TORONTO – (Tuesday, October 5, 2010) – As part of its commitment to expanding access to cultural and literary opportunities, Toronto Public Library hosts a number of free author readings and lectures and other arts and entertainment events. This week’s upcoming featured events happening at Toronto Public Library Branches all over the city are listed below. For complete event listings, check out the library website at torontopubliclibrary.ca.
Tuesday October 12
The eh List: Extraordinatory Canadians
Giller Prize winner Joseph Boyden on Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont; John Ralston Saul on Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine and Robert Baldwin. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, 416-395-5577, Event begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 pm
The eh List: Michael Wex
Wex is best known for bringing his inimitable and hilarious “how to” books of Yiddish language (Born to Kvetch, Just Say Nu, and How to Be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck) to Toronto’s Jews and goyim. Wex is back this year with a novel, which does for Toronto what Mordecai Richler did for Montreal.
North York Central Library, 5127 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535, Event begins at 7 p.m.
The Eh List: Shawn Micallef
Shawn Micallef is a writer and urbanist with an abiding interest in all things Toronto. As senior editor of Spacing, columnist for Eye Weekly, and a co-founder of both the [murmur] project and the new Yonge Street online magazine, Shawn demonstrates an avante guarde perspective on life in Toronto. In Stroll, Micalleff takes us to well known spots such as the CN Tower, but also to overlooked treats and treasures of Toronto the Good. Runnymede Branch, 2178 Bloor Street West, 416-393-7697, Event begins at 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 14
Toronto Book Awards Ceremony
Join Mayor David Miller as he announces this year’s winner. Hosted by CBC Radio’s Matt Galloway. 6 pm: Cash bar reception, 7 pm: Awards presentation. Toronto Reference Library (Appel Salon), 789 Yonge Street, 416-395-5577.
Thought Exchange: History Matters - A Public Technology: Building Toronto's Yonge Street Subway
Beaches Branch, 2161 Queen Street East, 416-393-7703, Event begins at 7 p.m.
History Matters is a public lecture series on the history of the city and its people, showcasing recent research. Jay Young, PhD candidate in history at York University, discusses various episodes surrounding the building of Toronto's original Yonge Street subway line during the late 1940's and early 1950's. Particular attention will be paid to the impacts of construction on local merchants and residents, and the immediate reactions of Torontonians towards the subway after it opened in 1954.
History Matters: Isolating Undesirables: Prisons, Pollution & Homelessness in the Don River Valley
Bendale Branch, 1515 Danforth Road, 416-396-8910, Event begins at 7 p.m.
This is history that makes a difference. A public lecture series showcasing very recent research, History Matters aims to develop dialogue and exchange between active Toronto historians and the broader Toronto community.
Manuscripts: From Illuminated Qurans to Illustrated Poetry
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, 416-393-7100, Event begins at 7 p.m.
Curator of Islamic Art at the Royal Ontario Museum Karin Ruehrdanz presents an illustrated talk on the development of Arabic and Persian manuscripts, exploring the balance between the interpretive and decorative function of the illustrations.
Saturday October 16
Express Yourself: Young Voices Writers Conference
Work with professional writers on your screenwriting, fiction, creative non-fiction, songwriting, journalism, blogging and poetry, meet other youth who like to write and get published in an instant anthology. Keynote speaker Charles Officer, Open mic hosted by Dylan Hudecki, Instant anthology hosted by Ken Sparling and the Editorial Youth Advisory Group. Registration and light breakfast: 9:30 am, Conference: 10 am – 4 pm.
North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535
5120 Yonge Street
Sun Life Financial MAP (Museum+Arts Pass) Family Saturdays
Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art
Make your own animal out of clay. Victoria Village Branch, 184 Sloane Avenue, 416-395-5950.
Toronto Historic Museums: Colborne Lodge
Discover Toronto’s past: Hear a real-life, interactive story of high seas adventure.
Long Branch Library, 3500 Lake shore Blvd West, 416-395-5320.
Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 17.5 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than 31 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.
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Media Contact:
Edward Karek, Communications Officer – Media Relations, 416-397-5925