Turning Red in the Park
The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) hosts a free outdoor screening of Domee Shi’s delightful animated film about a young Asian-Canadian girl’s coming of age in early 00s Toronto. Even if you’ve seen the film, which is currently streaming on Disney+, it’ll be fun to enjoy the end of summer with friends and family before school starts again next week. As a bonus, Oscar winner Shi will be introducing the film remotely from L.A., and the screening will be preceded by Sik Fan, an animated short by Seneca College’s Jamie Lee.
September 1 at 8 pm. Free. Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor W. taafi.com
Ashkenaz Festival
The 13th edition of the celebration of global Jewish culture through the arts includes the trio Buchbinder, Rubin, Bergeman, Michael Wex’s Warsaw Yiddish cabaret Di Letste Nakht Baym Yitesh (Last Night At The Cabaret Yitesh), Montreal jazz and swing group Les Royal Pickles as well as the North American premiere of Henekh Kon’s pre-Holocaust Yiddish opera Bas Sheve.
Through September 5 at the Harbourfront Centre. Free-$54.06. ashkenaz.ca
National Cinema Day
If you haven’t yet seen Top Gun: Maverick, Bullet Train or Elvis, park yourself at a movie theatre this Saturday to view any film at a Cineplex, Landmark, Imagine, Magic Lantern venue for a mere $3 a pop.
September 3. Various venues and times. nationalcinemaday.org
Ron Josol at Yuk Yuk’s
The internationally-recognized stand-up Josol, one of the first Asian-Canadian comics on the scene, headlines all weekend at the downtown comedy club.
September 2-3 at 7:30 pm. $25. Yuk Yuk’s, 224 Richmond W. yukyuks.com
Divine Interventions in the Junction
The award-winning performance troupe CORPUS bring back their entertaining processional performance, a response to the challenges of 2020 and beyond, to be performed every Saturday in multiple locations in the Junction throughout September. Then they’ll bring different shows each month through December.
September 3 from 2 to 4 pm. Free. corpus.ca
Toronto Dragon Festival
The annual Chinese and Asian culture and food festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. But now it’s back to roar all over Nathan Phillips Square this long weekend. Highlights include Lion Dance on High Pole performances, demonstrations by Kung Fu masters, the Reflection Water Show and hundreds of food booths. Also, partnering with Toronto Public Health, the fest will host a mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic on September 3 and 4.
September 2-4 (opening ceremony September 2 at 7 pm) at Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen W. Free.
