Music Garden by Mike Miley

The idea of having Bach at sunset is a great idea.  It’s a fabulous idea when it’s going to be at the Music Garden on the Queen’s Key, tomorrow night at 7pm.  Performed by Winona Zelenka, Zelenka’s first debut came at the early age of 13 with the Calgary Philharmonic and began a solo career at 17 at Carnegie Recital Hall.  I’m looking forward to this performance, hope you can make it!

From the Harborfront website:  ” Winona Zelenka continues her journey through Bach’s six suites for solo cello. This summer, she performs the Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major for solo cello; for the last three movements of the piece she is joined by dancer Claudia Moore in the world premiere of a new work by choreographer Carol Anderson. Dance generously commissioned by Ann Southam.”

Please note: This is a 30-minute concert due to early sunset.

Buskerfest's 10th Anniversary!

This year is the Buskerfest’s 10th anniversary! Celebrate Buskerfest in support of Epilepsy Toronto and catch many amazing acts including many from Toronto. I’m not entirely sure who these performers are, but here are some of the Canadian ones:

- Chalkmaster Dave
- Circus Orange
- Dirty Dishes
- Fesso & Lu
- The Fireguy
- HerciniArts
- Human Statues
- Scot Free
- Sky Dreams

I’m hoping that “The Fireguy” is literally a man on fire.

Check out their website for complete details about the event!

Great Date Idea:  Go for some entertainment and grab some food while you’re at the market.  This is a very good opportunity for conversation and an attraction.  It’s FREE!

Address:  St. Lawrence Market Neighborhood
Phone:    N/A
Email:    info@torontobuskerfest.com
Website:  www.torontobuskerfest.com
Parking:  Paid street parking
What’s nearby:  Lots of restaurants and shops.  Trendy area with lots of people traffic on weekends
Why you should go:  I would go just to see The Fireguy light himself on fire.  Although you might enjoy going to see some really talented from around the world entertain and make you laugh.  Also, you’re right near the St. Lawrence market, maybe you need some groceries done as well?

Fresh Wednesday's

I’m feeling pretty happy about this because it’s food related and I’m hoping that it’s going to be something different than the ordinary.  Tomorrow at lunch time, there’s a fresh Wednesday event held over at Nathan’s Phillips Square.  The event will be holding a free noon-hour concert and a farmer’s market for patrons to get a quick bite to eat and watch a quick outdoor show.  I’ll be there hopefully to get some fruit and enjoy a nice sandwich outdoors.

Check out the official website for details!

Summerworks Festival

This year’s Summerworks festival is about to end.  It’s a medley of many indie performing artists in a Toronto production that’s earned the respect and awareness abroad.  From the Summerworks website: “SummerWorks supports work that has a clear artistic vision and explores a specific theatrical aesthetic. It encourages risk, questions, and creative exploration while insisting on accessibility, integrity and professionalism. SummerWorks is the place where dedicated, professional artists are free to explore new territory and take artistic risks. Rather than getting larger, we strive to get better. We look to introduce professional artists from diverse communities to each other and be inspired by our similarities and differences.”

Check out the Summerworks festival’s last few days, performing now until August 16th.

Beerlicious Beer Fest!

This weekend, we’re going to Beerlicious!  It’s a beerfest with bbq’s and live entertainment.  Friday night, I’m especially looking forward to seeing Arrested Development on stage with some special guests.  Do you remember those guys back in the early 90′s, the ones who sang Mr. Wendel and Everyday People?  Almost every one of their songs were hits!  I’m glad they’re making a small comeback, even if it’s on a smaller scale.  Anyway, lots of beer here, get your beer!

Address:  Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place. 200 Princes’ Blvd. Toronto ON
Phone:    (416) 960-8499
Email:    info@beerlicious.ca
Website:  http://www.beerfestival.ca
Parking:  Parking available onsite
Why you should go:  lots of beer varieties, go for the shows!
Agrandir le plan

Beaches International Jazz Festival

The 21st Annual Beaches International Jazz festival is once again having their street fest event tonight.  Admission is free and it showcases the finest in Big Band, Swing, Dixieland, Smooth, Post-Bop, Afro-Cuban, Fusion, Funk, R&B and Soul sounds that Canada has to offer. Upwards of 50 bands entertain you along a closed 2 km stretch of Queen Street East!  There’s a lot of street parking available, but please give yourself some time to find it because it can be a far distance to walk depending on what time you’re arriving (like after work). The street party is held on Thursday (Today) July 23rd to Saturday July 25th.

There are lots of eateries and a gorgeous boardwalk nearby overlooking Lake Ontario. It’s a great walking idea.

Address:   Queen Street E. will be closed from Woodbine Ave. to Beech Ave.
Phone:  416-698-2152
Email:   infobeachesjazz@rogers.com
Website:  http://www.beachesjazz.com/streetfest.html
Parking:  Street Parking
What’s nearby:  Boardwalks along Lake Ontario, Many restaurants

Project Hope – Palestine is a one-time event held at a venue El Mocambo. It is a student-led fundraiser that will be supporting Project Hope and Free the Children. Some of the funds raised will be directly donated to the organizations, while the rest will help youth volunteers from Toronto go to Palestine to promote freedom and wellbeing.

There will be plenty of entertainment at the event. For the first part, the stage will always be busy with performers – spoken word, R&B, folk music, etc. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle, and a bar. All of this will be put on by some of the most talented student artists of Toronto. After the performances, the dance floor will be open to everyone.

Even though the event will be put on by students, anyone over 19 is invited. Come out and join the artists across Toronto campaigning for humanity!

What – Project Hope – Palestine
Where – El Mocambo: 464 Spadina Ave (just south of College)
When – March 12, 2009 , 7.30pm – 1am
Cost – $5-$10/person at the door

They’re located at:  4242 Dundas St. West. Toronto ON. M8X 1Y6. Or, you can check out their website (http://www.danielchocolates.ca/) and purchase them online!  My favourite are the ones with peppers in them; which aren’t that spicy at all, just a bit tingly really.  With those, you’ll be sure to set her heart on fire.  Sexy!

Check out the video by following the link above to Confidently Single!

From the TD Jazz festival website:
“For the past 20 years, Toronto Downtown Jazz has produced the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival as well as many other events and programs to further develop jazz talent and audience appreciation. Toronto Downtown Jazz is a registered charity (No. 12969 0269 RR0001) and over the years has come to be recognized as one of North America’s premier jazz festival producers, while the organization itself has been used by other arts organizations and festivals as a model for community involvement, artistic excellence and outstanding production standards.” The festival runs from June 20-29th across various venues in Toronto.

For more information about the festival: http://www.tojazz.com/Pages/festival.aspx

From the Art of Jazz Website: http://www.artofjazz.org/performance_home.cfm
“From June 4- June 8, 2008, the 3nd Annual Art of Jazz Celebration will transform the Distillery Historic District in Toronto into a hotbed of rhythm, improvisation, harmony and sophistication. Art of Jazz Celebration offers 5 days of major concerts, themed programs, workshops, jam sessions, photo exhibits, author readings and more. Clinics by masters Egberto Gismonti, Jovino Santos Neto and Hermeto Pascoal, Sheila, Jordan, Steve Kuhn and others form this year’s educational centre, while stellar tribute evenings to legendary Canadian jazz icon John Norris and the brilliant Brazillian jazz legends Hermeto Pascoal and Egberto Gismonti are at the core of the Celebration. From morning until the wee hours, the Art of Jazz Celebration will become a meeting point for international jazz greats and music lovers alike.”