Afraspektion

Riverside is Toronto’s authentic urban neighbourhood. Spanning 10 vibrant tree-lined blocks along Toronto’s historic Queen St. East from the iconic DVP Bridge to just east of the world famous De Grassi Street, and south including Baseball Place Lane and East Don Roadway. Located between Corktown and Leslieville, Riverside is just 2.5 km from Toronto’s downtown core and accessible via streetcar, bike, car or by foot.Riverside is home to historic sites, over 4 acres of parkland, 2 community centres, public art installations, festivals, schools, The Broadview Hotel, The Opera House, plus over 130 eateries, boutiques and services including trendy restaurants featuring award-winning chefs, health & wellness experts, original fashion, and local artisan spaces. Come explore Riverside!

Riverside BIA, Toronto

Continue carnival fun at our family-friendly festival, Afraspektion in Riverside Common! Celebrate the Afrodiaspora's creativity together.

Riverside Common Park

This August 2024 marks the fourth year of celebrating Emancipation Month in Ontario. Oddside Arts and Riverside Business Improvement Area (BIA) invite everyone to continue the carnival weekend festivities at our family-friendly festival: Afraspektion.Mark your calendars for August 11th, 2pm - 7pm at Riverside Common Park (657 Queen E, just west of Queen/Broadview) in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. Join us for a memorable opening ceremony, followed by a day filled with festival fun and entertainment for all ages.FULL EVENT SCHEDULE:Everyone is welcome to enjoy, free to the public: 2 PM – The event kicks off with a warm welcome from Queen and Nico, the curators of Afraspektion. 2:05 PM - Attendees are invited to a special Opening Ceremony led by Nenookaasi, followed by Libations served by Chris Leonard. 2:35 PM - Everyone can enjoy the rhythmic tunes of Drumming with Emilie Jabouin. 3:25 PM – Families are welcome to bring the kids and enjoy the mesmerizing Moko Jumbie Stilt Walkers. 3:50 PM - Attendees can join in a friendly competition of Superhero Trivia with cosplayers TrinidadianSuga, WonderWoman905, and CosplayQ. 5:00 PM – Those interested can participate in a Live Cooking Demonstration with Chef Lee and get their chef apron on. 5:50 PM – Enjoy a lively House of Imperium Ballroom Performance. Get ready for an eventful Sunday at Afraspektion with loads of free entertainment, giveaways and activities for everyone! Don't miss out on this incredible experience—come join the fun and see it for yourself.More About Afraspektion:August 1, 2021, was the first time that Canada officially (according to Parliamentary Motion) recognized Emancipation Day, when the Slavery Abolition Act was enacted in 1834 to free enslaved Africans and their descendants in colonies of the Caribbean, Africa, South America and Canada.Afraspektion is a way to celebrate and highlight the contributions and creativity of the Afrodiaspora, and honour the legacy of African Canadians. Afraspektion features family friendly entertainment, art, a curated market, music, and activities.Afraspektion is curated by Queen Kukoyi and Nico Taylor of Oddside Arts and co-hosted by the Riverside BIA.Afraspetion 2024 is supported by: The City of Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program, Oddside Arts, the Riverside BIA, Hullmark, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Co-Operators. Special thank you to the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI).More About Riverside BIA &amp; 2024 Events @ Riverside Common Park:The Riverside BIA, established in 1980, is one of Canada’s first BIAs, located along Queen Street East between the Queen Street Viaduct to just past De Grassi Street. Rich in history, green spaces and public art, the BIA includes over 100 unique eateries, retails shops, boutiques and a range of professional services. More at https://riverside-to.com/Riverside Common Park is located at 657 Queen Street East and was officially opened in October 2021. The Riverside BIA and community collaborators are working together to bring in regular activations on Sundays to this new community space in 2024. It’s all part of welcoming everyone to enjoy what our local business district and neighbourhood has to offer! Check out the full schedule of Riverside C'Mon events:https://riverside-to.com/events/riverside-common-events/

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Afraspektion

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