Planet IndigenUS is on at Harbourfront

Planet IndigenUS takes place at Harbourfront Centre, and at Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, ON. This is the largest contemporary international Indigenous cultural festival in the world, and will feature 10 days of theatre and dance, music, food, film and visual arts from Canada and around-the-world, with close to 300 performers from seven countries.

This weekend features I George, Nepia (New Zeland) The play is the story of a Maouri who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the world's best rugby players. On August 11th and 12th.

There are also several brand new work by native artists Santee Smith and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre with Susuriwka - Willow Bridge , which opens August 17-19.  Also on at the Natrel Pond is  Australia's Polytoxic with Trade Winds, on August 16-18.

Also August 18 there is another theatre production, Paddle Song (Canada) - a one-woman play celebrating the life of Pauline Johnson, beloved Canadian poet and performer.   Click here for more information on this interesting festival and all the events at the Harbourfront Centre.

SummerWorks is Here - Don't Miss It

Phew, more theatre and performance art fun is here.  The SummerWorks Festival kicked off last night, with a fantastic party and live music at The Great Hall.  This years festival features 41 productions, plus the new  Live Art series and an exciting expansion to the Music Series.  This year there is definitely something for everyone.  We couldn't possibly cover it all but Now Magazine has committed to covering the entire festival so be sure to check in with reviews and show announcements there.  Here's Now's Starting off SummerWorks article which ran this week.

Though we wont be at every show and concert there are definitely a few that should not be missed.  A number of the festival highlights are in the much expanded Music Series, this year. Up first is the Hawksley Workman and Christina Barry collaboration The Gods That Come on Saturday night at The Theatre Centre, at The Great Hall.

Hawksley, for those who don't know is one of Canada's best indie pop musicians, and I've thought for a while that his style and creativity would be well suited for the stage.  Add to that, powerhouse director Christina Barry of 2b theatre production company and you've got yourself a winning combination.

Also part of the Music Series is Blood Ties - Musical Works in Concert.  Conceived and directed by up-and-comer and EAP friends Anika Johnson and Barbara Johnson.  This show features EAP regular Jusitn Bott and is musically directed by one of our great friends Jeffery Newberry.  Blood Ties  is a darkly funny chamber musical in one act based on the true story of four friends who must clean up after a suicide.   Blood Ties runs at The Theatre Centre, at The Great Hall Tuesday August 14th at 9pm.

For CBC Radio 2 fans Buck 65 may not ring a bell but you'd be sure to know Drive host Rich Terfry.  Rich has been performing as hip hop artist Buck 65 for over 2 decades.  He makes his SummerWorks debut Wednesday the 15 at 10:30.

EAP is also really excited about some of the Theatre events this year.  Most notably Voodoo Theatre Company's award winning Extinction Song. A one man play about a child's retreat from reality into an imaginary world.  A world of wolves who help save him from his real life alcoholic father.  This is a touching portrayal of the childish spirit and hope, which will pull at even the tightest heartstrings.  Extinction Song runs at Theatre Passe Muraille

Friday August 10th at 5:30 pm.
Sunday the 12, at 3:00 pm.
Wednesday the 15th at 8:00 pm.
Friday Aug. 17 at 8:00 pm
Saturday Aug. 18 at 5:30 pm.
and Sunday Aug 19th at 12:30 pm.


Hoping for something a bit more lighthearted?  France, or the Niqab promises to be a funny, sexy romp of physical humor.  Defense Attorney and high-heel devotee Tabatha is about to risk it all and find out what her heels have in common with the Islamic niqab.  France, or the Niqab plays at Theatre Passe Muraille.

Saturday Aug 11th. at 8:00 pm.
Monday Aug. 13th. at 10:30 pm.
Friday Aug. 17th. at 10:30 pm.
Saturday Aug. 18th at 3:00 pm.
and Sunday Aug. 19th at 8:00 pm.

In addition to the Theatre and Music series this years SummerWorks festival also features late night acts at the Performance Bar.  Click the link for information about the Performance Bar line up.

And last but certainly not least, this year the SummerWorks festival introduces the Live Art series.  As part of the Live Art series Toronto icon Nina Arsenault presents 40 Days + 40 Nights. In the first 29 days of this performance (closed to the public) Nina spent 4 days in isolation in total darkness, 5 days fasting and 3 days without sleep. Inside heightened emotional states she rendered drawings in charcoal and began to design an elaborate decadent cloister for 40 Days + 40 Nights.

She also gave up Facebook, sex, and financial support from her “sugar-daddy.”

The sacred space she created is filled with her drawings and artistic collaborations with Bruce LaBruce, Istvan Kantor, and Jordan Tannahill, meditations towards a contemporary language of lived spiritual beliefs. Nina’s sculpture ‘Pure Form with Blood and Silicone’ will also be on display.

During the final 11 days of this experiment, open to the public, Nina will continue her spiritual actions.

However, visitors to the installation/ gallery can also choose to participate in Nina’s recreation of Marina Abramovic’s ‘The Artist is Present’, listen to a story called ‘The Ecstasy of Nina Arsenault’ about
her surgical/spiritual quest for youth… or simply talk to her (in sacred confidence.) Available for viewings and free of charge from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am throughout the festival.  

These are just a few of this year's offerings.  We will continue to update you here about shows that generate buzz, shows we love and shows you might want to skip.  Check out the full schedule and here for buying tickets.  See you at the SummerWorks Festival!

Exculsive Invite for SummerWorks Soiree

The SummerWorks Festival would like to invite you to its second annual VIP fundraising dinner party!
Please join us on Thursday, July 5th for a special evening supporting SummerWorks hosted by award-winning playwright and actor, Michael Healey.

This event, taking place at the historic and beautiful Great Hall, will be an elegant sit-down three-course meal prepared by chefs Mark Cutrara + Alexandra Feswick, who are on the cusp of opening their new Samuel J Moore Restaurant on the main floor of the Great Hall.

Appetizers and cocktails will be served at 6:00pm followed by the meal at 7:00.

The meal will be served with wine, music, and an assortment of short performances and happenings from SummerWorks artists including Bob Wiseman, the Brick Lane Advice Booth and magic from James Alan, whose new one man show, Lies Damn Lies & Magic Tricks, will be featured in the Festival this year.

Tickets are $100.00 and you will receive a $75.00 tax receipt. Please purchase your tickets HERE If you are unable to join us on July 5th, kindly consider making a donation either with Eventbrite or with Canada Helps through our website www.summerworks.ca/donate.

PS: This year's Festival is from August 9-19. Ink it into your calendars. For more details click here!

Listen Up: SummerWorks Launch Party

Summer at the Harbourfront

We received the Harbourfront Summer calendar in our email and wanted to share the goings-on with all of you.  If you haven't been down to the Harbourfront during the warm months of the summer then don't miss another great season of fun!

Harbourfront Centre’s Summer Season lineup

HarbourKIDS: The Toronto International Circus Festival (May 19-21)
Harbourfront Centre partners with Zero Gravity Circus to bring you the 10th annual Toronto International Circus Festival, a three-day cultural experience for children and families featuring world-class acrobats, fire masters, jugglers, clowns and more!

NXNE – North by Northeast (June 16-17)
One of the most anticipated music and film festivals in Canada! The 18th annual event will bring some of the world's most exciting and innovative artists to Harbourfront Centre!

Franco-Fête, Co-produced by la Franco-Fête de Toronto (June 22-24)
For its 30th anniversary, la Franco-Fête de Toronto offers a unique occasion to gather and celebrate the diversity of francophone culture.

TD Toronto Jazz Festival (June 22-30)
One of North America's premier jazz festivals, TD Toronto Jazz Festival is an event for lovers of music of all kinds.

Canada Day: Going Global presented by CIBC (June 29-July 2)
Canada’s biggest and best four-day birthday celebration features dance, music, culinary arts, comedy, family activities, storytelling, games and film that highlight the contributions of Canadians.

Expressions of Brazil, Co-produced by Southern Mirrors and Puente (July 6-8)
A three-day event showcasing the diversity of Brazilian arts and culture through music, dance, film, cuisine, workshops and family activities.

SoundClash Festival (July 13-15)
Harbourfront Centre’s annual SoundClash Music Award has morphed into a genre-bending music festival that showcases the award’s shortlisted acts, as well as other artists who are pushing the envelope on contemporary music and culture.

Hot & Spicy Food Festival presented by CIBC (July 20-22)
For 15 years, Harbourfront Centre has tempted Toronto's senses, and this year’s event cranks up the heat as we redefine the intersections between food, music, dance, film and more!

Classical IV: Strings (July 27-29)
Discover how ancient stringed instruments from across the globe can create bold contemporary intersections of sound, with a twist!

Calypso Stars Showcanse (July 31)
Experience the sounds, rhythms and cadences of Toronto's vibrant calypso community! Featuring calypso, steelpan and mas' (masquerade) – the three core disciplines of Caribbean festivals.

Island Soul presented by CIBC (Aug. 3-6)
Harbourfront Centre’s wildly popular Caribbean festival commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

Planet IndigenUS, Co-produced by Woodland Cultural Centre (Aug.10-19)
This massive 10-day event, book-ended by two weekend-long celebrations, is the largest multidisciplinary, contemporary, international Indigenous arts festival in the world, celebrating the future while honouring the rich cultural past of the world’s Indigenous peoples.

TELUS TAIWANfest, Co-produced by the Asian-Canadian Special Events Association
(Aug. 24-26)
A three-day culinary arts, music, dance and film fest that sparks a new dialogue on Canada's multifaceted lifestyles between new immigrants and Canadians who have been here for generations.

Ashkenaz Festival (Aug. 28-Sept. 3)
North America’s premier festival of Jewish and Yiddish culture, featuring the best of the global Jewish culture scene with music, theatre, film, visual arts, literature and more.

Caribbean Tales (Sept. 4-15)
Canada's one and only forum showcasing the best of Caribbean cinema locally and globally, classic and Creole, digital and celluloid.

Vegetarian Food Fair (Sept. 7-9)
The largest event of its kind in North America offers an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy a diverse cross-section of vegetarian cuisine.

Vietnamese Lantern Festival presented by CIBC, Co-produced by the Vietnamese Women's Association of Toronto (Sept. 15)
Explore the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival through the perspective of the Vietnamese community with a full day of food, entertainment and family activities.

Fortune Cooking presented by CIBC (Sept. 16)
Explore the crossroads of Pan-Asian cuisine and its influence across the globe. Taste the trends, witness the wizardry and savour the sounds!

HarbourKIDS: Folk (Oct. 6-8)
A three-day children’s festival that brings artists, kids and grownups together in a warm, friendly environment, offering endless possibilities for self-expression, cultural exchange, and artistic inspiration.