THE TORONTO CIRCUS RIOT: A TRUE TALE OF SEX, VIOLENCE, CORRUPTION, & CLOWNS!
The Toronto Circus Riot: A True Tale of Sex, Violence, Corruption, & Clowns!
Photo: Toronto in the 1850s, with edge of the Fair Green bottom-centre
Come out and support your Riverdale Historic Society for its first in-person event since COVID.
Note new location, for October only: Ralph Thornton Centre, 765 Queen St. E., 3rd Floor, 6:30pm, Oct. 24th
Adam Bunch will take us on a journey to Toronto in 1855 when the strangest riot in Toronto history broke out, sparked by a brawl at a King Street brothel.
When some rowdy clowns picked a fight with a battle-hardened crew of firefighters, they would quickly learn they’d made a terrible mistake. The circus performers found themselves facing off against Toronto’s powerful Orange Order in a bloody clash that revealed the fault lines that once violently divided our city.
Adam Bunch is an award-winning storyteller who brings the history of Toronto and Canada to life. He's the author of The Toronto Book of the Dead and The Toronto Book of Love, the host of the Canadiana documentary series, and the creator of the Toronto Dreams Project.
He's taught history at George Brown College and created writing workshops for the Toronto Public Library. He's spoken at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum, and his writing has appeared in The Toronto Star, Spacing Magazine and The Huffington Post.
Adam's work popularizing Canadian history was recognized with an honourable mention for a Governor General's Award in 2012.
Only $5 at the door. Annual memberships only $20/person; $30/couple
Bring a friend!
Questions? Please email: rhsblogger@gmail.com