Art of Time Ensemble Sets 2014-15 Season: THE POEM/THE SONG, INTERMEZZI & More

Toronto's ground-breaking Art of Time Ensemble explores the intersection of high art, performance and popular culture with their 2014/15 concert series showcasing four innovative programmes curated by Artistic Director Andrew Burashko. Music drives the upcoming series, connecting poetry, musical theatre, alt rock/pop, dance and more.

The 2014/15 season features some of Canada's most talented artists performing alongside Ensemble musicians including Andrew Burashko, Benjamin Bowman, John Johnson and Rob Piltch. Highlighted collaborations include unique performances with Margaret Atwood, Brent Carver, Carla Huhtanen, Thom Allison, Kevin Hearn, Sarah Slean, Peggy Baker, James Kudelka, Margo and Mike Timmins, Gregory Hoskins, and Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie, among many other musicians and artists. All performances will take place at the Enwave Theatre (231 Queens Quay W.).

"One of the privileges of putting together a season for Art of Time Ensemble is the extraordinarily deep well of content from which we can draw," said Burashko. "We're as keen to use the word 'entertaining' as we are to use 'enlightening' in describing the upcoming season. We're proud to bring together this diverse group of artists. In each programme, audience members will be able to share a rare live musical experience with some of Canada's most creative minds, all within a truly intimate setting."

As part of the 2014/15 Concert Series, Art of Time Ensemble introduces a series of free membership perks to extend the benefits of a subscription including free downloadable songs, limited-edition t-shirts, complimentary food and beverages, and meet-the-artist cocktail receptions. Also newly introduced this season are Thursday evening performances of select concerts.

Art of Time Ensemble's 2014/15 concert series:

The Poem/The Song: Nov. 7 to 8, 2014
The season opens with The Poem/The Song, a program that presents poetry in a variety of musical settings. Highlights include Margaret Atwood reading her poetry accompanied by a new musical suite based on her work; music by Liszt alongside 14th century sonnets by Petrach; the poetry of Walt Whitman in a setting by George Crumb performed by Carla Huhtanen; songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats (based on the poetry of T.S. Elliot) performed by Thom Allison; and the marriage of poetry and music in the work of Leonard Cohen brought to life by Gregory Hoskins and the Ensemble musicians.

Magic and Loss: A Tribute to Lou Reed: Feb. 27 to 28, 2015
Seven singers are set to perform this retrospective on the career of the artist who drafted the blueprint for alternative rock music in the 20th century. Magic and Loss: A Tribute to Lou Reed brings together some of Canada's best musicians in new arrangements of some of Reed's greatest songs created especially for this concert. The lineup of singers will include Canadian pop icons Margo and Mike Timmins, Tom Wilson, Kevin Hearn, Sarah Slean, John Southworth and others (to be announced), bringing new life to classics such as Perfect Day, Sunday Morning, Walk on the Wild Side, as well as lesser know gems such as Baton Rouge, Call on Me, Sad Song, and much more.

Intermezzi: Apr. 9 to 11, 2015
Art of Time Ensemble and Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie create Intermezzi, marrying Brahms' intermezzi for solo piano with dance. A selection of Brahms' final compositions characterized by introspection and emotional depth are opened to choreographic interpretation from two of Canada's most renowned choreographers: James Kudelka and Peggy Baker. Featuring the world premiere of brand new work by Kudelka and a sample of Baker's finest solo work, Intermezzi will also feature Buraskho who will be performing Brahms' music live.

Songbook 8: Brent Carver: May 22 to 23, 2015
In Songbook 8: Brent Carver, one of Canada's most versatile performers joins the ensemble on stage. Carver's career has spanned the full range of performance possibilities, from Hamlet at the Stratford Festival to Molina in Kiss of the Spiderwoman on Broadway. The Tony Award-winner's exceptional range is reflected in a program of many genres, including the American songbook, music of the 1960s, musical theatre and peut-être un peu de "nouvelle chanson". Accompanied by a selection of Art of Time's finest musicians, Brent will perform twelve songs arranged especially for this concert by a selection of the best composers and arrangers in Canada.

2014/15 Subscriptions are available exclusively to renewing subscribers from March 27 to April 13, with packages starting from just $66. Subscriptions will go on sale to the general public beginning on April 14, 2014, and single tickets for all shows will go on sale September 15, 2014.

All performances in the 2014/15 Art of Time Ensemble season take place at the intimate Enwave Theatre within Harbourfront Centre at 231 Queen's Quay W., Toronto. Subscriptions may be purchased at artoftimeensemble.com, by phone at 416.973.4000 or in-person at the Enwave Theatre box office. Full details on each concert are available online at artoftimeensemble.com.