Protected: The Evolution of Tap Dance
Protected: Discover Dance Class: Intro to Salsa Shines
Protected: Discover Dance Class: Intro to Broadway Jazz
Protected: Discover Dance Class: Intro to Indian Bharatnatyam
Residential School Survivor Lecture
Date: Tuesday, June 10
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Tickets: $15 General, $10 Senior (65+) and Students (with ID), $5 Friends of the BSM, Free for Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)
Join us for an impactful and enlightening evening with Karen Chaboyer, an Ojibwe kwe, author, educator, and Residential School survivor. Karen is from Rainy River First Nation in Treaty 3 Territory, a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who has dedicated her life to sharing her story and educating others about the lasting effects of Residential Schools. Please note, due to the nature of the topic, we ask all audience members be 14+. The Bata Shoe Museum will be donating all ticket sales to the Giiwitaa Wholistic Counselling Services on behalf of Karen.
Please check in with Visitor Services upon arrival. Refunds are permitted up until 3 business days prior to the event. Contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Agenda
6:30 pm – Doors Open
7:00 pm – Lecture Begins
8:00 pm – Lecture Ends, Galleries Open
9:00 pm – Museum Closes
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Karen Chaboyer is an Ojibwe kwe, a great-grandmother, a grandmother, and mother, she is also an author, a public speaker, and an educator. Karen is from Rainy River First Nation, a community in Northwestern Ontario, Treaty 3 Territory. Karen is a survivor of St Margaret’s Indian Residential School, also known as the Fort Frances Indian Residential School where she attended for 9 years.
Karen was born into a family of 11 siblings: 9 brothers and 2 sisters. She is the third youngest in her family. She is also a second generation survivor of Residential School.
Karen has been presenting since 2006. Her audiences are mostly elementary/high schools, colleges, universities and organizations. Karen shares the effects Residential School had on her and how she lost her identity, her roots, her culture and language. Karen’s goal is to educate people on the impact Residential Schools had on her and Indigenous individuals, families and communities to this day.
Moccasin-Making with the Manitobah Storyboot School
Date: Saturday May 31, Sunday June 7, Sunday June 14
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Tickets: $195 General, Free for Indigenous Youth
Participants must attend all three workshop dates.
Learn the traditional art of moccasin-making with Anishinaabe artist Natalie Ortiz in this three-part workshop designed to teach hand-sewing leatherwork and beading techniques. Workshop facilitator Natalie Ortiz will guide participants through the full process, from start to finish, of creating their own custom moccasins from design, pattern-making, beadwork, and construction, to caring for the finished footwear. All tools, materials, and comprehensive instruction will be provided. Please note that missing one or more of the three sessions will likely result in an unfinished project. This course is designed for ages 12 +.
The Bata Shoe Museum is pleased to offer 10 free Indigenous Youth spots for free. Please fill out this form to express you interest. Based on a first come, first served basis.
Please check in with Visitor Services upon arrival. Refunds are permitted up until 3 business days prior to the first workshop date. Contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
ABOUT THE FACILIATOR:
Natalie Ortiz is a Toronto-based Indigenous artist. Her work focuses on handmade jewelry, moccasins, and leatherwork. Natalie is Anishinaabe of Wauzhushk Onigum Nation and of Peruvian decent. Her art carries deep meaning connected to her roots, reflecting the traditions and teachings passed down through generations. She learned beading and moccasin-making through traditional teachings. She has been making moccasins for five years, and every pair is crafted with intention, meant to be worn and appreciated by anyone who connects with them. Follow Natalie on social media for moccasins and leatherwork at @natymocs. Her jewelry can be found on Oliva’s Jewelry and @olivasjewelry.
Moccasins to Murals: In Conversation with Joseph Sagaj
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Tickets: Free, registration required
Join us for an inspiring evening with Joseph Sagaj, Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) of the Sturgeon Clan, as he shares his remarkable journey as an Indigenous artist. Growing up in Neskantaga, a remote community of just 300 people located 433 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Joseph’s creative foundation was shaped by moments like making moccasins with his mother.
His artistic path took him from his home community to Toronto, where he graduated from the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University) in Fine Arts in 1985. Despite the challenges and struggles often faced by artists, Joseph pursued his passion and carved out a meaningful career.
This conversation will explore his artistic evolution, his identity as an Indigenous artist, and the stories behind the many murals that adorn the city, each one a vibrant testament to his talent and heritage. The conversation will be moderated by Justine Woods, Curator of Indigenous Collections, and Shan Fernando, Manager of Public Programming.
Agenda
6:00 pm – Doors Open
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Conversation
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Galleries Open
Please present your ticket at the Front Desk upon arrival. This talk will take place in-person at the Bata Shoe Museum (located on the G level). Please note, seating is not guaranteed. Limited spots available. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
ABOUT JOSEPH SAGAJ:
Joseph is Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) of the Sturgeon Clan, and is from a remote and isolated community of 300 people in Neskantaga, located 433 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. One of his highlight activities from his youth was making moccasins with his mother. Joseph later moved to Toronto, attended the Ontario College of Art, as it was called then, and graduated in Fine Arts in 1985. The art world, as it is with most artists, was at times a struggle and a challenge. Regardless, Joseph pursued his dreams with passion! This talk will highlight Joseph’s journey as an Indigenous artist and will give insight to his many murals across the city of Toronto.
Outlaws and Allies: Cowboys and Queer Culture
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Tickets: $15 General, $10 Senior (65+) / Student (With ID), $5 Friends of the BSM
Join us for a compelling exploration of identity, culture, and history inspired by our newest exhibition, Rough and Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot. This panel discussion will delve into the intersectionality of cowboy traditions and queer identities, uncovering the rich and often overlooked narratives of LGBTQ+ individuals within the iconic cowboy lifestyle. The conversation will challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and reimagine what it means to be a cowboy in both the past and present.
Moderated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, BSM Director and Curator of Rough and Ready, this discussion will feature expert panelists Joseph (J) Shea-Carter, adjunct professor of English and Culture, University of Guelph and Brock Universityand, as well as Lauren Hortie, artist and leader of the popular long-running event Steers & Queers Gay Ole Opry. Together, the panel will explore topics such as the hidden histories of queer cowboys, the ways Western aesthetics have been reclaimed in queer art and fashion, and how the cowboy remains a symbol of individuality and rebellion in both mainstream and queer cultures.
Please check in with Visitor Services upon arrival. Refunds are permitted up until 3 business days prior to the event. Contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Agenda
6:30 pm – Doors Open
7:00 pm – Panel Begins
8:00 pm – Panel Ends, Galleries Open
9:00 pm – Museum Closes
MEET THE SPEAKERS:
Joseph (J) Shea-Carter is an adjunct professor in English and culture at the University of Guelph and Brock University. They have published or have forthcoming work in The Capilano Review, The Malahat Review, ARC, Ex-Puritan, Canadian Literature, and Amodern. Their PhD focuses on queer poetry, writing, and culture alongside broader developments in geopolitics – including emergent nationalisms. They live in Toronto.
Lauren Hortie is an artist, DJ and educator based in Toronto Ontario. As an artist Lauren works in variety of mediums including pen and ink illustration, printmaking, paper cutting and projections. She has been creating underground queer nightlife and culture for over 20 years, including the popular long running event “Steers & Queers Gay Ole Opry” which explores the intersection between rural and LGBTQ identities. Lauren is also the head teacher of the Oasis Skateboard Factory, an award winning Toronto District School Board alternative high school program where at-risk youth earn credits by running a small design business.
Her work has been displayed at such venues as The Museum of Human Achievement in Austin Texas, ACE Art Winnipeg, The Gladstone Hotel, the Ontario Craft Council and the telephone pole across the street from your house.
Elizabeth Semmelhack: As Director and Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum for over 20 years, Elizabeth Semmelhack is a renowned expert on footwear, including sneakers, and regularly consulted by scalars and global media such as the New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, Forbes, CBC, and CNN, to name a few. Named by FASHION Magazine as one of the “world’s top five game-changing fashion curators”, Semmelhack’s award-winning publications include nearly 30 articles and chapters as well as numerous books and catalogs including Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture (2015), which has sold over 45,000 copies world-wide, Collab: Sneakers x Culture (2019), and Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks (2022).
Country Music Trivia
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Doors open 6:30 pm)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.
Tickets: $25 General, $20 Friends of the BSM
Test your knowledge of country music history, iconic artists, and classic hits in this fun and interactive trivia event celebrating our new exhibition Rough and Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot! From legends like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash to modern stars like Luke Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, challenge yourself and your friends to see who’s the ultimate country music fan. Yeehaw!
Agenda
6:30 pm – Doors Open
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Trivia
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Self-guided museum visit
9:00 pm – Doors Close
Please check in with Visitor Services upon arrival. Ticket includes access to all exhibitions and one complimentary drink ticket. Refunds are permitted up until 3 business days prior to the event. Contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Hoedown at the BSM: Pride Party
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm (Doors open 6:30 pm)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.
Tickets: $30 General, $100 4-pack (includes access to all current exhibitions)
This event is 19+ only
Yeehaw and Happy Pride! Join us for Hoedown at the BSM, a fabulous celebration in collaboration with Steers and Queers and Spurs, in celebration of our newest exhibition Rough and Ready: A History of the Cowboy Boot. Stomp and shuffle alongside our new exhibition as we honour the spirit of the Wild West with a Pride twist. Enjoy dazzling performances by Selena Vyle, Lucinda Miu, and Fluffy Soufflé, with musical beats by DJ Sigourney Beaver to keep you dancing all night. Dust off your cowboy boots and let’s ride into an unforgettable evening of fun, fashion, and fabulousness!
Snacks and drinks available for purchase.