Culture Days

Interactive Improv with the Bent Fork Improv Troupe

• Friday, September 27, 2024
• 7:30 to 9 p.m.
• Old Town Hall (460 Botsford)

This is your invitation to a fun-filled and interactive Improv Comedy show for featuring Bent Fork improv troupe arranged by Very Useful Theatre Company with the theme of 'Bridge building.'

 Writers Craft and Poetry Seminar

• Saturday, September 28, 2024
• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Old Town Hall (460 Botsford)
  
  

Join us for hands-on writer's craft and poetry seminar hosted by Carol Teal, an award-winning songwriter and a certified facilitator in the Amherst Writers and Artists writing method at Fleming College. This is to support the "bridging" theme. Carol will guide participants through the craft. There will be both blackout poetry sessions, as well as writing prompt sessions. Carol will end with practical tips to help attendees continue their writing practice after the seminar. Participants will leave the seminar feeling inspired with creativity and connected to the community.

The Hero's Journey: Plotting Your Way to Publishing Success

• Saturday, September 28, 2024
• 1:30 to 4 p.m.
• Old Town Hall (460 Botsford)

The Writers' Community of York Region is delighted to present their annual open house with keynote speaker, Nina Munteanu, who is an award-winning short story author, novelist and Canadian ecologist. This year's event is being held in collaboration with The Town of Newmarket and Canada's national Culture Days celebration. As we explore the art of literature and tie it into this year's Culture Days' theme of bridging, Nina will help audience members plot their way to publishing success with an in-depth look at The Hero's Journey. In addition to the main talk, we will hear from other speakers about the WCYR. Light refreshments will be served.

Kim Egan Sidewalk Chalk Demo and Art In – Art has No Boundaries

• Saturday, September 28, 2024
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Old Town Hall (460 Botsford)

Visit Chalk Artist Kim Egan! Join us Saturday, September 28, 2024, form 1 – 4:00 PM. Watch as she reveals her next chalk art drawing. Nearby you can create your own masterpiece using chalk

Seagull Cultural Forum (Syrian Mediterranean Cultural Forum)

• Saturday, September 28, 2024
• 7 to 9 p.m.
• Old Town Hall (460 Botsford)

Poetry Reading and Music Celebration – Cross the Bridge – Give Your Hand
Featuring Readings of poetry and stories in English and Arabic, musical performances with featured performers from multiple cultures including India, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Cambodia and Portugal.

Saturday, September 28 to Saturday, October 5, 2024  

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Town of Newmarket Municipal Offices (395 Mulock Drive)

Indigenous Historical Experiences of Colonization
Do you know who the Williams Treaties First Nations People are? Was Christianity being introduced in historic Newmarket as part of assimilation tactics? How well do you know the Indian Act? What are the Four Sacred Medicines? The museum cares for a small number of Indigenous artifacts in the collection. Staff have consulted with the Elders of the Chippewas of Georgina Island on the repatriation of these objects, and historic experiences and stories to represent in displays. The Indigenous artifacts from the museum collection will be on loan during Culture Days. The collection is made up of significant, cultural symbols. Discover some traditional practices, handicrafts, celebrations, and language that were taken away due to colonization. during Culture Days. The collection is made up of significant, cultural symbols. Discover some traditional practices, handicrafts, celebrations, and language that were taken away due to colonization.

Explore Your Family Tree – Genealogy

• Sunday, September 29 2024
  
• Saturday, October 5, 2024
  
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• NewRoads Performing Arts Centre (505 Pickering Crescent)

Explore your family genealogy with the Newmarket Historical Society activity "family tree" for children and a world map where users can "pin" where they came from to highlight Newmarket's diversity.

Newmarket Historical Society Information Booth

• Sunday, September 29 2024
• Saturday, October 5, 2024
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• NewRoads Performing Arts Centre (505 Pickering Crescent)

Do you love history? Visit the Newmarket Historical Society information Booth at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre! Learn more about the organization!

One Act Play Festival Plays with Audience Participation – Play Reading

• Saturday, October 5, 2024
• 2 to 4 p.m.
• NewRoads Performing Arts Centre (505 Pickering Crescent)

The Very Useful Theatre Company presents: 'Queen Marie's Castle Live' by Lisa Dellagiarino from the Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays.

Theatre often acts as a bridge between human beings and human issues. Includes warm up exercises with the audience interaction. Followed by Q&A and the audience will be asked to participate in a play reading of a play TBD,  followed by short Q and A.

Very Useful Theatre Company Information Booth

• Saturday, October 5, 2024
• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• NewRoads Performing Arts Centre (505 Pickering Crescent)

Learn more about the Very Useful Theatre Company – visit their information booth! Become an actor, learn more about their annual play festival.

One Act Play Performances with Audience Participation – Play Reading + Q & A

• Sunday, October 6, 2024
• 2 to 4 p.m.
• NewRoads Performing Arts Centre (505 Pickering Crescent)

One Act Play Performances with Audience Participation – Play Reading + Q & A

The Very Useful Theatre Company presents from the Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays Play Reading featuring: The Nature of Stars (by Rosemary Parrillo)) and House of the Holy Moment (by Cary Pepper)

Theatre often acts as a bridge between human beings and human issues. Includes a post performance Q and A.

Documentary Film Screening  'The Cost of Freedom – Refugee Journalists in Canada'

• Sunday, October 6, 2024
• 2 to 4 p.m.
• NewRoads Performing Arts Centre (505 Pickering Crescent)

The 70-minute documentary, produced in December 2022, will be screened, followed by an open discussion with the audience. Director and producer James Collingham, we expect him to be in attendance, as well as some of the film's characters, to answer audience questions, and meet and talk to young people and students.

Downtown Newmarket Historical Walk with Wes Playter

• Sunday, September 29 2024  
• 1 to 3 p.m.
• Main Street Newmarket

Join Wes Player of the Newmarket Historical Society for a 'family friendly', Downtown Newmarket Historical Walk. Lean more about significant buildings and their history in the Downtown Newmarket core. Meet at Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main Street South, Newmarket at 1:00 PM and let the history begin.

Storytime Trail and Regenerative Forest Viewing at Blue & Silver Farm, Pickering College

• Saturday, September 28 2024  
• 2 to 4 p.m.
• Blue Silver Farm Woodbine Avenue

As part of our commitment to reconciliation, each year Pickering College features a "Storytime Trail" where children and adults can walk from sign to sign and enjoy a book by an Indigenous author. This year the trail will be located at our school farm at 17019 Woodbine Avenue.

This year's trail features Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak written by award winning author Danielle Daniel with illustrations by Ojibway artist Jackie Traverse. Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak reflects the nature and beauty of trees through twelve lyrical poems that portray children connecting with different trees across the seasons. Each poem invites readers to look anew at the trees around them and understand their deeper meanings, reflecting Danielle Daniel's belief in the sentience and teachings of trees, a view shared by her Algonquin ancestors.

At the end of the Story Walk visitors will be able to learn more about "Little Forests" as community volunteers and students will be in the process of planting a regenerative area. Volunteers and experts in sustainable forestry will explain how the plants will work together to regenerate the land many times faster than typical planting.

Visitors are invited to park along Woodbine Avenue and look for the blue welcome banners. Student guides will greet you as you begin your visit. Saturday, September 28 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. This event is outdoors, please dress accordingly.

Create. Share. Celebrate

Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. Each year millions of people attend thousands of free participatory art and culture events across the country. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities.

Culture Days activities across Canada can be held indoors, outdoors and online (virtual workshops, self-guided activities and live presentations from September 22 to October 15.

Click here to learn more about Culture Days

Culture Days Community Collective Art Project – Chalk it Up – Your Favourite Things

Saturday, September 23, 2023 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Meet at the Riverwalk Pathway at Water Street | Free Admission

Get inspired by chalk artist, Kim Egan and artists from the Society of York Region Artists as you contribute through your own drawing or add to our chalk walk masterpiece along the blue path. Connect to your health and wellness. Practice mindfulness and experience joy through chalk art.

All ages! All artists budding or seasoned are welcome! Join us indoors at the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Halls, 200 Doug Duncan Drive - Hall 3 & 4 if it rains – we will bring the fun indoors with a giant mural!

About the Artist

Kim Egan is a mixed-media artist, muralist, crafter, milliner, jewelry designer and chalk artist. Her chalk murals have been recently featured in the news media. Her works are imaginative and magical. Kim is a firm believer in the power of art as a catalyst for self discovery, personal growth and joyful wellness.   Her journey to wellness has been underscored through her practice of art.