Luminato lights up T.O.
The Luminato Festival, running June 19 to 28, hasn’t really articulated a mandate since its founding in 2003 beyond the idea of importing great art from all over the world. But we’re used to that by now, and as long as the programming stays strong, we’re not complaining.
Again this year, the festival features both free and ticketed shows. The hottest ticketed event is Contemporary Color ($25-$49) at the Air Canada Centre June 22 and 23, with David Byrne, Nelly Furtado, Tuneyards, Ira Glass of NPR’s This American Life, St. Vincent and others.
A tribute to the power of storytelling, 7 Monologues ($19-$80) presents tales throughout the festival delivered by Canadian heroes like Daniel MacIvor and international stars like Charlotte Rampling at Harbourfront Centre venues. Rampling, by the way, also does a TimesTalks event ($20-$29) on June 21, as does St. Vincent.
But the New Canadian Music Series at the Festival Garden Stage is free and features two nightly concerts by Kinnie Starr, Tomi Swick, Binaeshee-Quae and others.
And the visual arts component of Luminato, also gratis, consistently reimagines the possibilities for public art in exciting ways.
At the Festival Hub in David Pecaut Square, Brazilian Regina Silveira’s light installation Glossary, a set of translucent marquees, bathes festival-goers in countless words for light.
And on the same wavelength – appropriate for a fest named Luminato – local landscape architect Janet Rosenberg turns the Festival Hub into a Garden Of Light, a giant backyard plant display. More at luminatofestival.com.
Come out to the Pride parade on June 28.
Show your Pride
T.O.’s dynamic LGBTQ community struts its stuff June 19 to 28 at the -vibrant Pride festival unfolding all over town, from Buddies in Bad Times and Lula Lounge to Sugar Beach and Ryerson Theatre, where Pride Toronto presents filmmaker and prankster John Waters on June 22.
But the centrepiece is Pride’s big weekend June 26 to 28, when all things queer take to the streets.
The Trans March, which gets bigger every year, hits the pavement June 26, followed by a special event at Yonge-Dundas Square (this year’s hub for post-march events) called Transforming Pride, with MX. Justin Vivian Bond, Buck Angel and Chaz Bono.
On Dyke Day, June 27, the march is followed by #Dykeversity – with Ana Rezende of CSS, Kate Moennig (The L Word’s Shane!), alongside Camila Grey – at Yonge-Dundas Square.
On Pride Day proper, watch out for marshals David Furnish (hmm… maybe Elton will show up?) and many times more interesting Bollywood star and activist Celina Jaitly. And cheer on the members of art activist collective Pussy Riot, who are also leading the parade. Shake it to the sounds of Missy Elliott protege Sharaya J and Trinidadian Destra Garcia at Blockarama.
It all winds up at Yonge-Dundas Square with a cool cast of Canadian players, including Mounties, the Mohrs and Carole Pope. Find out more at pridetoronto.com.
Rae Sremmurd play NXNE June 20.
360° of NXNE
Toronto becomes music city for five days in June when NXNE takes over venues in all four directions.
The music component stands out for its eclecticism. Persevering doom legends Pentagram come to town June 20 for the first time as part of NOW’s heavy music takeover of the Opera House (also see Iceage, A Place to Bury Strangers and Odonis Odonis June 18, and Om and Liturgy June 19). Just out of their teens (or still in them) pop stars Willow Smith and Rae Sremmurd headline the Danforth Music Hall on June 18 and 20 respectively, while equally young rappers Tink and Vince Staples blow minds at Berkeley Church on June 18 as part of Pitchfork Presents. And there’s plenty of buzz about Jagjaguwar folkie Angel Olsen, English rockers Glass Animals and pop-soul sisters Ibeyi.
All of the above are part of the Northby Advanced series. Get in line at a dozen other smaller Clubland venues for sure-to-be sweaty and intimate performances by Atlas Sound, BART, Deafheaven, White Lung, Health, Jessica Pratt, Mission of Burma, Jennifer Castle, No Joy, Crosss, Warpaint and so many others.
Of course NXNE – which also includes comedy and film components – is best known for its epic Yonge-Dundas- Square bonanzas. (Think Iggy Pop in 2010, the Flaming Lips in 2012.) This year is sure to be a party when power-pop perfectionists the New Pornographers take the stage June 20 after Cali surf-pop duo Best Coast. Sunday, June 21, meanwhile, keeps up the tradition of closing with a hip-hop spectacle, this time courtesy of Action Bronson, Ty Dolla $ign and Casey Veggies.
And new this year is the Festival Hub, where music lovers, musicians and media can chill out between shows while also taking in intimate performances by surprise guests, a poster show, live streaming and more. June 17 to 21. Clubland wristband $49, single day $30. Northby Advanced $20-$35 per show. Platinum badge for the cost of three Northby Advanced shows plus $60. Find out more at nxne.com.
