2010 Junction Arts Festival: Seeing Is Believing

Photo: The Junction's Updated Legacy
West Toronto Junction Arts Festival, September 11, 2010

Photo: 2010 Junction Arts Festival: Seeing Is Believing
Poster: The Junction Arts Festival September 8 - 12, 2010
"... and you thought you had seen everything!
we'll make you think again!
www.junctionartsfest.com"
Credit: junctionartsfest.com

Discover what’s happening right now,
in the Junction @ the Junction Arts Festival
twitter: realtime results for Junction Arts Festival
twitter: realtime results for #JunctionTO
Or just come and see it!

2010 Junction Arts Festival Is Here: September 8 - 12

Screenshot: Downlodable Festival Footprint map [pdf]
The stretch of Dundas Street West from Indian Grove to St John’s Road is where it all takes place.
Have a look at the map to help you find your way to the neighbourhood, where you can also enjoy many popular and award-winning shops and restaurants.
Credit: junctionartsfest.com

2010 Junction Arts Festival from Wednesday, September 8 to Sunday, September 12, with a two day closure of Dundas Street West between Indian Grove and St John’s Road the weekend of September 11 and 12.

2010 Junction Arts Festival Opening Night Ceremonies Held This Friday September 10th on Dundas Street West at Pacific Ave.

A weekend festival 'Where the Arts meet the Street' in the heart of the West Toronto Junction is the basis for this ever-growing multi-ARTS Festival that includes visual art, galleries, installation art, main stage music, dance, theatre, performance art, travelling minstrels and anything in between and beyond.

The Junction Residents Association e-newsletter:

Junction Arts Festival – September 8 to 12

With summer coming to an end the Junction arts community is preparing to welcome thousands of people to our great neighbourhood for this years Junction Arts Festival.

The Junction Forum for Art & Culture (JFAC) is moving away from the street festivals of the past few years and returning to its origins with a "thousand percent increase in art". The out of town street vendors which lined Dundas last year will be replaced with art installations, performance art, entertainment for the kids and extended patios from our favourite local restaurants. Our local business and storefronts will no longer be hidden behind tents so they can also enjoy and benefit from the festival.

Traffic will be closed this year on Dundas from Runnymede to Annette Street with Keele being the only north/south route. See below for closure times.

Art installation will start at Malta Park with an outdoor living room and continue to the vacant lot on Indian Grove which will stage the Poetry Village and Film Centre.

JRA presents the Community Stage at High Park Avenue

The stage is sponsored by your Junction Residents Association and we will be hosting a Community Forum on local issues as well as promoting local talent in the multi-talented Junction.

Here are just some of the acts that we’ll be presenting. Check the Junction Arts Festival website or Facebook for an updated schedule.

Junction Community Forum – 11am Saturday and 1pm Sunday

Your JRA is hosting a Junction Community Forum on the Community Stage on High Park Ave.

We are inviting leaders from other nearby resident associations to take part in a question and answer discussion on local topics. This is a great opportunity for residents to inquire about and comment on a wide range of issues.

Junction News Team - Saturday and Sunday

Hannah Hogan and Matt McCready are improv reporters covering the festival and bringing back weird and wonderful characters. Hannah and Matt will also be starring in our popular "Artists Who Didn’t Make the Cut" segment (watch for the creator of the installation that actually sprayed sausages!). Plus prizes, contests, trivia, special guests, and extremely silly bits.

Junction History Mash Up, 2pm Saturday, 3pm Sunday

An encore presentation of the dynamic experience that made its debut at the Humberside Hoopla in June. A troupe of student actors -- originally from Heather Bernkopf’s Grade 11 drama class at Humberside, now bursting into Grade Twelve – interpret Junction Suite, an original orchestral composition by young composer Isaias Garcia based on the wide open and diverse history of West Toronto Junction. Narration by Neil Ross. Produced by Boom Times Cabaret Artists Collective.

EnvironMENTAL Junction Revue, 3:45 Saturday, 4:30 Sunday

Summer Standup/Sketch Comedy Workshop grads present a look askance at the environment and the rest of the world.

With Sarah Bradley on “Helicopter Parenting, Junction style”; Rebecca Christensen, Queen of Cats and Uni-tasking, Rick Mamros on “The 25 year Marriage: a Survivor’s Guide”, Terry McGuire on “smart cars, blue boxes and feuding families”, Zena Muzzell: talking to trees and Mal-Wart customers indiscriminately, and Teresa Owen with a whole new take on Golfing for the Environment. Special guest on the Sunday Show, ZAN COY, CTV hit Dan for Mayor. With special prizes including the first issue of the new five part graphic novel, Justice in the Junction, the Life and Times of Josiah Royce, story by Neil Ross, art by Brendan FitzPatrick. Proceeds to the West Toronto Junction Historical Society.

+ Local Arts in the Junction - Yarnstorming

Road Closures and Event Times:
Road Closures: Dundas St from Runnymede to Annette
Sat 6:00 am to Sunday 11:00 pm
Road Closures: Pacific Av (North side)
Thursday 12:00 noon to Sunday 11:00 pm
Road Closures: High Park Av (South side)
Friday 12:00 noon to Sunday 11:00 pm
Road Closures: Pacific Av (North)
Friday 5 pm to midnight

Events times on all stages within closure.
Sat: 10:00 am to midnight
Sun: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

It’s your Junction, It’s our Junction!
JRA Members Meeting - Thursday, September 16, 2010
Visit junctionra.ca today!

The Junction Arts Festival is the highlight of the community’s cultural year.
Everyone is invited to become "A PART OF THE ART".
Come join us for another unforgettable celebration of the arts!

links:
junctioneer: Junction Arts Festival stage art lineup — info up
SPECTACLE (Main) STAGE SCHEDULE: Dundas St W at Pacific Ave North Side
HIGH PARK (Community) STAGE SCHEDULE: Dundas St W at High Park Ave
POETRY VILLAGE SCHEDULE
POETRY HOUSE SCHEDULE
ON GROUND LEVEL SCHEDULE
SOFA SESSIONS SCHEDULE
TWILIGHT FILM SCHEDULE
A CHILD'S EXPERIENCE SCHEDULE
twitter: realtime results for Junction Arts Festival
twitter: realtime results for #JunctionTO
twitter: realtime results for junctionartsfest
twitter: realtime results for #junctionartsfest

Istvan Kantor - Neoism & (S)mash-up Performance for the Junction Arts Festival

Screenshot: The Junction Arts Festival 2010
ISTVAN KANTOR RE: INVASION - Recent Crimes and Punishments
Monuments / Plunderworks / Mash-Media / Shinyism / Lebensraum / Subvertainment
Curated by Paul Campbell
Sept 9 – Oct 9, 2010
Opening reception/performance Thursday, Sept 9, 7 - 11pm
SMASH at 2880 Dundas Street West, Toronto

Istvan Kantor is an artist known around the world by his "open pop star" identity – Monty Cantsin Amen. The movement behind this multiple persona pseudonym is "Neoism" which has been around since 1979 as an underground philosophy of performance and media experimentalists who share pseudonyms and identities to make their statements and action based art.

Istvan Kantor, the creator of Neoism and the original Monty Cantsin has been banned from most museums around the world for splashing his blood on the walls between valued artwork. His message was the idea of art itself, what is art? and what is not. By hanging a painting on the wall an artist leaves a mark and it is the museums that decide what art is; Istvan Kantor’s shocking act challenges the limits of artistic freedom and revolts against the control of established institutions. But according to Istvan Kantor, art is not necessarily those works of art that are in the museums, his statement of blood represents human body which is the source of art, the center of artist’s creation – it displays human life as a symbol and object of art.

When asked about his action based art, Istvan Kantor replies that the message is to help people in intense and emergency situations by confrontational, action art. "Things have to be done very fast and questions should be solved, extreme actions such as splashing blood trigger a reaction and exchange of ideas, the message goes through many layers of society, through media, courts, it’s a way I can communicate and bring attention to vital issues."

In today’s world, when art has no boundaries between good and bad and the concept of art itself is undefined it is important to know what is truly art and who is an artist. Being an all encompassing media artist, prolific in all artistic mediums, performance, video, music, and writing – Istvan Kantor received the Governor General Award in 2004 for his work. Controversial, subversive, rebellious, the art of Istvan Kantor has even been called demonic for his shocking action art. His art expresses the world today and Neoism is loosely defined as the culture of the new.

In the near future Istvan Kantor plans to continue his work in Neoism as Monty Cantsin Amen, and will have a special performance for the Junction Arts Festival, opening September 9 until October 9, at Smash, 2880 Dundas St. W. The persona of Monty Canstin is that of an honest and completely guilt free person who devotes his life and energy to make people’s life better. Neoism has an aspect of idealism and a belief in the better life through creative forces.

Having immigrated from Communist Hungary in 1977, Istvan Kantor travelled extensively around the world. He is an artist that reflects the different cultures, systems and views globally; who believes that we are biological beings, living a material existence in a scientific world, without the soul. The art of Istvan Kantor is an atheist art. A true artist is a messenger who expresses the truth. Ultimately Istvan Kantor makes us wonder about what the truth is and the value of human life.

2010 © Anya / Anna Lobsanova

links:
What is the (Next) Message?: McLuhan Lectures 2005 - May 25 – Lilly Koltun – Portraiture
"Consider portraiture. Today's abstract portraiture can comprise performance, as in the case of Istvan Kantor. The portrait can be performed only once; any artefact that results is not the portrait. The artefact proper is itself ephemeral [.pdf]."
by Dr. Mark Federman
Chief Strategist, McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology
University of Toronto

Junction Arts Festival September 8 - 12, 2010: Artist Directory: Istvan Kantor

Latitude 44 Gallery Call for Artists

Poster: Latitude 44 Mi Confesión Call for Artists
Show Runs: September 9 – 25, 2010
Latitude 44 Gallery Framing Decor
Credit: latitude44gallery.ca

Latitude 44 Gallery
Framing ∙ Décor

invites you to participate in a special showing coinciding with the Junction Arts Festival, where we encourage you to share your confessions and passions through your art.

Works have to be created within the past year, sized no larger than 24x36 and valued from $100-$800. This showing will give special consideration to pieces inspired by the passion, colour and artistic fibre of Buenos Aires, however all works will be considered.

Submissions of three pieces to be presented to the gallery for consideration no later than September 3, 2010.

LATITUDE 44
MI CONFESIÓN

Show runs
September 9 – 25, 2010

Latitude 44 Gallery ∙ Framing ∙ Décor

2900 Dundas Street West Toronto Ontario, Canada M6P 1Y8
[located at Dundas & Keele in the historic Junction of Toronto
and wheelchair accessible]

For more information:
phone: 416-769-2900
e-mail: latitude44gallery@bellnet.ca
website: www.latitude44gallery.ca

Junction Retrospective Photography at the Wise Daughters Craft Market

This "Renaissance Lamp" is an almost iconic image of Emmanual's collection Junction Retrospective
Junction Theme: ... unique buildings, ... vibrancy of people, ... diverse community
The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards Tour: Artist: Emmanuel Mifsud

"The photographs by Emmanuel Mifsud at Super Submarine are a delightful experience when you appreciate the juxtaposition through the window."

~cr

Junction Retrospective Exhibit
A Series of Images of the Junction Locale by Emmanuel Mifsud

July 23 - September 12, 2010
Opening Night Reception: July 23, 7 - 9 pm

Wise Daughters Craft Market
3079B Dundas St W Toronto, M6P 1Z9
[between Keele Street & Quebec Avenue]
(facing Quebec Ave, just south of Dundas, behind Crema Coffee)
Via TTC: Junction bus #40from Dundas West Stn,
Lambton bus #30 (or 15 min. walk) from High Park Stn.
www.wisedaughters.com
416-761-1555

This series of black and white facades and streetscapes celebrates the West Toronto Junction for its diverse architecture, reflecting its history and people through the passage of time.

For more information, visit Studio Mano Manu.



Artist's Statement:
Photography has been an interest of Emmanuel since his early teens after receiving a 3-D camera as a gift. Opportunity knocked when he was living and working at National Stud Farm, now known as Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario. The famous racehorse Northern Dancer had returned home, the place where he was bred and raised. "The Dancer" was retired to stud. Years later, travel nurtured his interest. Whenever the urge to capture a moment, his camera was never far away. Emmanuel's interest in nature, urban landscapes, equine action and people are reflected in his varied portfolio of prints and positive images using a Pentax Spotmatic 500 SLR camera.

In 2008, Emmanuel's entry, "Junction Retrospective" - a Series of images of the Junction shared first prize in the "Local Option Arts Competition". After many years of colour photography, the black and white series of facades and streetscapes of "The Junction" became a point of coming full circle. He continues to use his photography to promote the West Toronto Junction for its diverse architecture, a reflection of its history and people through the passage of time.

links:
Studio Mano Manu: Photography by Emmanuel Mifsud: Junction Retrospective
In Celebration of the Centennial of the City of West Toronto
"Over the years the Junction has evolved into a diverse community with its heart remaining intact, forever attracting people from all over the world."
The Junction Residents Association: Junction Retrospective Opening Reception
Snap Bloor West: Junction Retrospective Photography Opening Reception

tweets:
WestSideTory: RT @SNAPBloorWest: Event: Junction Retrospective Photography Opening Reception Tomorrow 7:00pm
wisedaughters: #JunctionTO free reception for photography show Junction Retrospective by Manni Mifsud tonight 7 pm.
dvshopca: RT @wisedaughters: #JunctionTO Retrospective photo show opens Fri 7 pm with free reception. Come enjoy these images of our hood.

Canada Day 'Arts Picnic' in High Park, July 1, 1 - 4 pm

Poster: Canada Day 'Arts Picnic' in High Park
July 1, 2010, 1 - 4 pm
Credit: gerardkennedy.ca

Come out and celebrate Canada’s 142nd Birthday with your family, friends and neighbours!

CANADA DAY 'ARTS PICNIC' IN HIGH PARK

Thursday, July 1st
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
High Park - Areas 1 & 2
Bloor/High Park Entrance

Featuring local music, dance, and theatre. Supported by local community organizations and businesses. Free. All Welcome!

Hosted by: Gerard Kennedy, M.P. , Parkdale-High Park

Food & Refreshments │ Children’s Activities │ Entertainment

For more information please contact: (416)-769-5072

Don’t miss actors from Dream in High Park at 3pm
& many more local arts groups
including artists from the Junction Arts Festival!

Come out & celebrate Canadian Culture!

Summer Comedy Workshops for Adults Begin July 6 at the Annette Library

Flyer: Toronto Public Library Annette Street Branch
Stand up and Sketch Comedy Classes for Adults with Neil Ross
Tuesday July 6 - Tuesday September 7, 7- 8pm
Credit: torontopubliclibrary.ca

Unleash Your Natural Comic!

Summer Comedy Workshops
Stand up and sketch comedy classes for adults eighteen and over
with Neil Ross

Tuesday July 6 - Tuesday September 7, 7- 8pm

at the Annette Street Public Library
145 Annette Street Toronto, ON , M6P 1P3
[One and a half blocks west of Keele]

Writer/comedian/director Neil Ross has worked in Canadian comedy for thirty years. He has taught stand up comedy to street kids and improvisational comedy to psychiatric survivors - so he can work with you!

Participants will find their natural comic and create comedy in teams. Graduates will debut on the comedy stage of the 2010 Junction Arts Festival both as a solo act and in sketches for a show called EnvironMENTAL Junction (September 9 - 12, 2010).

The cost is $10 a workshop with a 5 workshop minimum.
The last workshop (September 7) is free.

Call the Annette Street Branch at 416-393-7692 today to reserve your spot!

links:
TPL Annette Street Branch Programs and Events
TPL Annette Street Branch Blog

Invitation: Screening of Fezeka's Voice and Celebration the World Cup in South Africa

Poster: Screening of Fezeka’s Voice to celebrate the World Cup in South Africa
National Film Board of Canada Cinema, Thursday July 8th, 2010, 6:30-9:30 pm
Credit: fezeka.com

The Consul General of South Africa in Toronto
Ms. Tselane Mokuena
&
All Living Things
invite you to a private screening
of
Fezeka’s Voice
to celebrate the World Cup in South Africa

The beautiful story of one man, a teacher, who has spent the last 12 years of his life inspiring the children of his township through laughter, love and song.

Thursday July 8th, 2010

Reception: 6:30 to 7:00 pm
Feature Film: 7:15 pm
Post Reception: 8:30 to 9:30 pm

National Film Board of Canada Cinema
150 John St. @ Richmond St. W., Toronto ON M5V 3C3
[TTC: Osgoode subway station]

Donation: $25.00
Proceeds to The Fezeka Foundation
RSVP to events@all-living-things.org

youtube.com: Fezeka: At the heart of this initiative is a documentary, a scholarship fund, and a social network.
Watch the trailer, visit the site, www.fezeka.com and become part of the community.
Credit: cielproductions

links:
CieL Productions: multimedia content for change
All Living Things
ndisafunda.za: Alexandra (Alex) Abraham is blogging from South Africa
Education Without Borders: Fezeka school in Guguletu
Canada South Africa Chamber of Business

Invitation to Aquila's First Year Anniversary: 2 Day Extravaganza

Aguila restaurant & Junction Jazz bar is ready to celebrate its first anniversary
2010 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Jose & Kori
invite you to

Aquila's
1st Year Anniversary
2 Day Extravaganza

June 17 - 18

Aquila Restaurant & Junction Jazz Bar
347 Keele Street & Dundas W
Toronto Ontario M6P 2K6

Located in historic Junction neighbourhood

e-mail: aquilarestaurant@rogers.com
phone: 416-761-7474

come check out

Thursday, June 17 @ 8 pm - 12 am
Paul Gellman Band

&

Friday, June 18 @ 9 pm - 1 am
Bill Beaumont Blues Deluxe

Blues Bands coordinated by Dave McManus is in the house

Great Food & Great Giveaways

"It's all Good in the Hood!"

Details on the AQUILA Restaurant Facebook's page

Follow Aquila on Twitter @AquilaRestaurnt

+ Aquila Restaurant - Junction Jazz: Upcoming Concerts @ the Toronto Jazz Festival: June 15 - July 4, 2010

Your Help Needed to Break the Guinness World Record™

Poster: Worldwide Knit in Public Day 2010
Join the Guinness Book of World Records Attempt for Most People Knitting
June 12, 2010 from 1 - 4 pm (Attempt at 3 pm!)
Design Contributed By: Dig Dug Designs
Logistical Support Provided By: The Junction Forum for Arts & Culture
Credit: wisedaughters.com

Worldwide Knit in Public Day Extravaganza!
Guinness World Record Attempt

When: Saturday, June 12, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Attempt at 3 pm!
Rain Day - Sunday, June 13, 1:00pm – 4:00pm !!!

Where: The Junction Square [Dundas at Pacific]
2954 - 2960 Dundas Street West
The Historic Junction Train Platform

+ Musical guests include:
Beverly Taft http://www.beverlytaft.com/
Melissa Larkin http://www.melissalarkin.com/
Tomboyfriend http://tomboyfriend.com/

And a beautiful classical guitar surprise!

Presented by Wise Daughters and That's Women's Work

June 12 is Worldwide Knit in Public Day and the Junction Square is being taking over to not only brazenly knit in public, but to try to break the Guinness World Record for most knitters in one place at one time!

Novices and experts alike are invited to bring a lawn chair, some needles and yarn, and to be part of history! There will be live entertainment, refreshments and prizes, as well as beginner knitting classes on the spot. The count for the world record will take place at 3 pm sharp.

Participants are encouraged to donate what they knit (that day, or anytime) to Streetknit.

Wise Daughters (3079B Dundas St. W.) is a drop-off point for donations of woollies, yarn and needles. Streetknit meets the last Tuesday of each month at the shop for an evening of knitting and chatting all year round.

Visit www.wisedaughters.com or www.thatswomenswork.com for more details.

Check out Most People Knitting- World Record Attempt event Facebook page.

link:
nationalpost.com: Torontonians hope to set group knitting world record
By Gillian Grace May 6, 2010

+ If you will be around, please stop by and check the Junction Residents Association event:

2nd Annual Junction Yard Sale Day
& Community Potluck

@ Junction Streets

Saturday, June 12 8:00am – 2:00pm

Vernon St, Laws St, McMurray Ave, Vine Ave and Quebec Ave have announced they are participating, but other streets can still join the fun. Take a stroll around our great neighbourhood and get some great deals.

Participating streets are invited to a community potluck in Vine Parkette @ 4pm.