Plum Viewing

Welcome to the latest edition of Plum Viewing, my weekly roundup of arts and culture to enjoy online.

Hello lovely readers. Once again, I will start with an apology for leaving you in the lurch last week and without a Plum Viewing to properly kick off your weekend. Mr Fairs and I were crisscrossing the country (not really, but we were away and let’s admit that ‘crisscrossing’ makes us sound far more important than we really are!). Alas, this week we have gone nowhere, so fear not as there is a new edition of Plum Viewing to help you with your weekend plans.

To our American readers, Happy Thanksgiving! To all of us in Canada, Happy Friday!

With that, here are this week’s picks:

Now, this is a fun way to start. Every year for the past 35 years, the Walker has hosted the British Arrow Awards, which celebrates the bold, eclectic and ever-changing world of British advertising. Ranging from adverts that advocate for social change to laugh out loud comedy moments, this event is a hoot! Mr Fairs and I went every year in-person when we lived in Minneapolis and had a blast. And, lucky for us, this year, the Walker is hosting both in-person and online screening of this celebrated tradition. Starting December 3 and playing until January 10, the running time is 74 minutes and tickets are $15. Pour yourself a pint of whatever takes your fancy and settle in. You can reserve your ticket here.

Toronto’s Musical Stage Company celebrated its 15 year anniversary with a concert at Koerner Hall titled, UNcovered, which was a tribute to everyone’s national treasure, Ms. Dolly Parton. Oh goodness, how can everyone not love Dolly Parton! Surely, it’s impossible!

This show, which took place live earlier this year, features wildly inventive arrangements of Dolly Parton classics, performed by award-winning Canadian artists. Running from Nov 24 — Dec 11, tickets are $35 per household and can be purchased here.

And, speaking of Dolly Parton, if you haven’t already done so, please do listen to the delightful podcast Dolly Parton’s America. It is SOOO GOOD. Not only is Dolly a legendary performer and cultural icon, my God, her songwriting skills are world class. There are 10 episodes in total (I think), featuring interviews with the legend herself and so much singing. It is glorious!!

This event is a recommendation from a Plum Viewing reader (thanks Karen!) and it sounds just enchanting, especially for this time of year. It’s brought to us by the Festival of the Sound, a classical music festival in Ontario’s Parry Sound, and it is Bach by Candlelight. Available on November 30 at 7:30 pm ET, the music will include:

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto №5 in D Major, BWV 1050

Bach: Concerto for three violins in D Major, BWV 1064R

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

Let’s stay with the classical music theme with this gem Mr Fairs and I just discovered, and it happens to be literally across the street from us.

JM Canada is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the discovery of various types of classical music among young audiences; and to support the development of young classical musicians on the national stage.

Mr Fairs and I enjoyed a performance last night of a cellist and an accordion player, which on paper, should not work but wow, believe me when I tell you it was spectacular!! And, although I can’t bring you last night’s dazzling performance, I can introduce you to Moments musicaux — Jeunesses Musicales Canada, a library of free concerts performed by a host of JM Canada’s talented musicians through the years. Such joy!

And, to end, forgive me but I must share a VERY proud moment indeed. As Plum Viewing readers, you are familiar with Partial, the online marketplace for Canadian artists I have had the pleasure of working with for the past few months. Well, last week, our little venture was recognized nationally and Partial’s amazing co-founder Tammy Yiu Coyne was interviewed talking about Partial in the Globe and Mail. It was a very proud moment indeed. And, just in time for the holidays (yep, it’s the season), Partial has three wonderful and unique gift ideas for everyone on your list. Certainly the Plum Viewing list. Take a look here!

Enjoy!!

Ok, that’s it. See you next week!

And, an ask: While we’re enjoying these wonderful performances, let’s remember that for the arts organizations producing this incredible content, this is their livelihood; not a hobby. If we can, now is our time to continue to support our incredible arts community!

And, if you’d like to receive Plum Viewing weekly, send me a note at maggiefairs@gmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.