While surfing the net, getting an x-ray, or driving to school, have you ever wondered: “What have all these technologies got to do with my rights and responsibilities as a Canadian?” Probably not, eh?

However, Darin Barney, who recently spoke at the 2007 Hart House Lecture, argues that we should be asking ourselves this question. If we believe that as Canadians we should have some say about new technologies, then we are exercising citizenship in our rapidly developing technology state. If we don’t care, he says, Canada and other nations will still have to address the unintended consequences caused by the speed and unregulated growth of technology.

To read the full article on Darin Beany and the technological state,
(more…)

20 international artists team up to lend their creative hands to the SickKids Foundation. Art pieces inspired by the 80s animated series Masters of the Universe will be on exhibit and auctioned off. Limited edition Masters of the Universe T-shirts for this event will be offered.

By the power of Greyskull, you have the power to support pediatric research!

When: Opening reception is on Thursday, March 29, 7-10 PM. The exhibit runs until Saturday, March 31st.
Where: Magic Pony Gallery (694 Queen Street West, west of Bathurst)
Details: Advance tickets for the reception are $5 and available at Magic Pony and The Beguiling, $10 at the door. A list of participating artists can be found here.

So, we know you’ve been practising your sweep picking and mad shredding skills lately. Now, it’s time to show off the fruits of your labour. Here’s your chance: the last Hart House Open Stage of the year.

Come wow us with your musical talents and prepare to be wowed as well. Enjoy a night of musical performances by our talented U of T student body. Sign-ups for performances begin promptly at 7:30PM. Come early to make sure you get a spot. This is on a first-come first-serve basis.

When: Thursday, March 29, 2007, 8:00pm – 11:30pm (signup at 7:30pm)
Where: Hart House Arbor Room
Details: Of course, there’s a facebook event page.

Opening tonight is One Reed Theatre’s play Nor the Cavaliers Who Come With Us, for which they have received The SummerWorks Spotlight Award for outstanding achievement, in addition to being crowned Best Young Ensemble in Now Magazine’s Best of Toronto. The play, produced in association with the Graduate Centre for Study of Drama here at U of T, is opening tonight and running until April 6th at Studio Theatre.

I caught up with the cast, consisting of Evan Webber, Marc Tellez, Megan Flynn and Frank Cox-O’Connell, and they filled me in on the details.

Q: What is the play about?

The play has two stories that interweave throughout the performance: one is the historical story of the conquest of Mexico with Cortés, his native lover and translator La Malincine, and his captain. The other is the fictional present-day story of a Canadian tourist who, unsatisfied with the political discourse in his community, goes on a quest to Mexico to find “an intelligent source of evil in the world.”

Frank: The tourist goes to Mexico to learn about this original story, to learn about the roots of his power as a white guy, and ends up realizing that things aren’t all that different, that this isn’t really a different story, and that the conquest he feels is a very distant thing is actually very alive and well.

When: Wednesday to Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m. (until April 6th).
Where: Studio Theatre (4 Glen Morris Street). Click for map.
Details: Student tickets are $15 (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday), $20 (Friday and Saturday) available at TOTix or The Studio Theatre (on campus). You can see the show multiple times with the purchase of a ticket! Thursday nights feature a question and answer period at the end of the show.

More questions and answers after the break!

(more…)

You may not have taken to time bus all the way down to UTM to take part in their Environment Week, but that’s understandable. Not to worry, this week, we have an environment week going on at St. George campus, organized by none other than Victoria College. (Futher fueling my on-going love and praise for Vic. College’s student life)

Of course, there a Facebook event page. Check facebook, for read on for details! (more…)

Do you love physics? Want to know how the world works? Thinking about selecting a physics post for your degree? If so this event is for you!

When: Wednesday, March 28th, 2007. 12-2pm
Where: MP110 (Physics Lounge)
Details: An event to provide information to first year students thinking of choosing a physics post. FREE event with FREE PIZZA and POP. Profs, graduate students and other undergrads will be there to answer any questions you might have.

Okay, so I have to admit, the last time I saw the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, it was a hard fought battle to keep myself from dozing off. I guess I’m just not cultured enough to enjoy classical music… preferring indie rock shows to the symphony. But this TSO concert actually sounds like it’ll be an exciting time! And hey, $12 for the symphony is a great deal! This event is organized as part of the U of T Passport Program.

Get ready for a feast of sweeping, unforgettable themes from the grandest adventures, romances and fantasies in the history of film. You’ll hear familiar themes from such blockbusters as Ben-Hur, Titanic, Around The World in 80 Days, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter and many more.

When: Wednesday Mar 28, 2007, 8:00PM
Where: Roy Thompson Hall (60 Simcoe Street)
Details: Tickets are $12, availble at Office of Student Affairs, 21 Sussex Ave., rm. 322. Students will be meeting to head down to Roy Thompson Hall together. If you would like to join the group please ensure you are at 21 Sussex (front doors) for 7:00pm.