Soundstreams to Launch Ear Candy Series at The Drake Hotel & The Theatre Centre

Soundstreams is pleased to announce Ear Candy, a new series dedicated to musical exploration and discovery in the undergrounds of Toronto's hottest venues. Featuring two events this season-Electric Messiah at The Drake Hotel on December 7 and 8, and Electric Counterpoint on March 19 at The Theatre Centre-the series invites curious music lovers of all ages to throw off the expectations of the formal concert hall experience and engage with new projects, artists, and presentation formats. Toronto-based turntable artist Cheldon Paterson, aka SlowPitch serves as Resident DJ for both performances.

"Ear Candy creates an atmosphere for exploration. Lines are blurred to let you into the music and the music into you. Our focus is small venues and big ideas," says Soundstreams Artistic Associate and Ear Candy curator, Kyle Brenders.

"We have already experimented with late-night concerts each season, and are thrilled to realize their full potential through this dedicated and experiential new series. We are looking forward to engaging with Toronto audiences in a whole new way," says Lawrence Cherney, Soundstreams Artistic Director.

Each hour-long Ear Candy performance will welcome audience members with an intimate club-like atmosphere and seating, pre- and post- show DJ sets, a well-stocked bar, interaction with artists, and total dismissal of stuffy music listening traditions. Tickets are accessibly priced at $15 in advance and $20 at the door ($25 if you buy both concerts together), with special offers for members of Soundstreams' SoundWave program for patrons 35 years or younger.

Electric Messiah at The Drake Hotel Underground on December 7 and 8 is a new holiday tradition that asks the question, "What is The Messiah?" Is it possible to become re-sensitized to this ubiquitous musical masterpiece by taking it apart and putting it back together again? In collaboration with dramaturg Ashlie Corcoran, lighting designer Patrick Lavender, and sound designer/guitarist John Gzowski, Soundstreams' Electric Messiah will reconnect you to the music of the holiday season in a way that is surprising, fresh, and above all, FUN. Featuring vocalist Christine Duncan, composer/sound poet Gabriel Dharmoo, electronic whiz Doug Van Noort, and the Electroacoustic Orchestra of York University.

Electric Counterpoint at The Theatre Centre Incubator on March 19 plays loose and fast with Minimalism, the musical movement that has inspired artists from Radiohead to DJ Spooky. Taking flight from Soundstreams' 80th birthday concert for Pulitzer-Prize winning composer Steve Reich in April, Electric Counterpoint is a journey through the movement's masterworks and current influences experienced through the talents of three local artists: Owen Pallett collaborator Matt Smith, aka 'Prince Nifty' (guitar and electronics), Brandon Valdivia aka 'Mas Aya' (percussion and electronics), and Dan Morphy (percussion).

Ear Candy is supported by NOW Magazine and Sovereign State.

Electric Messiah
December 7 and 8, 2015 at 8:00 pm
The Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen Street West
Featuring: Christine Duncan, Gabriel Dharmoo, Doug Van Noort, and the York University Electroacoustic Orchestra, in collaboration with Ashlie Corcoran, Patrick Lavender and John Gzowski. Resident DJ, SlowPitch.

Electric Counterpoint
March 19, 2016 at 8:00 pm
The Theatre Centre Incubator, 1115 Queen Street West
Featuring: Matt Smith aka Prince Nifty, Brandon Valdivia aka Mas Aya, and Dan Morphy. Resident DJ, SlowPitch.

Tickets are $15 (or $25 for both shows) in advance or $20 at the door, and are available online at soundstreams.ca.

Music lovers 35 and younger can sign up for SoundWave to receive special concert offers, at soundstreams.ca/soundwave.

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