751. April 17 – 24 the World in Toronto – 2017

Canada. Metis. Northwest Voyage. Métis Fiddler Quartet. Thursday,  April 20. 12–1pm. Free. “Join the siblings of the Métis Fiddler Quartet on a musical voyage across the trade routes of the Northwestern frontier. Clap, jig and sing along with this award-winning group and discover the history of the Métis people in Canada through fiddle tunes and songs passed down by elders from across the country.” http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/FreeConcertSeries.aspx.

image of Metis Fiddler Quartet from: http://www.metisfiddlerquartet.com/

China. Spring Moon. A New Play. April 20-23. Adults $10. The Citadel, 304 Parliament Street “Based on the real-life experiences of the Toronto Chinese community, Spring Moon tells the story of a resilient immigrant peoples through the eyes of three Chinese grandmothers who survived hardship and crossed oceans to give their granddaughters a better life.” Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and French with Chinese and English surtitles. http://www.mixedcompanytheatre.com/2017/02/springmoon/

France. Director Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Human. “Invited by the Toronto French School and Alliance française Toronto, the French photographer, reporter and director will be in Toronto for Earth Week.” April 18. 6pm screening of the short version of Human (2h23-French subtitles). 8:30pm: debate-discussion. April 18. 9:15pm – sale of his books which he can autograph. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Road. For information and to see a short version of his film (with subtitles in English): http://francecanadaculture.org/en/film-tv-and-new-media/events/toronto-yann-arthus-bertrand-toronto-earth-week.

 Japan. High Park Cherry Blossoms are at their peak for only one week! Current estimates are in May, but you never know. Check the City of Toronto’s website for date as it depends on the weather. If you visit the trees, heed all warnings about  stagnant traffic and  big, big fines for illegal parking on weekends. Best go on a week day and take TTC to High Park and walk.  Most of these stunning flowering trees are to the west of the main road near the restaurant. The first Japanese Somei-Yoshino cherry tree was planted here in 1959 and was a  present from the citizens of Tokyo. http://www.highparktoronto.com/cherry-trees-2017.php. There are also cherry trees on Centre Island near the south side of the bridge, near the fountain.

Image Copyright ©2017 Ruth Lor Malloy

Jewish. Community Holocaust Commemoration. April 23. 2pm. Adath Israel Congregation. 37 Southbourne Avenue. Simultaneous and related program: Miles Nadal JCC. http://mnjcc.org/browse-by-interest/jewish-life/shabbat-holidays/834-community-holocaust-commemoration. Image from Community Holocaust Commemoration.

Multicultural. Art & Travel: A Cultural Odyssey “showcases evocative travel sketches and paintings by Fei Lu and Enyi Lu that will take viewers on a visual journey around the world.” Join Winged Canvas Art Hub for the Opening Reception on Saturday, April 22, 8-10pm. Free. Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.” https://www.wingedcanvas.com/

Image of Art & Travel from https://www.wingedcanvas.com/

Multicultural. International Children’s Day. Dance and Art Festival. Sunday April 23. 1:30-5pm. Free. Nathan Phillips Square-City Hall. Children of all ages are invited. “Children representing the cultural mosaic of Toronto will come together and celebrate the day with shows, folk dances and share their folk music… Fun-fair activities such as clowns, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy stations… and multicultural art shows by the communities will also take place where children have the opportunity to interact with each other, enjoy the day and make friends all while being integrated to the highly cultural diversity found in Canada.” Meral Altinada, Turkish Society of Canada, info@turkishcanada.org

http://www.facebook.com/23AprilInternationalChildrensDay; for more information: visit:  http://turkishcanada.org/international-childrens-day-multicultural-dance-and-art-festival-2017/

​​Turkey. Multicultural. Turkish International Children’s Day. April 23. 1-5. Macedonian Community Centre, 76 Overlea Blvd. Organized by the Canadian Turkish community  in partnership with the Turkic and many other ethnic groups in Toronto. Over a thousand people…are expected to attend.

The following “…ethnic diverse groups of Toronto have been invited to the event, many of the Turkish/Turkic and other ethnic children groups (Turkish, Jews, S. Korean, South/North Azerbaijan, Canadian, Bosnian, Chinese, Uzbek, Indian, Albanian, Macedonian, Aboriginal, Brazilian, etc.) will dance their national folk dances with traditional dresses and sing songs together. MPs, MPPs, Trustees, Councillors, and diplomatic missions of the region, including Turkish Consul General in Toronto, have been invited also, and many expected to attend.” https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/15a56de2efaab412.

Ukraine. Haivky Spring Revels in the Park. I love this event because it gets everybody participating and dancing to the lively music. April 23. 3-6pm. Free. Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen St. West. Everyone invited. Hosted by Kosa Kolektiv.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1765682907055043. For our earlier blog about this event: https://www.torontomulticulturalcalendar.com/2014/04/21/472-report-on-how-one-group-welcomed-spring-the-ukrainian-way-2014/