Winter Festival

Saturday, December 17, 2011
Noon–6pm

Lace up and help us launch the winter season with the opening of our family-friendly outdoor skating rink, groove to some hot tunes and chill by the warm fire.

Plus, join our cooking workshops and learn how to make delicious hot and spicy winter treats!

Schedule
9am–1pm Winter Farmers’ Market
Pick up all of your holiday meal groceries at the market, featuring the best of seasonal vegetables and fruit, meat, cheese, eggs and oils—all from local farmers and producers.
11:45am–noon Traditional Opening Ceremony of the Evergreen Brick Works Skating Trail
Join the Aboriginal Education Outreach Program from the Native Canadian Center for a traditional opening of the winter solstice and the 2011/2012 season of the Evergreen Brick Works Skating Trail, followed by a welcome from Evergreen Brick Works Program Director Arlene Stein.
Location: Koerner Gardens
Noon–1:30pm Cooking Outdoors: Bannock and Venison Stew
Participate in an Aboriginal cooking workshop to prepare and enjoy traditional wild rice and venison stew cooked over the fire pit in Chimney Court. First come first served. Pay What You Can.
Location: Chimney Court
Noon–6pm Public Skating
Lace up and glide away for our first skate of the season! For more information on skate rentals and lessons, please visit our skating page.
Location: Koerner Gardens
1–2:30pm Cooking Workshop: Hot Indian Snacks
Join the Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee to learn how to make aloo parathas. These hot and delicious whole-wheat flatbreads stuffed with potato are a popular Indian snack!
Limit 20 participants, first come first served. Pay What You Can. Please register by emailing myu@evergreen.ca.
Location: Fido Classroom
1:30–2:15pm Live Singing and Dancing with The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
Enjoy the different styles of Aboriginal dance that men, women and children use in Canada. Also gain insight about the significance of the traditional drum and songs heard.
Location: BMO Atrium
2:15–2:30pm Stay-In-School Program: Hoop & Hip Hop Dance
Join the youth dance program from First Nations School of Toronto in celebrating a blend of traditional and contemporary dance styles.
Location: BMO Atrium
2–6pm Food Vendors
Grab a hot bowl of tea, hot chocolate, soup or snack from Cafe Belong, Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee and Chocosol.
Location: Young Welcome Centre
2:30 & 4:30pm Live Music with La-Nai Gabriel & The Free People
Groove and dance to tunes with La-Nai and her band The Free People. A new edge on Neo-Soul, playing a combination of R&B, Hip Hop, and Lover's Rock Reggae-inspired songs.
Location: Young Welcome Centre
3–4pm Traditional Games
Participate in and learn about traditional games played by Aboriginal people and hunters, as well as the history around techniques and skill-building.
Location: BMO Atrium
3–4:30pm Cooking Workshop: Vegetable Curry
Join the Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee and learn how to make a delicious vegetable curry made with local Ontario produce.
Limit 20 participants, first come-first served; Pay What You Can. Please register by emailing myu@evergreen.ca.
Location: Fido Classroom
4–5pm Story-Telling: Dodem Kanonhsa’ & Closing Ceremonies
An interactive experience to learn about the narrative and understand the oral traditions of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples. Followed by a Festival closing.
Location: BMO Atrium