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Friday, June 29, 2012

What's happening this summer at Toronto museums

Events are listed by date below. These include Bicentennial events, Summer Day Camps, National Aboriginal Day, Multiculturalism Day, Canada Day activities and more.

For events organized by site please visit www.toronto.ca/museum-events

John Cawthra: An Upper Canadian Abroad in the War of 1812  
Part of the Community Exhibits Program at the Ontario Legislature
Until November 2
This exhibit, organized by City of Toronto Museum Services, looks at the life and artifacts of a militiaman from York who served with General Brock at the capture of Detroit. You must join a free public tour (no reservations required) to see the community exhibits in the Legislative Building:  http://educationportal.ontla.on.ca/en/tours/public-tours/public-tours.
Queen's Park is in downtown Toronto, just north of University Avenue and College Street. The street address is 111 Wellesley Street West. For directions and parking information visit http://bit.ly/MgxIZl


The Encampment at Fort York National Historic Site
Until June 24, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The stories of two hundred War of 1812 civilians are told in two hundred luminous tents. Presented by artists Thom Sokoloski and Jenny-Anne McCowan with the participation of a team of Creative Collaborators. Presented in partnership with Luminato. Admission is free.

The Loyalists by Single Thread Theatre Company
June 19 to 22, Weekdays at 5 p.m.
Victoria Memorial Square 520 Wellington St. West
Travel back in time and explore the lives of people living in Toronto, then York, in 1813 under American occupation. Far from being mere spectators, the audience will become citizens of York, inhabiting a fabricated world in Victoria Memorial Square. Developed, in part, through the support of Canadian Stage?s Festival of Ideas & Creation and presented in association with Fort York National Historic Site. Tickets $25, purchase online at www.singlethread.ca

 

A Taste of 1812 at The Market Gallery and Market Kitchen

Saturday, June 23, 12 to 3 p.m.
To commemorate the War of 1812, the Market Gallery and Market Kitchen will provide residents with the opportunity to sample what life was like during the 1800s. Event activities include:
·         Cooking demonstration, using authentic historical recipes from the 1800s
·         Historical children's games and colouring sheets
·         Discovery hunt, using clues to locate historical plaques in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, related to the 1812-15 era
·         Historical talk by Michael Dowbenka (Market Gallery Education Program) and tour of the Market Gallery's current exhibit, "Finding the Fallen: The Battle of York Remembered." The exhibit identifies the Canadian, British, First Nations and American combatants who died in the battle on April 27, 1813. Their names are recorded in a newly commissioned Book of Remembrance and their sacrifices are brought to life through artifacts, custom-designed maps and first-person accounts.
The Market Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. E.  and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available at: http://www.toronto.ca/culture/the_market_gallery/index.htm
All activities are free but a donation of $2 is suggested as admission to the Market Gallery.

Willowdale Group of Artists Exhibition at the Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills
Wednesday, June 20 to Sunday, July 1:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
The Willowdale Group of Artists is one of Toronto's oldest art groups, founded in 1947. Today, 200 members enjoy workshops, life drawing sessions and demonstrations by visiting professional artists.
Admission to view the group's exhibition is free.


For the Celebrate Canada Events
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage. Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada par l'entremise du ministère du Patrimoine Canadien.

National Aboriginal Day at Fort York National Historic Site
A Celebrate Canada Event
Thursday, June 21, 6 p.m. to sunsetIn cooperation with national Aboriginal organizations, the Government of Canada has designated June 21 National Aboriginal Day. This date was chosen because it corresponds to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and because for generations many Aboriginal groups have celebrated their culture and heritage at this time of year. Join us in the Dry Moat just outside the walled Fort for an evening that will explore first Nations culture and history. This is an opportunity for visitors to participate in an Aboriginal ceremony and learn more about First Nations spiritual traditions honouring the land, the season, and the environment. Sponsored in part by Tim Hortons. Admission is free.
                                                                                                           
Todmorden Mills: Community on the Don, an Exhibit at Scarborough Civic Centre
Until Sunday, June 24
Mon. to Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Set in the scenic Don Valley, Todmorden Mills Heritage Site is a complex of historic buildings which were once part of the small industrial community that provided lumber, flour, beer, paper and bricks for the growing city of Toronto throughout the 19th century. The museum has created a travelling exhibit that traces the history of the site from its beginnings as a First Nations' settlement, to its establishment as a museum in 1967. The exhibit is based on the current exhibit that is on display in Todmorden's Brewery building. The travelling version will be mounted in various locations in the city over the coming months. Scarborough Civic Centre, located at 150 Borough Drive, is the first venue to display it. Admission is free.

Music in the Orchard at Spadina Museum
Sunday, June 24, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Join us for Spadina's popular outdoor musical performances. Bring a blanket, your favourite people and enjoy a great afternoon at Spadina Museum.The final concert in the series features VentElation, a woodwind octect. Performances are pay-what-you-can. Regular admission to tour the museum.

Musical Matinees at Montgomery's Inn
Join us for classical music in partnership with Neapolitan Connection.
Sunday, June 24, 3 p.m. Divine Debussy
Using the magic of her voice, soprano Eve Rachel McLeod will whisk us all off to Paris on the wings of song for this spectacular matinée performance and will offer a sumptuous feast of French art song favourites. Tours of the museum and refreshments are included in the ticket price. Adults $22 plus HST, children under 12 $12.50 plus HST. Tickets available at http://www.neapolitanconnection.com/.

Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day at Montgomery's Inn
A Celebrate Canada Event
Wednesday, June 27, 3 to 7 p.m.
Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day with an exhibition opening, food and live music.
Join us for the launch of To Feed A Planet. j. p  gural and soyoung lee, farmer-photographer-artists, have traveled and worked around the world to bring you this multicultural exhibition featuring images of farmers, food and markets. From 3 until 6 p.m. join artist Catherine Campbell in Stories from a Seed, an art activity suitable for all ages. Make a paper pot, plant a seed and share your wish for Canadian Multicultural Day! Join us for live music and a multicultural snack or two under the trees. Browse through the farmers' market and tour the museum. Admission is free.

Destination Scarborough at Scarborough Museum
A Celebrate Canada Event
Wednesday, June 27, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Official remarks at 7:30 p.m.Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Scarborough Museum's 50th anniversary.
Enjoy sweets from around the world, live music, entertainment and the launch of two new exhibits. The Destination Scarborough exhibit is about immigration, inspired by the Museum's volunteers who have immigrated to the area. It is created in partnership with the Scarborough Historical Society. The Impressions of Scarborough exhibit is led by museum program partner, InPrint Collective. This group of artists is hosting print workshops with the youth volunteers of Scarborough Museum, as well as the general public, this summer. Watch for some of the youth's work as the exhibit grows over the coming months. Be sure to drop by the Rogers TV booth and discover how you can get involved with this community television station. Find out about their extensive volunteer program, learn how to pitch your own show idea and watch a special presentation of their new Canadian show Introducing Toronto. Admission is free.

Canada Day in High Park at Colborne Lodge
A Celebrate Canada Event
Sunday, July 1, 12 to 4:30 p.m.
Celebrate Toronto's lovely green space, High Park, on Canada Day.  Enjoy the area's rich Aboriginal heritage in participatory dance and song performances by Leslie McCue and Lindy Kinoshameg. Learn about the park's legendary connection to the War of 1812 in a walking tour down to Grenadier Pond. Discover the story behind the park's founding by touring the 175 year old home of benefactors John and Jemima Howard. Stroll their beautiful recreated gardens and play  Victorian lawn games. Admission is free.

Canada Day at Fort York National Historic Site
A Celebrate Canada Event
Sunday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate Canada and commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 at Fort York. Don't miss the Fort York Guard's demonstrations of period soldiering, musket firing, artillery and music. Tour the Soldiers' Barracks, Officers' Quarters and historic kitchen. While here, be sure to take part in the walking tour, Toronto's Changing Lakefront, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy family fun brought to you by Bunch Family/Rec Room! Kids will sing and dance to music from 1812, take part in a storytelling scavenger hunt
and write a letter to kids in 2212. For hands-on fun, Rani Sanderson will host a kite making workshop and kids can make a Canada Day button to take home. Admission is free.

Canada Day at Mackenzie House
A Celebrate Canada Event
Sunday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Celebrate Canada's 145th birthday with a visit to the home of William Lyon Mackenzie. Starting today we will be highlighting the events that led up to the Upper Canada Rebellion, which marks its 175th anniversary in December. Mackenzie's lifelong work to achieve responsible government was the reason friends and supporters bought him this house in 1859, and also why he was designated a National Historic Person of Canada, in 1949. Join us for a tour and learn why Mackenzie and others chose to take drastic steps in their attempts to achieve reform. Throughout the day, enjoy music by Mike Ford, who will be performing his original, Canadian history-inspired songs. Print a special Canada postcard on the printing press. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

Dominion Day Celebration at Montgomery's Inn
Sunday, July 1 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Visit the Inn for a Dominion Day celebration. Enjoy music in the historic Inn, guided tours, Inn-made strawberry ice cream in the historic kitchen and strawberry rhubarb compote in the tea room on shortcake with whipped cream and a fresh berry. $10 plus tax.

Destination Canada at Scarborough Museum

A Celebrate Canada Event
Sunday, July 1 from 10 to 5 p.m.
Join Scarborough Museum in Thomson Memorial Park on Canada Day. Sample treats made from historic recipes. Enter the annual pie eating contest! Come join the fun. Admission is free.

NEW!  Canada's Diamond Jubilee: Dominion Day Garden Party at Spadina Museum
A Celebrate Canada Event
Sunday, July 1, 12 to 4 p.m. 
Come in 1920s-style costume and party like it's 1927 ? the year Canada celebrated its Diamond Jubilee as a nation. Join in the fun and enter the costume contest. Learn a few 1920s dances with The Hogtown Swing Dance Studio. Listen to the jazz music of Beverly Taft and the Swell Fellas Trio and the Bob De Angelis Brass Quartet. Enjoy crafts, games and make strawberry ice cream. Solve a 1920s era mystery in the ambiance of this beautifully restored mansion. Purchase period-inspired refreshments and have a picnic on the lawn, surrounded by the historic gardens. Admission is free. 

Canada Day at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site
Sunday July 1, 12 to 4 p.m.
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a day in the Don Valley as we celebrate Canada Day. Visit our historic homes dating from the mid-1800s, sample treats prepared in our historic kitchens and enjoy special activities for children. Admission is pay what you can.

Kids? Crafts at Mackenzie House
Saturdays & Sundays in June, July & August, 12 to 4:30 p.m.
Bring the family to visit the last home of Toronto?s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, then enjoy some kid time doing an historically-based activity. Please call 416-392-6915 for further details. Regular admission applies.

Montgomery's Inn Farmers' Market
Every Wednesday until December 5 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Buy direct from local farmers and food artisans. Organic fruit and vegetables, cheese, bread and prepared foods as well as ethically raised meat, honey and more. See the Inn's table top exhibit while you browse the farmers' wares and don't miss the Contact
photography exhibit indoors in the tea room. Free.

Summer Victorian Extravaganzas at Scarborough Museum
Saturdays and Sundays in July, 12 to 5 p.m.  
Enjoy a great afternoon of family-friendly entertainment featuring the Scene Change youth players! Check out dress rehearsals in July and performances in August. Shows, music and merriment every summer weekend. Admission is pay what you can.

Historic Garden Tours at Spadina Museum
Wednesdays and Sundays in July and August at 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Tour Spadina's six acres of restored gardens with Spadina's knowledgeable gardening staff. Included with regular admission.

Summer Programming at Fort York National Historic Site
Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thrill to the boom of the cannon, the crack of muskets, the vibrant colours of the uniformed guard, and the lively music of fife and drum. Visitors will enjoy hourly demonstrations of military music, drill, musketry and artillery performed by students representing the Canadian Fencible Regiment that was garrisoned at the fort at the end of the War of 1812. Highlights include the cannon firing at 12:30 p.m. and the music of the Fort York Drums (a fife & drum corps) in the afternoons. Program varies daily. Call for specific details. Regular admission applies.

Art Gala Forum Exhibition at the Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills
Wednesday, July 4 to Sunday, July 15
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Art Gala Forum was founded in the city of Mississauga on May 26, 2005 by a group of visual artists from across Latin America. Today, collaborators include artists from Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico. Art Gala members believe that The Arts are subtle and important threads in the Canadian multicultural quilt. Admission to view the group's exhibition is free.

On Common Ground ? A concert series at Fort York National Historic Site
Part of the City of Toronto's Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812
Saturday, July 14, doors at 3 p.m.
Entertainers feature: Sarah Harmer, Shad, Rural Alberta Advantage and Alex Cuba. The concert will be held on the Garrison Common. Admission is free.

1849: The Rebel Returns! at Mackenzie House
A Walking Tour In partnership with Heritage Toronto
Saturday, July 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
The walk begins at Mackenzie House
When William Lyon Mackenzie was discovered in Toronto in March 1849, twelve years after he led an armed rebellion down Yonge Street, chaos broke out, and a violent mob attacked the house he was visiting. But was this really a spontaneous demonstration? And where were the constables? Should the city that Mackenzie had once governed, once threatened, protect him? Or offer him up to mob justice?
Admission is free.

Society of Canadian Artists Exhibition at the Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills
Wednesday, July 18 to Sunday, July 29
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Officially founded in 1972 (although germinating since 1957), the Society of Canadian Artists is the young, national, non-profit artists? organization born to foster and celebrate the visual arts in Canada. The Society is a collection of some of the country?s most committed traditional and new media artists. Admission to view the group's exhibition is free.

Musical Matinees at Montgomery's Inn
Join us for classical music in the Briarly Room in partnership with Neapolitan Connection.
Saturday, July 28 features Duo Primo with Ronee Boyce on piano and Mahsa Madahian playing the cello. This premiere duo will present chamber music works by Claude Debussy, Frederic Chopin and many others. Tours of the museum and refreshments are included in the ticket price. Adults $22 plus HST, children under 12 $12.50 plus HST. Tickets available at http://www.neapolitanconnection.com.

Macbeth at Montgomery's Inn
Saturday, July 28 & Sunday, July 29 at 7 p.m.
Join the Humber River Shakespeare Company for this classic in the park. Bring your own chairs.
Admission: pay-what-you-can at the park. Patron information line: 416-231-3504.

Summer Day Camps at Your City of Toronto Museums
If you haven't got your child's summer completely booked yet,
there's still a few spaces available at the museums' fun and creative day camps across the city.
Children age 5 to 14 can enjoy hands-on archaeology, theatre arts, old-fashioned cooking, visual arts, games and explorations of nature and history at museum day camps. Visit www.toronto.ca/camps.

Campbell House Museum
Visit Campbell House's website to learn about its history and upcoming events

Casa Loma Events

Teddy Bear Picnic
Saturday, June 23, 11 a.m.
Can you imagine anything more enchanting than bringing your Teddy Bear to Casa Loma for a picnic and storytelling? Following a readying of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, everyone will have an opportunity to enjoy lemonade and a baked treat while the children decorate their own bear-themed cookies. All children will take home their decorated cookies in a basket. Cookies provided by Marnie Lippa, Parties Made Simple.  Program to be held outside, weather permitting, if not program will be moved indoors. Adults $21 + HST; Children (2+) $16 + HST, general admission to Casa Loma is included in the prices. Program duration is one hour, pre-registration is required please phone 647-725-1826.

Mostly Unplugged ? Music and Art Series at Casa Loma.
June 26, July 31 and August 28, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lovers of summer, gardens, bbq?s and live music will find exactly that, the final Tuesday of the summer months. Enjoy young artists, including live performances by Brianna Clarke and the Kohen Hammond
Trio, while breathing in our gardens and gorgeous skyline. All ages welcome, $5 (cash only). Free parking. BBQ menu and tapas platter, non-alcoholic beverages, wine and beer available at cash bar.

Canada Day Celebrations at Casa Loma
Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Come and celebrate Canada Day with family and friends at Casa Loma! We have some special events planned, including the Upstairs/Downstairs interactive tour with our costumed interpreter, a Canada Day Archery workshop for adults, and live music by the Queens Own Rife Regimental Band. Tours available at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. General Admission + $2 (HST) surcharge. Archery workshop $34 +HST, price includes admission to Casa Loma. Pre-registration is required. Please phone 647-725-1826.

For more information visit Casa Loma's website http://casaloma.org

First Post Office
Visit the First Post Office's website http://www.townofyork.com

Toronto Railway Heritage Centre
Open May through October
The Toronto Railway Heritage Centre, located adjacent to the CN Tower, is operated by the Toronto Railway Historical Association on behalf of the City of Toronto. The Centre is housed in the John Street Roundhouse which, from 1929 to 1986, serviced steam and diesel locomotives that hauled passenger trains into Toronto Union Station. The museum is also spread out over much of Roundhouse Park and the collection includes six locomotives, two passenger cars and four freight cars, as well as four historic 19th-century wooden railway structures that were relocated from other parts of the city and completely restored. Features of the TRHC include a computer simulated engineer's cab ride in a locomotive, a visit inside the cab of an actual steam locomotive, a ride on the longest engine turntable in Canada, guided tours, museum exhibits and a ride on a half-kilometre long miniature railway. The TRHC is currently a seasonal operation, running from May through October. The Toronto Railway Historical Association is a non-profit charitable organization run by volunteers and is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Toronto's rich railway heritage. For more information visit the TRHA website at www.trha.ca

To contact and visit any of your City of Toronto Museums www.toronto.ca/museums/locations

To find our events online www.toronto.ca/museum-events

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