It’s October and there are some really important things to see and do this month-like protesting for freedom of speech at Toronto universities and voting in the Toronto mayoral election. It may be getting colder, but this is no time to stay indoors! Go out and make your voice heard!
2—21: Noor
Noor is a modern coming-of-age story about loss, love and the power of poetry set to song, world music, and electronica. Written by emerging playwright Erum Khan and directed by Erin Brubacher, the play is staged inside the intimate setting of the Aga Khan Museum’s Mongolian yurt, and brought to life by the talented collective of performance artists, Generous Friend. Set in current day Toronto, Noor is about a young woman embarking on adulthood while facing the absence of her mother, and looking for shelter in a relationship with another young woman. Meanwhile, her father strives to establish a relationship with his daughter. As the characters struggle internally with identity, faith, belonging and displacement, they look to the mystical poetry of Rumi and the untraceable path of his muse Shams Tabriz.
5—11: Matangi/Maya/M.I.A
This award-winning documentary of the genre-bending artist and social justice activist draws from two decades’ worth of personal footage to reveal how M.I.A’s outspoken rhymes tore up the charts, stoked political fires and captivated fans and critics worldwide. With countless hours of recording alongside interviews and performances, director and lifelong friend Steve Loveridge chronicles M.I.A’s evolution from refugee immigrant to music star in an exhilarating mash-up that showcases the many sides of a polarizing and fascinating pop culture figure.
13—14: Toronto South African Film Festival 2018
The work of top South African on-screen talent will be showcased for the 5th annual Toronto South African Film Festival, hosted at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Features and documentaries exploring the culture, history, and politics of the country are sure to inspire, provoke deep conversation, and entertain.
18: Ryerson RALLY Against Ford’s Anti-Protest Law
The rally at Ryerson University will take a stance against Doug Ford’s so-called “free speech on campus” policy that will effectively ban student protests against racist and fascist speakers on campus. Students who refuse to comply might face disciplinary action including expulsion, whereas universities unwilling to participate in the policy will have their funding stripped. This is a blatant attack on a student’s right to protest hate-speech and must be resisted on all fronts.
22: Toronto Election 2018
The 2018 Toronto Election is set to take place on October 22nd at locations all over the city, with advanced voting starting on Wednesday October 10th to Sunday October 14th. With a 25-ward system, Canadian citizens (at least 18 years old) can vote at one of two locations in their ward or at City Hall. Make sure to bring your voter information card and identification showing your name and Toronto address (such as government issued-documents, bank issued-credit card statements, utility bills, etc.). Voting ensures that you have a say in the way your city is governed, so make sure to get out and vote for the candidate that best represents your interests and values! Check out the link for more information!
24—28: Japanese Problem
It was 1942 when over 24,000 Japanese Canadians were forcibly removed from their homes. More than 8,000 of them were moved into the barns at Hastings Park, with women and children housed in animal stalls. Now, a recreated stall becomes a powerfully immersive space where their stories are brought to life. The first stop on a national tour, Japanese Problem invites Toronto audiences to experience a painful and horrific time in Canadian history in order to better understand how it is being echoed today.
This list was compiled by Aliya Ghare