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Urban Planner: June 20, 2009
Urban Planner is Torontoist’s daily guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every morning. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to [email protected].
CULTURE: In celebration of National Aboriginal Day tomorrow, Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) is hosting the fifth annual Community Festival and Traditional Pow Wow. The event, which is Toronto’s largest outdoor Pow Wow, will include traditional dancing, drumming, craft vendors, a children’s area, native foods, and a free dinner feast. Everyone is welcome, but newbies are encouraged to enroll in Pow Wow 101. Wells Hill Park (445 St. Clair Avenue West), 12 p.m., Donations welcome.
COMMUNITY: Pedestrians will savour two and a half kilometres of car-free space and enjoy a neighbourhood celebration and street festival, BIG on Bloor, today. In its second year, the street festival, which is organized by the Bloor Improvement Group (BIG) as a celebration and revitalization project, will feature arts displays, food and craft vendors, music, acrobats, children’s activities, local writers and buskers, puppets on bicycles, street performers, dancing, bike repairs, and green technologies displays. Bloor Street West (Christie Street to Lansdowne Avenue), 1–9 p.m., FREE.
FUNDRAISER: For the fourth year running, Can’t Stop The Serenity is screening Serenity to celebrate director Joss Whedon’s birthday, and more importantly, raise money for his favourite charity, Equality Now, a group that “works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world through the mobilization of public pressure.” Support this cause and take advice from Serenity‘s Shepherd Book, who said that “If you can’t do something smart, do something right.” (Supporting this charity seems to be both.) In addition to the screening, followers and supporters will enjoy a charity auction, door prizes, costumes, and a post-screening party at Pauper’s Pub. Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West), 12:30–5 p.m., $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
FOOD: In its twenty-fifth year, FoodShare, an organization that promotes an awareness that fresh, whole foods are key to health, well-being, and disease prevention, is holding a celebration and launch of its Strategic Plan. Today’s events will include an Annual General Meeting, Open House, a fresh salad bar lunch, author talks, bee-keeping and garden demonstrations, children’s activities, and a fresh produce market. There will also be a panel discussion on the topic of accessible, affordable, and healthy food. FoodShare (90 Croatia Street), 10 a.m.–4 p.m., FREE (Attendees are asked to RSVP).
MUSIC: Electronic artist A.M. will be joined by two friends tonight to transform the mundane into magic. A.M., known as Mr. Moore to a class of grade eight students by day, collects samples of city sounds and mixes them with vocals and a variety of instruments. Last year, A.M. invited fans to send sound clips of anything they did on one particular day in May, which culminated in his recently released album, Let’s Spend the Day Together. A.M. will be joined by More or Les and Fresh Kils tonight, and since he doesn’t have to get up tomorrow a.m. for school, it should be a good party. Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas Street West), 8:30 p.m., $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
FOOD: Yabba Dabba Doo! Today kicks off a weekend-long celebration of carnivorism, The Beach Rib-Fest. Visitors can enjoy ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and peameal bacon on a bun. There will be a beer garden and live music by Fathead, Snake Oil Johnson, and The Gary Kendall Band. Today’s events will also include The Toronto Firefighter Command Cook-Off to benefit Camp Bucko, a camp for child burn victims. Woodbine Park (Lake Shore Boulevard and Coxwell Avenue), 12–8 p.m., FREE.
COMMUNITY: Parkdale is taking a page from Choose-Your-Own Adventure books with the “Invent-Your-Own-Event” festival today. The Parkdale Spring Fling will see community residents, businesses, and organizations hosting demonstrations, a car wash, a Scrabble tournament, sporting events, dancing, live music, an art show, community yard sales, a petting zoo, a Canadian Citizenship Ceremony hosted by Parkdale-High Park MP Gerard Kennedy, and who knows what else! Parkdale Neighbourhood (Queen Street West, west of Dufferin Street), 9 a.m.–10 p.m., FREE.