831. Affordable Events July 15-22 in Multicultural Toronto – 2018

Wonderful how the plight of 12 young soccer players lost in a remote cave in Thailand brought the world together recently. Here in Toronto, we can share such concerns directly with Thai neighbours. Coming up are opportunities to interact with people with African, Belgian, Brazilian, Lebanese, and Chinese heritage too.

For free, or almost free, we can talk with pastors bent on circumventing the U.S. embargo on Cuba, or learn about Muslims in Australia. We can introduce our children to Persian or African culture. We can enjoy England’s Shakespeare, master-class photographs from India, and walk to raise money for mental health with members of an Indian church. We can hobnob with reggae enthusiasts, dance with thousands of Bollywood fans, and our women and girls can take classes in an ancient Japanese martial art.

Here are these samples of the opportunities we have in our city to experience the world.

Africa. Muhtadi Drumming Festival. Hello Africa! Saturday, July 21  (12noon-10pm) and Let the Children Play. Sunday, July 22 (10am-12pm). Free. Regent Park, 600 Dundas Street East. http://muhtadidrumfest.com/

Australia. Muslim. TTI Lecture Series: Enacting Citizenship in Muslim Communities: Lessons Learned from Australian Muslim’s Civic Engagement. July 17. 6:30-8:30pm. $0-$15. Emmanuel College, Room 001, 75 Queen’s Park Crescent East.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tti-lecture-series-enacting-citizenship-in-muslim-communities-tickets-47386448142?aff=erelexpmlt

Belgium. Belgium National Day! July 21. 7-9 pm. $30 for non-members. Le Petit Déjeuner (Limited capacity), 191 King Street East. Belgium colours, music, appetizers, beer, prizes!!! https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07efis9h7r1c9d360f&oseq=&c=&ch=

Ruth’s note: We don’t often hear about Belgian events. Here’s one even though it’s over our price limit for inclusion in this blog.Brazil. 15th Annual Toronto International Brazilfest. July 22. 11am–10pm. Free admission. Earlscourt Park, St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road. Brazilian style foods, music and dance, and a family area for families with children. http://www.brazilfest.ca/

China. Multicultural. Toronto Dragon Festival. July 15–16. 10am-10pm. Free.
Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West. Cultural demonstrations, performing arts, and traditional customs, etc. China. Colours of China. July 21. 12-2pm. Free. Beverly Glen Park, 75 Beverly Glen Boulevard, Scarborough. Little Pear Garden Dance Company presents workshops, performances, and stories featuring Chinese dance from varying historical periods and regions.

https://www.facebook.com/littlepeargarden/photos/gm.229912951133480/1755774917834268/?type=3&theater

Cuba. Pastors for Peace. Tuesday, July 17. 7pm. Fundraiser. College Street United Church, 454 College Street. “In 1959 the Cuban people dared to dream a different future for their country. The US government has been trying to destroy that dream ever since by economic blockade… IFCO/Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba has been taking US citizens and humanitarian aid to Cuba since 1992 without a US government license.”

Speakers from Pastors for Peace, Cuban Consulate in Toronto, Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association Toronto and United Church of Canada. http://www.netzwerk-cuba.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/European-Participant-Letter.pdf

England. Shakespeare in High Park. Running until September 2^nd. Pay-What-You-Can or reserve a premium seat online for $25. High Park Amphitheater, 1873 Bloor Street West. This summer features Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For schedule:   https://www.canadianstage.com/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=shakespeare

Note: Shakespeare belongs to the world. But his plays started in England. Romeo and Juliet was first performed in 1594 there.

England. Shakespeare. Driftwood Theatre presents ROSALYNDE (or, As You Like It). Continuing to August 12. PWYC or free. All performances begin at 7:30pm except Thursday, July 26 at Parma Park at 6:30pm. Some dates and venues in and near Toronto; for example, Ontario Place and Todmorden Mills:
http://www.driftwoodtheatre.com/bards-bus-tour/bards-bus-tour-dates/

India. Christian. Mind Matters Walk-2018. Annual Walkathon. July 22. 9am-9pm. For route and time, contact Mar Thoma Church. Organized by “Sevika Sanghom, the women’s wing of the Mar Thoma Church… to end the stigma of mental illness!!    venue to be announced.” For more information, contact: Phone: 905-636-0677; Email: webmaster@marthomachurch.ca. http://marthomachurch.ca/Events/SingleEvent?EventId=1103.

Note: This sounds like a good opportunity to share a common concern with friendly members of this ancient apostolic church from South India — especially if you live near Milton. Ruth.

India. Modernism on the Ganges: Raghubir Singh Photographs. July 21 to October 21. General ROM admission $14-20. Featuring photographs by one of India’s most visionary and celebrated pioneers in colour photography, Raghubir Singh (1942–1999), this exhibition showcases iconic depictions of Indian life and culture in vivid colour. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park.

Iran. Persian Family Day. Saturday, July 21، 12-10pm. Free. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street. Steps from North York Centre subway station. Performances, vendors, etc. Look for Persian ice cream. http://www.persianfamilyday.com

Ruth’s Note: For a taste of Persian sweets any day, visit Iranian Plaza, a.k.a. Little Persia. It is around 6111 Yonge Street, the location of Papa Pastry and Cafe. Here tea comes with a fancy decorated cup, a sugar stick and a pot on a burner. Elegant! You can also explore the B.B. Cafe, and a Persian Arts and Handicrafts Store. The big Khorak supermarket is to the north, and Zamanis across the street bakes wonderful Persian bread.

Jamaica. Reggae.  Parkdale: A Reinvention. July 15. 7-9pm – Doors at 6:30. Adults | $12 Adv/$15 at Door. Include Reggae after-party $15 Adv/$20 at Door. The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen Street West. “In 2008, Canadian jazz icon Elizabeth Shepherd’s pivotal Parkdale album was released. On its 10^th anniversary, some of Toronto’s best singers will recreate each song backed by the original Parkdale rhythm section”: https://www.therecord.com/events/8699458–elizabeth-shepherd-s-parkdale-a-re/

Japan. Aikido Classes for Women. Fridays. Kids Class Fees:$7 Drop-in; Adult Class Fees: $15 Drop-in. Monthly rates available. Tao Sangha, 375 Jane Street. 416-925-7575. http://taosangha-na.com/toronto-news-events/aikido-classes/

Lebanon. 5th Annual St. Charbel Lebanese Festival. July 13-15. Streetsville Memorial Park, 355 Church Street, Mississauga. www.stcharbel.org. New Zealand. Maori. Interactive Haka and Mau Rakau Workshop with Māmā Mihirangi and the Māreikura. Maori martial arts. Sunday, July 15. 2pm. Free. Stage in the Round. Also free performance at 9pm at Concert Stage. Part of BRAVE Festival. Harbourfront, 235 Queens Quay West. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/brave/events/index.cfm?id=10048&festival_id=286

Thanks to P. Anne Winter for bringing his event to our notice.

 

South Asia. Bollywood Monster Mashup.

Bollywood Monster Concert. July 20. 4pm. Free. “The largest South Asian Festival in Canada takes flight with a concert, film festival and more. Don’t miss out on thousands of Bollywood fans singing and dancing in the heart of Mississauga.” Celebration Square, Mississauga.

Bollywood Monster Family Day. July 21. 2pm and Grand Finale 6pm. Free. Dance lessons, chef demonstrations, KidZone, cuisines from around the world. Bring out the whole family and join in on the fun! Celebration Square, Mississauga. http://www.bollywoodmonstermashup.com/family-day-and-finale/

Video: http://www.bollywoodmonstermashup.com/ Note from Ruth: TorontoMulticulturalCalendar.com chooses to promote events that encourage a feeling of community in our culturally diverse city. Mention doesn’t mean endorsement but we try to include events we think readers will find stimulating in the cultures of other groups. If you go to any of our mentioned events, please send us corrections or an account of your impressions so we will know whether or not to promote these events in future. Please continue to send us posters. We don’t charge to post them and we don’t accept paid advertising. Post comments on  “Leave a Reply” below.  Email us at: ruthlormalloy@gmail.com. Subscribe to our Newsletter above.