Celebrating 40 years with heart. Harbourfront Centre announces Summer of Wonder lineup

(News Release)

TORONTO, ON (April 23, 2014) – A mere 40 years ago, an industrial wasteland began its journey of transformation into what has now become a dynamic incubator for art, culture and creativity.

Since its inception, Harbourfront Centre has captured the collective spirit of Canada’s most creative city, offering year-round multidisciplinary arts and cultural programming in the heart of Toronto’s waterfront.

Harbourfront Centre is pleased to announce its 40^th anniversary summer season lineup and invites the city of Toronto and its visitors to experience a Summer of Wonder.

 

From free festivals to fireworks, flea markets to films under the stars, visitors of all ages and interests are invited to indulge in a summer of new experiences, tantalizing flavours and unforgettable cultural activities on the shores of Lake Ontario.

From May to October, Harbourfront Centre presents its exciting summer lineup of arts and cultural programming from around the world, featuring artists from South Asia to Africa, China to Brazil, Israel to the Caribbean and more.

 

“Harbourfront Centre has seen remarkable growth and development over the past 40 years,” shares William Boyle, Harbourfront Centre CEO. “Who would have thought that an industrial waterfront wasteland would one day become an innovative force in Canada’s cultural scene? As we kick-off our 40^th summer season, we’d like to thank all of our community partners, sponsors and visitors who have helped shape Harbourfront Centre over the years. It’s been an indescribable journey – and to think, this is only the beginning.” 

 

As Harbourfront Centre celebrates its 40^th anniversary, The Big Idea: Legacy will be explored throughout the summer season. The Big Idea is a lens for visitors to use while exploring the diverse programming offered throughout the 10-acre site. This summer, Harbourfront Centre visitors are encouraged to reflect on what legacy means to them, and how it can be used to imagine a bright future across Canada’s arts and culture landscape.

 

For additional information about Harbourfront Centre’s 40^th anniversary summer season, the public may visit harbourfrontcentre.com 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.

 

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE

Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating the 10 prime acres of Toronto’s central waterfront as a free and open public site. We celebrate the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enliven the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe. 

 

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Harbourfront Centre 2014 ‘Summer of Wonder’ Lineup

 

SoundClash Music Award

April 1–August 15

The SoundClash Music Award is Harbourfront Centre’s annual live music competition for cutting-edge, forward-thinking artists from all genres.  Through this award, Harbourfront Centre continues its dedication to Toronto’s growing musical legacy by shining the spotlight on new and innovative local talent.
World Fiddle Day:  A Day-Long Celebration of Bows on Strings

Ontario Square
May 17

World Fiddle Day is an all-inclusive, celebratory, free community event for all bowed string players. If you can find your way around 1st position join us!  If you're a fiddling fan but not a fiddler, come down and listen.
World Café

Weekends, May 17–October

An extension of some of the busiest kitchens in the GTA, Harbourfront Centre’s World Café offers the opportunity to enjoy cuisines from around the world. There’s a different selection every weekend.

 

HarbourKIDS The Toronto International Circus Festival

Co-produced by Zero Gravity Circus

May 17-19, 2014

HarbourKIDS is Harbourfront Centre's family programme designed to inspire imagination and creativity in kids 12 and under. This Victoria Day weekend, Harbourfront Centre invites families to take part in three jam-packed days of circus fun.
Street Stage

May 20–October 14

The waterfront is your stage. From May to October, Harbourfront Centre hosts Street Stage, a family-friendly season of street performers who are sure to excite.
Doors Open Toronto 2014 

May 25

Join Ken Greenberg – one of the world's foremost urban designers and advocates for restoring the vitality, relevance and sustainability of the public realm in urban life – for a public discussion about Harbourfront Centre’s 40-year legacy of transforming Toronto’s waterfront. While on site, tour the newly redesigned Craft & Design Studio, Architecture Gallery and Enwave Theatre.

 

Seedling Sunday:  Calling all Garden-nerds!
Exhibition Common

May 25

Meet local community groups, independent businesses and vendors focused on gardening in the city, growing in small spaces and contemporary food issues. For gardeners who have grown too many seedlings, bring your extras down and participate in a seedling swap.
The Play Zone Exhibition Common

Weekends, June-September 

Discover Harbourfront Centre’s new imagination playground. This innovative pop-up playground encourages learning, movement and fun. Families will create new worlds on a larger-than-life scale.

 

The Leslieville Flea at Harbourfront Centre
Exhibition Common

1^st Sunday of the month, June 1-September 7

Visit The Leslieville Flea at Harbourfront Centre on the first Sunday of each month to find everything from vintage clothing to re-purposed furniture, collectibles to salvaged goods and select artisan pieces. The thrill of the hunt never gets old.

 

Lake View Market

Weekends, June 7–September 1

Located at the heart of Harbourfront Centre's festivals, the Lake View Market is a cosmos of the worldliness in Toronto. Visitors can shop a wide range of clothing, housewares, crafts and designs as part of the full Harbourfront Centre experience.

 

Swap Meet: Book/Movie/Music Eco-Swap Exhibition Common

June 8

Toronto-based swapping site Swapsity invites you to join the rapidly growing swapping movement at a one-day Book/Movie/Music Eco-Swap at Harbourfront Centre. ($5 entry fee)
Tai Chi

Exhibition Common Tuesdays, June 10–August 26

Our popular outdoor tai chi classes return this summer.

The First Annual Harbourfront Centre Chessfest

Presented by Scotiabank Exhibition Common

June 15 and August 10

The Chess Institute of Canada and Annex Chess Club take over the Exhibition Common on two dates this summer. Challenge yourself to a match on the giant chess set or take part in a tournament. Explore the history of chess and learn how kids are taught the game today. Each day offers a range of chess programs for all ages and skill levels. Meet members of Canada’s Olympiad Chess Team on June 15.

 

Shore Lunch

A Harbourfront Centre Fresh Ground new works commission

Lisa Myers

June 20 & 29, July 1

A camp kitchen is transformed into a multi-site, multi-media art venue, complete with propane burner, tables and makeshift seating made from repurposed materials. Eat, watch and enjoy.

 

NO FLAT CITY: Toronto’s Incomparable Terrain

Generously supported by Menkes Development Ltd.

Produced in partnership with Toronto Region and Conservation

Exhibition Common, June 21-June 2015

Harbourfront Centre has commissioned six photographers to explore the Greater Toronto Area landscape. NO FLAT CITY dispels the myth that the Toronto region is completely flat, by focusing on the many unusual and unexpected characteristics of the landscape, including ravines, valleys and the escarpment. The exhibition will consist of 72 large-scale photographic images, in a spectacular outdoor setting adjacent to Lake Ontario.

 

Redpath Waterfront Festival 

June 21-22

Hop aboard the S.S. Harbourfront Centre, a cruise ship like no other, and embark on an island journey through the music, dance and games of several tropical destinations.

 

The Hogtown Hoedown Ontario Square
June 22 and July 20

Participate in a genuine, honest-to-goodness Appalachian square dance. Put your most comfortable dancing shoes on and grab a partner (we’ll hook you up with one if you’re on your own). The Caller will provide instruction before each dance, and you’ll soon find yourself mastering the do-si-do and dancing a reel!

 

Yoga Exhibition Common
Thursdays, June 26–August 28

Outdoor yoga classes for all levels. Don't forget your mat! 

 

Dancing on the Pier

Thursdays, June 26–September 4

Spend your Thursday evenings dancing to live outdoor music, on the only dance floor in the city with a breeze off the water. Shy? Live bands and dance styles from around the world will have you on your feet in no time. No dance experience required.

 

Suspended Time

A Harbourfront Centre Fresh Ground new works commission 

Emmanuel Sévigny

June 27–July 1

An immersive, outdoor augmented cinema projection about urban revitalization and the renewal of Toronto's waterfront and the intersection of culture and public space.  

 

DJ Deep Fried Fridays 

Fridays, June 27–August 29

DJ Deep Fried Fridays returns this summer to Harbourfront Centre with a different pleasurable pairing of beats and bites that represent Toronto’s cultural legacy being created by DJs and chefs alike. Start your weekends off right every Friday on the Redpath Stage. 

 

Canada Day Extravaganza

June 27–July 1

Harbourfront Centre is celebrating 40 years of artistic creativity and innovation at this special Canada Day Extravaganza. This Canada Day weekend brings together an array of visionary artists, ideas, communities and Canadiana for a mammoth 5-day weekend of spectacle that’s sure to go off with a bang. 

 

OLG Canada Eve Fireworks 

June 30

OLG Canada Eve Fireworks is back for a second year! Delight in a spectacular 2-barge, 20 minute fireworks display set to music over Lake Ontario. 

 

Summer Music in the Garden

Presented by TD Bank

Most Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons, July-September

Toronto Music Garden comes to life every summer with incredible music from around the globe, right here at home. Featuring the best national and international classical musicians.

 

Free Flicks: Funny Girls

Presented by Redbox Canada

Wednesdays, July 2–August 27 

Harbourfront Centre’s famous outdoor film series returns to the WestJet Stage with Free Flicks: Funny Girls. All of this summer’s films feature women at the forefront of comedy, both past and present. From directors to writers to actors, women rule this summer film series.

 

South Asia Calling 

July 4-6

Ancient Gurus: Modern Mastery is the theme behind this weekend-long celebration of contemporary South Asian communities in Toronto and around the world. Embark on an exciting journey and discover how contemporary artists have transformed their inherited legacies, embracing traditions while breaking new ground.

 

China Now

Presented by Manulife Financial

In partnership with Can4Culture

July 9-13

The inaugural China Now festival weaves a new path through five millennia of Chinese cultural history to uncover how modern China has developed artistically. From disparate influences and traditions to the intersections of people, space and time, China Now seeks to explore the country’s enormous cultural legacy.

 

Habari Africa

Co-produced by Batuki Music Society

July 18-20

Habari Africa festival (“Hello Africa” in Swahili), is a multi-disciplinary music and arts festival that features the rich and diverse arts of Africa. Harbourfront Centre presents a weekend of exploration and engagement with the art, sounds and tastes of Africa. Special Francophone programming provided by Afrique Nouvelle Musique. 

 

Classical VI: Voice and Strings

July 25-27

Music, voices and strings strike a chord with everyone. Cultures around the world have been using song to communicate for centuries - from opera to Sufi, from Andalusia to Africa, from Welsh miners to soothing barbershop – musical connections are instant and universal. Come discover your voice and some ukulele madness…!

 

Toronto Area Boardgaming Society (TABS) Game Day
Exhibition Common 

July 27

For one day only, the North Exhibition Common is being transformed into a boardgame café.  If you have always wanted to explore the world of multi-player board-gaming, this event is for you. Bring your own game and friends to play with - or let TABS volunteers connect you with a game in progress and make new friends on the spot! 

 

Island Soul

August 1-4

The cultural legacy of the Caribbean comes to Toronto’s waterfront for four days of music, dance, food, film and more. Enjoy the diverse artistic expressions, independent voices and transformative ideas that have influenced island culture and continue to do so. With special programming provided by Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario and Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes. 

 

Expressions of Brazil

Co-produced by Southern Mirrors and Puente

August 8-10

Explore South America’s biggest country over a three-day festival featuring a kaleidoscope of arts, culture and culinary events. Discover the magnetism of this vast nation that has captured the global imagination for centuries.

 

Hot & Spicy Food Festival

August 15-17

Food has a special ability to traverse time and culture. This year’s festival dips into culinary traditions rooted in the past and renewed for the future. Patrons are invited to enjoy a range of culinary delicacies, hot rhythms and spicy grooves all weekend long at Toronto’s favourite festival of flavours.

 

Yogapalooza

August 16-17

Go Big and Go OM at Yogapalooza. This free, family-friendly outdoor yoga festival offers two joyful days of movement, music and meditation.

 

TAIWANfest

August 22-24

Taiwan is a country built on the legacy of global traditions and cultures. Wander down the path of music, dance, art and food that has invigorated the island nation for centuries.

 

Ashkenaz Festival

Co-produced by Ashkenaz Foundation

August 29–September 1

North America’s premier festival of global Jewish music and culture returns with its 10th biennial celebration. Over 200 artists from more than a dozen countries will showcase the vibrancy and brilliance of Jewish artistic traditions, from traditional styles to cutting-edge, cross-cultural fusion.

 

The 30^th Annual Vegetarian Food Festival

September 5-7

This September, the Toronto Vegetarian Association celebrates its milestone 30^th Annual Vegetarian Food Festival. Taste the best vegetarian food anywhere at our Word Café. Learn from chefs and authors at our cooking demos, screenings and workshops. This is the largest vegetarian celebration in North America. 

 

The Home Ec (Big Outdoor) Kitchen Party Exhibition Common

September 14

Curated by WellPreserved, this one-day event celebrates the small kitchens, independent producers and local food heroes who add vibrancy to Toronto’s food culture.  Featuring a pop-up grocery store and live demonstrations on the basics of preserving food.