Cultural critic and The Beatles biographer Dr. Kenneth Womack to give talk on May 2
Curators discuss the research behind identifying Eleonora Susette on June 7
TORONTO — There’s always something to make, see, or do at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). This spring, AGO Friday Nights are in the spotlight, with an exciting lineup of events including artmaking, live music and performance. For a full list of events and programs, visit ago.ca/events.
“Through art – be it a collage party with friends, a live performance or a conversation - we learn about ourselves and each other,” says Robert Durocher, Chief, Education and Programming, AGO. “Which is why this season, the AGO is so pleased to offer visitors of all ages many ways to connect, to create and be inspired, from origami to life drawing.”
“The AGO plays a key role in Ontario’s cultural landscape through the creative space and programming it offers for visitors of all ages and interests,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “From hands-on artmaking to live music and performances, this spring the AGO is offering a full range of activities across its spaces. Our government will continue investing in arts and culture through institutions like the AGO, and I encourage everyone to visit and take it in this season.”
The AGO is always free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members, and Annual Passholders. AGO Members and Annual Pass receive discounts on workshops, courses, screenings, and talks. For more details on how to book your tickets or to become a Member or Annual Passholder, visit AGO.ca.
Special events
- On Wednesday, June 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., celebrate the art of sport with an evening of Soccer Life Drawing in Walker Court, featuring two athletes in motion. This event is free with General Admission. No advanced registration is needed, and all materials are provided. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/maker-night-soccer-life-drawing.
- On Friday, June 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., join us in Walker Court for Pride Night: Drag Bingo, co-hosted by incredible Toronto Queens Messy Margaret and Madee Lovegood. The night includes: four rounds of bingo, drag performances, fantastic prizes, cash bar, and more! Cash tips for the Queens are welcomed. Free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/ago-friday-night-drag-bingo-0.
AGO Friday Nights
There’s something to make, see, or do at the AGO every Friday, when the museum stays open until 9 p.m. Activities include hands-on artmaking, live musical performances and on the last Friday of each month, Art Hangs. AGO Friday Night programming is included in General Admission, which is always free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members and Annual Pass holders.
Maker Fridays:
- On Friday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., grab your friends and join us at Walker Court for Maker Friday: Origami Society of Toronto. Explore and learn the paper-folding art form of Origami from experienced members of the group. Free with General Admission. No advanced registration is needed, and all materials are provided. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/maker-night-origami-society-toronto.
- Beginning Friday, July 3 and continuing on select dates throughout the summer, join us for Summer Maker Days: Impressionist Still Lifes in Walker Court as we invite artists, makers and art enthusiasts of all skill levels to engage in still life painting from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., inspired by the exhibition The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art. All materials provided. Free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/summer-maker-days-impressionist-still-lifes.
Live Music:
- Beginning Friday, May 8, and continuing June 26, and July 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., DJ Collective PANTHEON (Marnigurl, Lichen, Lake FX, Myles) takes over Walker Court with their signature blend of ambient, minimal techno, house and live electronica. Free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/ago-friday-nights-panethon-collective-dj-series.
Art Hangs:
- Beginning April 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and continuing the last Friday of every month, the AGO presents Art Hangs, a 30-minute guided romp for visitors of all ages. Bring your friends or make some new ones, as you explore a handful of the AGO Collection’s iconic works with games, and insights, and conversation. This event is free with General Admission. Space is limited – registration is onsite, day of, beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/art-hangs
Live Performances
- On Friday, May 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the AGO hosts an evening of live performance courtesy of the Heliconian Club in celebration of their 150th anniversary. See a selection of artworks on view by members of the Heliconian Club, and don’t miss an original dramatic performance by Angie Littlefield and Catherine Vaneri. Free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/evening-heliconian-club.
- On Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m., AGO welcomes acclaimed Korean drumming performance team HanBeat Nanta to Walker Court for an energetic demonstration and participatory workshop. Blending traditional Korean rhythms with modern comedy, at 2:30 p.m., visitors are invited to join an interactive workshop to learn drumming basics. A second performance will begin at 3 p.m. Free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/hanbeat-nanta-performance.
Talks
- On Saturday, May 2 at 2 p.m., the AGO presents Reliving the Magic of Beatlemania with Paul McCartney’s Eyes of the Storm, a talk in Baillie Court by esteemed cultural historian Dr. Kenneth Womack, author of The Beatles: The Long and Fabulous Road. Tickets for this talk are on sale now. AGO Members receive a discount. For more information, visit ago.ca/events/reliving-magic-beatlemania-paul-mccartneys-eyes-storm.
- On Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m., join curator Dr. Adam Harris Levine and his colleague Dr. Monique Johnson to learn about the research process behind the AGO’s proposed identity of Eleonora Susette for Jeremias Schultz’s painting of a women holding an orange blossom. The two will share their findings from a multi-year interdisciplinary research project that led to the painting's retitling. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/research-behind-eleonora-susette.
Dine and Drink
- Extended until June 7, the Bistro presents a special all-vegetarian Afternoon Tea inspired by Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm, served in The Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge. The menu will play on nostalgic flavours of British and American cuisine from the 1960s during the height of Beatlemania. AGO Members receive a discount. To book and for full menu, visit ago.ca/events/afternoon-tea-inspired-paul-mccartneys-photographs.
- From now through June 5, join us for Speakeasy: A ‘60s Cultural Revolution inside the historic Grange House where rebellion meets refinement with a 1960s-inspired menu. Indulge in a three-course cocktail menu with food pairings and complimentary admission to the gallery. Book now at ago.ca/events/speakeasy-60s-cultural-revolution.
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ABOUT THE AGO
An architectural landmark, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of the largest art museums in North America. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists and European masterpieces. The AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. When it opens in 2027, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will present modern and contemporary art from Toronto and the world. With its groundbreaking Annual Pass program, the AGO is one of the most affordable and accessible attractions in the GTA. Visit ago.ca to learn more.
The AGO is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts, and generous contributions from AGO Members, donors, and private-sector partners.
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For images and more information, please contact:
Andrea-Jo Wilson | Manager, Public Relations
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Wendy So | Public Relations Associate
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