NEW BEGINNING: THEY SHOOT, THEY SCORE!

Muse News | Michelle Wright

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Sometimes one ending is someone else’s beginning; that is what is happening here. Muse News has been piloted by Amy Intrator for the past year and the mantle has now been passed to me. So lets start with some fun and someone else’s new beginning too!

Many museums have noted the lack of 20-30somethings in the museum world which has effected numerous aspects. One of the biggest being finances--both on a visitor level and a donor level. Museums have been faced with this challenge of appealing to this generation that has a different set of behaviours and values and that are often looking for more of an "experience". Over the last decade there has been a rise of after-hour events for adults in museums, one of the most well known in Toronto being the Royal Ontario Museums (ROM) Friday Night Live.  Museums all over the world have been throwing open their doors after the “normal” museum hours and have become enticing places for a new type of entertainment and escape within the museum. We could fill many articles with all of the after-hour events out there but let us focus on one specifically, and as promised, lets look at one that is just starting out; The Hockey Hall of Fame’s new OVERTIME event!

The Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) has moved a few times in its life, but is now settled at the current location in the lower concourse level of Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario in 1993. The museum itself dates back to 1943 when James Sutherland was elected president to the newly-established Hockey Hall of Fame (Although, the Hockey Hall of Fame Museum didn't move to Toronto until over a decade later!) The HHOF has become the home of the Stanley Cup and showcases the best of hockey, from the best shooters and goalies to the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world.

The Hockey Hall of Fame, Source.

For the first time ever the HHOF is opening for a series of 19+ after-hour events known as Thursday Night OVERTIME starting on September 26, 2019. The night was filled with drinks, music and, you guessed it, hockey! The DJ for the night was Lissa Monet a 6x Stylus Award winning DJ and the host or Media Personality was Jesse Pollock who is a Producer for TSN. Tickets were $20 at the door or $18 online and a food or drink ticket cost $6. 

Photo with the Stanley Cup. Photo Courtesy of Michelle Wright.

I’m not going to lie, this was my first time at the Hockey Hall of Fame, and while I enjoy watching a game of hockey I’m not a super fan. But I have to say I had a good time! Besides the music, food, drinks and of course the friends I went with, the HHOF was filled with some interesting things. Obviously everyone was lining up to get their picture taken with the Stanley cup (above), but I didn’t know that there are actually three cups and the original one from 1892 was located in the same room! Well sort of in the same room. The original Stanley Cup now resides in a refurbished bank vault that used to be a Bank of Montreal, making it feel super precious. Another fun part of the night was the interactive games the museum has to offer. There are trivia and news rooms, but my favourite was the shootout where you could select a goalie and take your shot! On the other side you could also play as the goalie. 

Shooting game. Photo Courtesy of Michelle Wright.

If the aim of the event was to create an “experience” then I would say that it was a success! It remains to be seen if I will be going back for the next OVERTIME event, but I will go back to the Hockey Hall of Fame Museum to learn more!

The next OVERTIME will take place on November 28, 2019 and this time the theme is Kickin’ Country, so for those of you looking to ride a mechanical bull it looks like there is your chance! 

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: KATE SEALLY

Hello and good morning fellow museum enthusiasts! I am really excited about this collection of events and I hope you will be as well. There is something for everyone - the socialite, the fine art lover, and the student!

I. Student Night @ the Power Plant

First up is this special event hosted by The Power Plant, a contemporary art gallery located on the Harbourfront. It is aimed at students seeking professional development opportunities and the event will provide a chance to network with established artists and other professionals. Not only that, The Power Plant is giving away free annual memberships to the first 100 students! For more information click here.

WHEN: Tuesday, 6 October, 8 to 11 PM
WHERE: 231 Queens Quay W, Toronto
COST: free for students with ID, 12$ non-students

Student night @ The Power Plant. Source.

II. “Mining the Archive: Photography, Modernity, and the Status of Puerto Rico in the 1940s” by Laura Katzman

This event is part of the Museum Studies Colloquia Series, hosted by the Faculty of Information. Dr. Katzman’s lecture will examine a critical yet neglected post-World War II photographic project set up by the Office of Information for Puerto Rico (OIPR), which existed within the U.S.-appointed governor’s office. This event is perfect for those interested in the complex relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico at this time, and promises to include some fascinating photographs! For more information click here.

WHEN: Wednesday, 7 October, 2:30 to 4:30 pm
WHERE: Room 728, 140 St. George Street
COST: free!

**Bonus: UCLA’s Johanna Drucker is giving the 4th annual J.R. de J. Jackson Lecture, entitled “Analogue and Digital Histories of the Alphabet” on Thursday October 8th at 4:15. For more information click here.

III. Friday Night Live at the ROM

For those who enjoy seeing museums in a different light, don’t miss the Royal Ontario Museum’s Friday Night Live! This themed event takes place every Friday, and features different DJs and food options each week. You can purchase tickets online or at the door (if you’re feeling lucky!). For more information click here.

WHERE: ROM, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto
WHEN: Fridays at 7 pm, weekly from October 2 to November 27
COST: $15 adults, $13 students/seniors, $5 members (sold online and at the door) 

Friday Night Live at the ROM collage. Source.

IV. Scotiabank Nuit Blanche

This one is for the art lovers! Nuit Blanche is happening at locations throughout Toronto (including many close to U of T) from sunset on October 3rd to sunrise on October 4th. Institutions large and small are hosting special installations, and there will be lots of food options for those of us who get very hungry looking at art! For more information click here.

WHERE: All over Toronto
WHEN: 8 pm Saturday October 3 to 7 am Sunday October 4
COST: free! 

#ASKACURATOR THIS WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAY!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: NATANIA SHERMAN

Welcome to Wednesday and welcome back to all of our student and faculty readers. I’m thrilled to be part of the Musings team and to share with you some of this week’s upcoming events in the museum and gallery world. Hope to see you there!

Today, September 16th 2015 is International Ask a Curator Day on Twitter. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will be participating by allowing their twitter followers to connect with their curators live. All you need to do is to follow the ROM on twitter at @ROMtoronto #askacurator.

Ask a Curator Day on Twitter (source)

Also happening today, is Art + Feminism Wikipedia Wednesday at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO.) The AGO Library and Archives is hosting a second Wikipedia edit-a-thon at 6-8 pm to build up Wikipedia content on women artists, using the AGO’s archives as source material. This is part of a series of edit-a-thons to address the lack of material in Wikipedia regarding women artists. Free to the public but must bring own laptop.

For those of you interested in art, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition kicks off on September 18th. It’s one of the biggest outdoor art exhibitions in Canada and takes place annually at Nathan Phillips Square. Admission is free and the exhibition runs until September 20th.

The Textile Museum of Canada is launching a series of pop-up events titled Conscious Consumption:Crafting the City. These events focus on the role of craft in building sustainable urban environments. The next event is called Urban Landscape, Hidden Frontier takes place on Friday October 2, 2015 and will be led by architect Michael Awad in Kensington Market. Check out the line-up of events on the textile museum’s website for more information. It’s $20 for individual events or you can get a VIP pass for $100 and attend them all.

And lastly, Drawn to Dance: Selected Works by York Wilson, John Martin Alfsen and Grant MacDonald is co-curated by University of Toronto iSchool's MMST candidate Katelyn Roughley. This exhibition is located at Dance Collection Danse, 301-149 Church St. in Toronto.
The opening reception will be held on Saturday September 26th from 1-4 pm and the exhibit will run until March 24th. Admission is free!

(source)

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: JENNIFER MAXWELL

Welcome to Wednesday!  A plethora of events are happening this week, from exhibition openings to museum talks - there is something for everyone.  Enjoy the week!

I. GERTRUDE KEARNS: THE ART OF COMMAND

Date: Ongoing until June 14th

When: 10 am - 4 pm (Monday to Friday), 10 am - 5 pm (Saturday & Sunday)

Where: Fort York Visitor Center, 250 York Blvd. 

What: The Art of Command is a rare exhibition by Canada's leading active contemporary war artist, Gertrude Kearns.  This exhibition showcases 46 large scale portraits and posters created between 2006 and 2015.  Most of these works will be on public display for the first time.  Visit Fort York National Historic Site for more information.

II. 20th ANNIVERSARY OF STEPHEN BULGER GALLERY
Date: Ongoing until April 25th
When: 11 am - 6 pm
Where: Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1026 Queen St. W.
What: Please join the Stephen Bulger Gallery in celebrating their 20th anniversary.  The Stephen Bulger Gallery opened on 23 March 1995, and since that time the Gallery has exhibited over 130 solo exhibitions, 40 group shows and been host to many book launches and special events.  A Group Exhibition Celebrating 20 Years will feature a photograph from every artist from whom the Gallery hosted a solo exhibition.  Visit the Stephen Bulger Gallery website for more information.

Source

III. 93rd ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Date: Thursday, March 26th
When: 6 - 8 pm
Where: East Common Room, Hart House
What: Attend the Opening Reception for the Hart House Camera Club's 93rd Annual Exhibition of Photography.  Awards will be presented for the best photographs by University of Toronto students and Hart House members in a variety of categories.  This is a free event with light snacks and a cash bar.

Source

IV. ROM SPEAKS - EXTREME MUSEUM MAKEOVER
Date: Tuesday, March 31st
When: 6:30 - 10 pm
Where: Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery, Royal Ontario Museum
What: Hear community, museum, arts and lifestyle trailblazers as they discuss their dream Museum of the Future.  Post-discussion, visit galleries to participate in making over the ROM.  Experience ROM collections in new ways, explore innovative technologies, play with sound and texture, and most importantly tell Panel Contributors what you would like to see incorporated into the ROM of the Future!  Register here.

Source

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: JENNIFER MAXWELL

Céad Míle Fáilte!  A hundred thousand welcomes to everyone this Wednesday!  I have listed some very informative and delicious happenings in the museum and cultural sectors this week in Toronto.  Two of the events are St. Patty's Day related, for all those Irish and/or interested.  Have yourselves a very wonderful rest of the week!

I. "RADICAL LIBRARIANS" LECTURE
Date: Wednesday, March 11th
When: 6 - 9 pm
Where: 2 Sussex Ave., Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto
What: The University of Toronto, Faculty of Information, and Faculty of Information Alumni Association (FIAA) invite you to the 50th Anniversary of the Bertha Bassam Lecture.  This year R. David Lankes, a passionate advocate for libraries, will discuss "Radical Librarianship".  Prof. Lankes is author of an upcoming book, The Radical's Guide to New Librarianship.  To register, follow this link.

This lecture examines the value of librarians dedicated to improving communities, not simply informing them.  Source.

II. ST. PATRICK'S DAY @ THE TOLLKEEPER'S COTTAGE
Date: Saturday, March 14th
When: 11 am - 4 pm
Where: 750 Davenport Rd.
What: Be Irish for a day at the Tollkeeper's Cottage.  Many of the tollkeepers who served at No. 3 Tollgate in the 19th century were Irishmen, so the Cottage will remember them with traditional soda bread and tea.  There will also be Celtic music and a tour of the cottage!  The cost is $5 a person.

The cottage is believed to be the only surviving tollgate from the 1800s in Canada.  Source.

III. ST. PATRICK'S CÈILIDH @ MONTGOMERY'S INN
Date: Saturday, March 14th
When: 7 - 11 pm
Where: 55 John St., Montgomery's Inn
What: Start your St. Patrick's Day celebration early at Montgomery's Inn.  Enjoy delicious Irish stew, fresh baked bread, and live traditional music featuring Gin Lane.  Cash bar, $5 for a bowl of stew (while supplies last).  Note: On St. Patrick's Day, Montgomery's Inn will also be hosting a Tea with delectable treats from the Emerald Isle.  $10 for this event.

A Cèilidh  is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing folk music and dancing.  Source.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: CAMERON CRAWLEY

Characterised by monochromatic landscapes and unrelenting cold, February is usually a month where there is very little to be excited about. Not so for this particular portion of the month however. In an exciting turn of events, there are three exhibition openings happening throughout the city, each more tantalising than the last.

First we have Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now's the Time opening at the AGO on Saturday, February 7th. Basquiat is famous for confronting and discussing issues of racism and social tension through his paintings. This is also the first major retrospective of Basquiat's work in Canada, after the untimely death of the artist in New York in 1987 at the age of 27.

Do as fever-dream Batman commands you, and go see this show.
http://www.ago.net/assets/images/555/E-01175-660.jpg

The show opens to the public at 6pm; tickets cost $25 for an adult, or $16.50 for a student. Tickets and further information can be found here. If the AGO does not consider you cool enough to let you in on opening night, do not fret about your street cred. The show runs until May 10th, so you will have ample time to post your perfectly composed instagram shots from inside the gallery.

Second, at the Gardiner Museum we have Women, Art, & Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise, an exhibition jointly organised by the Smithsonian and Newcomb College at Tulane University.The exhibition showcases the efforts of a group of women in the Southern US who achieved financial independence through making and selling pottery. Set against the backdrop of post-Civil War New Orleans, this exhibition tells a story of entrepreneurship through beautiful objects.

Every entrepreneur needs a hammer. Although why one might need a hammer for ceramics seems counter-intuitive.
http://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/designedit_inc/photogalleries/1419/l/Womanhammeringbowl.jpg

The show opens to the public on Thursday, February 5th and admission will cost you $15 for an adult or $9 for a student. Alternatively it will cost you NOTHING if you are Musings Administrator and Contributing Editor, Meaghan Dalby (*cough* WEASEL *cough*). Tickets and further information can be found here.

Finally, we have Squared2 opening today, February 4th. Hosted at the Steam Whistle Roundhouse located at 255 Bremner Boulevard, this exhibitions brings together three dozen works from three Toronto area photographers. The exhibit is meant to explore beauty found through happenstance from all over the world.

Photography! Beer! Novelty advertising vehicles!
http://i3.stay.com/images/venue/596/9/6db16ea4/view-from-steam-whistle-brewery.jpg

The opening reception is tonight from 7-11pm, and you will be pleased to know that entry is free. Better still is the fact that this exhibit is hosted at a brewery, so i'm sure there will be plenty of....beverages. Further information can be found here.

It is quite unusual to get a brace of openings like this occurring at the same time, so you should make hay while the sun is shining (proverbially, not literally, it's miserable outside). See you next time!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: JENNIFER MAXWELL

Hello everyone, and welcome to Wednesday!  I have listed some very informative and delicious happenings in the museum and cultural sectors this week in Toronto, so make sure to take plenty of notes and foodie samples.  Have yourself a very wonderful rest of the week!

I. DEFINING CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHY @ THE ROM
Date: Thursday, January 29th
When: 10 am - 1 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum (Meet in Gloria Chen Court, Main Enterance)
What: A contemporary account of the emerging genre of conservation photography is explored through the voices and imagery of some of the best environmental communications working today.  Hear notable anthropologist Jane Goodall, among many others, share candid thoughts on the power of photography and its values as an effective conservation tool.  This visual presentation is accompanied by case studies and narrative from Toronto-based conservation photographer Neil Ever Osborne.  Check out this link for more information on Contexts: Lectures at the ROM.

Contexts is a fascinating series of monthly lectures that are included with museum admission!

II. WINTERLICIOUS 2015

Date: Friday, January 30th to Monday, February 12th

Where: Toronto-wide

What: Toronto's winter culinary celebration is the perfect opportunity to discover diverse cuisine in a variety of local restaurants and take part in unique culinary events.  About 200 participating restaurants will offer three-course prix fixe lunch menus (priced at $18, $23, or $28) and dinner menus (priced at $25, $35, or $45).  Reservations are strongly advised, and can be made directly with each restaurant.  Take a peak at the website to find a participating restaurant near you!  

Enjoy mouth-watering foodie experiences across Toronto!  Source.

III.  THE TORONTO TEA FESTIVAL

Date: Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st

When: 10 am - 5 pm

Where: Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge St.)

What: Immerse yourself in the domain of tea from the traditional to the modern, at the 3rd annual Toronto Tea Festival!  The Festival has gathered world-renowned tea sommeliers, internationally published authors, historical fashion experts, musicians and vendors who are keen to steep the inquiring, novice and aficionado in tea lore and culture.  See the official website for more information.

For the love of tea!  Source.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: CAMERON CRAWLEY

Good morning dutiful and faithful readers, and may the blessings of Wedenesday be bestowed upon you! I have quite the list of events happening in the museum and cultural institution world in Toronto this week, so make sure you have an agenda/electronic device/pen and paper/slate to hand and take notes!

Firstly, today is the most important day of the year no matter what calendar you follow. More important than a loved one's anniversary or birthday; it's Museum Selfie Day! If you find yourself in a museum, art gallery, historic house or similar, please feel free to post a picture of yourself grinning like an idiot as an eternal cyberspace monument to human vanity/love for museums.

Johannes Vermeer's slightly less well known work Girl with a Panasonic Camera.
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/534980029155790848/W-A_TJHa.jpeg

Just make sure you tag whatever institution you are visiting in your tweet, and be sure to use the hashtag #MuseumSelfie. If you are unfamiliar with this concept, or would just like to learn more about it, all of your questions will be answered here.

Secondly, this Friday the 23rd at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is the launch party for the upcoming winter group exhibition. The exhibit is titled The Unfinished Conversation: Encoding/Decoding and runs from January 24th-May 18th, and discusses the physical manifestations and the mindset of specific visual dynamics of the post-World War II era.

Just so much mingling happening at the Power Plant. Hone your mingling skills, they are invaluable.
http://www.thepowerplant.org/ProgramsEvents/Events/Opening-Party/Winter-2015-Opening-Party.aspx

Doors open at the Power Plant for the launch party at 8pm and admission is absolutely free! There will also be live music, a cash bar, plenty of interesting contemporary art, and a healthy amount of mingling. Further information on the exhibition and the opening event can be found here.

Next up, we have Come Up To My Room at the Gladstone Hotel. This is an annual alternative design event and exhibition hosted at the hotel, and is the Gladstone's signature, self-produced event; this year the artists and designers have been asked to use the event as a platform to showcase what goes on inside their heads. By that sentence alone, you know it will be entertaining at the very least. The show runs until January 25th and admission is $10. Further information about the event can be found here, and here.

Finally, this Friday the 23rd at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA), between 6-7pm a group of performance artists will be showcasing Bouncy Highrise which involves "a performance event in which a small crew of people will attempt to stack a tower of bouncy castles, one on top of the other" in a critique of the Toronto condo building boom. For editorial objectivity I make no comment on the above statements...however it might be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a performance artist get maimed by a collapsing multi-level bouncy castle.

This is the actual picture used on the MOCCA website. This event is bound to be entertaining, and a sharp commentary on the hubris of humanity.
http://www.mocca.ca/event/bouncyhighrise/

The event is free, and further information can be found here. I suggest bringing a hard hat and a camera that shoots in slow motion to capture the inevitable demise of Bouncy Highrise.

With that I bid you adieu until next time, and I hope you all enjoy this very diverse group of events!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: JENNIFER MAXWELL

Hello everyone and a hearty welcome back!  I hope everyone's holidays were relaxing and enjoyable?  This week, I am dedicating the What's Happening Wednesdays blog to food, music, and dance.  Before our workloads become too unbearable, take some time this weekend to participate in some truly unique, hands-on events -- complete with Haggis and Taffy-Pulling and Fancy-Dress Balls, oh my!!

I. HAGGIS MAKING WORKSHOP
Date: Saturday, January 17th
When: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St.
What: Join-in on this unique opportunity to make a rustic Scottish meal, including infamous haggis!  Participants will work in the historic Mackenzie House kitchen and explore the lives of 19th-century Scottish settlers.  Special guest Maggie Newell, historic cook and culinary historian, from Gibson House Museum will be in attendance.  Note: This event costs $30 (plus tax).  Contact Mackenzie House at 416-392-6915 or machouse@toronto.ca for more information.

Try your hand at making haggis at Mackenzie House

II. QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY BALL
Date: Saturday, January 17th
When: 12:00 - 10:30 pm
Where: Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd.
What: Queen Charlotte welcomes news of the Treaty of Ghent, an end to the War of 1812, and a return to Peace in the Canadas.  If you enjoy colourful celebrations with food, music, and dance then join-in on this recreated Georgian-era participatory event!  This event will include period dance workshops, an entertaining guest lecture, an elegant and authentic Georgian buffet supper, and an evening ball with live music.  Note: This event costs $100 (plus tax) and pre-registration is required.

An evening of English country dancing at Fort York

III. WINTER FUN DAY
Date: Sunday, January 18th
When: 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Where: Colborne Lodge, 11 Colborne Lodge Dr.
What: Visit Colborne Lodge this weekend for some fun wintery-activities!  Activities include taffy-pulling, roasting marshmallows, eating roasted potatoes and drinking warm cider in the great outdoors.  Dress warmly as most of the activities are outside.  Note: Small fees apply for taffy-pulling, potatoes, and cider.  Contact Colborne Lodge at 416-392-6916 or e-mail clodge@toronto.ca for more information.

Have some wintery-outdoor fun at Colborne Lodge

IV. TEA AND TOUR SUNDAYS
Date: Sunday, January 18th
When: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St.
What: Returning this weekend, Gibson House Museum will be hosting Tea and Tour Sundays.  There will be a seat for you at the harvest table in the historic kitchen.  Relax and have a chat over tea and homemade cookies.  Later, enjoy a tour of this lovely 1850s farmhouse!  Note: This event is included with regular admission.  Contact Gibson House Museum at 416-395-7432 or gibsonhouse@toronto.ca for more information.

Sip some tea and nibble on some cookies at Gibson House Museum

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: JENNIFER MAXWELL

It's Fall Reading Week! Hello and welcome to Wednesday everyone. At this point of the week most of us are in denial about homework and are looking for some happenings in the city. Here's two ideas of what you can do in the next seven days. Cheers!

I. STANLEY KUBRICK: THE EXHIBITION
Date: On now until January 25th
Where: tiff. Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street W.
What: Drawing on extensive archives from Kubrick's home and workplace, the exhibition features rare photographs and letters, original props and costumes, screenplays, production materials, and cameras from his nearly 50-year career. A complementary series of Roundtables and Talks brings together some of Kubrick's key collaborators, members of the Kubrick family, and local and international film critics and scholars to discuss the influential auteur's immense contributions to cinema and culture. Note: Guided tours are available as well as film/exhibition combos!

Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition promo poster. Source.

II. REMEMBRANCE DAY @ FORT YORK
Date: November 11th
When: Commencing at 10:45 am
Where: Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Road
What: Fort York National Historic Site and the Toronto Municipal Chapter IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) are proud to present one of this City's most evocative Remembrance Day Services at the Strachan Avenue Military Cemetery on Garrison Common. Commencing at 10:45 am from the west gate of Fort York, a processional, led by period uniformed military staff and standard bearers of the IODE, will make their way to the adjacent Strachan Avenue Military Cemetery, where the public will be gathered. There, at the eleventh hour, all soldiers of the Toronto Garrison who fell in the War of 1812; The Rebellion Crises; The Crimean War; Northwest Rebellion; South African (Boer) War; the two World Wars and recent conflicts around the globe will be remembered and honoured.

Remembrance Day Poppies.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: CAMERON CRAWLEY

It's that time of the year where everyone is increasingly stressed about work and compensates by loading up their already caffeinated beverages with obscene amounts of pumpkin flavouring. My advice to you is the following. First, have some self control and step away from the Pumpkin Spice Latte; they make people even more jittery and irritable than normal. Second, read this blog about what you can get up to in the city this coming week. It might not calm you down, but it will probably distract you long enough to stop you from drowning some poor unfortunate foodstuff in pumpkin flavouring. 

Now as some of you may be aware, this Friday is Halloween, one of our most beloved faux-holidays. As such, many cultural institutions are jumping on this heathen bandwagon and running Halloween themed events. One example of this is at Colborne Lodge, run by the City of Toronto and located in High Park, who are running a haunted walk. The walk takes place within the 1830's lodge itself and the surrounding grounds.

Colborne Lodge in High Park. Black and white pictures make everything look scarier.
Original source: https://tayloronhistory.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/1912.jpg 

Admission includes the requisite ghost stories as well as period-accurate refreshments. The tours are occurring on October 30th and 31st from 7-8:30, and cost $17.50. Further information can be found here.

Now if spooky stories or gorging yourself on an obscene amount of candy (the point of Halloween) isn't your style, I have you covered. This Thursday, Montgomery's Inn (a small community museum in the west end of the city) is running their monthly Thirsty Thursday event. The event is set in their original 1847 barroom, and includes live music, a cash bar, bowls of traditional Irish stew for $5, and FREE admission. 

A little known site in the city that is well worth a visit. Did I mention it's FREE! Also you cannot resist the siren song of beer and $5 stew on a cold fall evening.
Original source: https://tce-staging.s3.amazonaws.com/media/media/0e78b376-3f86-4221-ba7d-c2b9d3b066eb.jpg

The museum itself is a short walk from Islington TTC station, and further information about the event and the museum can be found here.

Now it is also worth pointing out that the ROM is also running a special Halloween Friday Night Live this week for the same price as a regular FNL event. Even more exciting is that the Museum Studies Student Association (MUSSA) is going to FNL this Friday (in costume I might add)! These are the events that Museum Studies students live for, so act quickly. You can find more details and RSVP here.

Having been to FNL on Halloween (and at other times), I can assure you it is a fantastic night out. My only warning is to make sure there is no incriminating evidence of you having too much fun...

Look upon this and despair. Also, please note this picture does not reflect my actual personality.
Original source: Meaghan Dalby 

Either way, I wish you all an enjoyable week, spooky or not. See you next time!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: CAMERON CRAWLEY

Hello and welcome to Wednesday everyone! At this point of the week most of us are looking for a shred of hope on the horizon that will coax us towards the weekend without resorting to committing grievous bodily harm on our friends and colleagues. As always, Musings will save you and those you love from that scenario. Tell your parole officer that you're safe for at least another week; there is plenty happening in the city to keep you occupied. Here's an idea of what you have to look forward to in the next seven days.

For our hardcore intellectual readers (I hear "nerd" is not politically correct anymore), the AGO is a running an event this evening that may be of interest to you. From 7-8:30 pm in Baillie Court the gallery is hosting Hugo Chapman, the curator for Italian Drawings at the British Museum, for a talk on the sketches and drawings of Michelangelo and what these works can reveal about the artist himself.

Admittedly this Michelangelo fella was rather good at drawing people.
http://www.ago.net/assets/images/555/E-00579.JPG

The event will allow you to interact with a curator from a globally-renowned institution, and will also give you the opportunity to see sketches by Michelangelo from the AGO's own collection. Tickets can be bought here and will cost you $10 for a student, or $15 if you are a member of the public.

However, if you want to meld your interests in museums and cultural institutions with an appreciation for drinking and street food, there is only one place to be this week: Friday Night Live at the ROM. For this Friday, October 17th, the theme for the evening is Africa Alive! which will emphasize the ROM's collections from Africa. Activities include talks by curators from the World Cultures and Palaeontology departments, live musical and dance performances from Toronto based African artists, and a wide assortment of food like perogies...I admit the theme unravels a bit there, but who doesn't like perogies?

Adrian X is going to be there performing on the guitar, and apparently he produces music for some guy called Drake?
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Tickets will cost you $10 as a student or $12 as an adult and can be bought here. Doors open at 7pm and the museum closes at 11pm.

Finally, for those of you out there who enjoy making things, the Bata Shoe Museum is running a unique workshop this Sunday, October 19th from noon-4 pm. In conjunction with their exhibit Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century, the museum is running a DIY workshop in which you can make your own 19th Century fascinator with a 21st Century twist.

It's so beautiful, it's like looking into the sun. Plus you would really be the talk of the town wearing this to a party.
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Now the price is a little steep at $50, however it includes materials, admission to the museum, and a tour of the exhibit itself. Plus you get to keep what you make! Tickets can be bought here.

So whether you want to create some fancy headgear or eat perogies with a museum curator there is plenty for you to do this week. Hope you enjoy yourselves!

NUIT BLANCHE ROUNDUP

SPECIAL POST

BY: KATIE WILSON

We hope everyone had a fantastic time at Nuit Blanche last night (we know we did.) Here are our five favourite posts from Instagram and Twitter tagged #musingsnb. If you don't already, follow us on instagram to see more photos from Nuit Blanche.

Clare Twomey Exhibit at the Gardiner Museum 

Ice Sculpting at CHILL Icehouse, Toronto's Ice Lounge and Bar

"Walk Among Worlds" - One of the more popular installations at Ogden Junior Public School 

"Made in China" - Textile installation composed of clothes labeled "Made in China" displayed in a Chinatown alleyway

"Envision" - 3D Printed Objects by Girls Learning Code on Display at The Lab on Queen Street West 

What was your favourite part of the night?

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: CAMERON CRAWLEY

Would you like to know what is happening at cultural institutions in the city of Toronto for the coming week? Of course you do! Otherwise you wouldn't be reading this fantastic blog post. However if you did reach this post in error, why don't you stay awhile? Your page views still count towards our total anyway.

There are two major events happening in the city in the coming days, both of which are of a social nature. So, with that in mind, this is a good week to get a group of friends together and dip into the portion of your budget marked "miscellaneous expenditures".

First up we have Nuit Blanche Toronto happening on Saturday, October 4th from 6:53pm (avoid the social faux pas of showing up at 6:50, you'll never live down the embarassment) until sunrise. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Nuit Blanche, some brief background information. This event has occurred in Toronto annually since 2006, and involves transforming public spaces and local institutions into contemporary art exhibits for one night only.

Ai WeiWei's installation in Toronto last year.
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This year there are 4 featured exhibitions, and over 100 independent and special exhibits occurring across the downtown core at venues such as the Gardiner Museum, the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Fort York, and Nathan Phillips Square. A detailed event map and background on the exhibitions and artists can be found here.

Most importantly however is the fact that all of these events are free! So grab some friends and take in a night of culture outdoors while the weather is still nice. Whether you decide to critically engage with the artwork, or laugh at someone dressed as a metaphor for urban decline get their foot stuck in a streetcar track, I guarantee you will have fun.

Next we have this months' First Thursday at the AGO. Similar to the ROM's Friday Night Live program, this is a once a month event where the AGO throws a party in the galleries replete with dancing, dining, and drinking.

Interior of the Galleria Italia. Don't miss out, this could be you.
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Unsurprisingly, this event is happening Thursday, October 2nd from 7-11:30pm. Advance tickets will cost you $12 ($10 if you are a member), or $15 at the door ($13 for members). That being said, if you are willing to fork over an extra Sir John A. Macdonald you will also get entry to the Alex Colville exhibition. Tickets can be bought here, and they do sell out so get on it!

This particular First Thursday also guarantees to be special as it is the two year anniversary of this event. To celebrate, the AGO is offering sneak peeks of some of the aforementioned Nuit Blanche exhibits, as well as acrobats in Walker Court from 7:30-9:30.

So get out there and attempt to be social this week, cultural connoisseurs. Because if there is one demographic who isn't occasionally socially awkward and thrives in loud environments, it's people who like art galleries and museums. Thanks for reading!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: CAMERON CRAWLEY

What’s happening everyone? As you may have realised, it is Wednesday, which can mean only one thing. I am here to tell you what is going on in the (museum and cultural institutions) world this week, and we are really throwing caution to the wind for this inaugural What’s Happening Wednesday of the school year.

It is very rare that one museum is opening its doors to the public in Toronto, let alone two museums. However, that is the situation we are currently facing, and I am very excited.

First up is the Aga Khan Museum at 76 Wynford Drive which opens to the public this Thursday, September 18^th. This museum houses a stunning collection of Islamic art and architecture from every corner of the Muslim world. If you want to know more about the museum, you can read a review of the galleries at the VIP opening here.

The main entrance of the Aga Khan Museum from the Gardens.
Photo taken by Cameron Crawley.

Admission will cost you $15 if you are a student, or $20 for an adult. For that you get entry into both the permanent and temporary galleries. For the budget-conscious, it is worth noting that entry to the building and gardens is free, as is a small exhibition gallery in the building known as the Bellerive Room, which houses art objects from His Highness the Aga Khan’s personal collection.

Having been able to take a sneak peek of the galleries myself, it is well worth a visit. The attention to detail, throughout what is already an impressive building, is incredible. Moreover, you won’t find a collection of this calibre anywhere else save for the Met or the Louvre.

The second museum opening in Toronto this week is Fort York’s new visitor centre at Fort York Blvd. and Bathurst on September 20^th and 21^st between noon and 7pm. Entry is free both days, and includes admission to the rest of the site.

A sneak preview of the new visitor centre at Fort York. It is meant to look like a bunker, don't worry.
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The opening happily coincides with Fort York’s annual On Common Ground festival, so activities include music from all over the world, guided tours of the site, and delicious food from the Forts’ historic kitchen. It is also worth noting that the new visitor centre, although decidedly modern, does not diminish the historic character of the rest of the site due to some clever architecture.

Now I know some pedants reading this right now are probably furiously mashing their ham sized fists into their keyboards, writing hate mail to my editors about how Fort York already existed as a museum, and that a new visitor centre doesn’t count. To the pedants I say this: let me, let us, have this one. It is exciting to see museums and cultural institutions get such love and attention in this city, so please don’t be a spoilsport.  

So, museum aficionados of the GTA, get out there and support these two great institutions! It isn’t often that you get to experience two museum openings in the same week in the same city, and I know firsthand how excited both of these institutions are to welcome all of you through their doors.

On a final, and shamelessly self-promoting note, this Friday September 19th are the Ignite sessions discussing all of the internships that Museum Studies students participated in over the past summer. The sessions take place in room 728 of the Bissell building from 9am-3:10pm. All of the second year students would love to see you there, and if you come to my session you get to hear how I learned that radiation is bad the hard way. 

THIS IS NOT A TOY

MUSEUM MONDAYS

BY: BRITTNEY SPROULE

 Photo by Brittney Sproule

In order to kick off the February break right, I decided to make my way to the Design Exchange (DX) for the very first time on Friday and check out their current exhibition This Is Not A Toy. This exhibit opened February 7th and was curated by DX curators John Wee Tom and Sara Nickleson, as well as guest curator Pharrell Williams.

KAWS "Chums," Photo by Brittney Sproule

To give you an idea of the inspiration behind the exhibition, here is a sample of the introductory text from the exhibition pamphlet. Regardless of whether or not you actually see the exhibit, I think this introduction raises some interesting points to ponder regarding the way accepted notions of art, object, and commodity overlap and intertwine to essentially create whole new genres, or at least ways of thinking, in terms of artistic inspiration and design:

"This Is Not A Toy was conceived as a presentation of the design and art toy as a unique medium for artistic expression. The title of the exhibition is inspired by the ubiquitous disclaimer found on product packaging and René Magritte's Ceci N'est Pas Un Pipie, one of the most infulential paintings of the 20th century that promotes the commonplace object as a work of art." (Design Exchange, 2014)

Bill McMullen, "Ad-At Giant" (Adidas Stripes), Photo by Brittney Sproule

Among the artists featured in the exhibition were KAWS, Takashi Murakami, Kidrobot, Misaki Kawai and many more. Of course, one of the draws of this particular exhibition is its guest curator, musician Pharrell Williams. According to the DX exhibition pamphlet brief, Williams' involvement with the art world was spawned by his fascination with the art toy. Apart from his commissioning of toys and paintings for his own personal collection as well as his creative collaborations with prominent toy artists, Williams' "penchant for the cross-pollination of creativity" in his own business ventures (music, fashion, design, art) also made him a suitable candidate for the job.

Takashi Murakami and Pharrell Williams, "The Simple Things," Photo by Brittney Sproule

I don't want to give away too much about the exhibition, as I highly recommend you go check it out for yourself, but I will share with you a few thoughts that crossed my mind both during and after my visit.

Perhaps my favourite aspect of this exhibition is the ability of the artworks to embody meaning-- whether it be a commentary on consumerism, society, a particular emotion, etc. -- while at the same time, still retaining a whimsical, fantastical, play-like personality, even if the subject matter is quite dark. This gives the viewer the opportunity to engage with the work on as many levels as they'd like. In other words, one could easily go to this exhibit just to see the beautifully decorated and crafted art toys and simply appreciate them for solely aesthetic reasons, coming away with a feel-good vibe. Kids must certainly have a blast running from case to case, examining all the brightly coloured, sometimes larger-than-life, usually completely adorable toys that function much like tantalizing confections.

Frank Kozik, "Happy Labbit," Photo by Brittney Sproule

However, it is also possible for a viewer to look far beyond the aesthetic allure of these beautifully crafted objects and become inspired to formulate their own interpretation of what exactly these objects are trying to say beyond their cutesy surface. One cannot help but be lured in by the adorable facade of the majority of these objects and discover that indeed, these are not "just toys." Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the way these objects are designed, painted, and arranged are for very specific reasons and/or due to very specific artistic interpretations/collaborations that embody a particular message. Thus, the initial nostalgia-inducing, dream-like quality of these innocent toys functions as a very effective hook for engaging audiences with a new contemporary art form/medium.

As such, I think this is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to avoid the intimidation or perhaps even confusion that can often accompany a contemporary art gallery visit, and have the chance to formulate a personal connection with seemingly familiar objects (i.e. toys) but in a context they may have never considered before.

Misaki Kawai, Photo by Brittney Sproule

I now leave you with one of my personal favourite works from the exhibit and one of the most unique interactives I think I have ever seen! These are two hair sculptures by Misaki Kawai, complete with attached combs for viewers to groom and style the creatures to their liking. These two sculptures, along with Kawai's other works in the exhibit, added a wonderful tactile dimension to the exhibition, which is an experience so often lacking in contemporary museums and galleries.

Enjoy!