862. Affordable Events March 7–16+ in Multicultural Toronto – 2019.

My husband has been struggling with cancer and heart disease for the last four years. I have accompanied him frequently to a couple of Toronto’s hospitals. It’s been good to see how medical staff there who are obviously from many parts of the world work together to help us. I see such co-operation in other government services too. It’s so Toronto!

You don’t have to be sick to appreciate our diversity. The following are events where our neighbours express their distinct enjoyments. While modern medicine is generally global, cultures might not seem the same at first.

In the following list are opportunities to learn what we all seem to have in common: a fascination with the moon and love of sports and parades, for example. Many but not all of us want to try interesting new food, especially that found in street vendors around the world – only here, it’s usually safer to eat. Who doesn’t want to decorate their homes with vases and colourful porcelain plates?

Did you realize that most national flags are basically the same shape and size? Our flag raisings are opportunities to meet people from different countries and celebrate their presence in our city. Would you say most people like music and dance? How many cultures have puppets? How many groups want to be independent and make decisions about their own lives?

We all yearn for spring. A growing number of people are fighting for women’s rights and celebrating International Women’s Day. Many of us want to preserve our heritage in museums so our children can see where they came from.

Alas, not all of these events are free of charge and some are very expensive. Things should get cheaper as the warmer weather arrives and festivals move out-of-doors.  Alas, also, we can only mention a few of the many such events in our city.

Africa. International Women’s Day. She Be Lady. March 9. 1-3:30pm. The Balancing Act – a Round Table Discussion. 68 Claremont Street.

A round table discussion with creatives, entrepreneurs and influencers revolving around contemporary challenges and triumphs of significance to African women in Canada. Moderated by Nana-Aba Duncan (Fresh Air, CBCRadio) in conversation with Aisha Addo of DriveHER, creative entrepreneur Eniola Hu, businesswoman Viviane Kaye, and She Be Lady co-producer Bukky Okediji (DJ Revy B).

Moderator: Nana aba Duncan – Radio Host was born in Accra, Ghana, and raised in Newmarket, Ontario. She’s also host of Fresh Air, CBC Radio’s number one weekend radio show and creator of the Media Girlfriends podcast.

The Panelists: Aisha Adoo – Entrepreneur | CEO; Eniola Hu – Creative Entrepreneur; Vivian Kaye – Businesswoman; Bukky Okedji (Revy B) – DJ/Accountant. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/she-be-ladys-the-balancing-act-a-roundtable-discussion-tickets-57425228404?aff=newsl

Related concert March 8. 8-11:30pm. $30-$100. The Concert Hall, 888 Yonge Street: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/she-be-lady-tickets-56312049857?aff=discussion

Caribbean. Caribbean Street Food Festival by Passport to Caribbean Food/JamaicanEats magazine. March 16. 10am-6pm. Free. Ralph Thornton, 2/f Auditorium, 765 Queen Street East. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/caribbean-street-food-festival-tickets-54690595042

China. Inspiring, Intimidating, Inciting: Jingdezhen’s Blue-and-White Porcelain. Monday March 11, 6:30–8pm. $18 General Admission. Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park. Anthropologist and cultural historian Maris Boyd Gillette will explore how Jingdezhen porcelain has inspired, intimidated, and incited ceramists to create, copy, and counterfeit its glories: https://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/event/inspiring-intimidating-inciting-jingdezhens-blue-white-porcelain/

Image from Gardiner Museum website

 

Ethiopia. Spotlight on Ethiopian Art. The Ethiopian Art, 1400-1900 exhibition is located on Level 1 in the Thomson Collection of European Art and is included in General Admission $11-$25. Free on Wednesday nights. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West.

https://artmatters.ca/wp/2019/02/a-spotlight-on-ethiopian-art/?utm_source=New+AGO+Master+List&utm_campaign=1aa0a2df5c-AGOinsider_06-01-2017_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d4ab708299-1aa0a2df5c-246029457

Diptych showing Four Ethiopian Saints: Gabra Manfas Qeddus, Unknown, Takla Haymanot and Ewostatewos, 17th century. Paint and gesso on olive wood, string.© Art Gallery of Ontario AGOID.107383

 

Ghana. Flag Raising. March 8. 3:30pm. Free. Toronto City Hall’s courtesy flagpole.

Image from Wikipedia.

 

Hong Kong, Japan. Art Performance: Yam Lau & Noriko Yamamoto Presents. March 9. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Varley Art Gallery of Markham, 216 Main Street, Unionville. Created by Varley Art Gallery. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/art-

Image from Varley Art Gallery Website

 

Iran. Persia. Tirgan. Nowruz. March 8-10. $24-$161. Discounts available. Persian folk and classical dance, theatre, concerts, etc. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St, North York. https://tirgan.ca/nowruz2019/tickets/ for list of Tirgan events.

Nowruz Opening Party – Memories Of Love. March 8. 6:30pm. George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street. $100.35-$145.85. Persian songs performed by a classical ensemble led by renowned conductor Hooman Khalatbari. https://www1.ticketmaster.ca/nowruz-opening-party-memories-of-toronto-ontario-03-08-2019/event/10005630D0FF4857?artistid=2592833&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5

Nowruz is the Middle Eastern New Year and spring festival celebrated in Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TirganFestival/offers/?ref=page_internal

Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day Parade. March 10. This is one of Toronto’s biggest parade to be enjoyed even if you are not Irish. https://stpatrickstoronto.com/. Parade route and time: https://stpatrickstoronto.com/parade/.

Image Copyright Ruth Lor Malloy

 

Japan. Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo Puppet Theatre Returns. March 8. 7pm. $35. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Court, North York. Tickets may be purchased from TicketWeb or at JCCC Reception by phone, 416-441-2345, or in person. Performed in Japanese with English subtitles.

Legendary Japanese puppet master Koryu Nishikawa returns to Toronto with Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo for a production – featuring chanters and shamisen performers… The company will perform three female-focused stories from classic Japanese literature: Kuzunoha, about a mother’s undying love for her child; Tsuri On’na, a comical piece about “fishing” for a wife, and Yugao, a new work from Nishikawa based on a story from Murasaki Shibibu’s classic epic The Tale of Genji, in which the jealous spirit of one of Genji’s lovers possesses a young woman he’s courting… : https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/hachioji-kuruma-ningyo-puppet-theater-japanese-canadian-cultural-centre-tickets/8951955

Korea, Republic of.  Flag Raising. March 8. Ceremony at 1pm. Free. Mel Lastman Square (North York Civic Centre): https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/flag-raising-half-masting/flag-raisings-2019/

Image from Wikipedia.

 

Multicultural. Beginners Party Night at International Folk Dance Club. March 8. 8 pm. 371 Bloor Street West (southeast corner of Bloor & Spadina). Bring pot luck snacks.  Reduced admission fee of $5. “We will focus on teaching beginner level dances.  Everyone welcome.

Doors are open until 9:30pm after which cell phone entry or back door entry via our door bell system is available. Info: Judy 416-978-0623 or Walter walter.zagorski@bell.net. http://ofda.ca/wp/ifdc/

image from International Folk Dance Club website.

 

Multicultural. International Women’s Day. Breaking the Glass Ceiling. $15. March 13. 6-8:45pm. Multi-Faith Centre, 569 Spadina Avenue. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/breaking-the-glass-ceiling-stories-of-success-and-challenge-from-refugee-women-tickets-56860949631 

Multicultural. International Women’s Day 2019 Rally and March. March 9. Free. Rally from 11am–1pm. Auditorium, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, 252 Bloor Street West. March starts at 1pm. This is probably the biggest IWD rally and parade in town: http://seiuhealthcare.ca/events/international-womens-day-march-2019/. 

Other International Women’s Day events this week from free to $100. Various venues and times around GTA: https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada—toronto/international-womens-day.

Image from http://seiuhealthcare.ca/events/international-womens-day-march-2019/

 

Muslim. Moon. The Moon: A Voyage Through Time. Exhibition dates: March 9-August 18. $12-$20. Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive, North York. https://agakhanmuseum.org/themoon

“To mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, this exhibition explores our enduring fascination with this enchanting orb in the sky and looks at the role it has played in faith, science, and the arts across the Muslim world and beyond. This major new exhibition showcases ancient artifacts, important miniature paintings, scientific instruments, Islamic manuscripts, and contemporary art. Together with interactive devices, displays, and installations The Moon: A Voyage Through Time invites us to observe and imagine the moon in new ways:” https://agakhanmuseum.org/exhibitions/the-moon

Somalia. Somalis on IceFebruary Fundraiser. Organized by U.of T. Somali Students’ Association. March 14. 5-7pm. $15. Varsity Arena, 299 Bloor Street West. “We will be providing everyone with skates and hot chocolate! Limited spots available so buy your ticket ASAP…the aim of this event is to raise funds for the February Fundraiser by Somali Youth for Integrity & African Relief Fund (AFR). [All proceeds will go towards the charity]

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/february-fundraiser-somalis-on-ice-toronto-edition-uoft-somali-students-association-tickets-54490196645

Spain. Juan Manuel Fernandez Montoya – or Farruquito. March 7 and 8. 8pm. $50. Koerner Hall. TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, 273 Bloor St. West. For information and a video of one of the world great flamenco dancers: https://www.rcmusic.com/events-and-performances/farruquito-0

Image from Royal Conservatory website.

 

Switzerland. 43rd Annual Canadysli, Dinner and Dance. March 9. 6pm. $50-$55. Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway. http://www.canadysli.com/News.html

Ruth’s note: you might remember if you’ve been following this blog for years about an annual parade in Yorkville and later in an industrial district in Etobicoke at 7am on a weekend morning usually the end of February. This parade was inspired by the annual Carnival of Basel, the Basel Fasnacht.

While it was nowhere near the massive scale of the Swiss festival, it was still a lot of fun with traditional Swiss and German food for sale and Mardi Gras music. Alas, with the closure of the restaurant in Etobicoke where it was based, the organizers have been unable to find another place to have their parade. But the spirit is still alive. They still get together for this dinner and dance. And you can join them.

Tibet. Tibetan National Uprising Day Demonstration. March 10. 8:30am-3:30pm. Free. Parkdale Collegiate Institute, 209 Jameson Avenue. https://www.facebook.com/events/383898555723228/

Toronto. 185th Anniversary. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West. March 9-10. 11am-9pm. Free. Food trucks, shopping, live music from Toronto-based band, Gold Complex and DJ Caff, “spinning a mash of funk, Motown, and Toronto based hits… take a selfie with official mascot ‘Remi the Raccoon’ for a chance to wina  $1000 VIA Rail trip  from Toronto – Montreal.  On March 10, Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be ending at Nathan Phillips Square… The Queen’s Own Rifles band will take the Stage at 3pm. Interactive activities honouring Toronto’s 185th Anniversary, food trucks and shopping vendors will be open until 9pm, skates can be rented on site. http://www.celebratetoronto.ca/festival.

Ruth’s Note: 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 mention these events in future.

Let us know the kind of events that interest you. Please continue to send us posters. We don’t charge to post them and we don’t accept paid advertising. Please post comments on “Leave a Reply” below. Email us at: ruthlormalloy@gmail.com. Please subscribe to our Newsletter above.

3 Comments;

  1. Dear Ruth,

    What a glorious cultural repast and tender introduction! So many great events to choose from. Thank you so much for all of these choices.

  2. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Ann. So glad you could go to the Russian Maslenitsa last week with us. It was absolutely glorious – caviar, wine, amazing blinis, friendly people, and great music.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *