11 Jan
China’s ancient homophobia reconsidered. Two Yolka celebrations. A Tamil heritage festival. Two very different Japanese events. A Raoul Wallenberg Day event. The Winterfolk Festival preview. A light festival with nine international artists. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A First Nations theatrical piece. Robbie Burns Night.
In what other city can you find announcements about such a wide range of different cultural happenings, many of the events free of charge? And we’ve only mentioned a few of them. We hope you can experience some of these.
China. Yuen Chun Chan. Dialogue by Storybox and WeJourney Playback Theatre. January 14. 3-5pm. $15-$20. This is a fund raising event for Toronto Friends Sponsoring Refugees. Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue.
“After writing her will, Yuen Chun decided to tell this personal story, running the risk of losing her friends she has been growing up with. With genuine humour, and curiosity, she is stepping up onto the stage to share her story… her journey from homophobia to accepting gay marriage. After that solo performance, the audience is welcome to share feelings and response. Actors from Playback Theatre will enact them on the spot.” http://www.torontoquakermeeting.org/toronto-friends-sponsoring-refugees.html
First Nations. World Premiere of BEARS. Written and Directed by Matthew MacKenzie. Starring Sheldon Elter. January 18-27 (but not Sunday, January 21). 8pm. $25/adults, $17/students & seniors. (January 22 performance PWYC.) The Theatre Centre, Franco Boni Theatre, 1115 Queen Street West.
“The prime suspect in a workplace accident, Floyd has to get out of town fast. Pursued by the RCMP, he heads through the Rockies for Burnaby, B.C, along the route of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline. By the time he reaches the Pacific, Floyd has experienced changes – his gait has widened, his muscles are bulging, his sense of smell heightened…
“Unapologetically political, BEARS gives voice to the voiceless animals, and vulnerable landscapes, desecrated by the insatiable human desire for industrial expansion, while striving to increase dialogue about the devastating effects on Canada’s First Nations peoples…” www.theatrecentre.org or 416-538-0988. http://theatrecentre.org/?p=11287
Japan. Lecture. Critical Look at Japan’s Film Industry: Today & Beyond by Gen Takahashi. January 15. 6:30-8:30pm. Free admission, RSVP required. Japan Foundation, 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 300. In Japanese with English interpretation.
“… special talk on the film industry in Japan by Director Gen Takahashi who “will provide some fascinating and critical insight on the current situation of the film industry in Japan as well as prospects for the future.
“Gen Takahashi is the maverick independent director of the film Yoko The Cherry Blossom, featured in our Japanese Movies at Hot Docs Cinema. He will be in attendance for the screening of his film on January 14th, 1pm. He is a talented director, but also a writer, editor, producer, cinematographer and art director.” http://jftor.org/event/gen_takahashi_film_lecture/.
Japan. Dentō Kōgei Traditional Craft Screening Series XIV.
Wednesday, January 17. 6:30pm. Free. 1) Tsumugi-ori Weaving: The Art of SASAKI Sonoko 33 min.; 2) Hakuji: White Porcelain, The Art of INOUE Manji 35 min.;
Thursday, January 18. 6:30pm. Free. Dentō Kōgei Traditional Craft Screening Series XV. 1) Chōkin, Metal Chasing: The Art of YAMAMOTO Akira 36 min.; 2) Tōso Ningyō Dolls: The Art of HAYASHI Komao 37 min.
Japan Foundation, 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 300. http://jftor.org/event/dento-kogei-traditional-craft-screening-series/2018-01-11
Jewish. U.S. Raoul Wallenberg Day Screening. Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War (2016). Wednesday, January 17. 7pm. $15. The account of an American minister and his wife, Waitstill & Martha Sharp, from Wellesley, Massachusetts, who committed their lives to a dangerous mission of saving Jews during the Nazi occupation of Europe. Over two years they helped rescue hundreds of Jews and refugees fleeing the Nazis across Europe. Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, 5095 Yonge Street.
“Raoul Wallenberg Day was designated by the Government of Canada in 2001 to honour Wallenberg, Canada’s first honorary citizen, who is credited with saving the lives of tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews. When Soviet forces liberated Budapest in February 1945, more than 100,000 Jews remained, mostly because of the efforts of Wallenberg and his colleagues. Soviet forces liberated Budapest in February 1945, more than 100,000 Jews remained, mostly because of the efforts of Wallenberg and his colleagues.” http://holocaustcentre.com/Wallenberg
Multicultural. Winterfolk XVI Preview – Sunday, January 21. Doors 6pm / Music 7:30. $20-$25. Hugh’s Room Live, 2261 Dundas Street West. http://www.winterfolk.com/whats-new-at-winterfolk/winterfolk-preview-show-jan-21-at-hughs-room-live/
Also note Winterfolk XVI Festival. February 16-18. $15-$25. Winterfolk Wristbands allow entry to see more than 100 artists in about 105 different shows during the Winterfolk weekend. International artists: The Achromatics – Latin funk, soul R&B; Clan Hannigan – Celtic; Jerome Tucker Band – Authentic Chicago blues; Laura Fernandez – Latin jazz; Mponda Kalunga – Egyptian-born singer-songwriter; The Santerias – Latin funk. http://www.winterfolk.com/tickets-2/
Multicultural. Toronto Light Festival. January 19-March 4. Free. Distillery District. Light artists from Netherlands, India, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Belgium, Australia, Canada, U.S.: https://www.torontolightfest.com/2018-festival
Multicultural. Dance Ontario Weekend. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen’s Quay West. January 19, 7pm. January 20 and 21, 1pm. Minimum donation: $10. “Totally unique and completely captivating, DanceWeekend’18 is a veritable feast of globally-inspired dance from 25 professional companies presenting in Toronto throughout the year. Join us for over 350 dancers and live musicians and two world premieres from exciting new choreographic voices – a celebration of all things dance!” http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps/dance-ontario-2018/. See also: danceontario.ca.
Muslim. Sounding Silence Through Stillness: Reading Rumi, Attar and Poetry in Today’s World. January 19. 6-7:30pm. Free but please register. Emmanuel College, Room 119, 75 Queen’s Park Crescent East. Public lecture and conversation led by scholar and lawyer, Raficq Abdulla, also known for his interfaith work between Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Please register here or http://bit.ly/2qTbKLs
Russia. Nativity Yolka Celebration. Sunday January 14. 4pm. Maybe $10 for adults; children free. Lithuanian Hall, 1 Resurrection Road (off Bloor Street, two lights west of Islington Subway station). A present from Grandfather Frost is $20 per child. Orders through Matushka Elizabeth Malchenko at 416-265-5651. http://holytrinity.ws/en/rozhdestvenskaya-elka-7/.
Scotland. Robbie Burns Night. January 20. 6pm. Tickets on sale in the church office or on Sundays in January – $25 each with proceeds to the Music Ministry. Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke.
“Save the date all ye lads and lassies!! In celebration of Robbie Burns Day, the honour of your presence is requested… We will gather in the reception room at 6 pm, whereupon we will be piped into the Stewart East Hall for a Scottish supper and an evening of music, poetry, entertainment, and lots of fun. Join with us as we salute the haggis!” Church Office: 416-239-1131 Ext.21. http://www.islingtonunited.org/Whats-Happening/Special-Events/Robbie-Burns-Night.
Tamil. Tamil Heritage Festival Celebration. Saturday, January 20. 5.30–8:30 or 10pm. Free. Showcasing the Tamil language, culture, history, civilization, literature and the arts. Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, Auditorium, 550 Markham Road, Scarborough. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tgtes-tamil-heritage-festival-celebration-tickets-41855101736
Tatarstan. Bashkortostan. Yolka. Ontario Berlek Community Services invites you to celebrate the Old New Year party. Saturday, January 13. 3-8pm. Free but you need to buy a lottery ticket for at least $5. Studio 5, Performing and Visual Arts, 212 Earl Stewart Drive, Unit 5, Aurora (north of Richmond Hill). Parking: At the building and nearby plaza. Program: official part, pot luck, show with real Ded Moroz & Snegurochka, music, dances, contests, games, lottery, prizes. Please bring: favourite food, drinks, costumes, souvenirs, small gifts for children, and some cash for lotteries. Registration: via email or by telephone: 416-305-0604 (Mirslu) or 416-889-4485 (Нейля).
Note from Ruth: You might find three different “Santa Clauses” and a Snow Maiden at this fun party.
United States. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. January 16. Memorial day for the American Civil Rights leader. Programs in some Toronto schools.
Black Business Network. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Own Your Dream. January 13. 6:30pm. $20-$30. McVety Conference Centre, 50 Gervais Drive (Eglinton Avenue and Don Mills). http://bbpa.org/events-programsmartin-luther-king/.
Note: TorontoMulticulturalCalendar.com chooses to promote events that encourage a peaceful world in our 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 we should 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.