Although SummerWorks includes many paid performances and events, there are several others that are FREE admission. This is a chance to enjoy the festival at no cost, and also a perfect way to sample the festival, if you have not attended before.
Here is a list of all FREE events/performances, starting with one taking place today.
Zong! Meets Garrison
Sunday August 10th, 6pm-10pm
Trinity Bellwoods Park, Corner of Queen St,West and Gore Vale Ave
Live Art Series
(Audience may come and go at any time)
On November 29th, 1781, somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean between the coast of West Africa and Jamaica, 150 enslaved Africans are thrown overboard on orders of the captain of the slave-ship Zong. In 1881, Garrison Creek would be “straightened” between Queen West and the Western Stockyards, beginning a process that would result in the entire river being eventually buried.
Composed from the text, Gregson vs. Gilbert, audience members immerse themselves in the erased history of the Zong and Garrison Creek. Bring your voices, blankets, cushions or chairs and wear white if possible.
Hye Note: I noticed the story will be told by Poet Setaey Admau Boateng with M. Noubese Philip, also a poet. I met Ms. Philip a few years back at an arts festival. I became aware of her writing, which I think other Toronto poetry fans would appreciate. And, of course, I would very much like to be part of sharing this story.
Pier
Sunday August 10th-Saturday August 16th, 1pm-9pm
Surprise locations along Queen Street West
Live Art Series
(Audience are welcome to come and go as they wish)
For seven days of the festival and eight hours each day, Katie Kehoe will sit on a wooden dock she’s built and installed within the SummerWorks zone, engaging with people passing by and inviting strangers to sit with her; treating the dock as a platform for reflection and exchange. A buoy attached to the dock will be marked with the projects social media addresses, inviting people to upload pictures and post comments sharing their experience of Pier.
Hye Note: I think this sounds like an interesting way to engage with festival audience members, and those who are not aware of the festival. It is also a means to engage in dialogue and connect with someone new. If you see Katie on Queen Street, stop and say hello…
Art on the Ballot/Reverse Mayoral Debate
Theatre Centre Main Space
August 12th, 2pm
This event is part of The Conversations Series (see below)
SummerWorks and ArtsVote Toronto offer a policy hack for prospective mayors. Listen in as leaders in the arts and design community debate the function and value of the arts in Toronto, responding to questions posed by the candidates who want to represent you at City Hall. Moderated by Kathleen Sharpe. Mayoral candidates to be confirmed.
Hye Note: Well, given the upcoming Mayoral election, I think important to hear where the candidates stand when it comes to the Arts. Toronto is a city full of great arts and thus, the new Mayor should and needs to be supportive, in my opinion. Let’s hear what the candidates have to say…
Romanceship
Saturday August 16, 1:30pm
The Theatre Centre BMO Incubator
In Development
Reading of the new work in progress by Cliff Cardinal. Follow the story of Dave, a drug and sex addicted fraudster, and Madly, the bulimic and klepto chef. When they break up, Madly announces she is pregnant. Enter the spark that ignites the flame- Rochelle, the transgender crack addict who is fighting to clean up when she falls addicted to fear.
Hye Note: This reading is part of My Picks at the festival. I cannot make the reading, but I am hoping some of you will attend. I am a fan of both Cardinal and d’bi young (actor/spoken-word artist) involved in this reading.
Ecoute Pour Voir
Sunday August 17, 8:30pm
The Theatre Centre
National Series
Equipped with headphones attached to an iPod, dancers and viewers share a choreographed face-to-face over the course of music.Audience members are free to wander from one dancer to the next and observe the subtle intricacies of dance up close.
Hye Note: This performance is also part of My Other Recommendations at the festival. I have become a fan of these immersive and interactive performances at SummerWorks. Hope you take a chance and partake in this one, too.
ONGOING THROUGHOUT SUMMERWORKS
PROMO
August 7th-25th, 8am-8pm
Artscape Youngplace Hallways Galleries
An exhibition exploring local graphic design and poster art for the stage. This year, in collaboration with Artscape, viewers can explore the relationship between graphic design and performance through an exhibition featuring a selection if impressive local graphic designers for the stage. Co-curated by Michael Rubenfeld and Natasha Mytnowych. Featuring the work of Doublenaut,Roxanne Ignatius, Jonathan Kitchen (Light Up The Sky), Tad Michalak, Monnet Desing, Kilby Smith-McGregor, Soulpepper Theatre Company designs curated by Jacob Whibley.
The Conversations
Aug 9th – 16th
To continue promoting investigation through performance, these are a series of public conversations asking SW14 artists to engage in discussion around elements of performance. Prolific performance makers have curated these conversations by choosing a topic to discuss and a group of artists to chat with.
The Re-View Project
The Theatre Centre
Host Linnea Swan reveals the best and worst reviews of the festival. Daily installments online and screening continuously at The Re-View Booth. Festival patrons can submit reviews at boxes in all SummerWorks venues.
With these FREE options and the many other plays and performances, SummerWorks is one of the festivals to experience in Toronto. For full listings, scheduling, and box office details, please go to summerworks.ca.
