THEATRE | The Penelopiad
A contemporary look at Homer's Odyssey, Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad sends Odysseus' wife into Hades to examine her choices in life, including the murder of her 12 handmaidens by her husband. Atwood's female perspective and modern reworking of this classic tale opens as a theatrical performance tonight at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Starring Megan Follows with direction by Kelly Thornton, this critically heralded piece has been described as a feminist tour de force with strong characterization and wit. It runs until the 29th.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street) 8PM Weekdays $40, Friday/Saturday $46, Student $22, Artsworker $22

PHOTOGRAPHY | Photography Lecture: The Documentary Work of Louie Palu
Over the past 20 years, documentary photographer Louie Palu has explored the social and political landscape of war-torn and impoverished countries. Having created a body of work that has appeared in publications like TIME, The New Yorker, The New York Times and on the BBC and NPR, Palu's award-winning photographs have been the images we have relied on for international news. Following several exhibitions at some of the world's biggest arthouses and museums, Palu brings his work to Ryerson tonight in Terrible Beauty, a lecture on photography as part of the student lecture series. Discussing his subjects and subject matter, including Guantanamo Bay and the conflict in Kandahar, this promises to be a riveting look at an impactful portfolio of images.
Ryerson University Image Arts Building (122 Bond Street, Room 307) 6:30PM Free

FILM | Renzo Martens Screening and Artist Talk
Rivaling Ryerson's lecture tonight, U of T's Hart House plays host to a screening of Dutch filmmaker Renzo Martens' Enjoy Poverty, a Hot Docs hit that follows a man running through the Congo attempting to post a neon-lit sign exclaiming the film's title. The film's first of three episodes will be screened at this event followed by a talk with the filmmaker about the suppressed realities of poverty that are controlled and hidden from the media. Martens will speak about his experience filming the episode at a refugee camp in Chechnya and his other filmic works that have been internationally exhibited.
Hart House, East Common Room (7 Hart House Circle) 7PM Free

DANCE | Chinese Traditions: Then and Now
Under the artistic direction of Emily Cheung, Little Pear Garden Collective, a Chinese-Canadian performance company, presents a free showcase of Chinese dance traditions this evening at the Four Seasons Centre. Ranging from Peking opera to classical and modern dance, this program is a part of the Canadian Opera Company's free concert series that serves to bring diverse artistic performances to Toronto. All shows that are a part of this series are free and open to the public.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen Street West) 12PM Free

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• Mozart's Requiem: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra Presents A Musical Chat
• Craig Strickland
• PWYC: Erika Werry & the Alphabet, Alex Merrick & Dylan, Alex Goyetche
• ATTALOOM + The Undrummer @ The Holy Oak

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For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Photo by jer1961 in the blogTO Flickr pool