Toronto To Japan

Illustration by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Check out these great events and initiatives in Toronto and online. So many people are working to send their love from Toronto to Japan. Got something to list? Send it to us at info@torontotojapan.ca and we’ll post it for you!

Tunes: Skyla J and the Vibes and Juno award winning producer Joby Baker team up on the song “Know that You’re Needed” for Japan relief.

Auction: Toronto Hearts Japan
Gladstone Hotel
March 31-April 5

Narwhal Art Projects, Invisible-Friends.com and friends are excited to host Toronto Hearts Japan, a fundraiser for our far-away loves. Our hearts have been broken by news of devastated towns and people separated from their homes and families, and we want to help. This event lets all of us who feel a special connection to Japan lend a hand in our own way. All proceeds will be donated to The Red Cross and to helping rebuild the Birdo Flugas Artist Centre and Community in Shiogama.

Toronto Hearts Japan is an exhibition, silent auction, and two (count them!) parties at the beloved Gladstone Hotel (with DJ Paul E. Lopes and DJ Jun). Featuring works from local to international artists (and other surprises too), everybody can find a way to offer our hearts to Japan and help them soldier on.

Opening Party: April 1, 7 PM, $20. Bid on art from March 31-April 5, then attend the Closing Party, April 5, 5 PM.

Event: JapanQuakeTO
Tattoo Rock Parlour
567 Queen Street West
Thursday, March 31
9 PM

On Thursday March 31st 2011, join JapanQuakeTO at Tattoo Rock Parlour for an epic night of fundraising; there will be raffles with prizes from some incredible sponsors, dancing to fantastic tunes and generally having a great time at one of the top venues in the city… and all for a great cause. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund with the Canadian Red Cross.

Illustration by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Toronto continues to show its love and support for the people of Japan. If you have an event, let us know at info@torontotojapan.ca and we’ll post it for you!

One Thousand Cranes For Japan
Hosted by the University of Toronto Asia Pacific Club
March 28 to April 1
10 am – 4 pm
Lobby of Sidney Smith Hall, 100 St. George Street

For information: ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca | 416 946 8832

Please stop by to fold a crane and make a donation. Guided instructions for the origami will be provided.

Proceeds go to Canadian Red Cross, earmarked for Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami relief. Cranes will be sent to Japan. Tax receipts are available for donations starting from $20.

A Public Observance of Solidarity with the People of Japan and the Pacific Rim
Hosted by the University of Toronto
Tuesday, March 29
12:00 p.m.
Main Activity Room
Multi-Faith Centre, 569 Spadina Ave. (Eastside Spadina North of Russell St.).

This event will be an opportunity for our community to reflect on the devastating impact of the earthquake and tsunami, and show our solidarity with those who have been directly and indirectly affected by these events.

In a community as generous and innovative as the University of Toronto, many opportunities to help are already emerging with several student-lead initiatives completed (and more have been planned).  We are sure that this kind support will continue over the coming weeks and months as the needs of those in this region continue to emerge.

If you have questions about the event, please contact Joan Griffin in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students at 416-978-2083 or via email to joan.griffin@utoronto.ca .

All students, faculty and staff are invited to attend.

A Screening of “Fine Totally Fine”
Hosted by J-Film Pow-Wow
Tuesday, April 5
7 PM
The Review Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Ave)
$8

J-Film Pow-Wow presents the Toronto Premiere of Yosuke Fujita’s comedy “Fine Totally Fine” with 100% of the proceeds going to the Support Japan – GAMBARE relief fund set uo by Pictures Dept. president Yuko Shiomkaki. Donations to this fund will be distributed by Japanese aid organization JustGiving and go to help those fighting to put their lives back together.

FTF (GTA Japanese Parenting Support Group)
Activities: http://www.facebook.com/ftfsavejapan

Further to our first roundup, here are some more fundraising events happening in Toronto. Got an event you’d like to promote? @message us on Twitter (@torontotojapan), or email us (toronto.to.japan@gmail.com) – We’ll post it for you. Stay tuned for info on Toronto To Japan’s mid-April fundraising extravaganza!

ASHITA: Artists for Japan
March 29
7 PM
The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West

Curator Rafi Ghanaghounian and Artist Daisuke Takeya are organizing a fundraiser event that will bring the arts community of Toronto together to support our friends in Japan both mentally and financially.

This night will include musicians, artists, poets from both Canada and Japan. As well galleries have donated books and other items available for purchase.

Toronto ♥ Japan
Team Japan benefit concert
featuring Rez Raida, Promise, and more
April 2
6:30 PM
Vola Lounge, 214 Adelaide Street
$15
19+

Ganbare Japan
Monday, April 4
Forte Bistro, 133 Richmond Street W.
$150
416-867-1909

Following quickly on the near instant sell-out of next weekend’s Support Japan Dinner at Böhmer, Nobuyo Stadtländer and her chef husband Michael have rallied the troops for a second event to raise much needed money for Japanese disaster relief.

Toronto To Japan‘s own Sang Kim hosts a night of sushi making with master sushi chef Shin Aoyama. Learn how to make four kinds of sushi rolls, and then devour them yourself (no sharing!). All proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross.

Sushi Making for the Soul of Japanese Survivors
Saturday, April 2
7 PM
Liberty Noodle
171 East Liberty Street
$25/Proceeds to Japanese Red Cross

To book, contact sushimakingforthesoulATgmail.com or check out the Facebook event page.

Toronto To Japan will host its own fundraising event in mid-April – watch this space for details!

For now, there are many events and activities going on in Toronto in support of the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Disaster. Here’s a roundup of what’s coming up:

To those of Japan, in the wake of the earth quake and tsunami, these words have a terrifying potency… that in the space between night and day, the world as we know it can change.

Toronto Bakes for Japan
Sunday, April 10
11 AM – 3 PM
Liberty Noodle at Liberty Village
Website, Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #BakeForJapan)

A bake sale to raise money for Japan.

Check back at Toronto to Japan for information on more upcoming events!