Fairy Tale Ending At Wychwood Barns

Although Wychwood Barns is not in our area, it is within walking distance and I like to Blog about the odd event happening there because I LOVE the concept of turning unused TTC streetcar repair barns into a thriving arts community.
There's always a ton of things going on at the barns and this weekend features a family musical, Fairy Tale Ending, the Big, Bad Family Musical.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Wychwood Barns Holiday Art Market

The within-walking-distance Wychwood Barns hosts an Open Studio Art Studio today and a Holiday Art Market next Sunday.
Buying local and artisanal-made adds a special glow to the Holiday season, don't you think? And admission is free.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Head à Tête Benefit Performance

I haven't mentioned lovely Wychwood Barns lately, so this is a good opportunity.
Here's the scoop about a benefit performance next Saturday.
"Special Head à Tête Benefit Performance at Theatre Direct November 10th, 2012 – 4 PM
Join us on November 10th at 4:00 pm for a benefit performance of Head à Tête followed by a light family friendly reception. Tickets are $10 for a child and $20 for an adult. All proceeds go to our Lights Up! Drama School Bursary Fund.
Head à Tête is a show perfect for the whole family – best enjoyed by those 3 ½ and older.

Theatre Direct’s Wychwood Theatre (Studio 176)
Artscape Wychwood Barns
For Tickets: 416-537-4191
Email imagine@theatredirect.on.ca
Visit www.theatredirect.ca"
Cheers,
Vanessa

Wychwood Barns Events and Volunteer Opportunities

And I quote:
"After a long, restful and hot summer the WBCA is back in full swing with some great opportunities to get involved with the Barns and the community! 

This Saturday - After last week's very successful corn roast at the market, we are once againg looking for people to help put on a corn roast promote and create interest surrounding "Caine's Arcade"  at the Barns on October 6th.  Organic corn from the market - Roast it!  Serve it!  Eat it!  Meet people!  Have fun!!! 

Nuit Blanche - Will be at the Barns on Saturday September 29th from 7pm on.  The WBCA will be hosting a terrific art project for kids and (kids at heart).  We will have a giant, 20 foot canvas (of sorts)  that we are asking people to paint to resemble the stacks at the barns.  (see our logo).  We will need a couple of people to help man that station.

We will also be selling baked goods alongside  Kurtis Coffee from the farmer's market and will be needing some people to help man that station.

Caine's Arcade - October 6th - 9am to 2pm.  This is a community event, put on by the support of the WBCA.  The event is inspired by the youtube sensation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U The vision of the event is to have local schools, children, businesses, community members, etc.  build an arcade game out of cardboard boxes.  The organizers are looking for people to help with the foot traffic, fix and repair the cardboard games as needed, filming of the event and general help.

BOO! Event Planners - one of the WBCA's most successful events is returning this Hallowe'en and we are looking for enthusiastic people to help lead the way in the areas of Arts and Crafts, Entertainment and Food and Beverage.  No experience is necessary.  A great way to see behind the scenes of a large event.

BOO! Event Day Volunteers - Saturday October 27 - 5pm on.  Many roles will need to be filled, from food and beverage service, to face painting, to arts and crafts.

Farmer's Market Attendants - Occasional Saturdays - The WBCA has a booth at the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning.  It is a great way to let the community know what is happening at the barns and to meet the people in the neighbourhood.

Please contact Ruth Butler at volunteerwbca@gmail.com if you (or someone you know) would like more information on how you can help with any of these events.

Many thanks and the WBCA looks forward to hearing from you!"

Cheers,
Vanessa

Soupalicious September 30th at Wychwood Barns

It's undeniable: the days are growing shorter; there's a crisp tang in the air; and a few leaves are turning.
Autumn!
Which I celebrate -- thoroughly -- every year.
Soups tend to get put on the back burner (ahem) during the hotter summer months. If you're a soup fan and aching for a shot of liquidy goodness, you might want to check out Soupalicious at Artscape Wychwood Barns.
It takes place September 30th at a lovely location; $10 buys you ten delicious soup samples; and you can check out the funky site at the same time.
What's not to love?
Cheers,
Vanessa
PS I'm telling you now because there are a limited number of tickets available.

Covered Street Yoga on Sunday

Yes, covered street Yoga; you read it correctly.

A lot of people I know knit; I don't. A lot listen to CBC radio religiously; I also don't do that, either. And, you guessed it, yoga is high on their "to do" lists, too. Ditto to "no" for me.

But this sounds intriguing! Yoga at Wychwood Barns on Sunday, inside a lovely, inspiring space.

Just $10 and bring your own water and mat. (A BYOM party?)

Cheers,

Vanessa

Wychwood Barns Volunteer Opportunities

Though it is out of our area, I LOVE Wychwood Barns -- all of it! Re-imagining a space to create an artist's enclave; a lovely public park; and a place for the community to gather.

I've Blogged about it in the past for those reasons, despite it being outside of our community (but a lovely walk away!)

This week, Ruth, the Wychwood Barns volunteer co-ordinator, contacted me and asked me to highlight some of WBCA's (Wychwood Barns Community Association) volunteer opportunities. So here they are:

The WBCA is seeking Event Planners
The WBCA will be hosting several large events this year at the Barns and we are looking for enthusiastic, community minded people to help with all areas of the planning process.
The WBCA will be hosting an Event Planning Orientation at the Community Gallery on Monday March 19th at 7pm. (The entrance off Wychwood Ave).
There are many openings that need to be filled including promotions, marketing, sponsorship, fundraising, food and beverage, entertainment, decorations and more. There are opportunities for all levels of commitment, you can take the lead or be a team member. Whatever your contribution ability, we would love to meet with you.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in attending this informational session please register with Ruth Butler at volunteerwbca@gmail.com.
If you are interested, but unable to attend, please email Ruth Butler at volunteerwbca@gmail.com and you will be contacted with the event information and opportunities.
The WBCA would like to thank you for your continuing support and we look forward to hearing from you.

GROWING OUR COMMUNITY!
Calling all Green Thumbs and Garden Designers
This spring the WBCA will be planting a turn-of-the-century cottage garden in a small space along Wychwood, close to the sidewalk.
We are inviting all interested gardeners from the community to share with us their vision, ideas and plans for this space.
There are specific challenges and guidelines attached to this project. If you are interested please contact Ruth Butler at volunteerwbca@gmail.com for a complete outline of the requirements.
The WBCA is asking for submissions in the form of drawings along with plant lists.
Deadline is April 15th, 2012."

Cheers,
Vanessa

Saturday's Hopping!

True to form, summer ends, students go back to school, a chill creeps into the evening air and then -- wham! -- a non-summer schedule hits full force.
Here are some local Saturday happenings:

1) This Saturday is the big day for the annual Palmerston Community Daycare FallFest. Located on the grounds of Palmerston P.S. on Palmerston Avenue at Barton, the fair offers the usual delights: sales, games and tons of fun! It runs from 11 am to 3 pm, rain or shine.

2) Howland Avenue (Dupont to Wells) hosts a street sale Saturday starting at 9 am. It features"Interesting furniture, antiques, art, toys, DVDs, baby stuff, signs + letters, sporting goods, books, jewellery, and eclectic finds."

3) There is a Barns Art Market at the Wychwood Barns on Christie St. Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.

4) Central Tech swimming pool is open to the public Saturday (and subsequent Saturdays) after being refurbished. Quote:

"Dear Central Tech Pool Enthusiasts,
It is our pleasure to inform you that the first free Saturday afternoon swim at the Central TechPool is this weekend...
... We now have a fully renovated school pool and dressing rooms
that are housed and self -contained in the pavilion right next to the Bathurst Building. The entrance to the facility is at Lennox Street on the south side just east of Bathurst Street.
We are also very excited that, as per the interest expressed by many, a free community swim on Saturday afternoons will run from September 25th, 2010, through to June of 2011. The pool is a community asset that should be enjoyed and used.
The Central Tech Save the Pool Volunteers"
Enjoy!
Vanessa

BAM -- Barns Art Market

Much like Evergreen's Brickworks site, the Wychwood Barns site was an instant success story, despite coming into being amid much naysaying and protest.

I've only been to the Wychwood Barns a few times, but that's all it takes to know that its conversion from TTC barns was a smashing success.

On September 25th you can check it out yourself during the Barns Art Market.
It's a perfect distance away -- Christie and St. Clair-ish -- for a lovely autumn walk.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Wychwood Edible Tree Tour August 8

This event is just north of our area, an area that, quite frankly, has become more and more intriguing, particularly after the creation of the Artscape Wychwood Barns.
Sounds interesting:

"EVENT: Wychwood Edible Tree Tour

WHEN: Sunday, August 8, 2010 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie St.) and area

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), Not Far From the Tree and The Stop Community Food Centre will be conducting an edible tree tour around the Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie) on Sunday, August 8 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

The tour will showcase some of the STOP's shared garden spaces in neighbouring backyards, as part of their YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) program. LEAF will unveil a number of shade and evergreen trees whose edible nature is not widely known and participants will also learn how they can help harvest fruit trees in their own neighbourhoods with Not Far From the Tree."
Cheers,
Vanessa

Muhtadi International Drumming Festival This Weekend

The kickoff to the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival is tonight at Wychwood Barns, but there are a lot more events and a noon to 8 pm Drumming Festival on Saturday at Queen's Park.

May just have to bike over... speaking of which, send good thoughts to AD, who was on her bike and "doored," landing her in emerg yesterday. Nothing that won't heal with time, thankfully!

Vanessa

Wychwood Barns Haitian Fundraiser and Music Downloads That Benefit Haiti

The dire situation in Haiti has been weighing on my mind lately, but I didn't post about it because this is a local Blog.
However, an upcoming local event will benefit relief efforts in the earthquake-ravaged country.

The Toronto Artscape Haitian Relief Fundraiser takes place on our doorstep at the Wychwood Barns Saturday from 4 to 8 pm.
"The event will feature performances by Muhtadi and the World Drummers, Njacko Backo and the Toumkak Drummers, Patience Npunlwana, Spoken Word, Jacques Yams, and other artists to be announced. There will be food by Ali, so come hungry!

We will be fortunate to have a representative of Dr. Eric Pierre, the High Commissioner of Haiti, present at the event. For more information please contact Muhtadi at 416.997.3786 or Njacko Backo at 416.836.8951.
Why: Make a donation, pay what you can, cheques can made out to “Canadian Red Cross – Haiti Earthquake”. All the funds will go to the Canadian Red Cross to assist their work in Haiti."
As well, that morning "from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, Anne Sorrenti from MPP Carolyn Bennett's
office will be cooking breakfast at the Farmers' Market at the Artscape Wychwood Barns. The farmers and vendors will be generously contributing the food. All proceeds from the breakfast donations will go to Oxfam for Haitian Relief. "
And since I'm mentioning Haiti, I just learned about a website that allows you to download music with proceeds going to Haiti relief efforts. MusicForRelief.org features music from artists as diverse as Linkin Park, Peter Gabriel, The All-American Rejects and Enrique Iglesias.
Vanessa