TORONTO.- In conjunction with its upcoming photography exhibition Patti Smith: Camera Solo, the Art Gallery of Ontario will present two live performances by legendary artist Patti Smith on March 7, 2013. An Evening of Words and Song with Patti Smith will be part of the March lineup for the AGO’s popular 1st Thursdays program, with two separate performances at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

Advance tickets for An Evening of Words and Song with Patti Smith, which include 1st Thursday general admission, are $13 for AGO members and $15 for the public and go on sale on Feb. 8, 2013 at 10 a.m. at ago.net and in person at the Gallery. General admission tickets to 1st Thursday, which do not include admission to Smith’s performances, go on sale at the same time and are $8 for AGO members and $10 for the public.

Smith will be joined on stage by musicians Jesse Paris Smith and Tony Shanahan. Capacity for An Evening of Words and Song with Patti Smith is limited, and tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Both performances take place in Walker Court and are standing room only. Both general admission and performance ticket holders may access the AGO’s 1st Thursdays programming throughout the Gallery that evening, which will be inspired by Patti Smith: Camera Solo.

“We’re delighted that Patti will be spending some time with our members and visitors,” said Matthew Teitelbaum, director and CEO of the AGO. “Camera Solo is a uniquely intimate collection of works, and Patti is a true original. This exhibition exemplifies the AGO’s commitment to bringing Torontonians the very best in contemporary art.”

Opening at the AGO on Feb. 9, 2013, Patti Smith: Camera Solo marks the first showing of artist, musician and poet Patti Smith’s visual art in Canada. The exhibition, which features more than 75 works of photography, objects and film, will run to May 19, 2013. Programming highlights for Patti Smith: Camera Solo include an audio guide, special listening posts in the exhibition, a book signing and a film screening. AGO members enjoy advance viewing of the exhibition on Feb. 6 and 7, 2013.

Listening posts featuring a playlist of Patti’s greatest hits as selected by a public vote will welcome visitors at the entrance to the exhibition. An audio tour, narrated by Smith, will highlight the connections between her photography and her passion for literature and poetry. The audio tour is free with admission and can be accessed by cellular phone or downloaded in advance to any media player at www.ago.net. A written transcript of the tour will also be available on site.