VOL 10 | ISSUE 2 – Spring 2018

Genevieve’s Farewell! My Dear Volunteers, It’s time to reflect upon my thirteen years with Harbourfront Centre. I’m hanging up my “sneakers,” though I must say tracking volunteers every summer was always a workout that kept me in shape. I remember the first three years when I struggled to publish each issue of the newsletter using Word Perfect. It was a nightmare trying to justify margins and adjust photos. The first e-newsletter was published in February 2009, soon after the implementation of the Volunteer Strategy and the establishment of the Volunteer Sub-committees. Since then, we have come a long way. In addition to managing volunteers, this job requires me to wear many different hats. I am a therapist trying to console those in distress over a crush on good-looking staff member. As a referee, I must break up arguments between volunteers. Being an immigrant myself, I step into the shoes of newcomers when trying to make them feel at ease while working with the team. Finally, as a teacher, I must constantly restrain young volunteers from continually using cellphones during their shifts or break the news to upset mothers that their child went on a date instead of volunteering (even though the parent insists that their children are at Harbourfront Centre!). Each weekend, I provided an endless supply of cookies, purchasing cartloads to the amusement of other shoppers thinking I’m the cookie monster. I will miss that horrified look on Margaret’s face when student volunteers substitute our snacks for their breakfast and lunch. With me I take the many memories of times shared with my extended summer “family”: the fun and laughter, the stories and gossip, the many friendships made and the occasional cupid’s arrow hitting its target. Over the years, the dedication and passion of team leaders and committee members has made my life much easier when working on site. Nothing is more fulfilling than the sense of accomplishment at the end of a festival with no major issues, especially when I received constant gratitude and praise from staff that the volunteers did a great job. It has been a privilege and pleasure working with each and every one of you and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you have given me. Saying goodbye is never easy and I will cherish all the time we spent together, remembering with fondness the enjoyment of working alongside this wonderful, rare team. I wish you all the best for the future and I will miss all of you. Genevieve Peng

Table of Contents A Tribute to Genevieve 2 Volunteer Service Awards 3 HFC Volunteers Recognition Party 4 Festival Highlights Kuumba 6 Family Day 7 Junior Interview: Mary Francis Moore 8 Volunteer Opportunities The Power Youth Exhibition 9 The Power Ball 10 Acknowledgements and Upcoming Events 11

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Thank You, Genevieve!

A Tribute to Genevieve Peng

For the past thirteen years she has been the face

The Volunteer Coordinator for the arts and culture space,

Who ensured that at all events there was full representation

Of volunteers in shifts supporting every presentation.

She was there when scheduling moved from pen and paper to computer

And other changes and transitions too many to remember.

The festivals and programs have varied over the years,

But she continued to perform her duties with much cheers.

Calmly and with a smile she led with determination

While thanking each volunteer by name for their contribution.

And she listened to concerns and endorsed the right actions

But without hesitation would correct all misdirection.

She encouraged volunteers to gain experience and use their expertise

On the Newsletter, Training and Recruitment and Social Activities Committees

And many expressed their gratitude at the end of their tenure

For her coaching, guidance and support and her demeanor.

Yes, she enjoyed fulfilling her responsibilities but she also had other interests

And discussed cuisine, books and travel with other enthusiasts.

But an activity that she also enjoyed was small screen entertainment

Including a favourite – Downton Abbey – that brought excitement.

Her “sneakers” she's hanging up to start her retirement

So bon voyage and best wishes for total contentment.

A big THANK YOU GENEVIEVE and do keep in touch

Harbourfront Centre volunteers will miss you, so, so much!

Pauline Beverley

Terry, Dorothy, Genevieve, Pam 2010

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Recognizing Volunteers

Bianca with Syrian Refugee children

Congratulations to Recipients of the 2018 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards

On March 26, 2018, Genevieve and Bianca joined recipients of the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards at the presentation ceremony at the Arcadian Court. Each volunteer received a pin, and the opportunity for a commemorative photograph with Han Dong, MPP for Trinity-Spadina.

Tom Bilenkey — 30 years Pamela Neblett — 30 years Jennifer Howlett — 20 years Bobsie Ebbs — 10 years Lidia Jarmasz — 10 years Yolanda Goodridge — 5 years Kevin Catalig — Youth Award Scott Uminga — Youth Award

Pamela smiling with Han Dong

Back row L-R: Bobsie, Scott, Kevin, Bianca Front row L-R: Tom, Pamela, Genevieve, Yolanda

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Volunteer Memories

Barb, Lynn and Sean honour Genevieve

Wolf Saga

Conga Line

Scott, Barb Tim, Marjorie, Terry, Melanie, Edward Genevieve, Jenny, Hermine

On Thursday, April 19, during National Volunteer Week, Harbourfront Centre had its annual Volunteer Recognition Party. Laura McLeod, Director, Cultural Engagement expressed on behalf of the management their appreciation for the considerable contribution volunteers have made over the last year. There was great food, live entertainment (this year by Wolf Saga, led by Indigenous musician

Johnny Saga), and once again an entertaining MC, Tim Walker, Manager School Visits. It was also an opportunity for volunteers to express their gratitude to Genevieve for her hard work and support over the last 13 years, and to wish her well on her impending retirement. On behalf of all the volunteers, Barb, Lynn and Sean presented Genevieve with a few tokens of appreciation, including a cookbook, a gift certificate and a guestbook where lots of people recorded their best wishes. Genevieve thanked the volunteers for the support she received from them, and looked back over her years at Harbourfront Centre – the rewards, the challenges, and a few amusing anecdotes! Thank you to Harbourfront Centre for a fun evening, and thank you to the volunteers for another great year. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/not-just-pow-wow-the-many-genres-and-voices-of-indigenous-music-1.4481815/wolf-saga-draws-on-surprising-musical-influences-to-create-his-electro-pop-sound-1.4481819

Volunteer Recognition Party By Sean McCluskey

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HFC Volunteers Recognition Party — April 19

Dinner is served!

Emily, Betty, Genevieve Ricky, Margaret, Garth,

Sean, Barb and Genevieve Signing the guestbook

If you would like to take a trip down memory lane, visit the following photo albums put together by Selena Lee and Majid! Thank you both for sharing wonderful pictures of

the event! Selena Lee: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nzijhdurqnw99sb/AACzQvAp21S5k17t7UTMPMAwa?dl=0 Majid: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h9r2cri6hd0tr1r/AAA7JJk4KQ5kheM1auKvSTYba?dl=0

Delicious food beautifully presented!

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Festival Highlights

Ex-

Kuumba By Kevin Catalig

Kuumba is the longest running Black History Month

celebration in Toronto, having originated in 1995 at

Harbourfront Centre, the same year that Canada

officially recognized Black History Month.

Though there were events — dancing, theatre, music,

photographic exhibits, video, film, discussions and the

first Black Liberation Ball — from February 3-24, most

of Kuumba’s activities this year happened on February

9 and 10. I attended the Journey to Black Liberation

Symposium, a series of panel discussions about issues

affecting Black communities both locally and globally.

I know very little about how being Black influences how

someone is perceived or experiences the world, so for

someone like me, Kuumba was full of opportunities for

learning, particularly with regard to how Blackness

interacts with gender and sexual orientation. But

Kuumba is more much more than that. In a time when

Black voices are still erased, silenced, or dismissed,

Kuumba facilitated conversations, strengthened Black

networks, and turned Harbourfront Centre into a public

platform for Black voices from around the world.

More about the symposium:

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/festivals/kuumba/

events/index.cfm?id=9856&festival_id=280

More about the Symposium participants:

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/festivals/kuumba/

events/index.cfm?id=9866&festival_id=280

Symposium co-developed by:

http://theblackdaddiesclub.com/

Voguing Workshop with Pony Zion

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Festival Highlights

Family Day By Deirdre McCluskey

A little bit of rain didn’t stop visitors from enjoying

the outdoor activities at Harbourfront Centre on

Family Day, Monday, February 19th. At the Natrel

Rink, families skated to the sounds of Brandan

Duke and Jester. Novices of all ages took

advantage of the free skating lessons to practice

their moves.

Around the rink, parents and kids viewed the ice

sculptures or warmed up with a hot drink at the fire

pit. And throughout the afternoon dancers from The

Male Initiative entertained the crowd with pop-up,

flash-mob inspired dance breaks.

For those who preferred to stay cozy indoors, the

Lakeside Terrace was open for upcycling crafts.

The craft table was busy with young artists, drawing

crayon masterpieces and weaving colourful

creations with yarn and cardboard. The Book Nook

was also open all day.

Many visitors checked out the finalists for the 2017

Kingston Prize. Artists from across Canada

participated in the biennial national portrait

competition, and thirty finalists were selected from

over four hundred submissions. Their amazing work

in a variety of media was on display in the Queen’s

Quay gallery.

As part of February’s Kuumba festival, The

Reelworld Film Festival New Perspectives

presented “Black History: A Journey Through Hip-

Hop.” And the Power Plant held a drop-in

workshop, “Felted Friends”, where participants were

invited to create mini plush toys to give to someone

in need of comfort.

All in all, lots to do at Harbourfront to brighten a dull

February day in Toronto!

Gladys, Karen

Photos by Majid

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Upcoming Events

Mary Francis Moore has been working at Harbourfront Centre since September 2017 as the curator of Junior. A freelance actor and director, and Associate Artistic Director of the Confederation Centre for the Arts (better known to most of us as the Charlottetown Festival) she has directed productions at Charlottetown and at Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre and will return to the Charlottetown Festival to direct two productions this summer.

The inspiration for Junior’s vision came from Mary Francis’s experience “as a mother as well as an artist. My kids would ask

difficult questions. They want to learn what the world is about.”

This meant featuring works that are not just entertainment. There was no shortage; Mary Francis says that her biggest challenge was that there was so much to choose from internationally. As a guide, following Harbourfront Centre’s mission, four communities all needed to be included: Anglo-Canadian, Franco-Canadian, First Nations, Inuit and Mėtis, and International.

With everything on offer – theatre, dance, puppetry, music, circus, storytelling – it will be an exciting time right from the opening ceremonies: a celebration of First Nations Culture with the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre and local children's choirs. Mary Francis noted the satisfaction she felt watching a promotional video that “made it feel very real” and it sank in that yes, all the work is paying off and it is all really going to happen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6eYr3kW4Lw

As always, the volunteers will be an important part, as front-line ambassadors to the public. Mary Francis is impressed with the way the diversity of our volunteer community reflects the city. New Canadians and people who speak little English can encounter just the right volunteer to make them feel welcome.

Some veteran volunteers will remember the Milk International Children’s Festival which at this time of year in 2006 celebrated its 25th anniversary. We are looking forward to Junior, a festival of similarly ambitious scope and vision, and hope that it too will generate lasting memories.

Junior — A New International Children’s Festival Interview with Curator Mary Francis Moore

By Sean McCluskey

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Volunteer Opportunities

The Power Youth Exhibition By Brittany Holliss

The third annual Power Youth Spring Exhibition will be on display at Harbourfront Centre in the Main Loft from Tuesday 8 May to Sunday 13 May 2018. The exhibition will feature the work of youth from Humber Club House, TPL Sanderson Branch, Lawrence Heights, and Neptune sites.

At the evening opening reception on May 8 starting at 6 p.m. youth and invited guests will have the oppor-tunity to celebrate all of their artistic accomplishments of the season. Youth will speak about their work, awards will be distributed, and music will be pumping to set the stage for a fun way to close the program for the season. Volunteers will be needed to: Welcome and greet visitors Provide way-finding between the reception and exhibition areas Record the number of visitors Monitor and maintain a tidy gallery space Assist with the set-up and clean-up of the workspace Locations 1) Lower Level: Food and drink will be offered in the lower level Marilyn Brewer Community Space, where visitors can mingle, 2) Upper Level: The exhibition will be in the Main Loft Program Facilitator: Elyse Rodgers and Charmae Freeman (weekdays) Secondary Contacts: Blair and Abbas (GA’s on weekends)

Contact: Brittany Holliss bholliss@thepowerplant.org

Power Youth Exhibit 2017

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Date & Time: Thursday, 31 May 2018, 10 pm - 2 am Location: The Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8. Supervisor: Brittany Holliss, Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is Canada’s leading non-collecting, public art gallery dedicated exclusively to contemporary visual art from Canada and the world. From its inception in 1999, Power Ball has thrived as an ambitious fundraising event. The party has since set the standard as one of the most influential and vibrant art galas in Toronto. The Power Plant collaborates with fashion house Max Mara, for the fourth consecutive year, to present Toronto's most notorious art party, Power Ball XX: Carousal. Come celebrate Power Ball’s twenty-year standing as the art world’s unofficial adult funland and join us under the big top of The Power Plant for a carnivalesque mashup of art, edibles, waggishness and tomfoolery. Rev-el in Power Ball’s tradition of naughtiness, titillating discoveries and mischievous provocation as the gallery is transformed into a space of circusry fit for the party’s big, bacchanalian birthday bash. Volunteers duties include scanning tickets, distributing wrist bands, and facilitating guest participation. If you have good communication skills, are comfortable interacting with guests and able to stand for long periods of time, this opportunity may be for you. The event runs late; a chit for a taxi will be provided. You must commit to one training session prior to the event. Go to http://thepowerplant.org/AboutUs/Opportunities.aspx for more information on duties, dress code and benefits. How to Apply: Submit a resume and Volunteer Application Form to Brittany Holliss, Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordi-nator at info@thepowerplant.org with the subject line “Volunteer Application – Power Ball XX”. Please also indicate which training day you will be available to attend: Wednesday, May 23rd from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm or; Thursday, May 24th from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Power Ball 2017

Photos by Henry Chan Jr.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Power Ball By Brittany Holliss

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Acknowledgments & Upcoming Events

The E-Newsletter Team: Sean McCluskey (Coordinator), Genevieve Peng, Bianca Hossain, Lynn Allen, Pauline Beverley, Kevin Catalig, Scott Uminga, Christine Dang, Susan Goldenberg, Deirdre McCluskey, & Mary Toledo Principal Photographers: Tom Bilenkey and Majid Zeinali

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NEW

NEW

Forest of Reading May 15 — 17

Junior — big thoughts for growing minds May 19 — 25

Canada Day June 29 — July 2

Barbados on the Water July 7 — 8

Brave July 12 — 29

Three weekends in July, with themes:

Innovators Defiant Exiled

Correction! Our apologies to Anne Greschuk for not giving her credit for her great photograph of Helen that we used in the previous newsletter. It was taken at Beat, Breaks & Culture, 2016. In the future will try to make sure that all photographs are accompanied with proper attribution - not only those specifically taken for the current issue, but those from the archives as well.

Mark Your Calendar!

Forest of Reading 2017

Canada Day 2017 (MZ)

Barbados on the Water 2017 (MZ)

TB