11 Jun
It’s Aboriginal History Month with lots of related events like pow wows, lacrosse, music, theatre, food. But we can do more than enjoy our Aboriginal cultures and the growing popularity of First Nations arts. We can help injustices too.
And we can try to do something collectively about Climate Change. We can’t do it alone. We have to work together at this as a world community.
Still, there’s much of the world to savour in Toronto while doing so. Among the happenings here are opportunities to beat a drum African style or dance in the old English or Scottish way. To hear poetry inspired by Jewish and Iranian roots. To tap your feet to a Parisian-based band. To sample some Guyanese, Latin-American, or Halal food.
Japan has an aboriginal minority too. Ireland is so passionate about its authors, some of our Irish neighbours dress up once a year as characters from one of its Edwardian novels and recite lines from their favourite characters. Black Artists have a launch. Most of the following are free. If you think there’s a lot of events mentioned here, there are many more I haven’t space or time to include. Hail Toronto!
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Africa. Afrobeat and World Music this summer with an opportunity for percussion accompaniments! June 13 and every Thursday to September 19. 7pm-2am. Donate what you can for firewood, snacks and water!! Weather permitting. Cherry Beach.
“Special POP-Up Friday and Saturday Sessions will be IN as well!!!
“Drums are IN. DJs will be announced shortly… ” https://www.facebook.com/events/1180683102087921/?event_time_id=1180683115421253\
Black Artists. Nigeria. Opening Reception. BAND Emerging Artists: Ehiko Odeh. Thursday, June 13. 6:30-9:30pm. 19 Brock Ave: http://band-rand.com/site/
First Nations. Indigenous History Month Celebration. June 26. 12-8pm. Free. Yonge-Dundas Square.
First Nations. Ontario. River Run 2019: Walk with Grassy Narrows for Mercury Justice! Thursday, June 20. 12pm–3pm. Queen’s Park.
“40 Grassy Narrows community members will travel 1,700 km. from Grassy Narrows to Toronto to demand: 🔶Build the Mercury Home and Treatment Centre; 🔶Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows for the mercury crisis.
“The devastating mercury crisis in Grassy Narrows First Nation has persisted for decades, ever since nine tonnes of mercury was dumped upstream in the 1960s, with little action from governments to help people to this day.
“94% of Grassy Narrows members get no compensation for the serious impacts of the ongoing mercury crisis on their health, culture, and livelihoods…” https://www.facebook.com/events/2277736285834885/?active_tab=about
First Nations. Special events at Toronto Heritage Museums. More information about these and other city ceremonies: http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf/7017df2f20edbe2885256619004e428e/bdf6f4f71be5f9f78525840b00720daa?OpenDocument:
Summer Solstice. Saturday, June 22. Noon-5pm. Free. Scarborough Museum, 1007 Brimley Road. Ceremony conducted by Indigenous faith keeper Catherine Tammaro. There will be an unveiling of a painting by Tammaro… Visitors can also explore the newly designed Indigenous garden at Scarborough Museum. Details: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/scarborough-museum/
Indigenous Food. June 22 from 10am-1pm. $50. Gibson House, 5172 Yonge Street, North York. Tel. 416-395-7432.
“…Explore Indigenous food from past and present in a hands-on workshop… led by Mackenzie Bodnar, a historical interpreter and lead cook for Gibson House Museum’s teas and historically themed dinners. This is a ticketed event. Details: https://gibsonhousemuseum.streamintickets.com/purchaseProductSP.aro?sum=Gibson+House
Heritage York History Night. Thursday, June 13. 7:30pm. Free. Lampton House, 4066 Old Dundas Street.
Ron Fletcher, co-author of “Lacrosse: The Ancient Game” adds to the sport’s existing literature by exploring the game’s vibrant cultural and historic roots. http://gordperks.ca/2019/06/04/
Indigenous Arts Festival. June 18. 6:30pm to June 23, 8:30pm. Times vary. Free. Fort York, 250 Fort York Boulevard.
“This is an annual celebration of traditional and contemporary Indigenous music, drumming, dance, theatre, storytelling, film, crafts, and food. The IAF is presented by Fort York and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, with the support of the Native Men’s Residence (Na-Me-Res), the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and many other partners.
“Performances by Beatrice Deer, Quantum Tangle, Fawn Big Canoe, Jah’kota and more. The Indigenous Arts Festival provides a gathering place to acknowledge, and share in the rich and diverse arts, culture and heritage of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada and Indigenous communities around the world.” More information: 416-392-6907. Email: fortyork@toronto.ca; http://www.Toronto.ca/IAF
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/indigenous-arts-festival/
The Moccasin Identifier Project. June 16. 2-4pm. Recommended donation. $5-$10 for materials. Colborne Lodge, High Park.
Led by Carolyn King, former Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, participants will stencil images of First Nations footwear to mark the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples in Toronto. Guests will also have a chance to create a unity bracelet using deer hide lacing, glass, bone and brass beads, and sample traditional bannock and teas. http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf/7017df2f20edbe2885256619004e428e/bdf6f4f71be5f9f78525840b00720daa?OpenDocument
First Nations. Sunrise Ceremony. Friday, June 21. 5:30am. Free. City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.
“The public is encouraged to recognize the unique and important culture, traditional knowledge, contemporary accomplishments and future achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Toronto, Ontario, and Canada.”
About Sunrise Ceremonies: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accessibility-human-rights/indigenous-affairs-office/indigenous-events-awards/sunrise-ceremony/
France. Canada. U.S. Climate Talk. Biodiversity – Is there hope? June 20. 5:30-9pm. Please present yourself at the event between 4:45pm and 5:25pm. Doors will be closed at 5:30pm. Free. Royal Ontario Museum, at Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre and Lobby, 100 Queen’s Park.
Please RSVP. https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?e=&u=43bb8abe6ff3bc9dfce80d69b&id=dab4f6979c
France. World Music Day at the Alliance Française. June 21. 6-9pm. Free. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Road.
“We are planning a nice evening to dance and celebrate the beginning of Summer! Amateurs and Professionals are all welcome to perform on Alliance Française stages! If you wish to be a part of the show, don’t hesitate to let us know and awake the artist in you. Write to culturel@alliance-francaise.ca if you want to sing and play !
“Concert Palatine. June 21. 9pm-11pm. Free. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Road.
“With their first album, the Parisian band Palatine makes a remarkable entrance in the musical industry, with post-folk-rock rhythm and poetic songs. Come and discover this French quartet and let yourself be charmed by their captivating music.”
https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?e=&u=43bb8abe6ff3bc9dfce80d69b&id=dab4f6979c
Guyana. Independence Day Festival. June 23. Noon to 8pm. Free. Banquet Hall, 3474 Kingston Road. Performers and food trucks. Sponsored by the Consulate of Guyana. To answer your questions: 416-494-6040.
Guyana. 7th Annual Guyanese Entertainers Showcase. June 23. Buffet 3pm. Show 4pm. $40-$45. The Nugget Banquet Hall, 55 Nugget Avenue, Unit 10.
Iran. Jewish. Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) LXXV. June 25. Doors open 6pm. Open-mic sign-up 6:30pm. Show 7-10pm. Admission: $7-10. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue.
“Toronto’s most diverse and brave poetry reading and open mic series. Featured poets: Merle Nudelman & Reza Eslami; Hosts: Bänoo Zan & Terese Pierre.” https://www.facebook.com/events/608676919611344/
Ireland. Bloomsday. June 16. Gathering 9am. Free. Food is probably extra. Bloomsday Way, opposite Beaches Presbyterian Church, 65 Glen Manor Drive, about five blocks east of Kew Gardens.
This is a commemoration of Irish author James Joyce’s famous novel Ulysses, first published in 1904 and set in Dublin, Ireland. The book follows a day in the relatively uneventful life of its main protagonist Leopold Bloom. Yet people even in Toronto dress up in Edwardian clothes as Joyce and characters from the book. Expect to hear recitations.
For event itinerary: www.torontobloomsday.com or contact Richard Harte harte.richard@gmail.com
Ruth’s note: Sorry I’m going to miss it this year too. See: https://www.torontomulticulturalcalendar.com/2018/06/06/826-june-16-bloomsday-in-toronto-and-dublin-a-story-2018/
Italy. Music Day. June 14. 6:30pm. Free. Istituto Italiano di Cuiltura, 496 Huron St.
Japan. Film: Tokyo Ainu. In celebration of National Indigenous Day, the summer solstice, and to bring awareness of the indigenous people of Japan. Friday, June 21. 6:30-8:15pm. Free. Japan Foundation, 2 Bloor Street East.
“Tokyo Ainu features the Ainu… living in Greater Tokyo (Tokyo and its surrounding areas), who are actively promoting their traditional culture in a metropolitan environment away from their traditional homeland, Hokkaido. Shedding a common assumption that all Ainu live in Hokkaido, the film captures the feelings, thoughts and aspirations of Ainu people who try to follow the Ainu way no matter where they live.” Video. https://jftor.org/event/tokyo-ainu/#registration.
Latin America. Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun. June 22. 12-9pm; June 23 12-8pm. Free. San Lorenzo Church parking lot, 2981 Dufferin Street. Music, dance, food for sale. Fund-raiser for www.chha1610am.ca
Multicultural. Toronto has outdoor dances where you can take part and get some exercise.
England. English Country Dancers. High Park. More information to appear soon on its website: www.TorontoEnglishdance.ca
Scotland. Dancing in the Park. Tuesday evenings in June. 7pm-dusk. Free. Donations appreciated. Edwards Gardens, 755 Lawrence Ave E., North York. http://www.dancescottish.ca/The_Park.html
Multicultural. Diversity Festival. June 29-30. 12pm-9pm. Free. David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West. Similar event also in Markham in July.
“Global Food Village, Live Musical Performances, Dance Competitions, A Drum-Village for Children, Kids Play Zone, Arts & Crafts Booth Sales, Art Exhibitions, Multicultural Fashion Show, Cultural Display(s), Vendor Exhibitions, Networking Opportunities, etc.” https://www.mokshacanada.com/events.
Muslim. Mississauga Halal Food Fest 2019. June 14. 5-11pm. June 15. 11pm-11pm. Free. Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga.
Performances and entertainment of local and international artists, 40 plus vendors of food, clothing, jewelry and local services.
This is usually a very crowded, wonderful festival with lots of food samples to try.
https://culture.mississauga.ca/event/celebration-square/mississauga-halal-food-fest-2019
Philippines. Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show. June 22. $15. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Hall A, 255 Front St. W. https://www.philippinecanadianfoundation.com/pinoyfiestatoronto.
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 include them and we don’t accept paid advertising. Please post comments on “Leave a Reply” below. However, I can’t include last minute notices. I’m going on vacation for a couple of weeks from today. For notification of future lists, please subscribe to our Newsletter above. Ruth
There is so much wonderful presentations that it is an impossible choice. Oh to be able to go to them all!
Great post thanks for sharing