The open source movement revolutionized computing. Software code was available to anyone at no cost. But open source is more than a software development model – it defines a culture that harnesses the power of transparency and collaboration.

Today, biotechnology is where computing was 50 years ago: the research is hard to access, lacking openness and transparency.The majority of data (despite often being publicly funded!) end up being published in closed journals which many researchers (and the public) around the world cannot afford to access. Can the ethos of open-source in biotechnology change the landscape of research, and for the better?

Join us in discussion with:

Ryan Merkeley – CEO, Creative Commons

Raymond Hui –  Scientist, Structural Genomics Consortium

Jim Woodgett – Research Director, Mount Sinai’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Hassan Masum – Long term strategist

Justin Pahara – Co-founder and COO, Synbiota 

Thursday July 30th, 6:30pm-9pm

HackLab.TO
1266 Queen Street West #6
ON M6K 1L3

REGISTER: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-evolving-landscape-of-open-source-biotechnology-tickets-17718249762?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email?utm_term=eventurl_text

WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/diybio.to

About DIYbio Toronto

Do-it-yourself biological innovation! We’re inspired by the California group “biocurious”, like them, we believe in the power of open source, open access, and learning in community. We believe this philosophy should be applied to biology!

Every Tuesday we will be running open studio night for Women and/or LGBTQ open Tuesday nights! Join us for free at Site 3 from 7pm – 10pm. Come chat, ask questions, and/or make a thing with us!

Site 3 is proud to host Women and/or LGBTQ Alliance Night. Every Tuesday the shop will be publicly accessible with focus on those who identify as a member of the Women or LGBTQ community. The goal of these evenings it to make a shop/ electronics working environment an inclusive and engaging place where we can socialize, learn and be empowered.

During these hours, there will be either open shop time or scheduled activities led by a member of the community. We are also around to chat, socialize or answer any questions you have. If you would like to run an activity during these nights, please email us at info@site3.ca

We believe that offering dedicated shop time to the Women and/or LGBTQ community encourages equality and safe learning environment. Please join us this Tuesday!

Tuesday July 28th, 7pm-10pm

Site 3 coLaboratory, 718r Ossington, Toronto ON M6G

REGISTER: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/maker-festival-womenlgbtq-open-night-tickets-17666016531

WEBSITE: http://www.site3.ca/

About Site 3 coLaboratory

Site 3 coLaboratory is a 2,000 square foot member-run makerspace in Toronto’s west end. We are dedicated to making, teaching, learning and thinking about the intersection between art and technology. We make amazing things, and we teach others to make amazing things, too.

The vision for Site 3 is to have a space that promotes a four step cycle of create, display, teach and inspire.

• Create a space that provides members with access to the right tools/facilities
• Display and promote member made projects
• Teach members and guests new skills through regular events/classes
• Inspire a community with the tools and knowledge they need to bring their projects to life

We are *extremely* excited to be co-hosting an amazing night of 3D printing innovation, along with Structur3D Printing, Mosaic Manufacturing, Matter and Form, and Tiko 3D !

Come to our office to see live demos of all of our products, network with everyone, and enjoy free beer*! It’s going to be a great night leading up to Maker Festival Toronto and we’d love to see you all there 🙂

*Due to our provinces archaic liquor laws this event is guest list / invite only. You MUST join the event or contact one of the above companies to be able to come. Admission and drinks are still free, don’t worry!

How to get here:
We’re right on the NW corner of Dundas and Broadview – biking or transit strongly recommended (some street parking available). To TTC, take either the 505 or 504 streetcar to Dundas and Broadview, or take the 506 or 501 streetcar to Broadview and walk a block south/north respectively.

Tuesday July 28th, 6pm-11pm

240 Broadview Avenue

REGISTER: https://www.facebook.com/events/845222602213843/

WEBSITES:

http://www.redetec.com/
https://matterandform.net/
http://www.tiko3d.com/
http://www.structur3d.io/
http://www.mosaicmanufacturing.com/

PechaKuchaTO will take part in celebrating and cultivating Toronto’s rich and diverse maker spirit, while thinking more critically about the realities of making. What does it take to make — and make it?

Held at 918 Bathurst, we’re gathering a diverse range of makers to share their stories, including Irene Stickney, owner of The Make Den, Arounna Khounnoraj, co-founder of Bookhou, Julielynn Wong, director of 3D4MD, Adrienne Butikofer, owner and designer of Skinny Sweats, Robin Fitzsimons of Fitzy, and co-founder of Bridge + Bardot, Gagan Bassi. Action Potential Lab is also back, making a special cocktail just for us, and Steam Whistle will be on hand!
At a time when brick and mortar shops are closing, local manufacutring is increasingly challenged, studios reign, e-commerse is emboldening makers of all kinds and levels, Instagram feeds eat up hours of the day, workrooms are teaching many of us to use our hands to produce products, technology is affecting everything, including what we put on our bodies, and the term maker is prolific and arguably diluted, this is a good time to delve into the realities of making. Join us!!
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Doors are at 7.30 p.m. with presentations starting at 8.00 p.m. in true PK fashion. Can’t wait to see you there for another night of thinking and drinking!

Tuesday July 28th, 730pm-11pm

906 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J, Canada

REGISTER: https://www.universe.com/events/pecha-kucha-toronto-maker-festival-edition-tickets-toronto-7FL93S

WEBSITE: http://www.pechakucha.org/cities/toronto

About Pecha Kucha

PechaKucha 20×20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images. The presentation format was devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham architecture. The first PechaKucha Night was held in Tokyo in their gallery/lounge/bar/club/creative kitchen, SuperDeluxe, in February, 2003. Klein Dytham architecture still organize and support the global PechaKucha Night network and organize PechaKucha Night Tokyo.

Join us as we host a free “Drawing for Cartoons and Animation” workshop with Cartoon Coach. Head Coach, Jay Holz, uses characters, voices and boundless energy to entertain and coach children to draw cartoons using traditional structure and principles. This free demo will focus on the traditional head construction behind some famous characters & it will feature tips and tricks to improve any child’s drawing skills. The Cartoon Coach method is designed to engage, inspire, build confidence and expand the vocabulary of your young artist.

Class is limited to 12 students aged 6-10 ( parents are welcome to stay and watch)

Saturday July 25th, 3pm-4pm

906 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J, Canada

REGISTER: https://www.universe.com/events/cartoon-coach-demo-at-graven-feather-tickets-toronto-0NYRK7

WEBSITE: www.cartooncoach.ca

About Cartoon Coach

Cartoon Coach is not a level based drawing course. It is a week to week discipline, not unlike Music or Martial Arts. Every week there will be something new to learn, every week there will be inspiration and although sometimes we will jump back and visit the foundation, we are always building towards developing the skills a young artist requires to exceed their goals.

I look forward to working with your young artist and helping him or her to embrace the principals that make great art.

Make your own DIY sound synthesizer! Learn about the 555 chip, practice your soldering and circuit building skills, and make some old school sounds with the Atari Punk Console!

Two replicated workshops:
Thursday July 30th, 6pm-7pm & 7pm-8pm

9 Ossington Ave
Toronto, ON M6J 2Y8

REGISTER: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/atari-punk-console-tickets-17596193689

WEBSITE: http://www.interaccess.org

About InterAccess
InterAccess enables creators and innovators to explore the intersections of art, science and technology. InterAccess is a public gallery, educational facility and production studio dedicated to the creative use of technology, electronic art and new media culture. Our programs support art forms that integrate new technologies from conception and development to exhibition and discussion. We explore the impact of technology on the social, political and cultural aspects of contemporary life, and encourage audiences to see anew their relationships with interactive artworks.

We will be demonstrating how to make coasters with live edge pieces from a log and you can take yours home! Every Wednesday from 7-10pm at our East-End location you are welcome to test-drive our tools, like 3D printing, Laser Cutting or our Woodshop! Try working on a project or innovating with others. Check out our community space + Meet our team!

Wednesday July 29th, 7pm-10pm

1803 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON M4C 1J2

REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-night-make-a-coaster-maker-festival-edition-tickets-17596260890

WEBSITE: http://torontotoollibrary.com/

About Toronto Tool Library

At the Toronto Tool Library, anyone with a membership can sign-out tools for both their home and community initiatives. Whether you are hanging a picture or renovating a community park, the Toronto Tool Library offers a range of equipment for your project as a low-cost, resource sharing and space-saving alternative to purchasing and owning tools. Non-profits and charities will also enjoy special membership rates. There is also a variety of workshops and youth programs to get training on using the tools.

Come make a print at our first Maker Festival Open House!

We’ll have multiple letterpresses inked up and ready to go. Learn a bit about the history of letterpress and get hands on experience with the presses. This is a drop-in style event. If you would like a more in depth workshop please check out our Letterpress Card Making workshop!

Tuesday July 28th, 6pm-9pm

906 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J, Canada

REGISTER: https://www.universe.com/events/graven-feather-maker-festival-open-house-tickets-toronto-4N069Q

WEBSITE: http://www.gravenfeather.ca/

About Graven Feather

Established in 2011 and run by artists Erin Candela and Pam Lobb, Graven Feather is an art hub located in the heart of Queen West next to the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Geared towards both artists and the art-loving public, this bright and cheery environment is at its root a functioning studio for its artists, as well as a workshop, retail, and gallery space.

Graven Feather is committed to building connections with artists and the community. A home to artist members, renters/visiting artists and a venue for exhibitions and community oriented events. Graven Feather studio is an open and accessible destination dedicated to fostering creative output and artistic exchange. Walk-in traffic and visits from the public are welcome and encouraged.

Starting off with maquettes to master newfound folding and gluing techniques, in the workshop students go from the basic instructions to creating illustrated creations!

Learn four introductory pop-up book techniques to enter into the world of transforming books. The mechanics of pop up books offer endless variations and possibilities. In class we cover how to construct the ‘Talking Box’ fold; Integral Boxes and and Boxes with Support folds; the Stacked Boxes fold; and the Floating Platform fold. All necessary paper will be provided. Feel free to bring your own materials; photographs, drawings and paper scraps are more than welcome! By the end of the class, you will have created working examples of each of the above folds and will understand how to choose suitable paper types, create archival tabs, and construct multi-step pop-up elements in your work.

Thursday July 30th, 6pm-9pm

906 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J, Canada

TICKETS: https://www.universe.com/events/graven-feathers-letterpress-card-making-workshop-tickets-toronto-2VWWZ

WEBSITE: http://www.gravenfeather.ca/

About Graven Feather

Established in 2011 and run by artists Erin Candela and Pam Lobb, Graven Feather is an art hub located in the heart of Queen West next to the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Geared towards both artists and the art-loving public, this bright and cheery environment is at its root a functioning studio for its artists, as well as a workshop, retail, and gallery space.

Graven Feather is committed to building connections with artists and the community. A home to artist members, renters/visiting artists and a venue for exhibitions and community oriented events. Graven Feather studio is an open and accessible destination dedicated to fostering creative output and artistic exchange. Walk-in traffic and visits from the public are welcome and encouraged.

Join Carolyn Eady from Sprouts Press for a morning of paper fun! Learn how to craft your own hand bound, hardcover journal. This workshop will introduce you to the tools of the trade, materials, and techniques to make a hard cover book. Using an arrow stitch to bind the book, everyone will leave with a finished project!

Saturday July 25th, 10am-1pm

906 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J, Canada

TICKETS: https://www.universe.com/events/graven-feathers-letterpress-card-making-workshop-tickets-toronto-2VWWZ

WEBSITE: http://www.gravenfeather.ca/

About Graven Feather

Established in 2011 and run by artists Erin Candela and Pam Lobb, Graven Feather is an art hub located in the heart of Queen West next to the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Geared towards both artists and the art-loving public, this bright and cheery environment is at its root a functioning studio for its artists, as well as a workshop, retail, and gallery space.

Graven Feather is committed to building connections with artists and the community. A home to artist members, renters/visiting artists and a venue for exhibitions and community oriented events. Graven Feather studio is an open and accessible destination dedicated to fostering creative output and artistic exchange. Walk-in traffic and visits from the public are welcome and encouraged.

Become acquainted with the joys of letterpress printing, a practice developed over 400 years ago! This workshop is a brief introduction to the use of a letterpress to make simple and beautiful cards. It’s the perfect opportunity to come and experiment on the press using old-fashioned lead type and some pre-cut lino designs. You’ll also have access to our stamps and typewriter to make beautiful and personalized cards. No experience necessary.

Wednesday July 29th, 630pm-9pm

906 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J, Canada

TICKETS: https://www.universe.com/events/graven-feathers-letterpress-card-making-workshop-tickets-toronto-2VWWZ

WEBSITE: http://www.gravenfeather.ca/

About Graven Feather

Established in 2011 and run by artists Erin Candela and Pam Lobb, Graven Feather is an art hub located in the heart of Queen West next to the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Geared towards both artists and the art-loving public, this bright and cheery environment is at its root a functioning studio for its artists, as well as a workshop, retail, and gallery space.

Graven Feather is committed to building connections with artists and the community. A home to artist members, renters/visiting artists and a venue for exhibitions and community oriented events. Graven Feather studio is an open and accessible destination dedicated to fostering creative output and artistic exchange. Walk-in traffic and visits from the public are welcome and encouraged.

InterAccess is a teaching facility, production studio, and public gallery dedicated to the creative use of technology, electronic art, and new media culture. Every Wednesday evening we open the studio to the public to bring their projects and work alongside like-mind folk. As a special event for Maker Festival, we will display a number of projects created by people in the InterAccess community. Come by to check it out, and have a tour of our facilities while you are here!

Wednesday July 29th, 7pm – 10pm
9 Ossington Ave
Toronto, ON M6J 2Y8

REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/interaccess-open-studio-tickets-16355282089

WEBSITE: http://www.interaccess.org

About InterAccess

InterAccess enables creators and innovators to explore the intersections of art, science and technology. InterAccess is a public gallery, educational facility and production studio dedicated to the creative use of technology, electronic art and new media culture. Our programs support art forms that integrate new technologies from conception and development to exhibition and discussion. We explore the impact of technology on the social, political and cultural aspects of contemporary life, and encourage audiences to see anew their relationships with interactive artworks.

Drinks on us! HackerNest Tech Socials are a fun, relaxed way to connect with your local tech brethren. Atmosphere: chill, friendly, unpretentious, agenda-free (no sales pitch, yo), and brimming with UltraSmart(TM) people.

Monday July 27th, 8PM

REGISTER: http://www.meetup.com/HackerNest/events/216710422/

WEBSITE: http://hackernest.com/

About HackerNest

HackerNest is an international nonprofit focused on building supportive “Silicon Valley”-type tech communities everywhere – strengthening local ecosystems through unpretentious social events, (hardware) hackathons, job fairs, and other tech-community uniting projects to improve humanity, technological advancement, and overall economic prosperity. We’re nurturing cohesive communities today (over 20+ cities and counting!) to empower them with more relevant and accessible peer-based tech education tomorrow. To date, HackerNest splinter cells have run 170+ events in 11 countries, 4 continents.

Make Change is a one day conference bringing together professional makers, makerspace organizers, educators and enthusiasts to explore the growing influence of maker culture as a force for change in Toronto.

If you are a community organizer, leader, or critical thinker in the DIY or Maker movement, we warmly welcome you to attend! Applications to speak are also still being accepted.

The conference includes talks, panels, critical discussion and lunch at Toronto’s newest makerspace, STEAMLabs, in downtown Toronto. This event is part of Make Friends Monthly, a meetup of community members in Toronto. All profits go to running this events and running future Make Friends events.

If you are unable to attend due to financial reasons, please email us at q@littledada.ca and we will make arrangements for your ticket.

Sunday July 26th, 10am-630pm

STEAMLabs
192 Spadina Ave
Toronto, ON M5T

REGISTER: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/make-change-conference-tickets-17517504327

Spend four entire hours this summer silk screening with the glorious & colourful Kingi Carpenter – textile artist and fashion designer. Create your OWN silkscreen, design your OWN artwork and (or course!) print like crazzzzy!

The workshop includes all your art supplies, screens, printing inks (in all colours!),  a t-shirt + fabric to print and take home AND you keep the silkscreen you make too!

Extra screens with great images on them that you can use, too. Question and answer period included to you can learn everything you need to know.

ALL ages welcome & skill levels welcome.

Sunday, July 26th from 10 am – 2 pm

JessGo Art Gallery and Studio

​944 Queen St W (at Shaw St)

Toronto, ON M6J 2W5

REGISTER:http://peach-berserk.myshopify.com/products/special-maker-festival-edition-of-the-peach-berserk-silkscreen-workshop”>

WEBSITE: http://peach-berserk.myshopify.com/

This is your chance to take a tour of one of Toronto’s most colourful textile and fashion designer – Kingi Carpenter’s home studio. Located off Queen West, Kingi’s home is filled to the brim with paint-by-number artworks she has lovingly collected, and packed full of trinkets, textiles & curious decorations. There is so much to look at in her humble abode, she even has a gallery map to help guide you!

Drop in, say hello, and take a look at her silk-screening studio downstairs!

Sunday, July 26th, 2015 from 400pm – 600pm

81 Shaw St Toronto

ON M6J 2W3

REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diy-silkscreening-open-house-with-peach-berserk-for-maker-festival-tickets-17287794258

WEBSITE: http://peachberserk.com/wordpress/

Create 3 dimensional forms by manipulating fluffy fleece into firm felt in this workshop!

So satisfying for it’s immediacy, you will soon see results with needle felting. In this one and a half hour introduction to needle felting we will demonstrate needle felting tools and simple sculpting techniques which are easy to practice at home. Students will work on their own felted miniatures ready to be ornaments, sculptures, toys, or jewelry. They make fantastic Christmas decorations too!

Two repeated workshops:

Saturday July 25th, 11am-1230pm

Friday July 31st, 1pm-230pm

The Knit Cafe
55 Roncesvalles Ave

TICKETS: http://www.theknitcafetoronto.com/products/needle-felting-crash-course-for-maker-festival

WEBSITE: http://www.theknitcafetoronto.com/

About The Knit Cafe

The Knit Cafe is a brick and mortar yarn shop that opened on October 8th 2004 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Home to beautiful yarns from all over the world. We can’t keep our hands off the hand dyes, nor the natural fibres. We are inspired by decadent textures and bright and sumptuous colours, We love yarn! So much so we are compelled to compose knitting patterns that take advantage of all of our yarn’s best qualities.

Cosmos & Cocktails is our newest adult lecture series. Part mind expanding lecture and part mixology lesson, this series is dedicated to enhancing your brain and your palate.

We match an astronomer with a mixologist, who has created a unique drink inspired by the lecture at hand. As a monthly event, you will be given access to hearing some of Toronto’s finest speakers on topics that run the gamut of the galaxy. Additionally, each session allows you to taste a one-of-a-kind beverage to sample in the lab and have the recipe to take home. Studies reveal that the effects of attending this event have proven to impress friends with your newfound intergalactic knowledge and drink-making abilities.

The Outer Limits
Four hundred years ago, we knew almost nothing about the structure of the universe. Today we can see to the very edges of space and time. A look at four key astronomers who changed history by changing the way we see the cosmos. From the 17th – 20th century, let’s take a tour through the history and technological advancements found in astronomy from Galileo, Herschel, Bessel, and Leavitt.

Stargazing at the Park:Saturn and The Moon
After the event, weather permitting, participants are invited to join Dan for a brief stargazing session; Dan will set up his telescope in a nearby park, and both Saturn and the moon should be visible.

TICKETS: http://www.actionpotentiallab.ca/cosmoscocktails

WEBSITE: http://www.actionpotentiallab.ca/

About Action Potential Lab
Action Potential Lab is Toronto’s first laboratory dedicated to merging science and art. It is here where the teachings of both fields interact and exchange by way of classes, workshops, birthday parties, lecture series and various community outreach programs.

No matter what stage you’re at when it comes to developing your technical skills, you’ve probably realized that Microsoft Paint just isn’t going to cut it forever. Whether you need to crop or resize a photo, want to create a logo for your blog, or have a more significant design project in mind, at some point, you’re going to need an introduction to Pixlr — a robust browser photo editor (similar to Photoshop) for all your editing needs.

At this full-day workshop, you’ll learn to use Pixlr plus as much design theory as we can reasonably fit in.

This workshop has been designed for absolute beginners. If you know absolutely nothing about design, and want to build your photo editing skills while picking up some design tips and tricks, you’ve come to the right place! No fancy programs needed – just Pixlr — a free web based design tool, and photos to craft your personal brand.

Saturday July 25th, 10am-4pm

The Lab

483 Queen Street West

3rd floor, buzzer #3333

Toronto, ON M5V 2A9

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-pixlr-for-beginners-creating-your-own-brand-package-on-july-25th-tickets-17204600423

WEBSITE: http://ladieslearningcode.com

About Ladies Learning Code

In July 2011, it was a small idea – workshops for women who want to learn to code but it quickly grew into so much more. Today, Ladies Learning Code has Chapters across Canada, thriving youth programs called Girls Learning Code and Kids Learning Code and we are a major force shaping digital literacy education for adults and youth in Canada. Oh, and we’re just getting started.

A special themed edition of our weekly open house.  The public is welcome to come and check out the space in advance of maker festival, we’ll be giving tours and showing off member projects, some of which will appear on our table at the festival.  If you’re a maker and you need some last minute help with your project, come and get assistance at hacklab!  Use our tools, get advice and pointers from our members, and help us build community.

Our facilities & tools include: laser cutter, 3D printers, electronics lab, shop (with hand tools, fume hood, drill press, small metal lathe, etc), kitchen, lounge, classroom and treehouse, darkroom, DIYbio area, HAM shack.

PWYC (pay what you can) vegan dinner served around 7pm, first come first served.  Check out previous meals on our cooking wiki.

Tuesday July 28th, 6pm-11pm
1266 Queen Street West (Studio #6)

DETAILS: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hacklab-maker-festival-open-house-tickets-17177039989

WEBSITE: http://hacklab.to

About HackLabTO

Hacklab.to is a community space with a diverse membership, including artists, programmers, web designers, and hardware hackers. It is inspired by the philosophies of the global hackerspaces movement which encourages people to socialize, share knowledge, and work together on their projects.

In anticipation of Maker Festival, we’ll be putting finishing touches on our projects and showing them off, plus helping anyone who need assistance with theirs!

Everybody is welcome, you do not have to be a member, ever have been to HackLab before, or even know what a makerspace is! All proceeds from $10 entry support hacklab in our ongoing 7-year mission to pay rent, explore strange new (tech) worlds, and make lights blink. Tours given, questions answered, come see our space and meet interesting people!

BBQ food and sodas available 6-8pm.  We’ll be supplying burgers and hot dogs and soda, but if you’d like something else, bring what you’d like!  BYOB alcohol.

Project show & tell at 9pm, send an email to president at Hacklab.TO if you’d like to reserve a spot to show the crowd what you’ve been working on – all spots 5 minutes in duration, we do have a projector & sound system if you need it.  You do not have to be a member to present!

Need help?  Come work on your maker festival projects at hacklab, use our equipment, get assistance from our knowledgeable members.

Saturday, 25 July 2015 at 6:00 PM – Sunday, 26 July 2015 at 2:00 AM

Hacklab.TO

1266 Queen St West #6

Toronto, ON M6K 1L3

REGISTER: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hacklabto-7th-birthday-party-bbq-and-project-show-tell-tickets-17176565570

WEBSITE: http://hacklab.to

About HackLabTO

Hacklab.to is a community space with a diverse membership, including artists, programmers, web designers, and hardware hackers. It is inspired by the philosophies of the global hackerspaces movement which encourages people to socialize, share knowledge, and work together on their projects. Newcomers are welcome every Tuesday evening at our Tuesday Open House.