Gallery Visits Toronto

October ART Crawl: Tour 3 top West End private galleries/spaces ($10 per person)

We will continue with our monthly **Art Crawls**! ***Please read everything over first.*** \*\*\*Our only ART Crawl in October will be on Saturday 10th (12:30pm-2:30pm) This is the Saturday of **Thanksgiving** long weekend. Note: the **12:30pm START**-time. 16 people/members each time. **$10 per person.** **\*\*\*Sent via e-transfer when you signup/rsvp.** **I'm not able to HOLD space for you.** ***--We will visit 3 different*** (downtown/west end/east end) galleries each month **(with short walks between each one)** Each month will be different galleries and/or artist-run centres. \*\*We'll meet the Gallery owners/artists/directors--who will lead us in tours and conversation at each stop. NO weather cancellations---**we will carry on!** NO cancellations/no refunds or any [re-scheduling](http://re-scheduling...if/) if you cannot make it. \-\-\-Check your calendars and PLAN ahead if you can join us\-\-and please arrive on time\. We're not able to wait for you\. Sorry\. Are you Interested in ART/artists--**and learning/visiting the exceptional local galleries we have in Toronto? With other MEETUP members** Saturday October 10th ***(12:30pm-2:30pm)*** Once I have 16 **confirmations** from Meetup members (you)--I will email you the start location of our ART Crawl!! Next week. **Our first stop**. Bloor/Lansdowne (we then head WEST) If interested, please email me $10. Include your first name only, and email address for a reply. **I will then confirm you.** And will firm up our itinerary with you in a few days. See you on Saturday October 10th--if you're confirmed--watch for an email directly from me!! ***We will do this again in November*** and ongoing all Winter---as we find some interesting spaces and exhibitions. Each month will be posted separately. **October 2026 is posted now.** You can email me directly here: torontoisculture@gmail,com Greg Thanks (Please understand I have NO space for any guests you may wish to bring with you. I am limited in group size based on the GALLERY instructions)

Impromptu Sketching Hangout - The Well (Food Court)

Hi everyone! We're doing an afternoon impromptu hangout at The Well (food court) **First time meeting us and still not sure about the vibe?** Check out photos from **[past in-person events of 2023](https://www.meetup.com/artsrecto/photos/34212927/)** Bring your art supplies (mainly dry medium or small watercolour set), and order a warm drink and snacks. **Where to meet exactly?** The Well food court at the long tables between Chatime and Shoppers drug mart. There is a cluster of small bean bag chairs in that area too. **How to get there?** From Union station, 1) it's an 18 minute west walking on Front Street OR 2) take the 'street car' / bus #510 and get off at Front Street. Looking forward to meeting you all :) =========================== **Support This Group 🥰🤩** We hope you're enjoying the Arts & Rec events! If you'd like to give support, please consider making a small Ko-fi donation of $5-10 USD at [https://www.ko-fi.com/artsnrectoronto](https://www.ko-fi.com/artsnrectoronto.) . This helps cover meetup and miscellaneous expenses with hosting events! For more inquiries, please PM me for more info! Thank you all so much!

Koerner Hall: Vieux Farka Touré (15% off promo)

We will start off the 26/27 Koerner Hall concert season, with a performance by Vieux Farka Touré (from Mali), and opening for him is Melat Mengesha (from Ethiopia) (And we have our eyes on other concerts during the season!) Also we have a 15% off ticket promo!! ***Ticket link is below*--($50-$80)** Known worldwide for his electrifying live shows, Vieux Farka Touré’s virtuosic guitar work blends Malian blues, rock, and soul. Winner of Ethiopian Idol Melat Mengesha opens the show. Often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara,” **Vieux Farka Touré** is the son of legendary Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré, who died in 2006. His live performances are highly energized, and Vieux is known for dazzling crowds with his speed and dexterity on the guitar, as well as his palpable charisma and luminous smile, both of which captivate audiences despite any language barriers (though Vieux does speak eight languages!). Hailing from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, now based in Toronto, \*\*Melat Mengesha’\*\*s music features contemporary, folk, and Ethio-jazz roots sounds. Two major influences in her artistic expression are the legendary Ethiopian singers Gigi (Ejigayehu Shibabaw) and Aster Aweke. A major turning point came in 2015, when Melat won the first season of Balageru (Ethiopian Idol). That breakthrough opened the door to a variety of showcases and performances, from intimate stages to large-scale concerts, allowing her to tour across her hometown and beyond. **TICKET LINK** here: **PROMO CODE**: ISCULTURE15 https://www.rcmusic.com/concert/vieux-farka-toure-449801 Note: the PROMO code works for all pricing--**EXCEPT** the PREMIUM/purple seats

Weekends - Group Dance Classes at Access Ballroom

Ready to add more fun, movement, and connection to your week? Come join our group dance classes at [Access Ballroom](https://studioaccessballroom.com/)! We have classes **every day except Tuesday**—that’s Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7:50pm, and Weekends at 3:40pm. Visit our [Monthly Calendar](https://studioaccessballroom.com/class-schedule/) to view the group class Schedule. To sign up you can also download our APP that is in both the Google Play store and the Apple Store. Just look up Access Ballroom. Whether you’re a total beginner or already have some moves, you’ll fit right in! We always have multiple teachers on hand to guide every level, so everyone gets the attention they need. Our amazing environment and welcoming atmosphere are what make us one of Toronto’s premier Latin and Ballroom studios—and it’s why we have the most Google reviews in the city! Don’t just take our word for it—come experience the energy, laughter, and community for yourself. We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!

Weeknights - Group Dance Classes at Access Ballroom

Ready to add more fun, movement, and connection to your week? Come join our group dance classes at [Access Ballroom](https://studioaccessballroom.com/)! We have classes **every day except Tuesday**—that’s Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7:50pm, and Weekends at 3:40pm. Visit our [Monthly Calendar](https://studioaccessballroom.com/class-schedule/) to view the group class Schedule. To sign up you can also download our APP that is in both the Google Play store and the Apple Store. Just look up Access Ballroom. Whether you’re a total beginner or already have some moves, you’ll fit right in! We always have multiple teachers on hand to guide every level, so everyone gets the attention they need. Our amazing environment and welcoming atmosphere are what make us one of Toronto’s premier Latin and Ballroom studios—and it’s why we have the most Google reviews in the city! Don’t just take our word for it—come experience the energy, laughter, and community for yourself. We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!

Toronto Day Trip: High Sociétéa & Casa Loma!

Alliance Francaise: Duo Perse-Inca ($20)

We'll kick off our season with **Alliance Francaise**--with a wonderful concert on a Saturday night!! We've been very fortunate to see **Duo Perse-Inca** 2X before. Once in Toronto. Once in Montreal. Sounds from Iran, mixed with sounds from Peru. Instruments and artists--they communicate with each other so well! ***Ticket link is below***: $20 (general admission) We love the **Alliance Francaise** space (music, theatre, film, art) **A World Music Concert--** **Duo Perse-Inca returns** to Alliance Française Toronto nearly four years after their acclaimed Spadina Theatre performance. **Showan Tavakol and Federico Tarazona - rooted respectively in the musical traditions of Iran and Peru** \- have built a repertoire that moves seamlessly between improvisation and co\-composition\, setting the Iranian kamancheh and the Andean charango in genuine dialogue\. Their album *Echoes of the Mountains* charts a journey across continents and through the ages, delivered with mastery and warmth. **More info and sounds:** https://centredesmusiciensdumonde.com/en/portfolio/duo-perse-inca_en/ **TICKET link for September 26th**--(will SELL-OUT) https://www.alliance-francaise.ca/en/art/cultural-season/concerts/311-duo-perse-inca

ARC Ensemble: Artists of the Royal Conservatory ($40)

The **ARC Ensemble** and students of the **Glenn Gould School** explore ***Armenian works composed*** before the breakup of the Soviet Union and Armenian independence – captivating and evocative music unknown in the West. Included on the program are arrangements of Armenian folksongs for string quartet, a compelling Cello Sonata by Avet Terteryan, and seductive piano miniatures by Alexander Spendiarian and Arno Babadjanian. **Ticket link is below**\-\-\-and\-\-\-ANY seat is a great seat\. https://bit.ly/ARCConcertOct4 The multiple Grammy Award nominated ARC Ensemble comprises the senior faculty of The Royal Conservatory's Glenn Gould School, with special guests drawn from the organization's most accomplished students and alumni. **It is among Canada's most distinguished cultural ambassadors** with recent appearances in Los Angeles, New York and London’s Wigmore Hall. The research and recovery of music suppressed and marginalized under the 20th century's repressive regimes remains its focus and a growing number of works have now rejoined the repertoire. “As always with this ensemble, performances could hardly be bettered in terms of execution and commitment.” (*Gramophone*) **ARC Ensemble-** **(Artists of The Royal Conservatory)** **Erika Raum**, violin **Marie Bérard**, violin **Steven Dann**, viola **Thomas Wiebe**, cello **Kevin Ahfat**, piano with students of **The Glenn Gould School-** **Avery Tracy**, violin **Gina Lanzrein**, violin **Shyler Macaggi**, viola **Mira Kardan**, cello **TICKET Link here:** https://www.rcmusic.com/concert/arc-ensemble-453001?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=453001_ARCconcert&utm_content=arts_events_listing

Toronto's Art Deco 1929-1939: VOLUME 1 and 2 (SPECIAL EXTENDED TOUR)

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Art Deco is all around us. Streamlined Modern or Art Modern are two other fascinating ways to say the same thing. Whichever way you plan on saying it, Art Deco buildings tell a rich story of optimism and positivity during one of the most darkest decades in history, the great depression of the 1930s! This walking tour explores our built environment of our downtown core. Toronto Stock Exchange built in 1937, along with the Royal York Hotel and the Canada Permanent Trust Company are prime examples. But others line Spadina Avenue during the challenging years of the depression, but also during the tensions which were bubbling in the Garment Industry. Art Deco buildings were centre stage! These buildings tell a story that goes beyond style into the heart of the Toronto story itself! Built at the height of the roaring 1920s and 1930s, the bubble was about to burst however, and the depression was just settling in. But a new style would set the tone, and it was called Art Deco! Toronto built some of its most enduring buildings, and left a built legacy of Art Deco during the 1930s which should be treasured and protected. Losing any of these treasures would surly be a loss to the community. They tell a rich and inviting story about the growth of Canada, and Toronto! This walking tour is for all walking levels. Please dress for the season, and hope to see you there. Please meet under the **clock tower** of the Queens Quay Terminal at 207 Queens Quay West on the south side just west of York Street! We end on Spadina and Richmond Street! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

Now For Something Arty!

**Meetup: St. Mathews Clubhouse; 450 Broadview Ave.** So while we have a day event on the 27th, if you have an arty side, continue your day by joining me at St. Mathew's Clubhouse for an arty experience. While many of you know I am a writer by trade, I am also a painter. I'm just an arty girl! I have put together an Art Collective with 6 artists along with myself to showcase and of course sell our work but also enjoy Art, Wine & Inspiration — Come Create With Us! 🍷 Join us for a free collective art show celebrating creativity, connection and the joy of making art. And why just look at art when you can explore your own creativity too? Come discover what inspires you, try something new, and let your imagination wander. ✨ Art to explore. 🍷 Wine to enjoy; nibbles to share. 🥂 Hear from the.artists! 🎨 Creativity to discover. 💫 And best of all — it’s FREE

Transportation to Toronto!

JAIPUR Literature Festival: Toronto edition

The **Jaipur Literature Festival**—held annually in the historic Pink City of Jaipur, Rajasthan—is celebrated worldwide as the **“greatest literary show on Earth.”** https://www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org/ There is NOW---**a TORONTO edition**. 7 speakers/author interviews \*\*\*Ticket purchase link/author bios/schedule is below. General admission seating (you'll sit in the same seat all day) **DAY Pass** is $62 (for everything) **INDIVIDUAL sessions**/interviews are $15 (each) https://tolive.com/Event-Details-Page/reference/JLF-Toronto-2026?utm_medium=crosspromo&utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=jlf2026&utm_content=torontoisculture **JLF Toronto returns this September, bringing together acclaimed writers, thinkers, artists, and cultural leaders for a vibrant celebration of literature, ideas, and dialogue.** JLF Toronto, in association with TO Live, is part of the internationally renowned Jaipur Literature Festival’s global series, produced by Teamwork Arts. The festival brings audiences into conversations that travel across cultures, disciplines, and borders, exploring timely themes of migration, identity, heritage, gender, democracy, medicine, and the arts. ***Celebrating the richness and diversity of South Asian literary culture while embracing global perspectives***, JLF Toronto creates a space for meaningful exchange, fresh ideas, and engaging conversations that inspire curiosity and connection. *Whether you're a lifelong reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the world, JLF Toronto invites you to discover new voices, challenge perspectives, and join the conversation.* *Each author will speak for 45 minutes (on stage)* **Featured authors:** * Tanya Talaga * John Vaillant * Anosh Irani * Vikram Vij * Alka Joshi * Martin Puchner * Dr. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh Join us for an extraordinary weekend where literature meets politics, history meets imagination, and diverse voices come together to celebrate the power of words. BIO and SCHEDULE here: https://www.tolive.com/Event-Details-Page/reference/JLF-Toronto-2026 DAY PASS: $62 (which I have) INDIVDUAL SESSION: $15 (LUNCH is NOT included. I plan to bring my own lunch and enjoy in at the PARK/Berczy Park/Dog Fountain) See you there! Questions? (When this event is done--we head to Alliance Francaise for a concert with artists from PERU & IRAN)