
Celebrating the People of Chinatown-its not just a place

Celebrating the People of Chinatown-its not just a place
Chinatowns have long stood as vital cultural bastions for Chinese Canadians, offering a refuge from societal challenges and discrimination. Established by early immigrants who fled famine, Opium wars and a need to support families many fled to the New World in search of "Gold Mountain" during the Gold Rush 19th century.
These communities became essential for maintaining cultural practices and familial connections, particularly during the restrictive years of the Exclusion Act. Canada's Exclusion Act 1923 -1947 barred anyone from Asian decent mainly as a way to stem Chinese immigration. Families were separated, so Chinatowns were places of home.
Each Chinatown tells a unique story of survival and cohesion, where shared experiences fostered a strong sense of identity.
To honour Chinatowns as "a place of home & identity" for the past, present and going forward. Stories of the people who created the place who have passed and some still present. Not the usual suspects you hear of all the time, but ordinary people who led lives that shaped the place we call home.
Curated by Carol Mark, artist, photographer, filmmaker who grew up in the Ward, the first Chinatown in Toronto, moved to Riverdale the Broadview-Gerrard Chinatown and now settled into the recent discovered early sister Chinatown, Wilkie Block 1912.
Artists from the past who have been lost to time to the present to include Dale Cheung, Eric Fong, Carol Mark, Noelle Mok, Alex Hall, Jenny Zhang
Shared memories past and present.
Art sold, percentage of sales donated to Mon Sheong Nursing Home for Asian Seniors.
STAY TUNED RSVP OPENING TICKETS to include Chinese Takeout Restaurant Lunch Veg /Meat options and Pearl River Tea
TICKETS WILL BE RELEASED WEEKLY
PART OF EXHIBIT WILL CONTINUE INTO NUIT BLANCHE OCT 3rd ACKNOWLEDGING THE SECOND CHINATOWN ON THE WILKIE BLOCK ON QUEEN ST E 1912
Invited artists as well as artifacts, books, artists talks, artists screenings, yum cha paired with ....... will be featured.
Culture Days-Two special Events with artists Eric Fong and Jenny Zhang including Pearl River Delta Tea and snacks.
Lion Dance by Eric Fong
SUN AUG 27th 2-5 PM Chinese Canadian filmmaker Keith Lock recounts how his mother married his father in Australia, while he was training with other Chinese Canadian volunteers for the top secret suicide mission, Operation Oblivion. The story is set during WW2 when Chinese Canadians could not vote, swim in pools, or hire white women for their businesses.
SPECIAL SCREENING, Q + A, BAOS and Pearl River Green Tea
EARLY BIRD PRICE
100% TICKET SALES TO KICKSTART SPECIAL PROJECT FOLLOW UP TO DOC
Selected Independent Project Oct 3, 2026
ONE NIGHT ONLY 7 PM to 7 AM
Experience the awe of contemporary art-Stay tuned for list of participating artists



COME SIT AT MY TABLE is an open invitation of friendship. By inviting people to sit at your table, they learn about your culture, and you about theirs. “By breaking bread together” all cultures signify an open extension of being accepted and welcomed. Toronto has a history of immigration that shares its culture through food. My process w
COME SIT AT MY TABLE is an open invitation of friendship. By inviting people to sit at your table, they learn about your culture, and you about theirs. “By breaking bread together” all cultures signify an open extension of being accepted and welcomed. Toronto has a history of immigration that shares its culture through food. My process was initiated with memories and oral stories dating back to my great-grandfather and grandfather who fled China due to famine and political unrest to seek fortunes and to send money back home, much like today’s political immigration stories.
We shared food as an extended family growing up in my grandfather’s rooming house populated by single men stranded in Canada, due to Canada’s Exclusion Act barring Chinese immigration and permanently separating families.
Our food history is shaped by immigration and even more so in the present with over 140 languages being spoken in Toronto.
Food is a common factor that makes each culture unique and binds us together with one- tool for dialogue and meeting place.
Food is central to the sharing of culture and a way to communicate acceptance.
"If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart." -Cesar Chavez

COME SIT AT MY TABLE is an invitation of friendship to people who may be very different than you are. By sitting together over food- It Signifies an open extension of being accepted and welcomed. Toronto has a history of immigration that shares its cultures through food.
COMING SOON
Mad Men & Mocktail Martinis & Hors d'oeuvres
listen -ming
COME SIT AT MY TABLE is an invitation of friendship to people who may be very different than you are. By sitting together over food- It Signifies an open extension of being accepted and welcomed. Toronto has a history of immigration that shares its cultures through food.
COMING SOON
Mad Men & Mocktail Martinis & Hors d'oeuvres
listen -mingle to tales Mad Men Ad Executive Brian Hawkins sharing his wit of ad executive in the heyday 60's and 70's.
Entry non perishable item- food bank donation.
Ongoing pop up Tea, Cake & The Art of Conversation posted on eventbrite
STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES

Taking time to gather with people who love books, share in community & connect over a great cup of coffee. tea and a cookie/treat.
Located in a cozy lower space of an art gallery downtown, book lovers come together to share, connect and catch up on their reading. An hour of sharing ,followed by one hour of silent reading, then socialization.

WE ARE CELEBRATING SUMMER WITH FRESH GARDEN STRAWBERRY CAKE
Specialty coffee/tea
Tea sponsored by the love of tea.
Please note no outside drinks other than water.
Socialize, an hour of Silent Reading, Reconnect
Opportunity at end of group to participate in optional free card making workshop.
TIME TO CONNECT & RECONNECT
NO SOLICITATING

The creator and founder @delightfullyflawed retro funny cards. All supplies provided, connect over cake and coffee.

MET RADIO
https://soundcloud.com/scopeatryerson/interview-john-willis-photographer
John Willis is a photographer whose personal work and teaching typically fall within the social documentary genre, engaging the communities he works within. He considers volunteer and service community engagement work an essential part of his life. Willis is the recipient of a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship 2010 and an Open Society Institute Community Engagement Grant, among other awards

MET RADIO
https://soundcloud.com/scopeatryerson/interview-flux-trans-youth-art-show
PRIDE MONTH 2023-183 GALLERY, our gallery “flux: showcasing youth trans narratives'' stands as a beacon of celebration, empowerment and awareness for trans youth. This exhibition encompasses a vast spectrum of experiences, exhibiting our beautiful existences though the transformation of our experiences into art. Visibility is a catalyst for change and empowerment. Each artwork becomes a powerful testament to our collective resilience, highlighting the strength and beauty that resides in every trans individual. Our exhibition recognizes the richness of trans culture, its histories, traditions, contemporary expressions and the importance of creating spaces in art for the next generation of trans youth, especially when our existences have always been in a constant state of political flux.

Kejo Buchanan, guide of Jali Journey in conversation with Carol Mark, an Asian Canadian curator, former psychiatric nurse, realtor and founder of Amazing Moss Park Art Collective based in Toronto. Carol is a cancer survivor that creates and curates art as well as leads efforts for tangible social change through support for fellow survivors, humanitarian aid, and featuring independent artists at 183 Gallery. Take a moment to engage in the landscape of the Artivist through her experiences and ideas on arts, culture, healing and building inclusive community spaces.

Daniel Lew interviewed by Kejo Buchanan, MET RADIO.
Daniel Lew is a Chinese-Canadian folk-pop artist with a mission to uplift the world. 10 years ago, he suddenly went deaf in his left ear and developed tinnitus. This trauma caused him to devote his life to music.
Everyday he sings soulfully as if it's the last time. His songs have been called a self-help book due to their introspective nature. He has self-produced 4 albums, and has over 300 performances under his belt, including Jade Music Festival, TAIWANfest, and Vancouver Mural Fest.
Recently, Daniel received praise from both Jacob Collier and Ed Sheeran while he was busking. Ed invited him backstage to his show where he had the opportunity to play a song and share insights about their music journeys. In June 2023, he released his summer anthem “Alive (The Ocean Song)”. Produced by Braeden “Pockets” Rangno (Kimmortal), and featuring synth bass from Grammy Award winning producer/artist Pomo (Jon Batiste, Anderson .Paak, Mac Miller).
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
