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Woodgreen’s Photo Exhibition and The Bead Goes On @ Eats & Beats

Come visit Woodgreen’s “Hand out” – an amazing visual display of black and white photographs taken by our community, and enjoy the Bead goes on, a Women’s Economic Development Project that will be selling their unique beaded jewelry!

Don’t forget to check it out!

June 1st, from 1PM-6PM @ Riverside’s Eats & Beats Street Fest!

Hand out

THE EXHIBITION

“Hand Out” is a captivating visual display of photographs taken by our community that is homeless, or has experienced living on the streets. The open hand symbolism includes attributes such as: Balance, Choice, and Justice. Depictions of an open right hand is an image that is recognized and used as a sign of protection, faith, family, blessings, power and strength in many different cultures. In this exhibition, Our community photographer’s will share the objects that they hold dear to their hearts. Objects that give them faith, hope and joy.

ABOUT WOODGREEN

With 75 years of success, Woodgreen Community services is one of the largest community services agency in Toronto helping 37,000 people a year! By helping people to find safe and affordable housing, professional training to enter the job market, childcare access, youth programs , employment training, among many other, Woodgreen has become an important player in providing well-being for the community and the society in general.

 

 

 

Nellie’s 40th Anniversary @ Riverside’s Eats & Beats Street Fest!

Come celebrate Nellie’s 40th anniversary with a cake cutting  ceremony @ 3PM and be a part of this amazing success story of helping women and children in our community since 1973!

During Eats & Beats, Nellie’s will be showcasing a photographic exhibit of several women with a personal  statement of their journey.  The community is also invited to participate in a community fabric mural on what safety means to you. Refreshments will be served together with the cake cutting ceremony, and a brief video screening about women at Nellie’s.

Nellie's Pride March - 2011

 

Nellie’s – a cornerstone in serving women and children in the community

 

In 1973, to fill the need for homeless women’s shelters, June Callwood opened Nellie’s Shelter and named it after Nellie McClung – the pioneer feminist who advocated for and helped women gain the right to vote in Canada.

With the goal of helping, protecting and supporting women of all ages in different situations and conditions, since its launch, Nellie’s has helped over 15,000 women to overcome their difficulties and go forward with happy and healthy strong lives.

The Need

Even though we live in a time were women have more space in society, ancient problems of violence, abuse, poverty and homelessness still surrounds women, that does not receives the care that they deserve, and are forced to face alone those difficult situations. That’s when Nellie’s come in; with 36 beds in a 100 year old building, rain or shine, Nellie’s is open to every women and child who look for help and support with no questions asked.

What do they do for Women and Children?

If you think that this is just another shelter that only offers a plate of supper and a bed to sleep, you are completely wrong. At Nellie’s women can find a place to go back up and reconstruct their lives as strong and independent women, ready to face the world again. Protection, safety, confidentiality, counseling, connections with the community, Help to make their voices heard in court, and to access affordable housing are just a few things that Nellie’s does for women and children, and what makes it a special, unique, and amazing place, different from any other.

 

 

 

DON VALLEY STOMPERS to perform at Eats & Beats in Riverside Street Fest!

As part of Riverside’s Eats & Beats Street Fest, DON VALLEY STOMPERS will be performing at Saulter Street at 1pm . This is truly fitting since Riverside Toronto western edge is along the Don Valley.

Don Valley Stompers in New Orleans. Photo by Brian Towers

Don Valley Stompers in New Orleans. Photo by Brian Towers

Fresh music with Toronto’s local jazz band the Don Valley Stompers, a powerful 7 piece band that play in the New Orleans dancehall tradition. This high energy band takes old-time jazz seriously – they even have a Sousaphone – and clearly intend to carry the tradition into the future, while enjoying themselves immensely.

With Juno nominee Rob Teehan and other blow-your-socks-off band members, this 1pm free street concert is one that you don’t want to miss. Literally, they are going to be performing acoustically as their sound is so powerful they won’t need any amplification!

Want a pre-event taste? Click HERE or the photo below to watch a live performance of the Don Valley Stompers.

Don Valley Stompers photo by Toronto Jazz Festival

Don Valley Stompers photo by Toronto Jazz Festival

 

Irresistibly Irish – AN SIBIN PUB at Eats & Beats in Riverside Street fest!

An sibin 1

The bar at An Sibin Pub

 

Get a taste of Celtic food, music and drinks at An Sibín Pub on June 1st. Mill Street and Guinness beer tasting trays, delicious Irish morsels and show off your Gallic footwork with guest Celtic band.

There will be a Live Irish Session featuring 8-14 players that will take place from 1-4pm and the after party for “The High Drive” Celtic Jam Session which will take you away to Ireland with their drums and fiddles.

There are so many different beers, and you often don’t get a chance to taste them all.  Satisfy your desire to compare a range of different beers with Mill Street Samplers specials ($5) and Guinness Family Sampler ($6) . In spirit of tasters these will also be accompanied  by the finger food house specialties, such as: Burger Sliders and Chip Butty Sliders (this is a fresh baked bun, stacked with house cut fries, creamy coleslaw served with chipotle aioli- a contemporary twist on favorite Irish ingredients).

So, What’s An Sibín Pub All About?

An Sibín Pub brings A Touch of Ireland to The Riverside.  The name, pronounced “ahn shebeen,” refers to Ireland’s historic after-hours speakeasies. Affectionately known to neighbours as “The Shebeen” it has and the warm, true-to-heart hospitality the Irish are well known for. Aptly named a “House of Ceol” (Gaelic for Music), they have a fantastic music line up which includes céilí (pronounced Kay-lee) and Celtic music jam sessions and dancing, to bands like Covered in Cash, a rockabilly/country/rock/acoustic band.  

An Sibín has definitely become a destination restaurant for Irish ex-pats in Toronto and those who want to experience some real Irish culture. “Here they can come and chat with one of 17 Irish staff members, eat an authentic Chip Butty, sip one of over 20 craft and Irish beers or ciders on tap, and feel like one of the family,” says Scott and Rick.  

Rick, Tim & Scott

Rick, Tim & Scott

Partners Rick Auiler and Scott Brockington first opened in the former ‘Real Jerk’ location last August, which was a much beloved landmark in Riverside.  Rick and Scott offer a combined 15-year history of successful Irish destinations in Toronto, including St. James’ Gate, The Irish Embassy, PJ O’Brien’s  and Quinn’s Steakhouse & Irish Bar. Chef Tim Pettigrew, has created a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary Irish favourites with fresh local ingredients, and a unique Toronto flair. Plus, he often works to pair An Sibín’s extensive on-tap beer offerings with in-season fare.

Aqua/Nibii Wawashkana Performing at Eats & Beats Street Fest

Riverside is proud to also celebrate the launch of National Aboriginal History month with musician, Aqua, also known as Nibii Wawashkana (Water Flower) as part of the Eats & Beats in Riverside Street Fest. This is an opportunity to recognize and honor the heritage and culture of Aboriginal communities in Canada.

 AQUA HEADSHOT

Aqua is a proud Aboriginal woman. She was gifted her spirit name 4 years ago and has been on a self-discovering journey ever since. Her music is an expression of her life experience thus far, with a beautiful mix of Ojibway, French, and English. She shares her story as she believes it heals, inspires, and just plain feels good. Aqua’s greatest love in life is sharing her gifts with others through her drum circles, acting, and singing. She is a free spirit who truly believes in equality.

The Riverside BIA is thrilled to have Aqua perform on Saulter Street as part of the Fresh Food & Beats on Saulter Street Destination

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