Toronto events on July 24th, 2013

MUSIC | Andre White's Signal Band with Ben Monder
Sometimes there's a heavy talent in town, and somehow it happens quietly, without much fanfare or "hoopla". Such is the case tonight, with the presence of New York guitarist Ben Monder in drummer (and McGill music faculty member) Andre White's Signal Band, performing at The Rex Hotel. White and Monder have had a long musical relationship, first documented on the 1999 album Signal. Monder, who has held the guitar chair with US giants Paul Motian and Maria Schneider (among others), is one of those talents that sits under the mainstream radar, revered by those in the know in the jazz community, but unknown to those outside of it. This is a "must attend" for all fans of improvised music or virtuosic, and highly inventive guitar playing. This ensemble, also featuring Kirk MacDonald on sax and Neil Swainson on bass, plays tomorrow evening as well.
The Rex Hotel (194 Queen Street West) 9:30PM $10

ART | Kieran Dick: Bleigießen [lead casting]
Tonight the Ryerson Image Centre, launches artist Kieran Dick's video work, Bleigießen (leadcasting) with an opening reception. Dick's work here is based on a German tradition (normally taking place on New Year's Eve) of immersing a small amount of molten lead into cool water, and the random shapes and figures that appear as the substance solidifies, are viewed as a prediction of the year to come. Appearing outside of this cultural context, this is a legitimate artform functioning within the tradition of both Surrealism (and even Abstract Expressionism), along the same lines as liquid projections and other visual arts where randomness and chemistry play a crucial role. Bleigießen runs until August 25th.
Ryerson Image Centre, Student Gallery (33 Gould Street) 6PM

FILM | How We Make Movies - Filmmaker Interview Series
Tonight, We Make Movies Canada presents an interesting event for aspiring filmmakers and film buffs alike. "How We Make Movies" is a series of interviews with talented individuals from the film industry which are then made into a podcast. This evening, Ron Leach will be interviewed. Leach is an award-winning veteran of the industry who began as a talent agent, and went on to become an internationally recognized casting director of both feature films and television series. A Q&A will follow the interview.
The Old Spaghetti Factory (54 The Esplanade) 7:30PM $5

CULTURE | Draw By Night Toronto: First Night!
It seems that there is a small but slowly growing trend to occasionally dip back into the "analog" world, where things like writing letters and drawing on paper have a place in our social lives and even in an environment like one's favourite watering hole. Draw By Night is an ongoing event in Vancouver, and tonight the TO version is being launched at Handlebar. This is a free event, conceived to be "an evening of collaborative creation" for people of all skill levels, and drawing materials are provided. As a special bonus, the organizers have promised a free beer to the first 50 attendees - that's definitely one way to inspire some art!
Handlebar (159 Augusta Avenue) 7PM

Also Of Note

• The Resignators & Chris Murray with Adams Mind at Horseshoe Tavern
• Free Family Movie Night in Earl Bales Park - Wreck-it Ralph
• Crazy Strings: High Lonesome Wednesdays (Traditional Bluegrass)
• Andre Laplante & Guests
• First Act Presents: All Shook Up

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo of Handelbar by Jesse Milns