WHAT'S ON IN AUGUST

Until Sept. 1:  Sarena Parmar’s The Orchard (based on Anton Chekhov’s classic, The Cherry Orchard) at the Shaw Festival. Parmar has crafted a story based on her childhood living on an orchard in bc that centres on the Basrans, an immigrant Punjabi-Sikh family fighting to hold onto their Okanagan Valley orchard. The modern spin on Chekhov’s powerhouse play about land and loss is a story of the immigrant experience, a Canadian story. Directed by Ravi Jain and featuring Krystal Kiran, Pamela Sinha, Sanjay Talwar and Shawn Ahmed. Original music by Debashis Sinha. Tickets and more info at www.shawfest.com/playbill/the-orchard-after-chekhov

Aug. 9-12: The 17th Grace International Jerk Food and Music Festival   showcases authentic cuisine, cultural arts and crafts and exciting entertainment to best represent the Caribbean tradition. The performance schedule features Chaka Demus and Pliers. More info at www. jerkfestival.ca

Aug. 25: The 5th Annual International Modest Fashion & Design Festival (imfdf). Yacht party aboard The Yankee Lady cruise ship from 12 pm to 4:30 pm with modest fashion shows and live entertainers. Continues at the Radisson Admiral Harbourfront Hotel in Toronto with a fashion bazaar with the latest modest-clothing styles. Popular brands from Canada, the us, South Africa and Europe will be available. The program runs until 9:30 pm and includes runway shows. More details and tickets at https://bit.ly/2ujcojY

Aug. 25, 26: The sixth annual Pan American Food and Music Festival   celebrating the best food and culture of the Western Hemisphere returns to Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Square. The free festival offers food demonstrations by international chefs, dance workshops, two food competitions, the fruit carving carnival and a Pan American vendors’ market, with live music performances.  Taste creations from chefs from different countries and vote for your favourite at food competitions.  The Pan American Light Parade will move around Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday, August 25, at 9:30 pm. More info at www.panamfoodfest.com

Until Aug. 26: Border Crossings: Travelling Along the In Between at the Art Gallery of Mississauga. Guest-curated by Sharada Eswar and Sonja Rainey. Participate in an interactive, evolving gallery a visitors and community members are invited to join a voyage down the river of stories. The waters contain the wisdom of the ages and the power of timeless tales. Through artist-led workshops, explore and express differing and intersecting border crossing stories. Eventbrite Registration required. No prior experience needed. All art supplies will be provided. For details, contact: sharada.eswar@mississauga.ca.

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Free Desi Diary listings. List your event for free in Desi News and e-desinews.com. E-mail: desinews@rogers.com. Deadline for Sept. listings: Aug. 20, 2018.