Diaspora Dialogues

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Toronto the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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Diaspora Dialogues returns this April to Keep Toronto Reading’s stellar lineup. DD in partnership with Toronto Public Library present Toronto the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Join us for a series of free readings and performances that reveal the different sides of this dynamic city the last three Fridays in April.

Featured writers from Toronto the Good include: Rabindranath Maharaj, Jill Andrew, Shiela Heti, Misha Glouberman, Brandon Pitts, and Sarah Feldbloom.

Andrew Pyper, Ron Schafrick, Mia Herrera, Lillian Allen, and Shadi Eskandani will present stories about Toronto the Bad.

Anecdotes from Toronto the Ugly will be shared by Michael Helm, Dominque Russell, Valentina Gal, and musical guest LAL.

The evenings’ event will be hosted by Catherine Hernandez, Dora Mavor Moore–nominated playwright.

Toronto the Good
When: Friday, April 13; 7 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, Atrium; 789 Yonge Street

Toronto the Bad
When: Friday, April 20; 7 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, Atrium; 789 Yonge Street

Toronto the Ugly
When: Friday, April 27; 7 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, Atrium; 789 Yonge Street

Public Speaking Workshop with Andrea Thompson

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Join Andrea Thompson to overcome one of the most common fears: PUBLIC SPEAKING.

In this FREE workshop, participants will learn strategies for effective public speaking, whether reading their creative writing pieces before a live audience or doing an in-class presentation. Using the skills of spoken word poetry, this interactive workshop will give participants tips on how to approach public speaking with confidence, and create presentations that are both inspiring and effective. Learn techniques for overcoming stage fright while exploring the art of spoken word with one of the country’s most well known practitioners.

*Participants are asked to bring with them at least one piece of their own writing to share at the workshop, as well as a pen and notebook.

When: Saturday, March 24, 2012; 2 pm—4 pm
Where: 170 Bloor Street West, Suite 804
Register: Email Natalie at natalie@diasporadialogues.com to register.

Mind the Gap

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Toronto is one of the most livable cities in the world. But over the last 30 years, the gap in incomes has grown and the middle-class neighbourhoods that once defined the city are vanishing. Please join us in a joint exhibition to explore ideas that can help us overcome this trend.

When: February 8 to March 16, 2012, 9 am to 7 pm. Closed Sundays

Where: Urbanspace Gallery, Ground Floor, 401 Richmond Street West

Presented by Diaspora Dialogues, Cities Centre, University of Toronto, MASS LBP, Metcalf Foundation, and United Way Toronto.

TD Celebrates Black History Month with Then & Now Event Series

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February is Black History Month and to celebrate, TD is bringing a series of performance, arts and cultural events to Toronto running from January 18–March 29, 2012.

Sponsored by TD Bank Group, series events include:

  • January 21-February 12: Caroline, or Change -The award-winning musical drama follows a struggling African-American maid working for a southern Jewish family in 1963, amidst the dawning Civil Rights Movement.
  • February 2: Black Women in Cinema—Inspiring Role Models—Actress Pam Grier draws on her personal experiences to discuss the changing landscape of film and the roles and opportunities available to women of colour.
  • February 3-5: Kuumba Festival—A FREE celebration of Black History Month with activities such as dance classes, film screenings, music concerts, comedy nights, fashion workshops and more.
  • February 23-25: A Moving History of Canadian Blacks in Dance—Coinciding with the 24th annual International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference & Festival, the showcase celebrates Black dance artists who have contributed to the Canadian and global dance ecology.

To view Then & Now’s full event listings visit here.
Learn more about Canadian black history here.

Brimful of Asha Post-show Q&A

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Avenue

Brimful of Asha is a unique new play featuring real-life mother and son Asha and Ravi Jain, who are also the play’s co-creators. The two share the stage to tell their true (and very Canadian) story of generational and cultural clash. The play centres around the pressure put on Ravi to marry a nice Indian girl upon his decision to take a trip to India. Ravi doesn’t feel he’s ready for marriage just yet, but Asha fears that time is running out. Running from January 24-February 19th at Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgman Avenue). On February 1st, Diaspora Dialogues will host a post-show Q&A with the co-creators Ravi and Asha Jain about the conception of the play.

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit tarragontheatre.com.

Red Snow Post-show Q&A

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Thursday, January 19, 2012
Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue

Diana Tso’s Red Snow is a new Canadian play, inspired by survivors of the forgotten holocaust of WWII. The story raises a collective voice through culture, history and memory. A woman’s recurring nightmare of a Chinese opera drives her to search for her family’s silenced story. When she falls in love with a man connected to the same history they must struggle to reconcile the past with the present. Running from January 12th-28th at Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Ave). On January 19th, Diaspora Dialogues will host a post-show Q&A with playwright Diana Tso, director Beatrice Pizano, and dramaturge Ric Knowles about the development of the play Red Snow. Purchase your Red Snow tickets here.

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