Family Funday Weekend: One World

Pack your Family Day Weekend with fun as we celebrate our rich multicultural landscape with musical performances, special hands-on activities, and more!

Free with Museum admission. Activities run from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Saturday, February 17

Storytime: Drag performance artists Fay Slift + Fluffy Soufflé invite you to a special gathering with books and fun. With readings from culturally diverse books, Fay + Fluffy will provide an inclusive environment for everyone, especially for families with LGBTQ2S parent(s) and gender variant children. 

Ngoma Ensemble: This ensemble of performers capture the essence of their cultural heritage through drum with a distinctive new vibe. Formed in 1995, Ngoma honours their ancestry through the dynamic presentation of drum pieces that educate, empower, and embrace the majesty of African heritage. With members that range in ages from 5 to 14, their mandate is to further develop the education of their art, heritage, and global leadership. Program Partner: Music Africa. (11:30 & 3:30 PM)

Touch the Moon & Mars: Have an out-of-this world experience with real lunar and Martian meteorites - that you can touch!

Paper Couturier: Express yourself! Create and colour your own couture look to take home at the ROM's paper doll station. 

Henna: It's time for you to be the canvas with temporary body art by Travel.ART.Henna. Try a traditional or contemporary freehand design in washable body paints and gels, or natural henna. For ages 8+  

Licking Heights High School Choir: Take in an a cappella performance by this talented choir from Pataskala, Ohio. (1:30 pm)

Wildzone Workshops: Touch amazing specimens, chat with staff and volunteers, and learn something new about biodiversity.

Sunday, February 18

Storytime: Drag performance artists Fay Slift + Fluffy Soufflé invite you to a special gathering with books and fun. With readings from culturally diverse books, Fay + Fluffy will provide an inclusive environment for everyone, especially for families with LGBTQ2S parent(s) and gender variant children. 

Paper Couturier: Express yourself! Create and colour your own couture look to take home at the ROM's paper doll station. 

Touch the Moon & Mars: Have an out-of-this world experience with real lunar and Martian meteorites - that you can touch!

Lunar New Year: Ring in the year of the dog at the ROM! Program Partner: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto

• Lion Dance: Feel the rhythm of the drums as this spectacular show brings luck and prosperity to all. (1:30 pm) 
• Chinese Arts and Crafts: Try your hand at traditional Chinese arts and crafts in this hands-on activity. 
• Ontario Chinese Artists: Meet renowned artists Tien Chang, John Chen, Peter Law, and Paulo Zheng. (11:00 am–1:00 pm & 1:30–3:30 pm)
• Wong Tai Sin Fortune Telling: Give this special bamboo canister a shake and the soothsayer will interpret your year to come.
• Tea Tasting: Explore the culture and flavours of traditional Chinese teas. 
• Chinese Music & Dance: Enjoy traditional performing arts:
  • Toronto Chinese Orchestra (instrument demonstrations 11:15 am & 2:55 pm; performance at 2:00 pm)
  • Norman Dance Company (Chinese dance performance 12:30 pm)
  • Chinese Dance Workshop (Chinese dance performances 2:45 & 3:10 pm)

Animal Explorers: Explore the Museum with a plushy friend! (11:00 am–1:00 pm)

ROM Connects: An Afternoon with Vikings
Join Oliver Harris and Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson for a fascinating look at archaeology from around the Viking world. 

Monday, February 19

Dance Through Time: Discover historical dances with Opera Atelier. Performances range from Renaissance and Baroque to 19th Century Mazurkas, Tarantellas, and excerpts from the Romantic ballet, choreographed by Opera Atelier’s founding co-artistic director Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg. This family-friendly program will also include a contemporary piece choreographed by an artist of Atelier Ballet, and special appearance by soprano Karine White. Opera Atelier’s founding co-artistic director Marshall Pynkoski will be providing educational and entertaining commentary. Performances will run for 40 minutes. ASL provided. Eaton Theatre, 1:30 & 3:00 PM 

Photo by Bruce Zinger

All the World's a Stage: Join Emerging Young Artists and keep an eye out for flash mobs traveling through ROM galleries. Artist groups include:

• Spire: Established in 2010, Spire was formed with the vision of creating fusion between Eastern and Western genres of music. Spire uses Eastern and Western musical instruments to perform a variety of music ranging from traditional to modern pop.

• Beatsync: Beatsync is an eight-piece a cappella ensemble from Toronto that combines an eclectic repertoire with dynamic beats and sophisticated arrangements. From pop to electronic to classic soul, Beatsync draws upon diverse influences to craft their unique contemporary sound.

• Toronto Tabla Ensemble: The Toronto Tabla Ensemble World Music Organization (TTE) is a non-profit charitable organization founded by Artistic Director and tabla master, Ritesh Das. The TTE’s mission is to share the depth and excitement of Indian classical music, culture and history and make it accessible to all people. The flashmob performance will be given by their youth division supervised by ensemble manager and parents.

Touch the Moon & Mars: Have an out-of-this world experience with real lunar and Martian meteorites - that you can touch!

Paper Couturier: Express yourself! Create and colour your own couture look to take home at the ROM's paper doll station. 

Studio K: Hang out with Cottonball the Cat, Janaye, and Victor for a total a-meow-zing morning of music, laughs, and tonnes of fun. Program partner: CBC Kids (11:30 am)

Party Animals: Join in the fun with CBC Kids' Digital Dress-Up!

Lunar New Year: Ring in the year of the dog at the ROM! Program Partner: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto

• Lion Dance: Feel the rhythm of the drums as this spectacular show brings luck and prosperity to all. (1:30 pm) 
• Chinese Arts and Crafts: Try your hand at traditional Chinese arts and crafts in this hands-on activity. 
• Ontario Chinese Artists: Meet renowned artists Guan Sui-Sheng, Ouyang Yaodong, and Lok Yitang. (11:00 am–1:00 pm & 1:30–3:30 pm)
• Wong Tai Sin Fortune Telling: Give this special bamboo canister a shake and the soothsayer will interpret your year to come.
• Tea Tasting: Explore the culture and flavours of traditional Chinese teas. 
• Chinese Music & Dance: Enjoy traditional performing arts:
  • Toronto Chinese Orchestra (instrument demonstrations at 11:15 am & 3:00 pm)
  • Wayland Lee Martial Arts Centre (demonstration at 12:30 pm)
  • Yip’s Children’s Choir (performance at 2:00 pm)
  • Multi-Culture & Folk Arts Association of Canada Dancers (3:00 pm)