You’re Invited: Several Great Events in Toronto May 23 -26 Including Doors Open 2013

Here are several great events in Toronto, Ontario, Canada  for you to enjoy May 23 – 26, 2013:

Writer in Residence Alissa York presents Origin Story: An Illustrated Reading (Closing Event)

FREE

May 23, 2013

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

North York Central Library
5120 Yonge Street
(Yonge and Sheppard)

Website: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT120855&R=EVT120855

 Call the Language, Literature, Fine Arts Department to register: 416-395-5639

  • This multi-media reading and discussion will trace the evolution of a single short story from the initial point of inspiration through to the completed work
  • Writer in Residence Alissa York’s Journey Prize-winning story, “The Back of the Bear’s Mouth,” began as a response to an Australian Aboriginal creation myth, and ended up as a contemporary love story set in the Yukon
  • Join York as she goes “behind the scenes” of her own short fiction for a glimpse into the complex process of bringing an imagined world and its inhabitants to life
  • Q & A to follow

curved emtions ii art exhibition

Curved Emotions 2 – Art Exhibition

Presented by: Ernesto Angel Castro

FREE Admission + FREE  finger food and refreshments (pop and juice)

May 23 – 24, 2013

May 23rd from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
May 24th from 5:00p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

St Judes Parish Hall
3265 Weston Road North
(Weston Road and Sheppard Avenue West)

Website: www.facebook.com/TheArteDeNeto
Email: ernestoacastro@hotmail.com
Phone: 647-389-0699

Ernesto Angel Castro:

  • Born in El Salvador, in 1986 Ernesto moved to Canada at the age of nine with his family
    • “From an early age, he has been passionate about design and colour, music and the CN Tower

    • Through his art Ernesto is zealously sharing his emotions and life experiences in a way that transcends language and speaks a positive message to everyone differently”

  • My aim is to touch a person’s heart with my art, to inspire feelings and thoughts normally uncommon in everyday life. Some pieces are completely abstract, nothing but raw emotions. Some are less abstract, while some have profound meaning…
  • I want to invite all of Toronto to join me in celebrating my latest creations

Ads for People: Selling Ethics in the Digital Age

Presented by: OCAD University

FREE

Exhibition Runs Until May 25, 2013

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Onsite [at] OCAD U
230 Richmond Street West
(Richmond and Duncan)

Website: apache.ocad.ca/events_calendar/eventdetail.php?id=4792

  • Many think of the Internet as a democratic medium with its immediacy and lack of centralized control
    • In advertising, a radical democratization occasioned by the digital revolution has had important effects: digital advertising has fewer boundaries, lower costs and greater reach than conventional media such as print, radio and television”

  • Ads for People focuses on how public service announcements and non- profit campaigns have benefitted dramatically from the Internet’s combination of flexibility and affordability
  • Around the world, a fresh model of advertising has emerged allowing additional voices to join the conversations that both develop and reflect our cultural values, says the exhibition’s curator, Lisa Deanne Smith

 

City of Toronto Doors Open 2013
City of Toronto Doors Open 2013

Explore Toronto’s Buildings: Doors Open

Theme: ‘Creators, Makers and Innovators’

FREE Admission

May 25 – 26, 2013

  • The 14th annual Doors Open  is presented by The City of Toronto and Great Gulf – one weekend, once a year – wherein more than 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration
    • The program allows visitors free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee

    • Many locations have organized guided tours, displays and activities to enrich the visitor experience

    • at Toronto City Hall:
      • Special exhibits and discussions

      • Access to the 27th floor observation deck, the council chamber and the mayor’s office

      • Kids will be able to take part in a scavenger hunt in the building

      • Award-winning duo and origami artists Yuri and Katrin Shumakov invite audiences to experience Toronto in a playful, whimsical way
        • An eight-metre-long origami display of downtown Toronto will be featured in the City Hall rotunda alongside “Toy-ronto” – a photo series that depicts Toronto as a miniature toy town

  • This year’s theme is entitled ‘Creators, Makers and Innovators’:
    • features many older buildings that have been redesigned, re-invented and re-purposed into modern 21st century spaces that host collaborative teams of imaginative people who are creating new ways of thinking, making and doing

  • Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee, will kick off this weekend’s highly anticipated FREE city-wide event with a tour of one of Toronto’s newest centres of innovation, Bridgepoint Active Healthcare
    • Remarks focusing on Doors Open’s new partnership with Great Gulf, a new Speakers’ Series and expanded program of walking tours will be followed by a tour of the new hospital as well as the cells and gallows of the restored Don Jail

      • Date: Thursday, May 23
      • Time: 10 a.m.
      • Location: Bridgepoint Administration Building, 14 St. Matthews Rd.
  • Since its inception in 2000, Doors Open has attracted more than two million visits in nearly 600 unique locations across the city
    • It is Canada’s largest Doors Open event and one of the three largest Doors Open events in the world

  • Doors Open Toronto has expanded its menu of walking tours this year with additional touring programs in a variety of Toronto neighbourhoods and a specially commissioned tour
    • Further detailed information is available on the 2013 Buildings To Visit webpage

    • All guided tours are FREE on a first-come, first serve basis. Some are limited capacity

    • Guided walking tours are outdoors, rain or shine

Colborne Lodge at Barbara Frum

Presented by: Toronto Public Library

FREE

 May 25, 2013

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Barbara Frum Library
20 Covington Road
(Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West)

Register in person or call 416-395-5440

Website: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT127921&R=EVT127921

  • Time travel: Enjoy games and toys from more than 150 years ago
  • Share your favourite riddle and listen to a story or two
  • Fun for the whole family!
  • The program will take place in Auditorium Room B on the 3rd floor
  • Public Transit:
    • TTC Bathurst bus #7 northbound from Bathurst subway station

    • or TTC Bathurst bus #7 southbound from Steeles Avenue West

    • or TTC Lawrence bus #52 eastbound from Lawrence West subway station

    • or TTC Lawrence bus #52 westbound from Lawrence subway station

Taiwan Culture Day 2013

Presented by: Taiwanese Canadian Association of Toronto

FREE

May 25, 2013

01:00 PM to 05:00 PM
Food area opens at 11:30 AM.
Event starts at 1:00 PM.

TECO Cultural Centre
888 Progress Avenue
(Hwy 401 and Markham Road)

Website: www.tcatoronto.com
Email: tcat.events@gmail.com
Phone: 647-669-5223

  • The afternoon’s activities will feature traditional “night-market” games as well as exciting performances by T-BAND and 「Black Cat Crew」
  • In addition, the “Pride of Taiwan” seminar and traditional puppet show exhibits are also must-sees of the event
  • Foodies are in for a treat as there will be many traditional Taiwanese dishes available to satisfy the palates of homesick Taiwanese Canadians and local Torontonians alike
  • Starting this year, TCAT will designate the last Saturday of May as “Taiwan Day” with the aim of acquainting the mainstream Canadian society with Taiwan and its multi-faceted culture
  • Public Transit: Subway to Finch Station and then take Bus 134c

Kid’s Fun Day 2013

Presented by: Mount Pleasant Village | Business Improvement Area

FREE

May 25, 2013

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Mount Pleasant Village: Eglinton Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road (between Eglinton and Davisville)

Website: www.mountpleasantvillage.ca
Email: info@mountpleasantvillage.ca
Phone: 416-262-9692

  • The sidewalk will be bustling with live entertainment, free activities, games, challenges, prizes, contests, discounts, giveaways, and lots of affordable food!
  • Mount Pleasant Village is Toronto’s historic Midtown shopping destination

kim stanford's dirty exhibition

Kim Stanford DIRTY @ Gallery 1313

Presented by: Gallery 1313

FREE

Exhibition Runs Until May 26, 2013

Gallery Hours: Wed – Sun, 1-6pm

Gallery 1313
1313 Queen Street West
(Queen and Dufferin)

Website: www.g1313.org
Email: director@g1313.org
Phone: 416-536-6778

  • Stanford’s inspiration for this series of works developed through her frustration with picking up others’ dirty socks multiple times a day, and continues her investigation into how a monumental repetition of tiny mundane moments informs relations with self and others
  • Through material exploration and repetition, Stanford mutates a small familiar object – used socks – into larger, absurd work that both attracts and repels, and opens a conversation about the universal dialectic between the taken-for-granted and a search for meaning
  • This installation is generously supported by a Toronto Arts Council emerging artist grant
  • Writings by Stephanie D’Amico and Tara Bursey accompany the exhibit
  • Public Transit: Queen Street Car to Brock Street

Bike with Mike 2013

Presented by: Councillor Mike Layton

FREE

May 26, 2013

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Christie Pits Park: Bloor Street West and Christie Street

Website: www.mikelayton.ca
Email: councillor_layton@toronto.ca
Phone: 416-392-4009

  • Launch Bike Month with Councillor Mike Layton with a daylong celebration of cycling in Ward 19
  • Join Mike & his team for:
    • Basic bike repair
    • Helmet Fitting & Safety Information
    • Toronto Police Bike Registry
    • Bixi Toronto
    • Kids’ bike book readings
    • Kids’ bike decorating
    • Kids’ Face Painting
    • 2nd Annual Tricycle Smackdown
    • Street performances
    • Community cycling information
    • Pedal Powered Blender Shakes
    • BBQ & Refreshments

Purina’s Harbourfront Walk for Dog Guides

Presented by: PawsWay

FREE

May 26, 2013

11:00 AM
Registration starts at 10am, the walk begins at 11am

PawsWay
245 Queen’s Quay West
(Queen’s Quay West and Rees Street)

Website: www.purinawalkfordogguides.com/register.cfm
Email: info@pawsway.ca
Phone: 416-360-7297

  • There is no charge to register, and no minimum donation required
    • Registration can be done online (http://www.purinawalkfordogguides.com/register.cfm) or on the day of starting at 10am

  • Dog Guides are for people who are blind or visually impaired, who have hearing difficulties, who live with frequent seizures due to epilepsy, and people who have physical or medical disabilities
  • The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides is the largest guide dog organization in Canada. The Purina Walk For Dog Guides is their biggest fundraiser
  • With no government funding, donations and fundraisers are very important
  • Please volunteer, sponsor or participate in the Harbourfront Purina Walk For Dog Guides
    • A fun, family friendly walk taking place in your community

  • Public Transit:
    • The closest TTC subway station is Union
    • Take the 509 replacement shuttle bus to Rees St.
    • They are located on the South side of Queen’s Quay W. across from the Radisson

This video presents “World Partnership Walk Toronto”:

  • The World Partnership Walk is Canada’s largest annual event dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds to fight global poverty
  • Highlights of the Walk held on Sunday May 27, 2012 at Metro Hall, Toronto
  • Aga Khan Foundation Canada

29th Annual World Partnership Walk

Presented by: Aga Khan Foundation, Canada

FREE

May 26, 2013

10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Toronto Metro Hall
55 John Street

Website: www.WorldPartnershipWalk.com
Email: toronto@worldpartnershipwalk.com
Phone: 416-429-3993

  • The World Partnership Walk is Canada’s largest event dedicated to helping end global poverty
  • Over $75 million has been raised for poverty alleviation projects in Africa and Asia since 1985
    • In 2012, the Walk raised over $7 million and drew almost 40,000 people in 10 cities across the country

  • 100% of funds raised go to support international development projects identified and implemented by local communities – projects that revitalize a rural economy, ensure clean water and sanitation, strengthen community-based organizations and educate new generations of girls and women
    • Not a single cent of donations is spent on administration

LEAF's image: EAB Ambassador Training Workshop
LEAF’s image: EAB Ambassador Training Workshop

EAB Ambassador Training Workshop

Presented by: LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests)

May 26, 2013

FREE

12:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Runnymede Library
2178 Bloor Street West
(Runnymede Road and Bloor Street West)

Registration required

Website: www.yourleaf.org/event/2013-05-26/eab-ambassador-training-workshop
Email: robyn@yourleaf.org
Phone: 416-413-9244 ext. 14

  • All of the 860,000 ash trees in Toronto (an estimated 8.4% of our canopy cover) are at risk of dying due to Emerald Ash Borer
  • Please help them spread the word by becoming an EAB Ambassador
    • Learn how to identify ash trees and the signs of EAB, the most effective ways to share information with your neighbours, and about planting programs to get new trees around your neighbourhood

    • This event is offered in partnership with Green 13 and councillor Sarah Doucette

    • EAB Ambassadors will have the opportunity to team up with the Green 13 for organized door-to-door outreach efforts as part of the Save Our Ash project

    • Attendees will receive a resource kit

  • Public Transit:
    • Take the subway to Runnymede Station

    • Then walk west along Bloor Street West

    • Runnymede Library is located on the north side of Bloor Street West, just east of Glendonwynne Road

TTC Contact Info

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service
    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)

    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily

    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays

    • TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays

  • Main Switchboard
    • 416-393-4000

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

Enjoy!

NEWS RELEASE

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

May 2, 2013

Doors Open Toronto launches speaker series and offers expanded programming with city-wide walking tours

Doors Open presented by Great Gulf is enhancing its offering this year, with a speaker series, expanded walking tours and increased programming at City Hall – in addition to free access to more than 150 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city. The 14th annual weekend of events will take place Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26.

“Doors Open Toronto is a great event that has some fantastic partners in the private sector, as well as our local communities,” said Mayor Rob Ford. “The commitment from Great Gulf is welcome news and they will help make Doors Open a phenomenal success again this year.”

“Doors Open gives everyone a chance to explore the beautiful buildings and meet the creative people that are the lifeblood of this remarkable city,” said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee. “Across the city, people will be able to experience Toronto in a whole new way.”

“At Great Gulf we know how important buildings are to shaping a city’s identity, so we’re very pleased to be the presenting sponsor for Doors Open this year and have the chance to celebrate Toronto’s architectural landmarks with the community,” said Alan Vihant, Senior Vice-President of High-Rise, Great Gulf. “We’re particularly excited to host a speakers series at the St. James Cathedral Centre, featuring some of the city’s most respected designers, planners and leaders.”

New for this year, Great Gulf presents a series of weekend talks that feature some of Toronto’s renowned designers, architects, planners and community leaders. On May 24, audiences can listen to a talk called The Art and Design of Will Alsop, presented at OCAD’s Sharp Centre for Design from 6:30 to 8 p.m. On May 25, audiences can listen to Innovating to a Better Toronto, at St. James Cathedral from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Recent Trends in the Architecture of Wellness, at the newly designed Li Ka Shing Knowledge Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital from 2 to 3 p.m. The free talks will complement the weekend’s other activities.

An expanded program of walking tours will give participants a chance to delve deep into the stories, histories and architecture of a wide variety of Toronto neighbourhoods. A signature tour, Creating Toronto: The Story of the City in 10 Stops (May 25 and 26 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) is commissioned for Doors Open, while 15 other tours will be offered at specific times during the weekend. All guided tours are free and will be run on a first-come basis – some with limited capacity.

Toronto City Hall will be buzzing with excitement during the Doors Open Toronto weekend, with special exhibits and discussions, and access to the 27th floor observation deck, the council chamber and the mayor’s office. Kids will be able to take part in a scavenger hunt in the building.

Award-winning duo and origami artists Yuri and Katrin Shumakov invite audiences to experience Toronto in a playful, whimsical way. An eight-metre-long origami display of downtown Toronto will be featured in the City Hall rotunda alongside “Toy-ronto” – a photo series that depicts Toronto as a miniature toy town.

Full program details, including a complete list of this year’s buildings, tours and talks, are available online at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen and in a Backgrounder at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen/2013/backgrounder_2may.htm.

This year’s Doors Open theme – Creators, Makers and Innovators – will features many older buildings that have been redesigned, re-invented and re-purposed into modern 21st – century spaces that host collaborative teams of people who are creating new ways of thinking, making and doing.

Since its inception in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has attracted more than two million visits to nearly 600 unique locations across the city. It is Canada’s largest Doors Open event and one of the three largest Doors Open events in the world. Doors Open Toronto is produced by the City of Toronto in partnership with the broader community. More information about the event can be found at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DoorsOpenTO and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Doors_OpenTO.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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