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​Many Threads, One Cloth - St. James Cathedral Hosts African Fashion Show
St. James Cathedral announces an extraordinary event about African fashion, culture and history entitled “Many Threads, One Cloth”, October 27 - 29 at the St. James Cathedral Center (65 Church St.).

Developed with the contribution and advice of African parishioners and community groups in addition to fashion factulties at local institutions - George Brown College and Toronto Metropolitan University, this unique show and celebration is a wonderful addition to our St. Lawrence neighbourhood fall roster of events. For more details and tickets information visit:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/african-fashion-exhibit-toronto-many-threads-one-cloth-tickets-645524088927

A MESSAGE FROM OUR WARD 13 COUNCILLOR CHRIS MOISE:


Our first Neighbourhood Town Hall will take place on September 25.

This is an excellent opportunity for residents to speak directly with me and the Ward 13 team and city staff. At this session you’ll learn about the work we are doing. We are here to listen and understand your needs. We are also here to answer questions and help.

Doors open on September 25th at 5:30pm and the Town Hall will kick off at 6:00pm. We will provide a brief overview of the work at City Hall and in the community before dedicating most of our time to open questions and answers.

Location and Timing Details

St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre
Monday, September 25
6:00pm - 8:00pm

WHEN | Saturday, September 23 | Doors open at 7pm
WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade
All Ages | Free
RSVP at www.jamii.ca/register 

St Lawrence Neighbourhood's local arts organization Jamii is opening its doors for everyone in the St Lawrence Neighbourhood for a community party!

Join Jamii on September 23rd for good music, plenty of room to dance, yummy food, and even a fun raffle to win a bike when you purchase a raffle ticket!

The event is free of charge and RSVP is recommended through www.jamii.ca/register

​The next St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Community Meeting will be Wednesday, September 27th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The Agenda for that meeting will include a presentation from Waterfront Toronto regarding the new community Quayside, please see the following message regarding this presentation.

QUAYSIDE PRESENTATION INVITATION

Members of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association (SLNA) and other residents in the area are invited to learn more about the Quayside Impact Limited Partnership (QILP) development plans at the upcoming SLNA Community Meeting scheduled for September 27th, 2023 at 7:00pm.

This session will include a presentation about planning application details such as programming/land use, density, massing, site plan design and landscape as well as an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.

Developers Dream and Great Gulf, known together as Quayside Impact, are working with Waterfront Toronto, the City of Toronto and some of the world’s leading architects and designers to build a sustainable community known as Quayside.  

Quayside is a 4.9-hectare (12-acres) area at Parliament Street and Lake Shore Boulevard East, about the size of six soccer fields. Quayside will include space for residential, retail, entertainment, community care, cultural, and office uses. This will be a complete community where residents can live, work, and play.

Please note that based on the volume of questions we receive we may not be able to address every question during the meeting, but we will include all questions/comments received as a part of a ‘what we heard’ summary report. Please visit https://quaysideto.ca/ to learn more about Quayside and the project team.

Click HERE to connect to our meeting on September 27th at 7 p.m.​

​The City is reviewing the successes and challenges of implementing the Noise Bylaw , which was amended in 2019. Get involved in six virtual and in-person public consultations from September 12 to 21 and subscribe below to receive key updates on this review.

Public ConsultationsYou can provide feedback on the bylaw and your experience with the implementation at six virtual and in-person public consultations, each focused on a particular type of noise in the bylaw and facilitated by a public consultation firm. You are welcome to attend multiple consultations and registration is available online . Note that there will be two identical meetings held for General Noise and Amplified Sound, one virtual and another in-person.

General Noise (for example: unreasonable and persistent noise, power device noise and noise from waste collection)

• In-person meeting: Tuesday, September 12 at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 308/309 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register online .
• Virtual meeting: Tuesday, September 19 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register and attend online .
  
  

Amplified Sound (for example, music from bars)

• Virtual meeting: Wednesday, September 13 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register and attend online .
• In-person meeting: Thursday, September 21 at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 308/309 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register online .
  
  

Motor Vehicle Noise

• Virtual meeting: Monday, September 18 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register and attend online .\
  

Construction Noise (for example: condo developments and residential infill)

• Virtual meeting: Wednesday, September 20 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.). Register and attend online .
• Please note that the meeting on construction noise is now a virtual meeting to increase consultation opportunities on this topic City-wide.

The locations for all in-person consultations are fully accessible. Assistive listening devices, materials in large-print and alternative formats, ASL interpreters, and other accommodations will be made available upon request. Please email mlsfeedback@toronto.ca at least 72 hours in advance to help ensure availability. The City of Toronto is committed to building an inclusive society and ensuring compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Email SubmissionsYou can also submit your feedback by emailing mlsfeedback@toronto.ca. The deadline to submit feedback is October 15, 2023.

The feedback from the public consultations will be used to recommend refinements to the Noise Bylaw in a staff report expected at the Economic Community and Development Committee in November 2023.

The City has also procured an independent acoustical engineering firm to provide a technical review of the bylaw and a firm to conduct broad public opinion research.

Soulpepper Theatre, is a local nonprofit, artist-driven theatre operating out of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District.

Soulpepper Theatre has extended an offer to St. Lawrence Neighbourhood residents for a discount on Soulpepper’s upcoming production of King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild, running July 25 to August 6 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.  

King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild is a hybrid theater-music production featuring Ahmed Moneka and Jesse LaVercombe alongside celebrated Arabic-maqam fusion band, Moneka Arabic Jazz. A present-day story of friendship interweaves with the ancient Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, and along the way traces Ahmed’s real-life journey from exiled Iraqi actor to acclaimed musician in Canada. Featuring themes of art, ambition, sex, and mortality, this two-man epic spans centuries, cultures, and continents in a moving, funny, tragic, and ultimately celebratory performance. 

Below is a link with the 15% discount code embedded, otherwise you can use the code 23KING15 to purchase. https://tickets.youngcentre.ca/overview/13548?promo=23KING15
Thank you Soulpepper Theatre Company!

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The next Community Meeting for the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association will take place on July 26th at 7 p.m. The meeting will be hosted virtually on Zoom and all are invited to attend (see connection link below).

Agenda

• Land Acknowledgements
  
• SLNA Board Community Announcements
  
• Walk Roll Map Presentation
  
• Market Gallery Presentation
  
• Councillor Malik Updates
  
• Councillor Moise Updates
  
• JFL Presentation
  

To connect to this meeting on July 26th at 7 p.m. please use the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81552826953?pwd=Tm0wdU0wU2QyaXZPaXJzNUxFRHovZz09

THE WAYO CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL IS BACK!
August 9 - 13
FREE | 2 to 12 year-olds | Registration required


Embark on a captivating journey through a parkour of artistic presentations at the 4th Annual WAYO Children's Festival! Produced and hosted by local arts organization Jamii, this Festival will feature popular artists Edz Giamfi, Yvonne Ng, and Sue Croweagle, among others.

Young adventurers and their parents are invited to explore the 5 elements: water, fire, earth, air and…?

At every turn, those attending the unique Wayo Festival parkour will be met with mesmerizing dance and musical performances located throughout our glorious local Berkeley Castle and the Canadian Stage Theatre.

Each show is 60 minutes in duration with start times of: 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Space is limited so register early.


WHEN | Wednesday August 9 to Sunday August 13 at 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm, 6:30pm
WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade
REGISTRATION | www.jamii.ca/register

LEARN HOW TO BELLY DANCE AT THE JAMII HUB!
Free | All Ages | Registration required | No experience needed!
 
Our local arts organization, Jamii is inviting residents to participate in an exhilarating weekend of belly dancing that will include a series of three workshops led by artist Roula Said.
 
Designed for women, this immersive experience invites participants to enjoy the art of belly dancing and build on their skills over a three-day period. Space is limited so register early!
 
These workshops are offered at NO COST but registration is required.

WHEN | Friday, Saturday, Sunday on July 7, 8 and 9 at 7pm to 8:30pm
WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade
REGISTRATION | www.jamii.ca/register

​July 1st Festival in St. James Park to Include Musicians, Storytellers, Heritage Tours


TORONTO—June 24, 2023—The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood takes seriously its role as the neighbourhood where Toronto officially began (as the Town of York) and will be honouring the area’s Indigenous and multicultural history during the annual Canada Day Festival on July 1st , from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. in St. James Park (120 King St. E.).
 
“The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood is one of Toronto’s most culturally diverse communities and is home to some of the most iconic locations in the city. From the historic St. Lawrence Market and St. Lawrence Hall, to one of the world’s leading examples of livable and accessible urban communities along The Esplanade, to Canada’s First Parliament – this is the corner of Toronto steeped in history and popular with everyone. On July 1st – Canada Day - we will celebrate our welcoming community with a wonderful presentation of music, dance and special guests. We invite the media and fans of this great neighbourhood to join us,” said SLNA President, Stewart Linton.

Special Guests
The area’s political representatives will be present to bring greetings and the Land Acknowledgement. Our special guests include: Ward 13 Councillor Chris Moise, Ward 10 Councillor Ausma Malik, Spadina-Fort York MP Chris Glover, Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, Toronto Centre MP Marci Ien and Spadina-Fort York MP Kevin Vuong.

Music and Storytelling at the Michael Comstock Pavilion in St. James Park
In addition to face painting and hula hooping for the young and young at heart, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association has put together an engaging lineup of entertainers for the July 1st celebration:

• Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance
• Jim Adams – Indigenous Storyteller
• Alana & Leigh Cline – Celtic Fiddling
• Gloria Gift Nankunda – Ugandan Singer
• Sue and Dwight Folk Singers
• Adam Bunch – Heritage Talk and Walk
• Alan Cohen Jazz Trio featuring Tracey Gallant with special guest Ted Quinlan
• Ilsaiah Cade & Family – Indigenous Dance

We are grateful for the kind support of this event provided by: Heritage Canada/Patrimoine canadien, The Friends of St. James Park, Toronto’s First Post Office, St. Lawrence Market BIA, Berkeley Castle and BMO. A special note of thanks is extended to the many volunteers who have helped to put this event together. 

As announced earlier and in celebration of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association's 40th Anniversary, the Association has partnered with our local arts organization Jamii for the creation of a special Indigenous mural by artist Darwin Peters. This mural will honour the Indigenous heritage of this land and the sense of community and cultural diversity that the St. Lawrence neighbourhood is so well known for today.

The location of the mural is the exterior wall of the St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre (230 The Esplanade).

If you’ve walked down The Esplanade recently you may have seen the beautiful images emerging as Darwin and supporting artists complete the enormous task of painting the mural.

All are invited to attend the mural unveiling ceremony that will be part of the annual Jamii National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations.

When: Wednesday, June 21st at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Processional event starts at The Esplanade and Princess St.

This event is a great opportunity to celebrate the work of Indigenous artists and deepen your knowledge of Indigenous people and their culture. 

• Hosted by Jim Adams
• ​Singing and Drumming by Circle of Cedar Singers
• Unveiling of a Photo Exhibition by Morningstar Quill (from Pikangikum First Nation)
• Unveiling of The Esplanade’s New Mural on the exterior wall of the St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre by artist Darwin Peters (from Pikangikum First Nations)
• National Indigenous food by Tea-N-Bannock Restaurant

​We would like to thank all sponsors who made this mural possible: Emblem Developments, and St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA, with support from Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Toronto Arts Council, RBC Foundation Group, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming.

On June 8th, 7:30pm, at the Jamii Hub (264 The Esplanade), join your neighbours for a conversation with Indigenous artist Jim Adams to learn more about Indigenous cultures and practices. A highly acclaimed Storyteller, Jim Adams is a multidisciplinary artist and educator who has worked as an indigenous educator in schools and institutions for over ten years.

Jim’s mother was a first generation Canadian of British parents and he carries the DNA of the Swampy Cree and Innu from his paternal grandmother and the Mohawk from his paternal grandfather. This mix of nationalities gives Jim a great array of cultural connections to draw upon as he engages audiences.

Limited Spots - Register Now!



ULI Toronto Hosts Mayoral Debate on ​Housing Affordability


From Urban Land Institute Toronto

Anybody Home: How to solve Toronto’s housing crisis?
Virtual Registration Open
 
Housing Affordability: No issue will define the next mayoralty more than the deepening challenge of housing affordability. From attainable market ownership and rental to affordable housing and basic human shelter, the role of the next Mayor of Toronto will play a pivotal role in aligning the city’s resources and programs with allies across the region, the Provincial and Federal governments. 

This program is brought to you by the University of Toronto's School of Cities, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Toronto, and the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) for a focused debate on Toronto housing affordability future.

​Toronto Public Library - St. Lawrence Branch Update

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The next St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Community Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 31st at 7 p.m. via Zoom. All residents are invitied!

Meeting Agenda for the SLNA's May 31st Meeting: 

• Ward 10 Update: Councillor Ausma Malik
• Community Support Resources: Chance Cordon (PASAN)
• SLNA 40th Anniversary Community Collaboration Project: Suzanne Kavanagh, Isorine Marc 
• Jamii; 2022 - Year in Review: Isorine Marc
• St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA - Old Town Toronto Summer Update: Robyn Posner
• Community Updates

The link to join this meeting is below (and also on our website in the Calendar section - www.slna.ca ):
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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81552826953?pwd=Tm0wdU0wU2QyaXZPaXJzNUxFRHovZz09 



​Volunteers Needed for Canada Day Event

The best place to be on July 1st here in the St. Lawrence with your neighbours and family at the annual SLNA Canada Day event at St. James Park! Details on the timing and events are coming soon but right now we need VOLUNTEERS!

If you are a high school student and in need of volunteer hours to meet your graduation requirements, we could use your help with tasks related to set-up, take-down, clean-up and assistance with children's activities.

All interested volunteers are asked to send an email to: board@slna.ca - include in the subject line: "Canada Day Volunteer". 

Thank you!



Jamii's First Outdoor Event of the Season!

A DANCE PARTY IN OUR PARK!

WHEN | Friday to Sunday, May 26 to 28 at 7pm
WHERE| The Esplanade & Sherbourne

You are invited to enjoy "Svāhā!", a celebration of dance as a revitalizing ritual that brings us closer together. Created by award-winning Nova Bhattacharya, Svāhā! is an offering of movement, music, colours and sensations. It embodies the transformative power of dance, expressing the uniqueness of the individual and the value of community. Bringing together dancers from a varying dance forms and cultural backgrounds, Svāhā! asks, how can we be better together?
 
This dance performance includes a warm-up with the professional dancers, a performance by Nova Dance, and a cypher led by Mel Hart where you can all join in and dance with us. As a perk, our little ones will be treated to face painting with local artist Linda Epp.


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WOODSWORTH STREET SALE
When: Saturday June 3rd, 10am-1pm
Where: Wilton Street/Breezeway

Summer is almost here so is the street/yard sale season! If you are on the look out for unique second-hand finds, then Woodsworth's Social Committee has good news for you!

Mark your calendars now for the Woodsworth Street Sale on June 3rd between 10am to 1pm! This will be a great opportunity to meet new people while thrifting and finding great pieces for your home!

What you will find at this sale: kitchen appliances and other kitchen items, clothes for kids and adults, games, books, CD's, toys for kids and pets, furniture, accessories and much more!
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As part of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association's ongoing 40th Anniversary activities, we are pleased to be partnering with local arts organization Jamii to create a new landmark mural for our community that both local organizations hope will bring pride and joy to all residents of the neighbourhood.  

​This new landmark will be located on a site recently approved by the City of Toronto and that site is the unique exterior wall of the pool area at the St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre, 230 The Esplanade (beside Market Lane Public School).  Jamii has invited popular artist Darwin Peters to lead the creation of a distinctive mural on this exterior section of the Community Centre. 

​Darwin is an Indigenous artist from Pikangikum First Nation who visited our neighbourhood last September (see photo above). Darwin will be supported by local artists Kseniya Tsoy and Andrew Patterson, and will be assisted by local youth.
 
While Darwin is working on the mural design, the community is invited to contribute ideas and suggestions for the vision of this special mural for our neighbourhood. The general theme for this mural is MEDICINE (mashkiki).

This is a word that can bring to mind many different ideas, understandings and perspectives and we hope all members of the community will share their ideas on this theme with us.  Please send suggested colour palettes, ideas for elements to be included in the design, your own drawings, stories we can include in the design and anything else that comes to mind!

Your ideas and suggestions can be sent to Isorine Marc at isorine@jamii.ca before May 28th 2023. A design draft of the mural will be presented at the SLNA meeting on May 31st.

We hope to have many voices from our community reflected in this beautiful 40th Anniversary project that will be unveiled at 6 p.m. on June 21st. 

This project is supported by the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, Jamii, Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Rama Gaming House, City of Toronto and Emblem Developments.