The 5th annual Luminato Festival kicks of June 10th to the delight and excitement of art and creativity-loving young professionals. Luminato, presented by L’Oreal, is an annual multi-disciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, music, literature, food, visual arts, fashion, film, magic, and so much more. The festival, on June 10th through June 19th, encompasses collaboration, accessibility, and diversity in its events and exhibitions.
Luminato has been a hotbed for the arts world in Toronto ever since its inception, and this year will be no different. Celebrate Toronto’s cultural diversity and embrace the creativity that flourishes when cultures join together in a spirit of tolerance and respect. Luminato’s hallmarks include free widely accessible events and city-wide encounters with art. Participate in and explore the amazing sensory experiences Luminato has become famous for.
We know that as busy young professionals you can’t make every event. So, we’ve gone through the festival calendar to bring you our picks for the must-see events throughout Luminato’s 10-day run, but be sure to check out the Luminato calendar for the full gamut of festival experiences to behold.
Kiehl’s Presents Eric Mead
Kiehl’s Queen Street location will dazzle festival-goers with an interactive performance by Eric Mead that will make you question your most basic assumptions. June 10th, 7:30-8pm.
Mill Street Brewery Craft Beer Experience
Visit the Mill Street Pub and Grill at the Festival Hub (David Pecaut Square), featuring craft beer sampling, great food, “Bar Magic,” and a stellar view of the Festival Stage. Various times throughout the festival.
Lancome Garden of Roses: Denis Gagnon interperts Alice
From June 10th to 19th, Metro Hall will be the point where art, fashion, and beauty intersect. Acclaimed Canadian fashion designer Denis Gagnon designs a contemporary fashion response to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in a sophisticated and theatrical approach. June 10th to 19th.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
The National Ballet of Canada performs acclaimed British choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s new ballet, a dazzling tour-de-force. Lewis Carroll’s classic fantasy comes to life in this amazing theatrical show. As part of Luminato June 10th to 12th.
RBC Presents the New Yorker at Luminato: Paradoxes of Innovation
Canadian-raised New Yorker staff writer Malcolm Gladwell – author of such best-sellers (and great reads for young professionals) as The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw – joins Luminato to share his latest Brainstorm. June 12th, 7pm.
Broadway’s Night Out
Broadway bursts into David Pecaut Square as star performers present a joyous tribute to the best of musical theatre. Performers will showcase hit songs from current productions and contemporary shows including Jesus Christ Superstar and My Fair Lady. June 13th, 8pm.
Joyce Carol Oates
One of the most powerful voices in contemporary fiction joins Luminato for the Toronto launch of a work unlike anything she has written before. June 15th, 7pm.
Egypt Rising presented by TIFF
In the years leading up to the Tahrir Square Revolution, Egyptian cinema had begun to articulate the voices of dissent that would erupt in January 2011. Go behind the headlines and see the lives of Egyptians through their own eyes. Selected screenings June 15th, 16th, 18th, and 19th.
Vodavil
“Vodavil” was an informal term vaudeville performers used to describe that hugely popular form of entertainment that flourished in specialty theatres across North America from the 1890s to the 1930s. Enjoy comedy, pantomime and magic in this entertaining show. June 17th and 18th.
President’s Choice 1000 Tastes of Toronto
Treat your taste buds to a trip around the world with gourmet street food prepared by some of the city’s leading restaurants while celebrating Toronto’s diversity and culture. June 18th and 19th.
The Luminato MP3 Experiment by Improv Everywhere
Join the Luminato Mp3 Experiment by downloading a special Mp3 file to your mobile device, and depending on your birthday, head out to one of the prearranged public locations with hundreds of others and press play at exactly 12:50 pm. What will ensue is 40 minutes of joyful chaos – a participatory street theatre phenomenon. Download your Mp3 now; experiment begins June 19th, at 12:30pm.
This is just a sampling of what Luminato 2011 has to offer. Make sure to check out the Festival-at-a-Glance calendar (PDF) for all dates and times, and download the Luminato App to stay in the know on the go.