SPRING BECKONS: WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS MARCH EDITION

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: KELLY MANIKOTH

Welcome to the March Edition of What’s Happening Wednesdays! I’m sure we are all delighted to watch the snow melt away as our days get longer, warmer and brighter! Spring is one of my favourite seasons as it indicates new beginnings. As flowers bloom and leaves emerge on barren branches, the earth seems to be beckoning us out of hibernation to enjoy our renewed surroundings. So, without further ado, here are some fun events to check out in Toronto to swing into a sunny Spring!

1. Yoko Ono: The Riverbed Exhibition at the Gardiner Museum

Source.

Opening on February 23rd, the Gardiner Museum presents a special exhibition entitled Yoko Ono: Riverbed. The three-part installation welcomes visitors to participate and collaborate in transforming the pieces within the exhibit. For instance, in Mend Piece, visitors are invited to collectively repair broken pieces of ceramic with glue and string, resulting in new forms. The process is intended to incur contemplation on major themes of hope, dreams, life and death. For more information, visit Yoko Ono: Riverbed.

When: The exhibit opens February 23rd, and runs until June 3rd.

Where: The Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C7

Tickets: Adult Admission: $15.00, Senior (65+) Admission: $11.00, , Student Admission with valid Student ID: $9.00, Youth & Children under 18: FREE. You can purchase tickets here.

2. iSchool Student Conference - Information in the Air: Society and the Evolving Media

Source.

The annual iSchool Student Conference theme this year Information in the Air: Society and the Evolving Media. This event invites students to share their current research, showcasing what both museum and information professionals will bring to the field. The two-day conference deals with the evolution of both old and new media, and the effects such changes have had on society. The format will include a half day event with keynote speaker, Anabel Quan-Haase, and reception on the Friday evening, followed by one day of paper presentations, workshops and posters by students. For more information visit iSchool Student Conference and follow the conference on Twitter: @iStudentConfTO and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/iStudentConfTO/

When: Friday March 2nd and Saturday March 3rd from 11:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Where: University of Toronto - Faculty Information Office, 140 Saint George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G6

Tickets: $7 to $15. You can register here.

3. Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrors Opening and Screenings at the Art Gallery of Ontario

Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, 2013. Wood, metal, glass mirrors, plastic, acrylic panel, rubber, LED lighting system, acrylic balls, and water, 287.7 × 415.3 × 415.3 cm. Courtesy of David Zwirner, N.Y. © Yayoi Kusama Source.

One of the events I’m most excited for in March is the much-anticipated Infinity Mirrors exhibit by Yayoi Kusama at the Art Gallery of Ontario. This exhibition features Kusama’s infamous Instagram worthy Infinity Rooms – immersive kaleidoscope spaces where the visitor is continuously reflected within the installations. Along with the Infinity Rooms, the exhibition follows Kusama’s impressive 65-year career, from her early paintings to her recent work in soft sculpture. The AGO is the only Canadian stop for Infinity Mirrors which makes this an extra-special moment for the Toronto art scene this year. 

If you were unable to purchase your tickets thus far, don’t fret! There will be a few other opportunities for members and the public to purchase tickets online. If you still can’t snag a ticket, however, the AGO is hosting other events to ensure you get your Kusama fix. There will be screenings of the documentary Yayoi Kusama: I Adore Myself at the Jackman Hall which follows Kusama’s life and work process over several months as she completes a series of 50 paintings. For more information, please visit https://ago.ca/exhibitions/kusama

When: Opening day is March 3rd. The exhibition runs until May 27th.

I Adore Myself  Screenings: Wednesday, March 7, 6 pm & 8:30 pm, Friday, March 9, 6 pm & 8:30 pm, Wednesday, March 14, 6 pm & 8:30 pm, Friday, March 16, 6 pm & 8:30 pm, Friday, March 30, 6 pm & 8:30 pm

Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4

Screenings: Jackman Hall

Tickets: Tickets will be available for sale through AGO.ca

The next block of tickets goes on sale online on March 6 at 10 am.
The next Members’ booking window is online on March 20 at 10 am.

Tickets for screening: Member Price $12.00, Public Price $14.00 Student Price $10.00
You can purchase tickets here

4. Celebrate Toronto Festival

Source.

Celebrate Toronto is a festival honouring Toronto’s 184th Anniversary. The festival will take place over four days at Nathan Phillips Square. There will be plenty of local vendors, food trucks with diverse cuisines, and fun activities. On March 3rd , enter the on-site photo contest for a chance to win a $1000 VIARail trip for 2 from Toronto to Montreal. On March 5th and 6th there will be a night skating party hosted by DJ Caff which will feature a blend of Motown and top 40 music. Celebrate Toronto is a non-profit organization that seeks to acknowledge the city's achievements through working with TO-based businesses and supporting local artists and grass-root start-ups that raise awareness towards green initiatives. For any questions/inquiries please contact info@celebratetoronto.ca or visit http://www.celebratetoronto.ca/

When: March 3rd & 4th 12:00pm - 8:00pm, March 5th & 6th 5:00pm - 10:00pm -

Where: Nathan Phillips Square

Tickets: Free!

5. International Women’s Day Conference

Source.

There have been so many inspiring moments of solidarity and empowerment within the Women’s Movement these past few years. Commemorate these milestones and celebrate International Women’s Day by attending the International Women's Day Conference. Held at Bellvue Manor in Vaughan, there will be vendors, prizes, a live DJ, dancing, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. The event is co-hosted by Angel Freedman, a social worker, counsellor, parenting expert, public speaker and activist, and Merav Richter, an author, entrepreneur and philosopher. The conference supports the Women’s Support Network of York Region.

When: Thu, 8 March 2018, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM EST

Where: Bellvue Manor, 8083 Jane Street, Vaughan, ON L4K 2M7

Tickets: To register, click here

6. St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Source.

It’s St. Patty’s Day once again! The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 11th, the route beginning at Bloor and St. George, going down Yonge and ending at Queen Street at Nathan Phillips Square. The parade features 30 marching bands and over 4,000 participants representing different communities in the city. The St. Patrick’s Parade Society hosts the parade every year, with their mission being to celebrate Ireland’s history, culture, and heritage through entertainment. 

When: Sunday, March 11 at 12 PM - 3 PM

Where: 65-520 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H2M5. Click here for the parade route http://stpatrickstoronto.com/parade/

Tickets: Free!

7. Toronto: The Views are Different Here Opening at the John B. Aird Gallery

Source.

Toronto: The Views are Different Here, curated by Nikita Lorenzo and Amanda McNeil, is one of the first shows opening from the MMSt Class of 2018’s Capstone Exhibition Projects! The exhibition showcases an all-encompassing picture of Toronto through displaying diverse narratives and experiences of the city. This exhibit is done in partnership with the John B. Aird Gallery and the City of Toronto Art Connections Program.

When: The opening reception takes place on Thursday March 8th, 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibition runs for one month, from March 6th to April 6th, 2018

Where: John B. Aird Gallery, 900 Bay St, Toronto, ON M7A 1C2

Tickets: Free!

8. Kortright Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

Source.

Another sweet way to ‘tap’ into Spring is to check out the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival. Running from March 10th to April 8th, there will be demonstrations on the maple syrup process, wagon rides, mazes, games, sno-cones and lots of pancakes enveloped in delicious real maple syrup. On select special dates (March 10, 17, 23 & 24), there will be a Maple Syrup by Lamplight Tour! These guided tours of  Kortright’s Maple sugar bush begin at twilight. After learning about old fashioned and modern methods of maple syrup production, enjoy syrup samples by a warm campfire. Other locations for the Maple Syrup Festival include Bruce's Mill in Stouffville, Terra Cotta in Halton Hills, and Island Lake in Orangeville. For more information, visit Maple Syrup Festival.

When: March 10 – April 8, 2018, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Where: Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr.

Tickets: General Admissions Adults (Ages 15-59): $8.85, Seniors (Ages 60+): $5.75, Children (Ages 5-14): $5.75  Children 4 years and under: FREE (with adult purchase), Parks Members FREE

You can purchase tickets here.

Twilight tours require advance tickets. Please call 416-667-6295 ext.3 or email: visitorservies@trca.on.ca for more information.

9. Spring Flower Show at Allan Gardens

Source.

Enjoy all the blossoms Spring has to offer at Allan Gardens with the Spring Flower Show! The Spring Show runs from February 25th to April 29th as the Cool House transitions to Spring. Some features are the vibrant tulips and aromatic hyacinths. From March 25th to the end of April, there will be a special Easter Flower Show. The Conservatory will be decked out in Easter decorations, and its dome filled with Easter lilies and hydrangeas. This is definitely a must-see for Spring!

When: February 25th to April 29th, The Easter Flower Show is March 25 to April 29. Open 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Where: Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory, 19 Horticultural Ave

Tickets: Free!

10. Dear Sadie: Love, Lives, and Remembrance from Ontario's First World War 

Source.

In commemoration of the last year of the First World War Centenary, Jay Young, PhD, hosts a special presentation at the Don Mills Library on their most current exhibition, Archives of Ontario’s Dear Sadie. The exhibit focuses on the personal experiences and stories of the war through exploring a series of letters written by Canadian soldier, Harry Mason, to his love back home, Sadie Arbuckle. For information, visit Toronto Public Library

When: Friday, March 23, 2018, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Where: Don Mills Public Library, 888 Lawrence Ave. E.

Tickets: Call 416-395-5710 to register for the talk.

That’s all I have for now, friends. With the end of the term fast approaching, I hope this blissful Spring weather gives everyone a burst of energy and renewed inspiration to complete a successful academic year! From attending one of the many exhibit openings to observing the leaves peek out from the trees, I wish everyone a happy and productive March! 😊