Mimi O’Bonsawin is an award-winning contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario and a member of the Odanak First Nation. Blending W8banaki (Abénaki) and French Canadian heritage with story-driven songwriting, her music combines uplifting melodies, acoustic instrumentation, and a deep connection to the natural world.

Named Solo Artist of the Year at the 2025 Prix Trille Or Awards, Mimi has toured across Canada, Australia, and France. Her acclaimed albums Willow, Boréale, and Live In Concert have earned national recognition and multiple award nominations. Performing as a duo with percussionist Ryan Schurman, she creates intimate, joyful, and inspiring live performances.

Don’t miss this free outdoor concert series that showcases diverse, contemporary talent set within the natural beauty of Toronto Botanical Garden. Enjoy eight FREE concerts in the Garden on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in July and August.

July 16 | Latin Swing Orchestra

Bass player Fhanor Molina began his musical training in Cali, Colombia. He is a highly recognized Latin artist and founder of the Latin Swing Orchestra, who carry forward the modern musical legacy of Salsa and Tropical Music and tour throughout Ontario.

General seating is available on a first-come basis. Guests can also bring their own chairs. Concerts are held rain or shine. This is a very popular summer concert series, so we recommend arriving early so you can enjoy a relaxing experience, wander the gardens, register for a pre-concert guided tour or grab a BBQ dinner at the Dandelion Cafe.

The Edwards Summer Music Series is generously supported by the Edwards Charitable Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Foresters Financial.

Don’t miss this free outdoor concert series that showcases diverse, contemporary talent set within the natural beauty of Toronto Botanical Garden. Enjoy eight FREE concerts in the Garden on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in July and August.

July 9 | Messenjah

Messenjah is a Canadian-based reggae group that has now become one of the most successful reggae groups in Canadian music history. Formed in Kitchener, Ontario in 1981, the founding members are Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey on lead guitar and vocals, Errol “Skippah” Blackwood on bass and lead vocals, Eric “Baby face” Walsh on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Ray “General” Ruddock on drums.

General seating is available on a first-come basis. Guests can also bring their own chairs. Concerts are held rain or shine. This is a very popular summer concert series, so we recommend arriving early so you can enjoy a relaxing experience, wander the gardens, register for a pre-concert guided tour or grab a BBQ dinner at the Dandelion Cafe.

The Edwards Summer Music Series is generously supported by the Edwards Charitable Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Foresters Financial.

Looking for a Pride experience that’s a little more relaxed, a little more green, and full of good energy? Join us for an afternoon celebration that blends live music, nature, and community in a beautiful garden setting—perfect for first-time visitors and longtime garden lovers alike.

Drop in anytime to experience Pride at your own pace. Stretch out on the lawn with a picnic blanket (bring your own or borrow one of ours), enjoy a curated line up of Queer music artists, and connect with friends and chosen family in an open, welcoming space.

What to Expect:

Live Music + Sofar Sounds: A series of intimate outdoor performances with surprise queer musical guests.
Queer Plant Swap: Bring plants, cuttings, or seeds to trade. Take your plant to the swap table when you arrive and take a ticket to swap. If you don’t find something right away, come back to check for something else as new people and plants arrive throughout the event.
TITA at Our Garden: Spend time with TITA (she/they), your Filipina Auntie, exploring queer plants, self-expression, and the joy of drag.
Sparkle Bloom Bar: Stop by and get blinged up and bloom with pride. Connect with circus fairies who will bedazzle your look with glitter, gems, and fresh floral hair accents.
Food + Drinks: Visit the Dandelion Café for picnic fare, light bites, and refreshing drinks.
Community Partners + Free Family Activities: Drop-in to the Children’s Centre for themed make and take crafting.

This event is supported by the City of Toronto’s Music Office.

This immersive, community-driven project will take place over five weekly programs that include African dance classes, with live music, followed multi-disciplinary performances by musicians, dancers, choreographers, and visual artists in Walter Saunders Memorial Park.

July 4 of 2026/ Session 1: African Dance Workshop with Pulga Muchochoma followed by Performance of Ngoma solo and choreographic exploration by Pulga Muchochoma.

July 11 of 2026 / Session 2: African Dance with Aisha Nicholson followed with performance by Musician Moyo Rainos Mutamba who sings and plays a traditional instrument called Mbira from Zimbabwe.

July 18 of 2026 / Session 3: African Dance with Mafa Makhubalo followed with performance by Musician Moyo Rainos Mutamba who sings and plays a traditional instrument called Mbira from Zimbabwe.

July 25 of 2026 / Session 4: African Dance by Aisha Nicholson followed with a visual Arts Presentation and Exploration with Hans Poppe. 

August 1, 2026 / Session 5: African Dance with Pulga Muchochoma followed with a drum circle led by Cece Haba & Walter Maclean( We invite all the participants to bring drum (Jembe) or any instruments that they wish to play outdoors (pots, cans, flutes etc.).

Rain Dates: August 8 and 15, 2026

Common Ground Dance Days (CGDD) produced by TOES FOR DANCE with support from Flight Festival is a free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory celebration of movement and community that includes:

-energetic and grounded beginner-level dance classes in a variety of styles

-charming and evocative performances featuring both student and professional dancers

-compelling and insightful artist talks through which audience members can learn more about the inspiring featured artists and their creative lives!

This event is connected to Willowdale’s multi-faceted and family-friendly Common Ground Dance Festival that has brought artists and audiences together annually since 2021. In 2026, our programming at Lee Lifeson Art Park is education-focused and will take place over two weekends: September 11-12th and 25-26th. It’s only a hop, skip, and jump away from North York Centre subway station; so it’s easy to join in the fun and try something new! Through our offerings this year, you will be able to witness and experience Indigenous movement traditions, Iranian dance, Bollywood, Western Contemporary, Bharatanatyam, and much more.

Our mission is intercultural, with programming that gathers a diverse constellation of Toronto’s dancers, choreographers, and community members for the purpose of creating connection. We invite you to witness the beauty and power of multiple artistic expressions moving through a shared space, and to contribute your energy and presence to the experience. It is our hope that our friendly vibe, matched with the incredible talent of the artists will move you, uplift you, challenge you, and inspire you.

Whether you’re an experienced dancer or you have an unexplored curiosity for movement, let’s breathe deeply, meet each other amongst the greenery, practice curiosity, and revel in the joys of movement – together!

Note: Common Ground Dance Festival will return with a larger performance-focused format once again in 2027.

Common Ground Dance Days (CGDD) produced by TOES FOR DANCE with support from Flight Festival is a free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory celebration of movement and community that includes:

-energetic and grounded beginner-level dance classes in a variety of styles

-charming and evocative performances featuring both student and professional dancers

-compelling and insightful artist talks through which audience members can learn more about the inspiring featured artists and their creative lives!

This event is connected to Willowdale’s multi-faceted and family-friendly Common Ground Dance Festival that has brought artists and audiences together annually since 2021. In 2026, our programming at Lee Lifeson Art Park is education-focused and will take place over two weekends: September 11-12th and 25-26th. It’s only a hop, skip, and jump away from North York Centre subway station; so it’s easy to join in the fun and try something new! Through our offerings this year, you will be able to witness and experience Indigenous movement traditions, Iranian dance, Bollywood, Western Contemporary, Bharatanatyam, and much more.

Our mission is intercultural, with programming that gathers a diverse constellation of Toronto’s dancers, choreographers, and community members for the purpose of creating connection. We invite you to witness the beauty and power of multiple artistic expressions moving through a shared space, and to contribute your energy and presence to the experience. It is our hope that our friendly vibe, matched with the incredible talent of the artists will move you, uplift you, challenge you, and inspire you.

Whether you’re an experienced dancer or you have an unexplored curiosity for movement, let’s breathe deeply, meet each other amongst the greenery, practice curiosity, and revel in the joys of movement – together!

Note: Common Ground Dance Festival will return with a larger performance-focused format once again in 2027.

Common Ground Dance Days (CGDD) produced by TOES FOR DANCE with support from Flight Festival is a free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory celebration of movement and community that includes:

-energetic and grounded beginner-level dance classes in a variety of styles

-charming and evocative performances featuring both student and professional dancers

-compelling and insightful artist talks through which audience members can learn more about the inspiring featured artists and their creative lives!

This event is connected to Willowdale’s multi-faceted and family-friendly Common Ground Dance Festival that has brought artists and audiences together annually since 2021. In 2026, our programming at Lee Lifeson Art Park is education-focused and will take place over two weekends: September 11-12th and 25-26th. It’s only a hop, skip, and jump away from North York Centre subway station; so it’s easy to join in the fun and try something new! Through our offerings this year, you will be able to witness and experience Indigenous movement traditions, Iranian dance, Bollywood, Western Contemporary, Bharatanatyam, and much more.

Our mission is intercultural, with programming that gathers a diverse constellation of Toronto’s dancers, choreographers, and community members for the purpose of creating connection. We invite you to witness the beauty and power of multiple artistic expressions moving through a shared space, and to contribute your energy and presence to the experience. It is our hope that our friendly vibe, matched with the incredible talent of the artists will move you, uplift you, challenge you, and inspire you.

Whether you’re an experienced dancer or you have an unexplored curiosity for movement, let’s breathe deeply, meet each other amongst the greenery, practice curiosity, and revel in the joys of movement – together!

Note: Common Ground Dance Festival will return with a larger performance-focused format once again in 2027.

Common Ground Dance Days (CGDD) produced by TOES FOR DANCE with support from Flight Festival is a free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory celebration of movement and community that includes:

-energetic and grounded beginner-level dance classes in a variety of styles

-charming and evocative performances featuring both student and professional dancers

-compelling and insightful artist talks through which audience members can learn more about the inspiring featured artists and their creative lives!

This event is connected to Willowdale’s multi-faceted and family-friendly Common Ground Dance Festival that has brought artists and audiences together annually since 2021. In 2026, our programming at Lee Lifeson Art Park is education-focused and will take place over two weekends: September 11-12th and 25-26th. It’s only a hop, skip, and jump away from North York Centre subway station; so it’s easy to join in the fun and try something new! Through our offerings this year, you will be able to witness and experience Indigenous movement traditions, Iranian dance, Bollywood, Western Contemporary, Bharatanatyam, and much more.

Our mission is intercultural, with programming that gathers a diverse constellation of Toronto’s dancers, choreographers, and community members for the purpose of creating connection. We invite you to witness the beauty and power of multiple artistic expressions moving through a shared space, and to contribute your energy and presence to the experience. It is our hope that our friendly vibe, matched with the incredible talent of the artists will move you, uplift you, challenge you, and inspire you.

Whether you’re an experienced dancer or you have an unexplored curiosity for movement, let’s breathe deeply, meet each other amongst the greenery, practice curiosity, and revel in the joys of movement – together!

Note: Common Ground Dance Festival will return with a larger performance-focused format once again in 2027.