Film still from Bionico’s Bachata by Yoel Morales.

32nd Rendezvous with Madness Festival

October 25 – November 3, 2024 | Presented by Workman Arts
In Person and Online. Tickets Available Now!

Between now and November 3, Rendezvous with Madness showcases a range of feature and short films from around the globe, several special events, a visual arts exhibition, in addition to online and onsite workshops.

New for 2024, a music showcase and night market – Rhythm of the Night – takes place at the Tranzac Club on Saturday, November 2 from 8pm to 12am. Join us for an extraordinary evening where live music meets the excitement of a small night market.

“Art provides a means of shining light onto challenging situations in our lives, especially for anyone living with mental health and/or addictions.” comments Workman Arts Executive Artistic Director Amadeo Ventura. “This year’s festival theme, ‘Shine ; Together’ brings stories into the light as a clarion call to build a more equitable society where compassion and empathy can shine through the darkness. We hope you’ll join us to talk through these creations together and shine together too.”

All tickets are Pay What You Wish (PWYW) and there will be both in-person and virtual options for engaging with the festival, so all patrons can enjoy safely. Please note: We strongly recommend the use of face masks at onsite events.

Special Events Highlights

Public Speaking Thru Comedy by MalPensando
Thursday, October 31, 10pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener

Join us Halloween Night and witness 8 weeks of hard work and dedication boiled down to one amazing comedy night! These students will speak from the heart and (hope to) make you laugh till you drop! Learn more.

We Lost You A Long Time Ago by Nicole Decsey Dance Projects
Friday, November 1, 8pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener

Opening for Feature Film: Peter Doherty: Stranger In My Own Skin, We Lost You A Long Time Ago is a poignant contemporary dance piece by Nicole Descey Dance Projects that delves into the emotional turmoil of losing a close friendship. This work explores the unraveling of a bond that once felt familial but disintegrates seemingly without warning or closure, reflecting on the deep, often unspoken grief that accompanies the loss of a friendship. Learn more.

Neon Bloom by Dylan Weller.

Rhythm of the Night — Music Showcase & Night Market
Saturday, November 2, 8pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener

Join us for an extraordinary evening where live music meets the excitement of a small night market. With Local GTA acts Neon Bloom, Mayraki, and Joshua Pasqua, curated by the local music showcase & promotion group Smoking Room Only and a diverse Night Market featuring Workman Arts members, this unique event brings together a dynamic lineup of live music performances alongside an intimate market of handmade goods all in the support of artists living with Mental Illness and Addictions. Learn more.

Exhibition

The Looms We Resemble
Curated by Fatma Hendawy
November 3 – December 9, 2024
Youngplace Hallway Galleries, 180 Shaw Street, Third Floor, Toronto
Barrier-free venue; on site active listener

Curatorial Tour: Saturday, November 30, 2 – 4pm
Tea Gathering by Helen Kong: Saturday, December 7, 1 – 3pm

Learn more.

Film Highlights

Rendezvous Film Program

Film still from Ink, Blood and Socks by Johan Ribe.

Ink, Blood and Socks (Ink, blod och strumpor)
Johan Ribe | 2023 | Sweden | Documentary | 68 minutes | Swedish with English subtitles | Canadian Premiere
Wednesday, October 30, 8pm
CAMH Auditorium, 1025 Queen Street West at Ossington, 2nd floor, Toronto
Barrier-free venue. On site active listener, open captioned

Hanna Finn’s talent and charisma were undeniable from an early age. By the time she reached preschool, her creativity and sharp sense of humour were on full display. Now a young adult known as Psykos, she exists on the fringes, describing her life as one in a “parallel society.” Ribe’s documentary Ink, Blood and Socks chronicles Psykos’ struggles with addiction and her journey toward recovery.

Bionico’s Bachata (La Bachata de Bionico)
Yoel Morales | 2024 | Dominican Republic | Experimental Fiction | 80 minutes | Spanish with English subtitles
Thursday, October 31, 8pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener, open captioned

Bionico (Manuel Raposo) and his closest pal Calvita (El Napo) live their lives on the wild side, driven by their insatiable desire to get high, no matter the cost. Early on in the film, Bionico decides to turn his life around. To begin this new phase of life, he must find a job, buy an engagement ring, and find a nicer place to live. But making life-changing plans is easier said than done, as Bionico struggles to detox while facing an endless parade of temptations.

I don’t need to ask you to love me because i love myself
2024 | Canada | Short Films | 60 Minutes | English with open captions
Saturday, November 2, 2pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener, open captioned

The short film program I don’t need to ask you to love me because I love myself’ explores many different modes of filmmaking as a means to express emotions related to how we not only exist but thrive in a world filled with challenges, contradictions and conundrums.

Join the Conversation
Many onsite events will include deep discussions with artists, mental health professionals and persons with so-called lived experience who will engage in illuminating conversations about the intersections of the healing properties of art and so much more. Join the Conversation on social media using the hashtags #RWMFest and #ShineTogether.

Festival Accessibility
Rendezvous With Madness is committed to values of inclusivity and accessibility for all guests, staff, volunteers and artists. Event-specific accessibility initiatives are indicated on each program’s webpage. For more about accessibility at the festival, please see the accessibility information page on our website.

Workman Arts
1025 Queen Street West, #2400
Toronto Ontario M6J 1H4
www.workmanarts.com
info@workmanarts.com
416-583-4339

Presented with the generous support of: