As mother nature continues her justifiable wrath well into March, P40 has lined up a slew of indoor events for you to enjoy. Check out the list below!

 

1-15: C O N V E N I E N C E

Held against the backdrop of convenience stores, this exhibition explores diasporic place-making and the process of forming relationships with one’s adopted land. Simultaneously a point of arrival and departure, storefront businesses can be an immigrant’s first economic establishment and act as a shift from newcomer status, promoting new forms of cultural hybridity and exchange. Exploring these nuances, the exhibition reworks cultural stereotypes of Asian immigrants and questions the notions of efficiency, passivity, and proximity associated with them—rethinking the site of the convenience store in the process.

1-31: Ness Lee: How To Hold Yourself

Ness Lee’s unique characters appear once again for this dreamy exhibit exploring states of mind during unimaginable states of vulnerability. The exhibited work is an effort in seeking comfort, forgiveness, and a desire to end a self-perpetuated state.

15: Queer & Trans Asian Poetics: A Night of Readings

Glad Day Bookshop presents a night of readings by local authors Trish Salah, Tom Cho, and US-based authors Margaret Rhee and Ching-In Chen. The event brings together queer and trans voices to celebrate the collective community and its Asian diasporic experience. It will also commemorate the publication of Chen’s Recombinant and Rhee’s Love, Robot.

15: SHADE

Having just celebrated its one year anniversary in January, SHADE is a comedy show hosted by Anasimone George and features comedians of colour, comedians from the LGBTQ+ community, and comedians who identify as women. Performers include Chantel Marostica, Laughs, Salma Hindy, Isabel Zed Tee, Priyanka Love, and headliner Hoodo Hersi.

23-24: Do You See What I See

Challenging the societal role of South Asian women from varying perspectives and experiences, Do You See What I See features feminist work from emerging South Asian Canadian artists such as Anoop Caur, Zahra Siddiqui, Sara Khan and more. The exhibition is curated by local artist, Nimisha Bhanot and explores themes of gender violence, immigration and diaspora, mental health, sexual taboos, religious reform, political protest, dowry, and more.

24: Wakanda Winter Gala

The University of Toronto’s Eastern Africa Students’ Association is hosting its first Annual Wakanda Winter Gala and you’re invited! Come for an evening of style, food, music, dancing, keynote speakers and, most of all, learning about and appreciating East African Culture. The event will also recognize the graduating class of 2018!

24-25: The Ecstasy of Rita Joe by Victor Davies

George Ryga’s 1967 drama The Ecstasy of Rita Joe explores the Indigenous experience as it recounts the story of a young Aboriginal woman in the city. At the time, the play caused a national cultural examination that continues to this day because it was one of the first in modern Canadian theater to address issues relating to Aboriginal peoples. Now, Canadian composer Victor Davies has adapted the play into an opera as his libretto. The opera will feature an ensemble of top Indigenous Canadian artists, with Marion Newman starring in the titular role of Rita Joe and Evan Korbut playing Jaimie Paul. Rounding out the cast are Michelle Lafferty, Everett Levi Morrison, and Rose-Ellen Nichols.

To April 7: Looking Forward, Looking Backward
Presented by the Canadian National Exhibition Association for its inaugural exhibit, Looking Forward, Looking Back is a visual exploration of Canada’s relationship with its Indigenous Communities in the 150 years since Confederation. Visitors are presented with the “way forward”—a multi-media Indigenous response to the past that explores themes of resilience, family, unity and community. Exhibiting artists include: Carl Beam, Shirley Cheechoo, Irene Avaalaaquiaq Tiktaalaaq, Christian Morrisseau, Kris Nahrgang and Cecil Youngfox

 

This list was compiled by Aliya Ghare