AGO First Thursdays – June 6, 2013
AGO First Thursdays – June 6, 2013
See some of Toronto’s best and brightest emerging artists kick off the summer season of First Thursdays! Walker Court goes queer for the night, with performances by VAG HALEN, Light Fires, and a DJ set by the Mighty Real DJs.
VAG HALEN take centre stage in Walker Court just one week after making their international debut at the Venice Biennale, where they are playing the opening of Toronto artist Shary Boyle’s installation at the Canadian pavilion.
And don’t miss the chance to hit the stage yourself, as Galleria Italia turns into the Galleria Italia Karaoke Bar for the night, so warm up your pipes and fill the space with your best Meatloaf tune.
A special partnership with NXNE Art will feature performances by the artists Brendan de Montigny and Nataliya Petkova. Quebeçois artist de Montigny will morph into a machine for his performance piece I am Learning, which sees the artist become a “human printer,” generating unique takeaway images via public interaction. [x]Tensions by Petkova will feature the artist "reading" gallery walls with a device that will reveal and amplify their sonic characteristics, performing a territorial sound reading.
See Bridget Moser's Local Snake Eats Own Tail, a 20-minute performance by the local interdisciplinary artist, looping all night long in front of iconic works by Lawren Harris.
Don't miss pop-up talks about artworks in the AGO collection by Toronto artists and curators. Hear Andrew Hunter, the AGO’s brand new curator of Canadian art, in conversation with Art Spin’s Casey Hinton on Lawren Harris and join the AGO’s Greg Humeniuk, curatorial assistant in Canadian Art, for an informal tour of the exhibition Sorel Etrog.
Get onstage at the Galleria Italia Karaoke Bar with Liquid Karaoke hosts Colin Bergh, James McDonough, Nadia Belerique, Mikey Apples and Jeff Hayward.
No time for a manicure before the big event? Never fear: artists from Magic Pony Gallery and Narwhal Projects will be on hand with Nail Art By Artists, presented by Joe Fresh. Crywolf, Michael Comeau, Theo Gallero, Melinda Josie, Nathan Jurevicius, Adrienne Kammerer, Jamiyla Lowe and Selena Wong will be stationed in Walker Court between 8 and 10 p.m. to create unique compositions on your nails!
June's Out of the Vaults exhibition is Summer Pleasures. See how artists in the AGO collection have caught the pleasures of summer in prints, drawings and photographs, including view images of bathing suit fashions dating from 1870, 1920 and 1965! One night only in the Marvin Gelber Print & Drawing Study Centre.
On the menu this month: Southern-fried chicken sandwiches and vegan coleslaw, fresh corn on the cob, grilled Polish sausage on a bun, ricotta fritters with chocolate sauce, house-made gelato, wine, beer and special drinks available in Galleria Italia. Enjoy FRANK’s delectable three-course prix fixe menu for just $35.
About VAG HALEN
VAG HALEN is a feminist art rock band. Armed with a repertoire of classics, VAG muff dives into the salty cock rock waters, blowing nether regions with their commitment to all things QUEER and all things ROCK. A stage show heavy in FIERCENESS, FEMINISM, and SPECTACLE, VAG will leave you sweaty, empowered, and begging for more.
VAG HALEN is: Vanessa Dunn (vocals), Katie Ritchie (bass), Susan Gale (drums), Aimee Bessada (lead guitar), Steph Marko (keyboard/backing vocals), Heather Kirby (guitar), and Jackie Mohr (guitar).
About Light Fires
Most women know what they want. Regina knows what you want. With the voice of a shady angel and a body made for breaking hearts, she delivers anthems from the alleyways, and sets the nights ablaze. Riding electronic rhythms made by James, she skewers the room with her sharp heels. By her beauty and the beat, you are hers for the taking. She parades into your embrace. Regina is shadow and light, high kicks and deep splits, fierce tongue and soft touch. You already need her, and you haven't even met her yet. Regina is a celebration of love. Regina is a celebration of the night. Regina is Light Fires, and Light Fires is what you've been missing in your life.
Light Fires has toured Canada and Europe, released a 7" Single for "Ten Feet Tall / If You're Bored", and has shared the stage with the likes of Diamond Rings, Fucked Up and The Hidden Cameras. In July of 2013, Light Fires is set to release their much anticipated debut album entitled FACE.
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About Bridget Moser
Bridget Moser is an interdisciplinary artist whose performances combine inanimate objects, affect display, prop comedy, and experimental theatre. Her work has been exhibited in various venues across Canada, the United States, and Europe.
About Brendan de Montigny
Brendan de Montigny is an interdisciplinary artist currently living in Ottawa. He holds a BFA from Concordia University and is finishing his MFA at the University of Ottawa. Influenced by pop culture, science fiction, punk and metal music, de Montigny’s art explores visual moments of decay, apocalypse and utopia through drawing and installations. His piece I am Learning was first performed in 2012 for Ottawa's first Nuit Blanche, "Life is Beautiful."
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About Liquid Karaoke
The karaoke night Liquid Karaoke was formed in 2012 and occurs weekly at Toronto watering hole Bambi’s. The event is organized and emceed by a regular cast that consists of Colin Bergh, Nadia Belerique, Jeff Hayward and James McDonough. Hosts, regulars, new performers and old all take the stage, bringing the basement of Bambi's to its knees with every kind of song you can sing. Liquid Karaoke is well-lubricated and runs late.
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About Nataliya Petkova
Nataliya Petkova was born in Bulgaria. She holds a bachelor’s degree from École de Beaux-Arts de Marseille, France, as well as a master's degree in Visual Arts from University Laval, Canada. She has had the opportunity to present her work in France, Canada, Bulgaria, Hungary and the United States.
About Mighty Real DJs
Mighty Real DJs is a Toronto-based DJ team comprised of DJ John Caffery and DJ The Robotic Kid. Caffery and Barry first crossed paths in the year 2000. Compelled to share their deep love of disco and house music, together they started their sweaty monthly dance-party MIGHTY REAL in January of 2011. The party started at Toronto bar the Beaver and has now moved to Kensington Market's secretive venue Cold Tea bar. Mighty Real DJs love cowbells, butt-grinding bass and out-of-control dance parties.
About Magic Pony and Narwhal Projects
Founded in 2002 by Steve Cober and Kristin Weckworth, Magic Pony began as a modest venture located in Toronto's Kensington Market. The shop focused on importing rare designer toys from Asia for a small circle of devoted collectors. A year later operations moved to a small second-floor retail space in the Queen West Art District. Magic Pony expanded in 2004 with the addition of curated gallery programming, and expanded even further in 2005, when the shop and gallery relocated to a neighboring street-front property. In December 2008, Magic Pony opened Narwhal Projects, an expanded gallery space dedicated exclusively to exhibitions. Today, Magic Pony and Narwhal boast an internationally-geared, ambitious schedule of art exhibitions, product launches, artist appearances and public event programming.
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