Family Day at the BSM
Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.
Tickets: Included with general admission
Spend your Family Day with us making fun crafts including a mini game in a box, ‘Laces and Ladders’ and more! Take a self-guided tour of our current exhibitions, have some family fun in the Try-On Shoes area, play games with family and friends including iSpy around the museum with our exhibition-themed activity cards.
Family Day programming is included with your general admission ticket for adults and children. All crafts are subject to supply availability. Please note that children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Indigenous Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Please arrive by 9:45 am)
Location: Start at Paul Martel Park (10 Madison Ave.Toronto, ON) / Finish at Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.
Tickets: $25 General, $20 Friends of the BSM (includes access to all current exhibitions)
In celebration of Earth Month, discover Indigenous history and ecological heritage with us as we partner with The Indigenous Peoples Garden Inc. (formally known as AKI WIIDOOKAAGEWIN (Earth Helpers) for a unique walking tour of the Bloor-Annex neighbourhood. The journey will begin at the Indigenous Botanical Garden in Paul Martel Park (10 Madison Ave. Toronto) where a local guide will share the rich ecological and Indigenous history of the Annex. Along the way, pause to admire a vibrant mural by artist Joseph Sagaj from the Anishnaabe of the Sturgeon Clan, then enjoy a short 5-minute walk along Bloor Street West to the Bata Shoe Museum. At the museum, Grandmother Vivian Recollet, in conversation with Justine Woods, Curator of Indigenous Collections, will share a selection of moccasin belongings from the BSM’s collection and speak to the connections between Indigenous footwear and stories of the land. The tour concludes with a reflection on lost rivers and lakes at Philosophers Walk. Participants are then invited to continue their journey with a self-guided tour of the Bata Shoe Museum’s current exhibitions.
Please present your ticket to a BSM representative upon arrival. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Terms and Conditions apply.
Indigenous Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Please arrive by 9:45 am)
Location: Start at Paul Martel Park (10 Madison Ave.Toronto, ON) / Finish at Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.
Tickets: $25 General, $20 Friends of the BSM (includes access to all current exhibitions)
In celebration of Earth Month, discover Indigenous history and ecological heritage with us as we partner with The Indigenous Peoples Garden Inc. (formally known as AKI WIIDOOKAAGEWIN (Earth Helpers) for a unique walking tour of the Bloor-Annex neighbourhood. The journey will begin at the Indigenous Botanical Garden in Paul Martel Park (10 Madison Ave. Toronto) where a local guide will share the rich ecological and Indigenous history of the Annex. Along the way, pause to admire a vibrant mural by artist Joseph Sagaj from the Anishnaabe of the Sturgeon Clan, then enjoy a short 5-minute walk along Bloor Street West to the Bata Shoe Museum. At the museum, Grandmother Vivian Recollet, in conversation with Justine Woods, Curator of Indigenous Collections, will share a selection of moccasin belongings from the BSM’s collection and speak to the connections between Indigenous footwear and stories of the land. The tour concludes with a reflection on lost rivers and lakes at Philosophers Walk. Participants are then invited to continue their journey with a self-guided tour of the Bata Shoe Museum’s current exhibitions.
Please present your ticket to a BSM representative upon arrival. Refunds are permitted within 3 business days. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
The Art of Footwear Forensics
Date:Wednesday, April 2
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Doors Open 6:30 pm)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Tickets: $15 General Admission, $10 Student and Senior (ID Required), Free for Friends of the BSM. Includes access to all current exhibitions
Where: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
Step behind the yellow police line and uncover the secrets of real-life crime scene investigations with Detective Ed Adach, a 43-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service and an expert in forensic footwear evidence. In this captivating talk, Detective Adach will share his experiences from the gritty streets of Toronto to war crime investigations in Kosovo and forensic teaching in Afghanistan. Discover how seemingly overlooked evidence—like footwear impressions—has played a crucial role in solving homicide cases. Please note: Detective Adach will be discussing real homicide cases and their details. Viewer discretion is advised.
ABOUT ED ADACH
Detective Ed Adach has been a Toronto police officer for 43 years, with 33 of those years spent in the forensic unit. As a recognized expert in footwear impression evidence, he has testified in court 24 times, investigated war crimes in Kosovo for the United Nations, and taught forensics in Afghanistan. Detective Adach has published extensively in forensic journals and presented his work internationally, earning a reputation as one of Canada’s top authorities in his field.
A portion of the funds related to this event will be donated to Innocence Canada. Innocence Canada’s mission is to identify, advocate for, and support the exoneration of individuals who have been convicted of a crime they did not commit and to prevent wrongful convictions through legal education, advocacy, and justice reform.
Please present your e-ticket at the front desk upon arrival. Refunds are permitted within 3 business days. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Ultimate 80s Trivia
Date: Wednesday, March 19, 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 (includes one beverage and access to all current exhibitions)
Dust off your shoulder pads, tease your hair, and grab your Rubik’s Cube—it’s time to test your knowledge of everything totally tubular about the 80s with our Ultimate 80s Trivia Night! From chart-topping music hits and iconic blockbuster movies to world-shaping events and retro footwear trends, this is your chance to prove you’re the ultimate 80s expert. This is our final 80s trivia event celebrating the Dressed to Impress: Footwear and Consumerism in the 1980s exhibition, so don’t miss your chance to show off your smarts and say goodbye to this amazing showcase of 80s style.
Agenda
6:30 pm – Doors open
7:00 pm – Trivia
8:00 pm – Galleries open
9:00 pm – Museum Closed
Please present your e-ticket at the front desk upon arrival. Refunds are permitted within 3 business days. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Powwow Dance Workshop
Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Ticket: Free, registration required
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Experience the vibrant energy of Powwow dancing in this free all-ages, all-abilities workshop led by Deanne Hupfield, host of How to Powwow Dance on YouTube. Deanne will share the beauty of these dances but also her personal stories, fostering awareness and appreciation of Indigenous culture. Whether you’re new to Powwow dance or looking to deepen your connection with it, join us for an inspiring and educational experience celebrating resilience, tradition, and community.
Please present your e-ticket at the front desk upon arrival. We encourage visitors to arrive 5-15 minutes early and to wear comfortable clothes to dance/move in and appropriate shoes. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions or concerns.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Host of How to Powwow Dance on YouTube, Deanne Hupfield is Ojibwe from Temagami First Nation. Raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Deanne dances Fancy Shawl, Jingle Dress, and Hoop dance and has spent her life reconnecting to the culture that was taken from her mother through the 60’s Scoop. Everything that she has learned about culture and powwow she has brought back to her community. She has been teaching powwow dance and Regalia making in her community for over 20 years and now she shares her stories in hopes of building awareness of Indigenous culture.
Year of the Snake Celebration at the BSM
Date: Sunday, January 26
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Ticket: Free, registration is encouraged
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Join us on Sunday January 26th for special performances from Lion Dance Toronto, crafts from Toronto History Museum’s Youth Volunteers, tea ceremony demonstrations with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, and photo opportunities to commemorate the coming Lunar New Year. According to the Chinese zodiac, this year’s new lunar cycle (which begins on Wednesday January 29th) kicks off the year of the Earth Snake.
Agenda
12:30 – Lion Dance (B1)
1:00 – Lion Meet and Greet/Photos (All About Shoes)
1:00 – Tea Ceremony Demonstration (Footprints)
1:45 – Lion Dance (B1)
2:15 – Meet and Greet/Photos (B1)
3:00 – Lion Dance (B1)
3:30 – Tea Ceremony Demonstration (Footprints)
Please present your e-ticket upon arrival. We encourage visitors to arrive early to avoid disappointment. All events and activities are presented on a first come, first serve basis. Due to the popularity of this event, there will be no re-entry to the museum. Note that food and drink, aside from water, are not permitted in the museum. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions or concerns.
Echoes of the 80s: A Musical Journey
Date: Sunday, January 12
Time: 1:00 pm
Ticket: Free, registration required
Location: Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.)
Get ready for a captivating musical journey! Labyrinth Ensemble musicians Araz Salek, Roa Lee, and Sasan Salaseli are coming together as an ’80s-inspired trio to celebrate the Bata Shoe Museum’s Dressed to Impress exhibition. Experience a fresh perspective on the iconic decade, blending contemporary compositions with the innovative spirit of the Labyrinth Musical Workshop, founded by Ross Daly in 1982. Don’t miss this unique fusion of fashion and music that redefines the ’80s! Limited seats available.
Please present your e-ticket at the front desk upon arrival. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Araz Salek, a Persian tar (lute) player from Tehran, began his training at eight under master musicians Hooshang Zarif, Arshad Tahmasebi, and Hossein Omoumi. He has taught extensively in Iran and Canada, including at the University of Tehran, Shawrak Music School, and the Labyrinth Musical Workshop. As Artistic Director of Labyrinth Ontario, which he co-founded in 2017, he promotes modal music traditions. Araz leads the Shiraz Ensemble, plays with Persamenco, and experiments across genres, with highlights including his solo album Birth and the Toronto/Crete quartet “This Tale of Ours.”
Sasan Salaseli, an Iranian Tonbak and Daf player, has been performing since 1985 and teaching for over 20 years. A student of Jahangir Malek, Bijan Kamkar, and Bahman Rajabi, he toured Scandinavia with the Sarayan Group and founded Iran’s first percussion school, Abidar, in 2007. Sasan is known for innovative rhythm pedagogy, combining poetry and group workshops to teach children.
Roa Lee, a Korean Gayageum musician, blends traditional Korean music with global influences through performance, composition, and collaboration. Now based in Toronto, she has partnered with organizations like the Aga Khan Museum and Small World Music, exploring fusion and new music while sharing the versatility of her instrument with diverse audiences.
Lets Get Physical: 80s Aerobics Dance Class
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (Doors open at 10:30 am)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.
Tickets: $20 General, $15 Friends of the BSM (includes access to all current exhibitions)
Channel your inner Jane Fonda and wear your best 80s bodysuits, leg warmers, and neon as you join us for a high-energy, 80s-inspired group class featuring the best music, moves, and fashion from the 1980s. Led by Choreographer, Educator, and Dancer Melissa Bartrem, this adult dancercise class is designed for all skill levels. Following the class, explore our current exhibitions including Dressed to Impress: Footwear and Consumerism in the 1980s.
This event is open to all ages but recommended for participants 16+. Please arrive early, ready to go by 11:00 am sharp. Washrooms are available for changing and a self-monitored area for bags and coats will be available.
Please present your e-ticket at the front desk upon arrival. Refunds are permitted within 3 business days. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Natural Foot Scrub Making Workshop
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Doors Open 10:45)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.
Tickets: $55 General, $50 Friends of the BSM (includes access to all current exhibitions)
In this hands-on workshop, participants will create their own luxurious foot scrub using a selection of natural ingredients. Guided through the process by Catherine Chambers of Let’s Make It, you’ll work with clays, exfoliants, and natural fragrances while learning about their skin-nourishing benefits. The scrub will produce a rich lather and provide a range of soothing effects as it’s massaged into the skin. By the end of the workshop, each participant will take home a 240ml jar of their personalized foot scrub, perfect for pampering yourself or gifting. All materials and instruction are included.
About the Catherine Chambers
Catherine Chambers is a maker space studio owner and organizational learning facilitator. She specializes in constructivist learning methodologies that engage learning in such areas as innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. She works in a range of industries and sectors, including education, healthcare, social services, and technology.
Please present your e-ticket at the front desk upon arrival. Refunds are permitted within 3 business days. Please contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.