City continues to mark 175th Anniversary
The City of Toronto continues to celebrate its 175th Anniversary
through promotions with various organizations, museums and cultural
centres.
*The City*s 175th Anniversary is not just an event at City Hall,
it*s a year-long festival of events - some big, some small - that mark
the anniversary,* said Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone. *The City is
working with various organizations that have come forward with
thoughtful ways of celebrating the Toronto*s heritage, unity and
diversity.*
History buffs will enjoy the Royal Ontario Museum*s 175th Anniversary
Toronto Walk on June 13. The walk is free and walkers should gather at
St. James Park - next to St. James Cathedral - at 2 p.m. Heritage
Toronto is offering Toronto 175 Walks from April to October. Weekend
walks are free and more information can be found on the Heritage
Toronto*s website (www.heritagetoronto.org). An audio tour about the
history of Osgoode Hall is also available for download in French and
English from the City*s website.
The City*s historic museums programming celebrating the City*s
early years continues at Colborne Lodge, Mackenzie House and at the
Market Gallery. Special programming is also available for the Victoria
Day long weekend.
* Victorian Cream Tea at the Scarborough Museum: Enjoy a cup of
traditional English tea and scrumptious scones with Devon cream. Sunday,
May 17, from 12 to 5 p.m. Museum admission is pay what you can and the
tea is $4 a person.
* Spadina House: Take a leisurely stroll through six acres of
heritage gardens and lawns that overlook the city and then visit this
lovely home. Wall-to-Wall: A History of Carpeting in Toronto, which
surveys floor coverings common in Toronto from the 1850s to the 1920s,
is also available to view. Regular admission applies.
* Fort York National Historic Site: Families can enjoy tours, kids*
drill and baking in the kitchen. Monday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regular admission applies.
* Gibson House: Spend the holiday at the home of one of
Willowdale*s founding families. Sweet treats to taste in the
kitchen, old-fashioned toys in the parlour and lots of hands-on
activities in the Discovery Gallery. Monday, May 18, noon - 5 p.m.
Regular admission applies.
* Victoria Day Tea at Montgomery*s Inn: Celebrate the birth of
Queen Victoria with a special afternoon tea at the Inn. $8.85 plus GST
and PST includes admission to the museum.
Lit City, a celebration of stories set in Toronto and the writers
inspired by the city, comes to an end at Doors Open on May 23 to 24. In
its finale event, Lit City will connect books with buildings at 30 or
more of the 175 Doors Open destinations citywide. The Doors Open
kick-off event will be held at the Royal Ontario Museum on Friday, May
22 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. ROM galleries will be open for free.
Other 175th events include:
* A spectacular floral installation of over 15,000 flowers saluting
Toronto's 175th anniversary will be on display at the City Hall rotunda
as the Garden Club of Toronto's contribution to Doors Open 2009. "A
Floral Celebration" will be open and free to the public, from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. on Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24.
http://www.thegardencluboftoronto.ca/events/
* In keeping with the City*s celebration of diversity, we are
marking the 35th anniversary of the arrival of the first immigrants from
Latin and South America. The Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples (CSSP)
is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year by hosting a gala on June
13. For more information, contact Christel Perez at 416-533-8545 or
cperez@spanishservices.org.
* "City on the Move - A Festival of Young Artists in Transit"
launched earlier this year. "In Transit" is an apt theme for this
presentation as it refers not only to transportation itself but also to
ideas about transformation and how youth can transform the city and
themselves through their art. Promoting the ideas and opinions of youth
will enrich the fabric of our cultural community and ensure that
Toronto's voice carries through the next 175 years. Beginning in May,
youth photographic artwork is on display in subways, buses and
streetcars. Live youth performances will begin in June and run until the
end of the year. http://www.toronto.ca/culture/arts-services.htm
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home
to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic
engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in
North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation
and efficiency in delivering public services. 2009 marks the 175th
anniversary of Toronto's incorporation as a city. Toronto's government
is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its
residents.
