Past Events
JANUARY 2023
CFAC held its Annual General Meeting and Winter Culture Night of Folklore Performances on January 23, 2023 virtually via Zoom. We were graced by vibrant live-on-Zoom performances from two of our member groups- Songs from Damascus, who treated us to soulful songs from Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, as well as Dilan Dance Company, with a presentation of Turkish Roman dance by soloist Asli.
DECEMBER 2022
CFAC was proud to present a number of artists on its roster at the Woodside Square Lantern Festival, and Woodside Wow Series at Woodside Square, Toronto.
Member artists Alana and Leigh Cline, and Ensemble Topaz performed at the Lantern Festival. Sharing below a few photos and videos from the performances at this beautiful and vibrant winter festival.
August 2021
CIOFF® Marathon of Folklore 2021: Dance and Culture from Dawn to Dusk
CFAC was proud to once again participate in the CIOFF® International Marathon event, hosting the events from the North American Sector!
CIOFF®, the International Council of Folk Festival Organizers, founded by Henri Coursaget of Confolens, France in 1970, celebrated its 2021 folklore marathon on August 8 this year! Community Folk Art Council of Toronto (CFAC) ws delighted to be part of this international online event featuring FREE international folk dance workshops from across North America as well as from the other CIOFF® sectors around the world!
North America Sector workshops began at 12 noon EDT (Toronto time) on Saturday, August 8, 2020 . CFAC was represented this year by Ensemble Topaz , presenting a workshop on Indian folk dance, Sassoun Dance Ensemble | Սասուն Պարախումբ presenting workshop on Armenian dance and the Mi Young Kim Dance Company presenting a workshop on Korean Dance! You can watch CFAC’s segment from the CIOFF® Marathon 2021 here.
CFAC also presented our event in observance of Emancipation Day on August 1, 2021. Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery across the British Empire in 1834. We were honoured to present two of our member groups- Heritage Singers and The Geetika Dance Co. in an artistic and educational programme featuring songs and dances of resilience, survival and reflections of life in the plantations, and providing insights into how these stories and experiences have survived in songs and dances. You can watch the Emancipation Day event here.
We are delighted to announce our Festival of Dance, Music and Intangible Heritage in celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day.
We will be livestreaming this event on Sunday, June 27th beginning at noon, and this year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Multiculturalism Policy with our livestream of over 30 artists representing a huge diversity of cultures all residing in the Greater Toronto Area! Stay tuned for the schedule of artists coming soon! Please join us at our Facebook page or YouTube channel. This program is made possible by our partners at the Ministry of Canadian Heritage.
We were very proud to present the Indigenous Heritage Arts Celebration in honour of National Indigenous People’s Day on Monday, June 21, at 7:00pm ET. The livestream includes presentations, live performances, dance creations, music, artwork, stories and journeys behind the creative work, and can still be viewed on our Facebook page.
We are honoured to feature presentations by Elder Paul Nadjiwan, Santee Smith, Norma Araiza, Thunder M. Sharma / Youth with the Truth, Shantell Powell and Alex Kusturok.
This poster features beaded medallion created by Shantell Powell, one of the featured artists in Monday’s presentation. Please join us!
CFAC International Folk Dance and Music Virtual Festival 2021
The first CFAC International Folk Dance and Music Virtual Festival 2021 was held on February 20 and 21, 2021! Day 1 featured performances of folk and music and dance from our amazing CFAC members representing Canada in our Canadian Showcase as well as an international array of music and dance artists from Kenya, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Colombia, Inner Mongolia/China, Spain, Turkey and Cyprus in our International Showcase. Click here to see the full Day 1 program and see below for the full showcases!
Day 2 of this festival featured our CFAC members presenting about Intangible Cultural Heritage and how their art and programs have been impacted by the Pandemic. Click here to see the full Day 2 program!
You can see the full video of the first group of Intangible Cultural Heritage seminars by following this link!
You can see the full video of the second group of Intangible Cultural Heritage seminars below.
We were very proud to have CBC Toronto cover the festival. See the video below for the full segment.
CFAC Groups at CIOFF® 50th Anniversary Folklore at a Distance Marathon (Online)
CIOFF®, the International Council of Folk Festival Organizers, founded by Henri Coursaget of France in 1970, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. In celebration of this milestone anniversary, CIOFF® hosted a virtual Folklore Marathon on August 8, 2020. The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto (CFAC) was delighted to be part of this virtual event which featured 8 hours of FREE international folk dance workshops from across North America as well as from the other CIOFF® sectors around the world!
CFAC was represented at this virtual folklore workshop marathon by three Toronto/ GTA groups: Dilan Dance Company, which presented a mini lecture and display of Kurdish traditional regional clothing as well as a demonstration-workshop on Kurdish traditional “Bablekan” dance; Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe of Canada, who presented a performance, presentation and instructional workshop on the world famous Tinikling dance of the Philippines; and The Toronto Morris Men, who presented an informative performance and instructional workshop on English Morris dancing with live music! The CFAC presentations were watched by thousands of viewers from all around the world, including viewers from England, France, Germany, Turkey, the Philipines, India, United States, Canada and beyond! The CFAC workshops continue to remain online, and we welcome you to watch them at: https://www.facebook.com/christian.hidalgomazzei/videos/10159787172563943/
CFAC Multicultural Canada Day Digital Celebration 2020
The Community Folk Art Council presented this year a Digital Celebration for our Multicultural Canada Day, streamed live to viewers worldwide through Facebook and Youtube. Although the Multicultural Canada Day Celebration at Yonge and Dundas Square has been a beloved annual celebration, this year, due to the COVID pandemic and resulting social distancing measures, we moved this popular celebration to the virtual realm, with a concert featuring our different CFAC member groups on July 1 (Canada Day), in three sections on two showings (Afternoon and Evening), featuring a total 7 hours of video showcase! We are happy to report that we had a successful online celebration, with viewers tuning in from not only across Toronto and Canada, but also around the world, with places as far as Peru, Germany, India and Hong Kong!
This year’s celebration featured performances by Nimkii Osamawick, Tamar Ilana and Ventanas, Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico, Ensemble Topaz, Ori Shalva & Company, Hawaiian Pacific Magic Dance Ensemble, Dilan Dance Company, Mi Young Kim Dance Company, Tabriz Azerbaijani Music and Dance Ensemble, Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe of Canada, Ot Izvora, Uyghur Canadian Learning Centre, Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company, Habeeba’s Egyptian Dance Ensemble, Tonatiuh Mexican Folklore Group, Ensemble Makedonka, Sassoun Dance Ensemble, Heritage Singers, Kodaly Ensemble, Asi es mi Tierra Peru, Radość-Joy Vocal Dance Group, Dhol Canada, Academy of Serbian Folk Dancing Association, Toronto Swedish Folk Dancers, Rancho Folclorico Amigos do Miho de Toronto, Toronto Morris Men, and guest ensemble Manigance Compagnie de Danse (Quebec).
These wonderful performances continue to remain online, and the videos of this digital Canada Day Celebration can be watched on the Community Folk Art Council of Toronto Facebook page or Youtube Channel!
CFAC Multicultural Canada Day Digital Celebration Part 1
CFAC Multicultural Canada Day Digital Celebration Part 2
CFAC Multicultural Canada Day Digital Celebration Part 3
2018 Events
July 1, 2018 – Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration at Yonge Dundas Square
September 22, 23, 2018 – Taste of the Hill festival, Richmond Hill
Nov/Dec 2018 – Toronto Christmas Market, Toronto Distillery District
2017 Events
Canada Day 150th Anniversary Celebration at Yonge Dundas Square and Yonge Street
The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto, a non-for-profit organization, is proud to present the 11th Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebrations- with 2 major events; A parade and celebration at Yonge Dundas square.
Parade of Nations
Photo Gallery of the Parade of Nations
10am – 12pm 150 Celebrate Canada Parade, the “ Parade of Nations”, with participants of over 20 countries and community groups, with 1500 individual participants, from all diverse cultures and ethnic groups in full traditional costumes, proudly showcasing floats about their contributions to Canada.
Celebrations at Yonge-Dundas Square
Photo Gallery of the Main Stage Performances
Sponsors
Our Partners
Media Partner
December 2017 – Toronto Christmas Market, Toronto Distillery District
2016 Events
July 1, 2016- Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration at Yonge Dundas Square
December 2016 – Toronto Christmas Market, Toronto Distillery Distric
August 2016- Taste of the Hill festival, Richmond Hill
2015 Events
November 28 – December 21, 2015 – Toronto Distillery District
July 1, 2015 – Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration at Yonge Dundas Square
September 18, 19 and 20, 2015- CIOFF/FCI Canadian National Conference- City Hall Toronto
May 2, 2015 – Thank You Canada – a Celebration at City Hall Toronto, 70 year anniversary that Holland was liberated by the Canadian Armed Forces.
2014 Events
December 5, 2014 – St. Nicholas arrives on his white horse at the Toronto Christmas Market 6pm
November 28 – December 21, 2014 – Toronto Christmas Market, Toronto Distillery District ( CFAC members groups will be performing on stage throughout the festival)
July 1, 2014- 8th Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration- Yonge Dundas Square
May 6 – 8, 2014 – Folklore Canada Annual Conference in Toronto, at Metro Hall.
2013 Events
July 1, 2013- 7th Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration- Yonge Dundas Square
2012 Events
July 1, 2012 – 6th Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration – Yonge Dundas Square 12 – 9pm
2011 Events
April 14 – 17, 2011 – Intangible Cultural Heritage International Conference , Quebec City
Sunday April 17, 2011 – Easter Around the World at City Hall 12 – 5pm
May 20-22, 2011-The 26th Canadian Expressive Heritage Conference, Montreal
Friday July 1, 2011 – 5th Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration – Yonge Dundas Square 12 – 9pm
Saturday November 19, 2011 – Santa and Christmas Trees around the World – Erin Mills Town Centre
December 2 – 18th, 2011 – Toronto Christmas Market, Toronto Distillery District
2010 Events
Friday January 1, 2010 – Queens Park Levy for Lieutenant Governor of Ontario 12:00noon – 2:00pm
Sunday March 28, 2010- Easter Around the World at Toronto City Hall 12:00-5:00pm
May 8, 2010- Brockville 29th Annual Multicultural Festival
Thursday July 1, 2010 Multicultural Canada Day Celebration – Yonge Dundas Square 12 – 9pm
December 4 – 5 , Christmas Around the World, Toronto City Hall, 12 – 5 pm
December 3 – 12, Toronto Christmas Market, Toronto Historic Distillery District, 12- 8pm daily
2009 Events
December 5 – 6, 2009 – 45th Annual Christmas Around the World festival at Toronto City Hall Rotunda
July 1st, 2009 – Multicultural Canada Day Festival – Yonge Dundas Square, from 12-8pm
May 22, 23, 24, 2009 – 24th Annual Canadian Expressive Heritage Conference – hosted by CFAC and Folklore Canada, Fiesta Filipina and Oplenac Serbian community centres.
Brockville 28th Annual Multicultural Festival
Saturday May 2nd 2009
2009 Easter Around the World Festival
Sunday April 5, 2009 @ inside Toronto City Hall, Rotunda- 100 Queen Street West. See 15 different ethnic communities displays on their EASTER traditions, in Art & Crafts, Egg Painting, Traditional foods- Daily 12- 5pm – FREE
2008 Events
2008 Christmas Around the World Festival
Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th, 2008 @ inside Toronto City Hall, Rotunda- 100 Queen Street West. See 15 different ethnic communities displays on their Christmas traditions, in Art & Crafts and food + 15 ethnically diverse dressed Christmas Trees! Daily 12- 5pm – FREE
Multicultural Canada Day Festival
Tuesday July 1st, 2008 @ Yonge Dundas Square
Brockville 27th Annual Multicultural Festival
Friday May 3rd , 2008
Saturday May 4th 2008
23rd Canadian Expressive Heritage Conference
May 17 & 18, 2008. Folklore Canada Head office, Montreal
“Tap Your Toes Around The World”
@ The BATA Shoe Museum
Saturday, June 7, 2008 – PORTUGAL
Saturday, May 3, 2008 – THE NETHERLANDS
Saturday, April 5, 2008 – EGYPT
Saturday, March 1, 2008 – MEXICO
Saturday February 2, 2008- POLAND
November 3rd, 2007 – TURKEY
October 13th, 2007 – SERBIA
Easter Around the World – City Hall
Sunday March 16th, 2008
2007 Events
Tap Your Toes Around the World – Bata Shoe Museum
Saturday October 13, 2007 – Serbia
Saturday November 3, 2007 – Turkey
Christmas Around the World- City Hall
Saturday December 1st, and Sunday December 2nd, 2007
Scarborough Town Centre – Walk of Fame
Friday October 26th, 2007
Saturday October 27th, 2007
Footsteps Project
October 3, 2007- Briton House, Toronto Scottish Country Dance Association
September 8, 2007 – Lakeshore Lodge – Iliden Macedonian dance.
July 12, 2007 – Cummer Lodge – Barbados Youth Group
July 12, 2007- Carefree Lodge – Lian Hua Chinese Dancers
July 11, 2007 – Forest Hill Place, Hawaiian Pacific Magic
June 26, 2007 – Cedarbrook Lodge – Tatry Polish Dancers
June 23, 2007 – Westbury Manor – Mladi Glas Slovenian Dancers
June 20,2007 – True Davidson Acres – Kalev Estienne Estonian Dance
June 16, 2007 – Kingsway Retirement Home – Huairapungo Ecuadorian Dance group
Canada Day at Yonge Dundas Square
July 1st, 2007 12- 8pm
Canadian Cancer Society, Relay for Life
Friday June 1, 2007 – Birchmount Stadium ( Birchmount & Danforth in Scarborough)
Friday June 15, 2007 – L’Amoreaux Community Centre (Kennedy & McNicoll in Scarborough)
Brockville 26th Annual Multicultural Festival
Friday May 4th , 2007
Saturday May 5th 2007
Sunday April 22, 2007 –Turkish Children’s Festival , Japanese Cultural Centre
Sunday April 1st, 2007
Easter Around the World – City Hall