Lectures. Talks. Ideas.
Dear Friends,
We’re off! With two exciting new courses under way in the Al Green Theatre, I’m pleased to update you all that we’ve opened up drop-in tickets to all the remaining sessions in our “Music Cities” series, running on Tuesday mornings through February 24th, and “The History of Ballet,” running on Wednesday mornings until March 4th. Drop-ins can be purchased on the MNjcc website or at the front desk on the morning of each session.
I’m also excited to share our spring course schedule, which will feature three new programs: a series on Tuesday mornings, April 14th-May 19th; a series on Wednesday afternoons, April 15th-May 20th; and a series on Friday mornings, April 10th-May 15th. I’ll share the topics and speakers in my next newsletter, which will coincide with the start of spring course registration.
And finally, on the subject of this newsletter, you’ll notice a fun new feature if you scroll below, past the upcoming programs from our MNjcc partners. It’s called “Something You Might Enjoy” and the plan is to highlight books, movies, articles and podcasts that will offer some food for thought between our regular programs. We kick things off this week with a wonderful history podcast!
As always, please contact the Help Desk ([email protected]) with registration questions and contact me ([email protected]) with anything else you need.
We’re endlessly grateful for your endlessly curious minds!
Will Di Novi
Host and Organizer
The Speakers Annex
The Speakers Annex is proud to be presented in partnership with
OUR EXCITING NEW WINTER COURSES!
Wednesdays, January 28-March 4
10:30 AM-12 PM
Drop-in Tix Available:
MNjcc Members: $21.60
Non-Members: $24
| Passion and Precision: The History of Ballet
Take a dazzling journey through the history of ballet with Natasha Frid Finlay, a dance notator and popular pre-show speaker with The National Ballet of Canada.
From ballet’s origins in the royal courts of Europe to the first iconic productions of Swan Lake and Giselle to 20th century icons like Rudolph Nureyev and Karen Kain, Natasha will pull back the curtain on this wonderful art form, before closing the series with a very special treat: an onstage conversation with the great Veronica Tennant, former Prima Ballerina with The National Ballet of Canada and an inspiration to generations of dance-artists.
Click HERE for the full course schedule and descriptions of each of the six sessions. |
Tuesdays, January 20-February 24
10:30 AM-12 PM
Drop-in Tix Available:
MNjcc Members: $21.60
Non-Members: $24
| Musical Meccas: The World’s Great Music Cities and the Artists They Inspired
He's back! After rave reviews for his recent series on history’s greatest songs, Dr. Andrew Scott returns with this fun new course on the musical icons of the past century and the cities that inspired them.
From Django Reinhardt’s Paris at the apex of the Jazz Age to the sun-drenched LA landscapes that gave the world the Beach Boys; from London’s mods and rockers at the height of the Swinging Sixties to Glenn Gould’s intimate bond with his hometown of Toronto, we’ll explore how the cultural landscapes within these wonderful cities shaped the careers and music of the century’s musical giants.
Click HERE for the full course schedule and descriptions of each of the six sessions. |
SOME COOL EVENTS FROM OUR PARTNERS
| Meet the Author Event: How Books Made Judaism American
For post-World War II Americans used to seeing harmful antisemitic tropes and images, the emergence of positive Jewish literature – such as a Life magazine story about Judaism or the novel Gentleman’s Agreement that became an Oscar-winning film – helped transform public perception of Jews, antisemitism, and their place in culture and history. Following Rachel Gordan’s illustrated presentation, there will be book sales and signings.
Join us in person Friday February 6th, 1-2:30 pm, on Zoom simulcast, or register to receive the recording.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Register HERE. |
| Film Critic Adam Nayman Continues to February 23!
The passing of Hollywood icon Robert Redford prompted reflection on his impact - not only as a movie star, but also as a director, producer, Sundance Festival founder, and behind-the-scenes power broker. Learn about actors who leveraged their stardom to become ‘multi-hyphenate’ moviemakers: Charlie Chaplin, Orson Welles, Warren Beatty, Jodie Foster, Clint Eastwood, Diane Keaton, Rob Reiner… and more! Presented in partnership with the Toronto Film Society.
Mondays, 1:00-2:30pm, until Feb 23. Join us in the Al Green Theatre, on Zoom, or register to receive the recordings!
Questions? Email [email protected].
Register HERE. |
| Visit and Enjoy the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto
The Arts & Letters Club is a social club for people active or interested in literature and the arts. Located in its historic Toronto building at 14 Elm Street, the Club hosts literary talks, stage productions, musical performances, painting sessions and more. The Club’s lounge and bar is open to visitors every Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm. Beginning in September, the Club will be offering the Speakers Annex community an opportunity to sample its fun events.
If you are interested in learning more, please email Martin Jones at [email protected]. For more information on the Club, please visit www.artsandlettersclub.ca. |
SOMETHING YOU MIGHT ENJOY
Regular recommendations of fun things to read, watch and listen to!
| A FUN HISTORY PODCAST!
Knowing how many of you are fellow history lovers, I’m kicking off this feature with a plug for an excellent podcast: The Rest is History, a show from the British historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, offering deep dives into history’s biggest moments.
Whether they’re discussing the reign of Elizabeth I, the cultural impact of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, or the wild true-life story of a bear that fought the Nazis, Holland and Sandbrook are masters at breaking down sweeping topics into compelling stories, bringing to life the vibrant characters at their centre.
When you get in a groove with their multi-episode series, as I often do, you may find yourself making excuses to tackle menial chores, like taking out the trash or folding your family’s laundry—anything that will let you keep piping the show through your ears! |
SPEAKERS ANNEX READING GUIDES
Last June, I asked some beloved Speakers Annex contributors to share a few books that we all might enjoy over the summer months. The result was our first ever “Summer Reading Guide,” which you can see HERE.
We now return with a new “Winter Reading Guide,” presented in partnership with friend-of-The Speakers Annex Eleanor Wachtel, the host of CBC’s Writers & Company, who has offered her own list of wonderful reading suggestions!
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 upcoming programs, or anything else on your mind, at [email protected]. I always love to hear from you!
Consult this FAQ Help Sheet for answers to common questions about our events.
Thank you so much again!
