Toronto Cultural Events

Celebrate Roald Dahl's writing in Toronto this weekend!

Posted by Rachel Hopwood on Sep 9th 2010

This weekend Small Print Toronto is hosting the Toronto Roald Dahl Festival at Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie St.). The festival is a celebration of one of all-time our favourite childrens' book authors including workshops on Saturday (and one on Sunday) for youth on all kinds of topics — including one on spoken word poetry led by our very own Ms. Natalie Zina Walschots! Head over to the Small Print events page for more info on all of the workshops. You can either sign up for individual classes or get an all-access pass!

On Saturday evening there will be a Scrumdiddlyumptious Soiree with nibbles inspired by Revolting Recipes, a musical showcase and a reading and talk by Donald Sturrock, author of the brand new book The Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl (McClelland & Stewart). If all that isn't enough for you, on Sunday, you can wiggle with the kiddies at The Great Upside Down Family Dance Party!

It's all pretty fun and a fitting tribute to Mr. Dahl on the days preceding what would have been his 94th birthday. And, if you can't make it to the Toronto Roald Dahl Festival and you'd like to host your own Roald Dahl Day celebration on September 13th, the official Roald Dahl Day website has some resources and tips for you!

Toronto Poetry Slam event!

Posted by Rachel Hopwood on Jul 28th 2010

Looking for some praiseworthy poetry performances in Toronto next week? Look no further than the SPEAKout Poetry Summer Slam — being held at the Royal Ontario Museum on Friday, August 6th!

This event is a poetry slam — a competition for poets to perform their work for an audience. After all poets have performed, a winner will be declared. This slam has no pre-selected theme but will definitely feature some powerful readings by poets including Boonaa Mohammed and The Narcicyst.

SPEAKout aims to create art that entertains "with a purpose." They also "support local artists and encourage real talent by providing a platform from which they can gain access to a wider audience; fostering & cultivating the poetic tradition in Canada by providing exposure as well as financial support."

Keep reading to learn more about the Summer Slam and how you can attend!

The Scream Literary Festival celebrates youth writers this Sunday!

Posted by Hilary Fair on Jul 7th 2010

Hear this, friends: the Scream Literary Festival is officially on!

2010's instalment of the highly anticipated annual festival kicked off last night with an evening of poetry by avant-garde writers Steve McCaffery and David Antin. These guys set the stage for all the literary adventures to come: this year's Scream Festival, subtitled Literature's Agents Provocateurs, promises to stimulate Toronto's word enthusiasts with a week-long celebration of the rascals (and radicals) of the literary world.

Missed McCaffery and Antin? Not to worry: from now until next Monday, July 12, the Scream will host a packed series of evening and weekend events throughout the city.

The best part? Everyone's invited — writing by city youth will be featured in a special event on Sunday, July 11, beginning at 4pm.

For more information on YOUTHTUBE: USER (RE)GENERATED CONTENT, see below the fold!

Literary Events in the GTA!

Posted by Hilary Fair on Jun 29th 2010

Happy summer from NHT!

We hope you've been soaking up the sun with friends and family (and enjoying some good ice cream, too!).

Summer in Toronto is always packed with fun festivities — we know it's easy to fill your free hours with tons of exciting stuff. To help you navigate your many options, we call your attention to fast approaching lit events...

To learn more, read on!

The Luminato Festival presents a teen writing workshop!

Posted by Rachel Hopwood on Jun 7th 2010

Here's one more reason to look forward to the fantastic Luminato Festival of Arts and Creativity. Luminato will be hosting all kinds of cultural events around Toronto from June 11-20 this year. If you head over to Luminato's website, you can explore all the events ranging from opera productions, dance performances, film screenings and (our favourites) literary events.

One of these literary events is a Teen Writing Workshop being held at the Toronto Reference Library on Thursday June 17 from 5:30-7 pm. Writer Michael Winter will co-facilitate the evening with Chris Reed, the artistic director of the Small Print reading series. The description of the workshop describes the purpose as to "help teen writers explore personal connections to their neighbourhoods through their unique voices." We think this sounds pretty awesome (and it's free), so we're recommending you check it out!

Space is limited, so make sure you register - find out how after the jump!

Calling all young writers!

Posted by Rachel Hopwood on Jun 4th 2010

Are you a writer between 15 and 24 who loves to read or perform your work?! If so, you HAVE to check out The Scream Literary Festival - an annual chance to hear readings by amazing writers and participate in the literary scene in Toronto!

The Scream's theme this summer is Agents Provocateurs - so get ready to stir things up!

The Scream runs from July 6-12 this year and on the evening of July 11 there is a special youth-specific event, and you can submit your work now! The organizers are putting together a video presentation of young writers reading their own original work, so you can either record your own video and send it in, or they'll come to you with professional video equipment.

This is a pretty amazing opportunity - so keep reading after the jump for all the details about how to submit. Use your voices this summer!

A call-out to the curious: the home of NHT! opens its doors

Posted by Hilary Fair on May 28th 2010

Do you ever wander around this town, checking out all of Toronto's awesome buildings (old and new), wondering what's inside?

Each year (since 2000) the city of Toronto makes a grand gesture to public curiosity through Doors Open Toronto. 2010's event happens this weekend and it will offer Toronto residents (and visitors) two days of FREE access to tons of otherwise-private city buildings.

This is your chance to get inside 150 of the hidden gems (and/or incredibly conspicuous spaces!) previously left to your imagaination. A very special feature: this year's line-up includes the George Brown House, the beautiful home of the NHT! headquarters. On Sunday, May 30, between 10 am and 5 pm, take a self-guided tour of the former home of an important Father of Confederation (and our current digs).

Find out more below the fold ...

TCAF 2010 Comes to Town!

Posted by Becky Russell on May 7th 2010

Here at NOW HEAR THIS!, we consider it our sworn duty to spread the word about notable literary events taking place in Toronto, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t say something about one of the most unique lit events of the year: the 2010 Toronto Comic Arts Festival starts tomorrow—that’s right, tomorrow—at the Toronto Reference Library.

More about this amazing event after the jump…

Check out the Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children

Posted by Jennifer de Visser on Apr 15th 2010

Are you itching for excellent cinema? Can you just not wait until the Toronto International Film Festival rolls into town in September? Well, the Toronto International Film Festival has created Sprockets just for you.

Two More Reasons to Celebrate April (besides the beautiful weather)

Posted by Jennifer de Visser on Apr 1st 2010

The League of Canadian Poets is proudly hosting the 12th year of Canada’s National Poetry Month. The theme this year is Climate Changes as poets across the country ask themselves questions like “do Climate Changes inspire you to write, to express your passion and compassion?” and “does change necessarily mean progress?” Readings will be held in honour of National Poetry Month all across the city of Toronto in such diverse locations as pubs, libraries, urban condo buildings, the High Park Pier and the “Poet’s Corner” at the Toronto Music Garden. For more information about National Poetry Month check out http://poets.ca/linktext/npm.htm or http://youngpoets.ca/.

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