The Friendship Test
Bring your best friend, your partner, or your whole crew and put your friendship to the test, Newlywed Game–style. Answer questions about each other's habits, histories and hot takes to see who really knows who, and who's got some catching up to do. It's playful proof that even our closest bonds have more to discover, echoing Berkowitz's case that friendship takes real, ongoing work.
This interactive pre-show is followed by Friendships and other Complexities ft. Roger Berkowitz, which starts at 7pm in the Appel Salon.
You can register for that event here, but please note if you wish to attend the pre-event activities you need to register separately on this page.
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This evening’s theme explores the challenge of staying in dialogue and connection across our differences through Hannah Arendt’s friendships. Make the most of your Connect IRL experience by coming before or staying after the featured event. Grab a drink or snack at the bar. Sign up for the workshop or try out one of the engagement activities available, including this event's Conversation Station: The Kitchen Table, where you can take a moment or two to connect with a stranger to reflect on the rewards and challenges of friendship.
The Kitchen Table | 5:30 – 6:30 pm & 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Grab a seat and dig into the questions we rarely ask out loud: How has your definition of friendship changed? Can you stay close to someone you disagree with? What makes a friendship last? Inspired by Berkowitz's argument that friendship — not agreement — is the glue of a healthy society, this café is a space to reflect on your own circle with the strangers sitting next to you.
Connect IRL is not your average series of events, workshops and activities, but a real chance to connect with other Torontonians in meaningful and sometimes unexpected ways. Through conversation stations meant to spark one-on-one conversations, or hands-on engagement activities and workshops before the featured event, participants can explore the value of connection and community.
PLAN YOUR VISIT:
Location: Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 2nd floor
Time: Doors open 5:30pm.
Tickets: Free registration required.
Ticket policy: We oversell these events to ensure that the greatest number of people have an opportunity to attend. Tickets guaranteed until 5:45pm or until capacity is reached. Seating first come, first served.
Bar: Beer/wine available for purchase (debit/credit only).
Information Collection Notice: The personal information on this form is collected by the Toronto Public Library under the Public Libraries Act, sections 20(a), 20(c), and 20(d). The information will only be used for event and program registration, delivery and evaluation. Registrants may be contacted to fill out a brief survey following the program. Questions about how the library handles your information can be directed to Answerline staff at answerline@tpl.ca, 416-397-5981, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M4W 2G8.
Click here to book tickets on Eventbrite (tpl-friendship-test.eventbrite.ca) For: Adults (18+). Programme type: Author Talks & Lectures. Series: On Civil Society. Location in branch: Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 2nd floor. Registration is required. Contact: Answerline, 416-397-5981, answerline@tpl.ca.
Wednesday, October 21
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library · 789 Yonge Street
Venue details →