There is much to look forward to this week in Toronto to nourish all your creative needs! From documentaries on Canadian authors or even exhibitions that examine the city itself, we got you covered. Take a look below for our compilation of this week’s Best Bets.

Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power

This is your chance to learn about the life and prolific career of author, poet, and activist Margaret Atwood. From her childhood in the Canadian wilderness to her lauded global tours, this event will dive into it all! Millions of readers worldwide know her books cover to cover, but few know her stories beyond them. With personal stories shared by Atwood herself, this film will explore her upbringing in Canadian wilderness and her early years as a poet. More info.

When: April 9

Where: Hot Docs Theatre

Courtesy of Nightwood Theatre

Mad Madge

Meet Margaret Cavendish, a 17th-century philosopher, poet, and playwright – a scandalous Jill-of-all-Trades and a mistress of none. In her rise to fame, Madge ditches her dysfunctional family to join the court of an unruly Queen and leave her mark on history. This play pays homage to Jane Austen and Tina Fey in the same breath and bridges together a contemporary-period mashup that suggests a woman’s hunger for attention is not so shallow, after all. Embrace your inner royal at this show! More info.

When: April 9-21

Where: The Theatre Centre

 

 
 
 
 
 
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shaniqua in abstraction

Come watch this daring one-woman show shaniqua in abstraction —bahia watson’s Crow’s Theatre playwriting debut!  In searching for new work, bahia brings her poet’s heart, imagination and disarming humour to shape an explosion of experiences and identities, pushing the boundaries of defining Black womanhood. More info.

When: April 9-28

Where: Crow’s Theatre

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Women of the Fur Trade

Following a sold-out premiere in January 2024, this timely co-production revival is coming to the Aki Studio. Taking place in the 1800s upon the banks of the Reddish River, the story follows three women with a preference for 21st century slang. This lively historical satire of survival and cultural inheritance shifts perspectives from the male gaze onto women’s power in the past and present through the lens of the rapidly changing world of the Canadian fur trade. More info. 

When: April 9-21

Where: Aki Studio

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Toronto Gone Wild

Learn all about the city’s terrains from city streets to burrows, hives, and nests with this exhibition at the Myseum of Toronto. How are they all seamlessly woven together in the downtown exhibition space? See for yourself just how interconnected life is in the city with animal neighbours, housing, and the community. Who knows, you may have more in common with the squirrel passing through Trinity Bellwoods than you think. More info.

When: Opens April 10 

Where: Myseum of Toronto 

Courtesy of Jess Lincoln

Artist Project

Enjoy a memorable weekend full of creativity at the annual Artist Project showcase at the Better Living Centre! Visitors can expect 250+ independent artists showcasing their latest artworks for sale, several unique performances, food trucks, fashion shows and so much more! You won’t want to miss large-scale installations from HateCopy, Casey Watson, and Jess Lincoln. More info.

When: April 11-14

Where: Better Living Centre

Courtesy of TIFF

TIFF Next Wave

If you’re on the search for a free film festival to attend, TIFF Next Wave runs April 11-14, with brand new movies for anyone under 25. Come together and celebrate the next wave of up-and-coming Toronto filmmakers at the Young Creative Showcase. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with film industry professionals for advice and inspiration at TIFF Lightbox. Founded in 2010, the TIFF Next Wave Committee is a group of 12 students ranging in age from 15-18 and selected from a pool of film enthusiasts. Come out and support young talent! More info.

When: April 11-14

Where: TIFF Lightbox Theatre

Courtesy of Fashion Art Toronto

ROM After Dark: Fashion is Art

Toronto’s prominent multi-arts fashion platform Fashion Art Toronto presents their avant-garde-inspired collections at ROM After Dark: Fashion is Art. There will be pop–up exhibitions with fashion tableaus, live models, performances, and runway shows to captivate the guests of the event. Innovative and original works from Canadian designers and artists will pay tribute to the museum’s renowned exhibitions. This will be a fun, art-driven night out for those interested! More info.

When: April 12

Where: ROM

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Danielle Dean’s Out of This World

This solo exhibition by British-American artist Danielle Dean is her first major commission in Canada. Made specifically for Out of this World, Dean’s new film Hemel, is an intimate portrait of Hemel Hempstead, where she was raised. This will unfold as a personal essay on the town’s history and investigates historical representations in popular culture. Following the exhibition launch, Dean will discuss her work at TIFF in an artist talk. More info.

When: April 13 – May 24

Where: Mercier Union