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By Kateryna Barnes
Bollywood dancing, a Caribbean breakfast, ghost tours, a discussion on hip-hop and a powwow are all part of a weekend-long series of events at Humber Lakeshore and the Mimico area called Culture Days.
Culture Days began as a collaboration between Humber College and Lakeshore Arts, a not-for-profit organization that promotes art and culture in Mimico.
Susan Nagy, the Executive Director at Lakeshore Arts, says the main goal of the event is to provide free and interactive cultural events for the community.
“Not only do you get to know the artists in your community, but you get to try new disciplines or learn a new skill you may have been curious about, but you never had the opportunity to learn,” said Nagy.
Aboriginal Celebration
One of the big events that Humber is hosting is the Aboriginal Celebration. The event is being planned by the college’s Aboriginal Resource Centre and Assembly Hall Toronto Cultural Services.
It is a traditional powwow celebration and it includes singing, dancing and drumming, as well as a dreamcatcher-making workshop where participants can make, and take home, their own, said Jessica Medeiros, coordinator with Humber College’s Aboriginal Resource Centre.
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She said was happy to see how well the event is coming together and the potential it has for connecting with the community.
“It will showcase the vibrant culture of Canada’s indigenous people,” said Medeiros. “The participants can really get involved and take away a positive and fun experience.”
Medeiros said the event taking place outside allows for more participant interaction and shows the celebration in a natural environment.
‘Damn exciting’
Tom Haxell, a Humber intern coordinating the events, said he’s excited for the upcoming events, but he’s also proud of how well the weekend is coming together.
“I think this collaboration is a testament when two different organizations team up in a joint venture and using each other’s strengths,” said Haxell.
Nagy echoes Haxell’s comments, but takes her excitement a bit further.
“It’s pretty damn exciting,” said Nagy. “When I talk about it, I get really excited because I think the community has embraced us.”