UrbanArts – WestonWeb.ca

UrbanArts virtual show this Thursday

UrbanArts and Artscape Weston Common have been hosting “Run It Black” for the past few weeks, and this Thursday will be their third (of six) live showcases.

You can tune in at 6:00 on Facebook Live to see Mighloe, a Toronto R&B artist perform.

UrbanArts says the series came about to respond to current events:

In response to anti-Black racism, Artscape Weston Common, in partnership with programming partner, UrbanArts, and non-profit organization, MANIFESTO, has launched the ‘Run It Black’ live showcase series to amplify voices of young black artists, celebrate the rich diverse culture in Weston and Greater Toronto Area, and provide paid and safe performance opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UrbanArts is online and fundraising

UrbanArts has taken to Zoom with a gusto. Weston’s finest arts organization now offers 1o programs online. And if the video below is anything to go by, the production quality is a whole lot higher than I’m getting from my pre-coffee 320×160 nose cam.

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UrbanArts is proud to introduce Art From Home with Star! Join artist and arts facilitator Star Nahwegahbo as she teaches you fun and simple arts activities that you can do at home with everyday items!. In the first video, Star teaches you how to make mushrooms out of DIY air dry clay. Save the mushroom you make as part of East End Arts’ Toronto Mycelial Network, which they invite artists and makers to spend this time making any interpretation of a 3-dimensional mushroom that can fit on a 2”x2” square. #InvisibleNetworkTO #UAFromHome @starnahwegahbo @eastendartsto
A post shared by UrbanArts (@urbanartsto) on Apr 17, 2020 at 12:20pm PDT

Good content can’t be cheap, and their biggest fundraiser of the year was cancelled. UrbanArts says, that as a result, “we need to raise $10,000 by May 30^thto ensure that our programs continue to meet the needs of our community once we return to normal activities.”

You can donate online through CanadaHelps.

UrbanArts update

UrbanArts has started posting online programming until we’re all ready to get back to work. Some of the programming has included:

New arts activities are posted every day on their Facebook page.

What’s open? What’s not?

Much of Weston—and the city—is shutting down to flatten the curve. Here’s a partial list. Please help if you can by leaving a comment below. I’ll update as possible.

Closed or cancelled

Weston, Mount Dennis (and all other) library branches
York Recreation Centre
Shakespeare in Action
Mount Dennis’ Climate Action Summit
UrbanArts
Licensed daycares and schools
All city-run March Break camps
Frontlines March Break camp, as of Tuesday
Goodlife
Our MP’s constituency office

Open

Weston King Neighbourhood Centre
Most small business, including Black Cat, P&M’s, and supercoffee, which are doing a bang-up job.

Black Cat, Weston’s finest café, has an offer for you if you’re having a hard time getting to the store. Justin says that if you can’t make it to the grocery, he can order in baked goods, eggs, and milk for you. Justin, you’re a hell of a guy.

P&M’s is offering to order meat, sauce, and seafood, if you’re in a tight spot. I love you guys!

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Weston: I know it’s damn hard to go to the stores these days.. and not trying to capitalize on that, just trying to help; if anyone needs some bread you can individually direct message me and I will organize a day or days that I can order in what bread you want so you don’t have to line up for bread at the store.. also I can do the same for milk and eggs.. my suppliers will have it covered and deliver. If anyone wants to arrange this send me the messages with the quantities and I will get it
A post shared by Black Cat Espresso Bar (@blackcatespressobar) on Mar 14, 2020 at 5:56pm PDT

UrbanArts announces new programming

UrbanArts announced its programming for 2020, and they’ve introduced a new program: Urban Threads, a fashion program that promises to teach young people how to upcycle clothing, design and sew.

There will also be after school programming, a dance program, a culinary program, and a digital arts program.

Upcoming events

There’s no excuses for boredom over the next couple of weeks. A ton of things are going on!

The Community Place Hub will be hosting its Fall Festival on September 13 from 3 to 7 pm.

Colin Mendez Morris will be performing “Joshua Glover: The Opera” in Little Avenue Park. The opera tells the story of Glover, a slave who was freed, recaptured, and imprisoned before coming to Etobicoke. It is part of the Arts in the Parks Series.