728. February 22–28 Affordable Events in Multicultural Toronto- 2017.

Mardi Gras. Christian. Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. This is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the austerities of Lent. This Christian tradition extends from Ash Wednesday to Easter, March 1 to April 15 this year. For the faithful, Lent is 40 to 46 days of prayers, reflection and fasting. Mardi Gras is found in several cultures and can take a very religious or a very frivolous form called “Carnival”.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival partly inspired Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival which takes place here in July-August. Rio de Janiero’s Carnival started out as a meatless tradition. It’s also in February in warmer Brazil. Did you know that the word “carnival” comes from the Portuguese “Carne Vale”, which means “farewell to meat”?

But Toronto’s weather makes street parades and events in elegant costumes difficult in winter. Bravely attempting to celebrate Mardi Gras out of doors each year is Russia’s Maslenitsa in Earl Bales Park (see below).

Many Toronto churches observe Shrove Tuesday with pan cake meals. Why pancakes? According to some Web sources, it was a day for using up food that could not be eaten during Lent. Followers made pancakes from leftover eggs and butter. Russia’s Maslelnitsa features “blinis” with sour cream, butter, and other garnishes that might contain caviar. Among Toronto’s various celebrations are:

Christian. Anglican. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Tuesday, February 28. 6pm. $10 for a buffet of pancakes, sausages, build-your-own-sundae, and soft drinks (alcohol extra). Snell Hall, St. James Cathedral, 65 Church Street. http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07edt38jdc314e50cb&llr=xpqviyhab

Christian. United Church. Pancake Mardi Gras Brunch in the Met Centre. Sunday, February 26. 12:15. Adults $10, Children 12 and under $5. RSVP. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East.  https://www.metunited.org/jmv4/index.php/events/eventdetail/5330/pancake-mardi-gras-brunch

Mardi Gras at the Jam Factory. February 28. 8pm-midnight. General admission $15 in advance (plus taxes and fees). $20 at the door (if space permits). New Orleans style “raucous n’ rustic revelry”. Must be 19+ to attend. Jam Factory, 2 Matilda Street, 2/F. http://www.nowtickets.ca/events/40972461/mardi-gras-at-the-jam-factory

Mardi Gras. Oh Happy Day. Saturday, February 25. 7:30-10:30pm. $20-$25. Primarily the Gospel classics and rocking Spirituals such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and This Little Light. Performers include Jivaro Smith (of Kinky Boots, The Lion King), Alana Bridgewater (of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, We Will Rock You), and Gospel-singing sisters Amoy and Ciceal Levy. St. Andrew’s Church, King Street West and Simcoe Street. Tickets and more information: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/mardi-gras-2017-oh-happy-day-tickets-31259820966?aff=es2

Russia. Maslenitsa. “Russian Shrovetide. Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday. Beginning of meatless fasting in some Orthodox churches. This is a family holiday, an opportunity to find new friends and meet old ones. Available will be Blinis (Russian pancakes), and a variety of fun family activities. The festival program and entry fee should be announced in the upcoming days. Sunday, February 26, at 12pm. Entry fee unknown.  For maximum fun, take part in the dancing. It helps but is not necessary to understand Russian. Earl Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst at Sheppard. Videos of what could happen: https://ok.ru/video/230949913871.

Image of Maslenitsa dancers from: http://bit.ly/2loF3Bl

Multicultural. Comedy as a Second Language. February 24. 8pm. $15. The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth Avenue, 2nd Floor. Broadview Subway Station. http://socap.ca/. https://www.meetup.com/Comedy-as-a-Second-Language/events/237271463/. Do we all have the same funny bone?

Tibet. Losar. Tibetan New Year 2144. Year of the Fire Bird. February 27. Celebrated with prayers, blessings, the hoisting of prayer flags, and donations to temples.