washboard, and Corey Harris on guitar. When he told them he wanted to add a cello and female voice to the album, Cedric Watson suggested Leyla McCalla. Boubacar’s intention was to change the coloration of his songs (standards and new numbers) while conserving their original character. From blues to folk and Creole, Cajun or zydeco music, his new traveling companions have provided a touch of folly and swing (Cedric Watson), blues depth (Corey Harris) and discreet elegance (Leyla McCalla). More than ever, Boubacar Traoré has shown himself to be the living, vital connection between Mali and the Mississippi.

“Dounia Tabolo” (2017) Lusafrica 762502 / New album to be released on 17 /11/ 2017
Images taken during the filming of the recording on Boubacar's new album, in Lafayette (Louisiana), with in order of appearance: Boubacar Traoré (guitar), Alassane Samaké (Calabash), Cedric Watson (Violin), Corey Harris (Guitar), Vincent Bucher (Harmonica), Leyla McCalla (cello). 
Performed tracks: "Dounia Tabolo" and "Maciré" (Boubacar Traoré).

The Recall VR Abduction App: A Multi Format Movie Experience

From a media release:

THE RECALL VR APPLICATION OFFERS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND VR FILM, 2D FILM & NEW IMMERSIVE 3-SCREEN VIEWER EXPERIENCE
Groundbreaking Application Offers Immersive Multi-format Content Options for Users All in One Place
• Check out a preview of THE RECALL VR Abduction Application experience 

Toronto, ON/Los Angeles, CA - October 26, 2017: The Recall VR Abduction app is the world's first and only in-app transactional multi format movie experience. The app teleports you to the world of The Recall, staring Wesley Snipes, and welcomes you into the exclusive media lounge where you can immerse yourself in The Recall VR Abduction, enjoy "The Making of The Recall" in a giant home theater screen, and experience the trailers in 360-degrees, Barco Escape, and Standard 2D formats.
The app contains the feature film, trailers in multiple formats, cast stills and extra exclusive behind the scenes video content in 2D format. Capable of streaming or downloading multi-format videos, this is also the first app to enable monetization of video content within the free app.

“Making a film is one challenge, but how the movie is delivered and the new technologies we can offer to make the experience more rewarding is why we are in this business,” said Kevin DeWalt, CEO of Minds Eye Entertainment.  "With this new technology, we look forward to deepening our audience's connections to our stories."
“Our goal is to give fans a chance to do more than just watch a movie. This is the first time three forms of media are all within one app for a single film. The Recall VR app gives the audience multi-content options they can choose to enjoy,” said Travis Cloyd, VR Producer. “The Recall VR app paves the way for film producers to monetize their 2D and VR content through one platform.”

Distributed by ONETOUCH, and available through the Oculus store, The Recall VR Abduction movie app is a native application powered by SELVZ OTT media player technology, supporting 2D, 3D, 180/360-degree (monoscopic/stereoscopic), and Barco Escape formats, Spatial Audio, live and on-demand. The Recall VR Abduction solution enables viewers to fully screen the in-app video experience, and stream multi format video content from major OTT platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Kaltura and Brightcove.

Directed by Mauro Borelli, The Recall stars Wesley Snipes and Breaking Bad’s R.J. Mitte and centers on a group of friends vacationing at a remote cabin lake house.  When aliens attack Earth, the friends are forced to rely on an eccentric and mysterious hunter (Wesley Snipes) with special knowledge of the attack.
The mind bending VR short film produced by Kevin DeWalt, Danielle Masters, Travis Cloyd, Josh Courtney and Wesley Snipes puts the audience into the movie through the eyes of co-star RJ Mitte’s (Breaking Bad) character Brendan, as they battle aliens and avoid being abducted.

It allows users to follow their own curiosity, whether it's interacting with Wesley Snipes’ character the Hunter or fighting off aliens in the surreal landscape of British Columbia. “These 3 experiences all within one digital platform is the first time this has ever been done,” added Kevin DeWalt, Producer of The Recall and The Recall VR Abduction. “Our goal was to extend the users experience when watching films while utilizing new technologies that we felt will revolutionize the consumption of content.”

• For a preview of THE RECALL VR Abduction Application experience go to: https://youtu.be/s1kWy0xE1wY
• For more information and to purchase The Recall VR Abduction go to This Link
• To download The Recall VR Abduction Go Here
The Recall is a Minds Eye Entertainment Production in association with VMI Worldwide, Bridgegate Pictures Corp, Moving Pictures Media, Creativity Capital and Invico Capital. The film is made possible through the Creative Saskatchewan Screen-Based Media Production Grant Program, with the participation of the Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit and Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

North American distribution is being handled by Freestyle Releasing / Freestyle Digital Media. International distribution is being handled by VMI Worldwide.

The Trailer:

Recently released: Eric Pedigo - Sun & Shade (Independent, July 7, 2017)

Recently released:
Eric Pedigo - Sun & Shade
(Independent, July 7, 2017)
• Stream/Download the album on Bandcamp
• Listen on Spotify

"This is a collection of songs about searching for love and sometimes finding it. Its about choosing optimism over pessimism. Its about searching for my place in the world among the chaos."

Those are Eric Pedigo's words about his latest CD, the second after his first solo EP, Parachute, released in 2014. It's an engaging collection of bouncy pop tunes with clever lyrics, a jazzy sense of phrasing and rhythmic complexity. From I'm In Love With A Stranger,

I'm in love with a stranger
Because I can't get to you

Inventive instrumentation, including ukelele, and vocals that dance around the rhythmic bones of the songs, elevate this release above the herd. Eric's voice is expressive and fluid, and he's able to achieve a range of emotions and tones that keep it interesting.

Warm-up is a playful take on just that - a vocal warm-up routine, that, in this case, is tuneful and engaging. His lyrics cover the usual territory of love and relationships with a nice sense of observation and attention to the words.

Stylistically, he runs through a range of pop and other musical influences. Knock Me Down had definite reggae influences. Forbidden Love is more along the lines of classic singer/songwriter fare, with acoustic guitar, lush harmonies, and layers of rhythm and instrumentation.

You'll find yourself dancing and humming along to this infectious release.

Members/Instruments: Eric Pedigo - Lead vocals, ukulele, Guitar; David Ertel - Keys, Backing vocals; Derek England - Drums; Jim Bailey - Drums

Tracklisting:
Purposely Forgetful
In Love with a Stranger
Forbidden Love
Knock Me Down
My Oh My
Where I Belong
Don't Keep Me Waiting
Moonlight of Love

Stay in touch:
facebook.com/ericpedigomusic
twitter.com/ericpedigomusic

Travel News: Ethiopian Airlines Brings the 787-900 XWB Dreamliner to Toronto - 5X a Week

From a media release:

Travel News:
Ethiopian Airlines fulfilling your dreams, bringing the 787-900 XWB Dreamliner to Toronto
• Check Out Their Latest Special Offers

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (October 25, 2017) - Ethiopian Airlines Group announces a new aircraft to Toronto starting December 2017. The flight will be operated with Ethiopian’s brand new and ultra-modern B787-900 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) aircraft the largest of Dreamliners series. This Dreamliner is configured with 30 seats in Ethiopian’s Cloud Nine business class and 296 seats in economy class.

“This is exciting news for us as we continue to grow. With the increase in flights we most recently announced our goal is to maintain youngest fleet in the industry. Its part of our 15 years strategic road map, vision 2025,” said Birhan Abate, Ethiopian Airlines Canada Country Manager. Abate added, “The new aircraft also offers a bigger baggage and cargo capacity to uplift.”

Ethiopian recently increased its frequency from three flights to five per week. Operating five times a week with non-stop flights from Toronto to Addis Ababa on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting in December. Toronto (YYZ) is Ethiopian’s 67th international destination, the second in the Americas.
Ethiopia, Lakes Chamo and Abaya

Ethiopian Airlines is the only direct flight non-stop from Toronto to the African continent. From Toronto travellers can connect to dozens of cities in Africa via Ethiopian’s hub at Addis Ababa, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Cape Town, and Harare.


About Ethiopian Airlines 
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing airline in Africa. Over more than 70 years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivaled in efficiency and operational success.

Twitter - @FlyEthiopianCAN
Facebook - @EthiopianAirlinesCanada
Instagram - @ethiopianairlinescanada
#EthiopianAirlinesCanada

Classical/New Music David DiChiera: Letters & Fantasies (Innova Recordings, August 25, 2017)

With material from a media release:



Classical/New MusicDavid DiChiera: Letters & Fantasies(Innova Recordings, August 25, 2017)Refueling the Motor City
Composers: David DiChiera
Performers: Angela Theis, Ivan Moshchuk, Annalise Dzwonczyk, Yury Revich, Matthew Konopacki, Berthold Brauer, Aleksey Shadrin

• Buy the CD

With a resume that includes founding and leading a couple of major opera companies (Michigan Opera Theatre and Opera Pacific, not to mention directing the Dayton Opera Association and serving as president of Opera America), David DiChiera (b. 1935) can be forgiven for occasionally allowing his composing career to be overshadowed. Now, to celebrate his retirement at 82 his friends and colleagues have produced an album of his chamber works, Letters & Fantasies, that show “Dr. D” proudly wearing his composer hat.

The compositions span a period from 1963 to 2017, and include art songs about love, beauty, and endurance, along with an instrumental piece. DiChiera is best categorized as a neo-Romantic; his works a perfect marriage of emotion and modern sensibilities.

DiChiera’s story of dedication, perseverance, and talent, has become synonymous with the revival of Detroit and it is no coincidence that this album represents a grand synthesis of all that has striven for: supporting young, diverse, local talent (including pianist Ivan Moshchuk and vocalists Angela Theis, Annalise Dzwonczyk, and Matthew Konopacki) and international rising stars (such as Yury Revich playing the 1709 Stradivarius “Princess Aurora” violin, and cellist Aleksey Shadrin).

The release was recorded in the historic Jam Handy Film Studios in Detroit, a facility that General Motors used at one time to produce cartoons of all things. The trio of vocalists wring expression out of every note, with equally talented musicians to back them up. It's a modern expression of the best of the lyric tradition.

The Four Sonnets from the verses of Edna St. Vincent Millay are spare and lovely, using piano and voice, melodic - albeit not without dissonance - and evocative. Soprano Angela Theis delivers a beautifully fluid sense of expression with each note.

From Four Sonnets (1964/65) after verses by Edna St. Vincent Millay "Loving You Less Than Life" by David DiChiera, Angela Theis, Soprano, Ivan Moshchuk, Piano 



Along the same lines, and especially striking, are a trio of shorter pieces with lyrics by Richard Kubinski, a Detroit poet who died not long after writing the poems at age 20. Mezzo soprano Annalise Dzwonczyk makes gold out of a minamalist landscape.

Fantasy for violin and piano, from 1963 is brought to sparkling life by Ivan Moshchuk and Yury Revich playing the 1709 Stradivarius “Princess Aurora” violin.



Letter to Sarah (2015) feature baritone Matthew Konopacki in a part that is first spoken, then sung, accompanied by trumpet and piano. It's a soldier's letter home by Major Sullivan Ballou (1829-61) --as it happens, the last letter of a soldier to his wife. Ballou served in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry during the American Civil War, and wrote the missive only a few days before he was killed.

The piece, like the instrumental Letter to Roxane (2017) for cello and piano, is romantic and expressive. Letter to Roxane is based on the theme from the opera Cyrano. Cyrano is DiChiera's opera in three acts to a French libretto by Bernard Uzan. It's inspired by the original play by Edmond Rostand.


The recording represents an impressive and substantial monument to Dichiera's work, centering as it does on the sheer and inescapable beauty of voice and of melody. Extensive liner notes by Ivan Moshchuk flesh out the recording and the artists on it, including lyrics to all the songs.

An appealing collection recommended for any lover of modern and classical music in the Western tradition.

Travel Germany/Travel Bavaria: The Hat King of Regensburg

From a media release:

Travel Germany/Travel Bavaria
The Hat King of Regensburg
• Check Him Out Online

Did you know that Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter’s hat for Walt Disney’s movie Alice in Wonderland was made in southern Germany? A well-known address to hat lovers for more than 100 years, the ‘Hutkönig’ (Hat King) of Regensburg, Bavaria, is located in the city’s centre, the shop offering literally thousands of styles of traditionally-made headgear.

The "Hutmacher am Dom", located next to the old cathedral, offers his customers a wide variety of hats and accessories that cover two floors. More than 15.000 items of headwear, of any kind and for every season, will satisfy any need.

The goal of this family business is to find a hat for every head.

Europe's one and only master craftsman for both lady's and gentleman's hats/headwear is Andreas Nuslan, with "Meister" titles for hat making and fashion design. He manufactures his designs in cooperation with a dedicated team in an old "Hutmacherei" (millinery). The "Hutkönig" (hatking) has been a well-known address for hat-loving customers in Regensburg for more than a 100 years.

Their globally unique speciality is the traditional and complicated creation of the hats according to old English methods, the "Zurichte". It's a gentle manufacturing technique by modern standards that guarantees high quality fabric and construction.

A hatter family for five generations, the tradition began in Aussig/Elbe in 1875, with a Regensburg hat making company established in 1919 by Josef Lange. It was relocated to Krauterermarkt 1 in 1968, where three generations of family are still serving the public and creating the designs behind the scenes.

Vegan Heaven: The Edgy Veg: 138 Carnivore-Approved Vegan Recipes (Robert Rose, Oct 16 2017)

Vegan Cookbook:
THE EDGY VEG: 138 CARNIVORE-APPROVED VEGAN RECIPES
by Candice Hutchings, James Aita
• Order the Book
• Check out the Edgy Veg Youtube channel

Edgy Veg is vegan cooking that satisfies on every level. When they say "Carnivore Approved" - they mean it.

Are you thinking of going vegan? Or even, like me, just cutting down on your meat consumption? There are many reasons to do so from factory farming to the environment.

But what can hold you back? If you are of a certain age, you will remember what was then called vegetarianism, and books like Diet for a Small Planet. It was a great book, with some good advice. But those recipes...there is only so much broccoli and brown rice you can stomach. Nowadays, of course, it's more like kale and whatever has been deemed the latest superfood.

If you were raised with the typical North American diet, it probably left you with very few ideas on what to do with all those veggies once you eliminated the basic meat + potatoes trope from your diet. They were boiled, maybe buttered. They were boooring.

Edgy Veg - Candice Hutchings & David AitaCandice Hutchings, the food genius behind Edgy Veg, knows that you want your comfort foods and even your junk foods, and no diet that is asking you to basically eat salad all the time is going to cut it. That was the motivation behind Edgy Veg, the Youtube channel she started up about five years ago with hubby James Aita. That channel has grown to more than 250,000 subscribers, which led to the impetus for the book.

The book includes 138 recipes, with everything from basics like pizza dough and pasta, soups, breakfast options, snacks, main dishes, drinks, desserts and more. There are recipes like UnOrthodox Lox and Cream Cheese Bagels, Cobb Your Enthusiasm Salad, Buffalo Cauliflower Wings 7 Ways, Easy Cheesy Fondue, Chick-Fillet Deluxe and Thank You Very Matcha Ice Cream. There are even vegan hacks on junk food faves like the hamburgers and chicken filet sandwiches. You won't have to give up your faves like (V)eggs Bennie or cheesecake.

I can personally vouch for a number of recipes - dishes that were served up at the book launch, including Shredded Hogtown Jackfruit - a vegan pulled pork slider, if you will - and a divine Death By Chocolate Mousse.

The book is clearly laid out, with loads of great information to start you out along with the recipes themselves, easy to read instructions, and great photos to make it all look so good. Candice wants you to be able to indulge in your inner food nerd and enjoy food porn of the highest order, all while eating vegan.

Having things like a lot of breakfast choices and fast food substitutes makes it a lot easier to stick with a vegan diet - and be really happy about it.

Candice has appeared on the CTV Network show The Social, and SiriusXM's What She Said! With the cookbook under her belt, Candice is also working with Chloe Coscarelli's byCHLOE vegan restaurant chain based in New York City . Candice and James live in Toronto with two pups, ‌Sir Winston Churchill and Harley Quinn - they even have their own Instagram @vedgydogs.

YouTube Space Toronto I should mention that the launch was held at YouTube Space Toronto, which all aspiring YouTubers should check out.

Back to the Edgy Veg - here's a sample of one of her videos,

Recently opened: ALEX JANVIER Major retrospective at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection On view to January 21, 2018

From a media release:

Recently opened:ALEX JANVIER
Major retrospective celebrating contemporary artist Alex Janvier at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Organized by the National Gallery of Canada
On view to January 21, 2018
Alex Janvier , Land of Beauty and Joy , 2015,
watercolour on paper, 91.4KLEINBURG ON—From October 7, 2017, to January 21, 2018, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection proudly presents the extraordinary works of Alex Janvier, one of Canada’s most acclaimed contemporary artists. Organized by the National Gallery of Canada (NGC), the Alex Janvier exhibition celebrates this innovative artist’s lifetime of creativity, and recounts his love of Dene culture and devotion to the re-empowerment of Indigenous art. As the largest and most comprehensive retrospective on the artist to date, this exhibition establishes Janvier as an important figure in the development of modern Indigenous art in Canada.

“The McMichael is a preeminent institution that continues in its efforts to present an all-encompassing picture of the Art of Canada*, particularly contemporary Indigenous art,” said Ian Dejardin, Executive Director of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. “The cultural importance of Alex Janvier’s work is outstanding, and our hope is to build greater awareness of his impact while broadening knowledge and visibility of an overlooked part of Canada’s cultural heritage,” he added.

Through more than 100 remarkable paintings and drawings chosen from a prolific 65-year career, Alex Janvier features works from both private and public collections across Canada, and includes well-recognized masterpieces completed by the artist alongside an incredible installation of 34 circular paintings—a constellation of Janvier’s works spanning more than 35 years that can be viewed as a metaphor for the cycle of life. Well known for his ability to merge cultural aesthetics in his pioneering work, the artist’s unique paintings—with their brilliant colours, calligraphic lines and conjoined abstract and representational imagery—combine Denesuline iconography with Western art styles and theoretical techniques, such as modern abstraction and automatic painting.
Alex Janvier, Coming of the Opposite, 1972, acrylic on canvas, 61.3 × 92.3 cm. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (41203) © Alex Janvier. Photo: NGCOrganized by Greg Hill, Audain Senior Curator, Indigenous Art, at the NGC, this touring exhibition also highlights Janvier’s integral role in the advancement and celebration of Indigenous art in mainstream Canadian culture. Janvier was a founding member of the ‘Indian Group of Seven’, officially known as Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. (PNIAI). Formed in 1973, PNIAI members were dedicated to raising the profile of Indigenous artists. Alex Janvier is now the third member of the group to have a retrospective exhibition organized and toured by the National Gallery of Canada, following those for Norval Morrisseau and Daphne Odjig. These exhibitions are in recognition of the tremendous contributions these artists have made to Canadian art as much as for their leadership and inspiration for successive generations of Indigenous artists.

Reflecting the geocultural landscape of his northern Alberta home, Janvier’s works on paper, canvas and linen reference the culture and history of Indigenous Peoples, including his own experience of the effects of colonization and residential schools, where he was forbidden to speak his own language. “Janvier is one of the most important artists in this country in part because of how he has come through the adversities of his childhood and has turned these into strengths,” said Exhibition Curator Greg Hill. “He found a way to exist in the space between a strong family unit and an imposed educational program designed to assimilate him into the dominating culture.”
Alex Janvier, Untitled, 1986, acrylic on canvas, 165.1 × 266.7 cm. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (42867) © Alex Janvier. Photo: NGCJanvier was born on February 28, 1935, in Le Goff Reserve, Cold Lake Indian Reserve (now Cold Lake First Nations), Alberta, and is of Dene Suline and Saulteaux descent. As a Member of the Order of Canada, Alberta Order of Excellence and Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Janvier has achieved distinguished success and global recognition for his groundbreaking contributions. With a distinct style of painting firmly rooted in the cultural soil of Canada, Alex Janvier’s long and abundant career has added much to the nation’s cultural fabric.

About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of over 6,000 artworks by Canadian artists, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on 100 acres of northern landscape and hiking trails at 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in the City of Vaughan. For more
information: mcmichael.com.

Music, Cuisine, Culture - Taste of Iceland returns to Toronto November 9 to 12 2017

From a media release:

Taste of Iceland returns to Toronto for four-day cultural celebration
Experience the best of Icelandic cuisine, music, art and literature from November 9 to 12, 2017• Check out the program

Toronto, ON – This November, Taste of Iceland returns to Toronto for its seventh annual celebration of Icelandic culture. Presented by Iceland Naturally, the interactive four-day festival showcases the best of Iceland’s cuisine, art, music and literature, offering attendees an experiential glimpse into the renowned Icelandic culture. Taste of Iceland runs from November 9-12 at various locations throughout the city.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the festival’s seventh year in Toronto, an inclusive city that always has such a positive and enthusiastic response to Icelandic culture,” said Kristjana Rós Guðjohnsen, festival director. “This year, we’ve added a discussion on Iceland’s influence on the global art scene, rounding out our cultural lineup showcasing Iceland’s food, music, film and literary programming.”
Icelandic Tasting Menu | Nov. 9-12 | LeñaTaste of Iceland welcomes the highly lauded culinary expert, Chef Viktor Örn Andrésson, previous member of the Icelandic National Culinary team and recent bronze medal winner in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or 2017 Finale. Andrésson will present his Icelandic menu at Oliver & Bonacini’s Leña (176 Yonge St.) in collaboration with the Executive Chef, Julie Marteleira. Working alongside one of Canada’s most highly revered and respected chefs, Anthony Walsh, Marteleira brings extensive experience crafting vibrant dishes inspired by international flavours and techniques.

Award-winning Icelandic mixologist Kári Sigurðsson will create a collection of signature cocktails to accompany Chef Andrésson and Chef Marteleira’s menu. Sigurðsson is known as the mastermind behind Reykjavik’s best cocktail bar Apotek, and will utilize some of Iceland’s signature spirits such as Reyka Vodka and Brennivin. Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
Chef Viktor Örn Andrésson and Julie Marteleira will present anIcelandic tasting menu at Leña, accompanied by mixologist Kári Sigurðsson from Nov 9-12.Reykjavik Calling | Nov. 11 | Horseshoe Tavern Presented by radio partner CIUT, the esteemed Icelandic-North American collaboration concert Reykjavik Calling will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St. W). This open-to-the-public concert will showcase two of Iceland’s top musical performers, Mammút and Fufanu, with additional local talent joining the roster. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
Iceland’s Mammút and Fufanu will perform at Horseshoe Tavern on Nov. 11Shortfish: Icelandic Premier Film Screening | Nov. 12 | Royal CinemaStockfish, the Icelandic film industry’s premier festival, will screen its Short Film Programme on Sunday, November 12 at Royal Cinema (608 College St). The short film division of the Stockfish festival, aptly dubbed Shortfish, focuses on highlighting up-and-coming Icelandic filmmakers. The free screening will feature six short films and will run for approximately 75 minutes. Following the screening, a Q&A will be held with Marzibil S. Sæmundardóttir, the director of Stockfish film festival, where audience members will have the opportunity to learn more about the inspiration behind each film. Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

The Write Stuff: How Iceland Inspires Lovers of the Written WordIceland’s robust storytelling culture has made it one of the most coveted destinations for creative minds. The Write Stuff is a free admission literary discussion led by Iceland’s first lady Eliza Reid. As a Reykjavik-based writer and editor, Eliza helped found the Iceland Writers Retreat, an annual gathering for published and aspiring writers. Reid will talk about what makes Iceland so unique and inspirational - both as a home and as a travel destination - for lovers of the written word. Timing and location to be announced.
Björg Stefánsdóttir, director of the Icelandic Art CenterThe Icelandic Art Center Presents: Iceland’s Thriving Contemporary Visual Arts SceneFor the past decade, Iceland’s contemporary art scene has thrived, from burgeoning cultural institutions to niche, eclectic galleries. Björg Stefánsdóttir, director of the Icelandic Art Center, will lead a discussion on Icelandic visual arts and how Icelandic art has spread across the world, both through the artist-driven community and The Icelandic Art Center. Stefánsdóttir’s presentation will be free admission. Timing and location to be announced.

Stay up-to-date on Taste of Iceland events happening in Toronto by following @IcelandNatural and #TasteofIceland on Twitter and Instagram and ‘Liking’ Iceland Naturally on Facebook.

About Taste of Iceland
Taste of Iceland in Toronto is presented by Iceland Naturally in cooperation with Icelandair, Reyka Vodka, Blue Lagoon, Visit Reykjavik, Icelandic Glacial Water, Promote Iceland, Brennivín, Icelandic Provisions, Iceland Airwaves, Iceland Music Export, Royal Cinema, CIUT FM, Leña and Horseshoe Tavern.

Dance in Toronto: Faizal Ddamba aka Mostrixx from UGANDA Workshops Oct 16-20 & Performance Oct 21 2017

From a media release:

dance Immersion in partnership with TO Love-In presents
FAIZAL DDAMBA aka MOSTRIXX
Performance October 21, 2017
Workshops October 16 to 20, 2017
• Performance Tickets
• Buy tickets for the workshop

TORONTO - dance Immersion in partnership with TO Love-In presents Faizal Ddamba aka Mostrixx from UGANDA in performance ~ Alongside Alongside ijo vudu Dance International, Kool Kids Section, Gadfly, Mafa Makhubalo, Shavar Blackwood on October 21, along with a series of workshops leading up to it from October 16 to 20.

Faizal Ddamba aka Mostrixx is a freelance professional dance performing artist and music producer. His expertise includes breaking, contemporary, popping, hip hop, house dance, fusing it all with African Ugandan traditional dance forms, giving it a unique rhythmic and groovy abstract afro texture.

He joined Break Dance Project Uganda, a youth founded project that uses break dance and other elements of hip hop bridging young people together for a positive social change in societies. Ddamba is currently a member of Tabu flo Dance Company.

PERFORMANCE:
8:00 pm | Saturday October 21, 2017 @ Dancemakers Centre For Creation, 313 Case Good Building
With FREE Party hosted by TO Love-In, and dance Immersion with refreshments
9:30PM - 1AM @ Distillery District, studio 313 (Baker Studio)

TO Love-In Workshop With Faizal Ddamba aka "Mostrixx"
OPEN TO ALL HUMANS WITH A DEDICATED ARTISTIC AND / OR MOVEMENT PRACTICE!
When: October 16 to 20th, 2017. Monday- Friday 10am-12noon.Where: Dovercourt House, 1st Floor. 805 Dovercourt Road, TO.Cost: Full week $75, Per session: $16 in advance, $17 at the door.
When vocals or instrumental sounds are combined in a way to produce a beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion (Music) When we allow our bodies to go inside the music we can access our consciousness that will shape further decisions for our presence in posture.

This class will involve exploring technical, complex, improvisational and physical movement vocabularies from African drum music to digital /experimental music and rhythms. This workshop aims to develop the dancers’ musicality, creative mind, speed, control (determination) and decisions they make as their bodies become instruments during and after the workshop.

The music in this session is very important. It will challenge, inspire, motivate you and surprise your body strength.