A number of CD release concerts are scheduled in the following weeks:
Leaves Will Speak, a new CD from guitarist-composer Brian Katz, features his solo guitar, original works and improvisations. A CD release celebration takes place at the Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave., Oct. 26, 8 p.m. $15 concert and reception, $25 with CD. Cash bar. Reservations, [email protected], 647-216-5519. www.briankatz.com
Jazz musician Ron Davis launches his new Symphronica CD in a series of three Sunday concerts at Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10, with shows at 8 and 9:30 p.m. The concerts feature Davis on piano and keyboards as well as a guitarist, bassist, drummer and string quartet. $20. http://rondavismusic. bandcamp.com
Singer-lawyer Jordana Talsky launches her new jazz-pop CD, Standard Deviation, at Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. Oct. 29, 8 p.m. $20, includes CD. www. jordanatalsky.com
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A Musical Memorial: The Ger Mandolin Orchestra is the brainchild of Israeli-American Avner Yonai, who was inspired to found the group after seeing a tattered photograph of his grandfather playing in a prewar Jewish mandolin orchestra in the Polish town of Gora Kalwaria (Ger in Yiddish). The musical group was conceived as a memorial project for his own family and the orchestra members, most of whom perished in the Holocaust.
The Ashkenaz Foundation presents the 11-member Ger Mandolin Orchestra in concert as part of Holocaust Education Week. George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. $36. www.tocentre.com, 1-855-985-2787.
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Toronto Jewish Film Society: The Society’s latest offering is Seven Minutes in Heaven, an Israeli-made film from 2008 in which a woman struggles to reclaim her fragmented memories after a suicide-homicide bombing takes the life of her boyfriend and leaves her physically and emotionally scarred. “This deceptively simple thriller mixes romance, psychology and mysticism to tell a powerful story of love and survival.”
With guest speaker Mark Clamen. Miles Nadal JCC, Al Green Theatre, Oct. 20, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the door only, 15 minutes before screenings. $15, $10. 416-924-6211, ext. 606.
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UJPO Celebration: The United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO) marks its 85th anniversary with a cultural program that includes historic photo displays, an exhibit of political cartoons, and musical performances from Alarm Her Majesty, the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir and Camp Naivelt klezmer musicians led by Martin Van de Ven. Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Ave. Saturday Oct. 19, 7 p.m. Free admission; refreshments. Please RSVP to 416-789-5502 or info@ winchevskycentre.org
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Names in the News: The International Visitors Programme, in association with the International Festival of Authors, has named Canadian publisher Louise Dennys the recipient of its Ivy Award, presented annually to a person who has made a substantial contribution to Canadian publishing. Dennys pioneered the practice of publishing separate Canadian editions for noteworthy international writers, first as publisher of Lester & Orpen Dennys and subsequently at Knopf Canada, Knopf-Random and Vintage Canada, and is also known for tirelessly promoting her Canadian authors abroad.
The award jury consists of Joe Kertes, author and dean of the School of Creative and Performing Art at Humber College; Linda McKnight of Westwood Creative Artists; and Ben McNally of Ben McNally Books. The award is to be presented to Dennys onstage by author Salman Rushdie at the International Festival of Authors on Monday, Oct. 28. ifoa.org
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Arts in Brief
• Film critic Keven Courrier presents a series of eight talks with film clips on “The Enigmatic Genius of Robert Altman.” Miles Nadal JCC, Oct. 21 to Dec. 9, Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m. $90 for series, $11.25 drop-in. Registration, 416-924-6211 ext. 606, [email protected]
• Active Seniors and Boomers presents two illustrated art appreciation lectures with art educator Osna Lippa – “the Power and Symbolism in the Art of Georgia O’Keeffe” on Oct. 29, 1:30 p.m., and the “Power and Symbolism in the Art of Henri Matisse” on Nov. 5, 1:30 p.m. Miles Nadal JCC. $20 series, $12 drop-in. Register at 416-924-6211, ext. 0.
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At the Galleries
• The Art of Josh Silburt (1914-1991) includes landscape paintings, original line drawings of political cartoons and more pieces from this accomplished artist whose work was in the Group of Seven tradition. Art-Square Gallery, 334 Dundas St. W. (opposite the Art Gallery of Ontario). Until Nov. 4. www.joshsilburt.com
• Migration, an exhibit of paintings by Shaoul Smira, continues at the Miles Nadal JCC Gallery until Oct. 24.
• David Goldstein launches his new poetry collection, Laws of Rest. Miles Nadal JCC, Oct. 29, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free admission, everyone welcome.