I am so passionate about the arts and it may be due to my arts education or my momâs side of the family who fostered creativity in the areas of visual art, dance and music. Regardless, whenever a festival like Luminato occurs I always get super excited.
Luminato is a multi-disciplinary arts festival showcasing everything from theatre to literature to visual arts and more. Held since 2007, the event is in its seventh year and will be start tomorrow (June 6) up until June 15. The event was a vision of Tony Gaglian (Chairman and CEO of St. Joseph Communications and Board Member of the AGO) and David Pecaut (Senior Partner of Boston Consulting Group and Chair of Toronto City Summit) who were inspired by the cityâs cultural infrastructure along with the notion that the arts could engage the city and bring it together. Both Gaglian and Pecaut had this vision back in 2003 and it took four years of planning and finding partners, including the Ontario Government and sponsors like LâOreal, before the launch of the first Luminato Festival on June 1st 2007. Ever since then the event has welcomed local, national and internationals artists to Toronto.
The festival has plenty of events for you to enjoy, all at prices ranging from $0 to almost $200. For my purposes and my belief that the arts are a perfect date opportunity, I present to you my Dating on a Budget picks for the Luminatio Festival.
Cardboard Beach at The Festival Hub from June 6 to 15.
Why itâs my top pick? The festival hub is where it is at every year! This yearâs cardboard beach will be epic. I saw them putting it together the other day.
Event Info: Designed by the dynamic, two-man Cuban collective Los Carpinteros to transform the Luminato Festivalâs Hub, Cardboard Beach is, they explain, âan illusion, the essence of a beach in a dry, urban space, with umbrellas, deck chairs, change booths and breakwaters.â Fully licensed, with food and beverage service, Cardboard Beach is an idyllic oasisâthe perfect place to start and end each Festival day and also experience everything from reggae to the TSO at the Festival Hubâs nighttime and weekend concerts.Â
Eva Avila at The Festival Hub, Friday June 6 at 7PM
Why itâs my top pick? The former Canadian Idol participant was my second favourite to win the franchise, the first being Melissa OâNeil, but regardless she has a stellar voice that everyone should hear live at least once.
Event Info: Enjoy a showcase of Canadian talent, live on the Luminato Lounge Stage. Come down to the Luminato Lounge after work and on the weekends to grab a drink and enjoy the music.
High School Health at Artscape Youngplace from June 6 to June 15 between 11:00AM. and 6:00PM
Why itâs my top pick? I love building, but besides that it investigates the love and sex lives of people like Atom Egoyan.Â
Event Info: A highlight of this yearâs Luminato Festival is Mammalian Diving Reflexâs frank, funny All the Sex Iâve Ever Had: International Edition. This partner project is a youth-led video investigation of the love lives of accomplished Canadians including Wayson Choy, Atom Egoyan, Bette Logan and Dan Hill and starring members of Mammalianâs youth collective: Virginia Antonipillai, Sanjay Ratnan, Daniel Lastres Rodrigues, Kathy Vuu, and Wendell Williams. High School Health facilitates the youthsâ knowledge acquisition, allowing their interests and curiosities to lead the way. The resulting short films will be exhibited as a video installation throughout the Festival at Artscape Youngplace.
Music Mob at Air Canada Centre (Enter through Gate 6) on Sunday June 8 at 2:00PM
Why itâs my top pick? The Music Mob is the one event I anticipate every year. Unfortunately I have always missed it because of work. This year novice and professional performers will have their chance to perform at a venue that has seen the likes of Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Bryan Adams and Britney Spears, just naming a few.
Event Info: Ever dreamed of playing on centre court, headlining an arena concert or starring with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra? Hereâs your chance to do it all! Music Mob goes major league this year at the Air Canada Centre - perform side-by-side with members of the TSO, conducted by Music Director Peter Oundjian. Everyone is welcome, from novice to experienced musician. All you need is plenty of enthusiasm, a keen sense of adventure and, of course, an instrument. No blades or balls required, just bring your violin, trumpet, spoons or sitar and celebrate the triumphant orchestral crescendo that is Ravelâs BolĂŠro. Spectators are welcome, indeed encouraged, to cheer on our wonderfully eclectic mob. Letâs make this the biggest orchestra Toronto has ever seen!
Lemon Bucket Orkestra at The Festival Hub, Friday June 13 at 7PM
Why itâs my top pick? Itâs Lemon Buket Orkestra. They are amazing. I saw them 5 times last year. I havenât seen them once yet this year. They are awesome.
Event Info: Enjoy a showcase of Canadian talent, live on the Luminato Lounge Stage. Come down to the Luminato Lounge after work and on the weekends to grab a drink and enjoy the music.
Other notable free events
Luminato Festival at the Toronto Public Library at The Toronto Reference Library
Sunday June 8 at 4:00PM. â Kill Like a Scandinavian
Event Info: Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo are just a few of the Scandinavian crime writers that have transformed the genre and brought it global recognition. Three regional masters of the formâDenmarkâs Jakob Melander, Swedenâs Dan T. Sehlberg and Norwayâs Thomas Engerâand, from just outside of it, the Netherlandsâ Herman Koch, make a unique and exciting visit to Luminato to consider their penchant for a good murder, and the craft behind it.
Wednesday June 11 at 6:30PM. â Luminato #ReadWomen2014
Event Info: Twitterâs immensely popular #ReadWomen2014 has been busy affirming the contributions, gifts and unique perspectives of female novelists and the challenges they still face. Four of Canadaâs bestselling favouritesâLisa Gabriele (writing as L. Marie Adeline), 2007 Canada Reads choice Heather OâNeill, 2007 Canada Reads choice Heather OâNeill, Governor-generalâs Literary Award winner Miriam Toews and, new to the field, Globe and Mail columnist Liz Renzettiâunite to extend the discussion.
Taste of Beach at The Festival Hub on Saturday June 7 from 12PM to 5PM.
Event Info: Following the successful Presidentâs ChoiceÂŽ 1000 Tastes of Torontoâ˘, Luminato Festival brings the food program right into the heart of the Festival this year.
Highlighting the Cardboard Beach, ten local chefs will be paired with ten Festival artists to create a unique and delectable summertime dish that explores the flavours of eating at the beach â all hot off the barbecue! Cocktails, DJs Sound Culture (Chicago) and Richard Blair of Sidestepper (BogotĂĄ) will add to the pulsating heat at the Festival Hub, creating a true culinary exhibition.
Free Concerts at the Festival Hub
The Hidden Cameras (Sunday June 8 at 4PM)
Theo Tams (Sunday June 8 at 6PM)
Buffy Sainte-Marie (Tuesday June 10 at 8PM)
Liam Titcomb (Wednesday June 11 at 7PM)
Key on the Streets â A recital of urban dance and piano with pianist Angela Hewitt and choreography by former So You Think You Can Dance Canada judge Tre Armstrong (Wednesday June 11 at 9PM)
The Souljazz Orchestra (Thursday June 12 at 8PM)
That is Why I Love Toronto
titsay
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
kianamaiart
amandla
theartofmadeline
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