Waterfront party, pow wow happening in Toronto

   One-Tank Trip for June 6/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   They’ll be partying on the promenade at the Redpath Waterfront Festival in Toronto while over at Fort York, there’s a powwow going on later this month.

   The Waterfront Business Improvement Area invites everyone – including their dogs – for this free party from June 19 to 21.

   “This will celebrate the end of construction and the launch of Toronto’s revitalized Queens Quay with parades, entertainment and activities along Queens Quay,” said publicist Peter Ashworth.

“Let’s go,” says Ultimutts’ Pickles, a red Boston terrier.

   The new main waterfront street includes a “spectacular new pedestrian promenade and waterfront connection to the Martin Goodman Trail,” he added.

   The celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. on June 19 followed by a parade at 8 p.m. along Queens Quay and an opening celebration in HTO Park East.

    The Party on the Promenade continues through the weekend with pop-up entertainment pods of live music and dance, Art on the Water and professional buskers from Bay to Spadina.

   Woof, woof

   There will be four-legged fun with the DockDogs Championships at Sherbourne Common.

   This is a dock-jumping and diving sport for dogs with three main events: Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve.

   Dogs at least six months old and owners seven and older can try out, too with their “pup star.”

   Don’t miss the Ultimutts Stunt Dog Show with performances by rescue animals including Sophia, the black lab, and Bella, the Boston terrier.

Bella, a Boston terrier, performs at the Ultimutts Stunt Dog Show.

    From walking a tightrope to playing the piano and driving a Kiddie car, these dogs keep everyone entertained.

   Then, head over to the Purina PawsWay Pet Parade with your dogs on June 20 along the trail.

   Party on

   “Browse or buy at the Waterfront Artisan Market at HTO Park East, where finely crafted jewelry, one-of-a-kind gifts and works of art, scrumptious baked goods and fragrant body products are on offer,” said fest publicist Peggy Sheffield.

   There will be an eclectic collection of vendors including Cris Cacioppo Pottery; stained-glass artist Anna Ruttan; Yo Sox; Ella’s Botanicals; mixed-media artist Josee Duranleau; jewelry by Marmalade; and Sprucewood Handmade Cookie Co.

   Bop to the beat of hip hop and sizzling samba, and sway to swing and lively Latin rhythms as Dance Pan American Style presents a weekend of musical entertainment.

Members of Samba Elegua Percussion Band will be performing at the Toronto Waterfront Festival.

   There’s the Samba Elegua Percussion Band, Swing Shift Big Band and Cafe Cubano along with free dance classes.

   The Toronto School of Art presents Art on the Water with “free pop-up, life-drawing sessions,” along with interactive art and dance demos and even stand-up paddle boarding.

   Some of Toronto’s tastiest mobile eateries will be there including Moustache Burger, Heirloom, Blazin Cajun and the Ultimate Food Truck.

   The menu includes specialty meat and veggie burgers, smoked artisan sausage, liquid nitrogen ice cream bars, jambalaya, pulled pork po’ boys, beignets and poutine.

   Aboriginal song and dance

   A traditional outdoor powwow will be held at Toronto’s Fort York to recognize National Aboriginal Day, June 21, that’s expected to attract 7,500 people.

Traditional dancers will take part in the Na-Me-Res Traditional Outdoor Pow Wow. (Photo by Brian Damude)

   This free event is the Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) and Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation Powwow “celebrating 30 dedicated years of healing in the community,” said publicist Blanch White.

   There will be traditional dancing, drumming, indigenous food, craft vendors and a kids’ area.

   Seven Aboriginal drum groups will perform, including host drum Smoke Trail Singers and co-host drum Eagle Flight Singers, originally from London.

   Expect to see some 100 traditional dancers including head dancers Stephanie Pangowish and Lee Benson.

   Events at the fort begin with the Grand Entry at noon with traditional dancing and drumming until 4:30 pm, followed by a feast for all.

Colourful Native crafts are offered at the powwow. (Photo by Brian Damude)

   A gala concert begins at 6 p.m. with fingerstyle blues guitarist Cary Morin from Colorado and closes with the alternative funk/rock sound of Ghost Town Orchestra from Brantford.

   Need to know

   - Waterfront Festival hours are June 19, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; June 20, noon to 10 p.m.; and June 21, noon to 7 p.m. towaterfrontfest.com; waterfrontbia.com; (416) 596-9821

   - The powwow is at Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd. nameres.org/annual-traditional-pow-wow;  www.toronto.ca/events

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca