829. June 27-July 7 Affordable Events in Multicultural Toronto – 2018.

Canada Day during this period comes with a free pancake breakfast at Thomson Memorial Park. You don’t need to go to Calgary for this traditional treat. Other Canada Day events include fireworks in at least seven different locations. Most are without charge except for the food and have multicultural performers. For an emphasis on Chinese flavour, there’s a special celebration in East Chinatown.

In early July look also for the lively Afrofest, a window on the Barbados and things Caribbean, and a Hindu festival where women pray for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands. A Latino festival will be on St. Clair. The International Jazz Festival will be at the Beaches and elsewhere for several days this month.

Africa. AfroFest. July 7-8. Free entry. Woodbine Park. “With a revamped program, this year’s program will include more activities to cover a wider geographical area. Some of the program modifications in 2018 include:

“…we will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the highest number of djembe drummers playing simultaneously.

We will improve the international profile of the festival by promoting it in international markets specifically: United States of America, Europe and Africa.

“In 2018 we will extend the duration of the festival by changing its length from 2 days to a 9-day celebration. AFROFEST events will be held in multiple cities through out Toronto with the finale at Woodbine Park on July 7 & 8.” https://afrofest.ca/. Phone: 647-227-5826 or, Head Office: 416-469-5336. For other free and some ticketed events and venues: https://afrofest.ca/2018/05/22/event-schedule/; for attempts to break the Guinness World Record: July 8. https://afrofest.ca/2018/05/01/afrofest-2018-djembe-world-record/

Barbados. Barbados on the Water. July 7-8. Free. Harbourfront Centre; concerts, food vendors, children’s activities and more… Largest cultural celebration of Barbadian culture in Canada. From a taste of the famous “Oistin’s Fish Fry” to the soca beats of Spice & Co. and rum tastings.” For details and schedule: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/today.cfm?discipline_id=&mode=day&&month=07&year=2018&day=7&week=27&searchvenue=Canada. Canada Day. July 1. Canada as a nation was born in 1867. Celebrations all over the city and country. Most stores and offices closed. This commemorates the signing of the British North America Act (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united three British colonies into a single country. Originally called Dominion Day, the name was changed in 1982, the year that Canada gained full independence from the United Kingdom.

Especially with regard to our indigenous nations who have been here for at least 12,000 years, we have not always been an exemplary multicultural nation. The original treaties with the aboriginal peoples have not always been honoured or respected.

But some of us have been trying to make amends. For example, at many festivals now, organizers now acknowledge that the “land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, and most recently, the territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation… ”

Free Canada Day July 1 celebrations are in many parts of the city.

Centennial Park. 256 Centennial Park Road, Etobicoke. Fireworks display at 10 pm. “During the day, enjoy the annual Toronto Ribfest with its Midway, bands and performers, line dancing, celebrity food judging, and axe throwing. Mechanical bull.” https://torontoribfest.com/fun/

East Chinatown. Northwest corner Broadview and Gerrard. For questions, please telephone 416-533-0445. Or email bernardykloh@hotmail.com.

Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas Street West. Annual Canada Day BBQ. 11am – 2pm.

You are invited to join Heritage York on Sunday, July 1st, to celebrate Canada Day at a burgers and hotdogs barbecue on the grounds of historic Lambton House by the Humber River on Old Dundas Street. The former tavern, on the east River bank is the last structure from the 19th century milling/industrial era.

Both meat and vegetarian burgers and hotdogs will be available for purchase as well as our signature hot roast beef sandwiches! Various soft drinks, water and lemonade available for purchase. Sit on the front lawn of this historic building with a Federal plaque recognizing Sir William P. Howland for his place in Canadian Confederation.” http://www.lambtonhouse.org/upcoming-events

Markham. Canada Day. Let’s Celebrate. Main venue: Milne Dam Conservation Park, 8251 McCowan Road. Fireworks. Other venues: Citizenship Ceremony, Seniors’ Lunch. Parade. https://bit.ly/2s4zrOf

Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street. Beginning at 5pm. Live performances by Blues/R&B diva Shakura S’Aida, socially conscious Pan-Latinx hip hop by Los Poetas,  dance hall party vibes by DJ Nino Brown (Yes Yes Y’all), and more. Hula hoops, face painting, and a participatory mural by street artist Rahmaan Hameed. Fireworks at 10:30pm. For more information visit toronto.ca/canadaday.

Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley Street West. 10am-5pm. The official opening ceremony and 21-gun salute is at 12pm. Music and dance performances, roaming performers, games, children’s activities, such as face painting and arts and crafts. https://www.ontario.ca/page/canada-day#section-3

Thomson Park, 1005 Brimley Road, Scarborough. In addition to the free pancake breakfast provided by the Boy Scouts, there’s a “Slo Pitch senior’s game, Kadara Capoeira Canada, Zumba family fitness, inflatable rides, train rides, kid’s crafts, wildlife exhibit, live entertainment: Synthesis, etc.” At 11:20am at the Scarborough Museum, Juno-Award winner Sonia Collymore will sing the national anthem and later perform: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/canada-day/thomson-memorial-park/

Toronto History Museums. Musketry and artillery demonstrations at Fort York, historic treats and a vendor market at Scarborough Museum. Create your own maple leaf postcard on the 1845 press at Mackenzie House. Click here for hours and admission details.

Fireworks and Canada Day eventshttps://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/canada-day/

India. Hindu. Vat Purinama. Wednesday June 27. Time of Haldi Kumkum: 5pm-7pm. Shri Vitthal Hindu Mandir, 5359 Timberlea Blvd., Unit 10 Mississauga. More information: Smt. MeghanaThakur: 905-450-1740. All are welcome!

“Vat Purinama is a celebration that coincides with the full moon that is set to occur on Wednesday June 27.  Traditionally women pray for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands by tying threads around a banyan tree.  It honors Savitri, the legendary wife who rescued her husband’s soul from the ruler of the departed, Yama.” http://www.shrivitthal.com; info@shrivitthal.com.

Image of women and banyan tree from website www.shrivitthal.com.

Latino. Salsa on St. Clair. Latin party. July 7-8. Free entry and salsa and bachata lessons. St. Clair west between Winona and Christie. Www.salsaintoronto.com

Multicultural. 30th Anniversary Year. Beaches International Jazz Festival. July 6-29. Free. Multi-part festival; different venues: Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside (July 6-8); Jazz Latin Carnival (July 13-15); BUF concert Series (July 20-22); Original Streetfest (July 26-28). Woodbine Park and Queen East, Kew Gardens, Union Station, and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Main Stage at Jimmie Simpson Park. http://beachesjazz.com/

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