Sometimes, the only thing that makes it better is turning it up to 11. 

When Ai Weiwei was released from his detainment by the Chinese government in 2011, he put out the self-proclaimed heavy metal single “Dumbass” as “a kind of self-therapy” to help him deal with the traumatic experience of being held in detention by the state.

As part of the AWW Free School (a new series that brings the Ai Weiwei: Unbroken exhibit to life), musician Carla Gillis will facilitate an in-gallery heavy metal listening exercise, followed by metal show featuring angry queer gloom cult Vile Creature; author, activist, and musician Chris colohan (sect/cursed/burning love); and more. Co-presented with Ken Moffatt (The Jack Layton Chair) and Melanie Panitch (Director of the Office of Social Innovation @ Ryerson University), this experience will show you how music can fuel your social activism.

This event takes place on April 16 at Gardiner Museum (111 Queen’s Park). The workshop starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by the metal show at 8:00 p.m. The event is FREE but register here.