Green and Artsy Summer in the West Toronto Junction: Local Events

Screenshot: Junction Residents Association's Events Calendar
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Credit: JunctionRA.ca

Summer is the busiest time of the year in the Junction.
If you are interested in upcoming events that take place in the neighbourhood, be sure to check out online the Junction Residents Association events calendar.

Hi, please see below for an announcement from the Cultural Committee.

There are also a slew of events listed on the calendar at www.junctionra.ca including events this weekend like the *Junction Tree Tour, Community Potluck in Vine Parkette and free screening of "Garbage: The Revolution Starts at Home"*.

You'll also find various discussions and groups focused on our community's development, families, and issues of the day. Or start your own discussions and meet other community-minded members of the Junction...

"Neil Ross has called a summer meeting for anyone who is around and interested, primarily to help plan the spring fling event involving students and the community. Grant applications will be due starting mid-August, and there are lots of great ideas to discuss in order to come up with a concrete plan. The more artist involvement, the better! This will be the primary focus of the summer meeting of the Cultural Committee will be the planning of the Spring Fling involving students and community. Grant applications will be due starting mid-August, and there are lots of great ideas to discuss in order to come up with a concrete plan. The more artist involvement, the better! There is also considerable interest coming out of the last JRA general meeting in pursuing designation as a Heritage Conservation District. We’ll talk about how to move forward with this, in conjunction with the Historical Society. Perhaps a new committee will be created to take on this very important endeavour. The meeting will be Tues, Aug 4 at 7:30 at Wise Daughters. We realize many people may be away, but please let me know if you can attend. Please forward this invitation to anyone else who might be interested. September 17 we’ll be sharing more information and soliciting membership in this committee at the regular JRA meeting as well."

Thanks,
Junction Residents Association
www.junctionra.ca

flickr's slideshow: Todd Irvine gives the Junction tree tour on September 7th 2008
LEAF Junction tree walk @ the Junction arts blog

links:
Art + Trees = Toronto Junction Tour
Green 13 Hosts Screening of Garbage! Raise Awareness and Do Something
New JRA Cultural Committee: Visions for the Junction
Junction Residents Association Meeting July 9: Live Streeming Video

Press-Release: Junction Arts Festival - Weaving Mosaics: A Creative Adventure of Vast Proportions

Press-Release: The Junction Arts Festival: Weaving Mosaics: A creative adventure of vast proportions; September 9 to 13, 2009
Credit: junctionartsfest.com

MEDIA INFORMATION - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please retain for events listings

THE JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL

Weaving Mosaics: A creative adventure of vast proportions; September 9 to 13, 2009

Toronto, ON, July 21, 2009 - Like a mosaic, the 2009 Junction Arts Festival (produced by the Junction Forum for Art and Culture, JFAC) will weave a multitude of eclectic cultural and artistic elements together to create one big celebration; September 9 to 13 in Toronto's west-end Junction neighbourhood.

Now in its 17th year and attracting 200,000 visitors in 2008, the Junction Arts Festival takes place along one kilometre of Dundas Street West between Keele Street and Quebec Avenue, and features five days of unique artistry and innovation presented in many unusual ways; Visual Art Exhibits (September 9 to 13), Live Music Concerts (September 11 and 12), and the Street Performance Artists, Literary Artists, KidZone, Green Village and the Artisan/Vendor Market (happen during the weekend street closure on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13).
The Junction City Square at 2960 Dundas Street West at Pacific Avenue is the epicentre to all activities. Its train platform (specially built for the 2008 Junction Centennial, based on the CPR train station that once stood at Annette and Dupont) acts as the main stage this year, where, as a festival highlight, Junction native, acclaimed singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge will present a special evening of music with invited guests (Saturday, September 12 at 9:00 p.m., guests TBA).
JFAC Chair Councillor Bill Saundercook (Ward 13, City of Toronto) states, "It is the Junction Forum for Art and Culture's honour to present the very successful annual Junction Arts Festival, on behalf of the entire Junction community. This year, while we integrate a variety of extraordinary artists from many sources, we also continue to showcase the incredible pool of talent and creative brilliance available to us in our own neighbourhood."

Escapade of discoveries:

• Visual Art Exhibits: The 2009 Juried Art Exhibit will showcase this year's 75 entrants at the Academy of Realist Art (2968 Dundas St. W.), plus established and impromptu galleries along Dundas West present additional artists for the full five days (Sept. 9 to 13).
  Visual highlights also include many extraordinary installation artists such as Robert Hilts and Reid English; placed in outdoor and indoor locations during the weekend street closure (Sept. 12 & 13).
• Live Music Concerts: The Junction City Square's train platform (the Main Stage) will host two nights of live music performances; Afrobeat band Mr. Something Something headlines the Friday evening concert (Sept. 11) and Americana troubadour Justin Rutledge and friends headlines the Saturday evening show (Sept. 12).
• Street Performance Artists: There will be dance, theatre, live painting, music and comedy performers winding there way in and out of Dundas West shops and buildings (Sept. 12 & 13).
  Highlights include festival faves Toronto comedy duo Bain & Bernard (second year), and dance troupe r.a.d. (random acts of dance) return for the third time.
  Additionally, many travelling minstrels (soloists or groups) will strum and hum in unanticipated settings along Dundas West.
• Literary Artists: Back for the second year with an increased presence and sponsored for the first time by Junction publishing company BookThug (http://www.bookthug.ca/), the literary component will feature over 20 writers and poets, who will present public readings in unusual and experimental ways; including using megaphones from rooftops and roaming paperboys (Sept. 12 & 13).
• The KidZone: Centrally located for 2009 on Pacific Avenue at Dundas West, the KidZone is a fun zone featuring family-friendly arts, painting and interactive design workshops, a giant slide, a jumping castle, a sports complex and more (Sept. 12 & 13).
• The Green Village: Leading the march of the third annual Green Village participants is the green conscious, bicycle powered Afrobeat band Mr. Something Something, who encourages audience cooperation to demonstrate their pedal powered sound system, the SoundCycle.
  The area also presents materials, talks and workshops on environmental initiatives (Sept. 12 & 13).
  The Junction Arts Festival practices reducing, reusing and recycling throughout the entire location.
• Artisan/Vendor Market: Creative types, artisans and yummy food and drink vendors make for interesting and fun weekend shopping (Sept. 12 & 13).
• The Junction City Square: It's the spot for the weekend beer tent, the Main Stage evening concerts and the weekend daily community group performances and more (2960 Dundas St. W.).

Please Note: Further details and more artist announcements are coming soon. For schedule updates and to access the new Junction Arts Festival Blog please visit regularly at
http://www.junctionartsfest.com/.

The 17th annual Junction Arts Festival is generously supported by title sponsor the Junction Business Improvement Area and the active involvement from Junction area businesses and residents.

The Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC) is a non-profit arts presenting organization and its main project is the annual Junction Arts Festival. The hands-on JFAC Board of Directors consists of dedicated cultural producers, artists, residents, business owners and politicians, all of whom are based in the Junction.

-30-

For media information and interviews, please contact:
Laurie Lockhart, Publicist
Tel: 416-988-2530 / E-mail: gtmessage@sympatico.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com

For general and vendor information, please contact:
2009 Junction Arts Festival office
Tel: 416-767-5036 / E-mail: junctionartsfest@bellnet.ca
Website: http://www.junctionartsfest.com/
Councillor Bill Saundercook (Ward 13, City of Toronto), JFAC Chair

links:
Press-Release: 2009 Junction Arts Festival: Weaving Mosaics!
Press-Release: The 2009 Junction Arts Festival Sends out Call to Artists

August Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market

Screenshot: Wise Daughters Craft Market Newsletter, August 2009

Read about upcoming do-it-yourself workshops and other crafts events at Wise Daughters Craft Market.
Junction shopping just keeps getting better; Wise Daughters is constantly introducing new quality crafts by local artisans.

Hello Craft Fans,

This is our August newsletter. Next month brings a weaving workshop, where you can not only learn to weave, but make your own loom.

Arts & Crafts Camp with a Twist also returns for ages 8 - 14. The July camp was great fun, so Anna's coming back with her treasure trove of stamps, paints, papers, fabrics, socks, stuffing and more!

Remember that this Sat, July 25 is Part II of Christmas in July. Learn to make 3 simple, economical crafts that will allow you to create gorgeous personalized gifts.

Sit 'n' Stitch continues without interruption every Thurs 7 - 9 pm. A chance to tackle all those unfinished projects!

There are loads of great plans in the works for September and beyond...

Keep checking the website for details.

Mary Breen, Owner
www.wisedaughters.com

New at Wise Daughters

Merchandise is always changing, so pop in often! Here are just two new objects of desire:

• Can-can jewellery by Andrea Romero
  "upcycled eco-cultural art"
  New to the Junction from Colombia, Andrea has applied her years of art training and experience to a line of jewellery made of tin cans. Gorgeous!
  
• New wooden pottery by Anna Olszowka-Khosravi
  "visual art steeped in colour dancing with pattern"
  Anna has brought a summery collection of floral wooden tiles, great to hang alone or in clusters.

Events

• Look for details on the website about Wise Daughters’ exciting plans for the Junction Arts Festival Sept 9 - 13. Visual art, performances, button-making, and a great sidewalk sale!
• Also in the works... a bike decorating event, art card trading, a craft-a-thon to benefit the Redwood Shelter, and lots more random acts of creativity!

August Workshops - Please pre-register

Weaving Made Easy
Monday, August 10, 6:30 - 9:30
Make your own loom and explore the ancient tradition of cloth making. You'll learn basic weaving skills you can build on to create your own textile designs.
$60 includes all materials.

Back by popular demand...for the kids
Arts & Crafts Camp - Crafting with a Twist
August 10 – 14, 10:00 – 12:00 daily
Hands-on, creative crafts for ages 8 - 14. Sewing, stamping, altered books and paper craft, bead-making, multi-media trading cards and more.
Only $100 per week, including all materials.

Coming this fall...

• art classes for kids
• arts & crafts just for boys
• parent/child craft sessions
• arts & crafts camp for grown-ups
• women’s creativity class series

And many more brand new craft workshops, plus the return of some favourites – felt sculpture, bookbinding, quilling, mosaics...

Sit ‘n’ Stitch continues every Thursday evening from 7 – 9 (no charge).

Please call 416-761-1555 for more info or to register for workshops

If you know someone who would like to receive this information, please forward this post.

Wise Daughters Craft Market
Local handicrafts and do-it-yourself workshops
3079B Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M5P 1Z9
(facing Quebec Ave, just south of Dundas, behind Crema Coffee)
There is ample street parking on Dundas and Quebec.
Via TTC: Junction bus from Dundas West Stn,
Lambton bus (or 15 min. walk) from High Park Stn.
www.wisedaughters.com
wisedaughters@sympatico.ca
416-761-1555

links:
Toronto Junction Arts & Crafts Neighbourhood: Wise Daughters' Story
August Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
July Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
June Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
May Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
April Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Craft Market
March Events and Workshops at Wise Daughters' Creative Place

Green 13 Hosts Screening of Garbage! Raise Awareness and Do Something

Poster: Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home: Documentary Film by Andrew Nisker
Green 13 Film Night at Margret July 25, 2009
Credit: Green 13 + Garbageman Productions Inc.

Green 13 invites you to a free screening of

Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home

When: Saturday, July 25 at 6:00 pm

Where: Margret
2952 Dundas Street West, Toronto ON
(just E of Pacific)

"Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home"
This film is a feature documentary that describes how an average North American family impacts the environment through their production of garbage.

After his son's birth, Andrew Nisker (writer and director) felt compelled to examine the average urban family's relationship with waste. The film documents the McDonald family's experience after they agree to keep every scrap of garbage that they create for three months. Nisker then takes them (and us) to find out where it all goes and what it's doing to the world.

From the website: "Everyday life under a microscope has never been so revealing. By the end of this trashy odyssey, you are truly inspired to revolutionize your lifestyle for the sake of future generations." http://www.garbagerevolution.com/

This timely 75 minute film will be followed by lively discussion. Refreshments are available for purchase.

Hope to see you there!

Just to remind you

Junction Tree Tour - July 25th

Saturday, July 25 - 2pm to 4pm

Join LEAF arborist Todd Irvine as he explores the neighbourhood to uncover both historic and newly planted native trees. Presented in partnership with Green 13 and the Junction Residents Association, the Junction tree tour showcases the survivors of the urban forest. From back streets to grand boulevards, the Junction is home to a diverse array of trees including the rare black oak often associated with High Park. Wander down a hidden alley to discover a grove of black-locust trees growing out of cracks in the asphalt. Peek into backyards and turn your gaze skyward to admire the massive canopies of native white, red and pin oaks as well as the elegant boughs of black walnuts. You will be introduced to a spectacular font yard garden that is a butterfly haven certified by Monarch Watch at the University of Kansas.
Meet at: Southwest corner of Dundas St. W and Keel St.
Map
RSVP
Suggested donation: 5$
Junction Tree Tour - July 25th

New JRA Cultural Committee: Visions for the Junction

Screenshot: Junction Residents Association Cultural Committee Portal Page
Credit: JunctionRA.ca

JRA Cultural Committee officially launched at JRA meeting July 9. Will be looking for volunteers at Sept 17 meeting. First priorities: to better coordinate info-sharing and promotion of all the amazing cultural activities in our neighbourhood, to learn from other communities how they do their programming, to help organize the Boom Times spring fling engaging secondary students in Junction history and culture.

Comment by Mary Breen on July 10, 2009
http://junctionra.ning.com/group/jraculturalcommittee

On June 15 a group of people came together to share some of our visions for the Junction, and came to the conclusion that a cultural committee under the auspices of the Junction Residents Association would help keep culture on the front burner as the association works to connect and improve our community. The JRA endorsed the creation of this committee, which is seeking volunteers. For more information, please contact Mary Breen at wisedaughters@sympatico.ca.

What follows is an unabridged list of the ideas and wishes for the Junction brainstormed at the meeting.

• A cinema
• A theatre
• A living arts program modelled on the former Gathering Space – something for everyone to participate
• Public space with amphitheatre
• A theatre in 11 Division
• A comedy cabaret space
• A spring festival
• Programming in a public park, modelled on Dufferin Grove
• Outdoor art installations
• More community walks
• A community centre with everything: daycare, clinic, studio space, dark room, performance space
• A space for musicians
• Something cultural instead of a car wash on the old McBride property
• Open the caverns in the Junction
• Create a pedestrian mall/bridge
• A roller rink

Mary Breen
Wise Daughters Craft Market

What is the artjunction's suggestion?

[V] get more art in the Junction
[V] get more artists in the Junction
[V] get more arts supporters
[V] get more arts education funding

Press-Release: Toronto West End Web: Arts & Crafts Online And In Our Community

Flyer: West End Web: Arts & Crafts Online And In Our Community

Wednesday, July 22, 7 - 9 pm
Wise Daughters Craft Market
(3079B Dundas Street West @ Quebec Ave.)
A networking event and discussion for Junction residents active or interested in arts, crafts and media. Topics for discussion include the theory of art promotion, the craft community in our neighbourhood and practical examples of how to make use of the web for promotion of your work.
Speakers: Robert Hilts (Breaking Projects, The Junctioneer); Mary Breen (Wise Daughters Craft Market); Paul Reynolds (Totally Spun Media & Design)
Brought to you by: totallyspun.com & wisedaughters.com
Credit: Totally Spun + Wise Daughters

For Immediate Release
Please add to your listings & forward appropriately

Toronto West End Web -- Arts & Crafts Online And In Our Community

Toronto, ON, July 14, 2009 – Last month the first of a series of events was hosted by Totally Spun, a Junction-based web design and development company. The goal was to bring out the web savvy and web curious in the neighbourhood alike to talk about social media as a promotional tool for personal, professional and community purposes. The result was a very positive conversation with an engaged group; visit the Totally Spun blog to read the recap (link below).

On Wednesday July 22nd from 7 - 9 pm, a second, more focused meeting will be held in the workshop space of Wise Daughters Craft Market (3079B Dundas St W, entrance on Quebec Ave). The inaugural meeting in June brought out a large portion of attendees with background and interests in media and the arts. To continue with this momentum, the upcoming event will focus on Arts & Crafts in the neighbourhood, which will also make good use of this month's venue, a craft market.

Guest speakers this month will be local artist and community organizer Robert Hilts and Wise Daughters Craft Market owner Mary Breen. Robert will be speaking about the theory behind effective online promotion for artists, and Mary will be talking about the current Craft community in the neighbourhood. Additionally, event host Paul Reynolds of Totally Spun will talk about some practical applications and means to put the theory into action.

Although focused on Arts & Crafts, the discussion will be of benefit to anyone interested in online promotion and organizing using social media.
Come to listen, learn and network, and bring your questions to join in the discussion. Schedule of the event and additional details are below.
For any questions about this event, please contact Paul Reynolds of Totally Spun.

WHAT: West End Web: Arts & Crafts Online And In Our Community
WHEN: Wednesday July 22, 2009, 7 - 9pm
WHERE: Wise Daughters Craft Market
3079B Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M5P 1Z9
(facing Quebec Avenue, just south Dundas, behind Crema Coffee)
WHY: Learn about social media as a tool for personal, professional and community purposes
HOW MUCH: It's Free!

SCHEDULE:
7:00 -- 7:30: Introductions
7:30 -- 7:45: Robert Hilts
7:45 -- 8:00: Mary Breen
8:00 -- 8:15: Paul Reynolds
8:15 -- 8:30: Questions / General Discussion
8:30 -- 9:00: Networking

LINKS:
Robert Hilts: http://breakingprojects.com
Wise Daughters Craft Market: http://wisedaughters.com
Totally Spun Media & Design: http://totallyspun.com

Recap of June event: http://totallyspun.com/2009/06/18/west-end-web-recap/

- 30 -

Media enquiries:
Paul Reynolds
(647) 835-9150
paul@totallyspun.com

Photo Collage: Toronto West End Web Social Media Discussion & Workshop
at the Crema Coffee on Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Credit: Robert Hilts
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Junction Residents Association Meeting July 9: Live Streeming Video

Screenshot: Junction Residents Association Meeting,
July 9, 2009 7pm to 8:30pm
Location: West Toronto Baptist Church
Credit: JunctionRA.ca

The Junction Residents Association Meeting

Time: July 9, 2009 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: West Toronto Baptist Church
Street: 3049 Dundas Street West, Toronto
(South side of Dundas St. West, across from Mc Murray Ave.)
Website: http://www.junctionra.ca
Organized By: JunctionRA

Live stream of the Junction Residents' Association meeting you could view on the JRA Channel.

Stream videos at Ustream

Here are some of the things that will be discussing:

1. Introduction - Martin

* Last Meeting Minutes
* Financial Report
* Next Meeting – September 10 17, 2009
* JRA Elections
* Website – what are your thoughts?

2. Urban Development Report - Martin

* Results From the JRA rail expansion polling
* JRA Supports the Clean Train Collation:
** Letter Writing Campain
** Visit cleantrain.ca for details
* Projects updates
**Georgetown rail expansions update
** McBride Cycle building development
** Junction avenue study

3. Green Report – Janet
Junction Tree Tour
A tree tour through the Junction neighbourhood on July 25th. Green 13 is partnering with The Junction Residents Association on this initiative.


4. Cultural Committee – Neil

5. JRA Ratepayers – Stuart

6. Open Forum for any other community news or issues – All present
* Your opportunity to present to the committee or ask questions on any Junction topic
More info:
junctionra@gmail.com
http://www.junctionra.ca

Please attend It's Your/Our Junction.

The West Toronto Junction Is In The Spotlight Again, This Time In The New York Times’ Travel Guide

Screenshot: The New York Times: Travel: Surfacing: Skid Row to Hip in Toronto,
Published: July 5, 2009
By Michael Kaminer
Photo: Rawlicious, a "living foods" cafe in the Junction section of Toronto.
By Steve Payne for The New York Times

The New York Times published a travel essay Skid Row to Hip in Toronto by Michael Kaminer. He described the meteoritic rise of the Junction section of the city from the skid row to a hip neighbourhood in the XXI Century. There are a few establishments of our truly exciting retail strip mentioned in the article:

• Pandemonium: New & Used Books & Discs
• Delight Chocolates: Handmade Organic Fair Trade Chocolate
• Rawlicious: Living Foods, Zen Den, Superfoods
• Cool Hand of a Girl: A Coffee Shop
• Margret: Bar
• Junction Arts Festival: Wednesday, September 9 to Sunday, September 13 2009 in the Toronto community of the Junction

Let’s hope that the dreams about the future of the Junction where "the young and artsy are taking advantage of empty storefronts and low-slung houses" will become a
real estatereality.

Are you planning a trip to the Abbot Kinney Boulevard of Toronto?
Anytime is a good time to visit The Junction. Take an advice from Michael Kaminer: "But the best time to visit may be in September, when a five-block section of Dundas Street West, between Keele Street and Quebec Avenue, closes for the Junction Arts Festival (www.junctionartsfest.com). The five-day jamboree of music and art began as a tiny indoor fair in 1992 and drew 250,000 people last year."

See You There!

links:
nytimes.com: Frugal Traveler | Toronto
O Canada, Where Have Your Bargains Gone?
By MATT GROSS

Junction Arts Festival Blog: New York Times . . ."Just got a call from a writer in the U.S. telling us that there is a story about the Junction and the Festival coming out Sunday July 5th in the New York Times. So pick up a copy or come by here to get a cut and paste of what they have to say. They did a similar story a number of years ago about Queen Street West. Seems that the Junction is making waves and we here at the Festival are ecstatic to be part of it."
By Michael Menegon the author of this post is the creative director of the Junction Arts Festival.

A view from the window of the Junction Business Improvement Area's office,
where you can read this article
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

The young and artsy transform the Junction’s empty storefronts
and low-slung houses block by block: This is Malta Village area.
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Margret, 1960s-theme bar / lounge for the Junction with art house screenings
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

The Junction is enjoying a post-industrial revival.
As Angus Crawford said "This could become the Abbot Kinney Boulevard of Toronto."
On the right is a Toronto food landmark, Vesuvio Pizzeria & Spaghetti House.
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

blogTO: Neighbourhoods - Junction
Looking for something specific in Junction?

Check it out http://www.blogto.com/junction