toronto comrades!
 

so i got to hang out with a group of canadian poets on saturday, some of whom were based in toronto--which sounds like it has a fine scene for things experrymental in both writing and music---so here is the question:

the collective i work with--clairaudient--would like to do some performances in toronto, maybe later this spring--the more poetry/reading elements will be, i think, easy enough to arrange--but i was wondering about spaces where we might do music/sound stuff--the contraint is that i need a piano, preferably a horizontal piano (baby grand or bigger) to do things---can anyone suggest venues/organizations that i might be able to contact/work through/with to help make this "tour" happen?

thanks...

while I don't profess to have any connections (not nearly as much as some of the folks on this board) there are some venues that do spoken word, or lyrical readings. the most popular one that I can think of is Harbourfront. I'll post a url, maybe you can linky your way around it to make contacts:

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/frontpage.php

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/no...fo/contact.php

call for submissions link:

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/no...ubmissions.php

There are a wide range of performance spaces in Toronto to choose from, though likely you will have to reserve your dates well in advance.

First thing, check out the website for the Toronto Arts Council. They're a granting body which supports all manner of arts activity in the city.

Link: http://www.torontoartscouncil.org

If the TAC can't help you, I bet one of their supported groups can. The links page on their site covers just about every arts organization in the city, broken down by discipline, including poetry.

Maybe you can hook up with a local event.

What size and style of venue are you looking for? A fully equipped theatre? An improvised studio space? A corner in a bar? Are you touring with your piano?

You should also chat with Aberkok... he is the musical component to the Toronto contingent... he may have some knowledge on the booking side of things.

I bow to both Aberkok and Fresnelly when it comes to venues.

thanks for the info so far, folks.
the idea, i think, is to find more than one venue so that we can perform in various ways---while i am not sure, i think that we might travel together but deal with the poetry/reading elements and the music/performance elements seperately--unless we come up with a project that changes everything.

or something---sorry to be so vague, but this is in the early planning stages.

i usually play acoustic piano exclusively and so wouldnt travel with an instrument. so we are looking for spaces with an acoustic piano first--other features that we might prefer/need woudl fluctuate as a function of the space.....

i'll check into the links etc. above once i get home--am between classes at the moment, not at home. and there'll no doubt be more questions....

I second the Aberkok vote - and in the same vein, checking with the University of Toronto might yeild some performance venues - most recital halls that I have ever seen usually have at least a grand that you could try to reserve.


I found this page for making reservations for a Hall at the university of Toronto

http://www.music.utoronto.ca/English...1.html#concert

Just finished my PM to Roach, then I came over here to see that there are poetry elements to the act.

My suggestions still stand, but maybe now I can think of some others...