2016 Arts in the Parks Initiative Officially Launched
THE BEST SHOW IN TOWN IS JUST DOWN THE STREET
TORONTO, May 30, 2016 - Toronto’s parks will be coming alive as never before in the summer of 2016. Think music, theatre and dance…think film, arts installations and a broad variety of performance. Everywhere throughout the city. And all of it completely free.
Arts in the Parks is an exciting new initiative that taps into Toronto’s vibrant arts scene and brings it to places that have never been exposed to it before.
Hundreds of events will be staged in City Parks throughout the summer, starting June 14.
Among them: Cavalcade of Marvels will perform vaudevillian style theatre in Etobicoke’s Panorama Park, Parks ‘n’ Wreck is presenting an outdoor streetdance event in Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens (North York) and Cajuca Mas Arts Producers is staging an interactive carnival arts exhibition with live Calypso and Soca music in Scarborough’s Neilson Park.
Mayor John Tory presided over the Arts in the Parks kickoff at Christie Pits, with Juno award winning artist Quique Escamilla performing, as well as Ten Kills the Pack (both of whom will be doing shows as part of the Arts in the Parks)—both with the pedal-powered assistance of the Tune Your Ride Collective.
The Mayor was joined by Toronto Arts Foundation CEO Claire Hopkinson and Councillor John Filion (Ward 23 Willowdale), the City’s Arts Advocate.
It is the biggest, most inclusive arts initiative that Toronto has ever seen, staged in every corner of the city, from east Scarborough to west Etobicoke, from the waterfront to northernmost North York, with a special emphasis on underserviced areas.
“We have so many extraordinary artists in Toronto and so many parts of the city that rarely get to see them,” said Toronto Arts Foundation CEO Claire Hopkinson.
“We are thrilled that Arts in the Parks will be bringing amazing and free entertainment to so many neighbourhoods. It fits perfectly with our vision of Creative City: Block by Block.”
Arts in the Parks is a new initiative for the Toronto Arts Foundation and the Toronto Arts Council, being presented in partnership with City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation, Arts and Culture Services and Park People. The City’s new streamlined permit process for grassroots artists is crucial to its success. It will encourage community building, greater enjoyment of local parks and offer entertaining and free arts events for both residents and tourists of all ages.
To find out what Arts in the Parks events are happening in your neighbourhood, or in any part of the city, check out www.artsintheparksto.org where you will see an interactive map. Follow us on twitter via #ArtsintheParksTO.
The Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that encourages artistic excellence and access to the arts throughout the city through private sector investment. Its sister organization the Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is the City of Toronto’s funding body for artists and arts organizations.
For more information:
Sean Mallen, cell: 416-602-9772 sean@seanmallencommunications.com