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News 2007
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News 2007
- January events
- March And April
- May events
- June events
- July events
- August
- September events
- October events
- December
January events
from the January 2007 Newsletter:
posted December 30, 2006
Local Theatre “And what ALICE found there”
January 23 to February 4, The Great Hall Downstairs Theatre (Queen & Dovercourt), 8 pm (Sunday matinee at 2.30pm)
Many of the park on-site staff are at the park part-time, and do other things the rest of the time. They dance, or do research, or do union work, or grow food. And some of them do theatre. “And what Alice found there” is a new play about Alice in Wonderland, involving singing, dancing, video art, and puppetry. The park staff who are part of this Stranger Theatre Company (website) performance are: Lea Ambros, Sarah Cormier, and Christina Serra. Some tickets are available at the zamboni snack bar.
Ted Carlisle
posted December 30, 2006
DJ on ice, with DJ Ted Carlisle
Sunday January 7, 2 - 4.30 pm
Park staff Ted is also a DJ, with a wonderful collection of music to please all ages. There will be some mats on the ice near the DJ, for little non-skaters who want to dance too (with Eroca Nicols, park dance teacher). But the most fun is on skates.
We stole this idea from Harbourfront Rink, where they have a DJ on most Friday evenings – and that’s another wonderful place to skate.
posted December 30, 2006
A Medieval Celebration: Twelfth Night, Friday January 5th, 5:45pm
It'll be a good night: Twelfth night, Friday Night Supper, Fire Circle, Skating, Friends and Family...
From David Anderson:
The whole event will be about a half an hour just before Friday night dinner. It will begin with a procession from the Rink House to the fire circle to gather the crowd. Then the performance of The Return of the Green Man, perhaps accompanied by some spectacular fire breathing.. This will be followed by the celebratory pouring of the cider on the ceremonial festooned (apple?) tree. A dance around the tree will then lead us back to the Rink House for supper.
(There will be some lamb's wool, an apple cidery drink.)
David Anderson
Artistic Director
Clay and Paper Theatre
163 Concord Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 2P2
Email: claypaper@sympatico.ca
Website: www.clayandpapertheatre.org
posted December 30, 2006
A Medieval Celebration: Twelfth Night
Friday January 5, at 5.45pm
Twelfth Night is orthodox Christmas Eve all over the world, but it’s also an old festival of foolishness and fun which began in the fifth century. At Dufferin Grove Park this year it will involve a Lord of Misrule, a King and Queen of the Bean, a wassail song around an apple tree near the park fire circle (or a newly-planted tree decorated with apples), twelve small straw fires, a mummers’ play, and a campfire pot of hot cider with cooked apples and cream floating in it (“sheep’s wool”). The idea is to celebrate the gradual returning of the light and the earth’s fertility.
David Anderson’s Clay and Paper Theatre will present THE RETURN OF THE GREEN MAN, as the mummer’s play, with giant puppets. There’s a call for more volunteer mummers. David writes: “The show can be performed with as few as 8 actors, but benefits tremendously from having as many as 20 (or more!) performers. We need you. Please call 416 537-9105 or talk to the park staff. Volunteer now! There will be ONE rehearsal only, the night before in the gymnasium of the Wallace Emerson Community Centre. We have the rehearsal space booked for 2 short hours, from 8:30pm to 10:30 pm on Thursday January 4th.”
Contact:
David Anderson
Artistic Director
Clay and Paper Theatre
163 Concord Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 2P2
Email: claypaper@sympatico.ca
Website: www.clayandpapertheatre.org
March And April
Tuesday April 3, 11 am (first class): Baby Song and Bounce for Caregiver and Babies 0 to eighteen months
From Christina Serra:
“Each class includes the exploration of instruments, movement and song. Baby Song and Bounce encourages the development of verbal and motor skills, body awareness and also provides the opportunity to learn new songs and games, for you and your little one to enjoy.” In the rink house, class runs for ten weeks.
See the Flyer for more information.
These music classes are part of the programming provided by Dufferin Grove Park. Both classes are given by park staff member, Christina Serra. Christina is a licenced Kindermusik teacher and professional actor. She’s been teaching children’s classes all over Toronto for the past 5 years. She also teaches drama classes at the Lorainne Kimsa Theatre for Young People and is a member of Stranger Theatre (and a performer in this coming summer’s “Cooking Fire Theatre Festival”). Each class is 45 minutes long and will run for 10 weeks, at the rink house. Suggested donation: $80. If you have trouble with that amount, talk to Dufferin Grove staff. More information: 416 392-0913 or e-mail kindermusik@dufferinpark.ca.
posted April 03, 2007
Clay and Paper Theatre Newsletter
From David Anderson:
Hello everybody,
We just published our 2nd newsletter of this year! If you want to see what's up with Clay and Paper right now please subscribe to our newsletter by clicking on this link:
www.mymailout.com/Groupie/Subscribe.aspx?m=3562
all the best,
David Anderson
Artistic Director
Clay and Paper Theatre
163 Concord Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 2P2Email: claypaper@sympatico.ca
Website: www.clayandpapertheatre.org
May events
from the May 2007 Newsletter:
SUMMER ART ACTIVITIES AT DUFFERIN GROVE
As usual, there are some art activities for kids offered at Dufferin Grove Park, run in partnership with local artists. To register now, here’s a preview:
Summer Theatre in the Park, with Kate Cayley,
Thursdays from July 12 to Aug. 30:
Drama classes will be held outdoors (weather permitting) every Thursday until the end of the summer. The children will make small plays, learn new stories, write poems and scenes, and play in a friendly, inspiring and enjoyable way. A younger group will focus on creative play, improvisation and storytelling, while an older group will experiment with making scenes, devising plots and writing original stories from poems and bits of history. Both classes will integrate movement, traditional storytelling, improvisation, silly games, writing and exploring the world of the park. Kate Cayley, who will lead the classes, has four years experience teaching drama and creative writing to children, as well as working professionally as a theatre director and writer, and as artistic director of Dufferin Grove Park’s Cooking Fire Theatre Festival.
Ages 6-9 every Thursday 2:00-3:00, and ages 10-13 every Thursday 3:00-4:00.
Cost is $85 suggested donation per child for 8 classes (sliding scale available, particularly for families wishing to register more than one child.) Space is limited! For more information or to register please email Kate: katecayley@gmail.com or call 416-538-6084 (e-mail preferred.)
Kids’ Paper Mache Camp, ages 8 – 12, with artist Erin Robertson
July 16 – 20. 9a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is an all-day camp, costing $150.00 for the week. (There will be room for one bursary where a kid can join for free.) This amount also covers all art materials and one snack a day provided. Contact Lyla at: lylarye@sympatico.ca. 416 536 6381.
Spend 5 days in the park developing your own papier-mâché sculpture on the theme of: Wild in the City. You will learn how to make a wire armature and cover it with papier-mâché. You then get to paint and collage on it. On Friday, the whole group will display their artwork in a large diorama. Each morning and afternoon a couple of hours will be spent on art and during breaks you’ll go to the wading pool, playground or the pizza oven.
Theme: Wild in the City
|
Daily Schedule:
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Erin Robertson: Erin is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art, and Guelph University, studied at Atelier Gilbert Diabold, Paris, France, York University with incorporated Independent study in Tanzania E.A. Erin has been an instructor at the Ottawa school of Art since 1994 where she teaches all age groups including diploma drawing, portraiture, sculpture and painting. She has facilitated several workshops for Ottawa Carleton School Board, the Ottawa School of Dance, and the Museum of Civilization. |
See the brochure.
Kids’ Art Camp in the park with Jeannie Soley and Gillian Tremain.
July 17 - 20 (from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. each day for four days)
Shibori for Girls : The art of Japanese tie-dye. This 4-day workshop is aimed primarily at girls, as the main project will be a wrap-around summer skirt, using a traditional tie-dye technique known as shibori. Nimble fingers are a definite requirement, as well as good concentration; the initial part of the project involves tying many tiny knots! The girls will also have the opportunity to try various ways of embellishing their skirts even further : embroidery threads, beads and over-painting techniques. There will be a secondary activity interspersed with the main project, as a way to give the kids time to absorb what they've learned. There will be room for one bursary.
From Gillian: This camp will suit girls ages 9 and up. We'll take a maximum of 10 kids. Cost yet to be determined. To register, please email Gillian at gillyt@ca.inter.net or Jeannie at fjsoley@hotmail.com or call 416-532-0773.
June events
from the June 2007 Newsletter:
PARK EVENTS IN JUNE
Special Friday Night Supper "Fundraising Friday Night Supper for local theater group "Ahuri Theater"
Tonight Friday June 29th: 6-7:30:
It will be a culture shock at this Friday's supper! Ahuri Theatre, a local theatre group, has invited actors from Japan and Sweden to perform in Toronto and prepare traditional meals from their countries. Travel the culinary world in the comfort of Dufferin Grove Park!
The Menu:
Soup: Fresh Tomatoe Basil Soup served cold Meat Dish: Swedish Delight (Swedish Meat Balls, Potatoes and green salad) Vegan: Japanese Feast (Japanese Maki, green sesame salad and japanese style pickles) Desert: Grilled Country Apples
A little bit of backgroud -
Ahuri Theatre was formed out of the initiative of local theatre artists to connect and explore theatrical traditions with cultures from around the world. With four different languages represented, Ahuri Theatre has created their first full length production entitled Yabu No Naka: Distruthted which played to rave reviews in Montreal. Toronto audiences will have the opportunity to catch this production at the Toronto Fringe Festival from July 5-15. What started locally has now expanded internationally, and Ahuri Theatre has been invited to perform in Japan in April 2008.
Yabu No Naka:Distruthted Presented at the Toronto Fringe Festival Venue #26, Polish Combatants Association Garage 206 Beverley st. Tickets : 10$
Schedule : July 5-15th - Every day - 9 pm
AND... Don't miss our physical theatre workshops in Toronto:
Fresh Air Fair "Journeys into Climate Change"
Sunday June 3, 11am to 3pm:
This event is a regional fair booked into Dufferin Grove Park by Parks supervisor Peter Leiss, through the City of Toronto Permits section. From organizer Melissa Greiner of Clean Air Partnership:
For the past two years, the Fresh Air Fair focused on environmentally friendly products and organizations. This year, we are adding a focus: climate change. All Non- governmental Organizations, retail, and sponsor booths will showcase information, products, and/or services related to climate change.
Each booth will utilize signage to illustrate the link between their work and the climate change. Retailers will be onsite to allow participants to turn their increased awareness into action through the purchase of energy conservation products.
We will create a journey through different aspects of climate change by using a "footprints" path to guide the audience through the event grounds. To help give the "journey" a realistic feel, each visitor will receive a passport to travel with from booth to booth. Participants will collect stamps and sign their names to a pledge. The booths will draw attention to the connections between our everyday actions, climate change, and on-going air quality issues. Appearing on the City’s Showmobile:
- Earth Rangers: How climate change is effecting the earth and its animals. Meet and greet animals – tangible realities of climate change. (two 22-minute shows)
- Clean Air Foundation: Interactive computer display/car heaven/Electric Car/hybrid boat. - Toronto Public Health: 20/20 program/how to lower your home and car energy use by 20%.
- Sierra Club Toronto Group: Sierra Club’s Climate Change work.
- Environment Canada: How to lower energy use
- Zero Footprint: Computer that computes wasted energy.
- Green Tourism: Traveling by train? Contest.
- Enbridge: Saving Energy within your home.
- Red Spirit Drummers: “Taking care of the earth” drumming and dancing.
- Ontario Science Centre: Scientific experiments on climate change.
The Fresh Air Fair engages children, youth, and families through displays, exhibits and live entertainment and “how to” information and an opportunity to purchase relevant products. LEAF: tree tour and perennials for sale. Community Bicycle Network, Autoshare.
New Content: Specific new aspects of this year’s fair include – New green venue (Dufferin Grove Park). Exhibit booths – all booths are required to be interactive and focus on climate change. Merchandise exhibits – consumers will not only learn about but also purchase new energy-efficient products
Sponsors: Toronto Atmospheric Fund/ Enbridge Gas Distribution/ Shell Environmental Fund/ Dufferin retailers/ Laidlaw Foundation.”
See website.
Stilt-walking workshops with Clay and Paper Theatre.
Friday June 1, 7-9 pm and Wed. June 6, 7-9 pm
Location: Meet at the Field House in Dufferin Grove Park.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can learn to walk high above the crowd. Price is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $5. We may relocate to another area of the park - so if you are late and can't find us, call Krista at 416-316-4461.
Natural Health Practitioners in the Grove:
Thursday June 14 from 3:00 till 7:00 pm
From Anne Shaddick:
“Natural Health Practitioners from a variety of modalities will be gathered in the Grove on, to offer the community a sampling of the work that they do. If you have been curious, but have yet to try out some of these approaches, here is your chance to receive the offerings of those in your community trained to give you something you can truly benefit from. Rain date June 21st. We look forward to seeing you!”
BIG LAWN SALE:
Saturday June 16, 10-2 pm
Councillor Adam Giambrone is having his annual summer BBQ and lawn sale. From the Councillor´s office:
Book your free table now to avoid disappointment. There will be displays from the Police, Fire, EMS, Public Health, and fun activities for the whole family. Free hot dogs while supplies last. Come and have a great time in Davenport's outdoor community centre Dufferin Grove Park--For more information contact Councillor_Giambrone@toronto.ca or 416-329-7012.
Environment Day is coming!
Saturday June 16 10 -2 PM Dufferin Mall Parking lot.
Come get your recycling boxes, free compost, and other City of Toronto environment strategies. For more information please contact: Councillor_Giambrone@toronto.ca or 416-329-7012
Cooking Fire Theatre Festival.
Wednesday June 20 to Sunday June 24, 7 to 9.30 pm.
From director Kate Cayley:
For the fourth year in a row, Dufferin Grove Park will host Cooking Fire Theatre Festival. Each night, dinner will be served at 6:00, with pay-what-you-can performances running from 7:00 to 9:30. This year, the festival will show work by Les Trouveres (the marvelous stilt walking hosts of last year’s festival, with friends and pet poodle), The Golgi Apparatus with Bigfoot (featuring park staff Sandy Gribbin, Christina Serra and Dan Watson), The Spee Society with Lear’s Shadow (King Lear as seen by the Fool, in fifteen minutes), Independent Auntie with their new kid’s show Robber’s Daughters, and American puppet company Rain Machine with How to Tie a Knot. For a full schedule, look up www.cookingfire.ca or call 416-538-6084.
A crowd is enraptured with one of the Cooking Fire plays, June 21, 2007
(Thanks to Wallie Seto for the photo)
5th Annual Day of De Light
Saturday June 23, 2-5 pm
A celebration of love, courtship and desire! Day of De Light. Join Clay and Paper Theatre at Dufferin Grove Park for an artful afternoon of theatre, dance, music, and all things de-lightful! Pay-What-You-Can, suggested $10.
DANCING IN THE PARK:
beginning Saturday, June 23
Dufferin Dance is back! Eroca will be teaching dance in the park, beginning Saturday, June 23. The schedule has changed, so be sure to mark your calendars. Also, please note that this year we are encouraging people to pay what they can for classes, with a suggested donation of $5-$8 per class. But as always, money will not prevent anyone from participating. The age groups are:
- Saturdays: Ages 5 and under, 1-1:30pm; Ages 6-8->1:45-2:30pm
- Sundays: Ages 9-12, 1-1:45pm; All Ages Dance & Instrument Jam->2-2:45pm
If anyone has instruments they would like to donate to the program, or any questions about the classes, contact Eroca at staff@dufferinpark.ca.
Also, from Eroca:
We will kick off the summer´s Community Dances featuring DJ Ted Carlisle on Friday, June 29. Be there for Friday Night Supper and stay and shake it up.
SUMMER ART ACTIVITIES AT DUFFERIN GROVE
Summer Theatre in the Park, with Kate Cayley
Thursdays from July 12 to Aug. 30:
Ages 6-9 every Thursday 2:00-3:00, and ages 10-13 every Thursday 3:00-4:00.
Drama classes will be held outdoors (weather permitting) every Thursday until the end of the summer. The children will make small plays, learn new stories, write poems and scenes, and play in a friendly, inspiring and enjoyable way. A younger group will focus on creative play, improvisation and storytelling, while an older group will experiment with making scenes, devising plots and writing original stories from poems and bits of history. Both classes will integrate movement, traditional storytelling, improvisation, silly games, writing and exploring the world of the park. Kate Cayley, who will lead the classes, has four years experience teaching drama and creative writing to children, as well as working professionally as a theatre director and writer, and as artistic director of Dufferin Grove Park’s Cooking Fire Theatre Festival.
Ages 6-9 every Thursday 2:00-3:00, and ages 10-13 every Thursday 3:00-4:00. Cost is $85 suggested donation per child for 8 classes (sliding scale available, particularly for families wishing to register more than one child.) Space is limited! For more information or to register please email Kate: katecayley@gmail.com or call 416-538-6084 (e-mail preferred.)
Kid’s Papier-mâché Camp , ages 8-12, with artist Erin Robertson
July 16 – 20, 9am – 5 pm.
From Lyla Rye:
“Spend 5 days in the park developing your own papier-mâché sculpture on the theme of: Wild in the City. You will learn how to make a wire armature and cover it with papier-mâché. You then get to paint and collage on it. On Friday, the whole group will display their artwork in a large diorama. Each morning and afternoon a couple of hours will be spent on art and during breaks you’ll go to the wading pool, playground or the pizza oven.”
This all-day camp costs $150.00 for the week (there is one bursary where a kid can join for free). This amount covers all materials and one snack a day provided. Contact Lyla at lylarye@sympatico.ca or call her at 416-536-6381.
Kids’ Art Camp in the park with Jeannie Soley and Gillian Tremain.
July 17 - 20 (from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. each day for four days)
Shibori for Girls : The art of Japanese tie-dye. This 4-day workshop is aimed primarily at girls, as the main project will be a wrap-around summer skirt, using a traditional tie-dye technique known as shibori. Nimble fingers are a definite requirement, as well as good concentration; the initial part of the project involves tying many tiny knots! The girls will also have the opportunity to try various ways of embellishing their skirts even further : embroidery threads, beads and over-painting techniques. There will be a secondary activity interspersed with the main project, as a way to give the kids time to absorb what they've learned. There will be room for one bursary.
From Gillian:
This camp will suit girls ages 9 and up. We'll take a maximum of 10 kids. Cost yet to be determined. To register, please email Gillian at gillyt@ca.inter.net or Jeannie at fjsoley@hotmail.com or call 416-532-0773.
"Ring Around the Moon" Circle Games for the Entire Family.
Thursdays in July (July 5, 12, 19, 26) starting at 6:30 p.m.
Join Theo Heras in a weekly program of traditional circle games. All are welcome.
Theo Heras has spent many years honing her craft of working with and entertaining children. Best-known as the children's librarian at the Lillian H. Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library, Theo runs a very popular and highly successful baby program there. In 2005 and 2006, Theo performed at the Franklin Children's Garden on Centre Island and is returning there in 2007. Theo is the author/singer of the book/cd called What Will We Do with the Baby-o?
July events
from the July 2007 Newsletter:
SPECIAL EVENTS IN JULY
THEATRE IN THE PARK: Clay and Paper Theatre presents WE NEED HELP. A play about the end of oil.
July 18 to July 22, July 25 to July 29, August 1 to August 6, 7.30 pm, outdoors in the park
From director David Anderson:
“Giant puppets and live jazz animate this outdoor performance about what happens when the road less traveled becomes the highway to hell. A honeymooning couple is stranded in Northern Ontario when the world’s gas tank runs dry.”
Admission: pay what you can, $10 recommended.
GET YOUR CAR WASHED!
When the weather is dry, cars can get extra dusty. They need extra washing, and Dufferin Grove Park is the place to go. There are three fund-raiser car washes at the northwest end of the park this month:
- Sunday July 15 8 am – 4 pm: Portugal soccer club
- Friday July 20, 1- 4 pm: Wallace-Emerson summer camp
- Saturday July 21, 10 am – 4 pm: Toronto Eagles soccer club
Just drive up the dead end across from the mall lights and watch the kids sudse, rinse, and polish your car to make it look like new. Then put some money in their fund. A win-win.
"Ring Around the Moon" traditional circle games
Thursdays July 5, 12, 19, 26 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Four Thursdays of traditional circle games with children’s librarian Theo Heras: Circle Games for the entire family -- all are welcome. Theo Heras is the children's librarian at the Lillian H. Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library, where she runs a very popular baby program. She also performs at the Franklin Children's Garden on Centre Island. Theo is the author/singer of the book/CD called “What Will We Do with the Baby-o?”
STILL A FEW SPACES IN ARTS PROGRAMS
FOR THOSE BORED OLDER KIDS
Thursday drama classes
July 12 to August 30.
Ages 6-9 every Thursday 2:00-3:00, and ages 10-13 every Thursday 3:00-4:00.
Drama classes, held outdoors (weather permitting). The children make small plays, learn new stories, write poems and scenes, and play in a friendly, inspiring and enjoyable way. A younger group focuses on creative play, improvisation and storytelling, while an older group experiments with making scenes, devising plots and writing original stories from poems and bits of history. Both classes integrate movement, traditional storytelling, improvisation, silly games, writing and exploring the world of the park. Kate Cayley, who leads the classes, has four years experience teaching drama and creative writing to children, as well as working professionally as a theatre director and writer, and as artistic director of Dufferin Grove Park's Cooking Fire Theatre Festival.
Suggested donation is $85 per child for 8 classes (sliding scale available, particularly for families wishing to register more than one child.) Space is limited! For more information or to register please email Kate: katecayley@gmail.com or call 416-538-6084 (e-mail preferred.)
Kid’s Papier-mâché Camp , ages 8-12
with artist Erin Robertson July 16 – 20, 9am – 5 pm.
From Lyla Rye:
“Spend 5 days in the park developing your own papier-mâché sculpture on the theme of: Wild in the City. You will learn how to make a wire armature and cover it with papier-mâché. You then get to paint and collage on it. On Friday, the whole group will display their artwork in a large diorama. Each morning and afternoon a couple of hours will be spent on art and during breaks you’ll go to the wading pool, playground or the pizza oven.”
This all-day camp costs $150.00 for the week (there is one bursary where a kid can join for free). This amount covers all materials and on snack a day provided. Contact Lyla at lylarye@sympatico.ca. or call her at 416-536-6381.
Kids’ Art Camp in the park with Jeannie Soley and Gillian Tremain.
July 17 - 20 (from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. each day for four days)
Shibori for Girls: The art of Japanese tie-dye. This 4-day workshop is aimed primarily at girls, as the main project will be a wrap-around summer skirt, using a traditional tie-dye technique known as shibori. Nimble fingers are a definite requirement, as well as good concentration; the initial part of the project involves tying many tiny knots! The girls will also have the opportunity to try various ways of embellishing their skirts even further : embroidery threads, beads and over-painting techniques. There will be a secondary activity interspersed with the main project, as a way to give the kids time to absorb what they've learned. There will be room for one bursary.
From Gillian:
This camp will suit girls ages 9 and up. We'll take a maximum of 10 kids. Cost yet to be determined. To register, please email Gillian at gillyt@ca.inter.net or Jeannie at fjsoley@hotmail.com or call 416-532-0773.
Regular Arts Events
THURSDAY DRAMA CLASSES FOR KIDS:
July 12 to August 30.
- ages 6-9 every Thursday 2:00-3:00, and
- ages 10-13 every Thursday 3:00-4:00.
Drama classes, held outdoors (weather permitting). The children make small plays, learn new stories, write poems and scenes, and play in a friendly, inspiring and enjoyable way. A younger group focuses on creative play, improvisation and storytelling, while an older group experiments with making scenes, devising plots and writing original stories from poems and bits of history. Both classes integrate movement, traditional storytelling, improvisation, silly games, writing and exploring the world of the park. Kate Cayley, who leads the classes, has four years experience teaching drama and creative writing to children, as well as working professionally as a theatre director and writer, and as artistic director of Dufferin Grove Park's Cooking Fire Theatre Festival.
Suggested donation is $85 per child for 8 classes (sliding scale available, particularly for families wishing to register more than one child.) Space is limited! For more information or to register please email Kate: katecayley@gmail.com or call 416-538-6084 (e-mail preferred.)
PARK FILM NIGHT, FRIDAY JULY 20 2007 8.45 PM
The Toronto Public Space Committee, Streets to Screens Project will present a screening of two films - "Men In The Park" a short, followed by "City Park -- A Little Music For The Soul" (52 minutes).The screening, starting about 8:30, will follow Friday Night Dinner.
About the short: Directed by George Geertsen, produced by Robert Verrall (1971).
These men in the park are pencil drawings, but this is no still-life study. It is as if the artist's sketchbook has become animate, alive. The result is intriguing, especially for those with an eye for the art of film animation. About the feature: Directed by Carole Laganière and produced by Nathalie Barton (2006), it’s the story of Parc Lafontaine, an urban park in the heart of Montréal and the lives that inhabit it. A portrait over four seasons of a place where people feel fully alive and less alone, a place that speaks, listens and consoles. This film is a Toronto premiere.
Pay what you can.
August
from the August 2007 Newsletter:
THEATRE IN THE PARK:
Clay and Paper Theatre presents WE NEED HELP.
Wednesday August 1 to Monday August 6, 7:30 pm, outdoors in the park
A greasy black comedy about the end of oil
From director David Anderson:
“Giant puppets and live jazz animate this outdoor performance about what happens when the road less traveled becomes the highway to hell. A honeymooning couple is stranded in Northern Ontario when the world’s gas tank runs dry.”
Admission: pay what you can, $10 recommended. See Clay and Paper Theatre.
All Caps! Concert
Dufferin Grove Park August 11 2pm - 8pm
FREE SUMMER CONCERT FOR MUSIC LOVERS OF ALL AGES
PRESENTED BY “ALL CAPS!” WITH PARKS AND RECREATION
Saturday August 11 2pm to 8 pm
From organizer Ryan McLaren:
ALL CAPS! presents the Outdoor Show in conjunction with Dufferin Grove Park and WhipperSnapper Gallery.
There will be frisbee, soccer, a BBQ, sidewalk chalk, a mix CD trade (details below) and more! Dufferin Grove is a large, beautiful space, so there's a lot of room to make this a user-defined show. Bring a blanket, read a book, bring a slip'n'slide, bring some gloves and a ball and play catch, whatever you like, all while enjoying 8 amazing bands and musicians. We've got a really diverse cross section of music, from hip hop to avant experimental, Gameboy pop to acoustic folk, indie rock to math pop.
The Rural Alberta Advantage; Tetris Hold'em; The Guest Bedroom; John Kameel Farah; Atherton; Germans; Fraser Gielen; Bruce Peninsula.
The first band goes on right at 2pm, so we suggest getting there a bit earlier. Of course the park is open all day, so why not show up early and enjoy the weather?
Rain date: Sunday August 12th. More information: www.allcaps.ca.
“ERIC DOLPHY MEMORIAL BBQ”
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AUGUST 26
Toronto musician Nilan Perera is bringing together some professional musician friends for the Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbeque. Nilan and other Toronto musicians are part of a group called “The Association of Improvising Musicians of Toronto.” They want to make some music in the daytime, so that their families can come along (instead of the nighttime gigs these various musicians usually play). They’re happy to have others come by and listen too, as they do what Nilan calls “creative in-the-moment performance. The art of improvisation and surprise.”
SPECIAL ARTS PROGRAM - SHIBORI FOR GIRLS
August 29 and 30, 12.30 to 4.30:
An Introduction to Textile Design for Kids. From Jeannie Soley:
“Our shibori workshop under a tree in July was a lot of fun so another will be offered in August. Pre-registration is required. The August workshop will be from 12:30 to 4:30 on August 29 and 30th. The cost is thirty dollars per day. The participants will be introduced to textile design by making a sash using the ancient shibori tie-dye resist technique. They will learn how to make a dye bath, resist knotting, basic embroidery and sequin embellishment. The sash will take two days to complete. A second printmaking project will be included in this workshop in order to vary the day's work and give the girls an opportunity to try printmaking.
Here is a chance to become refined resist knotters, pattern thinkers, dyers, printmakers and embroiderers. A great introduction to textile design and printmaking.”
Contact: Gillian Tremain and Jeannie Soley at fjsoley@hotmail.com
DANCING AT THE PARK WITH EROCA
Down by the playground in August, Eroca teaches dance:
Saturdays
- 1:45-2:30pm is for ages 6 to 8;
- 2.30pm is for ages 5 and under
Sundays
- 1 –1.45 pm is for ages 9-12.
- 1.45 pm all ages Dance & Instrument Jam
This year we are encouraging people to pay what they can for classes, with a suggested donation of $5-$8 per class. But as always, money will not prevent anyone from participating.
If anyone has instruments they would like to donate to the program, or any questions about the classes, contact Eroca at info@dufferinpark.ca.
September
from the September 2007 Newsletter:
EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
Annual MORRIS DANCERS’ gathering.
Sunday Sept.2, 4 p.m.
Sunday Sept.2, 4 p.m. Annual MORRIS DANCERS’ gathering. Dufferin Grove recreation staff have once again been able to persuade the Morris dancers to finish their annual Labour Day weekend dancing at Dufferin Grove Park. Morris dancers date back from farm labourers’ resistance to early industrial conditions in Great Britain in the eighteenth century. The dancers often wear bells strapped to their legs; some are in blackface (this refers to a miners’ disguise, not an attempt to change race); some dance with swords. It’s very energetic, and exhilarating to watch. Groups from other parts of Ontario, NY State, sometimes even Britain, have been coming to this park for years on the Sunday of Labour Day weekend, after they give free dance performances in public outdoor spaces all over the city. The groups wrap up their day by dancing for one another to show off their latest dances, and eat masses of fresh park bread and herb butter and samosas, and make pizza. The jets from the CNE air show often thunder overhead. The gathering is not a public event per se, but they welcome anyone who comes to watch, and they often share their food. It’s the park oven bread that lures them here – another good reason for an oven.
Nineteenth annual Dufferin Grove Neighbourhood Lawn Sale and Street Fair
Saturday Sept.8: 10 a.m., noon, after-lunch, and six pm.
Saturday Sept.8: Nineteenth annual Dufferin Grove Neighbourhood Lawn Sale and Street Fair, 10 a.m., noon, after-lunch, and six pm.
From organizer Liz Martin:
It’s time for the street fair again, always the first Saturday after Labour Day.
10 a.m. Clean out your basement and join us for a Lawn Sale on the east side of the park in the morning, and try not to buy too many things from your neighbours! Kids’ toys and clothes always go well.
Noon: Then we'll have Hot Dog Lunch near157 Havelock, courtesy of our Councillor.
After lunch: Kids Games in the afternoon organized by local parent Robin Crombie
6 pm: Potluck Dinner with Cakewalk over by the park ovens. Pizza-making for the kids too, with Dufferin Grove staff ($2 per pizza).
See the photo gallery from the 2006 street fair
Annual bench-and-picnic table painting day
Sunday Sept. 9, 1 pm to 4 pm
Sunday Sept. 9, 1 pm to 4 pm: Annual bench-and-picnic table painting day.
Organized by Michelle Webb, with paint supplied by the Parks department. For many years now there have been no provisions for repairing or maintaining picnic tables, and what’s a park without tables? A coat of paint before winter, for some of the most paint-deficient picnic tables, will help preserve them. Michelle says, wear old clothes and come to the park oven at Sunday pizza time. The tables most needing paint will be set up there. Last time Michelle organized this painting bee, friends or even whole families came and painted a table together. A very friendly occasion, with free pizza for painters.
Parks Committee meeting.
Friday Sept.14, 9.30 a.m., City Hall, Committee Room 1.
Friday Sept.14, 9.30 a.m. Parks Committee meeting. City Hall, Committee Room 1. This is the first day back for the Councillors on the Parks Committee. The decision to keep the 50 outdoor rinks without ice until 2008 may be raised at this meeting. (See Rink News below)
The annual Dufferin Groove Hockey League Music Jam
Saturday Sept. 22, 2 to 7 pm., in the Garrison Creek Hollow beside Dufferin Street
Saturday Sept. 22, 2 to 7 pm. The annual Dufferin Groove Hockey League Music Jam in the Garrison Creek Hollow beside Dufferin Street. The Dufferin Groove league has had the Monday Night hockey permit at Dufferin Rink for so long, nobody can exactly remember when it started. Many of the players are also musicians, and this is their yearly chance to give the park a present – a free concert down in the hollow.
In collaboration with Dufferin Grove recreation staff, who provide the food from the oven. This year the concert will no doubt be an occasion for hockey players to discuss the City’s rink cut.
Dufferin Mall Youth Services Goodbye Celebration.
Sunday Sept.23, Time TBA
Sunday Sept.23: Dufferin Mall Youth Services Goodbye Celebration. Time TBA.
After more than fifteen years, the agencies that have been running the mall’s youth services are throwing in the towel. Dufferin Grove recreation staff will have to hunt for another place to send the youth at the park who are having trouble. From organizer Shani Kipang:
Between 30-60 current and past youth services users will be at the park to celebrate what DMYS has been to the community and its youth over the years and to raise some community support to keep us open. We’ll have music, free food, and some 'speeches' by youth about what DMYS has meant to them.
Native Child and Family Services Annual “Honouring our Children” Pow Wow
Saturday September 29
Saturday September 29: Native Child and Family Services will be presenting their annual “Honouring our Children” Pow Wow. This event is a very popular, very colourful occasion with many craft vendors, two big tipis, drummers, dancers in beautiful costumes, free food and a big “give-away” of donated goods at the end. The day begins at sunrise with a fire ceremony in the fire circle, lit by an elder. Then there is a pause while the soccer field is set up with tipis, vendors and information tables, a stage, and food areas. The grand entry of the dancers is at noon, and the give-away is at about 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join in the pow wow dancing, all afternoon.
Since having over a thousand people in the park all afternoon can lead to some problems, recreation staff will be at the playground this year again to supervise. Tipi poles and shovels will not be available at the sandpit on that day, to reduce the number of loose parts that can become weapons if there are too many kids packed into the playground together.
October
from the October 2007 Newsletter:
Events in October
Clay & Paper’s stilt-walking workshops
Thurs. Oct. 18, 6-8 pm, Sat. Oct. 20, 2-4 pm, Tues. Oct. 23, 6-8pm, Thurs. Oct. 25, 6-8 pm.
From Clay and Paper director David Anderson:
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced stilter who wants to practice your skills for the Night of Dread parade, all are welcome to our drop-in workshops. Meet at the Field House at Dufferin Grove Park, that’s the small brick building adjacent to the soccer field. Cost: $5. Contact Krista for more info: krista_dalby@hotmail.com
NIGHT OF DREAD
Saturday October 27, 5.30 to 9pm, assemble from 3 p.m. on.
The eighth annual community parade and celebration. Assemble from 3 p.m. on, parade leaves the park at 5.45 pm. Black and white dress code. (I.e. don’t come as Batman unless you really have to). Organized by Clay and Paper Theatre, with David Anderson as the parade master.
This is the annual parade that everyone gets to be in. Between 400 and 500 people gather by the rink and basketball court and then parade along Bloor, south down to College, and then back to the park. There are performances and bonfires at the park, wonderful bake-oven food (from 3.30 on), and music.
For more information, or to help make masks, wear a giant puppet, or bang a drum, call 416 537-9105, or visit www.clayandpapertheatre.org, or e-mail claypaper@sympatico.ca.
Halloween Swap
Saturday and Sunday October 27 and 28, Masaryk Cowan CC
From Bruce Whittaker:
Just a reminder ... THIS SATURDAY and SUNDAY between 2 and 5 is the first annual TOYS/DVDS/BOOKS/Halloween Costumes SWAP. On Saturday, drop off all of that stuff you no longer use and replace it, if you wish, on Sunday. The SWAP will be located at Masaryk Cowan Community Center, around 4 blocks west of Dufferin at Queen. Check out http://neighborlyswap.blogspot.com for details. Lots of toys etc. will be going to families in need ... just in time for Xmas. Hope to see you there.
December
from the December 2007 Newsletter:
WINTER CRAFT FAIR SUNDAY DEC.16,11- 4 PM
This season's winter craft fair at Dufferin Grove Park will be set up outside along the rinkhouse, in the market tents. From organizer Lisa Logan:
“There will be wonderful and wild hand-made goods this year including Woodworks, Knitwear, Glass designs, Print Work, Dolls, Cashmere Scarves, Buckskin creations brain-tanned by designer Dano, Revolution Wear featuring salvaged and found materials, Jewellery and more. All are produced by non-professional crafters bringing great deals to you for the holiday season! There will be hot drinks and food available from the Dufferin Grove kitchen, as well as Yasi's Place, Tim's Crepes and Chocosol.”