Thursday, June 23

What’s Your Forte presents Soul Food

The cooking collaborative consisting of culinary artist Adrian B.Forte (Whats Your Forte?) and Bryan Butler (Massive Catering) brings to you a southern style gourmet dining experience accented with the right ambiance and soothing sounds orchestrated by some of Toronto’s elite DJ’s playing the best in 90?s R&B.

Tota Lounge.1st Seating 6:30– 8:00pm | 2nd Seating 8:00– 9:30pm | 3rd Seating 9:30 -11pm. $40. Call 647.783.1066 or [email protected].

Friday, June 24

TD Toronto Jazz Festival

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival has grown into one of North America’s biggest and celebrity-packed venues since its inception in 1987. The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin gets the party started right with a FREE performance at Metro Square on June 24 at 8:30 pm.  Other highlights include, The Roots, Bootsy Collins with opener Saidah Baba Talibah, Average White Band and more.

Check out www.tojazz.com for the full lineup.

Remembering Dudley Laws: A Poetic Tribute

A Different Booklist hosts An Evening of Resistance Poetry and Musical Entertainment, Featured performers include, Michael St. George – dub poet, multi-media recording artist; True Daley – spoken word poet, journalist, singer/songwriter; Jesse Andrews – poet, panthologist; and Diane Liverpool- poet, community radio host. Plus a Community Update from the Black Defence Committee and Open Mic segment.
Hosted by Osaze Dolabaille

A Different Booklist. 7:30pm. Suggested Donation $5
For more information: 416.707.8397 or 416.603.9858 www.poetryofresistance.org www.adifferentbooklist.com

Saturday, June 25

COBA presents SheReHe 2011

Students from the COBA’s Children’s Dance and Drum Program perform in SHEreHE: Legend of the Pitch Lake, a folk theatre production of dance and music.

COBA’s mission is to preserve the cultural traditions of Africa and the African diaspora through education, research and public performance.

Isabel Bader Theatre. 6:30pm. $25. www.cobainc.com

Sunday, June 26

I Need to Know my Father

Marcia Brown Productions presents I Need to Know my Father, a comedy-drama that examines the critical role a father plays in a child’s life.  Starring: Marcia Brown, Naggo Morris, Letna Allen, Kayla McLaughlin and more.

The Ukranian Church of the Resurrection, Hamilton ON. 8pm. $35. www.marciabrownproductions.com

Tuesday, June 14

World for Change – A World Music Concert

UforChange presents World for Change A special concert where east meets west featuring professional jazz and world music performers Jim Heineman Quintet, Victor Ghannam and Jacco Muller and Jazz Flutist David Blackmore, joined by members of the St. James Town-based youth project.

Glenn Gould Studio. 8pm. Business Casual attire. uforchange.org

Acoustic Soul Tuesdays

Black Lotus Media presents Acoustic Soul Tuesdays: An Urban Open Mic event. The nite always showcases an array of performances: Uplifting Poets, Soulful Vocalists, Dope Emcees & Live Band. All-Star band features: HAJILE KALAIKE (host, spoken word), JEF KEARNS (flute), DANIEL COWANS (keys), STEVIE GEE (guitar), ANTHONY LEWIS (bass) & PAUL NANUWA (drums).

Music by: DJ BLACK LOTUS (Afrofest, Yoruba Records) *Black Lotus Lounge mix CDs available at the door

Trane Studio. 8pm. Cover $10. Dinner Menu Available til 10pm

Thursday, June 16

XL Faith Meet & Mingle

XL Faith presents Meet & Mingle, the Christian networking event. The place for new Business, Connections and Possibilities. www.xlfaith.com

Trane Studio. 7pm. $15

Power Ball: Thirteenth Floor

More than 1,700 partygoers will step into a world where reality is disrupted by delusions at Power Ball: Thirteenth Floor. The Power Plant, Canada’s leading contemporary gallery, invites Torontonians back to the most notorious art fundraiser of the year.

Part social extravaganza, part art exhibition, the event will transport guests to a place untouched by time, an enigmatic environment housed on the thirteenth floor.

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. 8:30pm. $165 / $155 for members. www.thepowerplant.org

Friday, June 17

A Creole Cultural Evening with Emeline Michel & Toto Laraque

Emeline Michel, renowned singer and performer, known as the Haitian Queen of Song along with guitarist Toto Laraque will be in Toronto on Friday. Both will share with the audience, their experience of the Creole culture and how it has influenced their music and what it means to them culturally.

Toula’s Lounge -Westin Harbour Castle. 8pm. $50 adults, $20 children. Contact: 416-388-8086

Saturday, June 18

Private Pain In Public Pews

Back by popular demand, Private Pain in Public Pews, a stage play based on the popular selling book by Dr. Elaine A. Brown Spencer.

The Music Hall Theatre. 6pm. $30 – $45. drelainespencer.com

Sunday, June 19

The Sickle Cell Association of Ontario – World Sickle Cell Day

Come help The Sickle Cell Association of Ontario celebrate the 3rd Anniversary World Sickle Cell Day on Father’s Day. Guest speakers Dr. Lee Ford-Jones, Hospital for Sick Children and World Renowned Sickle Cell Researcher Dr. Graham Sergeant, MD, PhD from U.W.I of Jamaica.

Sts. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall. 3:30pm. $55, $25 for 12 and under. www.sicklecellontario.com

The Hottest Post MMVA After Party in the City!!

MAC Viva Glam PresentsThe Official Universal Music Canada 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards After Party. Brought to You By Flare. Powered by Metrolyrics

This is London and Red Square. 10pm. 19+. Dress code in effect.

Compiled by Shaundra Selvaggi

Monday, June 6

Rihanna: Loud Tour

Pop Diva Rihanna hits the road again for the LOUD Tour. Demand for tickets was so high, the Bahan beauty added a second date to the Toronto stop (June 7).  LOUD, the singer’s fifth studio album, has produced the #1 hits, “Only Girl” “What’s My Name” and most recently, “S&M.”

Special guests B.O.B and J Cole will open.

Air Canada Centre. 7:30pm. $26.75 – $115.50. www.ticketmaster.ca

Open Jam Night

The jam is over 2 years old, busy, and still going strong! Hosted/created by Carolyn T www.carolyntband.com. This is a COMMUNITY EVENT for musicians and spectators that provides an excellent opportunity for full-time & part-time musicians to shed, network, collaborate, promote gigs and show off their talent! Many gigging/working bands have started because of the jam!!!

Harlem Restaurant.  Every Monday (except long weekends) 8pm.

Saturday, June 11

AfroChic Two-Day Festival

AfroChic evolves old school ideologies into new-age motivation through the vehicles of art and open dialogue to provide a transformative and enlightening space for creativity and solidarity within underserved Canadian arts and business groups.

June 11: Twist Gallery hosts the 2ND Annual AfroChic Cultural Arts Exhibit
This year’s exhibit incorporates visual displays by mixed media artists and visual artists Le’vi Lingwabo, Sabrina Moella, Colanthony Humphrey, Adajee Odousanya, Bishara Mohamed, Camille Lauren, Quentin Vercetty, Nana Bediako and more. Vendors include the Toronto Natural Hair & Beauty Show, Alter Ego Clothing, Reflections Clothing, Love Me As I am, Shay Chin Jewelry and Earthstrong Livity.

June 12: Trane Studio hosts the 1st Annual Community Voices Brunch!
AfroChic hosts an interactive afternoon with the essentials: good food, good conversation and exceptional company. Brunch will be enjoyed in the first hour, followed by an engaging discussion by leaders in our community: Amanda Parris, Nation Cheong, Nneka Elliot, Dion Walcott, Dr. Njoki Wane, and Lincoln Anthony Blades. The event will be mediated by the charming and well spoken Akil D.

afrochic.ca

88 Days Of Fortune Presents: Wylin On The Island!

88 Days Of Fortune is a grass roots, queer and straight integrated, youth run, music and multi-media collective. With 21 active members, we are based in Toronto, but have members branching out as far as Seattle and Japan. The group celebrates its 2-year anniversary with a party and performance in collaboration with Artscape Gibraltar Point on the Toronto Island. Music. Live painting. Workshops. Sky Installations. Photo Booth. LLBO. Food. Vendors and more

Toronto Island Park. 12pm – 12am. $12. Chlidren under 10 FREE. www.clubzone.com/events/353750/toronto/toronto-island/wyling-on-the-island

The Toronto Children’s Concert Choir Presents: Music in the Air

Toronto Children’s Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company (TC3) is a program of The HopeWorks Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering urban youth aged seven to 18 years through the performing arts and relieving poverty.

Over the past decade, TC3 has reached over five hundred Toronto youth. To celebrate the ten-year landmark, the group will be hosting a series of 10th Anniversary Concerts, featuring special guests. The second, will take place at Pickering Pentecostal Church (1920 Bayly Street, Pickering, Ontario). The concert will feature Errol Lee, Keysha Fresh and various TC3 Alumni/Past Members. The Covenant Award-winning choir’s presentation will also feature various genres of dance and Afro-Caribbean drumming.

Admission is $10 in advance, $15 dollars at the door.  Purchase online at http://tc3.eventsbot.com or contact TC3 at 416-939-1702 or [email protected]

Sunday, June 12

Night of Essence 2011

Over 50 performers from the GTA will take to the stage to show off the amazing female talents of the Entertainment Industry as part Night of Essence 2011 “SHE ROCKS”

Night of Essence brings together dance, music, comedy, spoken word and unique specialty performances to the forefront of the entertainment community, by the industries most talented artists. Featured performers/choreographers are: DJ Lissa Monet, Apolonia Velasquez, Shameka Blake, Lindsay Ritter Productions, Carla Catherwood, POSE Dance Troupe, Elisabeth Magalhaes, Jamie Holmes, Crystal Ferrier, Domanique Grant and many more

6 Degrees. 9pm. www.nightofessence.com

Compiled by Shaundra Selvaggi

Tuesday, May 31

CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival

The CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF) is the premier venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America. Taking place May 31 – June 5, the WSFF is dedicated to celebrating the quality and creative range of short films.

Visit worldwideshortfilmfest.com for more info on featured films, schedule and locations

Thursday, June 2

COBA presents EMBERS

Collective of Black Artists (COBA) showcases emerging artists from its three-year Professional Training and Apprenticeship Program with Embers.

COBA’s mission is to preserve the cultural traditions of Africa and the African diaspora through education, research and public performance.

Palmerston Library Theatre. 7:30pm. www.cobainc.com

Midnight Junk

Photographer George Dumitru’s latest work depicts the found ‘junk’ in the Mojave Desert. Shot entirely at night, utilizing innovative light painting, life and vibrancy shine through the rust to bring the subjects to life.

Cinnamon Girls Cafe. 7:30pm.

Friday, June 3

Waterfront Blues Festival

The Waterfront Blues Festival is back for lucky #7.  Blues lovers can head down to Toronto’s Waterfront for three days of gut-wrenching performances by acts such as, Curtis Salgado, Larry McCray, Teeny Tucker, Johnny Rawls, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, and Gary Kendall & Chuck Jackson of Downchild!

Woodbine Park. June 3 – 5. FREE www.waterfrontblues.ca

Mansa Sissoko with Kassoum Diamoutene

Batuki Music Society and the Gladstone Hotel present Malian kora virtuoso and griot Mansa Sissoko, accompanied by bala player Kassoum Diamoutene, the next in the World Concert Series that takes place on the first Friday of every month.  All concerts are free; they feature a diverse lineup of performers with a strong focus on African music. Guest DJ Apollo will spin from his extensive collection of African popular and classic hits. Guest appearance by Zimbabwean mbira players, Mutamba Rainos & Pasi Gunguwo.

Melody Bar. 7pm. FREE

1st Fridays

The 17th Anniversary Celebration will feature GM Canada President Kevin Williams, Trey Anthony (da Kink in My Hair) and Nneka Elliott  (former CP24 Reporter) – The Media Huddle, the afterparty and more…Hosted by Warren Salmon & Mesfun Y Haile with music supplied by The Mailman George Fynn. Early Bird Admission is $15 with dinner reservations (Dinner extra), $20 for presentations & afterparty (until May31st)

Kultura. Dinner from 7- 10pm (seating from 7 – 8pm – Reservations Required)

www.firstfridays.ca

Saturday, June 4

Muhtadi International Drumming Festival

Drummers and musicians come together for Toronto’s annual international drumming festival which will celebrate its 12th anniversary on June 4th and 5th 2011.  Toronto will be treated to international drummers representing cultures from Africa, North America, South America, Europe, India, Japan, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, South Korea, and the Middle East.

Children’s Play Area, ethnic cuisine, exotic arts and crafts, Workshop programs included.

Queen’s Park North. June 3 & 4. www.muhtadidrumfest.com

African Canadian Achievement Awards

The 26^th Annual African Canadian Achievement Awards will feature a spectacular evening of tributes, interspersed with performances by award-winning entertainers. The ACAA recognizes and honours the accomplishments, achievements and excellence of African-Canadians in fourteen categories. It is also intended to offer sparkling testimonies of hope and inspiration to our youth — courageous examples of achievement and “overcoming” which they can emulate and perpetuate.

Jane Mallett Theatre. 7:30pm. $35

Compiled by Shaundra Selvaggi

Friday, May 27

Boyz II Men

R&B supergroup Boyz II Men play their first Toronto concert at Kool Haus. The Philadelphia natives shot to international stardom in the early 90s with ”End of the Road.”  A night with the men known for the smoothest a capella harmonies in the business is sure to be an unforgettable one.

Kool Haus. 10pm. $54. www.ticketmaster.ca

Saturday, May 28

Drum Artz Canada Community Day & BBQ

Drum Artz Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to community enrichment through music and arts programming.   The Annual Community Day & BBQ offers a preview of upcoming summer and fall Samba Kidz programs, free drumming and art classes and a chance to learn more about volunteering and current members.

Drum Artz Community Centre. 12:30 – 4pm. Free. www.drumartz.com

African Liberation Day 2011

The Group for Research and Initiative for the Liberation of Africa presents African Liberation Day 2011: A Circle Discussion featuring, Zubairu Wai, Kalson Abdi and Muna Ali

A Different Booklist. 5pm. FREE

And Still We Sing…Esperanza y Luz

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada’s first ensemble dedicated to performing Afrocentric music. And Still We Sing…Esperanza y Luz is the final performance of the 2010/2011 season. This celebration of ‘hope and light’ explores the rhythms of Latin America, featuring music by Electo Silva, Guillermo Fragoso, Adolphus Hailstork and excerpts from “Missa Afro-Brasileira’  by Carlos Alberto Fonseca

Glenn Gould Studio. 8pm. $30 – $39.50. nathanieldettchorale.org

Sunday, May 29

Live Healthy Fair

The Toronto Adventist District School Board presents Live Healthy Fair, an event full of tips for the health conscious.  The afternoon will feature a health talk, cooking session with culinary enthusiast Lizanne Felix and screening of the documentary Fresh. Early attendees can visit the Walkathon Bazaar and enjoy live entertainment!

Crawford Adventist Academy. 1pm. $10. Call 416-203-0451

Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble

Mississauga Big Band will be recording its next CD Live at Arnold’s and you’re invited to participate. Each show will feature two sets of great jazz tunes, instrumentals and vocal numbers, standards and a few original.  Compositions by Mercer Ellington, Charles Mingus, John LaBarbera, George Gershwin, Tito Puente, Bruce Cassidy and many more

Arnold’s Sports Bar. 2:30 & 6:30pm. $20. www.arnoldssportsbar.ca

Toronto International Circus Festival
Harbourfront Centre 235 Queens Quay West Toronto

Experience side-splitting comedy, eye-popping acrobatics and daredevil stunts, featuring lunatic unicyclists, world class acrobats, unflinching fire eaters, sky-scraping stilt walkers, brazen chainsaw jugglers, genius balloon sculptor, harebrained clowns and characters everywhere! Learn to juggle, hula hoop, hang upside down, or do a cartwheel! Kick off the summer season by getting off the couch and into the swing of Circus!

May 21 – May 23, 11am – 5pm

FREE for ALL ages

Visit www.tocircusfestival.com

Alice in Wonderland at Black Creek
Black Creek Pioneer Village 1000 Murray Ross Parkway Toronto

Let your mind go into the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. Enjoy a Mad Hatter Tea Party, wander into the Through the Looking Glass maze, participate in the Queen of Hearts games, and join in on the Dodo races!

May 21 – May 23 11am – 5pm
$15 adults; $11 children (ages 5 to 15); children 4 years and under FREE
For more information visit www.blackcreek.ca

An Evening for Bazou

An Evening for Bazou returns to the Gladstone Hotel in 2011 to kick off the second year of a five year partnership with École Saint Albert Le Grand in Bazou, Cameroon, to support the improvement of the school infrastructure. This year the celebration will take place in both the afternoon and evening, so that all ages can join in and support the community of Bazou.

The afternoon features some of Toronto’s favourite children’s performers.MARNI’S MOVE-N-MUSIC integrated music, movement & yoga workshops for kids. SOLI & ROB with ALISTAIR ANT! voted Toronto’s #1 Children’s Entertainers in City Parent Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards.THE BELLWOODS TRINITY acoustic old time and Canadiana music with puppets and sing-alongs. AND Story and music time with the energetic and engaging NJACKO BACKO

May 21 3 – 5pm
$25 suggested donation, pay what you can
www.bazouschool.blogspot.com

Punch Buggy 4 SickKids

Yonge-Dundas Square 10 Dundas Street East

Punch Buggy 4 SickKids is a ‘Feel Good’ charity that taps into the enthusiasm and generosity of the people who love the Volkswagen Beetle to raise money for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children – SickKids! Each year Volkswagen Beetle owners from all over Ontario bring their Bugs into Toronto to raise money and show their support for SickKids. We call this gathering the Toronto Volkswagen Beetle Invasion! It is the largest gathering of its kind in Ontario. This year our show will take place at Yonge and Dundas Square on May 22, 2011. We are very excited about this year’s event as Yonge and Dundas Square is one of the most prestigious locations in Toronto!

May 22 9am – 4pm
FREE for all ages!

www.punchbuggy4sickkids.com

Victoria Weekend Fireworks

Canada’s Wonderland 9580 Jane Street

Enjoy over 200 attractions, 68 thrilling rides and round out the day with a spectacular night of fireworks! Don’t miss our incredible fireworks on Sunday, May 22 at approximately 10:00pm (weather permitting). This year’s show features 4000 explosions and custom fireworks designed just for Wonderland, set to famous movie theme music.  Flashing into the night sky 600 feet above Wonder Mountain, it promises a spectacular end to the holiday. Fireworks are included with park admission.

www.canadaswonderland.com

Victoria Day on Toronto’s Waterfront

The Waterfront

Experience mutiny on the waterfront – pirates have commandeered Victoria Day! Buccaneers and their families can enjoy fabulous FREE fun from 11am – 5pm. Enjoy a wide variety of family activities from arts and crafts to bouncy tents and wandering pirates, dine at magnificent restaurants and enjoy cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn and pretzels while watching dog shows courtesy of PawsWay and performances from Madame Buskerfly, Long Jon Strong, Zoltan the Adequate Pirate and swashbuckling sword fighting pirates!

May 23 11am – 5pm

www.waterfrontbia.com

Monday May 16

Donald Glover/Childish Gambino IAMDONALD Tour

Actor-comedian-musician Donald Glover of NBC’s Community brings his hugely successful IAMDONALD Tour to Toronto. The multi-talented star began his career as a comedy writer after graduating from New York University with a degree in dramatic writing in 2006. Glover has written for the hit TV show 30 Rock and performs with sketch group Derrick Comedy.  His alter-ego, rapper Childish Gambino has released three albums and a pair of mixtapes.

Opera House. 8pm. www.iamdonald.com

Sway Editor Jon Sarpong

Sway Magazine Editor Jon Sarpong gives you five ways to transform your down time into prime time.

As we move from the deep cold of January to the deep (and depressing) cold of February, many of us may be tempted to stay at home and wallow in the frigidity that is the Canadian winter. But fear not friends, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or just a night on the town, I’ve got you covered.

Benny Escalante

1. Cuban Night, Trane Studio (964 Bathurst Street) Sat, Jan 29, 8pm

I’ve always loved Trane Studio, especially early on in the winter season when Toronto’s evening options are quite limited. This weekend jazz legend Benny Escalante and the All Cuban Ensemble take the stage. If you’re looking for hot music, warm vibes and fantastic fare check out Trane.

Trixx

2. Trixx, Yuk Yuk’s (224 Richmond St. W) Sunday, Jan 31, 7pm

Trixx has always been a funny guy. I grew up with him and always knew that he would be successful in the world of entertainment. The super secret taping of his new DVD, ICEMAN is taking place this Sunday at Yuk Yuk’s Toronto…but shhhhhhhhh! It’s a secret, so don’t tell him I told you!

3. Lisa Michelle, Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W) Thursday, Feb 3, 8pm

Lisa Michelle

My favourite new home grown artist is Lisa Michelle. Her sound reminds me of Ivana Santilli in a lot of ways and that is a very good thing; plus I love the fact that she writes her own songs and plays guitar…I’ve always been a sucker for the bohemian types. Download her album at: lisamichelle.com.

4. Valentine’s Day, Room Service (1006 St. Clair Ave W) Mon, Feb 14, 6pm

Last year I made the tragic mistake of believing my wife when she said that Valentine’s Day was “no big deal” – I’ve learned my lesson and this year I am well prepared. I’ll be at the very exclusive Room Service Valentine’s Day Dinner Service, which includes a three course dinner and glass of wine for $85 (plus tax, gratuity) per couple. With limited intimate seating for only 12 couples, it’s like having the restaurant all to yourself.

Lisa Sterling

5. Young Black & Gifted, Jamaican Canadian Centre (995 Arrow Rd), Sat, Feb 19,  7pm

Lisa Sterling may be the most stylish woman I know, so it comes as no surprise to me that she is hosting this ultra cool youth event which features CBC anchor Dwight Drummond, Sway’s poet-in-residence Dwayne Morgan and R&B bombshell T. Ana Cole. Each of us knows a young person that needs a bit of encouragement, so bring a youngster to this event–you may just change a life.

Get featured in “Take Five” by emailing me at [email protected] or visiting me on facebook.

I don’t usually like megacities, however, Toronto is an exception. There has always been something about Toronto that I admire. It is a huge city with lots of characters, much like the way former PM Joe Clark envisioned Canada in his successful 1979 election: a community of communities.

There is Greektown on the Danforth, Chinatown at Dundas and Spadina, Koreatown in the west Annex, Little Italy, areas that attract millions of tourists every year. Not to mention cultural festivals like Caribana, Taste of the Danforth, Luminato, etc. These areas and cultural gatherings help us showcase the rich diversity of our city not just in words but in deeds.

So a few friends and myself are asking the City of Toronto to name a section of Danforth and Greenwood as Little Ethiopia. The history of Ethiopian Canadians especially in the Toronto Danforth area is new. Ethiopians are one of the many new immigrants to have settled in Toronto. But what makes Canada different than most countries is that we can be passionate citizens without losing sight of our heritage. This distinction takes us back to where the idea of multiculturalism became a reality for Canada.

Yet, to date, there has not been an area named after an African country anywhere in Canada. So, just over a year ago, a few of us activists met with the Toronto Danforth Mosaic BIA for about 30 minutes about our idea. We spoke to them at length about our hope and dream for our city. They spoke of a multicultural mosaic they wanted to create and not one that is a ghettoized neighbourhood and rejected our idea. For the last four months, we worked long hours and helped defeat most of the members of the board that initially rejected our proposal. Today, for the very first time in the history of a BIA in Toronto, that board includes three Ethiopian Canadian business owners.

From Greenwood and Monarch Park,  there are about 20 Ethiopian Canadian businesses and their contribution is very visible. And that number is growing fast. Governments can do much to help connect us to the area and have us take ownership of the areas we frequent. To clean it more, make it lovely and above all, take ownership of it. To have us believe in our BIA’s enough for us to join its boards and volunteer at the different activities in the community. The idea of Little Ethiopia is one of celebration not ghettoization.

From Greektown to India Bazaar, these areas named after a certain country or countries are not ghettos.  Rather, they are a celebration of global citizenship. As a Black Torontonian, I get my hair cut at the heart of Greektown, buy the best and the cheapest beef in Chinatown and go for the best coffee in Little Italy. And the people I see when in these areas are as diverse as any on the planet.

That is the wish for a Little Ethiopia, a project of many cultures with some special recognition of the Ethiopian Canadian experience. We are not tourists, but citizens of this awesome country. I believe having a Little Ethiopia is just the start of many more to come. But we are only a very small group pushing this idea forward, even though we hold the hope of thousands. With passion, vigour and active involvement, we can accomplish this goal. And why not? These also happen to be the hallmarks of our heritage and what makes me a proud Canadian.

What does it feel like to be unemployed for a year? Well, to be honest, I feel like I am pretty low in terms of self-esteem. I have been looking for work for the last year; however, with some college under my belt, I don’t feel like I am what employers are looking for. When I do go for job interviews, nine times out of ten it’s at some dive where they want me to go door-to-door to peddle gas or sell something to people that they don’t need. I have tried employment agencies, but it seems that the only jobs they have for men like me are factory jobs.

Don’t get me wrong – I am not afraid of working, but my experience working in a factory setting has been, shall we say, less than desirable. I have had bosses who treat their employees like garbage, because they are usually working with people who are new immigrants and don’t know much better (in terms of what should be expected in a proper working environment).

On the home front, it has been extremely stressful. My wife is left with to manage the majority of the bills, on top of making sure that the kids (2 girls) have a good Christmas. I know she loves me; however, I can’t help but feel ashamed and wonder if she would be better off without me.

To put it bluntly, I don’t feel like a man.

I am not providing and I don’t feel like a role model to my kids. I feel like I don’t want them to grow up seeing me in this position and feeling that it’s okay for me not to be working. I know my mother-in-law must be thinking I wish this deadbeat didn’t marry my daughter.

My wife and I have been married for a 5 years and I can now understand why they say the number one reason for divorce is due to money worries. With money being tight this last year, it should come as no surprise that we have had many arguments related to finances.

My self-esteem has been taking a beating, and not because of what anyone says, but because of my expectation of what I think my role as the man of the house should be. I should be in a position to build a nest; my wife shouldn’t be working and bringing in all the bacon! And I am pretty sure that my neighbors and the people at my kids’ daycare think I am a bum. When I go to pick them up (wearing my jogging suits), I wonder if they ever think to themselves, does this guy work?

And then there’s the cheating.

You might ask yourself, cheating? Why is this dude cheating? Well, it’s quite simple: you see, because my self-esteem was so low, I looked for gratification and pleasure whenever and wherever I could find it. It started with me being home and in the dark. I would go onto porn sites and start to masturbate and that quickly grew into an insatiable appetite for sex that I couldn’t ignore. This then translated into cheating, because I had so much time on my hands and my wife, after working long hours, couldn’t be the sex slave that I craved. And a part of me felt that my wife was falling out of love with me or maybe not finding me as attractive because I was unemployed. I found sex elsewhere, and this was the kind of sex I was looking for (the rough sex that I saw on porn).

This was causing a major issue in the marriage and my mind because I was coming home at 4 a.m. from seeing one of my mistresses and the cheating – not surprisingly – wasn’t making me feel happy. Depression then set in and I have been in and out of depression for the last few months. I seek escape through smoking weed and drinking, which have sunk me deeper into a place of despair and anger.

But a new year is almost here! I am keeping my faith alive that 2011 will be a better one, but as of now, I am just not sure what lies ahead.

About the Author

The author wanted to remain anonymous for his own reasons (and we respect that), but doesn’t mind to share that he is a father of 2 young girls, he resides in Montreal, Quebec. He is like many men that we know going through their own challenges due to the recession, Black Daddies Club is grateful for his sincere words and is sending him positive vibes to get though this rough period in his life.