Feeling out of touch with your local community this summer? We’ve picked out five events happening this week to help you get involved. From workshops and public consultations on parks, to panel discussions and forums on precarious work and the economy. Mad Pride Week is also happening this week, with daily events that challenge the discrimination faced by people dealing with mental illness. We’ve highlighted the annual Bed Push Parade below.
Spirit Of Our Park
Shadowland Theatre presents a series of hands-on workshops that help residents discover local parks. On July 15 at 5 pm, Spirit of Our Park will take place at Alexmuir Park (205 Alexmuir), where attendees will be invited to imagine the personality of the park, uncover its history and imagine its transformation. A group of local musicians, makers, performers and Aboriginal teachers help guide the group, and the event culminates in a celebratory parade complete with puppets, a processional band, costumed stilt-walkers as well as handmade flags and banners. Spirit Of Our Park is free, accessible and open to all ages. See listing for more details.
Rexdale Wants Decent Work
Precarious employment, fair wages and workers’ rights are the focus of this public forum on July 16 from 1 to 3 pm. The event is hosted by the Labour Council and takes place at Thistletown Community Centre (925 Albion Road). The event is free and open to everyone, but advance registration online is recommended. See listing for more details.
Bed Push Parade at Mad Pride Week
Mad Pride, a movement of users, or former users, of mental health services and their allies, wraps up Mad Pride Week on July 17 with the annual Bed Push Parade in the west side. Join mental health activists to push a bed from Parkdale Library (1303 Queen West) to Trinity Bellwoods Park as a symbol of anti-psychiatry and the journey a person takes from a psych hospital back into the community. The parade takes place from 11 am to 3 pm. See listing for more details.
Pathways to Meeting COP21 Commitments
The federal government has stated its commitment to adopting the climate-change agreement at COP21, the UN’s environment conference held in Paris last fall. This includes gradually reducing emissions levels by 2030 and converting to 100 per cent renewable energy. A panel presented by Why Should I Care at the Madison Pub (14 Madison Avenue) will discuss how Canada’s emission reduction strategy impacts the economy and covers other things Canadians should be doing to combat climate change. The free event takes place July 18 from 7 to 9 pm. See listing for more details.
More Moss Park: Mid-summer Community Roundtable
Help shape the future of Moss Park at this public consultation where the design ideas for the proposed redevelopment of the east-side park will be presented. The community event is free and open to all, and local residents who use the park, John Innes Community Centre and Moss Park Arena are especially encouraged to attend and give input. The event takes place July 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the John Innes Community Centre (150 Sherbourne). Registration online is recommended. See listing for more details.
michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas
