International writing at its best and high-tech staging come together in a sharp-witted and entertaining look at the relationship between Africa and the West. Canadian Stage presents two plays from Volcano Theatre’s highly acclaimed The Africa Trilogy.

The Stranger (prologue)
Written by Deborah Asiimwe. Directed by Weyni Mengesha

Shine Your Eye
Originally commissioned and presented by Luminato
Written by Binyavanga Wainaina. Directed by Ross Manson.

Cast:
Gbene Beka                            Dienye Waboso
Naakue Chrispin Tambari         Lucky Onyekachi Ejim
Doreen                                   Ordena Stephens-Thompson
Naijaboy                                 Muoi Nene
Chorus 1                                 Milton Barnes
Chorus 2                                 Araya Mengesha

Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God
Canadian Stage presents the Volcano Theatre production originally commissioned and presented by Luminato.
Written by Roland Schimmelpfennig. Directed by Liesl Tommy

Cast:
Liz                   Kristen Thomson
Frank               Tony Nappo
Martin              Tom Barnett
Carol               Maev Beaty

Evening performances begin at 8pm.Wednesday matinee performances begin at 1:30pm and Saturday matinee performances begin at 2:00pm. Bluma Appel Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.

Full List of showtimes and dates www.canadianstage.com/admin/sources/editor/assets/shows_tickets/11-12_Canadian_Stage_Calendar.pdf

Website: www.canadianstage.com/2011-2012/africa

Phone: 416-368-3110

Join the MSO along with guest conductor Maestro Matthew Kraemer for a night of captivating culture and splendor at the symphony’s opening performance of the season.

Also joining the symphony for this special one-night-only engagement is the acclaimed pianist Jamie Parker of Canada’s foremost ensemble, the Gryphon Trio.

The evening’s full scheduled programme includes Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture to Der Freischütz, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1919), and Paul Dukas’s eponymous The Sorcerer’s Apprentice itself.* The event also includes a free, pre-concert chat 45 minutes prior to the show for aficionados or the curious to gain further insight into the featured composers’ lives and accomplishments.

Come and experience the brilliance! For tickets, call the Living Arts Centre Box Office at 905- 306-6000 or visit www.livingartscentre.ca.

The Centennial College Alumni Association is presenting a VIP Homecoming concert with legendary Canadian 80’s band, The Spoons, 8pm on Saturday, October 15 at the Progress Campus 941 Progress Ave., Toronto, with proceeds benefitting the establishment of a new scholarship fund.

Co-hosted by Radio/TV Personality (CFRB, Chum-Fm and former Much Music VJ) Michael Williams and seminal Toronto morning DJ Humble Howard (formerly of CFNY/102.1 THE EDGE and BOOM FM), Centennial College Alumni are invited to come home and share in this great opportunity to re-connect with friends and faculty, listen to one of Canada’s groundbreaking and era-defining new wave bands and have fun with their families.

FREE activities between 2pm-5pm including inflatable rides, face painting, a magician, photo- booth, barbecue, cotton-candy and popcorn, an interactive zoo display. The Grand Opening Ceremony with ribbon cutting and dedication of the new Alumni Clock will take place at 5pm in the Alumni Courtyard with Centennial’s current President, local politicians and dignitaries prior to the concert.

For Centennial Alumni, free general admission tickets to both Family Activities & Concert are available via the Alumni Office. VIP Tickets can be purchased for $20 each, which includes preferred stage-side seating and access to celebrity VIP lounge.

WOMEN IN DANCE 2011 SHOWCASE

Celebrating a Women’s WORTH, JOY, INSPIRATION and LOVE.

www.tocentre.com/studio/widshowcase

Women in Dance 2011 Showcase is in support of Plan Canada’s Because I’m a Girl http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

Here is the exciting line up of Choreographers and styles!

Cadence Progressive Contemporary Ballet – Ballet

Apolonia Velasquez of Gadfly – Waacking

Evoke Movement Dance Theatre – Contemporary

Stephanie Rutherford – Contemporary

Tarana Dance Centre – Bollywood Indian

L.R Productions – Commercial Jazz

Angela Mahoney – Hip Hop

Kitty Cohen – Tap

Alias Dance Project – Contemporary Breakdance

Diana Reyes of Disco Love Child – House

Danielle and Heather – Modern Bellydance

Sheelah Brouwer – Broadway Jazz

Chemagne – Bellydance

Gabriella De Bartolo – Acro

Kristen McLaughlan – Contemporary

Alysa Pires – Modern

Lua Shayenne – Afro Contemporary

Melissa Nascimento-So – Contemporary/Jazz

The Showcase will be held at the Toronto Centre for the Arts StudioTheatre www.tocentre.com/studio/widshowcase

Saturday October 15, 2011 at 2pm and 7:30pm

Tickets $25 in advance $30 day of the show.  Available for purchase via Ticket Master http://www.ticketmaster.ca/Studio-Theatre-at-the-Toronto-Centre-for-the-Arts-tickets-Toronto/venue/131883

Or the Toronto Centre for the Arts Box Office.

Private Pain in Public Pews played to sold out audiences when it debuted in Toronto last Spring. Now, first time playwright Dr. Elaine Brown Spencer is giving more people the chance to see everyone’s new favourite gospel show.

With absolutely no theatrical training, Dr. Elaine Brown Spencer’s FIRST play is a timeless production that the church community has fully embraced. It’s now back for encore performances in Ajax, Brampton and Ottawa!

LOCATIONS:

OTTAWA- Saturday Oct. 15^th 2011
Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave Showtime: 7:00pm

AJAX- Saturday Oct. 22^nd 2011
J. Clarke Richardson, 1355 Harwood Ave. N. ShowTime: 7:30pm

BRAMPTON- Saturday Nov. 5^th 2011
Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park Drive ShowTime: 7:30pm

TICKET INFO:

$30 group rate of 10 or more, $35 advanced, $40 door price.

Order tickets online at www.ticketgateway.com

In 2011 there are 5 Saturdays in October. Every Saturday multi-award winning trumpet player BROWNMAN will lead 5 different all-star ensembles through 5 historic eras of jazz which Miles Davis catalyzed & immortalized with his presence.

5 Saturdays… 5 Ensembles… 5 Eras of Miles Davis…

Week 1 – Sat Oct 01, 2011 – “Young Miles” – The Bird Years

Week 2 – Sat Oct 08, 2011 – “Birth Of The Cool & Kind Of Blue” – Post-Bop Miles

Week 3 – Sat Oct 15, 2011 – “Plugged Nickel” – The Shorter Years

Week 4 – Sat Oct 22, 2011 – “From Bitches Brew to Tutu” – Electric Miles

Week 5 – Sat Oct 29, 2011 – “Doo-bop” – Had he lived…

8pm

Cover: $20 at the door | $15 advance guest list  |  $60 Full Fest Pass (1 price, all 5 shows)

For more info go to www.miles.brownman.com