Global Village – Blue Dot Band

Where: High Park Amphitheatre
When: Month of August
Cost: All events are free. Daytime events (Community Citizenship Ceremony and Global Village) do not require a ticket; entry to Territorial Tales pre-show performances is included with admission to Shakespeare in High Park. Each Shakespeare in High Park performance is pay-what-you can (suggested $20 contribution) and premium seats can be reserved by donation in advance for $25, online at canadianstage.com or by calling the Canadian Stage box office at 416.368.3110.

Details: In celebration of Shakespeare in High Park’s 35th anniversary season and Canada’s 150th, Canadian Stage is proud to announce a series of free events taking place at the High Park Amphitheatre throughout the month of August, including a showcase of new short plays by the participants of Territorial Tales, the company’s 2017 Youth Engagement Project; a Community Citizenship Ceremony, and a Global Village Family Festival.

In keeping with Shakespeare in High Park’s 35 year tradition of accessible outdoor theatre for all, this diverse slate of pre-show activities and daytime cultural events will offer audiences opportunities to immerse themselves in the personal stories and powerful experiences that make up our global landscape:

Territorial Tales – Engage in the premiere of three short plays based on themes of displacement, migration and the recapturing of spirit, penned by selected participants of Canadian Stage’s 2017 youth engagement program and performed before the start of King Lear and Twelfth Night by six youth actors. In partnership with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Sketch and Kids Up Front.

All Territorial Tales performances take place August 3-September 2 at 7:30pm at the High Park Amphitheatre (prior to performances of King Lear + Twelfth Night) and are included with entrance to Shakespeare in High Park.

Community Citizenship Ceremony  – This event will honour Canada’s newest citizens with an afternoon of roundtable discussions, short performances featuring ensemble members of Shakespeare in High Park and a keynote speech from Salah Bachir, Chancellor of OCAD University and President of Cineplex Media. Co-hosted with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).Takes place August 3 at 2:30pm, no ticket required.

Global Village We Are Our Story – Kick off the August long weekend early with this free family festival devoted to the stories and experiences that make up our Global Village. A day-long celebration of the land we share with immersive activities including live musical performances, DIY workshops, delicious food tastings, storytelling and more. Featuring an opening performance from the Woodland Cultural Centre; the globe-trotting musical offerings of Amai Kuda & Y Josephine and the Blue Dot Band; food demos from Not Far From the Tree Cider and Sang Kim Kimchi; Ukranian craft workshops from Folk Camp, and more. Takes place August 4, 11am to 4pm, no ticket required.

More Info: @CanadianStage  www.canadianstage.com/online/Shakespeare

Where: High Park Amphitheatre
When: July 24, 2017 @ 8pm
Cost: Tickets are $30 (Artsworker/Students: $20). Available at 416.368.3110, www.canadianstage.com or in person at the Canadian Stage box office. This is a General Admission event.

Details: Fresh off its highly acclaimed runs in New York City and Calgary, the Toronto premiere of Sharron Matthews’ dynamite cabaret Girl Crush will play for one night only at Toronto’s High Park Amphitheatre on July 24. 

Sharron has been lauded not only for her cabaret work (named “Best of the Fest” two years running by the Scotsman Newspaper at the Edinburgh Fringe) but also for her celebration of her own shape and form. She developed the ground-breaking body and life celebrating cabaret Girl Crush that premiered in April 2017 with a three-week run at Calgary’s Lunch Box Theatre.

The production weaves the re-imagined music of well-known artists including Kim Carnes, The Police, Blondie, Rick Springfield, Beyoncé and Cyndi Lauper into relatable tales of heartbreak, obsession, awe and love. This inspiring and hysterical musical journey is a moving cabaret tour de force.
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Running time: 60 minutes, no intermission
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More Info: @MusicalStageCo  @canadianstage 
#GirlCrushTO #MondayInTheParkWithSharron

Where: Cotton Factory, 270 Sherman Ave North, Hamilton
When:  July 21, 2017 at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm.
Cost: Tickets are $10 for the show and can be purchased at www.bruha.com

Details: Mississippi Bends is a Hamilton-based North Americana Rock ‘n Roll band fusing two talents of the Canadian Music Scene. Mary Simon is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter with several solo albums and International TV song placements to her name. Andrew Aldridge is regarded as a favorite guitarist by many Canadian and International artists. In past years, he’s performed with Danny Michel, Sarah Slean, Melissa McClelland (Whitehorse) Albert Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult) and many more. Together they create a fantastic sound all they’re own.

On July 21st, the band will be performing at the Cotton Factory in Hamilton as part of the Quilt of Belonging Exhibition (July 11 – August 16), a textile art project spanning 120 feet. It is compromised of 263 blocks, each created to recognize Canada’s rich cultural diversity. The Quilt celebrates our common humanity and promotes compassion among people. It will be touring to the CNE in Toronto from August 18 – September 4.

More Info: For full program of Quilt of Belonging events/tour visit www.quiltofbelonging.ca  www.facebook.com/mississippibends  @MissBends  @CottonFactoryCA

The Sorority – David Pecaut Square on July 15

Where: Geary Lane, Underpass Park and David Pecaut Square
When: July 13-15, 2017
Cost: PWYC at Geary Lane on opening day. Other events Free.

Details: The 10th Annual Unity Festival returns with the best visual art, spoken word, breakdancing, and beatboxing by local youth and international artists. The Festival will kick off with the MC/Spoken Word and Graffiti Showcase at Geary Lane. Toronto’s most prolific poets, musicians and visual artists will showcase alongside the most promising youth performers from after school and drop-in programs. Unity graffiti artists will paint new murals on Geary Lane’s garage doors during the event, and completed works will be on display throughout this creative hub.

On July 14, Unity will be the first community organization to host an event at Toronto’s Underpass Park, located under the Eastern Avenue, Richmond and Adelaide overpasses, with their Dance Exhibition and Beatbox Competition. This event will include all styles dance showcases and cyphers, followed by spits and beats from the best Beatboxers in Canada.

Unity Festival will close July 15 with an all-day concert at David Pecaut Square, spotlighting new and established hip-hop performers in music, dance, spoken word and graffiti. Headliners include the legendary trio Main Source, local rapper TOBi, and hip-hop collective The Sorority.

This year’s line-up includes the following artists in various hip-hop art forms: DJ Andy B Bad, Zakisha Brown, Bubz, Lola Bunz, Chris Castello, DJ Adrian Chan, Charmie Deller, Jane Doe Smith, Ebhoni, Emstro, Full Circle, Keysha Freshh, Gene One, Yannick Green, Dr Audrey Hudson, Jayd Ink, Igho Itebu, Justus, Kizmet, Stephen “Buddha” Leafloor, Los Poetas, Main Source, DJ M4RS, DJ Mensa, Mobi Mawla, Millie Mogudala, Michael Morales, Nasim, Nekkrak, Obuxum, Sanae Paris, Phade, Peter Rahul, Red Slam Collective feat. Mahlikah Awe:ri, Rock, Prince Rose, Samba Squad Youth Troupe, The Sorority, Soulofjl, Maria T, TOBi, Vicki W, DJ Wavgods, Dynesti Williams, Brooke Whitely, XOLisa, and more!

The Unity Festival is Unity Charity’s annual showcase event presenting the most dedicated and talented youth performers from across Canada recruited from Unity’s school and community programs. Unity works with partners such as RISE, Beatbox Canada, SKETCH, Art Starts, and Vibe Arts to provide access to a cohesive community and a unique cultural experience; a place for self-growth, physical activity and artistic expression.

Founded in 2007 by Michael Prosserman aka “Bboy Piecez”, one of Toronto’s most preeminent B-boys,  Unity Charity  has reached over 200,000 youth across Canada with after school and community programs in break dancing, graffiti art, spoken word poetry, beat boxing and more. Through hip-hop arts based programming, Unity engages and inspires youth between the ages of 12 – 24 from underserved communities from Vancouver to Halifax.

UNITY FESTIVAL 2017 SCHEDULE

July 13 – MC/Spoken Word & Graffiti Showcase, 5 – 11pm at Geary Lane, 360 Geary Lane, Pay What You Can
July 14 – Dance Exhibition & Beatbox Competition, 5 – 11pm at Underpass Park, 29 Lower River Street,  Free
July 15 – Unity Concert, 3 – 11pm at David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West,  Free

More Info: unitycharity.com/unity-festival  @UNITYCharity