What do you think of upon hearing the words "art show"? Turtlenecks? Expensive wines whose names you can't even pronounce? Men in hipster moustaches describing paintings in a way you can't fathom? Well, the latest addition to Toronto's cultural calendar aims to do away with all the hoity-toityness to bring forth a fun and accessible evening for all with one key ingredient: pancakes.
The Pancake and Booze Art Show, one of the most significant pop-up live music and art movements to hit North America over the past decade, will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 25 at Revival Bar. Tickets start at $10 on pre-sale and go up to $20 at the door on the day of the event. They can be purchased here.
The LA-based event, which originated in 2009, has been serving free all-you-can-eat pancakes to its patrons while also introducing them to local and emerging talents of the art world for over 10 years. Since its inception, the phenomenon has popped up more than 500 times in 35+ cities around Europe and North America, including Berlin, London and Paris.
With walls lined with canvases, live music playing in the background, beer foam nestled on the upper lip and the smell of pancake batter in the air, the Pancakes and Booze Art Show has stumbled upon the winning combination to appease the crowds. The event has successfully eliminated the snobbishness that clouds art shows by supplementing the evening with activities that everyone can understand, access and enjoy.
"This is no stuffy wine-and-cheese, pretentious, someone-gag-me art event. It’s an innovative reimagining of the art show concept," the event's website states. "A welcoming vibe for up-and-coming artists to sell and strut their stuff in a free verse, anything goes environment."
In the past, hundreds, if not thousands, of patrons have descended upon the events held in various cities to take in the local art and culture and gorge themselves on some (free) pancakes and booze. These events are always a great opportunity for local and emerging artists to put their names out there and start creating a fanbase or even a clientele. As for the patrons, they find themselves amid creativity, soaking it all in and learning more about the kinds of people they share a city with. It's an easy win-win situation.
At its Toronto iteration, people can expect 75+ local artists exhibiting more than 300 pieces of artwork, live performances from local DJs and music producers and live art — including body painting.
If you are a local artist looking to exhibit your work; a local DJ/music producer looking for a larger audience; or even a local vendor trying to get your product to the public, you can visit the event's online submission form and take the first steps towards putting your name out into the ether.
The Toronto Pancakes and Booze Art Show will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 25 at Revival Bar located at 783 College Street. Tickets are available to be purchased online in advance or at the door on the day of the event. For more information visit the event's website.
