Black Couples

**Note: this event will not be hosted. Members can meet at the meetup time at the Museum Station entrance as the Bloor entrance is under construction.** On **Monday February 16th,** **join me on Family Day for Lunar New Year Activities - New Year Wish Tree Fortune Envelope and Calligraphy Pop-up Keepsake, the World Wildlife Photography Exhibit, and end it with Dinner. There will also be Pop-up Performances - Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Music, and *Twelve in a Race*** that tells the story of the Chinese Zodiac and how each animal placed in the Lunar New Years race. **Purchase your ticket for Monday February 16th at 3:30pm**. **2:00 - 2:30pm NEW YEAR WISH TREE – Philosopher's Gallery, Level 1** Engage your inner artist and take a moment to craft your own red envelope inspired by Lunar New Year traditions from cultures around the world. Add a message of good fortune to our growing wish tree installation, and enjoy a shared space for reflection, optimism, and celebration. **2:30 - 3:00pm** **CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY POP-UP – Philosopher's Gallery, Level 1 (TBC)** Stop by the pop up table and take in a Chinese calligraphy demonstration with special guest artists. L0arn about the meaning behind words associated with luck and prosperity and have a word of good fortune—or even your name—translated into Chinese to take home as a keepsake. **3:00 - 4pm** **HIKE THE ROM – Trail Guides available at Admissions and the Info Desk, Level 1** Get your daily steps in with our Hikes that take visitors on engaging walks through the permanent galleries. With three themes available, each [Hike](https://www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/special-programs/hike-rom "Hike the ROM") offers a different route full of encounters with objects from the collections. Try one, or all three. **4:00 - 4:15: Break** **4:15 - 5:15pm World Wildlife Photography Exhibit, Level 4, (additional cost, our 3:30pm ticket allows entry at this time)** Powerful, inspiring, and enlightening, the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition invites viewers into a world of extraordinary images and visual storytelling. The world's longest-running and most prestigious annual nature photography competition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year attracts and recognizes the world's best nature photography, and has done so every year since 1965. **5:15 - 5:25pm: ROM Store.** Take a look around for souvenirs. **COST** Adults: Admission $26 + Photography Exhibit $9 = $35 Seniors: Admission $21 + Photography Exhibit = $27.75 Discounted 15% Adults: Admission only is $22.10, Admission + Photography is $29.75 Seniors: Admission only is $17.85, Admission + Photography is $23.59 Meetup fee: $5 *** **SIGNING-UP** * **Simply RSVP Yes to be added to the waitlist and I will message you the discount code.** * **[Purchase](https://tickets.rom.on.ca/en/cart/view) your ticket for the 3:30pm entry time, post you have your ticket, and I will move you to attending.** * RSVPs close 1 day prior, and cancellations after will result in a No Show and impact future attendance. * You can also just show up and join us at the event meetup spot and time * A reminder will go out the day before with my cell and details when to meet, etc. ‐‐----‐----‐‐-------------‐----------- **MEETUP TIME** **Meet members at 2pm** **inside the entrance of the ROM at the Museum Station Entrance to the right side** We will follow the itinerary above, with flexibility to go in and out of activities. Enjoy and please post your Comments after!

***TRIVIA NIGHT AT AXIS CAFE*** ***$5 event fee + $5 minimum purchase (hopefully more) from the Axis Cafe.*** ***$3 from everyone's $5 event fee will go to the 1st place team.*** ***For instance, if 25 play, the 1st place team gets to split $75 between them.*** 3 ***other food voucher prizes from the Axis Cafe will be in play as well.*** ***TRIVIA QUESTIONS BEGIN AT APPROX 7:15 PM.*** ***The Axis Cafe, located minutes N of High Park, on Dundas St. West. There's lots of room and we will have most of the restaurant to ourselves.*** ***As always, we'll be able to set up multiple teams of 4-5 max per table. If possible, try to sit with other group members you've never met before. This way you'll be able to "meetup" with some possible new friends!! That's what it's all about!!*** ***Look for us near the front stage. This is where our emcee, Tony Krolo will be doing his thing.*** ***Please bring exactly $5 . Thanks.*** ***After our own grand prize The Axis Cafe's normal prize structure is $20 $15 and $10.*** ***Just see me (Alex) when you arrive and I'll get you set up!!*** ***IMPORTANT NOTE*** ***Outside food or drink is an absolute NO-NO!!*** ***The (no pressure) Trivia consists of 3 parts, music, visual and general knowledge. Playing on a team is a great way to break the ice with other members of our group. It's all for fun and we always have a lot of laughs at our Trivia events.*** ***IMPORTANT NOTE*** ***The Axis Cafe is mainly made up of low tables, unlike what we had at Kramer's.*** ***The Axis Cafe is accessible. Use the side entrance ramp.*** ***There is one washroom located at the back and 2 more downstairs.*** ***Our Quiz Master Host, Tony Krolo is also a stand-up comic with Yuk Yuk's, so this makes it even more fun!!*** ***TRIVIA START TIME is approx 7:15pm, so do your best to get there early!!*** ***Trivia ends at around 9:15PM and after that we'll all have a chance to hang out together and socialize a bit more if you wish.*** ***TRANSIT*** ***From Line 2 take the #40A or 40B Dundas W bus to Pacific Ave. The Axis Cafe is located about 2 minutes west of there.*** ***PARKING*** ***There is street parking on McMurray Ave. right by Axis. There is a Green P Lot on Pacific Ave. S of Dundas St. W., a short walk east of Axis.*** ***As always, let's come with a positive attitude and a great big smile. I'm sure that we'll have a lot of laughs!! We always do!!*** ***WE WILL HAVE SEPARATE CHEQUES*** ***LET'S ALL HAVE A BLAST TOGETHER!!*** ***WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU @ THE AXIS CAFE!!***

**❄️ Winter Ravines Walk: Finch West to Downsview Park ❄️** If winter has been making you want to hibernate, this is your sign to bundle up, step outside, and do something that feels genuinely good for the soul. This winter walk is all about fresh air, movement, conversation, and discovering just how much green space is quietly tucked into the city — even in the colder months. We’ll start at **Finch West Subway Station** and head out together along the **Finch Corridor Trail**, an unexpectedly peaceful stretch that eases you into the walk. From there, we’ll move through **Derrydowns Park** and **Downsview Dells Park**, where winter turns the ravines into a calm, almost meditative landscape — snow-dusted paths, bare trees, and that crisp, quiet feeling you only get this time of year. This isn’t a power walk and it’s not a hike that leaves you gasping for air. It’s an **easy-to-moderate winter stroll**, paced so people can chat, get to know one another, and actually enjoy where they are. These walks have a way of breaking down walls — conversations flow more easily when you’re walking side by side, and by the time we reach the end, strangers often feel like familiar faces. We’ll finish our journey at **Downsview Park**, wrapping up at **Downsview Park Subway Station**, feeling refreshed, accomplished, and very glad we didn’t stay inside. 📱 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) \*\*\* \#\#\# ❄️ Meetup Details ❄️ ⚠️ **Please Note:** This is a true winter walk. Don’t sign up if you’re not comfortable walking in cold or snowy conditions. ✔️ The walk happens in *almost* all weather ❌ The event will be cancelled only if it’s **-20°C or colder** 📍 **Meetup Location:** Outside **Finich West Subway Station** — look for Mathew in his iconic **Moose Hat** 🫎 ⏰ **Meetup Time:** **11:00 AM** — I will only wait **5 minutes** (this is a firm 5 minutes because… winter ❄️😉) 💲 **Meetup Fee:** $5 cash in person **or** e-transfer to \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**](http://mathewmaclean@hotmail.com%2A%2A/) 🏁 **End Spot:** Yorkdale Mall \*\*\* \#\#\# 🧣 What to Bring 🧣 • Water • Good winter boots • Gloves & hat • Something warm to drink ☕ • A small snack • A friend, family member or guest \*\*\* 🚶‍♂️ **Can I Leave Early?** Absolutely — leave anytime you like. This walk may take up two hours. \*\*\* 💛 **REMEMBER:** You can just show up — or decide on the day if you’re not 100% sure. ⚠️ **NOTE:** Sometimes things happen and plans may change — please keep an eye out for updates. \*\*\* 👤 **Organizer:** Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email \*\*[torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com**](http://torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com%2A%2A/)

Join Lawrence, your top hatted host, for an evening of wonder, joy, and imagination with the return of ILLUMINITE: Downtown Yonge’s annual winter celebration of light, art, and public space. At 6 pm, we will meet-up inside Pogue Mahone pub, where we will share some pub grub and suds. https://fabrestaurants.ca/restaurant/pogue-mahone/ At 7 pmish, we will head over to the first of 5 stops, Oval Swings, by Prevail Activations where glowing LED swings invite you to pause, connect, and capture the moment. Then we walk to Horizon by M2att Creations, this immersive installation invites you to shape shifting patterns of light in real time, turning College Park into a dynamic playground of sight and sound. Our third stop is Daria Domnikova, Granby Parkette comes alive with Hearts at Play, a vibrant trio of interactive sculptures that celebrate community, creativity, and connection in Downtown Yonge. Off to Sankofa Square, near TMU station, five quirky characters just waiting to burst out and start the party. To set them free, you’ll need to call out, sing, or dance your way into their world. Final stop is DOMINO EFFECT invites visitors of all ages to play, collaborate, and co-create a symphony of sound and light using giant pastel-coloured dominos. https://downtownyonge.com/illuminite/ Afterwards, if you are looking for more there is.... Skating at College Park - Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail