_{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.

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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!”

_{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.

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!”

_{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!

_{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!

_{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!

_{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, David Zucker-Jim Abrahams-Jerry 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. Learn more HERE and email Lisa Roy ([email protected]) for more information!

_{Spreading Holiday Cheer}

On December 15th, our neighbors at Trinity-St. Paul’s Church on Bloor Street, who have been graciously spreading the word about The Speakers Annex, host “Carols by Candelight,” with music from Tafelmusik and an internationally renowned soprano. On December 24th, they’ll host an interfaith Christmas Eve ceremony with a cantor, an imam and the Reverend Cheri DiNovo (no relation to the author of this newsletter!). More info here.