News and Events

Toronto, a love story in words and music, takes place on Thursday, February 11 at 7:30pm, EST, and will be hosted by Toronto cabaret performer and historian, Bruce Bell. This 90-minute online presentation will feature members of the Backseat Balladeers telling tales and sharing songs about 'Toronto the Good' (and not-so-good), and original comic ditties written by Canadian musical-theatre legend, Jim Betts.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can with a suggested price of $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

The Backseat Balladeers is a casual group that sings ballads and songs and tells stories together for the sheer joy of spreading lyrics and music for generations to come. It formed in 2007 as a result of Storytelling Toronto’s Ballad 101 and 201 courses led by the esteemed Lorne Brown, teller of old tales and singer of old songs. They performed their debut at Nuit Blanche with Storytelling Toronto in 2009 at Artscape Wychwood Barns and at the 2011 Toronto Festival at Harbourfront Centre.

Membership has changed over the years however original members, Karen Blair, Donna Dudinsky, Meryl Arbing, Kim Michele, Pat Bisset, and Heather Whaley are this evening’s voices taking the stage to share stories and ballads and songs. Whether tragic, historical, romantic, or comic, all invoke powerful emotions and have significance in our lives. As with many ballads and folk songs, audience participation is encouraged!

This show will be presented on Zoom