Oakville set to showcase its inclusive programs and activities
Published September 22, 2022 at 3:24 pm
Whether it’s taking in an Indigenous film at the local museum, walking the orange crosswalk or exploring the First Nations History Wall at Tannery Park, Oakville’s Culture Days include plenty of ways to celebrate arts, culture and creativity.
The popular celebration returns Friday (Sept. 23) and runs through to Oct. 16 in Oakville and across the country with three weeks of unique in-person and virtual opportunities that explore creativity, community and connection.
“Oakville has a rich and thriving arts and culture community in Oakville that enhances our livability,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “I’m proud that together with local artists, creators and community members, the town will be showcasing it through inclusive and interactive programs and activities offered through Culture Days.
“A big thank you to our local culture and community groups who responded to our call to help provide the opportunity, both in-person and virtual, to create, connect and celebrate together.”
Local artists, creators and community members will join forces with the Town of Oakville to offer free programs and activities across Oakville.
- Oakville Museum, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts (OCPA), Queen Elizabeth Community and Cultural Centre (QECCC), and Oakville Galleries are among the designated event hubs offering a variety of activities throughout the festival.
- Watch Indigenous films on the grounds of Oakville Museum on Friday (Sept. 23) from 6-11 p.m. The night, presented in association with Indigenous community leaders, Oakville Public Library (OPL) and other community partners, will feature the Honour to Senator Murray Sinclairand Hi-Ho Mistahey! Prior to the movie, there will be a craft activity in the Coach House while OPL will be sharing book recommendations based on the movies’ themes.
- Join Christine Friday as she explores her Anishinaabek roots, first with the film Path Without End, a 10-minute documentary dance film as we witness the Friday family taking back their power from Shingwauk residential school and speaking their truth on their traditional tribal family hunting territoryon September 30 at 8 p.m. at the OCPA. For free tickets to the in-person event or the live stream event, visit oakvillecentre.ca.
- Visit the first orange crosswalkin Oakville at Thomas and Church streets, which has been painted orange in honour of children of the residential school system. The intersection also features a utility cabinet cover in a Moccasin Identifier Project design of four moccasins representative of the four linguistic groups in Ontario and a permanent interpretive sign.
- Enjoy a walk along the Moccasin Trailsand explore the history of the lands from an Indigenous perspective. Follow the Moccasin Trails signs along Bronte Creek Heritage Trail beginning at Rebecca Street and Mississauga Street and along Sixteen Mile Creek Inner Valley to Dundas Street West at Lions Valley.
- Visit Tannery Parkand explore the First Nations history wall and Moccasin Identifier, which was built to promote public awareness of the significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Métis and Indigenous communities.
- Join artist Jessica Carrasco in Acrylic Workshopon Oct. 1 between noon and 3 p.m. at QECCC.
- Take a daytime tour of Oakville Galleries’ Fall exhibition Sascha Braunig: Lay Figure, led by Associate Curator & Registrar Theresa Wang, at 10:30 a.m. Register now.
- Explore the Print Expo & Fair at Howard Iron Works Printing Museumon Saturday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Drop-in and learn simple knitting stitches at Oakville Museum Saturday, Oct. 8 from 2-3 p.m.
- Check out Music Is All Around Us: Homemade Instruments with Bandologyon Saturday, Oct. 15 from 1-2 p.m.
- Take part in Oakville Improv Online Open Classon Sunday, Oct. 16 from 4-5 p.m.
- Join Artist Emily Coe virtually to make a variety of fun projects, including: Fire Breathing Dragon, Sun Catcher, Pirate and Mermaid Clothes Pin Dolls
- Visit the temporary public art project “Connextions”. This exhibition showcases temporary public artworks on prominent windows at recreation facilities in each ward to build community spirit and reflect on the idea of reconnecting.
Oakville’s Culture Days festival began in 2010 and for the first 10 years the event was held over one weekend. It was extended to a multi-week celebration in 2020.
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The Oakville celebrations have ranked in the top 10 of cities and towns in the province. Last year there more than one in 10 Ontarians attended one of the 1,200 events in 99 municipalities across the province.
For a complete list of free programs and events, visit the town’s Culture Days page or search “Oakville” on the Culture Days website.
To take part in additional Culture Day events offered across Canada, please visit the Culture Days website.
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