Medieval History

**🎭 YOUR THURSDAY NIGHT OUT** Looking for a fun night out? A date night? Perfect post-work escape with friends? Join us for live comedy every Thursday at Desi Hakka Affairs. Enjoy fresh, emerging talent in an intimate setting with great food, drinks, and specials. No cover charge—just laughs and good vibes. **📍 LOCATION & SPECIALS** Desi Hakka Affairs, 3415 Dixie Rd Unit 4A, Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B1. Free parking. Enjoy drink and appetizer specials all night long while you laugh. **🎤 COMEDY & POETRY SHOWCASE** Love comedy? Love poetry? We feature local comedians AND poets. Want to perform? Spots are limited—sign up online at: [https://forms.gle/pgmJXhNom3XRESce6](https://forms.gle/pgmJXhNom3XRESce6 "https://forms.gle/pgmJXhNom3XRESce6") (required for performers—no walk-up additions). Spectators just need a ticket!

We are meeting at the Multifaith Centre every Friday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Third Floor Quiet room, for periods of 8-fold moving exercise, sitting meditation, and walking meditation in the tradition of Chan Buddhism. The session ends with a tea-sharing and discussion. All are welcome and this event is free of charge!

In a moment in which anti-migrant rhetoric, ethnonationalism, and authoritarian populisms are on the rise, it becomes increasingly important that political theorists do more than offer a moral indictment of racism and xenophobia. In this talk, I contend that Frantz Fanon’s sociogenic approach to the critique of ‘race’ and racialization makes a valuable contribution, even in postcolonial conjunctures that have moved beyond colonialism’s crude Manichean binaries. I read Fanon as a diagnostician of the social pathologies produced by colonialism and white supremacy, showing how he worked from the colonized subject’s experiences of inferiorization and the colonizer’s experiences of racial superiority and *self-mystification* to advance a negative critique of racial hierarchies. Sarah Bufkin https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/gov/bufkin-sarah Assistant Professor in Political Theory Department of Political Science and International Studies University of Birmingham **About the Speaker:** My research sits at the intersection of antiracist political theory and Critical Theory, including that of the German Frankfurt School, French poststructuralism, and the British Birmingham School of Cultural Studies. I am currently working on a book project focused on Frantz Fanon's sociogenic method of antiracist critique. Drawing in part on my doctoral thesis, I argue that the failure to theorize 'race' has substantial consequences for continental political theory including but not limited to understanding the reproduction of racial injustice. I have also written on the politics of voice and visibility in the U.S. and Northern Ireland. More broadly, I am interested in feminist thought, social epistemology, and continental philosophies of self and Other. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

### Thursday Evening Discussion Group **In\-Person \| Starts at 8:00 PM \(Doors open at 7:30 PM\) \| Drop\-In** **Starting material:** *[Network of Thought](https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Network-of-Thought-Krishnamurti-ebook.pdf)* by **Jiddu Krishnamurti** This weekly discussion group offers a reflective and open space to explore themes of **mysticism, spirituality, and inner transformation** through selected writings and talks by Jiddu Krishnamurti, Annie Besant, Alice Bailey, and other thinkers whose work invites deep **inquiry into consciousness, freedom, truth**, and **the nature of self-understanding**. Rather than promoting a particular belief system, the group emphasizes **shared reading, thoughtful reflection, and respectful dialogue**. Participants are welcome to engage at their own pace—whether through listening, contemplation, or open discussion. While there is **no requirement to commit before attending**, *the intention is to gradually build a group of participants who are interested in returning regularly and engaging sincerely with the material* and the group process. Newcomers are very welcome, and those who feel drawn to ongoing study are warmly encouraged to continue attending. **This is a drop-in group,** and no prior background or preparation is required. **All are welcome.** Come as you are, reflect together, and take part in a spirit of openness, seriousness of inquiry and mutual respect.

Come see a collection on of some of the best at acts to come thru the Comedy Lab doors over thee years. Sharp and unexpected jokes and engaging characters. Grab your tickets now! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/best-of-comedy-lab-showcase-tickets-1984061326838?aff=oddtdtcreator

Let's drink beers and shoot the shit about space! Plus, let's see some awesome astronomy content, delivered by our friends at [Astronomy On Tap](https://www.dunlap.utoronto.ca/public-outreach/astronomy-on-tap-to/). Let's meet at the [The Dog & Bear Pub](https://dogandbear.ca/), 1100 Queen St W, just a half block west from the Great Hall. We'll meet there at 6pm, do our traditional "drink beers and shoot the shit about space" (dinner also possible), and then head over to the AoT event starting 7:15 for entry by 7:30. Join us at any point, but DO expect that it'll be much harder to find us at the Great Hall than at any earlier point. We'll basically be pre-drinking at Dog & Bear, hoping to see double stars at Astronomy on Tap LOL. We will also bring one of our gliders for a bit of show & tell. More info on Astronomy On Tap: held every few months at the Great Hall by the Dunlap Institute, it's basically couple of astronomy lectures, usually by researchers, with a cash bar and tons of astronomy nerds. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm, no cover and no tickets required, but in my experience it fills up so it's best to get there well before 8pm to get better seats.

Welcome ! OM Chanting is a group practice that uses the transformational power of OM to activate the self-healing potential of participants, promote inner peace and purify the environment. OM Chanting is a free practice, however, donations are welcome to help cover the rent of the studio. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- EVENT DETAILS: address: 283 Spadina Avenue; 3rd floor. ( SE corner of Spadina and Dundas). We will start at 6:30 pm. Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes earlier. We will be sitting on chairs; you can also sit on the floor if you prefer. You are encouraged to bring a bottle of water. Looking forward to seeing you ! For more information about Om Chanting, please visit: [https://bhaktimarga.org/yoga-meditation/](https://bhaktimarga.org/yoga-meditation/) Much Love, Veda Cell: 416-845-9375

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **[torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://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](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com/)** Parkdale has many faces. And over the years those faces have become sharper and clearer to residents and visitors alike. The tone has changed in Parkdale. And that is always a good thing. One of the main reasons why Toronto History Walks came into being was simply because the images of Parkdale at the time, 2019, seemed to convey a negative picture of the neighbourhood. Toronto residents wanted to avoid Parkdale at all costs based on assumptions. It was dangerous and better to avoid than explore. But those ideas have changed over the last several years. Parkdale is a great place to explore, have a cup of coffee or dinner and check out the arts and entertainment or take a stroll down a side street in one of the best preserved Victorian neighbourhoods in Toronto. Welcome to Toronto's first suburb, the floral suburb. And it truly is a remarkable place to get to know. What Parkdale needed most was understanding. And this walk provides the interested walker with that understanding of how Parkdale came to be, and why it had a rather sketchy history right from its inception in 1879. And it had to do more with the attitudes of the residents than reality. Attitudes that followed the growth of Parkdale to this very day. Parkdale just can't get free of its own legacy! From its beginnings in 1850 to the controversy surrounding the Gardiner Expressway, and the death of Sunnyside Amusement Park, the story of Parkdale unfolds, and it has a remarkable ability to climb out of depressed economic periods. This is a detailed exploration of the district. This tour begins at the southwest corner of King, Queen, and Roncesvalles, at the Polish memorial Katyn, just east of the Sunnyside pedestrian bridge across the street from the McDonald's. We wind our way through West Parkdale, and end the tour at the TTC stop for St. Joseph's Health Centre on the site of Sunnyside Villa! This 2 hour walking tour is for all walking levels. Please dress for the season, and hope to see you there. 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**

\*\***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** Italians arrived in Toronto during the late 19th century, and first settled in the old "Ward," centred at the corner of University Avenue and College Street. Over the next few years 40,000 Italians came to Canada between 1914 to 1918, mostly from southern Italy. Most Italians had moved west of Bathurst Street and the College Street area had emerged as the city's Italian enclave. By the 1920s, the community we know today as Little Italy emerged as a cultural and historic jewel in Toronto! Leaving southern Italy the majority immigrated to Toronto—increasing from 4,900 in 1911, to 9,000 in 1921, or two percent of Toronto's population at the time. But it was the massive influx of Italians after the second world war that changed Toronto forever. They brought a cultural revolution to the way Torontonians thought, interacted socially, and ate and of course drank coffee. The sidewalk cafe and patio is one of those things that evolved when the Italians came to town. And coffee is the best part of waking up, no that's Maxwell House I believe, oh well, need I say more! Hope to see you all on this walking adventure! This walking tour is for all walking levels and fitness skills. Please dress for the season and bring water. And remember to bring your love of history as well. The walking tour begins outside the **Lillian H. Smith** Library on College Street West just east of Spadina. The tour ends at Shaw Street and College Street West. 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**

Join us for a lively history discussion as we explore the Han Dynasty, one of the most formative eras in Chinese history, lasting from 206 BCE to 220 CE. Emerging from the collapse of the Qin Empire, the Han established a durable imperial system that shaped Chinese governance, culture, and identity for two millennia. This period saw the consolidation of Confucian state ideology, the expansion of imperial frontiers deep into Central Asia, and the opening of the Silk Road linking China with distant civilizations. Yet beneath its reputation as a classical golden age, the Han world also struggled with court intrigue, powerful eunuchs, peasant unrest, and the structural tensions of a vast agrarian empire. **Topics for Discussion** * The Chu–Han Contention and the Rise of Liu Bang * The Reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing * The Expansionist Policies of Emperor Wu * The Campaigns Against the Xiongnu * The Opening of the Silk Road and Zhang Qian’s Missions * The Establishment of Confucian State Orthodoxy * The Wang Mang Interregnum and the Xin Dynasty * The Restoration of the Eastern Han * The Yellow Turban Rebellion * Court Politics: Eunuchs, Consort Clans, and Scholar-Officials * Technology and Innovation: Paper, Seismographs, and Iron Production

Each week there is some recommended readings to be done before we meet. **Please see the attached schedule for this week's readings.** The Bible Timeline® study program takes you on a guided journey through salvation history. Presenter Jeff Cavins will show you how fourteen of the Bible’s narrative books tell the biblical story from beginning to end and will give you the keys to understanding the amazing story woven throughout Scripture. The Bible Timeline will teach you how to read and understand the entire Bible and introduce you to the wonderful narrative of Scripture in a way that will transform your life. The online material can be bought online through the link below (optional). However, each session we can share copies for you to have discussion questions in class and reading guideline for the next session. https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation-online-video-access

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Explorer 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 price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** The destruction of Toronto's downtown started on a windy, cold night in early spring. The above sentence sounds like a mystery novel set in Victorian England. But things were about to heat up in old hog town on that April evening. As the workday ended at the E&S Currie Neckwear company on Wellington Street at Bay Street, on April 19, 1904, a tiny flicker of light spelled disaster for the entire city. A police officer on the downtown beat spotted smoke and flames at precisely 8 pm. He headed to the emergency call box on King Street at Bay to alert the fire department, but by then, the fire had spread to the adjacent buildings. The fire department responded to a fiery nightmare as most of Wellington Street was already in flames. Moreover, the night was turning colder, and a stiff wind blew in from the north. Toronto's second great fire was about to explode out of control. Toronto was well aware of the dangers of fire. In April of 1849, a small fire started in stables near the corner of Jarvis and King Streets and destroyed the old downtown including St. James Church, and the market. By the time the fire was out most of the core of the old city was in ashes. Toronto, after the great fire of 1849, was a different place. The old town was centred around St. James Church, and the commercial district was then on King Street East. With the great fire and its aftermath, there was a shift west, both physically and emotionally; the central core moved to Yonge and King Streets as the city spread. Now the heart of the business district was at risk once again. And the stakes were much higher. The fire that had started at the E&S Currie Neckwear Company spread quickly along both sides of Wellington Street, as far as Yonge Street to the east and York Street to the west. But with a stiff wind blowing, embers touched off other fires to the south and southeast, threatening the historic Bank of Montreal building at Yonge and Front Streets. Ships docked at the Yonge Street and Church Street piers were moved to safety, and documents from the old customs house were packed up and moved to other venues around the city. Some business owners who had managed to get into their businesses removed precious documents before the flames engulfed their premises. Firefighters held their ground at several points, putting up fire lines, including Yonge Street just feet west of the old Bank and around the majestic Queen's Hotel. Help came in the form of Queen's Hotel guests, and staff as they moved from room to room and tore down draperies, and dampened the wooden window sills. Their efforts saved the Queen's Hotel and possibly the rest of the downtown, including the old Union Station south of Front Street. Had the Queen's Hotel been destroyed, the rest of the city may have been destroyed as well. Eight hours after the fire was first spotted, it was brought under control. Residents and business owners fled to the downtown core to watch their lives go up in smoke. Thousands of curious people crowded the streets around the burned area. Toronto would have to be rebuilt, and fire would be tamed through laws and building restrictions. But out of the great fire of 1904, a new modern city emerged; one such building was the new Union Station which was built on the ruins. The city hasn't suffered a great fire like the one in 1904, but came close to disaster in 1977, with the Eaton's Annex fire. That fire just about destroyed the new Eaton Centre. Where would we shop, that is the question of the day? and let's not forget 1871. And everyone thought Toronto was boring! This walk is for all fitness levels. Please dress for the weather. This walk begins and ends outside St. James Cathedral at 106 King Street East at Church Street. This tour has a ticketed price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

* **Discover the creative power of Soul to enrich your life.** * **Learn how to tap into your innate creative talents--God's gift to you.** (ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ECK Light & Sound Service - Hybrid event) [Eckankar Ontario Spiritual Events](https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario-spiritual-events.html) [Eckankar Free Books](https://www.eckankar.org/freebook/wisdom/) "Creative people who cherish the gift of life often slip into the secret chambers of the creative mind. Their solutions are well-rounded, more sensible than those of people who rely solely upon reason as their mainstay. Gratitude unseals fountains of creativity, because a grateful person is relaxed. This allows him to take stock of these circumstances with an objective mind. A creative person often gets three-dimensional answers to his problems." —Harold Klemp, *The Language of Soul*, p. 66 You are warmly invited to the Provincial ECK Light and Sound Service which you can attend **online** or **in person**. Date and time: **Sunday, March 15, 2026** **10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m** Please note: All the ECK Light and Sound Services in 2026 will be hybrid (In-person and on Zoom) with the in-person portion held at: **York University Glendon Campus, Centre of Excellence, York Hall A, Room YH A002, 2275 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M4N 3M6.** Please stay for light refreshments afterward. To attend online by Zoom and see the upcoming events: [https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario](https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario/zoom/) It will take you directly to the Ontario ECKANKAR page where you will find the Zoom link and call-in numbers. The Zoom link allows for up to 300 attendees and will be active at 10:15 a.m. **ECK Light and Sound Services** are a wonderful way for anyone to experience: * **the Sound and Light of God** * **the [HU](https://www.eckankar.org/experience/hu-the-sound-of-soul/) (a love song to God)** * **the inner guide known as the Mahanta** Come and hear about others' adventures of walking the spiritual path, on the road home to God, as well as original creative arts. You will have the opportunity to experience a simple spiritual exercise that can open your heart to live to your fullest potential. You are welcome to invite seekers, family and friends to attend. *If the region or country you live in forbids you from attending this spiritual event, please follow the laws of your home country.* These are free events; however, your donations are most gratefully received! You can leave your donation in the donation bowl on the table OR send your e-transfer donations, using online banking to: [provincialdonations8093@gmail.com](mailto:eckontdonations@gmail.com). Please stay for light refreshments afterwards. To learn more about spirituality, here are a few resources: · [Spiritual Adventure](https://www.eckankar.org/eck-soul-adventure-magazine) Magazine · *[ECK Soul Adventure](https://www.eckankar.org/ebooklets) eBooklets* · [HU ](https://www.eckankar.org/experience/hu-the-sound-of-soul/#huapp)App · [Eckankar Soul Adventure Podcast](https://www.eckankar.org/podcasts/) · [Discover Eckankar and Advanced Spiritual Living](https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wdetsToXHUuR0qMb4Q6Jbn9NsVsjeGGv9-pv3zeN5OJIPvDhF1JBeIKusW1USqWw1Zp1ZaTnQ2RhVdFiFR40cVWLJP69hwDJ6gkdu5rdjrHK5ObZ_tis6cbANWZbNVk8wg0JtH1bJjx9dHaeOUj0-Q==&c=waEPfx7zdz0PenP4PzCIxF7D6_bctEUp7HtZ4PABLxdcfU32QqrKhA==&ch=9rbFp1H_WsWh30zsiD-UiviJOyeYlHNExu3S_FmLkW30Rt5s5OD87Q==) Video *Graphics courtesy of* [Eckankar](https://www.eckankar.org/)*, The Path of Spiritual Freedom* Sponsored by Eckankar Canada in Ontario

We are a monthly meetup where we get together and discuss Stoic Philosophy and it's practical application to life. All are welcome, including those new to Stoicism and everyday practitioners. Out meetups are casual and we typically discuss a new Stoic quote each month. The meetup is held at one of our member's home in Toronto for a few hours each month. A little about Stoicsm, simply put, Stoicism was designed to help people live their best possible lives. It’s a philosophy of life that maximizes positive emotions, reduces negative emotions and helps individuals to hone their virtues of character. At any moment, in any situation, and at any stage of life, Stoicism provides a framework for living well. It reminds people of what is truly important, providing practical strategies to get more of what is valuable. Stoicism was deliberately created to be understandable, actionable and useful. Practicing Stoicism doesn’t require learning an entirely new philosophical lexicon or meditating for hours a day. Instead, it offers an immediate, useful and practical way to find tranquility and improve one’s strengths of character.

The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

So this month's prompt is more general. I think we can all agree that we are living in "unique" times that require coping skills. I think that one role and/or purpose of philosophy is to help us deal with our daily lives and our "unique" times. So, let's share our feelings and thoughts about which philosopher/philosophy we turn to in order to deal with our crazy events. Who/what helps you stay focused in your daily life and helps you sleep at night. I find that Stoicism with a little philosophical pessimism mixed in goes a long way in helping me deal with what I see as very destructive, fearful and mean spirited public policies at both the state and federal levels. Hope to see you on March 28th!

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

This month we’ll be ready The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the bookk!

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.