Open Show Toronto

When I launched Open Show Toronto in 2014, I did not anticipate the boundless resource that it would become for creativity, creators networks, and community building.  It has taught me the power of story, of shared experiences, and allowed me to encourage and mentor emerging and working photographers. 

As Lead Producer I curate and host Open Show's social event, bringing together the public to experience compelling visual stories and interact directly with photographers, filmmakers and multimedia producers.  

Open Show’s core event format features 5 projects, either still images projects or films with the opportunities for artists to develop their work further with a Q & A from their audience and peers.

Five different presenters from students to award-winning professionals show a project based on narrative, topic or single visual style. We curate for diverse genres including reportage, art, commercial, historical and more. Both completed and works in progress are accepted. Collaborative projects are also welcome.

Join us for Open Show Toronto #16 on October 27th at the Belljar Cafe.   Check out our lineup: 

Toronto Photographer Sarah Palmer attended rallies and the Republican National Convention to shoot multi-frame exposures for her timely political series "Drunk on Trump" about the current U.S. Presidential race.

Haley Stewart is a recent graduate from of Sheridan College. Her photography project "Twins" took her to Anime North to reveal similarities and a desire to connect between multiples in costume.

Photographer Nick Kozak captures the daily struggles of youth in the First Nations community of Fort Albany, Ontario. 

Photographer Matthew Kruchak recently moved to Toronto from Saskatoon where he spent nearly three years photographing Sailor Dan, who sells his marine-themed artwork on the city's streets.

Be apart of the conversation shaping the future of photography and video.  Submit your work for an upcoming show.

Lisa Kannakko

Open Show Toronto

Lead Producer 

www.openshow.org

Submit Your Work | Join Our Facebook Group | Follow Us @open_show

Patio Build Timelapse - Belljar Cafe

After going through my archives I realized I hadn't properly shared this timelapse of the patio I designed and help to build.



Edit by Daniel Reis

Halloween Mural

Ok you've caught me - Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. All the scary and infinite possibilities to dive into the creative imagination is hard to resist. Hence I offer this little gift to celebrate the season:




Mural Artist: Kneil Spek
Song: Yelle - Safari Disco Club
Director/Producer: Lisa Kannakko
Editing by Andrei Ionescu

Year 2: Rocco DeLuca & Daniel Lanois

It was one year ago this month that Rocco DeLuca and Daniel Lanois performed in the first "Live at the Belljar" session, on the back patio of my little spot the Belljar Cafe, in the west-end neighbourhood of Parkdale/Junction/Roncesvalles.  

Well they've done it again! This time they performed for a delighted audience in the front window. Lanois walked across the street from his studio to play the show with DeLuca, and basically blow our minds as we sat within a few feet of the deeply creative duo. 
California based artist DeLuca released his self titled album this month. It was produced by Lanios who has produced albums for a wide variety of artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Emmylou Harris, and Willie Nelson. Lanois also collaborated with Brian Eno: most famously on producing several platinum albums for U2, including The Joshua Tree. 

"Live at the Belljar" is a music series that I started as a way to combine my love of music with my love of filmmaking.   




Rocco DeLuca performing "I Trust You To Kill Me", "How Many Times" and "Congregate", with Daniel Lanios on accompaniment.

Director/Producer: Lisa Kannakko
Sound Engineer: Ben McPeek
Editor: Andrei Ionescu
Camera: Joshua MacDonald, Lisa Kannakko, Andrei Ionescu

Live at the Belljar: Abi Rose

Abi Rose is a Toronto based singer songwriter. She graced our patio with her beautiful voice earlier this summer.



Director/Producer: Lisa Kannakko
Sound Engineer: Ben McPeek
Editor: Andrei Ionescu
Camera Operators: Lisa Kannakko & Andrei Ionescu

Live at the Belljar: Clinton St. John

another taste of musical delights. this show happened at the Belljar a little while back, we just finished up the edit.

Director/Producer: Lisa Kannakko

Sound Engineer: Ben McPeek

Camera Operators: Lisa Kannakko, Andrei Ionescu

Editor: Andrei Ionescu

Raleigh - Live at the Belljar

playing music / telling stories / being together in a space

Director/Producer: Lisa Kannakko
Sound Engineer: Ben McPeek
Camera Operators: Lisa Kannakko, Andrei Ionescu
Editor: Andrei Ionescu

Live at the Belljar: Hunting

Lots of little moments happened when the music started. On the street, in the room, and there was profanity which is a habit I enjoy.




Director/Producer:  Lisa Kannakko
Sound Engineer: Ben McPeek
Editor: Andrei Ionescu
Camera:  Lisa Kannakko & Andrei Ionescu

Live at the Belljar: Jordan Klassen

Here is the latest addition to my ongoing video series. Love the approach Jordan Kassen - and his band, are taking towards their music. Very creative and smart.



Director/Producer: Lisa Kannakko 
Sound Engineer: Ben McPeek
Camera: Lisa Kannakko, Andrei Ionescu
Editor: Andrei Ionescu

On a separate note - some of what I've been cooking up has leaked out into the world.  Read this lovely little article about how things have come together at the Belljar, and how my music series started with Daniel Lanois.  Pretty neat to hear it reflected back.

Whitebrow - Live at the Belljar Video Series

For over a decade I've been a huge fan of Vincent Moon's Take Away Shows, drawn to the idea of having a creative project which encompasses music and motion, that fuels and furthers my constant need to produce new work. Through a series of events, such as opening a bar, returning to writing music, and connecting with new people, I realized that I had all the ingredients to move in this new direction. Hence, please be introduced to the Live at the Belljar Series, which started a little while back (with the Rocco De Luca & Daniel Lanois piece) and has finally found its feet.



Director/Producer: Lisa Kannakko
Sound Engineer: Ben McPeek
Camera: Lisa Kannakko, Thomas Lee
Editor: Andrei Ionescu

"Live at The Belljar" featuring Daniel Lanois & Rocco DeLuca

Proud to release the first "LIVE at The Belljar" featuring Daniel Lanois and Rocco DeLuca.





The Belljar Cafe is a little spot I own and operate with my husband Geoff McPeek. We have been in business since 2010, making killer espresso and grilled sandwiches. After spending most of the summer in renovations we launched evenings hours (with a liquor licence) in late July, starting things off right with a musical performance by our talented neighbour and community supporter Daniel Lanois, along with the talented Rocco DeLuca.   I'm looking forward to an exciting future working on this "Live at The Belljar" series - a project that combines my deep love for music, image-making, and connecting with people.

Hot Fuzz

I love this behind-the-scenes video from my photo shoot for Issue 15 of Worn Journal.    We shot model Alyssa Garrison on location at the labour of love I share with my husband:  The Belljar Cafe.

  video // Daniel Reis   end animation // Barry Potter