Culture Days underway across Aurora

September 30, 2021 · 0 Comments

A month-long celebration of local arts and culture is now underway.

Culture Days 2021 kicked off Saturday morning at Town Park with celebrations running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Helping to get the extended celebration started were Njacko Backo and Kalimbas at Work, a performance from Marquee Theatrical Productions, Juno-nominated drummer and recording artist Sara Thawer, and Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer KH Kanna.

“Culture is meant to be a focus within the community and this Culture Days specifically is a nationally-recognized period of time,” says Robin McDougall, Aurora’s Director of Community Services. “Through that, we recognize and honour our local arts and culture groups and, in doing so, have partnered with some of them to bring to the community [virtual and in-person] initiatives and we’re quite excited about the elements they have put together.

“Our feel is the arts and culture community has been one of the hardest-hit through COVID and this is an opportunity to celebrate them as they start to re-open and engage with the community. Arts and culture is a huge part of the lifestyle and interest of a community. It brings people out, it shows what kind of versatility we have, the kind of cultures and ethnicities [are part of the community].”

Celebrations continue this week with An Evening with Anna Yin on Thursday, September 30, hosted by the Aurora Public Library, bringing together Ms. Yin, Mississauga’s first Poet Laureate, with journalist Yafang Shi in a conversation held virtually in both English and Mandarin.

This Saturday, October 2, Culture Days returns to Town Park where the Pine Tree Potters’ Guild will host a free hands-on Raku pottery event, where participants will be able to choose a prepared tealight holder, glaze it, and watch the potters fire it right there for you to take home.

This demonstration will take place between 12 noon and 3 p.m.

On Thursday, October 2, The Aurora Museum & Archives will host a virtual installment in their “How To Care For” series.

“Proper care and maintenance of heirlooms in your personal collection will ensure that they stay safe for future generations,” says the Museum. “Show and brag about your favourite family items while learning the simple tips and tricks to preserve them at home.”

This event, which will be held over Zoom, will be admission by donation.

One Book One Aurora, a yearly project by the Aurora Public Library to get all of Aurora reading from the same page, will also culminate during Culture Days.

On October 23 at 2 p.m., Drew Hayden Taylor, author of this year’s selection, Chasing Painted Horses, will hold a virtual author talk.

“This is a celebration of the diversity Aurora has to bring to the community,” says Ms. McDougall. “We encourage the community to come out, celebrate with the local organizations, find out what they have to offer, and just simply enjoy time with their family and friends in a social setting or online.”

Cultural Partners this year include the Aurora Black Community Association, Aurora Cultural Centre, Aurora Farmers’ Market, Aurora Film Circuit, Aurora Historical Society, Aurora Museum & Archives, Aurora Public Library, Aurora Seniors’ Association, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, Marquee Theatrical Productions, Music Aurora, the Pine Tree Potters’ Guild, SOYRA (Society of York Region Artists), Theatre Aurora, and the York Region Arts Council.

For a complete and growing list of Culture Days activities, including how to register, visit aurora.ca/culturedays.

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter