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CBC
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
This exhibition shows that basketball is more than a game — it's a cultural force
Sports often elicit feelings bigger than we can express with words. The love of the game can take shape in so many ways, and in the new Museum of Toronto exhibition, Home Game: Toronto Loves Basketball, the show explores how basketball is woven into the city through culture, fashion and art. Located at the Harbourfront Centre, in its own glass-walled space outside of the main gallery, the exhibit shows how deeply ingrained basketball is to Toronto communities. From neighbourhood teams and key figures to the Raptors' 2019 championship win, Home Game establishes just how much basketball has transformed the city. The exhibit uses interview clips, memorabilia, artifacts and art to tell the story of the relationship Toronto has with the sport. In Home Game, the art on display reflects the accessibility and diversity of the sport. Curator Perry King shares that the demand for this kind of exhibit had been growing for a while. He wanted art to be included to share the larger intention of the exhibit. "Basketball has been able to capture so many people in different ways," he says. "It's not just a sport. It's a living, breathing organism. It's something that people want to take further into their own lives." One focal point is an installation of six photos. The 2017 series entitled Jump Ball: Toronto by Jamaican Canadian photographer O'shane Howard was shot on the public basketball courts of Toronto's St. James Town neighbourhood. It features images of young Black men of Somalian, Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Nigerian, Congolese and Senegalese descent posing with basketballs and wearing traditional cultural attire as well as Western streetwear. Howard worked with Sunday School Creative founder Josef Adamu to create the shoot. Both men grew up playing basketball and both are passionate about storytelling, so they were natural collaborators on this project that depicts the African diaspora through the sport. "There's basketball, but [we're] also showing the cultural aspect to basketball — where these people are from. It wasn't only a basketball series, it was more of an educational piece." Howard learned about culture and clothing and why certain people wear the things they wear — and he hoped others would learn, too. The location of the photos looked "gritty," Howard says, which lent to the esthetic he wanted for the shoot. "I really took my time in post-production to finalize what I wanted [the photos] to feel like. Josef was also a part of that process. There was a lot of back and forth about skin tones and how we want the ball court to look, the sky, the buildings, the basketball — even removing logos. For me, that was just a really fun process." The first platform to share the photo series was Vogue Italia, followed by the Art Gallery of Ontario in the 2023 exhibition Feels Like Home. Now, they're on display once more at the Museum of Toronto. While Howard is happy the photos continue to be on demand, he always looks to tie culture to his photos to add depth. He shares that people now seem to be curious about who the players are within the sport, beyond a face and a number. "Each individual person within those associations has something that they represent behind the scenes, and that happens to be their culture," Howard says. "That's the angle that we came up with for Jump Ball, and that was so long ago." Howard will be one of four panelists discussing art, culture and basketball on a talk presented by the Museum of Toronto in September. The conversation will explore how basketball inspires artists across disciplines, from fashion to murals to performance. Howard hopes to share how crucial it is to tell stories that are happening in our cities and to explore how these stories shape the city. Jenny Kay Dupuis is an educator and visual artist from Nipissing First Nation. Her work leans toward the Anishinaabe tradition of Woodland style art and pop art, using bright and vibrant colours. Home Game includes one of her digital paintings, called Space Hoops. "I was thinking about that whole concept of the zero-gravity dunk," says Dupuis. "What would that be like if there was ever an opportunity for a basketball game to exist in space? It was a creative play on it." She put herself in the astronaut's perspective, imagining a jump shot in space. The Anishinaabe Woodland style of art uses strong black lines, which she employs throughout the piece, along with bright oranges and purples. The image also shows energy fields and stars, which represent cosmic knowledge and the Indigenous teachings related to those themes. The rocket symbolizes cultural continuity, the artist says, as if it were to blast off and carry Indigenous identity onto other imagined worlds. Space Hoops was created out of Dupuis' love of basketball, which she played for years as a teen. Dupuis finds it important to use the theme of sports in her art, especially when considering how many youths are now able to play the game and use it as a means to engage in community. There's a growing connection between Indigenous communities and basketball with the popularization of shows like Rez Ball. "There's been a big uptake of basketball in some cases because of what it does to support: building and developing one's sense of self … including thinking about teamwork and thinking about developing skills," Dupuis says. Mallory Tolcher 's Hoop Dreams installation series focuses on the basketball net, replacing the standard mesh with intricate white skirts. "My work explores the intersection of femininity, strength and performance, challenging traditional ideas about who gets to be seen and celebrated in athletics," says Tolcher. "I'm constantly drawn to the aesthetic language of sport — uniforms, rituals, materials — and how they can hold stories of identity, resistance and beauty. Whether it's through pearls or fabrics or netting, I'm always trying to soften the space around sport while still honouring its intensity." She finds the sport to be fast, emotional, expressive and deeply personal. She became obsessed with basketball as a teen, and now, like Howard, she finds herself curious about the players off the court. "It's more than a game," she says, "it's a lens." This artist installed beautiful hand-made basketball nets around her hometown For Tolcher, an important aspect of highlighting female representation in sport is recognizing those who paved the way. "Women and gender-diverse athletes have always been here," she says. "We just haven't always been given the same space, resources or spotlight. More inclusivity in basketball means more people get to see themselves in the sport, whether they're playing, coaching, commentating, creating or just a fan of the game. That kind of representation is really powerful. As a mom of a young girl, I want to be part of making sure that she can see herself within movement and athletics." She says that the Toronto Tempo joining the WNBA is a huge moment, as it signals that women's basketball is being taken seriously at every level, while also creating new opportunities for youth, for creatives like herself and for the entire ecosystem of fans and culture-builders. Curator Bria Dietrich wanted the Home Game exhibit to have a multitude of voices and perspectives, which included arts and culture. "It was really important that the exhibition reflected that basketball doesn't just impact the sport, but it also impacts the way that people move around the city and look in a city." King hopes that people who visit the exhibit see the growing diversity of the city reflected in the entire exhibit — including the art — and appreciate the connectivity that the sport has given us.
CBC
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Canada Day 2025: What's open and what's closed in Toronto
Social Sharing The 158th anniversary of Confederation lands on a Tuesday this year and while there's a chance of showers this Canada Day, there's plenty of celebrating to be done. Here's a look at the festivities happening across Toronto and what will be closed for business this Canada Day. Fireworks shows across the city Ashbridges Bay Park will once again host the city's famous fireworks display on July 1 at 10 p.m. But this year, they'll last one whole minute longer, running all the way until 10:15 p.m. Several other parks will hold 15-minute firework shows at 10 p.m. on Canada Day, including Centennial Park, Milliken Park, Stan Wadlow Park and Amesbury Park. This year, Toronto's Harbourfront Centre will hold fireworks at 10:45 p.m. But for those looking to start celebrating earlier in the day, the waterfront cultural space will offer free and ticketed programming, ranging from music, to an outdoor marketplace, food and comedy from 12 p.m. onwards. Mel Lastman Square in North York will also be hosting free programming leading up to its firework celebration at 10 p.m. Children can enjoy a Kids Zone with jumping castles, face painting and crafts until 8 p.m. and parents can enjoy a food and local vendor fair until 9:30 p.m. In Mississauga, there will be three different ways to enjoy the fireworks. Port Credit will host a street festival with amusement rides, performers and vendors. Attendees can end off the festivities with fireworks over the lake at 10 p.m. Mississauga's Celebration Square will also host an evening full of events, including a performance by Connor Price and DJ ELEV8. They'll end it off with fireworks at 10 p.m. Lastly, the Streetsville BIA will present a flag raising ceremony, followed by a drone show and fireworks at 10 p.m. at Memorial Park. Family fun The Royal Ontario Museum will have free admission on Canada Day, though all its reservable tickets were quickly taken online. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Similarly, the Art Gallery of Ontario will open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The CN Tower will be lit in red and white July 1 and will operate with its regular hours. Cineplex Theatres will open regular hours on Tuesday. The Toronto Zoo will celebrate Canada Day with extended hours, open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ripley's Aquarium will open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. To honour Canada's inauguration in 1867, the aquarium will be offering 1,867 tickets per day for a discounted price of $18.67 from Saturday until Tuesday. The tickets are only available on-site. Canada's Wonderland will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Attendees can expect live music, authentic Canadian food and street performers from 12 p.m. onwards. Fireworks took place on Monday. The High Park Animal Display is open July 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Riverdale Farm will also open on Canada Day at 9 a.m., but will close at 5 p.m. All city-run outdoor pools are open and operating on a full summer schedule. Public pools will open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while splash pads will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ferry service to and from Toronto's Centre Island will operate fully on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. The following Toronto History Museums will be open Canada Day, with free admission, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Fort York National Historic Site. Scarborough Museum. Gibson House Museum. All other history museum locations will be closed on Tuesday. How Toronto is gearing up to celebrate Canada Day 18 hours ago Duration 3:27 From free festivals to fireworks, there are a variety of events in Toronto taking place throughout the city Tuesday. CBC's Clara Pasieka breaks down what Torontonians can expect this Canada Day. What's closed on Canada Day? The St. Lawrence Market will be closed on Tuesday. All Toronto Public Library branches will be closed on Canada Day. The Eaton Centre and Vaughan Mills will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., while Square One will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The following shopping malls will be closed: Yorkdale Mall. Sherway Gardens. Scarborough Town Centre. Shops at Don Mills. Dufferin Mall. Fairview Mall. Canada Post will be closed on Canada Day, with no mail collection or delivery. Most bank branches and major grocery stores will be closed on Tuesday. Public transit TTC service will begin at 6 a.m. on July 1 and close at 2 a.m. on July 2. Any routes that do not normally open on Sunday will be closed on Canada Day. To accommodate riders hoping to attend fireworks displays, the public transit agency will be increasing subway service on Lines 1 and 2. Service will also be increased for the 509 and 510 streetcars and the 92 Woodbine and 22 Coxwell bus routes. Metrolinx GO Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule on Tuesday.
Cision Canada
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Ontario Science Centre Gears Up for an Adventure-Filled Summer with Earth Matters and Survival: The Exhibition, Opening June 27 at CF Sherway Gardens
Plus, enjoy new programming at KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre, learn the science of baseball at Jr. Jays Sundays, celebrate inclusivity at Family Pride, and more pop-ups and events this summer! TORONTO, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Get ready for a summer of curiosity-sparking fun at Ontario Science Centre Experiences! Along with two dynamic new exhibitions — Survival: The Exhibition and Earth Matters —opening June 27 at CF Sherway Gardens, catch the Science Centre team at exciting events all summer long, from KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre to Rogers Centre and beyond. Check out this science-packed lineup! New exhibitions opening at CF Sherway Gardens on June 27 Survival: The Exhibition – Ready for a thrilling adventure? Investigate, collaborate, problem-solve, play, build and climb your way through this interactive exhibition to become the ultimate survival expert! Test your instincts, gain appreciation for the wonders of nature and prepare for the unexpected. Earth Matters – Take an inspiring journey through this extraordinary exhibition to discover how everything in nature is linked, explore incredible ecosystems and learn how small actions make a big impact on our planet. Plus, enjoy hands-on Science Centre favourites: Innovation Station, Imagination Playground and Rigamajig and the return of the popular Kids' Night Out program! Wiggly summer addition to KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre New weekly programs beginning this summer including Compost Critters – a hands-on workshop exploring the amazing world of worms! Enjoy KidSpark's interactive space for kids 10 and under with three themed areas—Town & Country, The Health Hub and The Pond—designed to inspire STEM learning through imagination, play and discovery. Fun-Filled Pop-Ups! Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration on June 20 – Enjoy activities, performances and more including solar observations at Aga Khan Museum. Toronto Blue Jays Jr. Jays Sundays at Rogers Centre on June 22 – Swing by Bremner Blvd (Gate 10) for baseball-themed experiments on momentum, angles and the physics of curveballs. More dates soon! Family Pride on June 28 and 29 – Join us at Church St. Public School for a free, all-ages celebration of love, inclusivity and science with joyful activities celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Evergreen Brick Works on Thursday afternoons beginning July 3 – Enjoy interactive eco-science experiences in one of Toronto's greenest spaces. Great for curious minds of all ages! Catch our scientists this summer breaking down the science behind the Northern Lights —expected to be the best viewing in southern Ontario in 11 years! Plus, more events planned this summer! T eachers Get in Free this Summer! From July 1 to September 1, educators can enjoy free admission at both CF Sherway Gardens and KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre. Simply show proof of employment—like an Ontario College of Teachers card or employee ID—at the Box Office. Sponsored by Imperial. Both CF Sherway Gardens and KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre will be open all statutory holidays this summer (July 1, August 4 and September 1). For more details about our programming, pop-ups and events, and to book tickets to our Ontario Science Centre Experiences, please visit Survival: The Exhibition is produced by Imagine. Earth Matters is created by Scitech in Perth, Australia, and produced by Imagine. KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre is presented in partnership with Supporting Sponsor TELUS, The Pond's Sponsor OPG, and Veterinary Clinic Sponsor Royal Canin Canada.
CBC
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Museum of Toronto opens new exhibit on history of basketball in the city
A new basketball history exhibit has opened at Harbourfront Centre, presented by the Museum of Toronto. It explores the game's evolution in the city. The CBC's Greg Ross took a tour.
Toronto Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
It's an oasis on Toronto's waterfront and it's under threat. The new CEO is making deep cuts to secure its future
Cathy Loblaw, appointed Harbourfront Centre CEO last June, is a woman of action, bringing back buskers and the skating rink, and launching a Farmer's Market and a full summer schedule of events, despite having had to cut jobs to balance the budget. In under a year, she has brought more change to the sprawling waterfront attraction than it's seen in decades: parting ways with The Power Plant art gallery and the Toronto International Festival of Authors, and ending Harbourfront's lease with the Fleck Dance Theatre, to shore up Harbourfront's precarious finances.
