2016 Culture Days in the East End

East End Arts supports Ontario Culture Days and all the participating Culture Days events across our great city, province, and country. Following is a list of free 2016 Culture Days activities taking place September 30, October 1 & 2 in Toronto’s east end.

Alternative Photo Printmaking Demos and Historical Portraits
Presented by: Bob Carnie Printmaking & Dylan Ellis Gallery
Location: Dylan Ellis Gallery, 1840 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 10am-5pm
Sunday, October 2, 2016, 10am-5pm
Category: Visual Arts, Heritage — Behind-the-scenes
Event type: Hands-On Activity, Discussion
View this event on the Culture Days website

Join Dylan Ellis Gallery for alternative photography printmaking demonstrations and have your portrait taken. Watch a demo for historical printing processes platinum palladium and multiple gum over. Then have your portrait taken with a vintage camera. Bob Carnie, master printer, will briefly present the various steps involved and show you one part of the process. Photographer Aurélien Muller will be combining the tech of a 21st century digital camera with a 19th century camera to take your portrait, creating an accumulative pop up portrait show in the gallery. Demonstrations are 45 minutes long and will start on the hour from 10am with the last demo starting at 4pm. Portraits will be ongoing from 10am-5pm. Please call 416-778-6969 or email to book a spot for the demos: carissa@dylanellisgallery.ca.

Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library: Imagine IF Theatre
Presented by: In Forma Theatre
Location: Queen/Saulter Library, 765 Queen Street East, Toronto
Friday, September 30, 2016, 9:45-10:45am
Category: Multi/Interdisciplinary, Theatre
Event Type: Collective Creation, Hands-On Activity
View this event on the Culture Days website

Join In Forma Theatre for a fun and engaging hour of collaborative games and theatre activities. During this workshop, kids will participate in creative movement, image theatre, and theatre-based play. The focus will be on imagination, teamwork, and fun! For children ages 10+, at Queen/ Saulter library as part of Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library.

Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library: Learning The Art Of Virtue Through Chinese Calligraphy
Presented by: New Acropolis Toronto
Location: Jones Library, 118 Jones Avenue Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 2-4pm
Category: Visual Arts
Event Type: Hands-On Activity
View this event on the Culture Days website

Explore the Art of Virtue through a hands-on meditative experience with Chinese calligraphy. Discover the mysterious world of Chinese brush writing and symbolism. Through the contemplation of meaning behind the symbols and the meditative movement of brush writing, you can begin to explore the depth of the human heart, practice mental concentration and taste a bit of inner mastery. This workshop represents an opportunity to explore your ability to express harmony and beauty, a practice that can be carried through to all aspects of your life! All levels are welcome. Materials are provided. This activity happens at Jones Library as part of Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library.

Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library: Colours Of Kathak
Presented by: Mushtari Afroz and Radhika Kedige
Location: Gerrard/Ashdale Library, 1432 Gerrard Street East
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 2-3pm
Category: Dance
Event Type: Discussion
View this event on the Culture Days website

Come to experience the century old tradition of North Indian Classical dance form -Kathak- as Mushtari and Radhika take you to a journey of Rhythm, Physicality and story-telling and show its evolution in the process. This activity happens at Gerrard/Ashdale Public Library as part of Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library.

Dance Scottish
Presented by: Sue Ann Bryce
Location: Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 1:30-4pm
Category: Dance
Event Type: Hands-On Activity
View this event on the Culture Days website

An afternoon drop-in ceilidh free to all comers to introduce the traditional social dance of Scotland. You don’t have to be Scottish, you don’t need a partner (we change partners every dance). No previous dance experience necessary to enjoy the lively reels and jigs. Wear cool clothing and soft shoes — it is good aerobic exercise and a lot of fun. All ages welcome.

Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library: Shaolin Kung Fu History And Demonstration
Presented by: Emma Lin
Location: Pape/Danforth Library, 701 Pape Avenue, Toronto
Friday, September 30, 2016, 9:45-10:45am
Category: Heritage
Event Type: Discussion
View this event on the Culture Days website

Learn about the history and influence of Shaolin Kung Fu followed by a demonstration by a Shaolin Monk. A short class for the participants will be conducted after to learn a few basic forms and techniques. The activity is at Pape/Danforth Library as part of Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library.

Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library: Jazz Afternoon On Main Street
Presented by: Daniel Colangelo
Location: Main Street Branch, 137 Main Street, Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 2-3pm
Category: Music
Event Type: Behind-the-Scenes
View this event on the Culture Days website

Enjoy an afternoon of Jazz at the Main Street Branch with Jim Clayton. Critics and musicians alike describe Clayton as the new Vince Guaraldi for his melodic playing and catchy compositions. His music has been heard internationally on radio, in film, and on television. His latest album, Lenny Jumps In, landed in the Top 10 at Canadian jazz radio and Top 30 in the US, where it was featured inJazziz Magazine. No registration is required. All ages are welcome! The activity is at Main Street Branch Library as part of Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library.

Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library: The Printerly Forest
Presented by: The inPrint Collective
Location: Dawes Road Library, 416 Dawes Road, Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 1-4pm
Category: Visual Arts, Crafts
Event Type: Behind-the-scenes, Hands-On Activity
View this event on the Culture Days website

Sing with the Toronto Beach Chorale & participate in Canada’s Culture Days celebration. Experience the joy of vocal music with the TBC, a concert choir rehearsing and performing in the Beach & the East End. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how choral music is rehearsed & practise a few vocal techniques as a member of the audience. Conductor Mervin William Fick will guide you through a lively, open working rehearsal, culminating in a short performance of a piece from their 2016/17 concert season.

Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library: Have Fun with Poetry
Presented by: Honey Novick
Location: Beaches Branch, 2161 Queen Street East, Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 2-4pm
Category: Literature and Spoken Word
Event Type: Music
View this event on the Culture Days website

Have fun with poetry for children of all ages. Be creative, imaginative, enjoy song/poetry, make your own or just enjoy. The activity is at Beaches library as part of Culture Days @ Toronto Public Library.

Create A Culture Greeting Card At Fresh Paint Studio
Presented by: Fresh Paint Studio + Cafe
Location: Fresh Paint Studio + Cafe, 1849 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Friday, September 30, 2016, 3-8pm
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 2-7pm
Sunday, October 2, 2016, 1-4pm
Category: Visual Arts
Event Type: Hands-On Activity
View this event on the Culture Days website

Come and create a Culture Greeting Card at Fresh Paint Studio + Cafe! All of the materials will be provided for you to create a unique greeting card that reflects your culture and heritage. Get tips and a bit of inspiration from Toronto-based visual artist and poet Roxane Tracey. Create and celebrate your culture!

Let’s Make Bath Salts
Presented by: Carberry Soap
Location: 2005 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Sunday, October 2, 2016, 11am-5pm
Category: Crafts
Event Type: Hands-on activity
View this event on the Culture Days website

Don’t think you need to head to an exclusive spa for top notch aromatherapy treatment. Batches of bath salts will be made using a variety of herbal additives and essential oil. Join in this DIY demonstration and take home some free samples.

Encaustic Painting Demonstration At DESIGNnook
Presented by: DESIGNnook
Location: DESIGNnook, 2038 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 1-3pm
Category: Visual Arts
Event Type: Behind-the-scenes
View this event on the Culture Days website

Welcome to the exciting world of painting with molten wax! In this 2-hour demonstration, a variety of tools will be used to showcase some of the different techniques used in encaustic painting.

Open House at Guthrie School of Dance
Presented by: Guthrie School of Dance
Location: Guthrie School of Dance, 2210 Queen Street East, Toronto
Saturday, October 1, 2016, 1-5pm
Category: Heritage, Dance
Event Type: Discussion, Hands-On Activity
View this event on the Culture Days website

Try on a Great Highland Kilt, sample some Scottish treats, and learn about bagpipes and the tradition of highland dance. Highland Fling lessons will be given at 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 3:30, and 4pm. Raffle for free dance lessons, tartan scarf, and other prizes!

Did we miss a Culture Days event in the east end? Please email us at info@eastendarts.ca with the details and we will add it to the list.