canadiary Toronto

Staples Back-to-School Pro Lounge - Get ready to go back-to-school like a pro! Visit the Staples Pro Lounge to get an early look at the hottest trends of the season and tips on how to get organized, with contests, giveaways and more. July 21 & 22: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. July 23: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. July 24 & 25: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Located at 363 King Street West

Being in the Moment - We are thrilled to exhibit the artworks of Nooshfar Vassei at her solo exhibition "Being in the Moment". This collection captures on canvas the artist's experience of immigration and time. "Four years ago, after a life of painting and creating art for 30 years in Iran, I immigrated to Canada. Like all other immigrants, I went through a period of mental and emotional complexity for which not only my lifestyle was affected, but also my creativeness and artistic sense was temporarily silenced. Due to the overarching emotional complexities of migration, for a period of time, I felt especially paralyzed artistically. Thinking about the past, the life and art I had known for decades, and distressing about the unknown future felt debilitating. It was around this time period when a close and extremely wise friend advised me of the value of the “present time”. She encouraged me to paint without the boundaries of memories, expectations, or an outlook on life. This is when I discovered mindfulness in the realm of art and creativity. To paint from a live object or person required me to be wholly immersed in and focused on my subjects. It also taught me a new way of looking at ordinary objects around me. The magic of still life painting allows me to capture the object placed in front of me by strokes of paint, oil, pastel, or pencil, and create a life and soul within those strokes. Depending on the subject, arrangements, lighting, color, and paint, I try to depict a variety of emotions. At the same time, being in the moment helps me navigate the challenges of migration. My new series of artwork, portraits and still life depict my struggles with reminiscences of the past, and qualms of the future for which I now have found the perfect solution – to be in the moment." Nooshfar Vassei July 25th to August 5th Tuesday to Saturday 3:30pm to 7:30pm Opening reception: Saturday July 29th 4:30pm to 6:30pm FREE entrance. Queen Gallery. Queen Gallery

Photographic Experiences - A group exhibition featuring the photographic experiences of Taraneh Tabib-Azar, Leily Hafizirad & Dorna Mojab. Travel with them to extraordinary places through their photographic experiences. July 11th to July 22dn Tuesday to Saturday 3:30pm to 7:30pm Opening reception: Wednesday, July 12th, 2017, 7pm - 9pm FREE entrance. Queen Gallery. Queen Gallery

Solitude Book Launch - Solitude is an enigmatic and mystical brevity on love, hate, hope, and despair through one’s life—that is sometimes expressed in sarcastic form, with the bravery of attacking one’s own thoughts and actions. The author takes us on a journey through his feelings and emotions that oscillate between reality and dream. He laughs, screams, cries, protests, and loves without the fear of judgement, in hopes of finding the true self. Reading this book, you can find yourself in front of a mirror, looking into your own soul, connecting with each verse, hearing echoes of your being from the deepest of memories, nostalgias and dreams. Solitude is a man’s story of living his life without fear of revealing his vices or affirming his virtues. Born on February 7th, 1972, Reza Eslami is a Canadian-Iranian architect and poet who is a long-term resident of Toronto, Canada, having immigrated to the city in 1996. Since the age of 15, Reza has been actively engaged with drawing, photography and writing poetry. Alongside his poetry, a number of his photographs are featured in this book. Solitude Book Launch Saturday, June 24th at 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Queen Gallery, 382 Queen Street East, Toronto FREE entrance. Queen Gallery. 382 Queen Street East

Toronto Pizza Party Hosted by Pizza Pizza - Select Pizza Pizza locations in Toronto are getting ready to party! Each restaurant will host a free community pizza party on Saturday, June 24 to celebrate customers and mark the pizza chain’s 50th anniversary. This pizza party will have games, promotions and prizes for the entire family to enjoy, including: - Pepperoni and cheese pizza slices and fries for $0.99; onion rings for $0.50 - $5 gift cards to the first 50 people to arrive . . downtown

Staples Drone Event takes flight June 25 at Evergreen Brick Works - Considering purchasing a drone, but want to see one in action first? Recently purchased a drone and want to learn tips and tricks from the experts themselves? On June 25, Staples Canada brings together the hottest drone manufacturers for a free event where members of the public will have the opportunity to view live demonstrations, chat one-on-one with top drone experts and learn about the different models available on the market. Participants will even have the opportunity to take advantage of exclusive offers to go home with a drone of their own. Participating drone partners include DJI, Parrot, Propel, Yuneec, Altex UAV Technologies in conjunction with Humber College, Staples Tech Services, and more. WHERE: CRH Gallery at Evergreen Brick Works 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto M4W 3X8 WHEN: Sunday, June 25, 2017 Participants can choose from 1 of 6 sessions • 10 – 11 a.m. • 11 – Noon • 1 – 2 p.m. • 2 – 3 p.m. • 3 – 4 p.m. • 4 – 5 p.m. Admission is free, however guests must register in advance at: www.staples.ca/drone. Space is limited. 18+ . . 550 Bayview Avenue

Rabba Presents We Want Peace Concert Celebrating World Refugee Day - Fundraising concert spearheaded by former child soldier turned acclaimed recording artist Emmanuel Jal, who has brought together an outstanding lineup of guest artists including, Nelly Furtado, Faarrow, Love Peace & Harmony Ensemble and Vibe the Tribe. The night is set to celebrate World Refugee Day and the incredible talent and resilience in the hearts of refugees and immigrants. All ticket proceeds will be donated to partner charities which provide support and education to those displaced by war, conflict and poverty: Gua Africa, Love Peace Harmony Foundation and Matthew House Refugees Centre.. . downtown

Toronto Craft Beer Festival - Join us June Friday June 23 and Saturday June 24 to celebrate independent craft brewers at the second annual Toronto Craft Beer Festival. Enjoy a wide variety of finely made craft beers and ciders, along with delicious food, fun games and activities, and non-stop live music. New this year, the festival is moving to the beautiful West Island of Ontario Place. The Toronto Craft Beer Festival wants to help Second Harvest provide 10,000 healthy, fresh meals to those in need. Last year, a portion of ticket sales was used to donate $5,000 to Second Harvest. Help us beat that this year! Please note, this is a 19+ event. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit tcbf.ca. . .Ontario Place

Polar Pizza for the People - Baskin-Robbins Canada's first pop-up food truck is set to hit the streets of the GTA from May 19-21. The pop-up truck will be serving free slices of their famous Polar Pizza to celebrate National Pizza Party Day (May 19) and the Victoria Day long weekend. If you are interested in visiting us at one of our stops, grab your friends and family, and join in on the fun! The truck will stop at these following locations: Friday May 19, 2017 1pm – Kensington Market – 195 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON 2:45pm – Dundas Square – 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON 4:30pm – Yonge St and Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON 6:15pm – Trinity Bellwoods Park – 790 Queen St W, Toronto, ON 7:45pm – Liberty village – 30 Jefferson Ave, Toronto, ON Saturday May 20, 2017 1pm – Gore Park – 46 King Street West, Hamilton, ON 3:05pm – Burlington Waterfront – 1340 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON 5:15pm – Mississauga Celebration Square – 300 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON 7:00pm – Gage Park – 45 Main St S, Brampton, ON 8:30pm – Chinguagousy Park – 9050 Bramalea Rd, Brampton, ON Sunday May 21, 2017 4:00pm – Ashbridges Bay – 1561 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON 5:30pm – Kew Gardens (Beach Park) – 2075 Queen St E, Toronto, ON 7:15pm – Bay Ridges Kinsmen Park – 705 Sandy Beach Rd, Pickering, ON Note: These times are approximations and are subject to change. . Travon Smith. 195 Baldwin St