The best of culture and cuisine from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to be showcased during this weekend's seventh annual Festival of South Asia.
Hosted by the Gerrard India Bazaar Business Improvement Area (BIA), the free event will run from 2 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 17 and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 18. It will take place along Gerrard Street East from Coxwell to Greenwood avenues. Govind Mahtani, chair of the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA, said his community - the largest South Asian bazaar in North America - is thrilled to play host to such a diverse festival."We are very proud to showcase out cuisine, culture and fashions to Toronto," he said in a release.Festival of South Asia attendees will enjoy a range of sounds and dance styles from Bhangra to Bollywood. The festival will also include Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, Pakistani, Gujarati, Goan, Middle Eastern as well as West Indian dance and musical performances. There will also be activities for the kids. Dozens of local restaurants and food stores in the area are also providing special tasting menus ranging in cost from $1 to $6 during the festival.Organizers are urging people to use public transit to reach the event as Gerrard Street East from Coxwell to Glenside avenues will be closed to vehicular traffic in both directions from 10 a.m Saturday, July 17 until 2 a.m. Monday, July 19.Limited parking is available on side streets and in nearby Green P lots. Visit www.festivalofsouthasia.com for more details.~ Joanna Lavoie