10 May
Share the excitement of a First Nations bingo. Sample our diverse Black cuisine. Attend a concert with South-African-Mexican influenced music. Support the efforts of our police services to engage Asian youth. Experience an Asian-Trans fashion show. Get some insight into Canadian culture.
Learn why international Comic Arts are so popular. Watch the unveiling of two ancient Egyptian mummy portraits and ponder our funeral customs. Meet our Haitians at their City Hall flag raising. Learn about Japan’s flower arranging. See some of our Japanese cherry blossoms in full bloom without a long walk into High Park.
Tap your feet at World Fiddle Day. Get inspired to improve your own picture-taking by studying world pictures at our amazing Contact Photography Festival. Help to welcome new Canadians at Newcomer Day or take your kids to the Children’s Festival. Join an interfaith iftar meal. Or learn about a Jewish-Palestinian connection. Find out about German-French and Canadian climate change initiatives.
You might or might not feel comfortable with members of these groups but this is Multicultural Toronto after all. We list as many as we can in the hope that dialogues can happen with each other first hand, that we can appreciate each other, that we can work together on mutual problems. Take your pick. Most of these events are free!
Americas. South Africa. Mexico. Celebration of Songs from the Americas. Echo Women’s Choir Concert. May 12. 3-6pm. $15-$35. Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Square next to Eaton Centre. Special Guest Amanda Martinez.
This choir specializes in celebrating “diversity in our members and our music. We are a community-based, non-affiliated organization. Echo welcomes any woman who loves to sing and can make the weekly rehearsal commitment.” http://www.echowomenschoir.ca
Amanda Martinez is a “singer-songwriter whose music exultingly blends her Mexican father and South African mother’s roots with Latin soul and folklore.” For video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nn5uUA_WiY
Asia. Asian Canadian Youth: Shaping Our Future. May 11. 11am-1pm. Free. Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive.
Family-oriented event with entertainment, an informal reception and light refreshments. Community members will join Chief Mark Saunders, Ms. Uppala Chandrasekera from the Toronto Police Services Board, and Alvin Leung from MasterChef Canada as our Keynote Speaker.
“Please help disseminate the information and bring some youth to the event. It will be great if you can get back to me with a rough number.” Police Constable Li at Xiaobo.Li@torontopolice.on.ca, Chinese Liaison Officer of the Community Partnerships and Engagement Unit, Toronto Police Service.” www.torontopolice.on.ca/community
Asia. Trans. Pink Dot TO Family Festival. May 11. 3-6pm; 7:30-9:30pm. Free. Cecil Community Centre, 58 Cecil Street.
“Super TransAsian Runway, performances from LGBTQ+ members and Youth Talent Stage and an arts & crafts showcase!” https://www.blogto.com/events/pinkdot-to-2019-toronto
Black Entrepreneurs. Black Owned Food Market. May 19. 12-8pm. Free. Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street.
Afro-Caribbean cuisine and live entertainment. All are welcome.” https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/black-owned-food-market-tickets-57355185905
Canada. Why Are We Here: A Meditation on Canada. May 16. 7pm. St. Bonaventure’s Parish, 1300 Leslie Street.
“Today Canadians face multiple challenges: environmentally, socially and within our democratic institutions. At times it is difficult to hold fruitful dialogues with our neighbours and family when we may not share the same vision for Canada. Mary Jo Leddy invites us to come together and explore the fundamental question of ‘Why Are We Here?’ Please invite your family, friends and neighbours as all are welcome”. Contact: Maureen McDonnell 416-447-5571 ext. 550. https://stelizabethofhungary.archtoronto.org/News-Events/Events
Colombia, France, Japan, Canada, etc. Toronto Comic Arts Festival. Main Exhibition: Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12. Free to attend. Primary venue Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street. Professional Development: Friday May 10.
“…featuring hundreds of comics creators from around the world. Other Festival events include readings, interviews, panels, workshops, gallery shows, art installations, and much more.” http://www2.torontocomics.com/about-tcaf/
The French Consulate in Toronto sent us information about one of France’s contributions to the festival which includes: “Alpha: Abidjan to Paris. A graphic novel by Bessora, illustrated by Barroux.
”Today’s refugee and migrant crisis threatens to divide countries and alliances. In this charged political climate, it is easy to forget the individuals struggling to cross borders and survive. Alpha is the antidote. In this beautifully told graphic novel, Alpha’s wife and son left Côte d’Ivoire months ago to join his sister-in-law in Paris, but Alpha has heard nothing from them since. Without any visa, he is adrift for over a year, encountering human traffickers in the desert, refugee camps in northern Africa, overcrowded boats carrying migrants… Throughout, Alpha stays the course, carrying his loved ones’ photograph close to his heart as he makes his perilous trek across continents.“ https://francecanadaculture.org/canada-french-comics-authors-on-tour/
If you haven’t seen any comic books since Classic Comics and Archie, you might learn something just by studying its websites: http://www2.torontocomics.com/ and http://www2.torontocomics.com/whats-happening/programming/
Egypt. International Museum Day: Faces for Eternity: Romano-Egyptian Mummy Portraits at the ROM. Unveiling of ROM’s newest acquisition. May 18. 2-3pm. Free. RSVP Required. ROM Admission is not included. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park.
“Two Fayum mummy portraits acquired by the ROM’s Charles Currelly in 1912, left portrait going the National Gallery of Canada, and right portrait retained at the ROM.” https://www.rom.on.ca/en/whats-on/faces-for-eternity-romano-egyptian-mummy-portraits-at-the-rom
First Nations. Indigenous Artisan and Flea Market. Mother’s Day Craft Sale & Bingo. May 11, 10am–4pm. Free. Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Road. https://ncct.on.ca/ncct-events/.
France. Germany. Franco-German Climate Talk. “Sustainable Finance: Paving the way for cities of tomorrow.” May 14. 5:30pm. Free. Upfront registration required. Aird&Berlis LLP, 181 Bay Street.
“Representatives from the public and private sectors from Canada, France & Germany will discuss how to finance green infrastructures for the cities of tomorrow. The discussion will touch upon green bonds & green funds at the local level as well as other innovative green financial instruments.”https://canada.diplo.de/ca-en/vertretungen/generalkonsulat2/-/2214712 .
Haiti. Flag Day. May 18. Ceremony at 9am. Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/flag-raising-half-masting/flag-raisings-2019/
Japan. Sogetsu Ikebana Show. May 12. 1–5pm. Official Opening: 1:30pm; Ikebana Demonstration at 2:30pm. $8. Children under 12. Free. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Court.
Tearoom. Mini-arrangements for sale. For information, please call 416-491-7705. https://jccc.on.ca/event/sogetsu-ikebana-show/?instance_id=12079
Japan. Japan Cherry Blossoms. On May 7, they were in full bloom and stunningly beautiful behind Robarts Library, at St. George and Harbord. No need for a long walk into High Park. The blooms should continue there for about a week.
Jewish. Klezmer. U.S. World Fiddle Day. Spotlight on Klezmer. May 19. Workshops: 9:30am-4pm. Concert: 4:30-6:30pm. Participants (players) for the full day: 9:30am–6:30pm: Adults:$50; Youth (under 25): $30. Canadian Language Museum, 2275 Bayview Avenue (at Lawrence); York University Glendon Campus.
“Klezmer takes the spotlight as Ashkenaz teams up with World Fiddle Day as Philadelphia-based guest artists Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer have been prominent figures in the Klezmer/Yiddish revival for nearly four decades as both performers and instructors... At the end of the afternoon, Deborah and Jeff will perform their own featured concert, followed by performances by all workshop participants…” https://worldfiddledaytoronto.ca/
Multicultural. Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. Month of May. Free. Different venues and times. 200 exhibitions and happenings from around the world.
For a preview: https://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/2019/exhibitions/ . For map of venues, see: https://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/map
Multicultural. Toronto. 5th Annual #TONewcomerDay! May 16. 11:30am-3:30pm. Free. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West.
“Information Fair, Welcome Gesture, entertaining performances, a curated art exhibit, tours of City Hall, Indigenous activities, delicious food & much more!.” https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/moving-to-toronto/toronto-newcomer-day/ .
Multicultural. International Children’s Festival, May 18-24. Saturday, May 11th, 9am-5pm, and Sunday, May 12th, 10am-5pm, 2019. Single Tickets: $15; Family Packs (4-9): $12 / ticket; Groups (10+): $11.25 / ticket. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West.
Free events include the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, the Jerry Cans, “children’s clothing swap, circus acts, dress-up, storytelling, live concerts and more…” http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/junior/performances/
”… Exciting productions from British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, as well as Australia, Norway, Belgium, the United States and the Republic of Korea tackle issues facing young people today. These powerful performances are the perfect opportunity for young people to explore identity, growth, belonging and transformation. Have fun with your family all long weekend with free activities that include.” http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/junior/ and http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/junior/performances/
Muslim. Annual Interfaith Iftar: Food Justice. May 18. 7pm. Documentary film and discussion; 8:40pm, fast-breaking and maghrib prayers, followed by potluck dinner. Free. Auditorium & Lower Social Room, Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive, North York.
“In keeping with recent tradition, Noor will be dedicating an interfaith iftar to promoting awareness about social justice. This year’s topic will be food justice.
“Everyone is welcome to join us for the entire program, whether fasting or not. Participants are invited – but not required – to bring a vegetarian/vegan dish to share with the group. Registration is required.” https://noorculturalcentre.ca/annual-interfaith-iftar-food-justice-2/
Palestine. Jewish. Cross-Canada Day of Action – Nakba Day. May 18. 12noon. Free. Meet at Yonge-Dundas Square.
“Marching in the streets across Canada to remember the Nakba and honour the strength of Palestinians who have never stopped resisting colonial violence and apartheid… Across Canada there is a silent majority against Israeli war crimes; against the occupation; for the right of return for Palestinian refugees; for boycott, divestment and sanctions; to end Canadian complicity with Israeli apartheid; and for self-determination for the Palestinian people. Take it to the streets, to every working class and progressive organization, to demonstrate in solidarity.” Independent Jewish Voices Canada. https://ijvcanada.org/
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.
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