This Section Of The Podium is on hiatus until further notice.

Being the cheap bastards that we are, Podium staff are always looking for opportunities to schmooze and partake of free refreshments. If you know of such events in the Toronto area, please let us know by emailing podium@deonandan.com.

We'll try to update this page as often as possible. This isn't just about free food. These are opportunities to interact with your community, to do something other than see a movie, and.... hell, it's about free food.


Art show by Suparna Ghosh. Opening reception Sat. Nov, 18 from 3-5pm. The show runs from Nov 18 to Dec 23. Gallery 7 is located at 118 Scollard St. (Yorkville), Toronto, and is open 10-5pm.
Art show by Haitiarts. Opening reception Sat Nov. 11, 2000 from 4-7pm. The show runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9. Gallery 7 is located at 118 Scollard St. (Yorkville), Toronto, and is open 10-5pm.
Podium co-owner Raywat Deonandan interviewed on CBC Radio 2. Monday, Oct. 30, 11:05 pm. Okay, so this isn't a free food event. But if you listen from your own home, feel free to raid your fridge. It's part of a new show called Out Of The Blue.
Art show by Olga Kletsky. Opening reception Sat. Oct. 28, 2000 from 3-5pm. The show runs from Oct. 28 to Nov 4. Gallery 7 is located at 118 Scollard St. (Yorkville), Toronto, and is open 10-5pm.
Launch of Jahaji at Tropical Nights restaurant, Oct. 1st, 12:00 noon. This is a collection of new Caribbean writing edited by literary stalwart Frank Birbalsingh. Among the writers (and featured presenters) is Podium co-owner Raywat Deonandan. The restaurant is at 3114 Danforth Ave. at Victoria Park.
Novelist/Playwright Allan Stratton reads at Harbourfront, Wednesday Sep. 20, 7:30pm Harbourfront's prestigious reading series continues with a friend to The Podium, legendary drama writer Allan Stratton.
Art Exhibit opening reception: Jane Burns. Saturday, Sep. 9, 3:00pm Gallery 7, 118 Scollard St.
Podium co-owner Raywat Deonandan reads at Harbourfront! Monday, Sep. 4th at 5:00pm It's the literary component of the Blueprints festival of young Canadian artists. At the Brigantine Room. Don't know the cost, or even if there is one.
Damien Lopes' installation as part of Desh Pardesh June 6, 7pm Project X 1497-1999 is a "poetry-multimedia installation exploring discovery, technology and colonialism through Vasco da Gama's first voyage from Portugal to South Asia." InterAccess, 444 - 401 Richmond St. W. If you would like a preview, click here.
Desh Pardesh Festival of South Asian arts. June 6-10, 7-10pm At the Buddies in Bad Times theatre, 12 Alexander Street,(416)975-8555. Details of the festival are available here and there. Podium co-owner Raywat Deonandan will be one of the "performers".
Russian Artists in Canada
May 6, 2000. 3-5pm
Opening exhibition of a show that runs until June 3 at Gallery 7, 118 Scollard St., www.gallery7.com.
Canada Book Day 2000
April 27, 2000
This is a nationwide promotion to promote Canadian book sales. See www.canadabookday.com or contact Dara Rowland or Rob Firing at (416) 916-7377.
Medical Sciences Auditorium
1 King's College Circle
April 27, 2000. 7:30pm
Bill Hess shows slide show about Alaskan Inuit, and Bruce Kirkby talks about re-tracing the steps of 1947 Arabian explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger. $2.
Medical Sciences Auditorium
1 King's College Circle
April 17, 2000. 7:30pm
None other than Monty Python's Michael Palin will be speaking about his new book, Michael Palin's Hemmingway.
Toronto Dollars Fundraiser
April 13, 2000. 7pm
At Market Eatery (79 Front St. E.). Performers include poet Zaffi Gousopoulis.
Customer Appreciate Night
St. Lawrence Market
April 6, 2000. 6:30pm
"The Merchants of the St. Lawrence Market invite you to a Customer Appreciation Night at the Toronto Dollar Party." A sampling of Market Fare, Live Entertainment, Community Organization Silent Auction, Toronto Dollar Draws, Toronto Dollar Raffles. The evening will be dedicated to a celebration of the life of Colin Vaughan.
Exhibit of Indian Art
April 1, 2000. 3-6pm
This is the opening reception for a sow running until April 29th. Contemporary & traditional (East) Indian art at Gallery 7, 118 Scollard St., www.gallery7.com.
Vignette Jewellery Show
March 31, 2000, 5:30-8pm
Opening reception for an exhibition of selected works by the gaduating class of the jewellery arts program of George Brown College. At Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West.
Readings from Pagitica Magazine
March 29, 2000. 8:30-11pm
Readings from the latest issue of Pagitica at the Arbour Room (basement of Hart House, University of Toronto).
March 9, 2000
7-10 pm
XXX Diner
894 Queen St. W.
Toronto
Opening reception for Shirt And Tie art exhibition by Keith Hopkins.
March 8,2000
4-7 pm
Glenn Gould Studio,
CBC Broadcasting Centre
Front & John Sts.
Toronto
CBC Radio reception honouring the winners of the Canadian Literary Awards. Supposedly by invitation only, but RSVP at (416) 205-6016 and see what you can do.
Roxy Blue
12 Brant St.
Toronto
Eza Wear Fashion Show featuring local celebrities, including The Devils Advocates. $7 admission price goes to charity.