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There are lots of arts events to keep you busy in September. Local galleries have great new exhibits opening, including Learning to See, The Way of Now and no. it is opposition. There's the Giant Gardening and Nature used book sale to benefit the Weston Family Library. Also, North York Visual Artists presents its 8th Annual Studio Tour and Art Sale with a percentage of the sales going to benefit the North York Women's Shelter. And on stage is Amakhosi, The Fantasticks and California Suite. Here's a list of what's happening in the local arts scene in September:

GALLERIES

LEARNING TO SEE

Learning to See: Shizuye Takashima in Retrospect Sept. 8 to Nov. 16. Opening reception: Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. For an advance invitation to the opening, please email: lesleylookhong@gendaigallery.org. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Sunday: noon to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays. Free admission. Workshops to be announced. Gendai Gallery, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Crt. Call 416-441-2345.

The Way of Now

The Koffler Centre of the Arts presents The Way of Now at the Koffler Gallery Sept. 11 to Nov. 30. Opening reception: Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. with an artist talk by Akira Yoshikawa at 7:30 p.m. Organized for the Koffler Gallery by guest curator Georgiana Uhlyarik. The Way of Now comprises an installation during a month-long residency in the exhibition space. For the past few years Yoshikawa has been exploring Eastern philosophy that emphasizes the "present moment" and encourages stripping away the excessive to seek the core of the matter and to see perfection in the imperfect daily life. Pursuing this principle of appreciating the realm of "now" rather than focusing on the obsolete past or the unknown future, Yoshikawa derives inspiration from the immediacy of both our simple and complicated daily surroundings. Admission is free. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday: noon to 5 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 9, 14, 15, 21, 22. The Koffler Gallery is at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre (BJCC), 4588 Bathurst St,

no. it is opposition

AGYU presents no. it is opposition by Brazilian artist Carla Zaccagnini Sept. 17 to Dec. 7. Opening reception: Sept. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Zaccagnini's first major solo exhibition in a public gallery brings together recent works combined with commissioned works produced over a two-month residency this summer at AGYU. The artist describes it as "forking paths and crossroads". It will include a full-scale replica of the AGYU lobby inside the first gallery so that the viewer enters the exhibition space 'twice'. theatre, a troop of uniformed flight attendants from various Canadian airlines respond with corresponding hand gestures to a series of in-flight security procedures announced over a loud-speaker in different languages. Art Gallery of York University, Accolade East Building, 4700 Keele St. Email: agyu@yorku.ca

TREASURES FROM SCOTLAND

Treasures from Scotland with Ian Christie Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Christie is president of the Scottish Rock Garden Club, owner of Christie's Alpine Nursery in Angus, Scotland, and a specialist in rock garden and woodland plants. His enthusiasm for plants has taken him to many exotic locations (including China and Nepal) to collect seeds. He'll talk about the plants that are his forte - Gentians, Nomocharis (small bulbs native to Himalaya), Lilies, Cypripediums, (lady's slipper orchids) Roscoeas (gingers), Meconopsis, Trilliums and dwarf shrubs. Email: info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca. Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. Call: 416-397-1340.

USED BOOK SALE

Giant Gardening and Nature used book sale to benefit the Weston Family Library Sept. 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet two of Canada's most acclaimed gardening authors: Lorraine Johnson (100 Easy-To-Grow Native Plants: For Canadian Gardeners, The Ontario Naturalized Garden, Grow Wild!) will read from one of her recent works and a book signing Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. Marjorie Harris (How To Make A Garden: The Seven Essential Steps, Botanica North America, The Canadian Gardener) reading and book signing on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. Call: 416-397-1340.

STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

North York Visual Artists presents its 8th Annual Studio Tour and Art Sale Sept. 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It features 19 talented artists working in oil, acrylic, watercolour, mixed media, photography and drawing. Participating artists range from traditional to contemporary, from realistic to abstract, and include photography, prints, paintings and drawings in a variety of media. Ten locations mapped throughout North York and north Toronto. Visit www.nyva.ca for map of galleries. Free parking, admissions and draws. Tour includes a group art show featuring eight artists at Mitchell Field Community Centre, 89 Church Ave. A percentage of the sales benefit the North York Women's Shelter.

FESTIVAL

GOURDFEST

Black Creek Pioneer Village hosts Gourdfest Sept. 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Canadian Gourd Society presents a celebration, showcase and competition of beautifully carved gourds. You'll never look at the gourd the same way again. Cost: $13 adults; $9 children (ages 15 and under); $12 seniors and students; children 4 and under free. Parking is $6. Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, south of Steeles Avenue, east of Jane Street. Call 416-736-1733.

MUSIC

MY COUNTRY

Toronto Philharmonia presents My Country Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. Smetana: Ma Vlast, includes The Moldau. Tickets on sale Sept. 2. Tickets: $29, $53, $59; seniors: $25, $44.50, $49; student ticket $25 (under age 30). Box office: Toronto Centre for the Arts: Mon. to Sat. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. noon to 4 p.m. Or call Ticketmaster at 416 870-8000. George Weston Recital Hall in the Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St.

WORKSHOP

CREATIVE SCIENCE SUNDAYS

A series of hands-on workshops Sundays until Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Weston Family Innovation Centre. From making videos and sound effects to creating beautiful jewelry, these creative workshops are ideal experiences for anyone 14 years of age or older. Audiocubizm: the Science of Music at Work is the workshop topic until Sept 21. This new approach transforms live music performance by fusing it with cutting-edge DJ methods. This interactive workshop will let you play along while you receive instruction on the science behind the music of today. Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd. Call 416-696-1000.

AMOKHOSI

Amakhosi - The Kings of Africa, features a performance under a modern African Big Top tent relating to African culture at Downsview Park Sept. 26 to Oct. 26. It tells African legends through dance, mime, acrobatics, and circus feats. It features a cast drawn from the most talented performers in Africa and the international community, including award-winning ethnic African dancers. For details and ticket prices and when tickets go on sale, visit amakhosiafrica.com for more information.

STAGE

THE FANTASTICKS

The Civic Light Opera Company presents The Fantasticks from Sept. 3 to Sept. 20. Featuring the hit songs, Try To Remember, Soon It's Gonna Rain and They Were You. Hilarious and charming, it is musical comedy, musical romance, vaudeville and parable all rolled into one theatrical package. Note: Sept. 3 show sold out. Sept. 4 to 6; Sept. 11 to 13; Sept. 18 to 19 and 20 at 8 p.m.; Sept. 10 and 17 at 7 p.m. Matinee shows: Sept. 7, 14 and 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets: Wednesday, Thursday evenings $20; Friday, Saturday evenings $25 and matinee $25. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Dr. Call 416-755-1717.

The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling

Solar Stage presents its first show of the season with an interactive musical adaptation of two classic tales The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling from Sept. 6 to 27. This pairing of the little mermaid who wanted to become human and the ugly duckling who wanted to be accepted and beautiful is ideal for the whole family. Weekends 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cost: $13. Sept. 28: Sing and Dance with Juno-award winner Jack Grunsky with more musical journeys. Times: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. Cost: $13. Visit: www.solarstage.on.ca. Solar Stage Children's Theatre, 4950 Yonge St., concourse level, three blocks north of Sheppard on the west side of Yonge Street, inside The Madison Centre. Box office: 416-368-8031.

CALIFORNIA SUITE

Stage Centre Productions presents Neil Simon's California Suite Sept. 25 to Oct. 11. California Suite is a comedy that takes place at the Beverly Hills Hotel during the weekend of the Academy Awards celebration and follows the misadventures of four groups of guests, including a divorced couple battling over custody of their daughter, a husband who gets caught with a hooker in his room by his wife, a British actress nominated for an Oscar and her straying gay husband and two competing doctors and their wives forced to share a hotel room. Performances: Sept. 25 to 28; Oct. 2 to 5; 8 to 11; performances begin at 8 p.m. Matinee: Sept. 28 to Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. Cost: $25, senior $20, students $15. Email: info@stagecentreproductions.com. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Dr. Box office 416-299-5557.

CONTINUING

JERSEY BOYS

Dancap Productions continues its presentation of Jersey Boys until Oct. 5. Jersey Boys is about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: how four blue-collar boys became one of the biggest American pop music sensations. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before age 30. Tickets: $55 to $125. Call 416-872-1111. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St.