Aluna Theatre‘s CAMINOS 2019 returns to Toronto from October 3 – 13 at Aki Studio and Artscape Daniels Spectrum. This festival focuses on presenting new work by Pan-American, Indigenous and Latinx artists.

As there are many events vying for your attention this weekend, I’m giving you my picks of some of the shows to experience at this year’s festival.

Opening Weekend, October 3 – 5, 7:30 pm
Mura Buai (Everyone Everyone)
Aki Studio
New this year is a special opening weekend presentation by Native Earth – Force Majeure and international guest artist Ghenoa Gela (Torres Strait Islands) share this a showcase of her work with Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island. Gela’s collaborative journey will travel from the Big Medicine Studio to the National Arts Centre to Toronto, for final showings at the Aki Studio.

Wednesday, October 9, 7:30 pm
Diabla Divina
Conqueso Collective (Jeysa Caridad & Adriana Moraes-Mendoza)
Artscape Daniels Spectrum

The story of a young girl and her tumultuous relationship with the Virgin Mary. Submerged underwater, Niña pleads to Maria for guidance after discovering a new part of herself that she can only describe as “dark” – a discovery that has her questioning her value and ability to be loved. Maria brings Niña back to the moments that impacted her most growing up, pushing forward despite Niña’s growing frustrations.

Thursday, October 10, 7:30 pm
Fragmentos
Juan Pablo Pinto & Sebastian Oreamuno
Artscape Daniels Spectrum

Drawing on Julio Ramón Ribeyro’s Alienación, this performance tells the story of a young man who suppresses his Latino identity. With half his body stuck on the inside of a mirror, the performer watches and reacts. This is the moment in time in which the protagonist – the reflection – recognizes that the transformation he has endured has resulted in a fragmentation, a breaking down, and questions whether he should subsist with, or resist, this fragmentation.

Saturday, October 12, 7:30 pm
The Aluna Cabaret
Closing Party and fundraiser for RAICES
(Refugee and Immigrant Centre for Education and Legal Services)
Ada Slaight Hall

Join the CAMINOS artists for the final Aluna Cabaret and support of the work of RAICES. Based in South Texas, RAICES provides legal services for people who are migrating, in detention, or find themselves separated from their families. All donations collected during the evening will go directly to helping people survive a broken system. Bring cash to donate in person, or contact CAMINOS to donate privately via podcast[at]alunatheatre[dot]ca.

Sunday, October 13, 2:00 pm
The Art of Storytelling
Artscape Daniels Spectrum

Combining poetry, storytelling, theatre, and music, the art of storytelling infuses Indigenous tradition and culture with hip hop and current cultural aesthetics bringing the audience on a journey through allegory and myths.

Full festival information can be found here. For tickets / boletos, you can call 416-531-1402 or purchase in advance at nativeearth.ca.

*Photos courtesy of Aluna Theatre.