Eight Reasons to visit #DECAF16

decaf-memories

Thanks to Miara Nasar, #DECAF16 volunteer, for this guest post.

The 8th annual Danforth East (Community) Arts Fair, or #DECAF16, will be held at East Lynn Park next weekend, Sept. 17-18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is an exciting event and an amazing way to end the summer season!

There are so many reasons to attend the fair but here are just eight:

Support local artisans: DECAF is host to so many local artists showcasing their work and craft to the community. Traditionally, the majority of the fair’s artists come from East Danforth neighbourhoods. DECAF allows for a space where smaller artists are able to share their work to the public. (Click here to see a park map of exhibitors.)
Build a stronger sense of community: Attending the fair can let you connect to others in your neighbourhood and let you make new friendships and connections. (Want to volunteer at the Fair? SIGN UP HERE to be part of this great event!)
Find unique items: DECAF will be featuring many different artists with a multitude of talents. We have painters, jewelers, clothing designers, natural skin care products and more to discover at the fair!
Taste amazing foods: Our food vendors include Celena’s Bakery, Sweet Serendipity, Taste the Tornado and The Borough.
Fun for the whole family: There is a range of activities targeted for different ages to make everyone happy. Bring your family and friends to experience the fair together!
Become inspired: With an eclectic mix of artists such as Attn2detail Designs, Binksy & Bobo, CGMonsters and KWP Design, just to name a few, and all the beautiful imagery, creativity is bound to be instilled within you. You also have the chance to interact with the artists themselves to engage in deeper discussions about their work.
Live entertainment: Live music will be playing all throughout the event to keep the crowd on their feet. Bust out your favourite dance moves! You are guaranteed to have non-stop fun!
It’s free: Best of all, DECAF is free to attend for anyone and everyone! Spread the word and bring your friends and family to make the most of the fair. They will thank you for bringing them! We hope to see you all soon!

Follow us on social media and tag us with #DECAF16:

Facebook: @DECAartsfair

Twitter: @DECA_Arts

Instagram: deca_arts

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September 2, 2016

Youth Booth returns to #DECAF16 with talented young artists

For the third year in a row, the Danforth East (Community) Arts Fair will be giving young artists a chance to show off their talents and gain some valuable experience.

Meet our Youth Booth artists for 2016!

Megan’s Art

Megan is a 16-year-old aspiring artist from Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. She loves to paint vibrant still life works and describes her work as Impressionist Acrylic Paintings.

“What my art says about me is that when I see something I think is beautiful and should be looked at differently, I feel I should paint it,” Megan explains.

Thanks to #DECAF16 sponsors, Megan will have her first opportunity to show and sell her work in a public market space.

Welcome Megan!

PIECES by Anngela and Samanntha

PIECES art — PIECES by Anngela and Samanntha, Youth Booth artists.

Sisters Anngela, who is 15, and Samanntha, who is 13, find their inspiration – and source materials – from water.

“We collect beach glass from Ontario lakes and then wrap them around with wires,” say the sisters. “Also, using store-bought glass as pendants, we paint them or glue papers on the back of the glass. We started making jewelry about a year ago and learned from our mother, who has been voluntarily teaching jewelry classes for a Native Reserve Community near Northern Ontario during summer.”

PIECES will be on display and selling their jewelry at the 2016 Danforth East Art Fair, thanks to the generosity of this year’s sponsors.

Welcome Anngela and Samanntha!

The Youth Booth gives young artists an opportunity to bridge the academic world of artistic study with professional practice.This is an excellent opportunity to network with established artists in the community as well as to develop personal portfolios for the future.

The 8th annual Danforth East Arts Fair runs Sept. 17-18 in East Lynn Park. Visit http://deca-arts.ca/ for more info.

August 7, 2014

Stuff going on around here

From a delinquent blogger to her neighbours – here are some things going on around here!

Tool Library “Maker Palooza Kids”

For more information, check out at www.torontotoollibrary.com/kids-camp

Fundraising Karaoke!

Unleash Your Inner ROCKSTAR ! Karaoke Night at The Groove Bar & Grill (1952 Danforth Ave) on August 9th starting at 10:00 p.m, supporting Habitat For Humanity and Women Build. Tons of fun and prizes supporting this amazing cause!!

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Parks Update

Thanks to Councillor McMahon for the news! Construction of a new playground in Stephenson Park is scheduled to begin on September 8 (targeted completion is October 31, 2014) and in the next few weeks, outdoor ping-pong tables will be installed in a few parks, including East Lynn!

Outdoor Movie Night at Main Square

The Danforth Village BIA will host this family-friendly event, a screening of the movie “Jumanji”. All are welcome! Arm chair seating will be provided.

Saturday, August 23, event starts at 6:00 pm, movie starts at 8:30pm
Main Square, Southeast Corner of Danforth Ave. & Main St.

October 27, 2013

DECA’s 4th Annual Pumpkin Parade @ East Lynn Park

Your official invitation to DECA’s 4th Annual Pumpkin Parade!

This is the most magical night of the year. The entire park lights up with the creative talent and community spirit that defines this wonderful neighbourhood.

Bring your jack-o-lantern, a candle, your favourite people/pets, your good camera and some mittens. (A thermos full of of hot chocolate too!)

Enchantment guaranteed.

PS – You don’t actually need to bring a pumpkin!

PPS – Thanks again to Councillor McMahon (Ward 32) for sponsoring this event.

If you missed our Halloween post, click here to read about some neighbourhood activities on the big day. Note that face painting at Artisans at Work is now from 2:30-5:00.

October 23, 2013

Boo! Halloween is coming…

Your Danforth East Halloween Agenda

Does Halloween ever get old? Dogs, kids and a pumpkin walk for everyone – our neighbourhood has it all. Here is the info in no particular order:

DECA’S 4th Annual PUMPKIN PARADE in East Lynn Park
November 1, 2013, 6:30-9:00pm

The poster is forthcoming, but mark your calendars that the Pumpkin Parade is ON! We are so grateful that Councillor McMahon is sponsoring the event this year. With the new, wider path in the park, it is sure to be the best-ever most magical night in the park!

Howl-O-Ween Festival
October 27, 2013 1:00-3:00pm
Merrill Park Dog Association

For more info, visit: http://merrilldogpark.wordpress.com/ MPDA_Oct_15_2013 Poster

Halloween Face Paint Party with Happy Faces
October 31, 2013 2:30-5:30pm (updated time)
2071 Danforth Avenue (Artisans at Work)

Missing your Thursday market face paint this Halloween? You’re in luck — Happy Faces Face Paint will be hosting a Halloween Face Paint Party at Artisans at Work on Halloween.

For only $5 per face, they promise to: “add the finishing touches to your little monster/princess/monsterprincess’s costume with face paint, sparkles and hairdos.”

You can book in advance by emailing your name, phone number and preferred times to thosehappyfaces@gmail.com, or just drop by!

ArtCave Halloween Events
October 25th & October 31st
155 Lamb Ave, just south of Danforth Avenue

Come and visit ArtCave, a new, local art studio business!
For more info: www.art-cave.ca

October 14, 2013

mural survey, trees, lunch and fall fair news!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Does too much gravy have a scientifically proven effect on cognitive functioning? I’ve been staring at the computer for 20 minutes and still, no clever theme is coming to mind. How about this? We live in a great neighbourhood, and it just keeps getting better and better.

Here are four things that prove that our neighbourhood is awesome:

1. Our subway station is getting upgraded, and we can give input into the mural that will be painted on the construction hoarding

(PS – Did you know that those boards around a construction site is called ‘hoarding’? Well, now you know.)

A message from Susan Kohler, Senior Arts Consultant, East District Arts Services:

City on the Move, Young Artists in Transit – East is a partnership program between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Toronto Cultural Services with community partners Arts for Children and Youth and Children’s Peace Theatre, aimed at building youth skills in visual storytelling, self expression, engagement and community leadership.

As part of this project, murals are created by youth in the community under the leadership of a professional artist and a Youth Mentor, to be displayed on construction hoarding at transit stations. To date, two murals have been painted for Coxwell Station to be installed in early 2014. We hope you will help us on the design of the Woodbine mural by clicking on http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XR6PGXM

The survey will take only a few minutes to complete. We really value your input! Please forward to anyone you think may be interested in participating in the survey.

If you have any questions please email Susan here.

2. Our parks are getting more trees!

Thanks to Mary-Margaret McMahon for letting us know that East Lynn Park, Oakcrest Park and Merrill Bridge Park will all be getting new trees. With the fall colours in full effect right now, I’m sure we are all appreciating our trees even more than usual. We’ll let you know the details as they become available.

3. Our ice cream shop is staying open over the winter and has a mouth-watering lunch menu

Carter’s Ice Cream (3 Woodmount Ave, near Danforth and Woodbine) is now open over the winter. The hours are Mon-Fri 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and they will be serving ice cream and lunch!! You can also order birthday cakes all year. “Like” them on Facebook to keep up with all their news.

4. RH McGregor is having an awesome school fair on Saturday, October 26, 2013

555 Mortimer Avenue, October 26, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.