Events
 

6th Annual

Workers of Colour / Aboriginal Conference

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008: 9-5pm

Toronto & York Region Labour Council. 
Download registration form .pdf

Black History Month events listing

February 1

 Dr. Afua Cooper, award winning poet and author, will  deliver a public lecture based on her best-selling book about the slave trade, "The Hanging of Angélique".
Toronto City Hall, Members' Lounge, 100 Queen St. W.
Noon to 2 p.m.
Free admission

Award-winning Canadian author and poet George Elliott Clarke, poet Afua Cooper, author Lawrence Hill, singer Faith Nolan and literary critic Donna Bailey Nurse will lead an invigorating and illuminating discussion on the flowering of African-Canadian literature in contemporary Canada, and explore how Canada, as both a country and a culture, has influenced artists in the development of their craft. Toronto Star columnist Royson James will host.
Toronto Reference Library - Atrium, 789 Yonge St.; 7 p.m.
View full details... (PDF 27 Kb)

February 2

Lawrence Hill will read from his latest book, "The Book of Negroes".
Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston Ave.; 7 p.m.
Free admission

February 4

  TNT Eagles, Community Unity Alliance (CUA) and Operation Black Vote Canada (OBVC) present the 6th Annual Black History Month Gala Luncheon Guest Speakers: Premier Dalton McGuinty, John Tory and Keynote speaker Honourable Jean Augustine.
Information: 416-754-2368
Grand Baccus Banquet Facility, 2155 McNicoll Ave.
1 to 5 p.m.
Admission: $75

February 5 to 9

  "Inspiration!" - a display recognizing the contributions of the Black francophone community to Canadian culture.
Toronto City Hall, Rotunda, 100 Queen St. W.
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free admission

February 7

  The Law Society of Upper Canada and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, as part of the Law Society's Equity Public Education Series, will host their annual reception to celebrate Black History Month. The keynote speaker will be Vanita Banks, President-Elect of the National Bar Association in the U.S.A., the oldest and largest organization of lawyers and judges of colour in the world, representing over 20,000 lawyers, judges, legal scholars and law students internationally.
Law Society of Upper Canada, Convocation Hall, 130 Queen St. W.
6 to 8 p.m.
RSVP by February 5 by calling 416-947-3413. Free admission.
Information: Law Society of Upper Canada Equity Public Education Series

February 8

  Citizenship Ceremony presentation will be made to  individuals and youth from various ethnic communities for their volunteerism to the betterment of the African Canadian community.
North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St.; Noon to 1:45 p.m.

February 11

  Launch of the Commemoration of the 200th Anniversary  of the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.; 2 p.m.

February 19 to 23

  "Journey to the Present" exhibit traces the history  of African Canadians from the continent to present day.
Malvern Community Centre, 30 Sewells Rd.
Free admission

February 19 to 23

  Vendors market featuring Afro-centric arts and  crafts, and food.
North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., Main level, North grounds
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

February 22

  Launch of "I've Got A Home in  Glory Land: The Lost Tale of the Underground Railroad" by Karolyn Smardz Frost. Presented by Heritage Toronto in co-operation with the Thomas Allen Publishers.
Information: www.heritagetoronto.org
Historic St. Lawrence Hall, 157 King St. E.

February 22 to March 4

  Obsidian Theatre ( Canada) and Frank Collymore Hall (Barbados) will premiere The Polished Hoe in Toronto before presenting it in Barbados in April 2007. Based on the award-winning novel by Austin Clarke.
Tickets: Range from $10 - $30 and can be purchased in person at the York Quay Centre Box Office, 235 Queens Quay West or by phone at 416-973-4000
Information: www.obsidian-theatre.com
View full details... (PDF 24 Kb)

February 24 and 25

  In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians, Parts One  and Two - Two Walking Tours
Walk in the footsteps of the Black citizens of Victorian Toronto in two tours offered by Mackenzie House Museum. Learn about their trials, tribulations, achievements, businesses, pastimes, philanthropic work and enduring contributions. Hear about such people as William Peyton Hubbard, who is still the longest serving councillor in Toronto's history. Visit the former sites of businesses such as Mrs. M. O. Augusta's fashionable ladies' shop, which featured the latest Parisian modes.

Length of walks: 2 hours
Level of difficulty: Easy
Please dress for the weather. Please call ahead to confirm if there is inclement weather. Enjoy a cup of steaming cocoa in the historic kitchen after the tours.
Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., east of Yonge St., south of Dundas St.
Admission: Adults: $4; Seniors & Youths: $2.75; Children: $2.50.
View full details...

Part 1: Saturday, February 24 - 1 to 3 p.m.
Meet at Market Gallery, St. Lawrence Market South, 2nd floor
The Market Gallery, at Front and Jarvis Streets, was the location of the 1844 City Hall.
This walk concludes at Mackenzie House, home of abolitionist and newspaperman William Lyon Mackenzie, 82 Bond St., east of Yonge and just south of Dundas St.

Part 2: Sunday, February 25; 1 to 3 p.m.
Walk begins and concludes at Mackenzie House.

Continuing through February and March

Saturdays and Sundays

  The Black Press in  Canada West - An Exhibit
Black literature and journalism throughout the 19th century reflected the reality of the Black experience - the evils and cruelty of slavery, the inspiring flights for freedom, and the advancement of a free people. For members of the Black community, the press also provided a forum for leadership and ensured that the Black community told its own stories. This exhibit explores some of the early publications of Ontario - their publishers, writers, and the significant contributions they made to the Black community and society as a whole. Discover the lives and accomplishments of authors and publishers such as James T. Holly and M.E. Lamport.
Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., east of Yonge St., south of Dundas St.; Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults: $4; Seniors & Youths: $2.75; Children: $2.50.
View full details...

   Mackenzie House Museum's on-going exploration of Black History also includes an education program for grades 4 & 5 and 7 & 8.
For more information...

  Black History Month Poster 2007 is designed to  educate Canadians about African Canadians who have changed the face of their communities and the country as a whole, opening doors for future generations to walk through. The poster features (PDF 418 Kb):

• Dr. Afua Cooper, award-winning poet, author, historian, curator, performer, cultural worker and recording artist;

• The Honourable Dr. Garth Taylor, Ophthalmologist;

• Michael Van Cooten, Founder, Publisher and Editor of Pride News Magazine; and

• Christine Williams, District Vice President, Scotiabank

The poster is approximately 18" X 25" and is available for sale during Black History Month for $8 CDN. For more information or to order a poster, call 416-395-6475.

The Hart House programs scheduled to date (additional events to be added; for more information, call 416-978-2452) are:

Feb. 1 through Feb. 10

Hart House Rotunda Display

Journey to the Present

An informative exhibit tracing the history of Africans from the continent to the diaspora

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.

Spike Lee's Get On The Bus

Film Screening presented by Cinssu and Hart House

Innis College Town Hall

Free. All welcome.

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5 p.m.

Community Kitchen "soul food"

Indulge your social awareness about food while making a delicious Caribbean inspired meal in a shared environment of food, fun and friendship! Join Hart House culinary staff and learn how to make spicy treats to warm up your February blues and feed your soul!

Wednesday, Feb. 8, noon

$5 Buck Lunch- Taste of Africa, presented by the African Students Association and Hart House

Sample the tastes and sounds of West Africa.

Wed., Feb. 8, 7 p.m.

Hot Talks Beyond Stereotypes: The Lived Experience of Black Youth

Debates Room, Hart House

What's the real 411 on black youth today? Join Professor George Dei, Professor Tony Chambers and Kofi Hope of the Black Students Association as they converge to examine the reality of being black in the 21st century in an informative panel discussion aimed at community debate.

Sunday, Feb. 12, 11:00 a.m. to noon

Children’s reading with African cultural artists Adwoa and Fule Badoe

East Common Room, Hart House

When Adwoa calls, " ABRA BRA ….." You Say, "YOOO"

Come, make music, drum, sing and dance. Adwoa will interweave this fun experience with African interactive stories for all ages.

Sunday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m.

UT Gospel Choir, Sunday Concert

Great Hall, Hart House

A culturally diverse ensemble of glorious voices to lift your spirit high.

Join U of T gospel choir in songs of joy and praise.