30 Sep
Alas, some of the following events are already sold out, but at least mention of these can give you an idea of the popularity of some festivals in Toronto. I’ve also added links to a few videos so you can get a sample of what’s being offered without leaving your computer. But if you want to experience multicultural Toronto in person, don’t wait to get your tickets before it’s too late. I’ll try to get notices out to you earlier in future blogs.
In early October, our multicultural rainbow of a city includes Tibetan style Buddhist meditation, free Christian organ recitals, and a First Nations-themed television series that many people will identify with because they might see themselves in the show. And then there’s a talk by a wise Cree elder.
Look for an important Hindu festival with a dance component. Wasabi the Japanese musical group, not the condiment, has a video worth seeing. Photographer Edward Burtynsky is back with another must-see exhibition. Five finalists from the Toronto Book Awards give you a chance to be a literary judge before the official announcement.
It’s Islamic Heritage Month and also the season to relax and appreciate nature: chrysanthemums in our public gardens and the changing colours of our trees. Many of the following events are free.
Buddhism. Tibet. Weekly Workshops on Meditation and Buddhist Philosophy by Buddhist Monk Tenzin Gawa (Jason Simard).
Toronto (North York) every Wednesday 7pm until Oct. 10th; Toronto (Leaside) every Wednesday 7pm starting Oct. 17th; Toronto (Downtown) every Thursday (10am or 7:30pm) until Nov. 22nd. $10 each workshop. Paramita Buddhist Centre. For locations: https://www.buddhistmeditationtoronto.org/meditation-by-city. Christian. Noon Hour Organ Recitals. October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. 12:30pm. Free. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge Street (2 blocks north of St. Clair Avenue N/E corner of Yonge and Heath). Tel. 416-922-1167. http://www.yorkminsterpark.com/create/noonhour-recitals.php?month=10&year=2018
First Nations. First Contact. Available online at http://aptn.ca/firstcontact.
Also on October 8 on APTN, the Aboriginal Television Network. Episode 1 – October 8 at 2pm ET; Episode 2 – October 8 at 3pm ET; and Episode 3 – October 8 at 4pm ET.
“First Contact takes six Canadians, each with stereotypical opinions about Indigenous People, on an unforgettable 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada. It’s a journey that will turn their lives upside down, challenging perceptions and confronting prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see. This exploration of the true Indigenous experience in Canada will change the participants’ lives forever.”First Nations. Aboriginal Perspectives: Our Experiences by Elder Joanne Dallaire. Tuesday, October 2. 7-9pm. Free. Auditorium, Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive.
Joanne Dallaire’s ancestry is Cree, Omushkego from Attawapiskat, Ontario. Through her work in her own business Healing Works, her over 30 year social service career and her work with larger agencies, Joanne has dedicated her career to serving the Aboriginal community and advocating for change in terms of broader societal relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
“Elder Joanne received an Honorary Doctor of Laws in the Community Service Faculty at Ryerson University in recognition of her life’s work, the Minaake Award for Leadership, the Herbert H. Carnegie Award for Courage and the City of Toronto Access, Equity and Human Rights Award – Aboriginal Affairs Award. She currently sits as the Elder for Ryerson University, Ryerson’s Aboriginal Education Council, the Truth and Reconciliation Directive and as an Elder for the Toronto District School Board and is active with several community organizations.”
Hindu. South Asia. Durga Puja. Annual festival that celebrates the Hindu Goddess Durga. Several events in Mississauga; for example:
Durga Puja & Mahalaya. October 6 and 14-18. 6835 and 6815 Professional Court, Mississauga. https://www.kalibaritoronto.com/durga-puja.
Navratri Garba. A celebration of the Goddess Durga. October 6. $30. Entrance 5. International Centre, Airport Road. Might be SOLD OUT.. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toronto-navratri-garba-2018-by-shri-atul-purohit-tickets-50278088115?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Navratri Dandiya 2018. Japan. Performance by the Traditional Japanese Music Ensemble WASABI. October 2. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT. An Official Commemorative Event of the 90th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Diplomatic Relations. Video of performers at: https://www.toronto.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/b_000241.html. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
Info from Wire Service: https://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=24005
Multicultural. Anthropocene Public Opening. Wednesday October 3. 6-9 pm. Free. Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario. New exhibition by distinguished photographer Edward Burtynsky and filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier. Celebrate with the artists and view the exhibition. Artists will be signing books from 6-7pm, with remarks at 7pm. Exhibition continues from September 28, 2018 to January 6, 2019. “We have reached an unprecedented moment in planetary history. Humans now affect the Earth and its processes more than all other natural forces combined.” For the trailer of the film Anthropocene which appeared at TIFF, and is being shown at the AGO in Toronto: http://artmatters.ca/wp/2018/08/anthropocene-on-screen./
Multicultural. Toronto Book Awards Shortlisted Authors. October 3. 7pm. Free. Toronto Public Library, Malvern branch, 30 Sewells Road. “Finalists for the award to be announced October 10 are Dionne Brand, for curating The Unpublished City, David Chariandy for Brother, Carrianne Leung for That Time I Loved You, Lee Maracle for My Conversations with Canadians, and Kerri Sakamato for Floating City. This free event begins at 7 pm. with Phoebe Wang representing The Unpublished City collection. The host is author Dalton Higgins. Readings, book sale, Q&A, and signing to follow. https://www.toronto.com/whatson-story/8923346-5-toronto-book-awards-2018-finalists-to-read-at-malvern-library.
Muslim. Islamic History Month. October 3. 3-8pm. Glass Pavilion, Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive.Ontario. Fall Colour Progress Report. The trees in this province change to their most beautiful colours in October. The reds start in the north of the province and move south as the month progresses. Leaf watching is a tradition among nature lovers here. You can follow the changes in the website: https://www.ontarioparks.com/fallcolour.
The weather in autumn is usually comfortable. Get out and enjoy it before our frigid winter keeps you indoors. For good places to see Toronto’s famous autumn leaves: https://www.blogto.com/city/2018/09/fall-colours-peak-toronto-2018/. Many of the places mentioned are available by public transportation.
Toronto. Chrysanthemum Show. Allan Gardens Conservatory.
Centennial Park at 151 Elmcrest Road also has a fall flower show but it doesn’t open until November.
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 as 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. Please subscribe to our Newsletter above. If you don’t hear from us, look into your “Junk” mail at least once a week for us there. Thanks for your interest.
Thanks for this Ruth. I have found Wild Archeology APTN very interesting. As the program progresses they are traveling far from BC where it originates to Labrador and beyond.
It is scattered through the week with two episodes per week.
Anne