Victorian Extravaganza at Scarborough Historical Museum

Scene Change youth mentoring program presents a Victorian Extravaganza, July 26 & 27 at Scarborough Historical Museum.
 
Broad gestures, fake mustaches, a damsel in distress—all the clichés of a classic Victorian Extravaganza, will be present and accounted for on Saturday and Sunday, July 26 & 27 from  noon to 5 p.m., when the Scarborough Historical Museum mounts its annual variety show produced by Scene Change, a youth mentorship program initiated by this City of Toronto museum.

The Scarborough Historical Museum has created and supported many innovative youth mentoring programs in the Scarborough area. These programs develop employment and life skills designed to build confidence in a creative environment. Scene Change is a visual and performing arts program that recruits teen volunteers from local communities such as Kennedy Park, Bendale and Scarborough Village, who complete a four-month training cycle then go on to mentor the next group of participants. The success rate has been very high for this “train-the-trainer” style program.

“Our youth mentoring programs have grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade,” says Museum Curator, Madeleine Callaghan. “It’s a win-win situation for the museum and for young people in the Scarborough community. Participants develop employment skills and get a chance to explore their talents, while the museum benefits from the energy and positive spirit the youth bring to our programs.”

Scene Change has guided approximately 70 teens over the last four years. Mentor groups develop a sense of empowerment by shaping their own projects and group activities once senior staff have approved them for development. The museum provides an inspiring historic setting and a creative environment for these volunteers and their youth mentors.

"This program has truly been a great experience. I've learned skills that will help, not only with volunteering at the museum, but with my future as well," said Youth Mentor, Julia Thayer.

During the weekend, the music of Gilbert and Sullivan will be performed, followed by sing-alongs. Outside, in the open air theatre, an original musical will be presented, alternating with an 1814 melodrama, “The Maid and the Magpie,” by Isaac Pocock. Visitors are welcome to tour the historic museum.

Scarborough Historical Museum is located in Thomson Memorial Park on the east side of Brimley Rd., just north of Lawrence Ave. Call 416-338-8807, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.toronto.ca/museums. Admission is pay-as-you-can.