York Woods District Blog

Let's Celebrate Italian Heritage Month!

June is a pretty exciting time of the year!

It’s Aboriginal Celebration Month, Senior’s Month, and also Bike Month!

But did you know that it is also Italian Heritage Month?

 

On October 7, 2010, the Provincial Legislature passed Bill 103, officially declaring June as Italian Heritage Month!

Recently, Mr. Michael Tibollo, president of the National Congress of Italian-Canadians, gave a presentation about Italian Influences in the Modern World at the Downsview Branch.

Mr. Tibollo spoke of culture as a "badge of honor that we should all wear...regardless of what country we come from," and with cultural celebrations such as Italian Heritage Month, it is an opportunity for people to learn about different cultures.

 

And on that note, you are all invited to check out the special programs at the Downsview Branch in celebration of Italian Heritage Month!

 

“The Mystery of San Nicandro” Film Screening
Thursday June 13th, 1:00 pm
A timeless story about identity, family and belonging. In the words of producer/executive producer Vanessa Dylyn, "'The Mystery of San Nicandro' is ultimately a testament to the inexorable force of the past, how it shapes our identity and sense of belonging, and how the echo of our DNA reaches across centuries to claim us. That echo is universal — no matter what our differences, we all have an ancestral journey and a past." The film is 75 minutes with a special Q&A session. For more information about the film, visit www.themysteryofsannicandro.com

 

Learn Italian!
Thursday June 20th, 1:00 pm
Enjoy a lunch time language learning session with Pino & Eleonora from Toronto’s Italian language school, Tutorino! Learn the correct pronunciation of every day Italian treats such as espresso, tiramisu, gnocchi and more. You'll definitely impress your Italian-speaking friends after this program!  

 

The Italian Immigrant: A Musical Journey
Saturday June 29th, 2:30 pm
Come enjoy the music of Tino@Vivo who will perform "The Italian Immigrant Experience in Ten Songs Plus One" on his acoustic guitar! Enjoy a selection of modern and classic Italian songs about the immigrant experience.

 

All of the above programs are FREE!
Please contact the branch at 416-395-5720 to register and for more information.

 

Also, from now until June 22nd, be sure to stop by the Downsview Branch to see the beautiful artwork from members of the Golden Age Academy! Their 2013 art exhibit is called Pride of Heritage and features beautiful paintings and arts & craft pieces that is on display throughout the branch. Come check out the talent of local Downsview artists!

 

Lastly, I'd like to share one memorable moment from a program earlier this month - Happie Testa from Rainbow Caterpillar books came to the branch as a featured Family Time storyteller to read to kids in English and in Italian. By the end of the program, both kids and parents who didn't speak Italian as their first language were repeating the Italian words they had just learned from the children's books she read! It was wonderful seeing kids and parents revel in the joys of learning a new language together.

You can look for a branch that has materials in your language here - http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/your-language/

Eager to start learning a new language? Try this.

 

How will you be celebrating Italian Heritage Month?

March Madness at Downsview

March Madness is in full effect at Downsview this March break with a full slate of children's programming.

 

 

Here's a full breakdown of the week ahead:

 

Saturday March 9 Dr. Seuss Storytime 11:00-12:00pm

Oh the stories you'll hear when we celebrate the one and only Dr. Seuss. And to Think I Heard It on Keele Street!

 

Monday March 11 Reptilia 2:00-3:00pm

Would you like to meet a Python? Join us on Monday March 11 for Reptilia!

    Reptilia features a wide variety of reptile from tortoises to alligators! Free limited tickets will be available 30 minutes before the start of the program

 

Tuesday March 12 The Secret Life of Arrietty 2:00-3:30pm

Based on the book The Borrowers, Arrietty and her parents are tiny people who live under the floor boards of a human house. Free limited tickets available 30 minutes before the start of the program

 

Wednesday March 13 Game-A-Ganza Day 1 2:00-3:30pm

Join Downsview Branch this March Break for some carnival type games.  See if you can beat the "skill" testing games. Win some prizes! Have some fun!  Free limited tickets available 30 minutes before the start of the program.

Thursday March 14 Game-A-Ganza Day 2 2:00-3:00pm

Thursday's event will feature a Wii-Archery competition. The tournament will be played round robin style and a prize will be awarded to the winner!  Free limited tickets available 30 minutes before the start of the program.

 

Friday March 15 Spectacle de Magic 2:00-3:00pm

Dans un spectacle hautement interactif que vous ne serez pas prêt d'oublier, vous tomberez sous le charme du seul et unique Jean Deshaies.Billets gratuits disponible 30 minutes avant le spectacle. All welcome but please note program is in French.

 

Saturday March 16 Seed Planting Program 11:00-12:00pm

Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?  Visit us for storytime and find out!  Afterwards, children will be given seeds to plant in order to grow their own plant.

 

Come to Downsview for March Madness week.

 

  

 

What's new at the Downsview? February Spotlight

It is freezing cold outside but our children's programming slate is heating up this February!

Come in and join us at Downsview for one of our many upcoming programs. 

Join us on Mondays at 3:30pm for Minute To Win It

         An after school program for kids ages 8-13 featuring all sorts of activities and prizes. Activities range from the simple (blowing plastic cups off of a table) to video games and scientific experiments!

    

 Also on Mondays, beginning February 25, we will resume our legendary Chess Club at 6:30pm

 

           The chess club is open to beginners and experienced players alike and is for all children ages 7-13

 

On Tuesdays we have Baby Time at 1:30pm

Half an hour of bouncing, tickling, singing and laughter for parents/caregivers and their babies ages 0-18 months.

             On Thursdays we have Toddler Time at 11:30am

 

Join us for stories, rhymes and songs for parents/caregivers and their toddlers ages 18-48 months.

 

Finally on Saturday February 9th come join us for Valentine's Day Card Making and Stories from 11:00am - 12:00pm

Come and decorate fun Valentine's Day cards for your family and friends! Fun Valentine's Day stories before the craft.

  

 

Come on in and beat the cold this winter!

Too Much Fun at the Library!

Hey kids, I know you like having fun. A lot of fun. Maybe even too much fun! In January and February we challenge you to have too much fun at the library! Check out these programs at York Woods and show us how it's done.

 

On Mondays at 6:30pm join us for Pyjama Time!
Children ages 0 to 5 are welcome to join us for bedtime stories,
songs and activities with their parents or caregivers.

 

 

Pop in on Wednesdays at 4:30pm for our Afterschool Zone!
School aged kids can join us for stories, crafts and games!

 

 

 

Join us every Saturday at 2:00pm for a Family Storyime!
Take part in songs, stories, rhymes and crafts for the whole family!

 

 

The fun begins on January 7th! Click the pictures for more information.

Holiday Puppet Shows @ York Woods

See your favorite stories come to life on our puppet stage!

On Thursday December 27th join us for a stirring rendition of Robert Munsch's The Paper Bag Princess. Will Princess Elizabeth outsmart the dragon and rescue Prince Ronald?

On Thursday January 3rd one of your favourite tales will be retold. Which one will it be? You'll have to join us to find out!

ALL AGES DROP-IN!

York Woods Children’s Area

Thursday December 27th & Thursday January 3rd, 2:00-3:00pm

 

Place a hold on these classic stories today!

 

The Whole She-Bang

Join us at the Downsview Library on Thursday, December 6th, 1pm and meet authors Rosemary McCraken and Steve Shrott - two contributors to The Whole She-Bang: 20 stories by Sisters in Crime Canada.

Rosemary McCracken is a Toronto-based fiction writer and journalist.  Her first mystery novel, Safe Harbor, was shortlisted for Britain’s Debut Dagger award in 2010.  Safe Harbor was published by Imajin Books the year.

 Steve Shrott is an award-winning writer whose crime stories have appeared in many publications.  He has also crafted material for well-known comedy, stars and written a ‘how to’ book on humor writing.  Some of his jokes are in The Smithsonian Institute.

Steelpan Jam with Suzette!

*This blog is best enjoyed with the happy sounds of steelpan in the background! Check out the video below for a sample of Suzette’s steelpan skills :)

 

 

Suzette Vidale has played with Toronto steelpan bands Afropan and Melange Musical Street and has worked with different schools and community groups in Toronto for over ten years! She will be at the Sanderson Branch on Saturday September 29^th. Sign up for either the 1:30 pm session or the 3:30 pm session to enjoy an hour-long musically informative presentation on the steelpan!

 

To give you a sneak peek of what to expect, here’s a short interview with Suzette!

D!ana: How did you first get into steelpan?

Suzette: A friend of mine, Monifa Colthurst, was playing with Toronto's oldest steel band, Afropan, and invited me to a rehearsal. At the time I was a teenager on summer break and the band was rehearsing every evening preparing for the annual Caribbean parade, Caribana. I found myself attending their rehearsal quite often as the music was infectious. The environment was so friendly, everyone was happy to be there and made me feel welcome.

D: What was it that really got you hooked and inspired you to teach steel pan?

S: Seeing that the steelpan was limitless to the genres of music that could be played excited me. It is often thought that because the steelpan was birthed in the Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago, Calypso and Reggae were the only types of music played. Many people are often surprised when they hear a pannist playing Classical, Jazz, R&B and even cultural songs. My inspiration to teach came from my enjoyment of learning about the evolution of the steelpan. I was in disbelief when learning about the early struggles those playing it had to face. At the time of its inception, the steelpan was not revered. The early pioneers were looked down upon as "Bad Johns" (trouble makers or bulllies). Parents did not allow their children to associate with anyone that was involved with this instrument. I often meet adults that wanted to play the steelpan as a child but were not allowed. Now, they get a second chance to make it happen.

D: What was one of your most memorable moment, experience or performance with steelpan?

S: My most memorable experience was going to Trinidad & Tobago for my first Panorama, the mecca of the annual steelpan competition. Prior to bands going on stage (which can consist to up to 100 plus players), they rehearse on the track (area outside of the stadium). The renowned steelband Phase II was performing and I was in the middle of the orchestra while they rehearsed their song. It was SPECTACULAR – one of the most magical experiences ever.

D: What is your favourite song to play?

S: Chayew Ale by Patsy Geremy, it puts me in a happy place.

D: If you could perform with any musician in the world (steel pan or not, currently living or not :) who would you like to perform with?

S: Definitely Alicia Keys, because she is a talented musician who really engages her audience and uses her fame to help children and families that are in need through the organization "Keep a Child Alive". I respect her work as well as well as her humanitarian efforts.

Thank you Suzette for the mini interview!

 

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to check out one of Toronto’s most talented steel pannist!

The workshop is FREE and open to everyone. No registration required, however those who want to participate on the instruments (adults and children ages 7 and up) are required to register.

 

Want to learn more?

The Toronto Public Library has great steel pan books, CDs and DVDs!

For more information about Suzette, please visit http://www.svidale.ca/ and www.steelpanwithsuzette.com

For a listing of the Culture Days Programs at the Toronto Public Library, visit http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/featured/culturedays.jsp

For more information about Culture Days and the different activities, visit http://culturedays.ca/

 

*Wondering why this blog post appears in the York Woods District Blog? We miiiiiight just have Suzette swing by this part of Toronto ;) Post below if you want more information! 

Capoeira!

What's "capoeira" ?

  

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, music and game. What I love about capoeira is the physical conditioning all while singing, dancing and having some playful competition!

 

Marcio Mendes from Muiraquita Capoeira will be at the Downsview Branch on Saturday September 29^th, at 12:30 pm for a one-hour workshop to talk about the history and culture of capoeira. His students will demonstrate an energetic round of capoeira and teach everyone some basic capoeira moves!  

To give you a sneak peek of what to expect, here’s a short interview with Marcio!

D!ana: You mention on your website (http://www.muiraquitacapoeira.com/) that your first contact with capoeira was in a spontaneous way...could you tell me a bit about that experience?

Marcio: Everyone in Brazil tries capoeira at least once in their life and most people start like me… right on the streets! Capoeira is everywhere in Brazil. Every afternoon after school, my friends and I would hang out in this little soccer field to play soccer. Some of us imitated capoeira movements we would see capoeira players doing in the rodas (a circle formed by capoeira players when they practice the movements).

D: What inspired you to open a school in Toronto?

M: It was when I became a capoeira instructor in the early 90s! Capoeira was in every aspect of my life. Everything I did, I associated it with capoeira such as my course at university and my volunteer work at the YMCA and the Red Cross.

D: Do you have any memorable moments/experiences with capoeira?

M: Yes, a lot! But the two that are most important to me was when I met my capoeira master Mestre Bezerra and my first capoeira graduation.

D: There are so many great benefits to learning capoeira! What can someone new to capoeira hope to get out of it?

M: A sense of balance in life…not just physically, but spiritually and mentally!

Thank you Marcio for the mini interview!

 

A capoeira workshop + demonstration is not to be missed out on especially if you've never seen one before!

The workshop is FREE and open to everyone. Parents must accompany kids under 14 years of age. No registration required. Please call the branch for more information.

Want to learn more?

The Toronto Public Library has great books and DVDs about the history of capoeira, the philosophies behind the art and basic to advanced instructional material!

For more information about Muiraquita Capoeira, please visit http://www.muiraquitacapoeira.com/

For a listing of the Culture Days Programs at the Toronto Public Library, visit http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/featured/culturedays.jsp

For more information about Culture Days and the different activities, visit http://culturedays.ca/

 

*The first 10 people to post a response to this capoeira post will receive a special Culture Days treat! The treat will be sent to any Toronto Public Library branch you visit!  Post your response below about whether you'll be attending the capoeira program or which Culture Days program you'll be checking out! :)

Good Stories about Bad Men

by Nate Hendley

 

by Nate Hendley

 

Join author Nate Hendley, on Thursday, September 20, at 1:00 pm, for a fascinating presentation about infamous Canadian criminals throughout history, such as the notorious Donnelly family and the flamboyant Toronto bank robber, Edwin Alonzo Boyd.

 

 

  

 

 More books about these infamous Canadian bad men by different authors:

          

In keeping with the theme of Good Stories about Bad Men, check out Downsview's library display on True Crime. True crime books chronicle the crime, but also dig deep into the criminal mind and uncover the bizarre and disturbing thoughts of serial killers.

Prepare to be engrossed in this unsavoury side of human nature!

From Serials Killers   

                   

To Bizarre Murders

          

To Mass Murders

           

To Organized Crime

          

To Great Criminal Mysteries

             

Culture Days @ The Library: Inspired by Wire

Toronto Public Library partners with Culture Days and the Neighbourhood Arts Network to offer more than 43 free programs at branches across the city, on Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29.

Here at the York Woods Library, we are honoured to have artist Jennifer Falvy for Culture Days @ The Library.  Join Jennifer in a wire sculpture and weaving program that encourages artistic expression and provides a fun and original way to explore the world three dimensionally while improving fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Below are some images of Jennifer's work:

                




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The program takes place on Friday, Sept. 28th at the York Woods Library from 1:30 - 3 p.m.

For more information or to register, visit the library or call 416-395-5980.