Luminato Festival Toronto returns from June 5 to 16, 2024, offering music, dance, performance art, theatre, and many chances for audiences to join in the creative spirit. The first details of the lineup were announced today.
Arts lovers will be able to find Luminato performances and installations in parks, galleries, transit stations, and other locations.
“Luminato produces once-in-a-lifetime inclusive art experiences that highlight the absolute best of our city, region and country,” says Celia Smith, CEO of Luminato Festival Toronto. “As a city-building festival, we create environments which inspire, unite, and start conversations that can lead to positive changes in our daily lives.”
Here’s a first look at what’s on offer.
Luminato Festival Toronto 2024
Many of the offerings cross genres and disciplines in a diverse palette of performances and installations.
Music
And Still We Sing…Missa Afro-Brasileira: A Syncretism of Voice and Dance by The Nathaniel Dett Chorale
On June 11 at Koerner Hall, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Canada’s first professional choir specializing in Afrocentric music, celebrates 25 years in a multi-arts performance. The usual separation between sacred, secular, popular, and classical music will be blurred in a program that spotlights the talents of Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, along with dancer/choreographer BaKari I. Lindsay & The AFeeree Project.
Theatre
Age is a Feeling | Written and Performed by Haley McGee
Age is a Feeling is a show that is never the same twice, as written and performed by Dora Award winning Haley McGee. The underlying theme running through the performance is our relationship with our own mortality, as the show charts seminal moments in our lives, and the possibility of change as long as we’re still alive. Soulpepper presents the Soho Theatre and Haley McGee Production in association with Luminato Festival Toronto at the Young Centre from May 29 to June 16.
HOME | by Geoff Sobelle
Luminato presesnt the Canadian premiere of Geoff Sobelle’s interactive theatrical work HOME. Through the magic of illusion, choreography, construction, live documentary and music, he’ll build a house, and then make it into a home through the ups and downs of life. Takes place June 13 to 16 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.
Dance
Dancer of the Year | by Trajal Harrell
The North American premiere of Trajal Harrell’s Dancer of the Year presents the artist’s journey as an emotional and immersive experience for viewers. American dancer and choreographer Trajal Harrell’s work has been presented across Europe and North America, and in South America, often combining performance an visual art. Familiarity with dance isn’t required to enjoy this performance, which asks the audience to look beyond public recognition when it comes to self worth. The performance June 7 at the St. Lawrence Centre will be followed by an Artist talk with Olivia Ansell, new Artistic Director of Luminato Festival Toronto.
Afrikan Party — Supa Rich Kids by Oulouy
Visionary choreographer Oulouy has curated a futuristic show that pays tribute to Afrika in dance, fashion, mime, music, and performance art. Born in Cote d’Ivoire, and based in Barcelona, dancer, choreographer and artistic director Oulouy is a fixture on the urban dance circuit. The performance takes place June 8 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts
*Note: there will be offering free community workshops related to this work, with more info to come.
Visual Art/Installation/Performance Art
Dance/ Ipásskaa | by Terrance Houle
Growing up in the Kainai Nation, Terrance Houle’s mother Maxine Weasel Fat would create the regalia for his family to dance in. Houle’s photographic mural depicts the detailed regalia, from Elk Tooth dress to Jingle dress, in motion, creating a dynamic visual display. The exhibition will be on display June 5 to 16, with the location yet to be announced.
I Am from Reykjavik | by Sonia Hughes
On June 7, 8, 11 and 12 across the GTA, (specific locations yet to be confirmed), Sonia Hughes will be building and dismantling her home with each performance. As she performs what is part ceremony, part sculpture, and part protest, she’ll be asking her audience to blur the lines between Us and Them, find community, and rethink our relationship to space and time.
*Note: there will be offering free community workshops related to this work, with more info to come.
SPACED | curated by Banded Purple
Art is everywhere, and can be a part of our lives every day. That’s the premise behind SPACED, curated by Banded Purple. Free after paying for entry to the TTC at select stations (listed below), the participating artists look to show that beauty can exist in the unlikeliest of places.
*Note: The select TTC stations include: Kennedy Station, Spadina Station, Finch Station, and York University Station.
Evanescent | by Atelier Sisu
Art meets architecture in this immersive piece that underscores the notions of playfulness, and of not taking life for granted. The large-scale public artwork is sure to end up on many social media accounts.
*Note: Evanescent will be on display at Arnell Plaza at Bay Adelaide Centre, Brookfield Place and First Canadian Place from June 18 until July 30, following the festival.
Interactive
Luminato in the Square
David Pecaut Square becomes Luminato Central from June 7 to 16, offering a series of free outdoor, family-friendy programming that includes concerts and other performances and activities, food, and markets.
*Note: The full lineup of Luminato in the Square programming will be available on May 7, 2024
R.A.V.E. | Created, co-directed and performed by Me Time
R.A.V.E. is a celebration of dance, music and storytelling, as curated by DJ The Founder. It’s a unique experience that pairs cutting edge tech with dance beats and story. It’s a journey of self discovery, where you can join in on the dance floor. No experience required. Co-devised and co-directed by !Kona, and produced by Outside the March and The R.A.V.E. Institute in Association with Luminato Festival Toronto, the location of R.A.V.E. is (of course!) a secret, with admission info yet to be announced. It runs from June 13 to 16, with a preview on June 12.
Circus
360 ALLSTARS | by Onyx Productions
360 ALLSTARS is an international success, an urban circus that comes to Luminato Festival Toronto on their 10th anniversary world tour. Their performances are a mash-up of BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming, and more. Consummate artistry meets astonishing skill, speed, and sound in a circus that takes street culture as its inspiration. Runs June 15 & 16 at the Young People’s Theatre.
*Note: there will be offering free community workshops related to this work, with more info to come.
Along with the performances, Luminato will offer a series of talks in the Conversation Series, and an Industry Series for Canadian artists.
- More information, and tickets, available [HERE].
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
- PREVIEW | The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Offers Old & New In 130th Anniversary Season - April 29, 2024
- INTERVIEW | Composer Ari Kinarthy And Director Jeff Lee Petry Talk About Ari’s Theme, Premiering At Hot Docs - April 26, 2024
- PREVIEW | Creators & Performers Natalya Gennadi And Kristine Dandavino Talk About Grandma’s Shawl - April 26, 2024
