MUSKOKA - The third annual Culture Days weekend makes its way to Muskoka this month with creative activities in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville and Muskoka Lakes.
Culture Days is a collaborative volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. It will be celebrated in cities and towns across Canada this year Sept. 28 to 30.
Events feature free, hands-on, interactive activities and behind-the-scenes experiences where people can discover a world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators and designers, according to the initiative’s website.
Organizers include a national steering committee and volunteer provincial and territorial task forces and thousands of community-based activity organizers.
The events are open to everyone. According to the website, “Culture Days embraces a core vision that every individual — regardless of age, location or experience — has the right to access and participate actively in arts and culture.”
The initiative focuses on the arts and cultural sector as a vital part of the economic and social development of communities across the country and subsequently makes Canada vibrant.
The purpose of Culture Days, state the organizers, is to foster appreciation and support of arts and culture created in rural, suburban and urban areas alike, promote interaction between creators and citizens, and promote residents as cultural guardians in their communities.
Events in Bracebridge include a meet and greet with Giller Prize-winning author Joseph Boyden on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 8 to 10 p.m. at Clearbrook Trail; and an art in the woods, printmaking workshop and spirit painting workshop at the Blue Door Gallery, 1099 Peterson Rd.
Gravenhurst events include performance art in nature by Johannes Zits on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tree Museum, 1634 Doe Lake Road/Muskoka Road 6, and a barefoot walk and creativity workshop at the Muskoka Tourism Information Centre off Highway 11.
Events in Huntsville include backstage tours and drama workshops at the Algonquin Theatre, 37 Main St. E., on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a performance by Huntsville High School’s music group the Song Project on Friday, Sept. 28, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Algonquin Theatre; a poetry reading at Huntsville Public Library, on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 30, from 1 to 2 p.m.; a display on Huntsville founder Capt. George Hunt at the Huntsville train station; an art installation and display by five area artists called Canadian Spirit featuring Tom Thomson at The Art Space Gallery and Workshop across from River Mill Park; and free museum and collections tours at Muskoka Heritage Place, 88 Brunel Rd.
Muskoka Lakes events include an Alcuin Society Book Awards exhibit at Muskoka Lakes Museum and at the Muskoka Lakes Library, both on Joseph Street in Port Carling; an open studio at Muskoka Place Gallery at 1182 Foreman in Port Carling on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Muskoka-wide events include the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour on all three days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on the tour, visit www.muskokaautumnstudiotour.com.
For more information on Culture Days events, visit www.culturedays.ca.