Harbourfront Centre Toronto recently held a media event to showcase their summer of programming at the 10-acre waterfront campus, and recognize two of their major contributors.
Luminato weekend at Harbourfront had just passed, with some events taking place in the new Community Square. Community Square came to be as the result of generous support by Mahendra Thacker, and his wife Edda Caglayan, who were recognized at the event.
“Thank you all, neighbours,” said Thacker, who lives in the neighbourhood. He credited his mother Narmada, who came to Canada from India with little formal schooling, for teaching him the value of both charity and community. A plaque was dedicated in her name.
It wasn’t the only dedication. Earlier this year, the Fleck Dance Theatre, which was located in the building adjacent to Harbourfront Centre, was closed. However, dance performance still has a home at Harbourfront, and the historic Harbourfront Theatre was rededicated as the Fleck @Harbourfront Centre Theatre.
Jim Fleck, the theatre’s namesake, was on hand for the dedication, and to add some context.
“The Fleck Theatre may have moved, but its purpose is unchanged,” he said.
Fleck is a Toronto native, and was educated at the University of Toronto as well as Harvard, where he earned a doctorate of business administration in finance (DBA 1964). After spending decades in the business world as Chairman and CEO of Fleck Manufacturing, he said his involvement the arts began in about 1966, when he returned to Toronto from the US with his late wife Margaret. Margaret was a dancer and choreographer, and when he was approached by The National Ballet, she urged him to get involved.
“That got me started with the arts in Toronto,” he said.
He related how he became involved with Harbourfront Centre almost from its inception. “We took this old building and created The Power Plant Gallery,” he recalled.
When it came to the original Fleck Dance Theatre, his contribution was to pay for the chairs and other indoor furnishings — hence his name above the door. He mentioned that he was always conscious of how costly the upkeep on the Fleck Dance Theatre was at a separate address once Harbourfront had taken it over, and expressed satisfaction that the dance theatre and the Power Plant Gallery would finally be housed in the same building.
Did Fleck have an idea of how much his involvement would create a legacy for Torontonians?
“When I started, I didn’t think I’d be around this long. I’m 94!” he laughed. “It was through my wife — I fell in love with Harbourfront.”
Summer Music in the Garden
Fleck was also one of the founders of Harbourfront’s scenic Music Garden, home to the Summer Music in the Garden concert series. He shared a photo he’d found of the groundbreaking ceremony, with Fleck, Yo-Yo Ma, and city officials.
The Music Garden had originally been planned for Boston, where Yo-Yo Ma lives. However, funding and support were hard to come by. As Fleck told the story, Ma was introduced to then Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall, who invited him to bring the project to Toronto — with the caveat that he’d have to secure about $1 million in funding.
“He spent about a year trying — successfully — to get it going,” Fleck recalled.
Ma was just in Toronto recently, and Fleck said the two met to catch up.
Here’s a look at this year’s concert schedule. All the events are free, with no tickets or reservation required.
Summer Music in the Garden 2025
Matriarchs and Melodies (Sat, Jun 21 • 7 p.m.)
A celebration of Indigenous music through a mix of classical and contemporary opera, featuring arias by composer Ian Cusson, selections from Louis Riel, and pieces by Serbian-Canadian composer Ana Sokolović. Soprano Emma Pennell performs.
A Journey through Soul and Jazz (Thu, Jun 26 • 7 p.m.)
Jazz and classic soul with the Gavin Hope Trio, featuring classic hits by Al Green, Donny Hathaway, Luther Vandross, The Temptations, The Commodores, Smokey Robinson, Lou Rawls, and other iconic male soul stars.
Songs of Faith, Hope and Love (Sun, Jun 29 • 4 p.m.)
An afternoon of gospel and inspirational music with Canadian mezzo-soprano Melissa Davis, including classic spirituals like “Changed”, “I Go to the Rock” and “Going Up Yonder”.
Sounds of Stories (Thu, Jul 3 • 7 p.m.)
Indian classical, jazz, improvisation and cinematic soundscapes, with spoken word and poetry, featuring Dhaivat Jani.
Take Me to the Dance? (Sun, Jul 6 • 4 p.m.)
Music from the night clubs of Buenos Aires and the cabarets of Montmartre with Western classical/folk duo Bruno-Bridge — violinist Yolanda Bruno and accordionist Michael Bridge.
Songs of Birds and Love (Thu, Jul 10 • 7 p.m.)
A program of music from the English and French Renaissance, featuring madrigals, rounds, chansons and instrumental music by Ravenscroft, Weelkes, Richafort, Vautor and others, performed by The Musicians of the Egg — Michele Deboer (soprano), Laura Pudwell (mezzo), Cory Knight (tenor), John Pepper (bass), Jonathan Stuchbery (lute) and Alison Melville (recorder and flute).
Wild Strings and Tuning Things (Sun, Jul 13 • 4 p.m.)
A cross-cultural music journey through Iran, Turkey and Arabic traditions by the Labyrinth Ensemble — Âriâ Mohâfez, Maliheh Moradi and Evgenios Voulgaris.
Baroque-Middle-Eastern-Cyberpunk (Thu, Jul 24 • 7 p.m.)
Palestinian-Canadian pianist and composer John Kameel Farah melds sound, traditions and technologies to create a unique musical genre.
Stolen Dances (Sun, Jul 27 • 4 p.m.)
Poetry, melody, and flamenco dance come together with Spanish dancer Mariana Collado, backed up by local talents Benjamin Barrile on guitar, Ana Lia on vocals and Chendy Leon on percussion.
Voice is the Original Instrument (Thu, Jul 31 • 7 p.m.)
An evening of playful rounds, yodelling and medieval choral music with an unusual acapella group. The Local Singers are: Jill Harris, Robin Dann, Felicity Williams, Mara Nesrallah, Dorothea Paas and Alex Samaras.
Journey (Sun, Aug 3 • 4 p.m.)
The intergenerational Ngoma Ensemble perform drum and dance music from the Pan-African diaspora.
The String’s The Thing (Thu, Aug 7 • 7 p.m.)
Acclaimed violinist Mark Fewer performs Bach to Brazil, Brubeck and beyond, a program that runs from early Baroque to modern jazz works. Mark Fewer is joined by Nathan Hiltz on guitar and Joseph Phillips on bass.
Celtic and Canadian (Sun, Aug 10 • 4 p.m.)
Lo & the High Road, made up of Lauren Halász (songwriting, vocals, bass, bodhrán) and Colin McMahon (songwriting, arrangement, production, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki), perform favourite Celtic tunes and new Canadian music.
Memories Through Song (Thu, Aug 14 • 7 p.m.)
Filipina-Canadian multidisciplinary artist Belinda Corpuz performs Filipino classics, original songs, alternative pop and reimagined arrangements. Corpuz’ vocals have been featured on film soundtracks, including Robert Eggers’ The Witch and Netflix’s In the Tall Grass.
What Is Time For? (Sun, Aug 17 • 4 p.m.)
JUNO nominated artist Tara Kannangara and Chris Pruden perform a set of original songs, using synthesizers, a drum machine and trumpet melodies.
Ensemble Jeng Yi by the Willow Tree (Thu, Aug 21 • 7 p.m.)
Ensemble Jeng Yi will perform a program featuring traditional pieces and original compositions for Korean percussion, joined by frequent collaborator Joo Hyung Kim on the Kayagum, the Korean zither. The performance begins with them playing at a distance, approaching while drumming and marching in the spirit of old Korea.
A Little Afternoon Music (Sun, Aug 24 • 4 p.m.)
Opera, favourite arias and musical theatre tunes from Puccini to Barber with Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio graduate Charlotte Siegel and pianist Nate Ben-Horin.
In the Garden of the Deep Blue Sea (Thu, Aug 28 • 7 p.m.)
A performance of whale song, ancestral and classical contemporary music with artists from Australia and New Zealand. Acclaimed Indigenous Australian songman Bunna Lawrie’s (Mirning Elder) is joined by five Australian artists, including Jason Lee Scott, Greta Kelly on shah kaman, Whaia Sonic Weaver on Māori taonga puroro and vocals, percussion from Australian gong master Michael Askil, and the soundscapes of award-winning composer Corrina Bonshek.
And More…
Cathy Loblaw has been CEO of Harbourfront Centre for about a year.
“I think we’re really excited about the summer season, and to get back to the arts,” Loblaw said. “Community is a big part of healing.”
Along with the traditional favourites that come back year after year, there’s a new emphasis on culinary arts.
“We have really found that the culinary arts connect it [all].”
Each festival and event will include multiple culinary options, with street eats at the night market priced at $10 or under to make it accessible to as many people as possible.
“This is Canada’s campus,” she said.
Here’s a quick look at the multitude of events and more at Harbourfront Centre this summer.
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Two thought provoking exhibitions will be on display until September 14.
- Emmanuel Osahor: To dream of other places — paintings and a sculpture installation that reflection emotions in garden and other settings.
- Shelagh Keeley: Film Notebooks 1985-2017 — documents, notebooks and more that capture the artist’s travels.
Crowd Favourites
- Craft & Design Studio — There are 25 new artists at the Craft & Design studio area.
- Ontario Science Centre — Kidspark — an immersive learn-through-play experience designed by the Ontario Science Centre, created for children ages 10 and under.
- Free Flicks — free movies outdoors.
- Dancing On The Square — dance classes and parties.
- The UNDRGRNDNGHTMRKT brings adventurous culinary and drink concept with indie vendors and live DJ sets each Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. from May 31 to July 26. Everything $10 and under.
- The Harbourfront Farmers’ market brings Ontario farmers and small-batch producers to Harbourfront every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 31 to September 27.
- Buskers, and more…
The Festivals
Weekends are festival time at Harbourfront.
- SOUTH BY SOUTHEAST INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (SXSE): Celebrating Asian and Latin American cultures from Jun 27 to 29.
- FUN PHILIPPINES TORONTO FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL: Showcasing the best of Filipino culture with street food, music and public art from July 4 to 6.
- CARIBBEAN VIBRATIONS FESTIVAL: A celebration of the cultures of over 27 islands in the Caribbean region from July 11 to 13.
- UNITY FEST: Dance battles, live hip-hop performances, food, marketplace & more on July 19.
- HABARI AFRICA: Led by Batuki Music Society, a celebration of the continent’s diverse cultures led by African-Canadian and international artists from August 8 to 10.
- TAIWANFEST: Celebrating Taiwan’s identity through a thoughtful dialogue with Portugal from August 22 to 24.
And… there’s more of course. Check the event listings [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 | Sex T-Rex’s Crime After Crime (After Crime) At The Inaugural Barrie Theatre Festival - July 18, 2025
- PREVIEW | TO Live Presents The UpFRONT Festival Of Indigenous Arts, Music And Culture - July 18, 2025
- PREVIEW | World Premiere Of Newly Commissioned Song Cycle By Pouya Hamidi At Toronto Summer Music - July 17, 2025
