Heliconian Club

Heliconian Club An arts club housed in a heritage hall in the heart of Toronto's Yorkville, organized by women. and music).

Mission:
Supporting, Inspiring, and Championing Women Living in the Arts

Vision:
The Heliconian Club, one of the oldest associations of its kind in Canada, brings together women living and working in the arts and letters, plays an active role in wider community initiatives, and maintains an outreach program. The Toronto Heliconian Club is the oldest association of its kind in Canada, founded in

1909 to give women engaged in arts and letters an opportunity to come together to discuss, enjoy, and further interests (in art, dance, drama, humanities, literature. The Club still holds to its original purpose, but is evolving—men attending many of its public programmes. The beautiful Heliconian Hall (the Club's epicentre) has charitable status and is a popular venue that can be rented for a variety of non-member happenings from weddings to business gatherings.

Such a treat to be part of Doors Open Toronto once again. More than 350 people popped by to check out our unique Hall, w...
05/29/2026

Such a treat to be part of Doors Open Toronto once again. More than 350 people popped by to check out our unique Hall, which is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. Thanks to all the volunteers and performers!

On Saturday, May 16 The Heliconian Club threw a Street Festival celebrating 150 years of historic Heliconian Hall, its h...
05/24/2026

On Saturday, May 16 The Heliconian Club threw a Street Festival celebrating 150 years of historic Heliconian Hall, its home base for over a century. It was a grand party with special guests including our Patrons Marilyn Lightstone and Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe as well as John Caliendo, Co-Chair of ABC Residents Association, a major sponsor for the 150th celebrations. Also present were Mayor Olivia Chow and newly elected Dr. Danielle Martin, MP for University-Rosedale. Unfortunately, due to rain, the festivities were moved inside the Hall. A town crier gave a formal proclamation, "inviting neighbours, visitors, families, and friends to rejoice together in music, entertainment, heritage, and merriment." A packed audience enjoyed a mixed program of performances, a highlight of which was the Jesse Ketchum School Choir. Then everyone witnessed the unveiling of a new plaque from Heritage Toronto. To top it off, there was lemonade and cake for everyone.

Back by popular demand the Heliconian Club Writing Workshop Series is returning in 2026 with three new sessions. REGISTE...
05/21/2026

Back by popular demand the Heliconian Club Writing Workshop Series is returning in 2026 with three new sessions.
REGISTER TODAY. SPACE IS LIMITED.

The sessions run from 1:00-4:00pm on the following days:

Getting Your Book Published: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Literary Agents, Editors and Publishers but Were Afraid to Ask with Deirdre Kelly

Thursday, June 11, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Deirdre Kelly, author, editor and long-time culture critic for The Globe and Mail, will moderate a panel comprising of a literary agent, editor and publisher. Get help with draft query letters and submit your questions to the experts in advance of the workshop for the answers you need to map your path to publication!


Humour Writing with Terry Fallis

Friday, July 10, 2026 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Join Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and the author of ten national bestsellers, for a multi-part workshop featuring an interactive session on discovering your writing voice, examination of examples of humour writing to see why they work, and prompted humour writing with the opportunity to read and receive feedback. And of course, lots of laughter!


Mining for Memoire with Kate Marshall Flaherty

Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Back by popular demand, a new memoir writing program with Kate Marshall Flaherty. Kate is an award-winning poet, playwright and author who leads memoir writing workshops online, in libraries and community centres. Memoir is a magical platform for self-discovery. Prompts like an object or a photograph can stimulate memories that transport us back to the past and shed light on the present. Kate guides participants using the AWA method, which provides a safe space for taking writing risks and where each unique voice is valued.


All 3 workshops: Members $120 | Public $150

To register for the Writing Workshop Subscription (All 3 workshops) please click the following link:
https://torontoheliconianclub.wildapricot.org/event-6573262


***Free Bonus Session: In the fall of 2026. Advance notice to subscribers of a workshop on grant writing with representatives of the various arts councils.


To register for Individual Writing work shops please click the following links:

June 11, 2026: Getting Your Book Published: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Literary Agents, Editors and Publishers but Were Afraid to Ask with Deirdre Kelly
https://torontoheliconianclub.wildapricot.org/event-6560721

July 10, 2026: Humour Writing with Terry Fallis
https://torontoheliconianclub.wildapricot.org/event-6560718

August 11, 2026: Mining for Memoire with Kate Marshall Flaherty
https://torontoheliconianclub.wildapricot.org/event-6560719


For accommodations or more information please email the Heliconian Club at [email protected] or call 416-922-3618

Heliconian Hall opens its doors this Sunday for a day devoted to the arts. Experience music, dance, visual art, and lite...
05/20/2026

Heliconian Hall opens its doors this Sunday for a day devoted to the arts. Experience music, dance, visual art, and literature brought to life by Heliconian Club members.

Free to the public • May 24 • 10–5 • 35 Hazelton Ave
Doors Open May 24, 2026

The Toronto Heliconian Club building first opened its doors in May exactly 150 years ago. Initially a Sunday School, then a Carpenter’s Union, in 1923 it became the home of local Women artists – painters, authors, musicians, actors and dancers who were refused entry into the Arts and Letters Club because of their gender.

This Sunday May24 at Doors Open we invite you to explore our historic building (designated a National Historic site in 2008) with its unique Carpenter’s Gothic Architecture distinguished by board and batten siding and ornamentation. Other Hallmarks include a Victorian Rose Window, two steep gabled porches, an arcade of lancet windows and an asymmetrical tower.

Throughout the day we will present a full experience of the arts from live music to dance to poetry to art on our walls. As you enter the building beside our steps famed artist Vivian East will be painting a street scene live. Inside, our present art show called ‘A World in a City’ following the Doors Open theme features diverse art mediums including Oil painting, Photography, Acrylics, Assemblage, Dioramas and Stained glass. There will be art chat docent’s tours available for those who wish to learn more about the artworks.

Also following the theme of a ‘World in a City’, throughout the day we will present diverse musical performances by our members featuring Spanish music by Ruth Kazdan, Iranian music by our Artist in Residence Homa Samiei, Contemporary music by Evelina Soulis, Brazilian music by Olivia Easter and Folk Music by Taivi Alexander. We will also have performances by our famed Dancer in residence Caitlin Griffin and award-winning poet JC Salenko.
Further inside the building there is a Boardroom with a display of published books by previous and present Heliconian authors and a collection of CDs by our music composer members. There will be live demonstrations of two working artists, one who will be drawing a still life and the other acrylic portraits. There will also be an artist present who will draw your portrait if you are interested!

Proceeding downstairs to the lower level we have a portrait gallery of our previous Presidents and a quiet place to sit and rest.

We hope you enjoy your visit with us!

TONIGHT (Tue May 19 @ 7pm) -- Come enjoy an evening of magnificent Chopin piano music, with some added anecdotes by Dr. ...
05/19/2026

TONIGHT (Tue May 19 @ 7pm) -- Come enjoy an evening of magnificent Chopin piano music, with some added anecdotes by Dr. Melody Chan! Tickets: $30 public, $25 members. Doors open 6:30pm, concert begins 7:00pm; refreshments & cash bar available. See you soon! HeliconianClub.org

Heliconian ClubFREE STREET FESTIVALSaturday May 16, 202611:30am - 3:00pm35 Hazelton Ave, Yorkville (Toronto, ON)HEAR YE!...
05/14/2026

Heliconian Club

FREE STREET FESTIVAL

Saturday May 16, 2026
11:30am - 3:00pm
35 Hazelton Ave, Yorkville (Toronto, ON)

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Come one, come all!

On Sat. May 16th, 2026, the Heliconian Club will be hosting a free street festival, to mark the 150th birthday of our beautiful Heliconian Hall.

Come join us in Yorkville!

LOCATION:
Toronto Heliconian Club
35 Hazelton Ave.
Toronto, ON
(Yorkville neighbourhood, 2 blocks northwest of Bay subway station)

ACTIVITIES:

11:30 am

Official start with a historical Town Crier's welcome
11:30 - 1:00pm

Live music, street entertainment, kids activities
There will also be a special ceremony for the unveiling of our new heritage plaque
1:00 - 3:00pm

The Hall will be open for additional entertainment, an art show, historical exhibits, and refreshments.

Representatives from all levels of government will be on hand including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Dr. Danielle Martin, Member of Parliament for Rosedale-University, as well as our patrons: the esteemed Canadian icon Marilyn Lightstone and Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe.

Come celebrate 150 years with us -- we look forward to seeing you!

HeliconianClub.org
Contact us at 416-922-3618, [email protected] for more details!

Mary Rezza Memorial Student RecitalMay 17, 2026 Doors 2:00 PM | Show 2:30 PMMary Rezza (1927-2000) was a long-standing ...
05/14/2026

Mary Rezza Memorial

Student Recital

May 17, 2026

Doors 2:00 PM | Show 2:30 PM

Mary Rezza (1927-2000) was a long-standing member of the Toronto Heliconian Club, a noted collaborative pianist, teacher and vocal coach who organized the first Heliconian student recital in 1991. Heliconian teacher/members continue to bring their students together for an annual program in memory of this esteemed member. Come and share the excitement of students of all ages and levels performing in this congenial environment.

Image Credit: Rosemary Tannock

THIS EVENT IS FREE!!!!!!!!

To Register: https://torontoheliconianclub.wildapricot.org/event-6264647

To support this and other Club initiatives, please consider donating to the Heliconian Club by clicking here: https://torontoheliconianclub.wildapricot.org/DONATE-NOW/

About Mary Rezza (1927-2000)

Mary Elizabeth Rezza was a long-standing member of the Toronto Heliconian Club, an esteemed pianist, teacher, and a noted vocal coach and accompanist. She became a member of the Club in 1956, sponsored by Dorothy Allen Park and Evelyn Dunlop.

Rezza graduated with a combined teacher's and solo performer's ARCT in 1949. She specialized in vocal accompaniment and spent her career playing for thousands of students as official accompanist for the Kiwanis Festival of Music. In addition, Mary became both a vocal coach and singing teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Music where she coached many students who went on to international careers, including Robert Goulet, Ermanno Mauro, Catherine Robbin, Gwenlynn Little and Jon Vickers.

Mary was an active member of the Toronto Heliconian Club and served as Chair of the Music Section from 1993 to 1995.

Sing Us to DawnA journey from darkness toward light, where voice, sound, and movement reveal what is already within.Sing...
05/14/2026

Sing Us to Dawn

A journey from darkness toward light, where voice, sound, and movement reveal what is already within.

Sing Us to Dawn is a bilingual multidisciplinary performance exploring falling, resistance, stillness, and emergence through voice, poetry, movement, and sound. The narrative unfolds in English, while Persian poetry from different eras creates a dialogue across time, language, and form.

Rooted in Persian poetic imagery and contemporary performance practice, the work explores how what is hidden within us can be recognized and brought into presence.

Featuring:
Homa Samiei | Curator, Composer & Piano(Heliconian Musician in Residence)
Shaghayegh Bagheri | Writer & Voice
Milad Bagheri | Co-Composer & Voice
Morvarid Alinejad | Stage Direction

Caroline Niklas Gordon | Choreography & Dance

Jade A. Halis | Percussion

Yalda Ehsani | Clarinet

For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-us-to-dawn-tickets-1988285007982?aff=oddtdtcreator

📍Heliconian Club
📅 May 29 | 8 PM

WED & SAT: Free art Exhibit - World in a City! :) Come visit us in Yorkville for a special gallery installation, inspire...
05/12/2026

WED & SAT: Free art Exhibit - World in a City! :) Come visit us in Yorkville for a special gallery installation, inspired by Toronto's diverse people & architecture. WED 4-7:30pm, SAT 1-3pm during our free street party! Details at HeliconianClub.org. See you soon!

Address

35 Hazelton Avenue
Toronto, ON
M5R2E3

Telephone

+14169223618

Website

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