Sculpture Sanctuary in Guild Park

The garden park at the edge of the Scarborough Bluffs is an interesting place to explore in winter time. You can walk through the scenic park full of the history of long ago Toronto buildings, rescued before the wrecking ball tore down old buildings to make way for the new.

The park at 201 Guildwood Parkway started as an Inn in 1914, then a home for artists, turned into a training base for the Women's Royal Naval Service personnel, then the Clarks began to collect the architectural pieces and finally in 1978 began life as a public park. It's definitely more intimate in the off season - just dress for the weather and score some great parking spots.

The open air theatre molded after the ancient greeks

One of the biggest annual events is the Guild Park Arts Festival where you have to find parking at several strategic areas and take free shuttles into the festival because it is so popular. The Guild Alive with Culture 2020 dates are Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, July 26.

There are also theatrical and musical performances put on at the open air theatre presented by the Artistic Directors Helen Jovonen and Tyler J Seguin beginning with Alice in Wonderland and followed by Salt-Water Moon. Music series will be on three Sunday evenings in August.

2020 Season at a Glance
Alice in Wonderland July 22 - August 8
Salt-Water Moon August 12 - August 22

Music Series
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party August 2
The Roaring Twenties August 9
East Coast Kitchen Party August 16

Toronto Museum of Contemporary Art

MOCA occupies the former Tower Automotive Building in Toronto's Lower Junction neighbourhood. Exhibitions take up 4 floors at 158 Sterling Road - the 100 year old heritage building, once the tallest in Toronto, was an aluminum factory and is now home to contemporary art. As part of 'Art for Our Sake' the current exhibitions are 'A Sudden Beginning', 'Archiving Eden: Exchange', Images in Debris', 'High Sky Murmur Hole' and 'An Embodied Haptic Space'.

From MOCA's website; "When it opened a hundred years ago, this building was considered innovative because it did not use beams for support. Instead, it pioneered a new approach called concrete flat slab architecture. Each floor is a slab of reinforced concrete and is supported by concrete columns – the “mushrooms” you see on each floor, which distribute the weight to the floor below." With the columns defining corridors of open space, the museum fills the voids with exhibitions and also utilizes the tall walls for contemporary art and projections. I really like the building and the entrance fee is very reasonable - the adult ticket price is only $10. You can also check out the museum during free Friday nights from 5pm - 9pm.

A Sudden Beginning by Carlos Bunga (February 6 – May 10, 2020). You can enter the work if you take off your shoes and walk with care

Procession by Carlos Bunga on the ground floor. Painted cardboard columns 

Images in Debris by Sarah Sze (February 6 – May 10, 2020)

HUSH SKY MURMUR HOLE by Megan Rooney (February 6 – April 12, 2020)

Just a window under maintenance

An Embodied Haptic Space by Shelagh Keeley (February 6 – May 10, 2020)

"For her exhibition at MOCA, Shelagh Keeley combines a series of tarp paintings from 1986, a film projection from 2016, and a brand-new ephemeral wall drawing — the latter of which she will create on-site over the course of several weeks in January 2020. In the visceral, site-specific installations she has been producing for over 40 years, Keeley balances the speed and rigidity of digital photography with the slowness and freedom of drawing in an expanded field. At the root of this installation are photographic traces of the MOCA building pre-renovation. Through her new wall drawing, one space in time is transferred into the present, as traces of labour are interwoven and transformed by a gestural response to the site."

Archiving Eden: Exchange by Dornith Doherty (November 20, 2019 – May 3, 2020). X-Ray images of 5,000 seeds

Museum Hours

Monday 11 am–6 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 11 am–6 pm
Thursday 11 am–6 pm
Friday 11 am–9 pm
Saturday 11 am–6 pm
Sunday 11 am–6 pm

Toronto Winter Stations 2020

The international design competition and exhibition is back at Woodbine and Kew Beaches in time for Family Day starting February 17 and continuing till March 30. Crews were busy Sunday completing the installations ahead of Monday's opening day. Mirage pictured at top is my favourite.

This is the sixth year of Winter Stations where the winning entries are placed along the water's edge, centered around the utilitarian lifeguard stations spread out along the long, sandy beach. It's one way of getting out to see some culture, while enjoying some outdoor times in the middle of winter. For 2020 there are 4 installations that have been accepted: Mirage by Cristina Vega and Pablo Losa Fontangordo (Madrid, Spain), The Beach's Percussion Ensemble by Centennial College (Toronto, Canada), Kaleidoscope of the Senses by Charlie Sutherland of SUHUHA (Edinburgh, United Kingdom) and Noodle Feed by iheartblob (Vienna, Austria).

For this competition designers will create temporary winter art installations which incorporate the lifeguard towers into the work. Entry is open to everyone around the world and is free to enter. The theme for this year is "Beyond the Five Senses" where our sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell interact with and view our environment. Descriptions for the installations are from the Winter Stations website.

Mirage

"Mirage has been designed to react to the movements of the sun and the people. Depending on where the visitors are positioned, they will see either a red transparent sun setting or a light and bright rising sun laying on the horizon. As they walk closer, they will discover the thin structure that makes these two simultaneous realities possible."

The Beach's Percussion Ensemble - still under construction

The Beach's Percussion Ensemble; "This installation consists of three structures of varying sizes formed of a series of stacked wooden rectangular prisms laid out in a circular shape around a giant steel drum. Where the prisms overhang, metal bells of varying shapes and sizes will hang. Some of the structure’s prisms might also be made into steel drums. The elements of the lake’s environment will release the bells’ sound like a wind chime. Visitors can use sticks chained to the structure to play along with the sounds produced by the lake’s elements. Graffiti artists will also be invited to tag the structure."

Kaleidoscope of the Senses

"Kaleidoscope of the Senses re-purposes the existing lifeguard chair, bringing together a balanced yet dynamic composition of elements which are both a visual and experiential celebration of the senses and a metaphor of the body in space. An open bell tower structure creates clanking metal sounds in the wind, while a diagonal black chimney draws up the aromas of oils set into the beach sand at its base. A horizontal white extrusion reflects the expansive horizon, framing a view of the water and back to the city. This is all underscored by a lateral red beam, establishing a tactile bench within the structure, the only point of physical contact with the observer."

Noodle Feed

"Noodle Feed goes beyond physical senses and creates a shared augmented reality environment where people can interact in new ways and consider that the world is much more than we perceive. The colourful forms and tangible nature of the ‘noodles’ are designed to attract attention, while the rough matte texture of recycled sailcloth contrasts with the soft, springy cushioning of the objects, inviting visitors to move them into chairs, beds and shelters." Workers sew the Noodle fabric together. People walk and sit on the straw filled material which will have a tough time making it through the life of the competition without being destroyed.

Toronto Motorcycle Show 2020 next weekend

Update: See my post for the 2020 Toronto Motorcycle Show here.

Great news, it's almost time for the annual Toronto Motorcycle Show presented by NFP which is returning February 21-23 to the Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place. This is the place to see the new 2020 models during Ontario's biggest motorcycle manufacturers' event. Post updated with 2020 show photos.

New for 2020

Reviewing the new models

"This is the province’s only stop on the six-city national show tour for new model motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides, and it features the top motorcycle brands: Aprilia, BMW Motorrad, Can-Am, Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Honda, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa and Yamaha. Along with the 500+ new, vintage, racing and custom bikes on display, attendees will find the latest in riding gear, accessories and touring destinations.

Top custom bike builders will be at the all new Clutch Society feature produced by Dan Lim of The Moto Foto. Over 20 unique custom bikes will be on display along with events that will showcase the lifestyle.

Some other features of the show, produced by Power Sport Services, will be She Rides Night on Friday, February 21, with half price admission for ladies after 5pm and free parking for all after 5pm. Ladies can also enter the $2,000 "Shop the Show" prize draw. Then there is the Yamaha Riding Academy For Kids 6-12, Stunt Shows, Vintage Motorcycles, Kawasaki's "Own the Street" Motorcycle Giveaway, exhibitions by the Ontario Provincial Police Golden Helmets and also Yamaha's demonstrations.

Show hours: Friday, February 21 (noon - 9 pm); Saturday, February 22 (10 am - 8 pm); Sunday, February 23 (10 am - 5 pm). Show admission is: Adults (15+) $20; Seniors (65+) $15; Youths (6-14 years) $12; Family Pass (2 adults, 2 youths) $48; She Rides Night $10 (for women after 5:00 pm, Friday, Feb. 21). Children 5 & under are admitted free with adult paid admission.

Ontario Place Winter Light Exhibition 2020

Cold winter days are a good time to stay inside unless you are heading to the West Island of Ontario Place for the 3rd annual Winter Light Exhibition. The light installations are on from February 8 till March 29, 2020 from 4pm to 11pm everyday and admission is free.

Weekends, from Friday to Sunday, will have community bonfires, paint classes and there will be food and beverages available for purchase.

See more of the light show after the jump.

Wiarton Willie predicts early spring

The official call, after a slight mix-up on stage, is that Wiarton Willie forecasts an early spring for 2020! That's what I'm talking about. Wiarton Mayor Janice Jackson interpreted William's prediction, stated that the superstar albino groundhog couldn't see his shadow with all that snow falling all around the large crowd gathered around the stage. Then unfortunately she suggested that the result was six more weeks of winter. She was soon corrected when they pointed out that a shadow would scare the rodent back into his burrow and extend winter, if there was no shadow that meant spring would be early. So they set time back and replayed the announcement - this time, without a doubt an early spring is coming.

Getting a closer look at Willie in his special cage

Town Criers announce the results and ring their bells

Today's Groundhog Day is a rare palindrome that only occurs once this century. Read the same either forward or backwards this Sunday, February 2nd is written only with numerals is 02/02/2020.

A pipe and drum band preceded Wiarton Willie. Then Willie was carried to the stage along with the Town Criers and an OPP bodyguard

The main stage ceremony

From the visit Wiarton website; "The free festival has a winter carnival theme and will run on Saturday, February 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will include family-friendly activities in Bluewater Park such as a Ferris Wheel, Midway Games and Giant Slide. Festival patrons will also be able to take a wagon ride to downtown Wiarton where they can visit local stores and restaurants. A horse-drawn wagon ride taking festival-goers from the park to downtown. On Sunday, February 2nd, people can gather in Bluewater Park and join us in Waking Up Willie at 7:00 a.m. with a spectacular fireworks display, followed by Willie’s official prediction at 8:07am."

That was the first early morning fireworks that I have ever attended and they did a great job lighting of the show along the shores of Georgian Bay in Bluewater Park. Immediately afterwards everyone assembled at the main stage outside the community centre and waited for Willie to show up. Premier Doug Ford attended his second Wiarton Willie festival and was joined by several other politicians which formed part of Willies Shadow Cabinet.

Premier Doug Ford does some meet and greets after the prediction ceremony was complete

Only a few protesters were in the crowd

See more photos of the event after the jump.

Empty Welland Canal

Somebody pulled out the plug and the water has emptied through several of the locks within the Welland Canal. Last year's season was extended until January 8, 2020 as part of a pilot program. Now that the shipping has stopped navigating the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System locks which bypass Niagara Falls it is time to do winter maintenance so that the canal is ready to go for the upcoming transit season.

It is interesting to see the canal with only a small flow remaining along the centre channel, otherwise the banks are exposed and you have to imagine what it would be like during summer with giant boats moving both ways along the canal. In some areas the empty canal seems to small to allow the bulk carrier ships to pass even when full.

City of Toronto to proclaim February as Black History Month 2020

Mobile museums and theatre productions will help celebrate Black History Month in Toronto which will be proclaimed by Mayor John Tory.

Here are some events and attractions around Toronto for Black History Month as described in the City's media release.

"Mackenzie House presents Black History Month programming everyday, February 1 to March 1, from noon to 5 p.m., in which the public can learn about important figures such as the multi-talented abolitionist and journalist Mary Ann Shadd Cary — the first female African American publisher in North America. City staff will be on hand to print souvenir copies of her paper, The Provincial Freeman, in the recreated 1850s print shop.

Torontonians can celebrate Toronto’s local Black history listening to slam poetry and Jamaican Patois-style storytellers. The Story of Us: Sharing Black Torontonian Stories will be held at Scarborough Museum every Wednesday throughout the month, noon to 4 p.m. A spoken word performance will also take place at the museum on February 22, noon to 4 p.m., that blends narrative, visuals and beats to reach audiences of different ages, backgrounds and beliefs about the realities of Toronto’s first-generation Somali youths.

Spadina Museum will offer tours every weekend from February 1 to March 1 where residents can learn about Mrs. Pipkin, the laundress, who escaped slavery in 1850s Maryland and later worked for the Austin family in Toronto.

From February 6 to 8, Toronto will host the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) mobile museum initiative, which celebrates the NHL and Black History Month. This is the second year of the museum touring cities across North America and this year’s museum has been redesigned to offer fans a new experience as they learn about the history of the game. The museum celebrates today’s stars and looks back at the trail blazers who made history. The Black History Month celebration is part of Hockey Is For Everyone, a joint NHL and NHLPA initiative that has celebrated diversity and inclusion in hockey since 1996.

The mobile museum will be in the following locations, free of charge:

February 6, 3 to 8 p.m. Harry Gairey arena parking lot, 275 Bathurst St.
February 7, 3 to 8 p.m. Malvern Community Centre, 30 Sewells Rd., east entrance parking lot
February 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunnydale Acres Rink, 50 Amoro Dr., south parking lot
More information on the museum can be found at https://www.nhl.com/fans/black-hockey-history.

The theatre-in-education program at Montgomery’s Inn will feature Singing of the Birds on February 15 and 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. Through this production, the audience will learn about the joys and struggles of two young immigrants who fled the Irish famine and escaped American slavery with the help of Canada’s Underground Railroad. Finding Freedom: The Joshua Glover Story performances, which will take place February 22 and 23 from 6 to 8 p.m., portray Glover’s extraordinary story and his life at Montgomery’s Inn.

Colborne Lodge will feature a live performance called Girl Power’D on February 16 and 23 from 2 to 3 p.m. With a focus on cultural dance led by community elders, the program will include live drumming, African dancing, and Dunham style technique with the goal of teaching creativity, confidence and self-expression through an understanding of heritage to girls from five to 16 years old who identify as Black.

Gibson House is offering a spoken word and food experience on February 21 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. where participants will experience an unforgettable evening of rap, spoken word and classical music in the parlours. Visitors can enjoy a catered buffet and watch a live painting demonstration. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Residents are invited to explore African-Canadian cooking at Fort York National Historic Site on February 29 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Food samples from the African Diaspora and historic cooking demonstrations will be part of the event.

Toronto Public Library celebrates Black History with a collection of programs and special events that honour Black heritage and consider the historical significance and contemporary contributions of Black activists and artists from around the world. More event details are available at http://www.tpl.ca/blackhistory.

A listing of City-related exhibitions, educational displays, community-based programming and admission fee information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/blackhistory/events.

The City strives to create and sustain equity in government to serve and reflect all people and is implementing positive change in its workforce and communities to achieve access and realize equitable outcomes for all residents.

The Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, unanimously adopted by City Council, is being implemented by the City's Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) Unit to ensure that systemic changes are made to eliminate anti-Black racism in Toronto."