The weather’s warming and a giant stage and concert area are being erected outside of my office building. When I take a coffee break about once every half hour (who can concentrate longer than that?), I look out the window and see that the stage is more and more complete.
“What are they doing this for?” I nonchalantly ask the Vice President who happens to be walking through the lunch room. He raises his eyebrow at me.
“Don’t you have work to be doing?”
I roll my eyes and drag my feet back to my desk. First thing I do is open Google. Second thing I do is try and figure out what today’s Doodle is about (it’s about drive-ins, in case you’re wondering). Third thing I do is a search for events happening in Toronto.
My excellent detective skills lead me to the answer I was looking for:
“Luminato is Toronto’s fifth season when the festival stages the best of our city and invites the world to celebrate and transform it with us.”
– Jorn Weisbrodt,
Artistic Director, Luminato
That’s right, bros. Luminato is back this Summer and there’s a ton of stuff to check out. From visual arts to food to magic, Luminato covers all of the creative outlets that can be found in our wonderful city. Ponder over an art installation, take in a stage show, or dance to live music outside of Roy Thomson Hall. It’s all happening June 8th – 17th.
And It Doesn’t All Cost Money
There’s a wide variety of free events that you can take in:
Toronto Carretilla Initiative
June 9 – 16
Artist Rainer Prohaska takes on Toronto’s food scene by assembling mobile kitchens into sculptures all around the city. The public is invited to collectively prepare and partake in a meal. Just make sure you wash your hands first.
The Cheat
June 11-14
Magician Richard Turner, declared a living legend in his home state of Texas, will leave you in shock and awe with his sly and sensitive fingers. He gives the words “card trick” a whole new meaning. And don’t ask him how he does it. Remember: a magician always reveals his tricks. Wait-
Michael Franti & the Spearhead
Thursday, June 14
Michael Franti is a California-based musician who has made Toronto his permanent home. Him and his band The Spearhead have earned an international following with their mix of reggae-dance tunes and catchy lyrics. Their new album The Sound of Sunshine has topped radio charts around the world. This is the one show you want to go to next week. I, personally, will not be missing it.
The Bigger Your Wallet…
There are also a ton of paid events you can still buy tickets for:
Einstein on the Beach
June 8 – 10
Robert Wilson and Philip Glass’ landmark collaboration has gone unproduced for nearly 20 years. Don’t miss its North American debut at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. And on June 10th, stick around after the show for a panel discussion with select researchers from the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics about the opera’s themes as they relate to scientific genius.
TSO Goes Late Night: Shostakovich Symphony 11
June 9, Roy Thomson Hall
Who says the after-hours time slot is reserved strictly for rockers? Join the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for a late-night performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony. Inspired by the Russian Revolution, Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony is referred to as a “film score without a film”. And after the show, stick around and mingle with members of the TSO for the post-performance party.
Those are just a few of the events happening over the week-long festival. Check out the Luminato website for more detailed information on the who/what/where/when/how.
Have you ever experienced Luminato before? What are you planning to see this year? Let us know in the comments section below.
bromo t.o. 