INDO-CANADIAN PRANEET AKILLA STARS IN NEW NETFLIX SERIES OCTOBER FACTION

Opening Jan. 23: Praneet Akilla stars as Phillip Mishra in the new highly anticipated Netflix series October Faction following the adventures of a retired monster-hunter and his family. The show is set to make its world premiere on January 23.

The fast-rising star was born in Mumbai and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He discovered his love for storytelling and performance art at a young age after years of training in Indian classical music, watching movies, and making short films with his neighbourhood friends. He got started by getting cast as Aladdin in his middle school musical and then continued to star in musical theatre shows and plays throughout high school. Although he pursued a Chemical Engineering degree at McGill University, he always had one foot in the arts. While working as an engineering intern in the summers, he would act in community theatre productions or be the lead actor in features from local producers. One of those films, Jewel Fools, premiered at the 2014 at the Calgary International Film Festival with screenings in Toronto/Vancouver to rave reviews.

Praneet then decided to follow his passion and pursue acting full-time. Since then, Praneet has amassed a significant body of work in several theatre as well as film and television productions including Iceland, Coriolanus, The Orchard, The Penelopiad, King Lear, Arrow and Lux Me. He will also star in the new theatre production Cipher at the Arts Club in Vancouver from February 9 until March 7 as well as the ancient Indian mythology epic Mahabharata which will be making its run at the 2020 Shaw Theatre Festival from August 15 to September 15. In addition to acting, Praneet is a producer with Rendering Glint Films and Kalpana Films, developing new projects for 2021.

Outside of acting, he enjoys recreational sports such as ice/ball hockey, is an avid reader and writer and has a love for musical theatre and singing. Understanding the importance of philanthropy, Praneet supports causes close to his heart including his local food banks and Plan International’s Because I am a Girl program, a campaign made to address the issue of gender discrimination around the world and to promote the rights of girls and bring millions of them out of poverty.

Jan. 9-12:  A Brimful of Asha stars real-life mother and son Asha and Ravi Jain as they take the stage to tell the true (and very Canadian) story of generational and cultural class. When Ravi takes a trip to India, his parents decide it’s the perfect time to introduce him to potential brides. Ravi is not sold on the idea of getting married just yet, but Asha fears that his time is running out. RBC Theatre at the Living Arts Centre. Tickets: $40 to 50. Call 905-306-6000 or visit www.livingartscentre.ca.

Jan. 9-18:  2020 NYC Winter Jazzfest. Celebrating The 16th Annual Season, and continuing on social justice themes and wellness. Artist-in-Residence Mark Guiliana presents four nights of special projects plus marathon shows with special guests. An inter-generational community celebration of the life of Steve Dalachinsky. Updates and details at winterjazzfest.com.

March 26-28:  Foray, an evening-length concert of dance performance choreographed by Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellow and Inaugural Lincoln Center Institute Artist-in-Residence Abdul Latif to an eclectic array of arranged instrumental music and self-composed rhythm percussion remixes. The program marks the premiere of D2D/T, Latif’s artist collective and will showcase the virtuosic range of his technical vocabulary and work by extraordinary collaborator. Visit www.baruch.cuny.edu/bpa for details.  

March 28:  The Ontario Pops presents Spanish Flair and From Hollywood to Broadway. Spanish Flair on March 28, 8 pm and From Hollywood to Broadway on May 30 at 8 pm, both at Humber Valley United Church. More info at www.ontariopops.com.

April 17: Vijay Iyer (piano) and Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet) in a collaboration that has been hailed as “both cultivated and passionate” by The New Yorker. Details at Visit www.baruch.cuny.edu/bpa.

COMING TO THE AGO

The AGO presents its winter season of talks, performances, readings, screenings, events and courses with creative thinkers, makers and performers. Inspired by the Golden Age of magic explored in the upcoming exhibition Illusions: The Art of Magic and the iconic photographs of Diane Arbus, the AGO’s winter program has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. Highlights include a talk by The New Yorker writer Hilton Als, silent films starring Houdini and free magic shows presented by the Toronto Magic Company. For information about these and all upcoming AGO programs, including screening times and ticketing details, visit ago.ca/events. Annual Passes are $25 and free for visitors 25 and under.

Jan. 22:  Leading art historian, artist and curator Jolene Rickard comes to the AGO to deliver this year’s McCready Lecture on Canadian Art. An Associate Professor from Cornell University, Rickard’s talk will explore Indigenous art history and aesthetics. The lecture is free, but tickets must be booked in advance.

Feb. 5:  Join award-winning journalist, author and activist Desmond Cole at 7 pm in Baillie Court at the AGO for a conversation about anti-Black racism in Canada today. This lecture is free but tickets must be reserved in advance.

From Feb. 22:  Illusions: The Art of Magic. Showcasing rare posters and artifacts from the Golden Age of Magic of over 100 years ago and a series of live talks, films, performances and events. Throughout the run of the exhibition, performers from the Toronto Magic Company will take the in-exhibition stage daily to perform a spellbinding series of live magic shows. Free with admission. Join world-renowned, Toronto-based conjuror, magic historian and guest curator David Ben on Feb. 26 to learn more about the fascinating performers who pulled greatness from thin air. Julie Eng grew up in her family’s Toronto magic shop, learning the tricks of the trade from her father. As a women working in a male dominated field, learn what it’s like to live a life full of magic on March 11 at 7 pm. You may know Houdini for his death-defying stunts and mind-bending illusions, but did you know he was also a silent film star? The AGO’s Jackman Hall theatre will feature several screenings of films directed by and starring Houdini including Haldane of the Secret Service and Man from Beyond and Houdini. For show times and tickets, visit ago.ca/events.

Feb. 28:  Renowned for her vulnerable, hyper-saturated images, New York-based photographer and filmmaker Hobbes Ginsberg gives an illustrated talk about contemporary photography. 7 pm at Jackman Hall at the AGO.  Free, but need to be booked in advance.

Free Desi Diary listings. List your event for free in Desi News and e-desinews. com. E-mail: desinews@rogers.com. Deadline for February listings: Jan. 20, 2020

PREMIERING ON GLOBAL ON JANUARY 6: SANDY SIDHU STARS IN NURSES

Nurses follows five young nurses working on the frontlines of a busy downtown Toronto hospital, dedicating their lives to helping others, while struggling to help themselves.

Sandy’s character Nazneen left India to start a new life and her first job (ever) is a nurse in Canada. She comes from a very wealthy family. Through the course of the show, you discover Naz is in a free fall of rediscovering who she is outside of the familiar patterns of home.

Sandy also stars as Meena Roy alongside Jim Sturgess in the new mystery drama series Home Before Dark about a young girl who moves from Brooklyn to the small lakeside town her father left behind. The show will premiere on Apple TV+.

The fast-rising star was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, and found her passion for performing at the young age of 14, entering acting through plays, including a production of West Side Story. After landing several leading roles in other theatrical shows, Sandy trained at the notable Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles where she continued to hone her craft.

After landing her first role ever as a recurring guest star on SGU Stargate Universe and prominent roles in major television series, Sandy’s big break came when she was cast as Priya on the awardwinning hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, playing the love interest of Jackson Avery portrayed by Jesse Williams. To-date, Sandy has amassed a significant body of work in several film and television productions. Outside of acting, Sandy’s other passions include painting, hiking, and reading.

She is also a big believer in self-love and is passionate about inspiring others to live their most authentic lives. Understanding the importance of philanthropy, Sandy supports causes close to her heart which include the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the BC Cancer Society and the BC Children’s Hospital.