Patricia Ariza, Artistic Director of La Corporación Colombiana de Teatro, is a beacon of hope and awareness in engaged theatre in a context of civil war. As a child, Ariza became one of Bogota’s million refugees. Later at university, she initiated student involvement in social issues through artistic expression. Upon graduating she began producing high quality independent theatre and in 1966 co-founded Colombia’s first alternative theatre – Teatro La Candelaria. Ariza has formulated a special approach to theatre making that promotes social interaction and thereby reduces conflict. She focuses on specific group such as women displaced by violence, the elderly or market vendors, and through testimony and re-enactment, develops a script centered on the issues in their collective lives. Personal experience is then transformed into matter for public dialogue through performance. Ariza is the Founding Director of projects such as the Cultural Theatre Movement, National Festival of New Theatre, Festival of Alternative Theatre and the Women on Stage Festival. Patricia Ariza has been honoured with the 2007 Prince Claus Award (Denmark) for her outstanding work over decades to empower the disadvantaged, enabling them to transform their lives through cultural activities, for her efforts to counteract injustice and restore social memory, and for her energetic commitment to the reduction of conflict.

Date: Tuesday, May 22nd., 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Revealing More Than Victoria’s Secret FUNdraising Event

WE CARE WITH UNDERWEAR is a charity for the femininity and dignity of women in Crisis.

WE CARE WITH UNDERWEAR first ventured to Haiti in Sept 2010 and since that first visit over 8000 undergarments have been given to women in need in Zimbabwe, Haiti and Toronto. Recently four women have been trained to make underwear and form the first ‘La Poche’ sewing co-op in Haiti.

WE CARE WITH UNDERWEAR will be returning to Haiti to start a second sewing co-op, “Project Underwear Affair.” Money raised will go to the start up of this new co-op.

The evening will include:
- Silent auction of wearable Underwear Art, Music and underwear comedy
- Wine and Cheese
All donations over $50 will receive a tax receipt
Donations of new underwear are also accepted for distribution in Haiti, Zimbabwe and Toronto.

Date: Thursday, May 24th., 2012
Location: Toronto Women’s Bookstore
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
For additional information: www.facebook.com/WeCareWithUnderwear or visit www.wecarewithunderwear.ca

Canadian author Susan Swan and The Billie Hollies (all girl folk noir quartet) present “An extraordinary evening of storytelling that celebrates the uniqueness of every woman”.

A fundraiser for the Toronto Women’s Bookstore hosted by Martha Chaves.

Date: Thursday, June 7th., 2012
Time: 6:30 p.m. / Performance from 7:00 – 7:40 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00 in advance, $30 at the door

Adrienne Rich: poet, essayist, feminist, champion of social justice, teacher, friend. The Toronto Women’s Bookstore invites you to join in celebrating Adrienne Rich’s life, to mourn her passing, and to read her work, again.

This event will feature Amy Gottlieb, Elizabeth Ruth, Anna Camilleri, Nourbese Philip and more.

Widely read, widely anthologized, widely interviewed and widely taught, Adrienne Rich was for decades among the most influential writers of the feminist movement and one of the best-known North American public intellectuals. She wrote 19 volumes of poetry and more than a half-dozen of prose. Her constellation of honors includes a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant in 1994 and a National Book Award for poetry in 1974 for “Diving Into the Wreck.” Adrienne Rich passed away on March 27, 2012.

This will be a celebration of Adrienne Rich’s life and work. If you are interested in reading a selection of her poetry or prose, or would like to offer your own tribute to Adrienne Rich (3 minutes max) please contact Anjula Gogia at anjulagogia@hotmail.com.

Date: Thursday, June 14th, 2012
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Free – all are welcome
Regrettably the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. This is a scent-free event.

Latin American Researchers of Ontario (LARO) is pleased to invite friends and the general public to its first anniversary reception!

In celebration of its first anniversary LARO will be hosting a reception for the researchers who contributed to the organization’s blog in 2011-2012. LARO will be launching “Anuario” an online Magazine that compiles their contributions.

Please join us for an afternoon of great music, good company and delicious Latin American food. See attached poster.

Date: Saturday, May 4th., 2012
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

This fifth book in Annick’s successful We Thought of It series describes the traditions and innovations that are the result of thousands of years of civilization in Latin America, across two continents and nearly 20 countries. Travel from the ancient hidden city of Machu Picchu high in the Andes, past Mayan ruins over 2,000 years old, to the bustling modern cities of São Paulo and Buenos Aires. Along the way, readers will learn about the vibrant cultures and innovations of Latin America—rodeo, carnival, chocolate, coffee, piñata, tango, and salsa, to name only a few. Many of these have become part of the daily lives of people all around the world. For ages 9 – 12 (grades 4 – 7).

Eva Salinas, a journalist with roots in Chile, has lived and worked in London, Vancouver, Ghana, and Chile. She lives in Toronto.

Celebrate the rich history and cultures of Latin America! Join us for family fun, food and music.

Date: Saturday, April 28th., 2012
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Painful and shocking, but often hopeful, the stories in On the Edge of Being illustrate the devastating impact of the split between body and voice that Afghan women are forced to navigate.

The daughter of a progressive Afghan governor, Dr. Sharifa Sharif observed from an early age that life for women – both within and beyond the walls of her home – was neither simple, nor fair.

As she navigates the rocky terrain of what it means to be a woman in Afghan society, Sharif candidly connects her own troubling experiences with those of girls and women around her: those who appeal to her father for justice, those who work as servants in her friends’ homes and, crucially, her own mother, whose inability to alter the restrictions in her own life causes both anger and empathy.

From her childhood travelling through the poorest provinces in Afghanistan to life as a schoolteacher, an immigrant student in North America and beyond, Dr. Sharif struggles to define her identity through experiences of marginality, on the journey to reclaim her body and self.

Date: Thursday, April 12th., 2012
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
This evening will feature an introduction & conversation with Dr. Shahrzad Mojab
Please RSVP directly by email at publicity@threeoclockpress.com

MUJER would like to invite you to celebrate International Women’s Day.

MUJER, is an organization that promotes the integral development of Latin American Women, emphasizing their rights and freedom.

MUJER promotes programs, resources, and services that respond to the needs of Latin- American Women.

The event entitled, Recognize Latina Leaders in Canada, will feature a photo exhibit of Latin women in Canada impacting their communities from a diverse range of fields including, artists, community workers, lawyers and advocates, amongst others.

Date: Thursday, March 8th., 2012
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.