The Indigenous Arts Festival 2024

    While looking for something to do in Toronto this weekend, I came upon the Indigenous Arts Festival 2024 -Celebrating Culture and Heritage Through Art and Film

On our bikes, we set out to Old Fort York where the grounds were splayed with an array of vibrant colours and rich culture of the Indigenous people.

This year brought together artists, performers, and communities from diverse indigenous backgrounds to celebrate and showcase their unique traditions and contemporary expressions.

The festival was held from June 14-16 from 12:00 - 5:00, on the grassland just north of "The Bentway" over the hill, located in the Garrison Common - in the heart of the city.  There were hundred of people dressed in beautiful garments, decorated with colourful feathers, beads and leathers.

The festival attracts thousands of visitors eager to immerse themselves in the beauty and depth of indigenous cultures, but it's the first time I've ever gone.

A Showcase of Artistic Excellence in the Artisan Market

As an artistic festival, you can expect to to see and hear an extensive array of artistic expressions, including traditional music, dance, visual arts, crafts, and storytelling. 

I loved the mesmerizing performances by indigenous dance groups showcasing their traditional dances passed down through generations, as well as contemporary dance pieces that fused traditional elements with modern influences.

Visual artists displayed their traditional artwork ranging from intricate beadwork and pottery to modern paintings and sculptures. 

Traditional Food and Drink at the Food market

Tents lined the main gally where you can find an array of diverse flavours, celebrating the rich tapestry of Turtle Island’s indigenous traditions. Traditional teas are found such as Sassafras, cedar and pine needle teas among some of choices.  There was a definite scent of maple syrup permeating in the air in the crowds.  While more commonly used as a sweetener, the sap of maple trees is consumed directly or boiled down into syrup. Drinking the sap directly is a traditional springtime practice among some tribes.

Documenting the Journey: A Cinematic Endeavor

There was signage as you entered the park letting you know that this year’s festival was being documented in a film project to share experiences of the event with a global audience. 

A team of filmmakers, led by renowned director Emily Johnson will capture the essence of the festival through a series of interviews, performance recordings, and behind-the-scenes footage.

After doing some research I learned the documentary, slated for release later this year, and will take an intimate look at the artists' creative processes, the significance of their works, and the communal spirit that underpins the festival. 

It aims to not only celebrate indigenous art but also to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these cultural practices for future generations.

Community and Cultural Exchange

The Indigenous Arts Festival 2024 offers a chance for a cultural exchange and dialogue for visitors to ask questions and witness their cultures sights and sounds. The "Chicken Dance' although sounded funny was actually a really sensual kind of movement performed by men.

Although I believe I should have asked permission to take photographs, they were kind and respectful and the entire feel of the afternoon was an exchenage of openness and a genuine sharing of traditions without any negative overtones.

I felt a deeper understanding and appreciation of indigenous cultures among a diverse audience when I left once I witnessed it for myself and it will leave a lasting impact on me.  As I left the festival, the sense of unity and cultural pride was palpable.  The festival highlighted the incredible talent within the indigenous communities but also emphasize the importance of cultural preservation and education.  

The importance of the Documentary

The documentation of the festival through film ensures that these moments will be cherished and remembered, inspiring future generations to engage with and honor their heritage.

I am looking forward to next year's events and hope they will include a more diverse representation of their art and culture.  

As the echoes of drums and songs linger, the Indigenous Arts Festival 2024 stands as a testament to the enduring strength and beauty of indigenous cultures worldwide.

Ontario Science Centre

It was a long time since I've been to the Ontario Science Centre, and since I never blogged it in the 'Things to Do Around Town' section of my blog, this cold and blustery fall afternoon seemed as good as a time as any.  As you enter the Science Centre you will be taken down a long hallway (known as 'The Bridge').  This was one of my favorite spots in

the Science Centre as a child because of the awesome views of nature out of the windows.

Today, the views are still there and just as awesome, as well as a long line of ancient rocks up to four billion years old (the actual rocks aren't that old, but tiny grains in them called zircons are.)  The earth is 4.5 billion years old.  You may wonder why the oldest rocks aren't that old too?  It turns out shortly after the Earth formed, in the violent early days of the solar system, it was hit by a Mars-sized planet and mostly liquified into lava again! The debris launched into space coalesced and became our Moon. It's mind-blowingly daunting and humbling that a human lifetime on this scale is a thousandth of a millimetre, much thinner than a coat of paint!

Happy Canada Day!

Falling Star (my fave)

Hi All!

I've been quite busy for the last three weeks as Trustee of an Estate.  There isn't much time for play, but thanks for the emails and will be back on the trails soon enough!

Here's a few of Canada Day's Fireworks. 

Do you see a flowerpot? I Do!!

Swansea Brew Club

With all the hundreds of brands of beer available at the beer and liquor stores, why would anyone want to put in any time and effort in making and bottling their own? Well, for a start, it's cheaper, purer and tastes better than the beer you buy at a retail store!

Swansea Beer Club is located in Toronto's Swansea village right near the Queensway and the South Kingsway.  Just like other Brewing Clubs, the beer is made on the premises and is all -natural and unpasteurized, so pretty much free of any additives and  preservatives that make you sick! 

It takes about two weeks from your order date for your "batch" to be ready.  There is a one-time investment of reusable plastic bottles and caps, and that is your only other expense.  It takes about an hour to bottle.  But what an hour that is! With the gregarious James keeping you company and discussing the intricacies of beer and wine.  The beer you will end up with tastes better than commercialized, pasteurized beer.  The pasteurization does make the beer keep longer, but it also removes much of the flavor, including the sweet honey aroma of the hop nectar and bready hints of the barley. 
 
Unpasteurized is how draft beer is, and how beer has been for hundreds of years when it was a staple of the European diet (as well as the only safe source of drinking water!) Being pure and free of additives is less likely to give you a hangover, and the cleanliness of the well-maintained premises means you won't be getting one from dirty lines, as one may from the draft from seedy bars.  Oh but I'm not putting down commercialized pubs and taverns, they're a lot of them out there that run a clean establishment and hey it's great to get out for a pint with some friends, but this is a great alternative to the beer fridge at home!  Less cost (actually 2/3 or less than the price of commercial beer) and great taste (naturally carbonated, with no added sugar!)  Now I'm sounding like an ad.


After bottling, just be sure to keep your beer as cool as possible and out of direct sunlight and it will stay fresh. I really think that if more people knew about the superior product of Swansea and other brew-on-premises shops, the commercial breweries wouldn't dominate the market as they do. But anyways, what do I know? 



 Cheers!

Old Mill Inn & Spa in Toronto

A very popular venue, the Old Mill Inn and Spa is an English-style Inn and restaurant.  It was originally a saw mill built in 1793.  In 1914, it was owned by R. Home Smith who opened it as "the Old Mill Tea Garden".  Following that the Inn was used as a dance hall for during the Big Band era in the 20's.  More recently in 1983 it was designated as a 'Heritage Property' by the City of Etobicoke (now Toronto).  Currently it is owned by the Kalmar family.  The Spa opened in 2001 with over 47 rooms and 13 suites. The property over looks 2.5 hecacres of parkland surrounding the Humber River making it a perfect spot for weddings, business conventions or a romantic getaway.

When you look at this gorgeous property both inside and out, its not too difficult to imagine that almost 300 years ago the area surrounding the Old Mill, was once used as a fishing and hunting area for the First Nations before the Europeans took settlement here.  By about 1720, the French had made it their home calling a small piece of land the Magasin Royale, was was close to the present site of the Mill.  They used this fort-like property to trade with different native bands.

50 years later, the English came and built homes, using the Mill to cut lumber.  The first homes were built in York, Upper Canada which is now known as Toronto.  There are so many beautiful piece of furniture inside, surrounded by lush gardens on the outside, patios, gifts shops and a chapel onsite.  


see Etienne Brule Trail
see Humber River Trail

Todmorden Mills, Toronto

Todmorden Mills was discovered actually quite by chance while on an unadventurous bike ride southbound on the Don River recreational trail. Deciding to veer west off Pottery Road in Toronto, I saw the ‘Fantasy farm’ up ahead.  I had always wondered where this was as you could see it off the Don Valley Parkway, but I had never seen it up close.  As I discovered it’s a banquet hall, and set in some really pretty and private country-like scenery great for Weddings.  Right across the lane is ‘Todmorden Mills’.  It’s an historic site owned now by the City of Toronto, but was once a Lumber mill located in a small settlement called, "Don Mills" in 1790's.  

There remains todays two historic miller’s homes, a Brewery building and over 10 hectares of fields containing wildflowers and walking trails including upland and bottomland forests. 

I was surprised when I walked into the historical mill house near the entrance of Todmorden, there were walls of artwork and a stage door leading to a renovated Papermill Theatre and Gallery.  Interesting setting for this.  Honestly didn’t even know it was here.   If you want to find out more about the Papermill Theatre and what's on, click here.

CONTACT 2012 Photography Festival

Courtesy of Barry Frydlender, Grosvenor Garden

Courtesy of Berenice Abbott, Blossom Restaurant

If you are a photographer, either novice or pro OR you are interested in the relative art of photography, you must add this to your calendars for the month of May.  The 16^th annual CONTACT Photography Festival is the the largest photography event in the world! Toronto is hosting this years event which attracts over 1.8 million people over the entire month of May.

You’ll see over 1000 local and worldwide artists exhibiting their photographic genius at almost 200 venues.  

This all began over 16 years ago when a global interest in street art started to form, which is the theme for this year’s event, entitled “PUBLIC” which showcases social and political issues all in a photographic framework, literally.

For more information including map of exhibit locations, please go to CONTACT 2012 Details

The Toronto Zoo

Peacock checking out the menu!

Cutie Polar Bears!

We can't complain here in Ontario about the weather.  In fact it's been pretty pleasant give or take a few days.  This is the good side of global warming I suppose, and most of us know the bad side.  The poor Polar Bears are feeling the brunt of it, in fact are in the danger zone of becoming extinct forever while the polar ice caps are melting down.  I mean there is only so much we can do to help transport them to colder climates. It was this frame of mind that brought me to the zoo to visit the Polar Bears.  Why not?  There are still a lot of animals at the zoo at this time of year to view and the price is far more reasonable in the cooler months than in the heat of summer, which is their peak season.  From September 3rd to May 18th every year, you can see Polar Bears, Elephants, White rhinos, Grizzly Bears, Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Hippos and even Giraffes!   

The North American Grizzly

Sorry didn't catch their names!

The exhibits 'Around the World, Grizzly Bear trail, Camel Trail and Savanna Trail take about 3 to 4 hours to cover on the outside.  There are also many pavilions that are able to stay open all year round because they are indoors and kept at very warm and humid temperatures to ensure the survival of the species.  That's where I was able to visit the Gorillas and Orangutans, Komodo dragons and several fish (including the Lake Malawi Aquarium), birds, bats and snake species, among others.

Moose/Spotted Hyenna

Honestly, not only is it great exercise to walk through the park (especially coming out of the Grizzly Bear trail!) which is all uphill but since the animals are there anyways, it doesn't matter if you believe that they should be kept in captivity or not (which I don't personally), but you might as well enjoy them.  Enjoy seeing and being a part of their surroundings (even if its mock) because most of us will never get to experience the Savannahs in Africa, Eurasia or Australia.  But for a few hours you can still get as close as possible in a safe environment to explore the wonderful world of wild animals.  

Click here for a short video of the GORILLAS! :)