News Releases- Toronto Public Library

Opening Night Literary Event kicks off Asian Heritage Month

Attention: Arts & Culture Editors, Literary Editors, Ethnic Media, Listings Editors, Photo Editors

Opening Night Literary Event kicks off Asian Heritage Month Celebrations at the Library
Hear some of this country’s top Asian writers discuss and read from their latest works.

Toronto (Thursday, April 30, 2009) - Kicking off its month-long celebration of Asian Heritage, Toronto Public Library hosts an evening exploring New Asian Writing on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street).

What:  
Asian Heritage Month 2009 - New Asian Writing (Opening Night Event)

Where:  
North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street (at the North York Centre Subway stop)

When:  
Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7 p.m.

Who:  
Hosted By Aparita Bhandari (CBC’s Metro Morning).  Featuring authors Kerri Sakamoto (One Hundred Million Hearts), Saleema Nawaz (Mother Superior), Devyani Saltzman (Shooting Water) and Jaspreet Singh (Chef: A Novel). Featuring contemporary Indian dancing With Menaka Thakkar Dance Company.

Throughout the month of May, Toronto Public Library offers wonderful opportunities to experience and explore Asian music, literature, art and dance through the many and varied programs offered free at our branches across the city. The library is also highlighting its collections for and about the city’s diverse Asian communities, and invites all Torontonians to discover the richness of those collections, both in their original languages and in translation.
 
For more information, pick up an Asian Heritage Month event and recommended reading guide, available at any branch of Toronto Public Library, call Answerline (416-393-7131), or visit the library online at torontopubliclibrary.ca/asianheritage, 

A complete list of all Asian Heritage Month programs is attached. 

For a second year, Asian Heritage Month at Toronto Public Library is proudly supported by RBC. In 2009, RBC increased their annual donation to enhance the Asian Heritage Collection.

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 16 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow almost 30 million items.  To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.caor call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

-30-

Media Contact:
Edward Karek, Communications Officer (416) 397-5925
media@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Asian Heritage Month
Featured Programs

Gurpreet Chana: The Tabla Guy. Traditional rhythms of India and beyond

New Toronto Branch, 110 Eleventh Street, 416-394-5350,
Wednesday, May 6, 2 p.m.

Locke Branch, 3083 Yonge Street, 393-7730
Tuesday, May 12, 2 p.m.

//

Meet Saleema Nawaz, author of Mother Superior
North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m.

Gerrard/Ashdale Branch, 1432 Gerrard Street East, 416-393-7717
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

//

Rukhsana Khan, children’s author and storyteller

North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

Dawes Road Branch, 416 Dawes Road, 416-396-3820
Thursday, May 14, 1:30 p.m.

St. James Town Branch, 495 Sherbourne Avenue, 416-393-7744
Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.

Highland Creek Branch, 3550 Ellesmere Road,, 416-396-8876
Friday, May 22, 2 p.m.

//

Meet Lien Chao, author The Chinese Knot

Agincourt Branch, 155 Bonis Avenue, 416-396-8943
Tuesday, May 12, 2 p.m.

//

Meet Patria Rivera, poet and author of The Bride Anthology

St. James Town Branch, 495 Sherbourne Avenue, 416-393-7744
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

//

Meet Kean Soon, graphic novelist and author/illustrator of Jellaby

Fairview Branch, 35 Fairview Mall Drive, 416-395-5750
Tuesday, May 5, 2 p.m.

//

Noriko Yamamoto Silent storyteller

Goldhawk Park Branch, 295 Alton Towers Circle, 416-396-8964
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m.

St.Clair/Silverthorn Branch, 1748 St.Clair Avenues West, 416-393-7709
Thursday, May 14, 2 p.m.

Jane/Sheppard Branch, 1906 Sheppard, 416-395-5966
Thursday, May 21, 2 p.m.

Oakwood Village Library & Arts Centre, 341 Oakwood Avenue, 416-394-1040
Wednesday, May 27, 1:30 p.m.

//

Meet Jan Wong author of Beijing Confidential: A Tale of Comrades Lost and Found

Lillian H. Smith Branch, 239 College Street, 416-393-7746
Saturday, May 2, 2:30 p.m.

//

Origami: Learn the ancient art of paper folding

Maryvale Branch, Parkway Mall, 85 Ellesmere Road, 416-396-8931
Saturday, May 2, 2 p.m.

Main Street Branch, 137 Main Street, 416-393-7700
Thursday, May 7, 4 p.m.

Parkdale Branch, 1303 Queen Street West, 416-393-7686
Thursday, May 14, 6 p.m.

Downsview Branch,  2793 Keel Street,  416-395-5720
Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.

Brookbanks Branch, 210 Brookbanks Road, 416-395-5480
Saturday, May 23, 2:30 p.m.

Brentwood Branch, 36 Brentwood Road North, 416-394-5240
Tuesday, May 26, 7 p.m.

//

Tamil Storytime: Stories and activities in Tamil

Malvern Branch, 30 Sewells Road, 416-396-8969
Saturdays, May 2-30, 2 p.m.

//

Travel around Asia: Saturday morning Storytelling for children  

Parliament Branch, 269 Gerrard Street East416-393-7663
Saturdays, May 2-23, 11 a.m.

//

Cantonese Storytime: Registration begins April 20

Woodside Square Branch, Woodside Square Mall, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-396-8979
Fridays, May 8-29, 10:30 a.m.

//

Chinese Brush Painting for Mother’s Day: Registration required.

Goldhawk Park Branch, 295 Alton Towers Circle, 416-396-8964
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.

Woodside Square Branch, Woodside Square Mall, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-396-8979
Saturday, May 9 and 16, 11 a.m.

//

Chinese Storytime: Fingerplays and activities in Mandarin for ages 4-8

Malvern Branch, 30 Sewells Road, 416-396-8969
Saturday, May 9, 3 p.m.

//

Chinese Chess.  Enjoy playing this traditional Chinese board game

Woodside Square Branch, Woodside Square Mall, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-396-8979
Monday, May 11 - Friday, May 15, 11 a.m.

//

Bernice Hune presents Folktales of Asia. Registration required

Albert Campbell Branch, 496 Birchmount Road, 416-396-8890
Thursday, May 21, 1:30 p.m.

//

Calligraphy class.  Supplies provided, registration required, space limited.

Goldhawk Park Branch, 295 Alton Towers Circle, 416-396-8964
Saturday, May 23, 1:30 p.m.

//

Tracking the Roots: History of Chinese in Canada with author Arlene Chan

Lillian H. Smith Branch, 239 College Street, 416-393-7746
Saturday, May 23, 2 p.m.

//

Folklore, Legends and Crafts Storytime. Registration required

Burrows Hall Branch, 1081 Progress Avenue, 416-396-8740
Saturday, May 30, 2 p.m.

//

Puppet Show: Two of Everything and craft making

Sanderson Branch, 327 Bathurst Street, 416-393-7653
Saturday, May 30, 2 p.m.

//

Jean Lumb & the History of Chinese in Canada

Author Arlene Chan will talk about her mother, Jean Lumb, the first Chinese Canadian to receive the Order of Canada.

Brentwood Branch, 36 Brentwood Road North, 416-394-5240
Thursday, May 21, 2009
7 p.m. 

//

Japanese Tea Ceremony & Kimono

York Woods Branch, 1785 Finch Avenue West, 416-395-5980
Friday, May 15, 2009
1:30 p.m.

//

Dance India!

York Woods Branch, 1785 Finch Avenue West, 416-395-5980
Saturday, May 30, 2009
2 p.m. 

New Literary Series Features “eh-List” Lineup

Attention:  Arts and Culture editors, Lifestyle editors, Literary Editors, What’s On Listings Editors   

New Literary Series Features “eh-List” Lineup
Over 20 top Canadian writers read from their latest works at branches across the city

TORONTO (Monday, February 23, 2009) – Toronto Public Library is bringing Canada’s best writers to a library near you.  In March, the Library launches The eh List Author Series, which will see writers from across the country reading from their new books in eight library branches across the city.

The eh List spring season includes Governor General Award winners Nino Ricci and Miriam Toews, Scotiabank Giller Prize winners David Bergen and Austin Clarke, CBC stalwarts Bill Richardson and Mary Lou Finlay, biographer and establishment chronicler Peter C. Newman, Can Lit staples Donna Morrissey, and Joy Fielding, standout newcomers Andrew Davidson and Julie Angus, and many more key Canadian authors. The series will run twice yearly, in spring and fall.  This series enjoys the generous financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Twenty-eight author visits will take place at eight branches around the city: Toronto Reference Library, North York Central Library, Northern District Branch, Barbara Frum Branch, Richview Branch, Runnymede Branch, S. Walter Stewart Branch, and Taylor Memorial Branch. All programs feature readings, Q&A sessions as well as book sales and signings.

What:    The eh List Author Series.
When:   March 3 – June 25, 2009.
Where:  Uptown, Downtown, Midtown, East and West.

Programs city-wide:

Across the series, 21 authors from across Canada will visit Toronto Public Library branches for 28 readings and discussions at locations across Toronto.

For the up-to-date information on events, please visit the Toronto Public Library website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ehlist/.

Downtown: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, 416-395-5577

March 5,12:30 pm – Lit Lunch with Bill Richardson: Bill will read from his new book, Old Father William's Well-Ordered Universe, and will entertain questions from the audience. Bring your brown bag lunch and munch along with Bill.

May 7, 7 p.m. – Oceans In Peril: Join authors Julie Angus and Alanna Mitchell for readings from their new books, and a discussion on the state of the world’s oceans.

May 30, 2 p.m. – Stéphane Dompierre: Come and meet a young author from Québec, Stéphane Dompierre, winner of the Grand Prix de la relève litéraire Archambault for Souffrir pour écrire. This program will be in French.

June 11, 12:30 p.m. – Lit Lunch with Miriam Toews: Come and hear author Miriam Toews read from her new title, The Flying Troutmans, and join in the question and answer session.

Uptown: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535

March 26, 12:30 pm – Lit Lunch with Donna Morrissey: Come hear Donna read from her latest novel, What They Wanted. Bring your own lunch and a question for Donna!

April 4, 2 p.m. – Lise Tremblay: Come and meet Lise Tremably, winner of many literary prizes including the Governor General and le Prix des Libraires du Québec. Her most recent book, La Soeur de Judith , was selected as one of the best books from Quebec in 2007. This program will be in French.

May 6, 12:30 pm – Lit Lunch with Edeet Ravel: Come hear Edeet read from her latest novel Your Sad Eyes and Unforgettable Mouth. Bring your own lunch and a question for Edeet.

April 29, 7 p.m. – Join Peter C. Newman for a reading and discussion of his latest biographical hit, Izzy: The Passionate Life and Turbulent Times of Izzy Asper.

June 3, 7 p.m. – Meet Joy Fielding and hear her read from her latest spine-tingling thriller, Still Life.

June 24, 7 p.m. – Join rising star Andrew Davidson and hear him read from The Gargoyle. Question and Answer and book signing to follow.

Midtown: Northern District Branch, 40 Orchardview Blvd, 416-393-7610

March 26, 2 p.m. – Award-winning environmental writer Alanna Mitchell will read from her new book, Sea Sick: The Hidden Crisis of Global Ocean Change, and will tell us about the state of the world’s ocean life.

May 14, 2 p.m. – Meet two-time Governor General Award for Fiction winner Nino Ricci for a reading and discussion of  his 2008 GG winning book, The  Origin of Species.

June 25, 2 p.m. – Blockbuster author Andrew Davison joins us for a reading and discussion of his huge hit, The Gargoyle.
Midtown: Barbara Frum Branch, 20 Covington Road, 416-395-5440

March 24, 7 p.m. – Mary Lou Finlay will read from her new title, The As It Happens Files: Radio That May Contain Nuts, where else, but at the Barbara Frum Branch. Join us for an entertaining reading and discussion.

May 12, 7 p.m. – Meet author Austin Clarke and hear him read from his exciting new novel, More.

June 23, 7 p.m. – Peter C. Newman will read from his latest biographical hit, Izzy: The Passionate Life and Turbulent Times of Izzy Asper.

West:  Richview Branch, 1806 Islington Avenue, 416-394-5120 

March 6, 2 p.m. – Join Bill Richardson for an entertaining reading and discussion of his new book Old Father William’s Well-Ordered Universe. 

May 28, 2 p.m. – Join us for an afternoon with prize-winning author David Bergen, author of The Retreat.

June 11, 2 p.m. – Author Shani Mootoo reads from her newest work, Valmiki's Daughter. Join us for a reading and discussion.

West:  Runnymede Branch, 2178 Bloor Street, 416-393-7697
 
March, 26 7 p.m. – Donna Morrissey will read from her latest book, What They Wanted, and will discuss the writer’s craft.

May 5, 7 p.m. – Join author Andrew Pyper for a reading and discussion of his latest novel, The Killing Circle.

June 2, 7 p.m. – Jonathan Bennett will read from his latest novel, Entitlement. Join us for a reading and discussion.

East: S. Walter Stewart Branch, 170 Memorial Park Drive, 416-396-3975

March 3, 7 p.m. – Author Lee Gowan will read from his new novel, Confession. Join us for a reading and discussion.

May 6, 7 p.m. – Julie Angus presents her harrowing adventure tale of crossing the ocean, Rowboat in A Hurricane; join us for an exciting presentation and reading.

June 11, 7 p.m. – Come and hear author Miriam Toews read from her new title, The Flying Troutmans, and join in the question and answer session.

East: Taylor Memorial Branch, 1440 Kingston Road, 416-396-8939

March 24 at 2 p.m. – Join author Joan Barfoot for a reading and discussion of her latest novel, Exit Lines.

May 28, at 7 p.m. – Join us for an entertaining evening as author David Bergen reads from his exciting new novel, The Retreat.

June 18, 7 p.m. – Author Giles Blunt reads from and discusses his latest novel, Breaking Lorca.

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 16 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than 29 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

Media Contact:
Edward Karek, Communications Officer (416) 397 5925
media@torontopubliclibrary.ca