31 Aug
Here are just a few of the free events this weekend reflective of our culturally-diverse city. Heritage backgrounds and origins include England, Ethiopia, Hispanic, Switzerland, Cuba, Philippines, Chile, Serbia, and Ukraine.
England. September 5. Labour Day. Morris dancers are usually in town but I haven’t been able to get information. They usually start at Queen’s Park at noon and end at about 3pm at Dufferin Grove Park. Free. If I get more information, I will post it below. Free.
Ethiopian New Year is going to be celebrated on September 3 at Christie Pits Park from 12 pm to 11pm. For information, tel. 416-694-1522. Free.
Hispanic Fiesta. Mel Lastman Square. September 2-5. Friday 7pm-10pm; Saturday: 3pm-10pm; Sunday: 3pm-10pm; Monday 3pm-10pm. “A celebration of Spanish and Latin-American arts, food, music and entertainment, featuring local and international Hispanic performers from over 20 different Spanish-speaking countries.” Free. Info: 416-240-9338 or info@hispanicfiesta.com. Website: hispanicfiesta.com
Jewish. Ashkenaz. Harbourfront. September 3-5. See our separate Blog https://www.torontomulticulturalcalendar.com/2016/08/06/680-ashkenaz-festival-warning-august-30-sept-5-2016/.
Multicultural. CNE. Sept. 2-5. Don’t forget the Swiss Acrobats, the Niños de Cuba, the Folklorico Filipino and the Grupo Chile at the International Pavilion. http://theex.com/main/entertainment/international-performers/. Included with entry fee to Canadian National Exhibition.
Multicultural. Toronto Buskerfest. September 2-5. Woodbine Park. By voluntary donation to Epilepsy. http://torontobuskerfest.com/ .
Serbian Food Festival. September 3-4. All Serbian Saints Orthodox Church, 2520 Dixie Rd., Mississauga. Free. Contact: info@msff.ca
Ukrainian Heritage Day. September 7. 6-9pm. St Vladimir Institute, 620 Spading Avenue. Great and generous food portions and exhibits. Mostly in the English language. Thanks to Steve Andrusiak for his help in getting this information to us. Free?
Please let us know of other such interesting exotic events, Contact us with posters at ruthlormalloy@gmail.com.
We just heard from Mark Manh Nguyen that “The Mid-Autumn Festival this year will be organized jointly by 8 Associations: Vietnamese Women’s Association of Toronto, Vietnamese Association, Toronto, The Former Thu Duc Cadet Officer Association, The Elderly Vietnamese Association of Toronto, The Quang Ngai Fraternity Association, The Vietnamese Scout Association, The Golden Age Village for the Elderly, and the Toronto Vietnamese Marching Band.”
Time; Saturday September 3, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St.
Thanks, Mark.
Mark Manh Nguyen sent a correction: ” Sorry about the date mix-up. The Mid-Autumn Festival is on Saturday September 10, instead of September 3. Other information about time and location is correct. MPP Cristina Martins has her community BBQ on Saturday September 3 at the same location (Dufferin Grove Park) from 12 noon to 3 pm. The Vietnamese Association, Toronto sponsors a lion dance at 1:30 pm. I was working on this arrangement this morning and the date Sep. 3 came to my mind.” The Mid-Autumn Festival is on September 10.
Mark Manh Nguyen, B.Sc., MBA
Executive Director
Leo Nelson of the Morris Dance group sent us more specific information about the dancers’ Labour Day Tour this weekend:
On Saturday this year our Mass Dancing will take place in Taddle Creek Park about 3:15 pm. On Sunday, as traditional, we’ll be in Dufferin Grove Park about 3:30 pm .
Saturday Tours include dancing in the areas of Sugar Beach, St Lawrence Market and the Yonge/College St area from about 11 am – 1 pm.
Sunday Tours include the area of Bloor from Spadina to Avenue Rd, including a stop outside the Bata Shoe Museum, Yorkville and a Bloor/Roncesvalles area tour.
With us we have GTA sides including Green Fiddle Morris, Belles of York, Cold Barn Morris (Hamilton), Orange Peel Morris (Orangeville and environs), Toronto Morris Men, and Toronto Womens’ Sword.
Guests include: Bowry Boys, Wake Robin, Ring o Bells, Handsome Molly — all from the US — and Thames Valley International.
As usual, there is a Contra Dance after the Feast for our guests at the Tranzac. This starts about 9 and will admit non-Ale participants for a fee.
Hope this is helpful!
Thanks for including is in your listings!
Leo