Please check back for the most up-to-date schedule before the fair begins. Click on a name to visit their website. 

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Speakers (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Cooking Demonstrations (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Entertainment (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Speakers (Studio Theatre)

Friday September 10th

5:00pm  Brendan Brazier - "Boost Athletic Performance on a Plant-Based Diet"

Professional Ironman Triathlete and plant-based nutrition expert, Brendan Brazier shares how to boost athletic performance by means of stress-busting plant-based whole foods. Brendan’s talk will be based on his latest title, Thrive Fitness: Mental and Physical Strength for Life. Don’t miss Brendan’s groundbreaking approach to fitness and how you can gain maximum results in minimal time!

6:30pm  Jonathan Balcombe - "Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals"

Today, science is revealing startling new discoveries in the realms of animal cognition and emotional complexity. From optimistic starlings, to fishes who choose preferred “shoal mates,” to dogs who object to unfair treatment, Balcombe shows that animals lead lives of acute awareness. He also shows that social living requires animals to behave nicely toward one another, and spells out why the human-animal relationship needs a major overhaul, especially when it comes to our food choices.

Saturday September 11th

12:00pm  Shakira Abubakar - "Helping Others while Staying Healthy"

As an activist, I am always on the run and busy with various activities. From late night assignments to early morning deadlines, it is easy to fall into an unhealthy lifestyle. As a vegetarian, it is even easier to resort to unhealthy snacks during the day. How then can we balance our activism and social justice work with healthy lifestyle? How do we stay active with continuous deadlines? How do you manage as a vegetarian while traveling in countries with no vegetarian options? Staying active is key to holistic activism.

1:30pm    Erika Ritter - "Curb Your Compassion: How we learn to control our concern for animals"

Back in its infancy, humanity regarded animals as equals—co-competitors for food, similarly subject to an ethic of eat-or-be-eaten. Even today, children initially look upon other creatures as their peers, similarly lacking in power and influence.  Our growing up—both as individuals and as a species-- is a process of learning to make distinctions between animals we view as objects of legitimate concern, and those others we treat as commodities for our consumption and entertainment.  The various ways human beings have devised to balance guilt and entitlement, in order to curb our compassion toward animals, is the subject of my talk.

3:00pm    Brenda Davis - "Eating for Life... designing the optimal plant-based diet"

Have you ever received a prescription for an optimal diet? Consider it done. In this presentation, registered dietitian and author, Brenda Davis, explores the most popular plant-based diets, and explains the finer details of what makes a diet truly optimal. You will learn about the most helpful and most harmful dietary components, and how to ensure your nutrient needs are met.  Brenda takes you a step beyond human health, considering the ethical and ecological consequences of our food choices.

4:30pm    Jonathan Balcombe - "Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals"

Today, science is revealing startling new discoveries in the realms of animal cognition and emotional complexity. From optimistic starlings, to fishes who choose preferred “shoal mates,” to dogs who object to unfair treatment, Balcombe shows that animals lead lives of acute awareness. He also shows that social living requires animals to behave nicely toward one another, and spells out why the human-animal relationship needs a major overhaul, especially when it comes to our food choices.

6:00pm    Harold Brown - "A Farm Boys Journey in Compassion"

How does a person who grew up in the cattle business, worked for the dairy industry, slaughtered animals and hunted become an animal rights activist and vegan?  Join Farmer Brown has we explore the path of compassion that has led him from a life of violence to one of peace and respect for all life and the planet.

7:30pm    Carol J. Adams - "20 Years After The Sexual Politics of Meat, What’s New (and sadly) What Isn’t"

In this riveting presentation, Adams introduces the ideas of The Sexual Politics of Meat and assesses how things stand twenty years after the book was first published. Does a link still exist between meat eating and notions of masculinity and virility in the Western world? Are women and animals still positioned in similar ways by a patriarchal culture?  Can the problems associated with meat eating be understood without a feminist perspective? How do sex role assumptions influence receptivity to vegeterianism? Drawing on advertisements, newspaper articles, menu covers, billboards, and other examples drawn from popular culture, Adams explores answers to these questions and others. 

Sunday September 12th

12:00pm  Victoria & Corinna Serda - "How Many Footprints Do You Have?"

In this informative and eye-opening presentation, mother-daughter team Victoria and Corrina Serda explain why most people have not one, but thousands of environmental footprints, when taking into account the animals they consume over a lifetime. The Serdas will discuss the vast resources required to raise, feed, shelter, transport, process and package the more than 650 million farmed animals slaughtered in Canada each year, incovering the reasons why eating animal-free one day per week does more for the earth eating a completely local, animal-based diet all seven.

1:30pm    Harold Brown  - "Journey of Conscience"

Compassion, the ability to feel sympathy and pity for another.  Compassion may be the most important emotion and experience we, as human beings, have to care for non-human animals and the planet.  Join Farmer Brown as he shares his journey of compassion which has also be a journey of conscience.  Together we shall explore the man faceted issues that call us to care for and protect non-human interests.

3:00pm    Brenda Davis - "Becoming Raw... separating fact from fiction"

Raw food diets are hot! While there is solid evidence that raw food diets can provide powerful protection against disease, are they safe and adequate? What does science say about common raw food claims? Join registered dietitian, and co-author of Becoming Raw, as she examines the following controversial issues in raw nutrition:
Are plant enzymes essential to human health?
Are cooked foods toxic?
Can we get enough vitamin B12 from plant foods or internal production?
Are the following foods healthful or harmful?
Buckwheat greens, sprouts, raw mushrooms, sea vegetables
Can raw food diets reverse chronic diseases?

4:30pm   Jae Steele - "Ripe from around Here: local and sustainable choices for a plant-based diet."

jae's past experience working on small organic farms, her love of farmers’ markets and community-building, and the time she spent on the board of directors at Karma Food Co-op that inspired the writing of her latest book, Ripe From Around Here. Her lecture on the same topic underscores the importance of local, sustainable eating and living by helping others deepen their understanding of organic and seasonal foods, and their positive impact on our health and our planet.  While local foods is a big buzz phrase across the western world these days, jae makes a point of providing information and suggesting doable actions we can all take from a non-animal-consuming, vegan vantage point.

6:00pm    Carol J. Adams - "Living Among Meat Eaters: A Survival Guide for Vegetarians"

In her book Living Among Meat Eaters, Adams proposes several innovative ways for handling interactions between vegetarians/vegans and meat eaters. In this presentation, Adams will summarize her recommendations for handling conversations, arguments, and questions; responding to family resistance and pressure; and negotiating with partners. The presentation is especially helpful for new vegetarians and those hoping to include more vegetarian meals in their lives.

Cooking Demonstrations (Lakeside Terrace)

Friday September 10th

7:30pm  "Passion for Compassion" - an evening discussion with Carol J. Adams, Brenda Davis, Jonathan Balcombe, Jae Steele, Terry Hope Romero and Harold Brown.

Join leaders in the vegan movement to hear what sustains their passion, their hope and their ability to inspire others to embrace compassion. A rare opportunity to engage in an intimate discussion with those who are leading change. panel: Brenda Davis, Carol Adams, Jonathan Balcombe, Terry Hope Romero, jae steele, Harold Brown, Jerry Cook.

Saturday September 11th

12:00pm  Meghan Telpner - "Making Love In The Kitchen with Meghan: Doing It Veggie Style"

With humour Nutritionist and Chief Love Maker of The Love In The Kitchen Academy, Meghan will demo how deliciously easy it is to make staple vegetarian foods from scratch including bean dips, crackers, milk subs, cereals/bars, smoothies and of course sweet treats. As we transition towards a more plant based, compassionately minded way of eating, we often start to look for ways to do so with less impact on the environment while maximizing the positive impact on our health. Do it Veggie Style With Compassion.

1:30pm    Marni Wasserman - "Super Delicious Snacks - for everyday enjoyment!"

Everybody loves to snack! However we are all too reliant on picking things up on the go that are not healthy for us whether loaded with sugar, salt or fat. They leave us feeling tired, sluggish and bloated. Through this workshop Marni will teach you how to make some healthy, balanced and simple snacks so that you can have them on hand during the week.

3:00pm    Jae Steele - "Ripe From Around Here: Local Bounty In Your Kitchen"

We are so lucky here in Toronto with all the access to local food from our neighbourhood farmers' markets, CSA programs and food co-ops.  Early September is an especially wonderful time for delicious produce that grows within a short distance from us.  Join holistic nutritionist and award-winning cookbook author jae steele as she demonstrates how simple it is to make ice creem at home with local fruit, and without dairy, eggs, soy or refined sugar!

4:30pm    Terry Hope Romero - "Latin Soup Fall Warm Up"

Fall is just around the corner but the fresh flavors of vegan Latin cooking are just getting started. Join Terry Hope Romero author of Viva Vegan! as she prepares a soothing and hearty Latin-inspired vegan soup to heat things up as the season turns cooler.

6:00pm    Alan Roettinger - Speedy Salads

Join professional chef Alan Roettinger as he whips up four of the quickest, simplest salads from his new book, Speed Vegan that showcase the surprising variety and complexity of flavor and texture anyone can achieve with few ingredients, minimal equipment and little effort.

Sunday September 12th

12:00pm  Ricki Heller - Healthy, Delicious Desserts

Healthier eating doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a delicious dessert! Join Ricki Heller, author of Sweet Freedom: Desserts You’ll Love without Wheat, Eggs, Dairy or Refined Sugar  who will prepare her childhood favorite, Mrs. K’s Date Cake. A moist and delectable cake topped with toasted coconut and chocolate, this is a perfect snack or dessert—and it will convince you that a healthy lifestyle can be sweet!

1:30pm    Terry Hope Romero - Sweet Sabór: Vegan Latin Coconut Vanilla Flan

Terry Hope Romero, author of Viva Vegan! presents a fiesta-worthy updated vegan version of a traditional Latino sweet, luscious and creamy coconut flan.

3:30pm    Iron Chef Competition - Doug McNish and Howard Dubrovsky

Harbourfront manifests a mini kitchen stadium for a friendly culinary competition. Don’t miss the dueling knives, persuasive plating and flavour manipulation. Join two of the city’s hottest young chefs in a battle for the title of Vegan Iron Chef 2010. Whose cuisine will reign supreme?

6:00pm    Cruelty-Free Baking Basics - A panel with Marni Wasserman, Lesia Kohut and Ricki Heller

How do you make perfectly light and luscious baked goods without eggs, milk and butter? Join three professionals bakers to hear their tips and tricks. Winning recipes from the Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-Off will be shared. Bring your questions and culinary conundrums.

Entertainment (Redpath Stage)

Friday September 10th

6:00pm    Ken Whiteley

Ken Whiteley is a Canadian roots music legend. His musical journey has taken him from jug band, folk and swing to blues, gospel and children's music. Among numerous accolades, he has won a Canadian Folk Music Award, Genie Award for Best Original Song in a Canadian film, Lifetime achievement awards from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and Mariposa Folk Festival. Ken has been nominated for 7 Juno awards and 13 Maple Blues Awards. Ken’s live performances showcase his outstanding musicianship on guitars and mandolin, award winning original songs and his powerful vocals, called "...a cross between Pete Seeger and Tony Bennett on 11!" Whether leading his own group, solo or collaborating with peers at blues, folk, children’s festivals and concerts of all sizes, his “...deep knowledge and infectious passion” guarantee good times for all. As a producer of over 125 recording projects, Ken’s productions have garnered 10 Canadian Gold and Platinum records, 4 American Gold records, 22 Juno and 2 Grammy nominations, and sold over 8 million copies. 

Saturday September 11th

12:00pm  Girl + the Machine

Asian chanteuse-fronted international music group. Electro-rock and experimental pop with an ethnic flavour of world music. Incorporating video projections and theatrics, Girl + the Machine deliver a profound audio-visual experience. From the garage-rock roots of Toronto’s Suburbs, Geoff and Fred employ various instruments, organic and electronic, to create a colourful whirlwind of psychedelic experimentation and edgy aggression.  Dave hails from Texas, and brings to the band an extensive knowledge of ethnic rhythms and folk music.  To live audiences, Dave strikes an explosive call to the dance floor.  Girl + the Machine have built a reputation for their elaborate stage productions involving dance, theatrics, and mixed-multimedia. Performing internationally and throughout North America, Girl + the Machine, have shared stages with the likes of CSS, Tokyo Police Club, Ohbijou, Ron Korb, and Ron Sexsmith.

1:30pm    Two of Us

Sunday September 12th

12:00pm  The Nia Technique

Nia is a personal growth, body-mind-spirit fitness program. It is a "living system" that works with the natural wisdom and intelligence of the body, mind, spirit, and emotions.

Nia supports the Pleasure Principle: If it feels good keep doing it, if it hurts, stop! The blueprint of Nia is practical, experiential, and focuses on internal guidance to change and develop awareness. Process-oriented, the Nia format is user-friendly.

1:30pm    Two of Us

4:00pm    Meditation Toronto

6:00pm    Damacwell Jazz Trio