Indie Events: January 31-February 6

Work of Montreal artist Jaynus O'Donnell.

After a slight lull in indie events during January’s requisite hibernation, going out is cool again and we’ve  got readings, art talks and gallery openings to get you settled into the new month.

Toronto

Jan. 31, “Artist talk and screening with Jayson Musson,” The Drake Hotel (Underground), 1150 Queen
Street West, $8 (Students $5)

New York artist and internet phenomenon Jayson Musson (aka Hennessy Youngman) talks about his popular web series Art Thoughtz and debuts a new episode. The audience will get to talk with Musson himself in a Q&A session.

Feb. 1, “Toronto Zine Library first ‘AGM,’” TRANZAC (Tiki Room), 292 Brunswick Ave, 6 pm

Toronto Zine Library wants to serve its zinesters better than ever! But they need your help. Join in the talk at the library’s  first ever“Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Feb 1., “Brockton Writer’s Series featuring  Koom Kankesan, Maria Meindl, Jeffrey Round and Suzanne Sutherland” St. Anne’s Church, 270 Gladston (north of Dundas), 7pm, PWYC (suggested $3-$5)

Writers Koom Kankesan, Maria Meindl, Jeffrey Round and Suzanne Sutherland read at the Brockton Writers Series. The night starts out with a visit from John Degen, Literature Officer at the Ontario Arts Council who will answer questions about writing grants starting at 6:30 pm.

Feb. 4, “Artist Statement Workshop,” Xpace Cultural Centre, 58 Ossington Avenue, 1 pm

Learn to make your own artist statement in a way that is effective and clearly conveys what your work is about.

Feb 3., “D-Pad: Directions in play/art/design,” Interaccess Gallery, 9 Ossington Avenue, 9:30 pm, $5 

Broken Pencil‘s  long-time gamer and digital design columnist skot deeming (mrghosty), recently moved to Toronto from Winnipeg, is curating a special event at the Toronto gallery Interaccess that is part pop-up arcade, part art event and part  good ol’ fashioned socializing. Performances, installations, galleries and art by a slew of digitally influenced artists, DJs, performers and more.

Feb. 6, Rower’s Pub Reading Series, Harbord House, 150 Harbord Street, 7:30

Stellar line-up of Russell Smith, Rebecca Rosenblum, Carleton Wilson fature this time around at the Rower’s Pub Reading Series.

Hamilton

Feb. 3, New Work by Frances Ward, Transit Gallery, 230 Locke Street South, 7 pm

Transit Gallery unveils its new exhibition of frenzied paintings from artist Frances Ward. Runs until February 25.

Montreal

Feb 3, “Queer Slow Dance” Mainline Theatre,” 3997 St. Laurent Blvd. (just south of Duluth), doors at 9:30,  $10

Just in time for Valentine’s, the Queer Slow Dance is back, complete with a dance card booklet to schedule your turns around the floor and designated dancers to get wallflowers on the floor.


Feb. 3, Opening of Jaynus O’Donnell’s Look Up Look Down, Monastiraki, 5478 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, 7 pm

Montreal artist Jaynus O’Donnell debuts his new collection of work which looks at the representation of exploration, discovery and the natural world through installation, collage and paintings.