ON ON1 THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010 H TORONTO STAR H E7

ENTERTAINMENT
TEXTILES

Shawl of fame
Indian gem anchors
textile museum’s show
of Kashmir capes
JOHN GODDARD
STAFF REPORTER
Nothing else like it is known to ex-
ist. A masterpiece of Indian weav-
ing anchors a show of Kashmir
capes at the Textile Museum of
Canada, a piece so rare and complex
that no price can properly be put on
it. Few details about its origin are
known, except that it dates to the
1850s in the Kashmir region of
northwest India and it was woven
for a European lady of exceptional
wealth. The museum acquired it as
a gift in 1994.
Curator Natalia Nekrassova, who
leads a tour of the exhibition on
Wednesday, May 5, extols the
shawl’s virtues:
Patterns and Colours: “Such a vari-
ety of motifs and so many shades of
colour, all these tiny details. When
you look really close, it’s not just (a
spot of) blue, it’s all these tiny flow-
ers, which you can even identify . . .
(as) carnations. What also makes it
special is that all four corners are
The centrepiece of “Fashionably Wrapped” is so rare and complex that no price can properly be put on it. different. It is asymmetrical. Defi-
nitely a designer was behind it.”
The Weave: “Genuine Kashmir
shawls are woven in what is called
twill tapestry, which is characteris-
tic for Kashmir only. It is woven so
densely, so nicely. Nobody else
could imitate this weaving tech-
nique.”
The Wool: “All Kashmir shawls are
woven from goat hair, which is very
light, very soft and very warm.
There is a saying that you can pull
an entire Kashmir shawl through a
ring and you actually can.”
The Production: “What is interest-
ing is that it is made in pieces —
small pieces and big — woven and
then stitched together with such a
mastery that you don’t see (the
stitching). This way several weavers
could work on several looms at
once (to finish the work sooner).
We didn’t try to count on this one
but the shawl on the wall opposite is
made from 1,600 pieces.”
Curator Natalia Nekrassova leads a tour
of Fashionably Wrapped: the Influence
of Kashmir Shawls, on Wed. May 5,
6:30 p.m. The event is free with admis-
sion ($12 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students
and children) at the Textile Museum of
Canada, 55 Centre Ave. (St. Patrick
subway), and runs to July 4. Info at
www.textilemuseum.ca

DOESN’T SHE DESERVE

WEEKDAY 870-8000). Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Exhi-
bition Place.

PLANNER LLOYD’S LAUGH MARATHON fundrais-

ing comedy show has Lloyd Ravn with Brian
Lazanik, Boyd Banks, Allyson Smith, Andrew

A NIGHT WITH THE BOYS?

More listings at thestar.com/whatson
Music
EAST YORK CONCERT BAND’s spring
concert, Classic Meets Contemporary, is
May 3 at 7:30 p.m. ($10/$5 at 416-439-
3542). On the Park Centennial Ballroom,
1075-1095 Leslie St.
LINDA EDER makes her Canadian debut
with a compilation of her signature works
and songs from her latest disc, Apr. 29 at 8
p.m. ($88/$79.20 at 905-787-8811). Rich-
mond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts,
10268 Yonge St.
FOUR SEASONS CENTRE for the Per-
forming Arts free concert series has young
artists of the COC Ensemble Studio with a
Spring Schubertiade May 4 at noon; Eliana
Cuevas performs May 5 at 5:30 p.m. 145
Queen St. W. coc.ca
HUGH’S ROOM has Frank D’Angelo with
guest Phil Esposito Apr. 29 ($25-$27.50);
Carolina Chocolate Drops perform May 4
($26.50-$29.50): Les Voix Du Coeur play
the first of two nights May 5 ($15-$18).
Shows begin at 8:30 p.m.; tickets at 416-531-
6604. 2261 Dundas St. W. hughsroom.com
INDO-JAZZ FESTIVAL at Lula Lounge fea-
tures Tasa, Monsoon and Saawun, Apr. 29 at
8 p.m. ($15/$10 at 416-588-0307). 1585
Dundas St. W.
JOHANN JOHANNSSON, Icelandic
genre-crossing multi-instrumentalist, per-
forms May 4 at 9 p.m. ($17.50 at Sound-
scapes or 416-870-8000). Mod Club, 722
College St.
MARK KNOPFLER performs Apr. 29 at 8
p.m. ($61.50-$131.50 at 416-872-4255).
Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St.
MGMT have an all-ages, early show Apr.
29 at 7:30 p.m. ($30 at Rotate This or 416-
870-8000). Mod Club, 722 College St.
MUSIC AT METROPOLITAN has organ-
ist Richard Hansen performing Apr. 29 at
12:15 p.m. (free). Metropolitan United
Church, 56 Queen St. E.
NEVER SHOUT NEVER headline the all-
ages AP Tour, which also features The Cab,
Hey Monday, Every Avenue and The Sum-
mer Set, May 5 at 7 p.m. ($18.50 at Rotate
This or 416-870-8000). Kool Haus, 1 Jarvis
St.
STEVE REICH performs original works with
members of Nexus, Apr. 29 at 8 p.m. ($20-
$60 at 416-408-0208). Royal Conservatory
of Music, 273 Bloor St. W.
SLOVAK SINFONIETTA of Zilina, comes
through town on its Canadian debut tour,
May 3 at 8 p.m. ($35/$25 at 416-872-
4255). Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.
STARS preview their new disc The Five
Ghosts at an all-ages show May 5 at 9 p.m.
($25 at Soundscapes or 416-870-8000).
Mod Club, 722 College St.
Comedy
ABSOLUTE COMEDY has headliner Den-
nis Ross with Mike Daly, Jamie Murray and
host Riz, Apr. 29 to May 1 ($10-$15).
Pro-Am Night has Joe Minnitte, Ben Mathai,
Alex Brovedani, Hoodo Hersi, Joel Buxton,
Tom Hills and Tom Mes, May 5 at 8:30 p.m.
($6). 2335 Yonge St. 416-486-7700 or abso-
lutecomedy.ca
ALTDOTCOMEDY LOUNGE has MC Ron
Josol with Debra DiGiovanni, Nathan Mac-
intosh, Rebecca Kohler, Terry Clement, Matt
Baram, Ian Lynch and others, May 3 at 9
p.m. (PWYC); it’s followed by the Coming
Soon show at 11 p.m. (free). The Rivoli, 334
Queen St. W. altdotcomedylounge.com
BAD DOG THEATRE has Macro Neato
with a variety of improv styles, every Thurs.
8 p.m. ($5); it’s followed by the open improv
jam session The Jam at 9:15 p.m. ($5 or free
with 8 p.m. show).
The Next Big Thing has senior improvisers
leading newbies through a variety of improv
styles and games; every Tues. 8 p.m. ($5).
Harold Night every Wed. 8 p.m. ($5). 138
Johnston and Riz, May 4 at 8 p.m. ($15 at
anotherL.com). Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen
St. W.
SECOND CITY has the new sketch comedy
show Live in 3D, with popular songs and
skits from the past and satire straight from
today’s headlines. May 3 at 8 p.m. ($12 at
416-343-0011); improv every night, various
times (free). 51 Mercer St. secondcity.com
SKETCHCOMEDY LOUNGE has The Im-
ponderables with MC Dave Merheje, News-
This Mother’s Day, treat your mom to Toronto’s
desk With Ron Sparks and others, May 4 9
p.m. (PWYC). The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W.
sketchcomedylounge.com
favourite musical and save up to 35%
YUK YUK’S Downtown has Gerry Dee Apr.
29 to May 1; amateur night every Tues. ($3);
Mike Wilmot performs May 5-9 (regular
shows $12-$20); 224 Richmond St. W. Info:
416-967-6425 or yukyuks.com
Yuk Yuk’s Mississauga has Paul Myrehaug
Apr. 29 to May 2 ($12-$20). 5165 Dixie Rd.
Yuk Yuk’s Vaughan has X-rated shows with
Jason Rouse, Apr. 29 to May 1 ($12-$20). 70
Interchange Way.
Readings & Performance
ART BAR poetry reading series has Marga-
ret Christakos, Roger Greenwald and Mick
Burrs plus an open mic, May 4 at 8 p.m.
(free). Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. artbar.org
DESIRAEDA DANCE THEATRE presents
Weight, a modern-day love story, told
through contemporary jazz dance, from cho-
reographer Niki Wozniak. Apr. 29 & 30 at 8
p.m., May 1 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. ($25/$20 at
647-200-5025). Dancemakers Centre for
Creation, 55 Mill St. Bldg. 58. desiraeda.com
FABULOUS BEAST DANCE THEATRE
from Ireland presents a radical reinterpreta-
tion of the classic ballet Giselle, May 4-8 at 8
p.m. Viewer discretion advised ($40 at 416-
973-4000). Fleck Dance Theatre, 235
Queens Quay W.
JAPANESE AUTHORS Takashi Atoda and
Jiro Asada discuss their works in Japanese,
with English translation. Apr. 29 at 7 p.m.
($12, reserve at 416-441-2345). Japanese
Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Crt.
JEFF LEMIRE launches his new graphic nov-
*
el Sweet Tooth with a Q&A with Space TV’s
Mark Askwith, May 5 at 7 p.m. Lillian H.
Smith Library, 239 College St.
LOVE YOU LONG TIME COLLECTIVE
presents no guarantees / no refunds, with
choreographic works from Tanya Crowder,
Allison Peacock and Jonathan Osborn. Apr.
29 to May 1 at 8 p.m. ($18/$14 at 416-204-
1082). Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Win-
chester St. danceworks.ca
MAYWORKS FESTIVAL of Working Peo-
ple and the Arts celebrates its 25th anniver-
sary with a variety of events – spoken word,
storytelling, visual arts, theatre, music and
more. It runs to May 2 at various venues in
Toronto, with tickets ranging from free to
$20. Full info at mayworks.ca
PIVOT AT THE PRESS CLUB reading se-
ries with host Carey Toane has Marianne
Apostolides, Dani Couture and Paul Ver-
meersch, May 5 at 8 p.m. (PWYC). 850
Dundas St. W. pivotreadings.wordpress.com
ROCK. PAPER. SISTAHZ festival, now in
its 9th year, features multidisciplinary instal-
lations, theatre and dance performances
plus poetry and readings. Presented by b
current, the festival runs to Apr. 30, with
most of the events and activities taking
place in the Artscape & Wychwood Barns
area, 601 Christie St. Full info at bcurrent.ca
ROWERS PUB READING SERIES fea-
Best availability Tues., Wed. & Thurs.
tures Christian Bok, Ursula Pflug and David
Jay, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. (free). 150 Harbord
St. rowerspubreadingseries.com
Valid for performances through June 30
Events Must purchase by May 9
ART OF THE DANFORTH sees store-
fronts and retail spaces turn into a multicul-
tural, interactive art gallery and community
art walk. Runs to May 2, between Green-
wood and Woodbine. artofthedanforth.com Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street

Danforth Ave. 416-491-3115 or baddogthea-
tre.com
COMEDY ABOVE THE PUB has Bruce
Wrighte, Dave Cavana, Lloyd Ravn, Stewart
Silver, Tim Golden, Virginia Cowan and host
Todd Van Allen, Apr. 29 at 9 p.m. ($5).
McVeigh’s Pub, 124 Church St. 416-364-
9698.
See it
THE HAROLD AWARDS, inspired by and
named after the late Harold Kandel, pay Visit JerseyBoysToronto.com/MOTHER
tribute to the independent and hard-working or call (416) 644-3665 and use code MOTHER
spirit of Toronto’s theatre community. May
Free Dancap Points with every ticket purchased.
3, doors 7:30 p.m. ($10 at door). El Mocam-
bo, 464 Spadina Ave.
HARRY POTTER: THE EXHIBITION
runs indefinitely ($27.50/$23.50/$20, in-
Photo: Chris Callis

DANNY BHOY brings his one-person com-
edy show to town for two performances,
Apr. 29 at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. ($39.50 at 416-
Original Cast
cludes admission to the Centre). Ontario Recording On
*Some conditions and service charges apply. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Offer not
Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd. ontar- valid for in-person sales. No exchanges or refunds.
iosciencecentre.ca