DESI DIARY
WHAT’S ON IN SEPTEMBER
Shashi Tharoor and author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni will be at JLF Toronto 2019 this month.
Shashi Tharoor, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni a in the line-up for JLF Toronto 2019. Sept. 27-29. Teamwork Arts, the producer of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, brings a grand feast of ideas and literature to Toronto. Festival speakers include acclaimed travel writer Pico Iyer; New York Times bestselling novelist André Aciman, former diplomats Shashi Tharoor and Navin Chawla; India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Vikas Swarup; and writers MG Vassanji, John Ralston Saul, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and Izzeldin Abuelaish, among others. Hosting internationally-acclaimed authors, social commentators and artists, JLF Toronto features cross-cultural conversations on an array of topics including the arts, politics, environment, economics, gender issues, and more. Highlights include opening gala on Sept. 27 with keynote address by William Dalrymple, literature sessions, a specially-curated lunch at one of Distillery Historic District’s acclaimed restaurants and a vibrant, outdoor street festival and marketplace featuring artisan vendors, culinary delights, pop-up performances and art installations on Trinity Street. At the Distillery Historic District and Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Details at www.jlflitfest.org.
Comedy superstar Sugar Sammy returns to perform live in Ontario. Sept 13-14. He can hit on cultural, social and political themes with such charm and finesse that it allows him to push the envelope a little farther than most, especially in his famous improv moments, which allow him to interact with audiences at every one of his shows, both onstage and after the shows. October 11, at Rose Theatre, Brampton and October 12 at the Winter Garden Theatre, Toronto. Tickets: $42.99-$56.99 at www.sugarsammy.com.
Sept. 6-7: Hart House Theatre presents an original, devised work that is curated and directed by Indigenous educator and artist, Jill Carter. Through their engagement with Encounters at the “Edge of the Woods”, a committed team of emerging Indigenous and non-Indigenous artistes have developed a process through which to address a fraught and tangled history of settlement. They will explore the restor(y)ation of treaty relationships using Indigenous practices of story weaving through deep connections to the land. Tickets: adults, $28; seniors, $20; students, $15. Call 416-978-2452 or visit www.hart-housetheatre.ca.
Sept. 19-29: Broken Branches exposes a dark side of family life – one hidden in plain sight. What happens when sibling conflict crosses a line? Play sheds light on an important yet silent issue: sibling abuse. World Premiere at Native Earth’s Aki Studio, Toronto. Audience advisory: There are references to childhood abuse from siblings (including sexual abuse) and its aftermath; mental health issues, addiction and self-harm. Coarse language. Tickets: 30 at www.brokenbranches.ca or nativeearth.ca/akistudio/brokenbranches.ca.
Sept. 21: Multilingual drama festival. Plays in Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Punjabi, beginning at 2 pm Urdu play Mirza Ghalib from 6 - 8:30 pm. Free, but registration is required to ensure seats. The ticket is good for the whole day. For more details or to register, contact Uzma Danish at osccdesiconnect@gmail.com.
Comedy superstar Sugar Sammy returns to perform live in Ontario.
Oct. 19, 20: Celebrating its 20th year, the Lakeshore Art Trail is an artistic-community based art show tour featuring local visual artists exhibiting and selling their artwork at artists’ studios, local businesses and libraries in the scenic Mississauga villages of Clarkson and Port Credit. More information and art trail map at www.lakeshorearttrail.com or 416-894-4494.
• Free Desi Diary listings. List your event for free in Desi News. E-mail: desinews@rogers.com. Deadline for October listings: Sept 20, 2019.