Toronto's neighbourhoods are defined by the cultural and artistic vibrancy that fill our shopfronts, studios, galleries and halls. However, as our city grapples with rising property values and new development pressures, new challenges have emerged in retaining and creating new spaces to cultivate the creative milieu that our city is renowned for.

As part of my Ward18 Talks speaker series, I will be hosting a panel discussion on this important issue on Thursday June 22, 2017 at 6:30pm at the Henderson Brewery (128A Sterling Rd). I invite you to join me and panel members from arts organizations, and the City's Community Planning and Economic Development & Culture divisions for an engaging conversation to share ideas and expertise on how we can enrich our city's artistic vibrancy. We will also be having an evening social after the panel to mix and mingle starting at 8pm at the Henderson Brewery.

I hope to see you there!

PLEASE RSVP FOR WARD18 TALKS BELOW

Pickup some free compost and drop off your use electronics and hazardous household wastes for safe disposal by the City our Ward 18 Community Environment Day! City crews will be on hand to answer you questions.

Join in on Bloor between Dufferin and Christie Pits for the first summer Hurly Burly; an evening of art and entertainment!

Clay and Paper Theatre spins the history of our local theatres, The Doric, The Kenwood and The Paradise, in front of their original locations along Bloor Street. Follow the storytelling sequentially, from theatre to theatre, as history unfolds in this 3-act street performance. Witness the unveiling of a unique commemorative sign for The Doric, presented by art collective DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC MEMORY. Then parade to the Pits with our troupe of puppeteers for the Opening Night of the Christie Pits Film Festival’s 7th Season. See the silent comedy The Freshman with live musical score by The Holy Gasp. The Hurly Burly is supported by the Ontario 150 Community Celebrations programme and is made possible through the generous support of The Paradise, Working Women Community Centre, Main and Main, and Bloorcourt BIA.

Schedule of Events Sunday June 25th, 2017

6:00pm & 6:30pm Clay and Paper  Doric Theatre 1094 Bloor St W

6:20pm & 6:50pm Paradise Theatre 1008 Bloor St W

6:40pm & 7:10pm Kenwood Theatre 964 Bloor St W

7:30pm Dept of Public Memory Sign Unveiling

7:45pm Puppet led parade to Christie Pits

8:30pm Han Dong, MPP & Cristina Martins, MPP Launch our Ontario 150 Celebration in Christie Pits

9:00pm Opening Night of the Christie Pits Film Festival at Christie Pits, 750 Bloor St W

Opening remarks at 5:30pm

Davenport Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre (DPNCHC) is a multi-service agency with a long history of working with local residents, artists, and businesses to promote a more caring, connected, and healthy community.

DPNCHC believe that photography is an excellent medium to build immediate and lasting connections between people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Their latest initiative, the DPNCHC Photo Project, is an intergenerational art project that brings together community members aged 13 to 80 to learn about photography in an inclusive, expressive environment.

Over the last few months, participants have met with local artists to learn about portraiture, build their photography skills, and discuss critical ideas about who we are, where we come from, and where we’re going.

Their collection of portraits, created in collaboration with local photographers, explore these issues of self-image, identity, and self-expression. Their compelling images illustrate the importance of connecting with one another to tell our stories, build skills, and ultimately, improve our well-being.

Thank you to the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council and Erin Stump Projects for supporting our communities to share, learn, reflect and create. 

Save the date for the BIG on Bloor Festival of Arts and Culture, July 22 & 23 2017 when Bloor Street transforms into a hub of art, food and fun! Between Dufferin and Lansdowne, Bloor St will be filled with care-free, car-free fun! BIG on Bloor welcomes up to 100,000 people to Bloordale and celebrates arts, culture, community & small business. Share our unique community and city-building festival featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions. Click here for all the details!