Entertainment Beat

The Scarborough Players presents Neil Simon’s hilarious classic The Odd Couple, Jan. 10-12, 17-20 and 24-26, at the Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd.
Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar are best of friends…when they are playing poker. When both get divorced and decide to share an apartment, their differences become apparent. Felix is a neat-freak, and Oscar is a slob. How are these two mis-matched buddies possibly going to be able to live together? Simon’s 1965 play starred Walter Matthau and Art Carney when it debuted on Broadway. It was later made into a successful Hollywood film starring Matthau  and Jack Lemon. The Scarborough Player’s version stars Paul Cotton as Felix, and Allan Cooke as Oscar.
The Odd Couple runs evenings at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 20. There will be a talk-back session following the Jan. 24 performance where audience members are invited to stay and ask questions of the cast and crew.
Tickets for The Odd Couple are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students on Thursdays and Sundays. They can be reserved at 416-267-9292 or online at theatrescarborough.com.
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Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, 31 Wood Glen, presents a special community breakfast at 9 a.m., on Jan. 12. The featured speaker will be Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian doctor who will speak on the topic I Will Not Hate, I Will Hope.
In 2009, Israeli shells exploded in Abuelaish’s home in Gaza, killing three of his daughters and a niece. In response he wrote I Shall Not Hate, a stirring message of hope, forgiveness and dialogue. He has been featured on many TV programs. This is an excellent opportunity to hear Dr. Abuelaish’s story, and get a personally autographed copy of his book.
To reserve a spot for this special breakfast, email fboffice@rogers.com, or call 416-699-3084.
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Beach guitarist Dallas Sutherland has just released his debut EP called Silver Birch Sessions featuring five original instrumental guitar pieces. Ranging from the delicately beautiful Pandora’s Lullaby to the vigorous Swan Song, Sutherland demonstrates his mastery of the instrument and the genre of fingerstyle guitar playing.
You can see a clip of Sutherland playing Pointing Flashlights at the Sky on his custom-made Larivee guitar at youtube.com/user/sgguitar77, or visit his website at dallassutherland.com where you can find out more about the artist, and purchase a copy of Silver Birch Sessions.
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Acoustic Harvest presents acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter James Gordon, January 26, at 8 p.m. Gordon is one of this country’s most prolific songwriters, well-known for his rootsy songs about social justice, history and environmental issues. His song Frobisher Bay was featured on Canadian Idol, and Mining for Gold was on the Cowboy Junkies’ The Trinity Sessions album. For 12 years Gordon was the resident songwriter for CBC’s Basic Black where he wrote topical songs about current news stories. Before going solo he was one-third of the legendary group Tamarack. His most current recording is called This Canoe Runs On Water. For more information visit jamesgordon.ca.
Tickets for James Gordon are $22 for adults, and $20 for seniors. They are available at the door (St. Nicholas Church, 1512 Kingston Rd.) or by calling 416-264-2235. For more information visit acousticharvest.ca.
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Relish Bar & Grill, 2152 Danforth Ave., presents New Music Nights, every Saturday from 9:30 to 11 p.m. On Jan. 19 Anna Gutmanis takes the stage, followed by Steve Rankin on Jan. 26, The Soles on Feb. 2, and James Clark Institute on Feb. 16.
Every Wednesday is Jazz Night featuring The BTBs. The Jazz Collective performs Jan. 20, Feb. 10 and March 5 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., and Jan. 15, Feb. 19, and March 5 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Stir It Up Sunday is an evening of open mic performances from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.
For more information, call Relish Bar & Grill at 416-425-4664, or visit relishbarandgrill.com.

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