JASON COLLETT’S BASEMENT REVUE RETURNS FOR ITS 16TH SEASON TO THE PARADISE ON BLOOR THIS DECEMBER FOR A HALF-MUSIC, HALF-LITERARY VARIETY SHOW
THIS YEAR, DESMOND COLE WILL GUEST CURATE THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 12
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"Part variety show, part vaudeville theatre, part improv act and part poetry slam, the Basement Revue is a cross-disciplinary carnival where anything can happen, and often does" - The Globe And Mail
This December at The Paradise on Bloor, the half-music, half-literary variety show with a rock-’n’-roll sensibility and a unique Canadian voice, otherwise known as The Basement Revue, returns again this year for five nights on December 5, 12, 19, 21 and 28 for another series of extraordinary evenings.
Hosted and curated by singer/songwriter Jason Collett and celebrated writer Emma Healey, the Basement Revue saw its inception on a wintry night in 2007 at Toronto’s Dakota Tavern, exploring what happens when artists of different disciplines share the stage together. This has made for exciting collaborations, such as Feist backing up Michael Ondaatje or Margaret Atwood stepping up to the mic in front of one of Toronto’s most celebrated bands and saying, with her characteristic deadpan wit, “hit it Sadies.” Combining a compelling mix of musicians, storytellers, and poets with the improvisational spirit of a kitchen party, The Basement Revue has blossomed into one of Canada’s most dynamic live event series.
Now, in its 16th year, The Basement Revue is breaking from tradition and are announcing in advance that this season will feature guest curator Desmond Cole. For the night of December 12th, the Toronto activist, journalist, and broadcaster will be given the keys to the show.
“We are very excited to include a notable guest host and curator for the December 12 show”, says Collett. “The award winning writer, journalist, radio host and activist Desmond Cole will be dreaming up a very special evening of performers.”
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MORE ABOUT THE BASEMENT REVUE
The Basement Revue presents the best emerging and established literary and musical talent of the country on stage in curated multi-disciplinary evenings. This kind of cross-pollinating is a one-of-a-kind format. The Globe and Mail said of its eighth season, “Part variety show, part vaudeville theatre, part improv act and part poetry slam, the Basement Revue is a cross-disciplinary carnival where anything can happen, and often does. The list of past participants reads like a who’s who of CanRock and CanLit, from Broken Social Scene to Sheila Heti and Cadence Weapon to Vincent Lam.”
In 2017, The Basement Revue partnered with Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) and New Constellations was born – a nation(s)wide tour celebrating Next Wave Indigenous music and writing. Bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists alike and featuring contributions from Polaris Music Prize winners Jeremy Dutcher and Lido Pimienta, as well as July Talk, Feist, Sam Roberts, Stars, Weaves, Billy Ray Belcourt, Naomi Klein and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson.
As is tradition for the Basement Revue, each night’s performers remain a surprise to the audience until they step on stage. Even the performers themselves are kept in the dark, adding an extra element of surprise to the evening. Past Basement Revues have boasted an impressive roster featuring Anne Waldman, Canisia Lubrin, Daniel Lanois, Tanya Tagac, Gord Downie, Rufus Wainwright, Marina Abromovic, Lee Maracle, Bahamas, Shad, Dennis Lee, Hal Wilner, CA Conrad, Weaves, Miriam Toews, Tanya Talaga, K-OS and more.
