Dusk Dances returns to Withrow Park for its 32nd season from August 2-9, bringing a weeklong festival of exceptional dance works to the public to enjoy outdoors for free!

Porch View Dances (PVD): ‘Real People Dancing In Real Spaces’, an annual award-winning community dance event that engages everyday people as creators, storytellers, and performers – many of whom have never danced before. Audience members are guided through the neighbourhood to see new dance works created by professional choreographers on the front porches and lawns of residential homes. The performance culminates in a “Flock Landing” at the local park, where audience members of all ages and mobility levels are invited to participate in the dance.

Presented by Kaeja d’Dance, PVD celebrates the stories of people in our city, taking dance out of the theatre and into our daily lives, sending the powerful message that art is for everyone.

STARTING LOCATION: At Porch View Dances Lane, Seaton Village

Porch View Dances (PVD): ‘Real People Dancing In Real Spaces’, an annual award-winning community dance event that engages everyday people as creators, storytellers, and performers – many of whom have never danced before. Audience members are guided through the neighbourhood to see new dance works created by professional choreographers on the front porches and lawns of residential homes. The performance culminates in a “Flock Landing” at the local park, where audience members of all ages and mobility levels are invited to participate in the dance.

Presented by Kaeja d’Dance, PVD celebrates the stories of people in our city, taking dance out of the theatre and into our daily lives, sending the powerful message that art is for everyone.

STARTING LOCATION: At Porch View Dances Lane, Seaton Village

Pastoral, Shakespeare in the Ruff’s summer 2026 production, is a hilarious sequel to As You Like It written by playwright Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho). Once upon a time, a young woman named Rosalind disguised herself as a boy and escaped persecution in the forest of Arden, where she fell in love with certified hunk Orlando. Years later, the now-married couple must return to where it all began, when they uncover an urgent threat to their beloved forest. Whether you’re a Shakespeare aficionado or a first-time theatregoer, join us under the willow trees outdoors in Withrow Park for a big-hearted romp penned by one of Toronto’s most exciting playwrights.

August 15 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 16 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 18 (opening performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 19 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 20 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 21 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 22 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 23 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 25 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 26 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 27 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 28 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 29 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 30 (closing performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

Pastoral, Shakespeare in the Ruff’s summer 2026 production, is a hilarious sequel to As You Like It written by playwright Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho). Once upon a time, a young woman named Rosalind disguised herself as a boy and escaped persecution in the forest of Arden, where she fell in love with certified hunk Orlando. Years later, the now-married couple must return to where it all began, when they uncover an urgent threat to their beloved forest. Whether you’re a Shakespeare aficionado or a first-time theatregoer, join us under the willow trees outdoors in Withrow Park for a big-hearted romp penned by one of Toronto’s most exciting playwrights.

August 15 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 16 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 18 (opening performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 19 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 20 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 21 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 22 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 23 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 25 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 26 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 27 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 28 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 29 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 30 (closing performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

Pastoral, Shakespeare in the Ruff’s summer 2026 production, is a hilarious sequel to As You Like It written by playwright Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho). Once upon a time, a young woman named Rosalind disguised herself as a boy and escaped persecution in the forest of Arden, where she fell in love with certified hunk Orlando. Years later, the now-married couple must return to where it all began, when they uncover an urgent threat to their beloved forest. Whether you’re a Shakespeare aficionado or a first-time theatregoer, join us under the willow trees outdoors in Withrow Park for a big-hearted romp penned by one of Toronto’s most exciting playwrights.

August 15 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 16 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 18 (opening performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 19 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 20 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 21 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 22 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 23 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 25 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 26 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 27 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 28 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 29 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 30 (closing performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

Pastoral, Shakespeare in the Ruff’s summer 2026 production, is a hilarious sequel to As You Like It written by playwright Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho). Once upon a time, a young woman named Rosalind disguised herself as a boy and escaped persecution in the forest of Arden, where she fell in love with certified hunk Orlando. Years later, the now-married couple must return to where it all began, when they uncover an urgent threat to their beloved forest. Whether you’re a Shakespeare aficionado or a first-time theatregoer, join us under the willow trees outdoors in Withrow Park for a big-hearted romp penned by one of Toronto’s most exciting playwrights.

August 15 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 16 (preview performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 18 (opening performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 19 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 20 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 21 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 22 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 23 @ 7:30pm-9pm, with special pre-show performance at 7pm

August 25 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 26 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 27 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 28 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 29 @ 7:30pm-9pm

August 30 (closing performance) @ 7:30pm-9pm

The Word On The Street Toronto is Canada’s largest free literary festival, celebrating storytelling, ideas, and the power of books to connect communities. Taking place September 26–27, 2026, at David Pecaut Square in downtown Toronto, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant hub for readers, writers, and publishers of all kinds.

Over two days, audiences can experience an exciting lineup of author readings, thought-provoking conversations, workshops, and performances across multiple stages. The festival also features a bustling marketplace of publishers, booksellers, and literary organizations, offering a unique opportunity to discover new voices, explore diverse perspectives, and connect directly with the people behind the books.

Committed to accessibility, inclusion, and community engagement, The Word On The Street Toronto showcases a wide range of stories that reflect the richness and diversity of Canadian and Indigenous voices and authors. From emerging writers to celebrated authors, the festival creates space for meaningful dialogue and creative exchange.

Whether you’re a lifelong reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious, The Word On The Street Toronto invites you to explore, learn, and be inspired, completely free of charge.

The Word On The Street Toronto is Canada’s largest free literary festival, celebrating storytelling, ideas, and the power of books to connect communities. Taking place September 26–27, 2026, at David Pecaut Square in downtown Toronto, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant hub for readers, writers, and publishers of all kinds.

Over two days, audiences can experience an exciting lineup of author readings, thought-provoking conversations, workshops, and performances across multiple stages. The festival also features a bustling marketplace of publishers, booksellers, and literary organizations, offering a unique opportunity to discover new voices, explore diverse perspectives, and connect directly with the people behind the books.

Committed to accessibility, inclusion, and community engagement, The Word On The Street Toronto showcases a wide range of stories that reflect the richness and diversity of Canadian and Indigenous voices and authors. From emerging writers to celebrated authors, the festival creates space for meaningful dialogue and creative exchange.

Whether you’re a lifelong reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious, The Word On The Street Toronto invites you to explore, learn, and be inspired, completely free of charge.

The Very Silly Summer Slam is Concrete Cabaret’s all ages outdoor experimental puppetry and performing object cabaret. We offer a platform for local performing artists to experiment with materials on stage, in front of a curious audience. You never know what you’re going to see! In previous outdoor cabaret’s we have welcomed a stilt-walking butterfly, a worm queen with 20 work servants, a pair of evil racoons, and a small story about a giant dragon. The Very Silly Summer Slam will feature a collection of short 5-10 minutes pieces, some raucous music, and some silly snacks.

Our outdoor summer cabarets are always offered as a pay-what-you-can experience to an all ages crowd. Come and join us for some radical summer fun!

Performances at 2pm and 4pm