Common Ground Dance Festival

Festival Timings
Thursday, Sept 18: 6–9pm
Friday, Sept 19: 6–9pm
Saturday, Sept 20: 2–6:15pm

Festival Description
Common Ground Dance Festival 2025
September 18–20 in Willowdale, North York (Toronto)

Common Ground Dance Festival, produced by TOES FOR DANCE, is a free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory celebration of movement and community that includes interactive workshops for all levels, artist talks, site performances, and mainstage performances. In 2025, our 5th anniversary year, Lee Lifeson Art Park (North York) is our main festival location, with performances and workshops taking place between September 18–20.

Through our festival offerings this year, you will be able to witness artists working across a wide range of dance practices including Hip Hop, Bharatanatyam, Western Contemporary, Garba, Indigenous Hoop, Flamenco, and dances of Indigenous Latinx and Afro-Caribbean influences.

The festival’s mission is intercultural, with programming that gathers a diverse constellation of Toronto’s artists 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 on stage, 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! We are looking forward to welcoming you.

Registration (FREE) has been launched via Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/common-ground-dance-festival–2025

RSVP to let us know you’re attending and receive important event information directly in your inbox, including pre-event reminders with confirmed event details, and any schedule updates/changes due to inclement weather for outdoor events.

CGDF is made possible with funding from the City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Canada. We gratefully acknowledge additional support from Arts in the Parks, North York Arts, Yonge North York BIA, Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association/Willowdale Arts Collective, TO Live, and the Toronto Transit Commission.

More details at: https://www.toesfordance.ca/common-ground

Rain date: September 21

Common Ground Dance Festival

Festival Timings
Thursday, Sept 18: 6–9pm
Friday, Sept 19: 6–9pm
Saturday, Sept 20: 2–6:15pm

Festival Description
Common Ground Dance Festival 2025
September 18–20 in Willowdale, North York (Toronto)

Common Ground Dance Festival, produced by TOES FOR DANCE, is a free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory celebration of movement and community that includes interactive workshops for all levels, artist talks, site performances, and mainstage performances. In 2025, our 5th anniversary year, Lee Lifeson Art Park (North York) is our main festival location, with performances and workshops taking place between September 18–20.

Through our festival offerings this year, you will be able to witness artists working across a wide range of dance practices including Hip Hop, Bharatanatyam, Western Contemporary, Garba, Indigenous Hoop, Flamenco, and dances of Indigenous Latinx and Afro-Caribbean influences.

The festival’s mission is intercultural, with programming that gathers a diverse constellation of Toronto’s artists 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 on stage, 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! We are looking forward to welcoming you.

Registration (FREE) has been launched via Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/common-ground-dance-festival–2025

RSVP to let us know you’re attending and receive important event information directly in your inbox, including pre-event reminders with confirmed event details, and any schedule updates/changes due to inclement weather for outdoor events.

CGDF is made possible with funding from the City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Canada. We gratefully acknowledge additional support from Arts in the Parks, North York Arts, Yonge North York BIA, Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association/Willowdale Arts Collective, TO Live, and the Toronto Transit Commission.

More details at: https://www.toesfordance.ca/common-ground

Rain date: September 21

Common Ground Dance Festival

Festival Timings
Thursday, Sept 18: 6–9pm
Friday, Sept 19: 6–9pm
Saturday, Sept 20: 2–6:15pm

Festival Description
Common Ground Dance Festival 2025
September 18–20 in Willowdale, North York (Toronto)

Common Ground Dance Festival, produced by TOES FOR DANCE, is a free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory celebration of movement and community that includes interactive workshops for all levels, artist talks, site performances, and mainstage performances. In 2025, our 5th anniversary year, Lee Lifeson Art Park (North York) is our main festival location, with performances and workshops taking place between September 18–20.

Through our festival offerings this year, you will be able to witness artists working across a wide range of dance practices including Hip Hop, Bharatanatyam, Western Contemporary, Garba, Indigenous Hoop, Flamenco, and dances of Indigenous Latinx and Afro-Caribbean influences.

The festival’s mission is intercultural, with programming that gathers a diverse constellation of Toronto’s artists 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 on stage, 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! We are looking forward to welcoming you.

Registration (FREE) has been launched via Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/common-ground-dance-festival–2025

RSVP to let us know you’re attending and receive important event information directly in your inbox, including pre-event reminders with confirmed event details, and any schedule updates/changes due to inclement weather for outdoor events.

CGDF is made possible with funding from the City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Canada. We gratefully acknowledge additional support from Arts in the Parks, North York Arts, Yonge North York BIA, Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association/Willowdale Arts Collective, TO Live, and the Toronto Transit Commission.

More details at: https://www.toesfordance.ca/common-ground

Rain date: September 21

Rosyland: Park Performances & DIY Melodies

ROSYLAND returns this August.

Every Thursday evening, Lee Lifeson Art Park in North York transforms into a creative wonderland that celebrates friendship, community, environmental sustainability, and the universal language of music.

Bring your family, friends, and furry companions.
Pack a picnic, find a spot, and settle in for a fun, interactive concert!
Come early to get hands-on at the DIY and upcycling station. Stick around after the show to meet the musicians and check out their unique instruments up close.

What to expect:
🎨 5:30 PM – Creative Pre-Concert Activities
🎶 6:30 PM – Make music and improv with us: artists + community!
🤗 7:30 PM – Meet & Greet with Musicians
🌙 8:30 PM – Event Ends

4 Rosyland events are part of Arts In The Parks Toronto and is FREE to attend.

Thanks to the support of Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Foundation, Music Performance Trust Fund, and Li Delun Music Foundation.

Rosyland: Park Performances & DIY Melodies

ROSYLAND returns this August.

Every Thursday evening, Lee Lifeson Art Park in North York transforms into a creative wonderland that celebrates friendship, community, environmental sustainability, and the universal language of music.

Bring your family, friends, and furry companions.
Pack a picnic, find a spot, and settle in for a fun, interactive concert!
Come early to get hands-on at the DIY and upcycling station. Stick around after the show to meet the musicians and check out their unique instruments up close.

What to expect:
🎨 5:30 PM – Creative Pre-Concert Activities
🎶 6:30 PM – Live Concert of Brazilian chamber jazz ensemble with Oná Ensemble
🤗 7:30 PM – Meet & Greet with Musicians
🌙 8:30 PM – Event Ends

4 Rosyland events are part of Arts In The Parks Toronto and is FREE to attend.
Thanks to the support of Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Foundation, Music Performance Trust Fund, and Li Delun Music Foundation.

About  Oná Ensemble
Jazz with French horns? Jazz with a bassoon? Here’s something you may not have heard before.

Oná Ensemble is a Canadian-Brazilian chamber jazz ensemble inspired by the music of Brazil. The ensemble’s unique instrumentation of two French horns, bassoon, reeds (flute, clarinet, saxophone), guitar and percussion provides a captivating, global, classical sound combined with the soul of jazz.

Oná performs traditional Brazilian choro, samba and jazz led by band leader Olivia Esther’s French horn!

Rosyland: Park Performances & DIY Melodies

ROSYLAND returns this August.

Every Thursday evening, Lee Lifeson Art Park in North York transforms into a creative wonderland that celebrates friendship, community, environmental sustainability, and the universal language of music.

Bring your family, friends, and furry companions.
Pack a picnic, find a spot, and settle in for a fun, interactive concert!
Come early to get hands-on at the DIY and upcycling station. Stick around after the show to meet the musicians and check out their unique instruments up close.

What to expect:
🎨 5:30 PM – Creative Pre-Concert Activities
🎶 6:30 PM – Live Concert of Chinese instruments with Spark ensemble
🤗 7:30 PM – Meet & Greet with Musicians
🌙 8:30 PM – Event Ends

4 Rosyland events are part of Arts In The Parks Toronto and is FREE to attend.
Thanks to the support of Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Foundation, Music Performance Trust Fund, and Li Delun Music Foundation.

ABOUT SPARK ENSEMBLE
Spark is an ensemble of Chinese instrumentalists from across the Greater Toronto Area with a mission of challenging boundaries and exploring possibilities with music for Chinese instruments.

Its core group: Gavin Zhang, an erhuist trained in Beijing and Vancouver; Matthew Poon, a conductor and music professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Mike Liu, a sheng player, tubist, and secondary school music teacher for the Toronto District School Board; and Tracy Chan, a ruan specialist trained by the Hong Kong Music Office.

Rosyland: Park Performances & DIY Melodies

ROSYLAND returns this August.

Every Thursday evening, Lee Lifeson Art Park in North York transforms into a creative wonderland that celebrates friendship, community, environmental sustainability, and the universal language of music.

Bring your family, friends, and furry companions.
Pack a picnic, find a spot, and settle in for a fun, interactive concert!
Come early to get hands-on at the DIY and upcycling station. Stick around after the show to meet the musicians and check out their unique instruments up close.

What to expect:
🎨 5:30 PM – Creative Pre-Concert Activities
🎶 6:30 PM – Live Concert of medieval, renaissance, and folk melodies performed by Muffin Hat Music
🤗 7:30 PM – Meet & Greet with Musicians
🌙 8:30 PM – Event Ends

4 Rosyland events are part of Arts In The Parks Toronto and is FREE to attend.
Thanks to the support of Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Foundation, Music Performance Trust Fund, and Li Delun Music Foundation.

ABOUT MUFFIN HAT MUSIC
Lisa Hartl and Paul Carter, the dynamic duo behind Muffin Hat Music, bring medieval, renaissance, and folk melodies to the stage and the dance floor!

They can often be seen tinkering with their weird and wonderful assortment of historical string, percussion and wind instruments. Muffin Hat Music explores the thin line between medieval melodies and the traditional folk dances of Western Europe that still exist today.

@muffinhatmusic

Kokserek

Bring your whole family to the fun and engaging workshops in dance theatre, contemporary and traditional dances and stay for creative dance theatre performances from professional dancers and actors!

Rain date: August 31

Kokserek

Bring your whole family to the fun and engaging workshops in dance theatre, contemporary and traditional dances and stay for creative dance theatre performances from professional dancers and actors!

Rain date: August 31

Kokserek

Bring your whole family to the fun and engaging workshops in dance theatre, contemporary and traditional dances and stay for creative dance theatre performances from professional dancers and actors!

Rain date: August 24