Colores de Colombia – II Festival de la Diaspora
Celebrating the cultural expressions and ethnic diversity of Colombian culture!
TORONTO, ON (Wednesday, June 15, 2011) –– Harbourfront Centre, along with its lead summer partner The Toronto Port Authority, and festival partners Pacific Rubiales, Scotiabank, AviancaTaca and Caracol T.V., are proud to present the return of Colombian Colours – II Diaspora Festival. From July 15 to 17, audiences from the GTA and beyond are invited to celebrate this vibrant culture with international and local performances in music, theatre, film, dance and more. This festival is co-produced by the Casa Cultural Colombiana and Tridha Arts Association.
International music artists featured throughout this three-day celebration include salsa violinist Alfredo De Fe, who is credited with making the violin an integral part of Latin music, Colombia’s first all-vocal group NVOZ, and the Diego Marulanda Quintet who combine native Colombian instruments like the yapurutus (Colombian flutes) and maguarés (Colombian drums) with double bass and guitar.
Montreal-based Ballet Raíces de Colombia will showcase 20 dancers from different parts of the world that have fallen in love with this country’s culture, music and dance. This troupe is considered to be one of the best Colombian folkloric dance groups in Canada.
Other highlights include the Canadian premiere of the Bogotá MMX, 200 years after editorial exhibition that commemorates the celebration of Colombia’s Bicentenary of Independence and a photography exhibit honouring Colombia's most famous photographer, Nereo López Meza. Pieces from Meza’s 50-year career will be on display in the Marilyn Brewer Community Space, including images of his numerous trips to South America.
Rounding out festival programming are food demos, zumba workshops (a Colombian creation), flamenco workshops, traditional Colombian games and fun family activities.
Join us this summer as we explore “Hot Spots” of intensity, artistic brilliance, connectivity, and regions of conflict that shape the impressions we have of ourselves and our world. This theme is programmed into each weekend festival to bring together rich artistic traditions from our own backyard and around the globe! It also presents a unique opportunity to experience top Canadian and international artists in a fun, family-friendly environment without ever leaving the city!
Hot spots may not always be comfortable, but they are conduits of change. Embrace change or defy it – it is ultimately up to you. This summer, Harbourfront Centre presents programming that asks: What’s your hot spot?
For additional information and complete event listings, the public may visit harbourfrontcentre.com/summer or call the Information Hotline at 416-973-4000. Harbourfront Centre is located at 235 Queens Quay West in the heart of downtown Toronto’s waterfront.
Full Event Listings by Genre:
MUSIC:
Alfredo De La Fe
Saturday, July 16, 9:30 p.m. (WestJet Stage)
Cuban-born violinist Alfredo De La Fe has toured the world more than 30 times and has been featured on more than 100 albums with Latin music legends Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Jose Alberto El Canario, Cheo Feliciano, The Fania All Stars and Santana. He currently resides in New York and is considered to be one of the biggest stars in the salsa world.
NVOZ
Saturday, July 16, 7 p.m. & Sunday, July 17, 4 p.m. (WestJet Stage)
NVOZ is a remarkable five-member Colombian a capella band that draws on various styles of traditional Colombian music, such as cumbia, bullerengue, champeta, merengue and salsa to create a unique orchestra of vocal sounds.
Diego Marulanda Quintet
Sunday, July 17, 2 p.m. (WestJet Stage)
Diego Marulanda is a renowned dance, theatre, film and television composer with wide range of experience in contemporary and world music. The Diego Marulanda Quintet explores folkloric music from the Andean zone of Colombia and fuses it with contemporary and traditional instruments such as double bass and yapurutus, piano and cuatro, guitar and maguare. The members of the Diego Marulanda’s Quintet are among the top Latin-Canadian musicians in Toronto.
Folklore Urbano
Saturday, July 16, 6 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
Folklore Urbano are a powerhouse 14-member orchestra that fuses traditional Colombian rhythms with contemporary jazz harmonies.The group’s three highly-acclaimed CDs, Aviso, Baile/Dance and the latest, Corazón, are all driven by a rhythm section deeply grounded in traditional Colombian music.
Salsa!!: José Ortega and DJ Gury Gury
Saturday, July 16, 8 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
Salsa!! is a good-natured competition between two of the most well-known collectors of salsa music in Ontario. Jose Ortega, owner of Lula Lounge in Toronto and Guelph radio host DJ Gury Gury will have audiences dancing as they spin tunes from their unique music collections.
Funkété Late Night Party
Saturday July 16, 11 p.m. (Brigantine Room and Tent)
Funkété is a monthly party created by DJ eLman and Linterna of Dos Mundos Radio (CIUT). DJ Uproot Andy, considered to be one of the best DJs in New York, also makes an appearance as this trio mixes infectious Latin beats with dancehall, bassline, hip hop and electro.
KAFFE Rock
Saturday, July 16, 3:30 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
KAFFE Rock are bassist Javier Gutierrez, guitarist Adrian Gonzalez, drummer Carlos Paez, singer Juan Diego Zapata and new lead guitarist Nick Houle. Formed in 2003, this London-based group have developed and integrated their Latin American sound with a mix of rock, ska, salsa and folk. Kaffe’s hope is to enlighten others about Colombian culture, introduce the world to their traditions and to dispel the negative stereotypes surrounding Latin America and her people.
Caché
Friday July 15, 7:30 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
Caché is one of the leading bands on the Latin music scene in Toronto. The band is made up of musicians with a variety of ethnic backgrounds: Colombian, Venezuelan, Canadian, Italian and Cuban. This cultural combination produces the band’s unique Latin sound that’s seamlessly combined with a touch of jazz.
Baru-Vibes
Sunday, July 17, 4:45 p.m. (WestJet Stage)
Toronto-based Baru-Vibes was founded by Colombian-born Juan Carlos Medrano. His musical roots are grounded in the folkloric rhythms and sounds of the Colombian north coast. His first CD, Poco a Poco, released in the early part of summer 2011, will be performed live for the first time at Habourfront Centre.
Carlos Bastidas
Sunday July 17, 1:30 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
Colombian-born Carlos Bastidas is an award-winning composer and master South American bamboo flute performer. Bastidas has performed with classical and world music ensembles in the United States, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Cuba.
DJ Wayuu
Friday, July 15, 9:30 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
DJ Wayuu (Andres Orbegozo) began his career with support of Dos Mundos Radio on 89.5 FM CIUT and the non-profit association PorColombia Nacional. At Harbourfront Centre he spins digital cumbia mixed with traditional Colombian classics.
FOOD:
Food Demo with Martha Martínez
Saturday, July 16, 1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m. (Brigantine Tent)
Colombian chef Martha Martínez demonstrates how to prepare delicious Colombian desserts including aborrajado (plantain fritters) and mantecada (sponge pastry similar to a muffin).
DANCE:
Folkloric Dance: Ballet Raíces de Colombia
Friday, July 15, 8:30 p.m. & Saturday, July 16, 4:30 p.m. (WestJet Stage)
Formed by Colombian artistic director Carlos Reyes, the Ballet Raices de Colombia currently features 20 young dancers from different countries. Considered the best Colombian folkloric group in Canada, this group will be presenting Encuentro con la Patria (Encounter with Motherland), a showcase of Colombian rhythms and colours.
Cumbia Class: Magnolia Arbeláez
Saturday, July 16, 2 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
Colombia’s Magnolia Arbeláez teaches a cumbia dance class that easy and fun for everyone. This workshop is suitable for all skill levels.
Farruca – Flamenco Dance: Margarita María Rigó
Sunday, July 17, 4 p.m. (Studio Theatre)
Margarita María Rigó began her flamenco career in Granada, Spain at the Carmen de las Cuevas flamenco school. Upon her return to Toronto, she enrolled at the Academy of Spanish Dance to train in flamenco and classical Spanish dance. In addition to her ongoing flamenco and classical Spanish dance training with Esmeralda Enrique, Rigó teaches both flamenco and classical Spanish to children and adults at the Academy of Spanish Dance.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES:
Colombia’s Culture and Captain Leaf Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, July 17, 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. (Boulevard Tent)
Kiddo Magazine is proud to invite families to share, learn and rediscover Colombia’s cultural heritage and create awareness about conserving the environment. Green hero Captain Leaf will guide families through passages of beautiful Colombian towns. Families will move along a fascinating journey to gather clues and solve riddles to win prizes.
Zumba Dance and Rhythms for Children
Sunday, July 17, 3 p.m. (Redpath Stage)
Participants can join the Luna Art Club on stage for a fun and energetic zumba class! Zumba is a Colombian creation that combines traditional cumbia, salsa and merengue music with red-hot dance steps.
Fun Weekend!!
Saturday, July 16 & Sunday, July 17, 1 p.m. (HarbourKIDS Zone Tent)
Party Kids invites children of all ages create beautiful Colombian animal masks, have their faces painted and create figures with ballons. There is also an opportunity to make crafts using Colombian coffee beans. Party Kids is a company dedicated to creating fun activities for kids and families.
THEATRE:
Crisálida’s Theatre Group
Sunday, July 17, 2 p.m. (Studio Theatre)
Crisálida presents four short sketches in Spanish (with subtitles in English): Esto Si es Vida, La Propuesta, Diatriba de un Hombre Sentado and Me Enviaron Flores. Crisálida is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to building vibrant, healthy, and civically engaged communities through community-based arts among the GTA’s Hispanic community.
ART EXHIBITIONS:
Photo Exhibition: Photography Contest
Friday, July 15, Saturday, July 16 & Sunday July 1, all day (Marilyn Brewer Community Space)
This past April, members of the Colombian community were asked to submit photographs for a Colombia-themed photography contest. Pre-selected images will be on display, along with the winning photograph.
Photo Exhibition: Nereo López
Friday, July 15, Saturday, July 16 & Sunday July 17, all day (Marilyn Brewer Community Space)
Colombia's most famous photographer, Nereo Lópe z Meza, has spent 60 of his 86 years working for his country's newspapers and magazines, traveling around the world with personalities such as Gabriel García Márquez and Pope Paul IV and capturing presidential visits to Colombia by John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. But it is his photographs of the Amazon jungle, the streets of Bogota and the Magdalena River where his genius is truly revealed.
BOGOTA MMX – 200 years after
Friday July 15, Saturday, July 16 & Sunday, July 17, all day (location TBA)
The BOGOTA MMX – 200 years after art exhibition and corresponding book features photographs of daily situations, people and animals in Colombia’s capital city. This book will be part of the documents included in Bogota’s Bicentenary Urn (a time capsule) closed in May 2011 that is scheduled be opened on July 20, 2110.
La Palabra se Toma la Palabra: Juanse
Saturday, July 16, 3:30 p.m. (Studio Theatre)
Amazing Professional Events highlights Colombian creativity is highlighted through writings that express the deep thoughts of local community writers such as Camilo Ramírez, Freddy Vélez, Patricia González, Jackeline Barragán and William Serrano. Their rich imagination brings a unique reflection of our diversity and the cultural contribution to the Colombian Diaspora. Singer-songwriter Juanse will also present a variety of songs about being away from home, love and destiny.
Exhibit: And What Did You Bring?
Friday July 15, Saturday July 16 & Sunday July 17, TIME TBA (Boulevard Tent)
Participants are asked to imagine a scenario where they are forced to leave their home. What would you bring with you? This exhibit showcases unique and sentimental objects that Colombian immigrants could not leave behind.
WORKSHOPS:
CULTULAB
Saturday, July 16, 11 a.m. (Lakeside Terrace)
The CULTULAB seminar (conducted in Spanish) is for music, dance and cultural artists that are interested in participating in festivals, markets and conferences. This seminar is led by performing arts experts that have had successful projects and experiences at national and international levels.
Drumming Workshop for Kids and Adults
Saturday, July 16, 2 p.m. (kids) & 4 p.m. (adults) (Boulevard Tent)
Drummers of all levels and ages are invited to participate in an afternoon drumming and dance workshop lead by with Ruben Esguerra. Esguerra is a multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and arts educator who facilitates workshops through the Ontario Arts Council's 'Artist in Education Programme', offering music and storytelling as a medium for healthy self-expression to inner city schools as well as schools in rural areas across Ontario.
Cartoon Workshop
Saturday, July 16, 5:30 p.m. (Boulevard Tent)
Kiddo Magazine invites participants to a drawing workshop presented by our in-house illustrator, Juan Correa. Open to anyone who would like to learn how to draw Kiddo's green hero, Kaptain Leaf, and share his adventures.
SEASON-LONG EVENTS
SoundClash presented by NOW Magazine, Harbourfront Centre's Music Award
The summer’s hottest music competition happens at Harbourfront Centre with $10,000 in cash prizes up for grabs! Toronto’s hottest artists and bands take centre stage to compete for the SoundClash music award. A panel of music critics, bloggers, artists and industry reps selected the following five artists out of 250 submissions: Young Empires, Kids & Explosions, Miles Jones, The Worst Pop Band Ever and Saidah Baba Talibah. Each artist and/or band will play the WestJet Stage this July to compete for three cash prizes and a variety of giveaways. The winner will be determined by a combination of jury selections and public votes. harbourfrontcentre.com/soundclash
Longo’s Free Flicks
Tuesdays at dusk, July 5 through August 9 (WestJet Stage)
Join us outdoors by the lake for a screening of six different films, each highlighting the experience of living in a different city! Come explore Toronto, New York, Paris, New Delhi and Toyko and vote on the final film selection (Venice, Toronto or Cairo).
Longo’s Friday Picnics
Fridays, June 24 through Sept. 2, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Ann Tindal Park)
Buy a sandwich, a snack, or an internationally inspired meal at the World Café and then enjoy it sitting on the Ann Tindal lawn, or pack your cooler with your favorite feast! Live entertainment will vary each week.
Hot off the Grill
Come and enjoy the flavour of the season as our festivals put a spotlight on grilled foods from around the globe. Whether you prefer your grill from the Deep South or the Far East, a whole summer’s worth of food demonstrations is waiting for you!
HarbourKIDS
Sundays, 3 p.m. (locations vary)
A hot summer series devoted to young people and families, HarbourKIDS presents a hot lineup of artists and activities that will move, shake-up and entertain.
Dancing on the Pier
Thursdays, June 23 to Sept. 1 (Various locations on the waterfront)
Explore culturally hot dance trends and movements from across the globe that will heat up the Harbourfront Centre site and its surroundings! The waterfront will be filled with sizzling flavors, movement and sounds from the best choreographers, social dance clubs and DJs to heat up the boardwalk!
World Café
Open weekends, June 24 to Oct. 10
World Café offers a variety of international cuisine prepared by a rotating selection of popular Toronto restaurants and caterers. Come check out our new location and patio seating area!
International Marketplace
Open weekends, May 28 to Oct. 2
Shop for delightful gifts and treasures from around the globe!
Canoe Rides on the Natrel® Pond
Daily, May to October
Our famous canoe rides will be available at the Natrel® Pond all summer long! Take a break and enjoy a fun float beside our picturesque boardwalk.
Our famous canoe rides will be available at the Natrel® Pond all summer long! Take a break and enjoy a fun float beside our picturesque boardwalk.
ABOUT HOT SPOT SUMMER 2011
Hot spots may not always be comfortable, but they are conduits of change. Embrace change or defy it – it is ultimately up to you. This summer, Harbourfront Centre presents programming that asks: What’s your hot spot?
ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
Harbourfront Centre is an innovative, non-profit cultural organization which provides internationally renowned programming in the arts, culture, education and recreation, all within a collection of distinctive venues on a 10-acre site in the heart of Toronto's downtown waterfront. For more information visit harbourfrontcentre.com.
ABOUT TORONTO PORT AUTHORITY
The Toronto Port Authority, Harbourfront Centre’s lead summer partner, owns and operates the Port of Toronto, the Billy Bishop Airport, and the Outer Harbour Marina. It is committed to building a waterfront community that is vibrant and enjoyable for Torontonians and visitors, by working with partners to create a clean, green, prosperous water’s edge. For more information visit torontoport.com.
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