Like every other cultural institution in town, Cinématheque Ontario is building itself a magnificent new headquarters. And better still, the new Festival Hall (left) will be within a short stroll of Le Sélect, at King and John. It'll host three cinemas, the Toronto International Film Festival offices, and a range of film-related events.

In the meantime, Cinématheque screenings take place at Jackman Hall in the otherwise-closed Art Gallery of Ontario - enter on McCaul St south of Dundas.

Marlene Dietrich in The Blue Angel

The AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) has shut its doors while Frank Gehry's extension takes shape. There's no date set for the re-opening, but expect it sometime in fall of this year. (See more about the construction.) The only way you'll get inside is for Cinématheque Ontario films. Drop in via the McCaul Street entrance anytime to pick up a Cinématheque programme.

At the Royal Ontario Museum, better known as the ROM, Daniel Liebeskind's spectacular extension continues to get filled to its many pointy corners as the new galleries open in stages.

The new Age of Dinosaurs gallery is a suitably magnificent collection for the building. Also open is the popular Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery. Glass Worlds: Paperweights from the ROM's Collection is a gorgeous collection, open until winter 2008. Early Typewriters (to June 29) is a quirky and fascinating exhibit, showing the range of early ideas (mostly now forgotten) of how a typewriter could look and function. Coming up: Darwin: The Evolution Revolution runs to August 4 2008, and promises to be the most in-depth exhibition ever of all things Darwin (left). And Shanghai Kaleidoscope runs from May 3 to November 2 2008, in which more than 35 artists, architects and fashion designers provide an insider's view of the high-speed, high-density, high-rise culture that is rapidly emerging in China's largest city (right). Plus there's the permanent collection - everything from Chinese temple art to every kid's favourite, the Bat Cave. Keep your eyes on the ROM's website.

John Kissick at Leo Kamen Gallery

Burtynksy and McIntosh

Still in our neighbourhood, and even closer to Le Sélect is Nicholas Metivier Gallery, 451 King St West (west of Spadina). Twice Removed (to April 26) is a collaboration between photographer Edward Burtynsky and painter Brent McIntosh. Burtynsky supplied some of his early landscape photos which McIntosh rendered as quasi-abstract paintings. Check out the gallery website.

Factory Theatre is also an easy walk from Le Sélect, and always features outstanding new Canadian theatre. Running to April 13 in the Studio space, The Mansfield Project is an adaptation of four short stories by the early twentieth century writer Katherine Mansfield. Beyond Mozambique, written by George F. Walker and directed by Ken Gass, is a revival of a piece last performed at Factory in 1978. In a jungle, five characters try to escape their past. It's in the Mainspace to April 27. Plan your visit at Factory's website.

The Barber of SevilleThe Canadian Opera Company has settled nicely into its new home at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at Queen and University. Tchaikovski's Eugene Onegin runs to April 30, in which Pushkin’s charmingly ironic prose poem is set to Tchaikovsky’s evocative and romantically expressive music. Rossini's The Barber of Seville, eternally popular for its frothy charm and irresistible melodies, runs from April 16 to May 23. Check the COC website for dates and details.

Cinderella