Rock star of the art world
MONDAY
á Here to Be Heard: The Story of the Slits
Watch this if: You don’t know the story of punk’s first all-female band. Even in the tumultuous context of London’s original punk scene in 1976, a band comprised of women was an idea that was too radical for some. Nevertheless, the Slits endured the negative attention of spiky-haired chauvinists and musicbiz creeps to become one of the most musically adventurous groups of their day, with songs that merged punk with dub reggae and experimental sounds. A new British doc that makes its Canadian premiere this week at the Royal, Here to
Be Heard: The Story of the Slits reveals how it all went down and why it mattered a lot, especially for the female rockers who followed in their wake. (Royal Cinema, 608 College St., 7:30 p.m., theroyal.to) —Jason Anderson á Paprika Festival Watch this if: You want to support theatre’s next generation. If you’ve seen even a small amount of theatre in Toronto, you’ve probably seen the result of the Paprika Festival. The organization matches eager young theatre-makers with professional mentors to guide them through various roles: writing, performing, directing or a combination. There’s also now an Indigenous arts arm of the organization. It all leads to the annual Paprika Festival, which showcases the works in progress and, more often than not, gives the next generation of Toronto theatre-makers their foot in the door. (Until May 20, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E., paprikafestival.com) —Carly Maga
TUESDAY
Carter
Watch this if: You’re keen to watch a made-in-Canada show that doesn’t hide its roots. Jerry O’Connell should add tourist booster and real estate agent to the job title of star of this TV series, from Canadian producer Garry Campbell. O’Connell has avidly been talking up North Bay, where Carter was filmed, and has even suggested that those in the market to buy cottages check out the locale. Though he was born in Manhattan, O’Connell is proud to play a Canadian actor who returns to his Northern Ontario hometown when things go south in Hollywood. He ends up reuniting with his old high school friends and putting his skills as a TV detective to work solving real-world crimes. (Bravo at 8 p.m.) —Debra Yeo
WEDNESDAY
Nana Mouskouri Watch this to: Get your Yaya out. The legendary Greek songstress’s 2008 retirement lasted all of three years; she just couldn’t stay away. Or, more accurately, her voice couldn’t stay silent. At age 83 and well into her extended post-career career, she’s on her third tour since the hiatus, this one built around recent covers LP Forever
Young. That puts her at 134 albums, give or take a few over a career that goes back nearly 60 years. Long may she sing and if you’re looking for a belated Mother’s Day present you can’t go wrong here. (Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 8 p.m.) —Chris Young á La Bête
Watch this if: You want theatre that makes fun of theatre. After a wallop to start 2018, the next play from Soulpepper Theatre lets it relax, have fun and not take itself too seriously. After all, David Hirson’s 1991 comedy La
Bête is a send-up of 17th-century theatre (and specifically of Molière) in which two actors — one educated and formal, one streetwise and foolish — are pitted against each other at the whim of the court. A last-minute addition to Soulpepper’s 2018 season, replacing another play slated to be directed by former artistic director Albert Schultz, this satire of ego vs. art couldn’t be more fitting. (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, 7:30 p.m., on until June 22) —CM
THURSDAY
Alter Ego Panel Discussion Go to this if: You’re feeling patriotic about comics. Comic fans’ cups runneth over with the Toronto Comics Art Festival this weekend, but don’t forget the Alter Ego exhibit, which looks at the history of Canadian comics and creators. While it starts this weekend in the TD Gallery at the Toronto Reference Library and runs until the end of July, the official launch and panel discussion features a great lineup of Canadian comic artists: Chester Brown, Willow Dawson and Jay Odjick. (Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall, 789 Yonge St., 6:30 p.m.) —Raju Mudhar á Basquiat Watch this if: You like a movie with your art talk. Thirty years after his death, Jean-Michel Basquiat remains a rock star of the art world. If you’re looking for reasons why the interest is still so high in the former graffiti artist turned downtown darling and Warhol pal, this special event will provide many insights. Curtis Talwst Santiago, a Trinidadian-Canadian artist who creates incredible sculptures in jewelry boxes and who readily cites Basquiat’s influence, returns to his hometown of Toronto to present Julian Schnabel’s stylish 1996 biopic about the painter (played onscreen by West
world’s Jeffrey Wright) and talk about his impact. What could be cooler? (TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., 6:45 p.m.) —JA Fever Ray
Watch this for: A high-concept rave. Best known as half of dear, departed Swedish auteurs the Knife, Karin Dreijer was under thick animal robes and mask during much of her last show here as Fever Ray. Even covered up, she cast a heady and unnerving spell. She returns with her all-female band’s fun costuming and brittle, bent technopop — not the communal dance party of the Knife’s farewell appearance here four years ago or the shape-shifting of her 2009 Fever Ray date, but she’s never been one to stay in the same place. Can’t say the same for the venue; the original Danforth location has been changed to the Port Lands (all tickets honoured), which makes for a trek. (Rebel, 11 Polson St., doors 7 p.m.) —CY
FRIDAY
13 Reasons Why
Watch this if: You want to give a buzzed about but controversial show another shot. This TV series based on a YA novel about a teen who kills herself caught flak in its first season from critics who alleged it glorified suicide; and it’s catching more flak now from critics who question why a second season was even ordered. With that in mind, the producers have built public service messages into the new season that warn it might not be right for troubled teens to watch, and advise them to get help if they do and find themselves in crisis. Beyond the warnings, Season 2 follows the various characters as they deal with the fallout from Hannah’s death in Season 1. (Netflix) —DY
SATURDAY
Junior
Watch this if: The kids in your life need an outlet for the energy stored over the winter. Harbourfront Centre may have lost its annual WorldStage programming, but it’s now the place for international performances for kids with the new Junior festival. It features productions from Norway ( The Jury, which imagines if a kid could direct classical dance) and Australia (the adorable New Owner, which ingeniously matches puppetry with a puppy); Toronto’s own Fred Penner and drag performers Fay Slift and Miss Fluffy Soufflé, as well as the Mohawk nation of Kahnawake in Quebec ( Medicine Wheel). Now that the waterfront is a more welcoming place to be, this could be the opportune time to let the kids blow off some physical and mental energy. (Until May 25, Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W.) —CM