What’s cooking this year for Culture Days? Food History with Andy Muto, above, is just one of the acitivities planned for this year. Below, from left, learn how to make a raku pot, enjoy a recital, take part in a dance festival or listen to an author.
You won’t have to look far to find some wonderful cultural opportunities in York Region beginning September 23. Culture Days, which runs at numerous locations across the region until October 16, is the perfect chance to get out and explore the rich and varied activities that make York Region such a great place to live.
Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be showcasing all there is to do with multiple stories everyday to keep you up to date on what’s going on.
Learn how to dance or how to make a raku pot? Join a painting celebration or take in a music recital. Learn to write or learn to cook.
Whatever it is you think you might like to try, odds are good it might be happening during Culture Days.
We’ve assembled a small selection of activities that are coming up. If you have an activity that is part of Culture Days, feel free to list it on experienceyorkregion.com. All you have to do is sign up and share.
Click here to begin your listing.
The Art of Chinese Dance
Venue: Aurora Public Library-15145 Yonge Street Aurora, ON
Date & Time: Saturday October 15th 2pm-2:30pm
Description: Experience the language of movement as the Mellow Sisters & Tian Shu Art Group reveal the richness of the art of Chinese Dance. Tian Shu Art Group is a non-profit art group that supports Chinese culture and promotes multiculturalism. The Mellow Sisters provide Chinese cultural experiences through vocal and dance performances.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/6e5ff64a-97ee-4be7-b474-c2c05870be3b
Butterfly Lovers Concerto performed by the York Chamber Ensemble
Venue: Aurora Public Library-15145 Yonge Street Aurora, ON
Date & Time: Saturday October 1st 2:30pm-3pm
Description: Be transformed as the York Chamber Ensemble, featuring solo violinist Joyce Lai, sweeps you into a folktale of star-crossed lovers. This one-movement concerto includes three sections that correspond to the three phases of the story—Falling in Love, Refusing to Marry and Metamorphosis. Composed by He Zhanhoa and Chen Gang (1958).
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/653a7277-4f8c-4f34-b7f6-032239bb80fd
A Symphony with the Senses: Writing workshop
Venue: Aurora Public Library-15145 Yonge Street Aurora, ON
Date & Time: Saturday October 1st 1:30pm-3pm
Description: Attention to the senses is a form of meditation that not only anchors writers to their creative source, it provides nuanced information about character, setting, and even plot. This workshop takes a deep dive into the essence of your subject matter by awakening and writing with the five senses. Beginner and experienced writers welcome. Bring a work-in-progress (novel, short story, poem, or memoir) or use the exercises to discover something new.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/00302e1e-f7a8-45f7-a542-53d26e3d260a
The Great APL Literary Cookbook
Venue: Aurora Public Library-15145 Yonge Street Aurora, ON
Date & Time: This event runs the duration of the Culture Days festival (Sept 23 – Oct 16)
Description: Readers and Foodies often share a strong bond. There are many cookbooks based on the foods literary characters savoured in the novels they appeared in. But what would you cook for your favourite literary character if you could invite them to dinner.
Send us your recipe with a picture that will make our mouths water; also the cover of the book where you met your literary guest. Recipes selected will be featured in print and online. Contributors whose recipes have been selected will receive a gift certificate to a local business. Please email your recipe and photo to lfrechette@aurorapl.ca.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/3ce9c7b5-cbd5-4745-87ca-1da8252facd6
Raku In The Park
Venue: Aurora Town Park- 60 Wells Street, Aurora, ON
Date & Time: Saturday October 1st 10am – 1pm
Description: Pine Tree Potters’ Guild will be hosting a Raku firing in the Town Park in Aurora Ontario. Everyone is invited to come out and watch the Raku firing process.
The first one hundred participants will have the opportunity to glaze a piece of pottery, watch it being fired and then take it home once it has sufficiently cooled.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/f0da1885-1c2e-4e56-a30a-ab8bee85a5e9
MGA Windows Open 2022 Online Juried Art Show
Venue: Online
Date & Time: This event runs the duration of the Culture Days festival (Sept 23 – Oct 16)
Description: Windows Open is an annual open juried show that is displayed on Instagram, Facebook and on The Markham Group of Artists website (https://markhamartists.org) View daily online postings of juried artwork created by artists in Markham and surrounding areas. Participate in an online art talk offered by the juror and have your say by “telling this painting’s story” in Instagram comments.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/4906265e-5562-4e02-a191-ff1870c17dbc Dance Together Unionville
Venue: Main Street Unionville
Date & Time: Saturday, September 24th 11 am -11:45 am – Latin Hips 101
Jump in and follow along to the rhythms of Merengue, Bachata,
Cha-Cha-Cha and Salsa. No prior dance experience necessary.
12 noon – 12:45 pm – Partner Dance 101
This workshop is for sweethearts of all ages! Invite your partner or a friend to a dance date and learn some basic partner moves that you can apply to any song! Yes, it will help you with your two left feet, and more! No prior dance experience necessary.
Sunday, September 25th: 11 am -11:45 am – Latin Hips 101
Jump in and follow along to the rhythms of Merengue, Bachata,
Cha-Cha-Cha and Salsa. No prior dance experience necessary.
12 noon – 12:45 pm – Waltz for Everyone
Did you know that Waltz was once a forbidden dance? Come discover its magic and learn the basics of this dance in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. No prior dance experience necessary.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/ee8e8e76-c3e8-435f-8fc1-0abf48382c57
Markham Collaborative Art Project
Venue: Stiver Mill Community Centre- Stiver Mill Community Centre 9 Station Lane, Unionville ON
Date & Time: Saturday September 24th 11am – 2pm & Sunday September 25th 11am – 2pm
Description: Join us for this creative and collaborative art project in the heart of Markham! Paint and/or collage with other local neighbours in a 40″ x 30″ stretched canvas. Hosted by artist Judith Livingston, this community project will come together with the touch of a local artist!
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/f01861d0-27ba-4561-9c1f-3aa4dc910701
Virtual Main Street Self-Guided Walking Tour
Venue: Online
Date & Time: This event runs the duration of the Culture Days festival (Sept 23 – Oct 16)
Description: The artworks of 17 artists from the NGA (Newmarket Group of Artists) have been paired with 17 historic buildings on Main Street, Newmarket. Enjoy a stroll and discover inspiring artwork in a nearby business window. Enjoy the art, then hover your phone over the QR Code found on the decal to open to an interesting video on the history of the building and the current business there. This is a unique self-directed walking experience of art, history and business.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/eb8738b3-4cf8-4a48-a677-969009e041d4
Healing Dance Sessions
Venue: Online
Date & Time: Tuesday September 27th 10:40am – 11:15am & Tuesday October 4th 10:40am – 11:15am
Description: Markham Arts Council offers this remote dance workshop for seniors in the local Markham, York area and beyond to encourage physical and mental wellness in our communities.
Our Healing Dance sessions are led by renowned artist Munni Subhani. Join us in this fun, safe remote workshop!
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/3300b94e-bddd-4128-9a74-ccf602ac64c9
Literary Spotlight – Tracy McGlynn
Venue: Online
Date & Time: Friday October 7th 12pm – 1pm
Description: The Markham Arts Council is proud to feature talented artists both locally and from around the world with this digital Artist Spotlight program! Since launching this series in Fall 2021, the Markham Arts Council has featured more than a dozen artists who have shown their still life’s, landscapes, animal drawings, and abstract art, among other genres. In this special Art Spotlight feature, we’re proud to showcase literary artist and author Tracy McGlynn.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/85d6410b-ce77-4e19-9c93-f62e5ef6a49d
Art Spotlight – Samantha Woj
Venue: Online
Date & Time: Friday September 23rd 12pm – 1pm
Description: The Markham Arts Council is proud to feature talented artists both locally and from around the world with this digital Artist Spotlight program! Since launching this series in Fall 2021, the Markham Arts Council has featured more than a dozen artists who have shown their still life’s, landscapes, animal drawings, and abstract art, among other genres. For our Culture Days debut, we are proud to present local Canadian artist Samantha Woj.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/ccd38ddc-a747-48d8-8f13-03be6a30860c
Food History with Andy Muto
Venue: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre- 14732 Woodbine Ave, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON L4A 2K9
Date & Time: Saturday October 15th 10am – 12pm
Description: In celebration of Culture Days, Join Wellness Chef Andy Muto at the Museum for a FREE event! Food has been crucial to our survival since the dawn of humanity. Its cultural ties help us to understand where we came from and may be the key to achieving sustainability. Together, we’ll take a journey through centuries of food and unlock some secrets from Athletes of the past: Hunters, Gatherers and the Farmers who supported them. While this event is free to attend, we ask for registrants to please bring non-perishable food donations for the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/431ad91a-3f2c-4fd4-81fd-740878bf84b8
