V-Day events raise awareness, money to stop violence against women and girls

March 17, 2009

Following the lead of more than 4,000 benefit events that took place around the world in 2008 to fight violence against women and girls, the University of Toronto Scarborough will be hosting a series of V-Day events to raise money and awareness until March 28.

The fundraising kicks off with a silent auction and art exhibition that will span four evenings. It takes place in The Bluffs restaurant which is located in the campus student centre. From 5 to 10 p.m., anyone can view artworks for free and place bids on pieces they want to take home.

Following on the heels of the silent auction is a screening of the award-winning documentary, Until the Violence Stops and readings of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer. Free tickets make it more than worthwhile to show up at the ARC Theatre Hall for this event which will also include door prizes, live music and another art exhibition and silent auction.

The following evening's festivities will again be taking place in The Bluffs. Canadian Idol contestant Jessica David will be present to host an open-mic benefit showcase and date raffle beginning at 8 p.m.

The grand finale of University of Toronto Scarborough's V-Day events will be a full-length live production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues which will happen on March 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. Located in the Leigha Lee Browne Theatre, general admission tickets are $30 and VIP tickets cost $35.

All money raised at these events will benefit The Toronto Rape Crisis Centre, Springtide Resources and the V-Day 2009 Spotlight Campaign: The Women and Girls of DRC.

The University of Toronto Scarborough is located at Ellesmere Road and Military Trail.

For more information visit www.vdayutsc.weebly.com