Compiled by Neil Armstrong on January 30, 2020. Updated on February 23, 2020.
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| From left to right, rap artist and actor Maestro Fresh Wes, filmmaker Nathan Burland, Naki Osutei, associate vice president, partnership and engagement, Global Corporate Citizenship at TD Bank, and Tonya Williams, founder, executive and artistic director of the Reelworld Film Festival speaking at the launch of the TD Black History Month Series in the Brigantine Room, Harbourfront Centre on January 27, 2020. |
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
The Musical Stage Company and Obsidian
Theatre present the multi-award winning musical, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, featuring
singers Jully Black and Measha Brueggergosman at the Winter Garden, 189 Yonge
St., Toronto.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 – SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Kuumba, Toronto’s longest running celebration
of Black History Month, marks its 25th anniversary. This year, Kuumba25
examines the past through cultural expression, ritual and memorabilia, while
re-envisioning identities through art, culture and education. Curated by Ashley McKenzie-Barnes.
www.harbourfrontcentre.com/kuumba
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc.
presents “History Starts Today: Meet the
Builders”; 5:00-9:00pm, at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate, 1355 Harwood
Avenue North, Ajax, Ontario.
Free admission
Durhambhm2020.eventbrite.ca
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
The City of Brampton, in
partnership with several local organizations, is celebrating Black History
Month.
Flag Raising at 2:00 p.m. at Ken Whillans Square, outside Brampton City Hall.
On Friday, February 28, there
will be “The Beat of Black History Month” at City Hall. Marketplace:
12:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Conservatory; Ceremony
& Performances: 6:00 p.m. in the Atrium.
 |
| Photo credit: Andre Rose Mayor John Tory and Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson at their Black History Month Reception at Toronto City Hall Rotunda on February 4, 2020 |
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 12 & 26
Black Futures AfroFuturism Dance Workshop with choreographer and artistic director of KasheDance, Kevin Ormsby; 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Hart House, University of Toronto, 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto.
U of T students: free. Registration required.
Non-students: $10 per class or $25 for all three workshops
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/afro-futurism-dance-workshop-movement-from-the-motherland-to-the-diaspora-tickets
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6
143 (I Love You)
Celebrating Black History
Month at Toronto's Union Station
Toronto, ON (Jan. 21st, 2020) – To commemorate Black History Month, the combination photography and illustration art exhibit 143 (I Love You) sponsored by TD launches inside Toronto's Union Station on Thursday February 6th at 7:00 pm and runs until March 28th. Curated by Wan Lucas, 143 (I Love You) is a group exhibit taking place in the West Wing of the Station that features original works by eight notable Toronto-based Black artists, including seven photographers (Yannick Anton, Ishmil Waterman, Nathalia Amillionminds Allen, Soteeoh, Wade Hudson, Brianna Roye, Gillian Mapp) and one illustrator (Alexis Eke) who explore the various manifestations of love, from the familial to the romantic. In 143, Black love and unity is acknowledged, elevated and celebrated through images that are both testimony and inspiration. Here, the statement "I love you" is both proclamation and declaration, revealing strength through vulnerability. 143 (I Love You) highlights an underrepresented side of the community's day-to-day living. Black. Love.
The title of the exhibition,143, was a numerical
shorthand in common usage during the early 1990s when pagers were as ubiquitous
as personal communication devices. Predating the emoji, 143 was pager shorthand
for the phrase "I LOVE YOU" with each number corresponding to the
number of letters in each word. The images represent meditations on what Black love means to Black
people in their own multitudes. Likewise, 143 highlights a dizzying array of talented
multi-disciplinary artists and unique personalities from within Toronto’s Black community.This profound multi-layered exhibit
boasts images of a broad spectrum of the community and it's diverse
representations of love; from children, youth, elderly, brotherly and sisterly
love, to queer, special needs, and multi-generational love.
143 displays the breadth of Toronto's Black
community, through the wide range of community subjects it documents.
143 (I
Love You) also includes the presentation of the work of ingenious
illustrator and designer Alexis Eke in
the Oak Room. The installation titled "Root" is an original
commission consisting of a profound and masterful Eke illustration based on a
portrait of one of the photographer's (Ishmil Waterman) families. Eke also
brings together four of her own separate works that aim to illustrate black community self love and familial love, using
her compelling signature style inspired by renaissance portraits and
traditional Japanese art.
Union is a platform
that opens us up to the possibility of connections among all of us. The fact
that this significant Black History Month
exhibit is being hosted at Toronto's Union Station is
both timely and topical. The word ‘Union’ is defined as the act of joining, and
every year millions of people use Toronto’s Union Station as a connection point
to rejoin their loved ones, homes, and communities. As a hub and the gateway to
the city, Union links us to familiar and unfamiliar people and places. Just as
Union Station helps us make connections, this exhibit will help guide
Torontonians of all cultural stripes to come make a connection with Toronto’s
thriving Black multi-disciplinary arts
community. Come experience the free admission launch event on Thursday
February 6th, hosted by radio/TV personality Jemeni, featuring an engaging
panel discussion with select artists, and music provided by DJ Agile.
Time: 7pm - 9pm.
Admission: Free
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
1st Fridays Toronto 'Black History Month' Edition; 6:30-11pm at The BBPA - Centre for Excellence, 180 Elm St.,
Toronto.
Featuring:
Presentation of the Jackie Robinson Award
Black Diamond Ball Founder, Shawn Cuffie
The 2020 Toronto Black Film Festival
Legacy Poster Founder & Creator Robert
Small
Willie A. Price - This Week in Black History
Complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres &
more...
Admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the door
/ $10 for students with valid ID (at the door).
To order tickets in advance, visit
or send email money transfers to events@firstfridays.ca and
text your name, email address and security
answer to 416-882-9863.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
The Walnut Foundation presents ‘Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Caregiving
Symposium’; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Bramalea Baptist Church Hall, 9050
Dixie Rd., Brampton.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Registration is free. www.thewalnutfoundation.com/register
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Tribute to the Legends of Reggae
Celebrating five years and counting,
JAMBANA’s annual Black History Month Reggae Jam ‘Tribute to the Legends of
Reggae’ is set to tour through Brampton and Montreal on Saturday, February 8
and Sunday, February 9.
Reggae and dancehall fans can anticipate a
stunning headline performance from genre pioneer and icon Judy Mowatt who, in
addition to being a critically acclaimed solo artist — and the first female
nominated for a GRAMMY Award in the reggae category for 1985’s Working Wonders
— was also a member of ‘I Three’, the backing vocalists for Bob Marley.
The rest of the international line up
includes two pioneers in their own right, credited as part of the Jamaican
styles that influenced New York City’s DJ and rap/hip hop movements throughout
the 70s and 80s.
Known for forging the path to combine comedy,
social commentary and music, Jamaican toaster Professor Nuts will also be on
hand, as well as legendary ‘speed rapper’ General Trees, and five-piece
reggae-dancehall masters, Warrior Love Band.
With a homegrown hat tip, five-time JUNO
Award-winning Exco Levi & High Priest, and soulful reggae-jazz fusionist
Kaisha Lee will round out the sound.
Produced by Jones & Jones Productions,
powered by Kuumba Cultural Association of Toronto and presented by TD, the
JAMBANA™ Black History Month Reggae Jam will be hosted by evening mainstay
Master T, and feature Toronto-area DJ Joshua Lucas between sets.
“This time of year provides us a great
opportunity to pay tribute to artists who have contributed significantly to the
global growth of reggae music,” says Denise Jones, CEO of Jones & Jones
Productions. “We get to acknowledge those who are still with us while also
remembering those who’ve left far too soon.
“There’s a big nostalgia factor at play
during this show and we love bringing those warm, positive memories to the
surface.”
A Tribute to the Legends of Reggae is at The
Rose in Brampton, Ontario on Saturday, February 8th, and Le Belmont in Montreal
on Sunday, February 9th.
Doors open at 7pm, and the shows start at
8pm; tickets start at $25, and are available via jambana.com/legends <http://jambana.com/legends>
SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 9
Jamaican
Canadian Association Boonoonoonos Brunch 2020 honouring Jamaica’s first
national hero, Marcus Garvey; 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the JCA Centre, 995 Arrow Rd.,
Toronto.
Tickets:
$55
Call
416-746-5772 ext. 249. membership@jcaontario.org
SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 9
‘From
Harriet Tubman to Black Panther: Afrofuturism and Prophetic Imagination’; 2:00-4:00 p.m. at St. Margaret, New Toronto, 156
Sixth St., Toronto.
Guest
speakers: Carol Duncan, Department of Religion and Culture, Wilfrid Laurier
University, and Gideon Strauss, Academic Dean, Associate Professor of Worldview
Studies, Institute for Christian Studies
Donated
welcomed, childcare provided.
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 12 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
The 8th
annual Toronto Black Film Festival
www.torontoblackfilm.com
Word, Sound, Power: Black Artistic Expression
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tribute Communities Recital Hall Accolade East Building, York University
Pre-Event Reception at 5:30 p.m. (Martin Family Lounge, Accolade East Building)
Pre-Event Reception at 5:30 p.m. (Martin Family Lounge, Accolade East Building)
The
Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in the
Faculty of Education at York University, and Unifor are pleased to
present their
annual Black History Month Celebration.
Word, Sound, Power: Black Artistic Expression
will be an
evening of spectacular performances showcasing Black artistic
expression here at York University! Featuring musical performances
including the R&B Ensemble under the direction of Mike Cado and the
York University Gospel Choir under the direction of Karen Burke,
as well as Spoken Word artists from Griots to Emcees.
The evening also features a presentation by Wendy "Motion" Brathwaite on the legacy of Black oral & aural culture.
5:30 - 6:45 p.m. RECEPTION (Martin Family Lounge - 2nd Floor
Accolade East)
7:00 - 9:30 p.m. PERFORMANCES (Tribute Communities Recital Hall Accolade East Building)
7:00 - 9:30 p.m. PERFORMANCES (Tribute Communities Recital Hall Accolade East Building)
SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP at
http://bit.ly/2G21TrA
Click here for full event details
Click here for full event details
This is a free event. All are welcome to attend.
This event is co-presented by the Department of Humanities and the Department of Music.
SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 15
Peel
United Cultural Partners 19th annual Black History Month Concert; 5:00-8:30 p.m. at Century Gardens Recreation
Centre, 340 Vodden St. E., Brampton.
Tickets:
$10 (children 2 and under free), $15 at the door
Guest
speaker: Dr. Carl James, Jean Augustine Chair of Education, Community and
Diaspora at York University
Call
905-789-1551 or 416-577-7787
SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 15
Jamaica
Ex-Soldiers 15th annual Black History Month event “Challenging
the Stigma of Mental Health”; exposition, 4-5pm; formal programme,
5:15-7pm; at Revivaltime Tabernacle, 4340 Dufferin St., Toronto.
Call
905-450-9987
SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 15 – SUNDAY, MARCH 8
Ears, Eyes,
Voice
Black Canadian Photojournalists
1970s – 1990s
Jules Elder • Eddie Grant • Diane
Liverpool • Al Peabody • James Russell
Photo Credit: Miss Black Ontario winner Miss Rexdale
Rhonda Broadbent, 1981 by Jim Russell
(TORONTO, January
13, 2020) TO Live presents Ears, Eyes, Voice, a ground-breaking photography
exhibition featuring 41 important visual works by renowned Black Canadian
photojournalists Jules Elder, Eddie Grant, Diane Liverpool,
Al Peabody and Jim Russell.
Eyes,
Ears, Voice will be on view at the Lower Gallery at the Meridian Art
Centre, 5040 Yonge Street, from February 15 – March 8, 2020.
The combined archive of these
five revolutionary photographers reveals a comprehensive and rare record that
visually documents over three decades of stories that tell the important
history of Toronto’s diverse Black communities.
Training their lens on
politicians, community members, activists, and protesters, as well as
entertainers and athletes, the images range from backstage with Peter Tosh and
Tina Turner and early Caribana images to documenting farm workers, capturing
images of political protests against the Toronto police and local
anti-apartheid protests, to local Ebony fashion shows and the crowning of Miss
Black Ontario.
The Lower Gallery at the Meridian
Arts Centre will be open to the public Thursday – Sunday 1PM – 6PM. The
exhibition can also be accessed while attending other shows at Meridian Arts
Centre.
Admission to Ears, Eyes, Voice is free.
Ears, Eyes, Voice is organized and circulated by
Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue (BAND) and curated by Dr. Julie Crooks.
Originally home to MOCCA (Museum of Contemporary Canadian
Art), the Gallery at the Meridian Arts Centre consists of over 3,850 sq. ft. of
exhibition space over two floors that are linked by the upper and lower levels
of the lobby.
EARS, EYES, VOICE
Black Canadian Photojournalists 1970s – 1990s
February 15 – March 8, 2020
Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge Street (TTC: North York
Centre subway)
Exhibition
hours: Thursday – Sunday 1PM – 6PM
Schedule
is subject to change.
ABOUT TO LIVE
TO Live is one of Canada’s largest
multi-arts organizations, operating three iconic venues: Meridian Hall
(formerly the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts), the St. Lawrence Centre for
the Arts and Meridian Arts Centre (formerly the Toronto Centre for the Arts).
In addition, TO Live presents a full range of performing arts, theatrical and concert
events at these venues in both downtown and uptown Toronto. With these two hubs
of creativity and content creation, TO Live has a unique place and perspective
to activate creative spaces by inspiring local and international artists,
connect audiences and to be the nexus for new ideas, elevate artistic
potential, and be the catalyst for creative expression that is reflective of
Toronto’s diversity.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Nia Centre for the Arts presents "Between Two Worlds" with award-winning New York-based author Nicole Dennis-Benn and literary journalist Donna Bailey Nurse, 7:00 p.m. at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, 777 Bathurst Street, Toronto.
Tickets: $5
Dennis-Benn's award-winning novel, Here Comes the Sun, was named a "Best Book of the year" by the New York Times and others.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Nia Centre for the Arts presents "Between Two Worlds" with award-winning New York-based author Nicole Dennis-Benn and literary journalist Donna Bailey Nurse, 7:00 p.m. at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, 777 Bathurst Street, Toronto.
Tickets: $5
Dennis-Benn's award-winning novel, Here Comes the Sun, was named a "Best Book of the year" by the New York Times and others.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29
TD's Black Diamond Ball by ArtXperiential Projects; 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. at the Fairmont Royal York hotel, 100 Front St. W., Toronto.
Tickets: $105-$250
www.blackdiamondballto.com
The media launch for this event was held on January 21, 2020 in Toronto.
TD Black History Month Series - 90 events in cities throughout Canada during Black History Month. The TD Black History Month Series Launch took place on January 27 in the Brigantine Room at the Harboufront Centre in Toronto. Produced by Jones & Jones Productions, the event featured artists Maestro Fresh Wes, Jully Black, Exco Levi, Nathan Burland and Ashley McKenzie-Barnes. Naki Osutei, associate vice president, partnership and engagement, Global Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank and Marah Braye, chief executive officer of the Harbourfront Centre made opening remarks. Some highlights below.
Check out https://communityevents.td.com/en/events for a list of the events happening throughout the country.
The media launch for this event was held on January 21, 2020 in Toronto.
TD Black History Month Series - 90 events in cities throughout Canada during Black History Month. The TD Black History Month Series Launch took place on January 27 in the Brigantine Room at the Harboufront Centre in Toronto. Produced by Jones & Jones Productions, the event featured artists Maestro Fresh Wes, Jully Black, Exco Levi, Nathan Burland and Ashley McKenzie-Barnes. Naki Osutei, associate vice president, partnership and engagement, Global Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank and Marah Braye, chief executive officer of the Harbourfront Centre made opening remarks. Some highlights below.
Check out https://communityevents.td.com/en/events for a list of the events happening throughout the country.
Did you know that you can find Black History at the Toronto Archives?
We’ve highlighted a
few key people, places and historic events to help you get started on
your journey discovering Black History at the Archives
The
Archives celebrates Black History Month with a special corner display
in our Atrium provided by the Ontario Black History Society that
features William P Hubbard, Toronto’s first Black
Politician (1842-1935). Learn more about William P. Hubbard and other
important moments in Toronto’s Black History through our social media
posts and by visiting the
Archives
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