Get a head start on your year with the 2020 Riverdale Calendar

Article written by: Samantha Campanale

Photo provided by Josh Bond

Riverdale has become one of Toronto's most livable neighbourhoods by being just within reach of the booming city, but far enough away to feel like a village retreat from it all. It's the chic cafes, trendy fitness studios, and historic landmarks, like the Danforth Music Hall, that gives the area an instant charm. The multicultural atmosphere brings a tasteful blend of traditional festivals, community concerts and grand openings of new businesses each and every year. Dusk Dances in Withrow Park, Trivia Nights and Buck-A-Shuck Oysters at The Burren, and Greektowns Taste of the Danforth, are only just a few of the various annual events this lively community holds.

As we roll into an exciting new year of celebrations and happenings in the city, one might wonder how to keep track of it all? In hopes of saving the East end community from the lingering feeling of FOMO, Kreative Marketing and their team of 12 local sponsors created a 2020 Riverdale Calendar that marks all the important dates for you!

Just before the year came to a close, the calendar was hand delivered to over 5,000 local homeowners. Bringing connection, community information and awareness of small businesses to each neighbourhood were some of the many reasons the calendar was constructed. It encourages residents to support their own economy while creating social hubs where neighbours unite.

Thoughtfully put together, the 2020 Riverdale calendar was designed to be personal, authentic, and meant for everyone.  Whether you’re the ‘flip through it quickly and scan’, the ‘sit down with a coffee and read every word’, or the ‘do not flip a page until the first of every month’ type, this calendar was meant for you. A full year of neighbourhood festivals, community information, and the greatest reasons to live in Riverdale. So do yourself the favour and post it on your fridge, schedule in your own personal commitments and get ready to kick off the year with a head start!

Sign up below to get your copy of the 2020 Riverdale Calendar! While quantities last.

Dare to go bare with package-free goods

Article written by Fleur Boomsma

Pop up shop at the Evergreen Brickworks // Photo provided by Dayna Stein

Waste: also known as material that is not wanted. We try to be cautious by recycling our plastic, but we can’t help but wonder where our empty bottles end up at. Let’s be realistic here, recycling alone will likely never be enough to make up for the garbage we produce.

Want a solution? Soon you’ll be able to reuse your empty bottles and refill your desired product at bare market (hey reader! The store goes by ‘bare market’ stylistically, hence why you won’t see any capitalization).

Ready to stock up on your upcoming fall and winter necessities? Before the location opens you are able to purchase at their warehouse or order online! // Image by Dayna Stein

bare market is an independently owned store that sells refillable, package-free home and body care products in order “to make sustainable and ethical living easy and accessible for everyone”. Since they sell their products in bulk, you can get your products 20-45% on discount compared to the same brand in another store.

Dayna Stein, owner of bare market, was looking for ways to actually live her values instead of just preaching about the environment. She wanted to use her purchasing power to do something about reducing waste.

You may have heard of bare market via their pop-ups throughout the city at local farmer’s markets, Patagonia stores or even their fascinating media hype on Instagram, it’s clear that they are making a big and positive impact on Toronto’s community.

Stein is opening a bricks & mourner location in Toronto’s East End since this area contains more of “Mom and Pop shops rather than big retail chains, plus, this is a young, fun, and hip community.”

“This whole time we knew we wanted a permanent location because we want to create behavioural change,” Stein says. “I felt like if we had a space where people can create community and learn about these issues, have a fun experience, and have a sexy looking store that’s Instagrammable, they would actually come back to participate in this movement of reducing waste.”

Stein officially has the design plans and started construction to her upcoming store located at Coxwell & Danforth // Image provided by Dayna Stein

You won’t just be walking in a regular store that sells package-free goods. Prepare yourself for a bare market that’s not only filled with body and home care products, but also a café that’s integrated into the space.

The process is simple: follow these easy steps to purchase your package-free goods! // Fleur Boomsma

In addition to reducing waste, the refill products are also high-quality goods; better quality than the average drugstore products! Bare market gets their products reviewed and approved by a third-party cosmetics chemist. The chemist is able to tell bare market the environmental, social economic, and health impacts of all ingredients. Stein says that after this process they decide if they want to move forward with conversations with their suppliers.

You can expect bare market to open this “Decembruary,” (Dayna’s cute term!) which is any time after December to early January. Stay in touch with bare market via Instagram to see their latest news on their products, construction updates and the official launch of their permanent location @baremrkt.

Dusk Dances: Moving Parts that makes you think about community and movement

Article written by Fleur Boomsma

Lisa Anne Ross, aka Madame Beaucoup uses her charm to introduce Imprint by Meredith Thompson, performed by professional dancers and local community members // FLEUR BOOMSMA

It’s a warm sundown at Withrow Park. The sun feels pleasant on the skin and the wind feels like a soft breeze. It’s a perfect evening to watch the annual Dusk Dances performances at the park. You’ve brought a few lawn chairs and your friends brought picnic blankets to sit on. The live band starts playing soft music and Hannah Shira-Naiman is about to teach the audience square dancing. You get to interact with other community members, and this is a great start of the night.

By 7:30 p.m., the park was filled with neighbors and other community members prepared to watch the five dance performances. Dusk Dances’ host, Lisa Anne Ross, also known as Madame Beaucoup, brought out her most colorful red (with lots of sparkles) costume. Let’s not forget to talk about her sassy and charismatic character! It gives you a big laugh, that’s for sure.

At the end of each performance, Madame Beaucoup blows a (very funny) whistle which indicates that you should follow her and the volunteers to the next dance act. Everyone hurries to get the best seat possible, but regardless where you stand or sit; you’re able to enjoy the show. There’s also the ability to donate (it’s a pay what you can basis) and purchase drinks or popcorn from the volunteers.

The park is filled with friends and family ready to watch the first performance of the night called Fall by Hanna Kiel // FLEUR BOOMSMA

This is a special year for Dusk Dances because it’s their 25th year celebrating this dance festival! The festival director, Sylvie Bouchard incorporated community members in a dance piece called Imprint, which is about “acknowledgement of interconnectivity and the weavings of our lives.”

However, one of my favourite pieces of this year’s festival is called “Moving Parts.” It involves a moving choir and dancers that sing about many controversial concerns that are going on in today’s society. You’ll have to find out for yourself and trust me, it’s an eye opener. Dusk Dances describes this piece as:

“We find the world in difficult times where people are becoming increasingly polarized, taking sides with rancour and falling for simplistic solutions. We are curious about how to embrace complexity with a skill and race, and how to stay open, kind and uplifted in the midst of turbulent times.”

Fall by Hanna Kiel // PHOTO BY DAVID WONG

Whether this is your first or fifth time coming to Dusk Dances, they always leave you feeling impressed and wowed. It’s a great way to spend a summer evening outdoors with your family and friends.

Lewis + Company is proud to once again support and sponsor this incredible community event! Dusk Dances celebrates August 4-11, nightly at 7 p.m.

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Dusk Dances 2019
Withrow Park
Located south of the Danforth, between Logan and Carlaw in Toronto, ON.
Closest TTC subway station: Chester.
More info: 647-671-0075

The slam dunk of Dusk Dances

Dusk Dances, Toronto’s contemporary outdoor dance festival is coming back to Withrow Park this summer for its 25th season!

Article written by Fleur Boomsma

Fall by Hanna Kiel // PHOTO BY DAVID WONG

Join the excitement as Canada’s best choreographers are showing off their dance pieces, even involving choir and community members!

First, the music at Dusk Dances is welcoming as it invites the crowd to watch the live band and participate (if they wish) in a dance workshop. Following the workshop, the festival’s charismatic host Madame Beaucoup - a.k.a. the beloved Lisa Anne Ross - will guide you through five short dance pieces. She’ll bring even more light into this experience.

We had the opportunity to speak with the mastermind behind this family-friendly event, Sylvie Bouchard. As I arrive at the Riverdale Perk, one of the neighborhood’s favourite cafés, I see Bouchard and Marketa Tokova (the Dusk Dances administrator) working on the patio. They both welcomed me with open arms and invited me to sit down to have a coffee with them.

Meet Sylvie Bouchard, Dusk Dances Festival Director. You’ll see her organizing everything behind the scenes at Withrow Park. If you see her, be sure to say hi and express your thoughts // FLEUR BOOMSMA

Bouchard’s face lit up when I asked when and why she came up with the idea to create festival. She thought of this idea 25 years ago as she was walking through Trinity Bellwoods Park. She asked herself, “what if we bring dance to the audience in the park instead of waiting for them to come to the theatre?”

Bouchard fell in love with dance at the age of 12 and still till this day loves this industry. However, it’s a difficult field to be in since there isn’t a large audience. After all, dance productions have shorter runs and few shows, and so it’s harder to build an audience. People often can’t find the time to attend due to work and family obligations. But she loves a challenge! Thus, she created this festival as she felt passionate about introducing more people to this form of art. Dusk Dances allows the whole family to enjoy a dance performance together through the eyes of five different choreographers.

“The idea of Dusk Dances is to build bridges to a wider audience to include those that have never seen and experienced it,” Bouchard says.

Fall by Hanna Kiel // PHOTO BY DAVID WONG

At the same time, as social media and technology has built up over the years, Bouchard says “it’s important that people stay with their bodies and their imagination.” Watching contemporary dance will encourage the audience to visualize the story behind the dance piece.

This season you will be able to learn square dancing at the (all ages) workshop. The participants will learn a simple dance that repeats. Then, this dance will be called by the caller. It’s spontaneous and fun way to engage with other people and with the music.

Lewis + Company is proud to once again support and sponsor this incredible community event! Bring your friends, family, and furry friends to this magical evening of fun. Dusk Dances celebrates between August 4-11th, starting at 7 pm.