The beat goes on during Culture Days, Sept. 28 to 30, in York Region

Interactive activities and events in Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville

Yorkregion.com
September 24, 2018
Amanda Persico

Groove to the beat during this year’s Culture Days.

Each year during the last weekend in September, thousands of events across the country are earmarked as part of the Culture Days program.

The collection of free, hands-on and interactive activities and events are designed to drum up support and public participation in the arts in all communities across Canada.

Last year, more than 6,200 events took place across Canada in more than 780 cities, hamlets and towns.

This year’s theme is OnBeat, a collection of drumming and rhythm-inspired events.

Drumming is: universal, most cultures in the world have a form of percussion music; varied, with thousands of rhythms, patterns and beats to explore; and is powerful, as a beat of a drum excites the heartbeat, moves feet and gets people dancing.

There are a number of OnBeat events taking place in York Region, from beat boxing, turning everyday items into musical instruments with Makey Makey technology and participating in a musical petting zoo.

For more information visit culturedays.ca.

Here is a list of events taking place across York Region.

Aurora:

• Aurora Town Park -- Sept. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Event: Aurora Farmers Market and Artisans Fair presents Soupfest, featuring local chefs using market fresh ingredients.

• Hillary House -- Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Event: Heritage Fun Fair, historic games and crafts, historic Aurora walking tour and free Hillary House tours.

• Aurora Cultural Centre  -- Sept. 29, 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Events: Heritage Fun Fair, interactive global beats presentation, drum circle, Middle Eastern folk dancing, and writing and drawing workshops.

Markham:

• Winged Canvas Gallery -- Sept. 29, 7 to 10 p.m.

Event: Opening night of the Pop Culture and Zine Show, featuring everything pop culture, cosplay and anime, and live entertainment.

• Markham Village Library -- Sept. 29, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Event: PechaKucha Night Vol. 20, present and share your idea in 20 slides, 20 seconds each, live music.

• Varley Art Gallery -- Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Sept. 30, noon to 1:30 p.m.

Events: Unionville walking tours and guided gallery tours.

• McKay Art Centre -- Sept. 28 to 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Events: Create a 3D sculpture using a 3D printer guided by professional artist.

Newmarket:

• Elman W. Campbell Museum -- Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events: Exhibit: Warmth though the generations; displaying vintage, locally-made quilts, history hunt and artifact sketching.

• Newmarket Public Library -- Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Events: Beat boxing, learn how to play a new instrument, create music with Makey Makey technology, 3D print your own guitar pick and join an interactive karaoke.

• Old Town Hall -- Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Events: Writers open mic, perpetual public story board, York Chamber Ensemble performance, intro to poem and songwriting, self-publishing and writing dialogue workshops, drum circle and newspaper poetry.

Richmond Hill:

• Richmond Hill Central Library -- Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sept. 30, noon to 5 p.m.

Events: Build your own kaleidoscope, explore the outdoor kaleidoscope constructed by blacksmith artist Aimie Botelho; performance by Richmond Hill Centennial Pipe Band; demonstrations by and conversations with local artists; fall walking tours; play, compose and conduct with interactive petting zoo; hiking tours; and unravel musical mysteries with Sherlock Tones musical guessing game.

• Burr House Artisan Gallery -- Sept. 30, noon to 4:30 p.m

Events: Explore art, history and music, heritage tea, performance by the Richmond Hill Concert Band, and spinning, weaving and pottery demonstrations.

• The Mill Pond Gallery -- Sept. 29 and 30, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Events: Explore a variety of original artwork in many media and styles, ongoing artist demonstrations and art installation silent auction.

• Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts -- Sept. 30, 1 to 4 p.m.

Events: Open house, live musical entertainment in the outdoor plaza, children’s activities and tours of the venue.

• Boynton House and Richmond Green -- Sept. 28, noon to 5 p.m.

Events: Official opening of Boynton House, master artist demonstrations, plein air painting and live music.

• Richmond Hill Heritage Centre -- Sept. 29, noon to 3 p.m.

Events: Full-service tea, including dainty sandwiches, tasty treats, scones, preserves all served with a private blend of tea.

Vaughan:

• Blue Veil Sara Elizabeth Centre -- Sept. 29 and 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events: Drumming circles, painting workshops and We Are City of Vaughan -- Community of Light art collection.

• Victoria International Ballet -- Sept. 28, 5 to 7 p.m.; Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to noon; Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to noon.

Events: Free ballet assessment and classes for all ages.

• Magnotta Winery, Brewery and Distillery -- Sept. 29, 2 to 3 p.m.

Events: Interactive winemaking tour using state-of-the-art equipment.

• Vellore Town Hall -- Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events: Morning or afternoon yoga and guided mediation sessions.

• Facade Academy of the Arts -- Sept. 29, noon to 5 p.m.

Events: View an art class in progress and art workshops.

• McMichael Canadian Art Collection -- Sept. 28 and 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events: Artwork by Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven; explore the artists cemetery, sculpture garden and hiking trails; and singing and storytelling performance by professional flutist Stephanie Superle.

• Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre -- Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events: Thinkin ED hosts Figura, learn about shapes and innovative ideas.

• Trio Sportsplex -- Sept. 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events: Learn about healthy living and wellness; and yoga, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being workshops.

• Dufferin Clark Community Centre -- Sept. 29, noon to 4 p.m.

Events: Watch an animated monologue reading by award-winning poet Nadine Williams.

• Off-leash Dog Park, Concord/Thornhill Regional Park -- Sept. 30, noon to 4 p.m.

Events: Woolf-A-Palooza, pet exhibitors, treats and pup culture.

• JEH Thoreau MacDonald House -- Sept. 28 to 29, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Events: Unique collective art experience featuring local artists; open mic poetry sessions; dance and creative workshops; and art gallery exhibit.

Whitchurch-Stouffville:

• Latcham Art Centre -- Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Event: Artist exhibition, watch artist Diana Bullock create art and ask questions during the process.

• Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum and Community Centre -- Sept. 28, 5 to 9 p.m.

Events: Night at the Museum, historic walking tours, 3D pen workshops, history demonstrations, coffee sampling, and arts and crafts.