Wednesday 18 January 2017

SOME 2017 BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS HAPPENING IN ONTARIO


By Neil Armstrong

TD Bank Canada will host the Black History Month Media Launch on Jan. 23 at TD Bank Tower in Toronto.

Here is a list of Black History Month 2017 events that I’ve compiled from various sources for your pleasure.

Ontario Black History Society will hold its 2017 Black History Month Kick-off Brunch, “Celebrating Canada 150,” on Sunday, Jan. 29, 12-5pm at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. West, Toronto. This year's award recipients are: Andre De Grasse, Dwight Drummond, Lawrence Hill, Spider Jones and Bryan and Shannon Prince. Keynote speaker: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, MP & Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. www.blackhistorysociety.ca
FEBRUARY
From Feb. 2-26, Black Artist’s Network Dialogue (BAND) presents “No Justice, No Peace: From Ferguson to Toronto” at the Gladstone Hotel featuring the work of artists: Zun Lee, Jalani Morgan and Nation Cheong.

 No Justice, No Peace: From Ferguson to Toronto (http://www.ryerson.ca/ric/exhibitions/NJNP/) positions photography at the forefront during an era of heightened global protests against systemic violence by police. All are socially-conscious photographers whose images evoke the pan-geographic urgency with which their black subjects demand to be seen and heard. Co-curated by Julie Crooks and Reese de Guzman, this exhibition will be on view at BAND’s pop-up gallery at the Gladstone Hotel.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS AT TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Highlighting some of the many events:

#BlackLivesMatter: Feb. 1, 7-8pm at Toronto Reference Library. A candid discussion on the achievements of Toronto’s Black communities, the Black Lives Matter movement, and race relations in Canada. With journalist Desmond Cole, civil and human rights lawyer Anthony Morgan, Black Lives Matter representative Chrys Saget-Richard and Toronto Star’s Morgan Campbell.

Canada’s Poet Laureate, George Elliott Clarke pays homage to the late Austin Clarke. With Lillian Allen, Clifton Joseph, Adebe DeRango-Adem and Giovanna Riccio on Feb. 9, 7-8:30pm at Toronto Reference Library.

#BlackLivesMatter. Desmond Cole, Anthony Morgan and Chrys Saget-Richard in discussion at York Woods on Friday, Feb. 10, 10-11am

Among the many events are presentations by spoken word artist, Dwayne Morgan; journalist/publicist Dalton Higgins; Bev Salmon, a former Toronto city councillor and co-founder of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations; National Film Board of Canada productions on former governor general Michaelle Jean and The Ninth Floor; and a presentation on Viola Desmond.

United Way Peel Region presents “Roots, Commitment and Legacies” the launch of Black History Month on Friday, Feb. 3, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 90 Biscayne Crescent, Brampton. The event is chaired by Justice Donald McLeod. The panel will involve an indepth examination of the state of affairs of the Black Community in Peel focused on a commitment to find tangible solutions and develop critical next steps in partnership. Tickets are $75. Unitedwaypeel.org

KUUMBA – Feb. 3-4 & 10-11 – Harbourfront Centre

Toronto’s longest-running celebration of Black History Month returns in February, and this time we’re adding a second weekend! Join us for a series of thought-provoking panel discussions and socially driven cultural programming that explores blackness in the 21st century.  www.harbourfrontcentre.com/festivals/kuumba/

Tiki Mercury-Clarke’s “Toronto Black Then” will be on Feb. 4, 7-8:30pm in Miss Lou’s Room.
The launch of Denham Jolly’s memoir, “In the Black: My Life,” will be held in Miss Lou’s Room on Feb. 11, 7-9pm. Storyteller, Itah Sadu, will share stories with families and Trey Anthony will host "A Black Girl in Love with Herself," an uplifting night of honest girl talk on Feb. 11, 8-11pm. Lots more happening there during KUUMBA.


“HOW BLACK MOTHERS SAY I LOVE YOU,” a Trey Anthony and Girls in Bow Ties production written by Trey Anthony and presented by Factory Theatre will run from Feb. 9-March 5 (Previews Feb. 4-8) at Factory Mainspace Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. (at Adelaide) www.factorytheatre.ca

HOW BLACK MOTHERS SAY I LOVE YOU is Trey Anthony’s ('da Kink in my Hair) most hilarious and thought provoking play yet. Daphne, a Caribbean mother, emigrated to Canada leaving two daughters behind in Jamaica for six years. The separation causes disastrous consequences for the entire family who are all searching for love, reconciliation and forgiveness. A tale of a mother, her daughters and their attempts to love each other in less than ideal circumstances, HOW BLACK MOTHERS SAY I LOVE YOU searches for ways to respond to what has been left unsaid.

Historica Canada and TD Bank Group in celebration of Black History Month present “Black Canadian Trailblazers-Then and Now,” an evening to celebrate the contributions that Black Canadians in various fields have made to Canada. To recognize this milestone year of Canada’s sesquicentennial, the event will pay homage to trailblazers making a difference in our country today, and those who came before them. This will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at The Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto.
Hosted by City News Anchor Tammie Sutherland, the night will feature a stellar line up of Black Canadians who ​will each share a story:
Wanda Robson - Author and sister to Viola Desmond
Measha Brueggergosman - Canadian Opera Singer
Dwayne Morgan – Spoken Word Artist & Motivational Speaker
Dr Afua Cooper – Author, Historian & Educator
Jojo Chintoh - Veteran TV Reporter
Anthony Morgan – Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate
Special performances by Akwaba Cultural Exchange - African drumming group, Jade's Hip-Hop Academy, and poet Nadine Williams.
For more information, please visit us at: www.celebrateblackhistory.ca

RASTAFEST in association with Frontline Books, Miquel Lorne Publishers & Masani Productions present a Black History Month celebration on Friday, Feb. 10 at Remix Lounge, 1305 Dundas St. West (at Rusholme Rd.) featuring Treson, Iauwata, Comfort & the City Soul Band, Cue, Ras Miquel Lorne, Ras Sekous Tafari and others. Includes the book launch of the revised edition of “Philosophy & Opinions of Marcus Garvey” written by Amy Jacques Garvey. Donation: $10 Call: 416-291-9977 rastafest1@gmail.com www.rastafest.com


dance Immersion presents U.K. dance company ACE with the Canadian premiere of TEN. Choreographed by José Agudo. Friday, February 10 - Saturday, February 11, 2017. Friday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday matinee at 1pm at Harbourfront Centre's Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Tickets: $34 (Students/Seniors/CADA/arts workers $22-$29); Groups 10+: $15
Harbourfront Centre Box Office at 416-973-4000 OR
online at www.danceimmersion.ca

The Jamaican Canadian Association, under the distinguished patronage of the Jamaica’s Consul General at Toronto, Lloyd Wilks, presents “Boonoonoonos Brunch” The Crisis in Education, a Black History Month celebration on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2-6pm at the Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow Rd., Toronto. The event will also recognize the achievements of Dr. Gervan Fearon, Mitzie Hunter, Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Ezra “Tony” Browne and David Mitchell. Admission: $50. Buffet Meal. Entertainment. Prizes and Surprises. Call 416-746-5772 jcaontario.org

Black History Month “Deeper-than-Religion” Community Teach-in, discussion and dinner at Ralph Thornton Community Centre, 765 Queen St. East, Toronto, 3rd Floor Activity Room on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2-6pm. Cost: pay if/what you want. RSVP for dinner: homeschoolontario@yahoo.ca

South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Koerner Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 8pm. 416-408-0208 www.performance.rcm.ca

The 5th annual Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) will be held Feb. 15-19. www.torontoblackfilm.com

Peel United Cultural Partners (Congress of Black Women – Brampton Chapter and the United Achievers’ Club) presents its annual Black History Month Concert at Lester B. Pearson Theatre in Brampton on Saturday, Feb. 18, 5:00pm-8:30pm.

TD presents “Tribute to the Legends of Reggae” paying tribute to Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Culture on Tuesday, Feb. 21, doors open at 7pm, show time at 8pm at the Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton and on Saturday, Feb. 25, 8pm (doors open); show starts at 9pm at The Opera House, 735 Queen St. East, Toronto. Live performances by: Ken Boothe, Exco Levi and High Priest, Nana McLean, Chester Miller, Mr. Cooper, Hardcore Band. Music provided by DJ Joshua Luca.
Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door. VIP Tickets: $50 advance, $55 at the door
Info: Jones & Jones: 905-452-1911

2nd annual Black Diamond Ball presented by TD & ArtXperiential will be held on Feb. 25 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto featuring: Divine Brown, Glenn Lewis, Michie Mee and Simone Denny. Host: Patricia Jaggernauth


BAIE 2017 Black Arts & Innovation Expo
Excelovate and First Book Canada have partnered with leading corporations, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, artist and innovators to deliver an event that promotes diversity and inspires excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
This event defines a new way of celebrating Black History Month with focused attention placed on the remarkable achievements of tomorrow’s legends. Meet this outstanding group of new leaders and experience their valuable contributions to music, literature, visual arts, entrepreneurship and technology.
BAIE 2017 takes place on February 25, 2:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the York Mills Gallery, 1885 Leslie St., Toronto.

Celebrating Excellence. Reverend John C. Holland Awards and Gala on Saturday, Feb. 25, doors open at 5:30p.m., dinner at 6:30p.m. at Grand Central Ballroom, Liuna Station, 360 James St. North, Hamilton. For more information, call Louise 905-865-1027/Marlene 905-921-9646
Dwayne Morgan has launched his own App.

Winsom Winsom and Lillian Allen

Dalton Higgins

George Elliott Clarke at the Emancipation Day Freedom Train Ride at Union Station in Toronto

Geraldine Moriba and Afua Cooper

Clifton Joseph at an event to celebrate the groundbreaking newspaper, Contrast, at 28 Lennox St., Toronto.

Itah Sadu at a bench naming ceremony at the Harboufront Centre with Kamala-Jean Gope and Zanana Akande enjoying the moment.

Pages 24 & 25 of What's On, programs and events at your library January-March 2017

Page 13 of What's On, a publication of the Toronto Public Library

African Canadian Achievement Awards will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, 7pm at the Jane Mallet Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front Street East, Toronto.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS IN OTTAWA



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