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posted March 20, 2008

THE BIG FESTIVAL - CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND INFO SESSION ON MARCH 26, 2008

The Bloor Improvement Group (BIG)

Run by volunteers, The Bloor Improvement Group (BIG) is a dynamic coalition defined by a geographic area and a common goal: to makeBloor Street West from Lansdowne to Christie a better place to live, work and play. BIG is a community action project to mobilize local participation by initiating creative strategies for community and economic development. BIG represents: residents' associations, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), cultural producers, creative activists, social service agencies, and all the stakeholders in our community. BIG formed in 2006 to increase our capacity to effect positive change on complex social issues. Community leaders from an area spanning two City wards on Bloor Street West came together to form The BIG coalition, an umbrella organization that defines a new locality.

The strategy: by harmonizing all our smaller actions we can effect BIG(ger) change.

The organizations represented in the BIG Coalition include: Bloordale BIA, Bloorcourt BIA, Christie Ossington Residents' Association, Dufferin Grove Residents Association, BeBloor, Bloor Collegiate Institute, Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre, Clay and Paper Theatre, Cooking Fire Theatre, Councilor Adam Giambrone, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Councilor Adam Vaughan, , DIG IN, Dufferin Grove Park Staff, Dyan Marie Projects, Friends of Dufferin Grove, Green Here, Kent Senior School, Friends of MacGregor Park, MP Mario Silva, MPP Tony Ruprecht, MPP Rosario Marchese and Wallace Emerson Community Centre... and the list keeps growing!

The BIG Festival

Our first project is an exercise in collaboration that will form the foundation of how we work together in the future.

The BIG Festival, running on Bloor from Christie to Lansdowne, will be an annual event currently in its inaugural year. The Big Festival is...well it's BIG... for a few BIG reasons:

  • The BIG Festival is made up of a group of not as BIG community festivals on Bloor St. that united as one BIG festival.
  • The BIG Festival is BIG in size spanning 4 subways stops from Lansdowne to Christie on Bloor Street.
  • The BIG Festival is a BIG statement in the tradition of Toronto's car-free street parties.

Most importantly, The BIG Festival is a small step towards BIG change on Bloor St. This small step is a BIG gesture by the community welcoming Toronto to explore what is unique about Bloor St and to discover all the small wonderful things that make up the BIG picture of Bloor.

The BIG Festival will:

  • Support our local businesses in the Bloorcourt and Bloordale BIAs.
  • Celebrate the local heritage of the Toronto neighbourhoods in the BIG region.
  • Create opportunities for artists to engage with community through exhibitions, events and performances.
  • Build on the current, unique identity of the community by celebrating the diverse population and groups.
  • Increase local participation by working on a positive common goal.
  • Identify this stretch of Bloor Street as a unique and vital Toronto neighbourhood like the West Queen West, The Danforth, ChinaTown, and other great places in the Toronto.

Theme

The theme of the inaugural BIG Festival is what we as individuals, as members of the community and as citizens bring to the table.

The theme of what we bring to the table is expressed in one BIG activity that requires the participation of the entire Bloor Street community and Toronto at large: throwing a dinner party at the world's longest dinner table! Everyone is invited to take a seat at the BIG table to break bread with the community while breaking a world record. The table will be located in the middle of Bloor Street extending all the way from Christie to Lansdowne.

Hosted by the community and local merchants on the eve of the summer solstice, you are invited to pull up a chair at the BIG table to participate in the first annual BIG Supper.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

Success hinges on engagement.

BIG has worked hard to build bridges, make inroads and lay the framework that will guide our efforts. We now need members of the community to step up and lend a hand.

Specifically, BIG needs talented volunteers to help on the following festival committees:

  • Programming

Develop programming ideas, work with vendors, hosts and entertainers, establish criteria, etc.

  • Production

Develop site map, liaise with support units (police, EMS, etc.), manage logistics, etc.

  • Marketing, Promotions and Outreach

Develop marketing strategy, conduct outreach, website, etc.

  • Volunteers

Identify roles for volunteers during Festival such as Information, training, etc.

BIG is hosting a (BIG) information session for anyone interested in participating in this amazing, inaugural celebration

of our Bloor Street community:

What: Festival Committee Information session - learn what we're up to and how you can contribute

When: March 26, 2008 at 7pm Where: Bloor Collegiate Institute, 1141 Bloor Street West

Why: Because engagement matters - if you talk the talk you should walk the walk RSVP (please do): Sheila Pin - smpin@rogers.com

Please don't be shy! If you believe that you can contribute to any of these Festival committees (and we know you can!), please get in touch (as soon as possible!) with Sheila Pin at smpin@rogers.com. If you have any questions (and we know you do!) please don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks so much - we look forward to your participation. Sincerely,

The BIG Coalition


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