Steve Gravestock has curated the best of the best in northern cinema ― the countries he focused on during his

Ready for some wild trippiness? Steve Gravestock, departing Senior Programmer of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on the opening films of his specially curated series, "Seen the North," the cult classics Phantom of the Paradise and Phantom of Winnipeg. Both screen on January, 7, 2023 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West (corner of King and John Streets) in Toronto.

Get cozy and listen to a few audiobook samples using the Libby app and your local public library. In respect of copyright, all samples played are limited to what you would hear on the app. Music at the end is "Where the Blackbird Sings by Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks.

Recommended for You by Sarah Silverman

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

Christmas Eve at Cranberry Eve by Kate Forester

Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert

Jingle all the Slay by Dakota Cassidy

Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Demon by James Lovegrove

The Usual Santas (A Collection of Soho Crime Christmas Capers) by various authors

When Christmas Comes by Andrew Klavan

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshik Rice

Music: "Where the Blackbird Sings" by Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks

A look back @dbiyounganitafrika and her work in @dakinkinmyhair (ticket promo offered at the end of our chat thanks to @tolivegram- until Dec 23, 2022 ) her cd #wombanifesto. In 2010 I wrote of her cd: "With its raw, powerful lyrics and African-Caribbean rhythms, “wombanifesto” is a powerful assertion of the female in general, and a defiant declaration of existence by the black woman. The CD’s universal appeal will come from the listener’s recognition of what is happening in the world, to the Earth, even as they dance and chant along with the lyrics. young’s dub poetry speaks of long-suppressed truths, truths that resonate with the collective and the individual."

#tmtmwithdonnag

#CIUT895FMMatters

A quick chat with Amai Kuda about her new release, EmUrgency! Featuring tracks "Oshun" "Eshu" and "Which Way."

FROM Amai Lisa's IG post:

Posted @withrepost • @amaikudaetlesbois GET YOUR TICKETS FAST BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!! LINK IN BIO

So excited to be sharing the new work with you all live! It's been four years since our last release party and we dont often perform in Toronto anymore, so it'll be really special to connect with our 'hometown' audience again.

We'll also be blessed with a live opening performance by Janïsa, so its going to be a beautiful night guaranteed.

#livemusic #the6ix #newmusiccanada #torontomusic #livemusictoronto

@indoorrecessinc @scorpyus__music @jimmykiddo @theplanetarygroup @afroloops @takesuco @horusmusic @horusmusicbr

Featured guests: Juno-Award Nominees Alex Bird and Ewen Farncombe talk about their new release, "Songwriter." Playlist consists of tracks from the album.

My chat with Laurie Evan Fraser & Jacinto Salcedo about Upper Canada Choristers concert on Dec. 2, 2022.

Laurie is a composer and the co-founder of UCC where she is the Artistic Director and Conductor.

Jacinto is a member of UCC and the coordinator of its ensemble, Cantemos, which sings music in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin.

Besides music by UCC, you can also hear music by Juno-Award nominee, Alex Bird (@alexbird007), @nubya_garcia, #EthnicHeritageEnsemble, #OkavangoAfricanOrchestra & by aadm (#PublicTransportRecordings)

I have interviews with fabulous award winners in their respective fields: @alexandrapetkovski media music composer (Better at Texting) and #RayEllenwood, translator and author lauded for his work in Québec's automatiste movement. Music on the show is by #LorraineKlaasen and #DjelyTapa. Tune in, listen, learn, and have fun.

Please note that this show occurred during CIUT's Fall Fundraising Campaign so you will hear reference and ads to that effect.

Guests Adam Seelig and Kanika Ambrose join me to discuss their latest ventures. 

Adam is a poet, playwright, stage director, and the founder and artistic director of One Little Goat Theatre Company. We talk about the Nov 14th book launch of Claude Gauvreau's "The Vampire and the Nymphomaniac" translated by Ray Ellenwood, winner of the Governor General Award in translation. Edited by Thierry Bissonnette, Ray Ellenwood and Adam Seelig. Published by One Little Goat Theatre Company, in association with Nouvelles Éditions de Feu-Antonin.

Kanika Ambrose is a Toronto-based playwright, librettist and screenwriter, among many other artistic titles. She joins me to talk about her play, "Our Place" set in a Caribbean jerk pork restaurant in Scarborough. The play stars Virgilia Griffith, Sophia Walker, Pablo Ogunlesi and Tremaine Nelson. The play runs Nov. 18 - Dec 3 at Theatre Passe Muraille.

The playlist for the show features dub poetry and one Carribean folk piece:

Peculiar I, "feelings"

Lillian Allen, "proud Mary"

Ahdri Zhina Mandela, "sugar and spice"

Chet Singh, "jane and finch

d'bi young.anitafrika, "sailor"

Denise Williams, "st. john's market" (traditional folk song)

Mark Tara and Heidy M and I finally reveal our #TIFF2022 favourites and Andréa Picard and I discuss Lost and Beautiful: New Italian Cinema, screening at the #TIFFBellLightbox until the end of the month.

@themarktara is a podcaster (www.marktara.com) and the host of CIUT 89.5 FM's "Rainbow Country." @hyemusings is the owner of the indie arts and culture site www.hyemusings.ca and a frequent guest on #TheMoreTheMerrierWithDonnaG.

Andréa Picard, Senior curator #TIFFCinematheque and #TIFFWavelengths is a film writer whose works have appeared in various film publications and an advisor to the Marrakech International Film Festival.