879. Affordable Events July 18-28 in Multicultural Toronto – 2019.

As usual, we are listing lots of opportunities for foodies to sample new foods and to learn where to contact the caterers and restaurants that serve them. We are also telling you about interesting opportunities this month to learn about the cultures of your neighbours. Sorry we can’t list them all.

Many of the following are free or by voluntary donation. 

 

Africa. African Musical Extravaganza. Saturday, July 27. 12-10pm. Free. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West.

A celebration of African Heritage ITCRF presents a never before musical extravaganza including Food Delicacies, Fashion Show, Dance, Drumming, Arts & Crafts and Much More.” For more info: african-musical-extravaganza-2019-tickets-64143052597

Image from Toronto Arts Council.

 

Brazil. 16th Annual Toronto International BrazilFest. July 21. 11am-11pm. Free. Earlscourt Park, 1595 St. Clair Avenue.

The many different rhythms of Brazil will be expressed and “celebrated with the help of a diverse and high quality team of performers and bands… The Festival will offer its attendees the opportunity to be closer to the performers, to get a chance to enjoy a taste of Brazil with Brazilian style foods and a family area for families with children…” http://www.brazilfest.ca/

 

Colombia. Flag Raising. Republic of Colombia National Day. July 20. Ceremony at 11am. Free. Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West.

Image drawn by User:SKopp, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343020

 

Egypt. Nile 32nd Annual Picnic. July 27. 11am-7pm. $10 for non-members. Centennial Park. 

 

Hindu. India. BAPS Charities Walk Green. Saturday, July 20. Donations expected. 8:30am-11am. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 61 Claireville Drive. BAPS is that beautiful Hindu temple near Highway 427 and Finch Avenue West.

This year, BAPS Charities will support The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to plant one billion trees by 2025 through their Plant a Billion Trees initiative. The walk will help plant 61,000 additional trees in 2019. Join over 23,000 walkers in over 76 cities in North America and help us protect our environment –for our generation and for generations to come.” https://www.bapscharities.org/canada/toronto/walk19toronto/

Image from: https://www.bapscharities.org/canada/toronto/walk19toronto/

 

India. Evening of Classical Indian Dance and Music. July 20. 7pm. $30-$35. Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Dr, North York.

… featuring the award-winning kathak dancer Padmashri Pratap Pawar, MBE (Member of British Empire). He will be performing with Vineet Vyas (tabla), Hardeep Chana (harmonium), and Rattan Bhamrah (israj).” For more information: email – munniafzal@hotmail.com; tel. 416-691-8989. https://noorculturalcentre.ca/an-evening-of-classical-indian-dance-and-music/.

Images from Noor website.

 

Iran. Persia. Tirgan Festival. July 25-28. Various times. 30+ free events. Some ticketed events already sold out. Harbourfront Centre, St Lawrence Centre for the Arts, and The Distillery Historic District.

“Tirgan refers to an ancient Persian/Iranian festival traditionally held in the month of July, inspiring what is currently the world’s largest celebration of Iranian arts and culture, taking place in Downtown Toronto. Through music, dance, theatre, cinema, literature, visual arts, food and crafts, Tirgan Festival highlights the richness of the contemporary and traditional art and culture of Iran. This year’s theme is UNITY; honoring our historical commitment to the celebration of diversity, talent, freedom, and equality.” https://tirgan.ca/tirgan2019/.

We suggest you study the extensive program of this culturally-rich festival before you go.

Image from Tirgan website.

Italy. The Art of Successful Adaptation. Wednesday, July 17. 6:30-8:30pm. Italian Cultural Institute/Italiano di Cultura, 496 Huron Street.

Speakers: Cacciapuoti, CFO, Riello Marcelo Lu, President, BASF Canada/ and Juan Luis Latapi Artigas, Senior Mgr, Path Factory.

While you had to RSVP by July 11 to join this event, we mention this so you can learn that there are opportunities in Toronto to meet and talk with some of our residents who are alumni of top world universities trying “to thrive in the high-speed evolving Toronto pace to achieve personal and career success… “ They are willing to meet others. https://www.bocconialumni.it/Network/Geographic+Areas/Chapters/Americas/Toronto/toronto.

 

Italy. Italian Storytime. Thursday, July 18. 11am-11:40am. Free. Downsview Public Library, 2793 Keele Street.

Stories, songs and rhymes in Italian and English for bimbi (children) 1-5 years their parents or caregivers. This is a fully bilingual program, no prior knowledge of Italian is needed.” https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT400902&R=EVT400902

Image from Toronto Public Library website.

For a list of other Italian events in Toronto: https://iictoronto.esteri.it/iic_toronto/en

 

Multicultural. Caribbean. Africa.  Muhtadi International Drumming Festival. Saturday, July 20, (10am-10pm) and Sunday, July 21 (10am-8pm). By donation. Regent Park, 600 Dundas Street East.

a  celebration of drum and dance… 30 plus performers/groups playing an eclectic array of drums from a beautiful mix of nations… live performances, drum circles, speed drumming challenge, Drum Village workshops where members of the public can learn, and try their hands at, various drumming styles… ethnic foods… arts and crafts from many parts of the world.

An innovative, fun, third-year addition to the festival is ‘Let The Children Play.’ Children of all ages are invited to join in and play various percussion instruments. Cameroon-born musician, percussionist, Njacko Backo, will be the instructor.

All children must be registered and accompanied by an adult to participate. www.muhtadidrumfest.com

Muslim. Halal Food Festival. July 20. 10am-10pm; July 21. 10am-8pm. $5. Children 3 and under are free. Free Parking. Entrance 5, International Centre, 6900 Airport Road.

This is especially great for foodies eager to try some new foods and to learn about Halal. Cooking demonstrations, sampling, Family Food game show, vendors, lectures, Scarberian Boxers, and one year there was Naseem Kadri. We suggest you go early to avoid the queues. http://halalfoodfestto.com/

Naseem Kadri. Copyright ©2014 Ruth Lor Malloy

Persia. Iran. Summer Music in the Garden. Inner Journey V. Rumi Canada. July 25. 7pm. Free. Toronto Music Garden, 479 Queens Quay West. (Between Bathurst and Spadina Avenue).

Amir Koushkani, performs sacred music rooted in Sufi and Dervish traditions, using the poetry of Rumi and Hafiz as lyrics.
https://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summermusic/2019/events/index.cfm?id=10426&festival_id=285

This is part of a series of free performances most Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm, to September 15. They are approximately one hour in length and many offer world music. Arrive early or bring your own chairs. Concerts proceed weather permitting. Please call 416-973-4000 for up-to-the-minute rain call.

© Reza Salsany – Fuzzy Tree Media – from Harbourfront Centre website.

 

Philippines. Filipino Martial Arts Gathering. July 20. 9am-4pm. $50. Earl Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst Street (south of Sheppard).

A great opportunity to learn from and meet with the Filipino Martial Arts community… prizes, Bolo/Machete matches which will be competitive but friendly, so anyone who attends is also welcome to participate!…

For $50 you get to train with five great instructors, enjoy a Filipino meal, and participate in the growth and development of martial arts.” https://www.facebook.com/events/earl-bales-park/filipino-martial-arts-gathering/470404360389066/

 

South Africa. Day Zero: a South African Comedy Show-the Canada Edition. July 20. 8-9pm. $20. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen Street East.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-zero-a-south-african-comedy-show-the-canada-edition-tickets-65102864420?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

 

South Asia. BollywoodMonster Mashup. Launch Party and Comedy. July 18. 6pm. $30. (Mississauga Civic Centre, C Banquets); Concert. July 19. 4pm. Free. Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga; Family Day and Concert. July 20. 2pm. Free. Celebration Square, Mississauga.

For more information http://www.bollywoodmonstermashup.com/schedule/ or http://www.bollywoodmonstermashup.com/about-2/.

 

Tamil. Eelam. Hindu. Chariot Festivals. This is one of the most profoundly religious and spectacular events in Toronto. This has got to be our most exotic festival. It is highly recommended if you want to feel you are in Sri Lanka and no longer in Canada because worshipers perform penance suspended by hooks in their backs. They might also roll on the bare ground following a hand-pulled chariot. The festival usually ends with free food. Yes, worshipers can tell you about their religion in English if you ask.  If you are interested in the religions of the world and are not squeamish, do not miss this event. Please remove your shoes as this is considered a sacred event.

Sri Ayyappa Samajam of Ontario Temple, July 20. 10am. Free. Donations appreciated. 635 Middlefield Road, Scarborough. Prayers. Chariots circle temple about 11:30am. For more information: 416-321-6104.

Sri Varasiththi Vinaayagar Temple. July 27. Prayers begin at 7am, Chariot procession starts at 9am. Free. Donations appreciated. 3025 Kennedy Road #10, Scarborough (between Finch and McNicoll Avenues). For more information: tel. 416- 291-8500. Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sri-Varasiththi-Vinaayagar-Hindu-Temples-Of-Toronto/150723395024888.

For other Tamil events in the GTA: https://events.torontotamil.com/date/list/.

Hindu Tamil Chariot Festival. Image Copyright ©2016 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

Vietnam. Taste of Vietnam. July 19. Free. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West. http://www.aodaicanada.org/. 

 

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 posters to ruthlormalloy@gmail.com. We don’t charge to include them and we don’t accept paid advertising. Please post comments on “Leave a Reply” below.

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