Doors Open Toronto
About - 2012 Doors Open Toronto
Doors Open Toronto May 26 & 27, 2012
Special Programs
Doors Open Toronto is dedicated to forging community partnerships so that each year we can offer unique experiences at interesting sites.
Diaspora Dialogues
Track Toronto's financial history and discuss the impact and advances that have been made and what it means for the future.
Once the Dominion Bank, the Vault at One King West will open its doors to you and Diaspora Dialogues, a literary non-profit organization, for an exploration of the integral role that banks and financial systems have played in building the infrastructure of our society.
Access also includes a video installation, visual timeline and live readings that will delve into the history – both locally and internationally – of currency, markets and financial institutions, as well as engage in a timely discussion about the importance they play in Toronto.
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One King West, south-west corner of King Street and Yonge Street Map
10 am – 4 pm
Readings: Saturday and Sunday, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm
Doors Open on Toronto's Waterfront
Doors Open on Toronto's Waterfront presented by Queen's Quay Terminal in association with The Waterfront BIA features 15 distinctive ships and two historic buildings on Toronto's waterfront during the 13th Annual Doors Open Toronto celebration sponsored by the Toronto Star.
The Toronto Harbour Commission building will be open to the public and Queen's Quay Terminal will feature "Toronto on the Water", an exhibit of archival photographs showcasing the history of Toronto's waterfront. This photo exhibit features over 100 archival images on loan courtesy of Toronto Star Archives, Toronto Port Authority, City of Toronto Archives and Queen's Quay Terminal.
The exhibit will launch at Doors Open Toronto and will remain on display until Labour Day. Vessels from The Great Lakes Schooner Company (Challenge, Kajama, Obsession III), the Jubilee Cruise Lines (Jubilee Queen, Ste. Marie), Mariposa Cruises (Captain Matthew Flinders, Klancy II, Mariposa Belle, Northern Spirit, Oriole, Showboat, Rosemary), Nautical Adventure's Empire Sandy, and Toronto Brigantine (Pathfinder, Playfair) will be open to the public for tours. Please visit www.waterfrontbia.com.
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City of Toronto Waterfront at Queen's Quay Terminal
207 Queen's Quay West, at the foot of York Street Map
Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27
10– 5 pm
Fort York Historic Site Doors Open Toronto Programming
In commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Fort York will offer a sneak preview of some special bicentennial programming during the Doors Open Toronto weekend.
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250 Fort York Boulevard Map
Muddy York Performances
Muddy York is a Canadian folk group in the true sense of the word. Ian Bell and Anne Lederman perform songs and dance music from two centuries of Canadian life on fiddles, mandolins, concertinas, accordions, guitars, citterns, jawharps, bones, bass and feet. Tap your feet to the rhythms of your ancestors and hear the stories of your country through the eyes of those who were there.
Dates and Times:
Sunday, May 27
11:00-11:15 am
12:30-12:45 pm
2:00-2:15 pm
4:00-4:15 pm
Architectural Talk – du Toit Allsopp Hillier | du Toit Architects Limited
Fort York – The Never-ending Battle
From 1812 to the present, Fort York has been under siege not only from foreign soldiers, but also from encroaching railways, highways, industry and from sheer neglect. This presentation will focus on continuing attempts to protect and enhance the Fort in the face of intense urban development. Presented by Architect Peter Fletcher Smith.
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Dates and Times:
Saturday, May 26, 3 pm
Sunday, May 27, 3 pm
Location: Central Barracks
The Encampment
(A sneak peek into the creative process at Fort York)
The Encampment is art duo Thomas+Guinevere's (Thom Sokoloski & Jenny-Ann McCowan) massive public participatory art installation of 200 tents that will fill the grounds of Fort York. Considered a unique practise of art and history, The Encampment will transform a historic site into a “temporal village” on a grand scale and vividly evoke the civilian zeitgeist during the War of 1812 through a re-interpretation of 200 stories. For Doors Open, the publlic will get a sneak peek into the creative process of Thomas+Guinevere as they work with a team of Creative Collaborators from across southern Ontario in the fort's Blue Barracks where The Encampment is being created.
The Encampment was commissioned by Luminato and City of Toronto for the War of 1812 Commemoration. The artists will be available at 2pm in the Blue Barrack's on Saturday May 26th to talk about the project and answer any questions.
Dates and Times:
The Encampment, May 26 and May 27, 10 am-5 pm
Q and A session: Saturday, May 26 at 2 pm
Location: The Blue Barracks
Our Family loves Doors Open Toronto. We have always been proud of our city but this program has increased both our knowledge and appreciation.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
I visited 2 sites in east end Toronto:The East Toronto Masonic Temple at 15 Chisholm Ave and Hope United Church at 2550 Danforth.
For 30 years I have lived within 3 blocks of both of these sites, and I have never been in either of them. Both were very interesting to visit. The volunteers who answered questions at both sites were friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable.
Thank you for including these sites in Open Doors.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
My mom, who is 80 years young, has been coming [to Doors Open Toronto] with my husband and me every year. Even though she has lived in Toronto for most of her life she says she has never seen so much of this city.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
I think the great success of Doors Open Toronto proves to the politicians, and to developers, that people do care about their heritage. They know that a city becomes a better place to live when the character of great old buildings is preserved.
– Margie Zeidler, Developer In Globe and Mail Article, Report on Business
These types of events bring the community together - there are some real architectural treasures and hidden gems to be explored.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
Doors Open is not just about historical buildings, but also buildings that play an important or distinct role in the fabric of the participating community.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
...We frequently wonder if Toronto architecture has any redeeming qualities. The answer, of course, is a resounding 'Yes!' and a weekend attending Doors Open sites provides all the proof you need.
– The Torontoist
...The real importance of Doors Open may be its ability to bring us all a little closer together, to expand the common understanding that transforms mere physical proximity into something approaching citizenship and shared identity.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
...Doors Open is one of the best things to have happened to Toronto architecture so far this century or for any century for that matter.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
...Had an amazing day today, had a first date, we did Doors Open Toronto: got a free beer sample at Steam Whistle and went sailing, 1st time ever!.
– Doors Open Toronto Tweet
Excellent. Absolutely excellent. I look forward to this every year! I loved and appreciated how informative and friendly every single person running the locations we went to were - this really is a great event in our city!
– Stephan Peleck, Doors Open Toronto Participant
May the Doors always be open.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
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