Last snaps of Toronto!

 

Leaving on a jet plane!

 

Art on our minds! ‘To dream of other places’ Emmanuel Osahor

 

On water, On island!

 

Toronto Tales!

 

From cannons to cannoli!

 

The tour of ‘resistance and reconciliation’ in ‘Old Town Toronto’ provided an insight into the struggles that continue for First Nation Canadians. The tour guide was earnest, scripted and committed to First Nations rights. He had lived in Toronto for the past decade, and was of mixed heritage—Mi’kmaq, English, and Irish and is connected to his community of Membertou First Nation in Unama’ki (Capl Breton). 

His presentation across a number of street art representations was impressive though failed to reveal his personal journey as a First Nation resident of Toronto. The tour did not however include his personal story to complement the broader story of colonisation, repression, and the continuing need for reconciliation expressed by the artists on the streets of Toronto.

 From the cannons of the past that included the crucial role played by First Nations warriors in defending British territories against American invasion during the War of 1812 to the cannoli at the Little Italy festival of the present. 

Italian Canadians have a rich history in Canada, with immigration waves shaping communities in the late and early 19th and 20th centuries. A significant wave of Italian immigrants followed World War II. Today, Canadians can enjoy snd celebrate Italian cuisine, music, hospitality and ‘la dolce vita’!

However the Little Italy festival in downtown Toronto felt more like a celebration of the multicultural diversity of this city. The Italian was overtaken by the smells and exotic tastes of that diversity from immigrants around the world. However we did stumble across the Riviera Bakery with its pastries, coffee, laminated tables and state of the art expresso machine driven by a person who had seen Little Italy past and present. 

The future will surely not be without the Italian influence!

Williamson & Heti @ Paradise Theatre - Toronto

 



…..author, Sheila Heti and artist Margaux Williamson in conversation @ Paradise Theatre.

The stage was set last night for a sell out audience to hear the ramblings, ravings and insights into a 20 year friendship  and collaboration that has been integral to their respective work as author and artist. It was a night of revelation and background stories and personal revelations of how to be ‘creative’ either siting up in bed with a computer of sitting in a studio setting out the text for the next painting. 

It was a conversation that went behind the books and the paintings and reflected an evolving interest and passion in the other’s creativity and response to the world around them. Heti and Margaux both view the works as only part of their creative story  and both remain incredulous that someone has either read the book or admired the painting. Their relationship was captured in Heti’s recent novel, ‘How should a person be’ in which the two man in characters are Heti and Margaux are themselves. 

Williamson’s simplistic and domestic  paintings at the MOCA including a commissioned work that responded to the building’s concrete and pylon structure  inspired us to go to the conversation to hear more about her work and that of her friend. The conversation made us none the wiser about the creative process or the works them selves. 

But the friendship is endearing and certainly one that has its moments of refection and inspires each to think about what can be achieved in other pursuits in the future. It is highly probable that Heti will soon be a painter yet and Margaux a writer such is the bonding that has survived for over 20 years!

Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar - Toronto

The Rex is Toronto’s longest running jazz club in downtown Toronto. It is a vibrant area and the Rex has played its part for 40 years in bringing some of the best in jazz and blues. 

Tania Gill was no exception and with her band she rolled with the band members to deliver a lively improvisational style to the Rex. She is a pianist and composer and has spent over 20 years working on her craft.