Lectures. Talks. Ideas.
Are you getting excited for the holiday season—and for our upcoming courses?
Our lecturers certainly are! Please check out our new Facebook page for videos from Christopher Hume and Dr. Laura Carlson with some fun holiday reading suggestions. Make sure to follow us for more videos, articles and other bonus content in the coming weeks.
A reminder to register here for Laura’s “Iconic Duos in History” and here for Hume’s “Great Buildings of the 20th Century” and to email me ([email protected]) before Dec. 31st for $20 off course subscriptions purchased for a friend or loved one.
Scroll down for more on our programs and a special offer from our pals at Canadian Stage!
Wishing you all a restful and restorative holiday season,
Will Di Novi
Host and Organizer
The Speakers Annex
The Speakers Annex is proud to be presented in partnership with
WINTER COURSES
Tuesdays, 10-11:30 AM
Jan. 21-Feb. 25, 2025
MNjcc Members: $99
Non-Members: $119
| Great Buildings of the 20th Century: Architecture in An Age of Transformation
Fresh off his popular courses on 21st Century Architecture, former Toronto Star architecture critic Christopher Hume leads this spirited survey of the most stunning and thought-provoking buildings of the 20th Century: a period of unprecedented architectural innovation. |
 Click the image above to watch Chris Hume’s video greeting on Facebook. |
Dig into this series with our course syllabus and this fun New York Times feature on the “Most Significant Works of Postwar Architecture.”
Chris Hume, our lecturer, can’t wait to see you:
“After all the fun we had at my recent courses on 21st Century architecture, I’m thrilled to explore the fascinating stories behind some of the most stunning buildings of the previous century—a period when architects stretched the limits of form and function in ways that were novel, delightful and sometimes totally bonkers. I can’t wait to see you next month!”
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Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM
Jan. 22-Feb. 26, 2025
MNjcc Members: $99
Non-Members: $119
| Friends, Lovers & Rivals:
Iconic Duos That Changed the Course of History
Oxford-trained historian Dr. Laura Carlson leads this fun new series on the iconic partnerships that have transformed the arts, politics, science and popular culture. Learn how “creative pairs”—from Lennon and McCartney to Victoria and Albert—have shaped the world we live in. |
 Click the image above to watch Dr. Laura Carlson’s video greeting on Facebook. |
Dig into this series with our course syllabus and this fun article about “Powers of Two,” Joshua Shenk’s brilliant book on “creative pairs.”
Dr. Laura Carlson is ready to rock the theatre:
“As a historian, I've always been fascinated by moments when the meeting of two extraordinary minds alters the course of events, and this fun new series will study these world-changing duos. Come for the juicy details of influential friendships and love affairs. Stay for the deep creative partnerships that gave the world The Beatles and the iPhone—and women the right to vote. Join me this winter for a rollicking journey through history!”
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SPRING COURSES
Tuesdays, 10-11:30 AM
Mar. 25-May 6, 2025
MNjcc Members: $99
Non-Members: $119
| The Soul of the City:
Six Writers and Scholars on Their Favourite Cultural Landmarks
Six of Canada’s leading writers and lecturers explore the rich history and cultural significance of their favourite civic landmark in a great world city. Featuring Lisa Pasold, Julia Zarankin, Peter Harris, Ira Wells, David Sax and more! |
Wednesdays, 10:30 AM-12 PM
Mar. 26-May 7, 2025
MNjcc Members: $99
Non-Members: $119
| The Photographs That Defined the Modern Age
Inspired by a recent New York Times survey of the most influential photos in history, U of T Art Historian Jordan Bear assesses the creation and cultural legacy of the most indelible images of the past century, including stunning photos by Robert Frank, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus and more! |
Fridays, 10-11:30 AM
Mar. 28-May 9, 2025
MNjcc Members: $99
Non-Members: $119
| Anthems: Six Songs That Shaped the World We Live In
Acclaimed musician and music scholar Dr. Andrew Scott examines the genesis, and pop-cultural impact, of six iconic songs, taking us on a thrilling musical journey from Beethoven to the Beatles, from Bob Marley to Joni Mitchell to Leonard Cohen and beyond! |
IN CASE YOU’RE INTERESTED
 Mondays, 1-2:30 PM
Jan. 13-Feb. 10 | Bringing Five Jewish Directors Into Focus
Join our pals at the MNjcc for this cool series on five significant Jewish-American filmmakers: Fritz Lang, Otto Preminger, Barbra Streisand, Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker, and Todd Haynes. Popular film critic (and Speakers Annex friend) Adam Nayman analyzes the social, artistic and philosophical dimensions of their work, how (or if) their films connect to their Judaism, and the diverse cinematic worlds they represent. Attend in person or virtually! Register HERE; email Lisa Roy ([email protected]) for more information! |
| A Special Deal from CanStage!
On the heels of their gripping production of Saul Rubinek’s Playing Shylock (which many Speakers Annex friends enjoyed as much as I did), the team at Canadian Stage is kicking off a new revival of Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf? on Jan. 18. Paul Gross and Martha Burns lead the star-studded cast and CanStage is excited to offer the Speakers Annex community a special 20% discount on tickets. Click HERE to learn more and redeem your discount. |
HELPFUL LINKS AND MORE!
For registration assistance, please contact the MNjcc customer support team at 416-924-6211 x0 or email [email protected]. You can also refer to this detailed, step-by-step registration guide.
Email me about our holiday gift deal, or anything else on your mind, at [email protected]. I love to hear from you!
Consult this FAQ Help Sheet for answers to common questions about our events.
And finally: a reminder that Speakers Annex attendees get a special deal on MNjcc memberships, which aren’t required to attend these programs but get you nice discounts. Contact the membership team at 416-924-6211 x6510 or [email protected], tell them “The Speakers Annex at the J sent me” and become a MNjcc member with no enrolment fee, for a savings of $85!
Thank you again and happy holidays!
