Events in Toronto – May 29 – 31, 2015

1. SING! Vocal Arts Festival

A festival of a capella music. The fourth annual celebration of Canadian and International vocalists.

2. RAM Koor Canadian Tour

Lauded as one of the crown jewels of Estonian culture, its performances and recordings reflect Estonian music both centuries old and contemporary, as well as the great choral repertoire of the Baltic region and further afield. Repertoire includes works by Estonian composer Veljo Tormis, Ukrainian composer Galina Gregorjeva, and Italy’s Giovanni Bonato and Giovanni Gabrieli.

3. Peter Katz

2012 JUNO Nominee, Emerging Artist of the Year nominee at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and Winner of the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, recording artist Peter Katz captivates listeners with his unique brand of contemporary folk music.

4. Yo-Yo Ma

Cello concert by Yo-Yo Ma.

5. Chinese Bamboo flute Concert

An evening of Chinese Bamboo flute with China top flute performers. Flute artists Du Rusong and Wang Chunjie will perform the art of the dizi, the Chinese bamboo flute.

6. Go HARD Toronto

Go Hard Tour: Eric Prydz, Dillon Francis, RL Grime, Big Gigantic, Destructo, Tokimonsta, Cosella, Ethan Kath

7. Bobby McFerrin

During this program — part of a series of international concerts that include Bobby Meets Shanghai and Bobby Meets Prague — McFerrin and the audience will interact, improvise and make a joyful noise with this show’s special, all-local guests: George Sawa (Arabic instruments), Muthadi Thomas (West African drums), Kyle Brenders (saxophone), Cadence (male vocal quartet) and Michael Caldwell (dancer). Come hear what happens when Bobby Meets Toronto!

8. Tony Carreira

9. Dariush

Dariush is considered one of the greatest Iranian artists in the history of pop, best known for his warm and poignant bass voice heard in both ballads and socio-political songs.

10.Miriam Toews

Three songwriters, and three writers, will debut newly commissioned works evoked and inspired by the catalogue of Winnipeg’s Giller-nominated Miriam Toews, creating new art out of existing art (songs, stories, poems and more). The evening will be hosted by writer/musician (and Rheostatic) Dave Bidini and will feature performances by John K. Samson, Christine Fellows, Tom Wilson, Grand Analog, Scaachi Koul, Mustafa the Poet & Miriam Toews.

11. The Art of Rock

More than a feeling, more than words… come and experience “The Art of Rock” as presented by Toronto’s first rock choir, newchoir, with this year’s featured guest, Canadian indie music icon, Sarah Slean. Under the artistic direction of Scott Pietrangelo, newchoir creates a full-on rock concert experience using the unique twist of a traditional choral setting – 160 spirited vocalists accompanied by a killer live rock band.

12. Con Brio!

Featuring J. Estacio’s Brio Tocatta and Fantasy for Orchestra, G. Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and Guest artist Winona Zelenka playing E. Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

13. A Tribute to Nusrat

Celebrating their 15th anniversary, Fanna-Fi-Allah presents the ancient sufi tradition of qawwali with deep devotion. With their ecstatic rhythms, soaring vocal melodies and the searing intensity of their live performances, the group urges us to lift our hearts in exaltation and devotion to the Divine.

1. Performing Arts Events

Performing Arts & Theatre in May

Events this weekend include

Louise Lecavalier in SO BLUE @ Sony Centre For The Performing Arts

Titanic The Musical @ Princess of Wales Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing @ Tarragon Theatre

Halau Hula O Kaleiu’iokalani @ Toronto Centre for the Arts

Ratmansky & Côté @ Four Seasons Centre

The Last Temptation of Jimmie Rodgers @ Theatre Passe Muraille

Finding a Wife for Isaiah @ Toronto Centre for the Arts

How to Kill a Comedian @ The Second City Theatre

Durango @ Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Driving Miss Daisy @ Toronto Centre for the Arts

Bedroom Farce & Of Human Bondage @ Young Centre for the Performing Arts

Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play @ Historic Aztec Theatre

Ballad of the Burning Star @ The Theatre Centre

The Dybbuk, Between Two Worlds @ Young Centre for the Performing Arts

2. Toronto Korean Film Festival

3. COMBUSTIONfestival

Presented by Bad Dog Theatre. This week-long comedy party will bring together some of the most exciting, talented, boundary-pushing, genre-bending, industry-leading improvisers in North America and beyond – to showcase what they do best and to collaborate on festival-exclusive projects and shows.

4. Contact Photography Festival

With well over 1500 Canadian and international artists and photographers exhibiting at more than 175 venues throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

5. T.O. Webfest

T.O. Webfest celebrates the best of web content from Canada and around the world with a host of industry panels and workshops.

6. Inside Out

LGBT Film Festival

7. Odysseo

The unique theatrical production is first and foremost a grandiose three dimensional show where spectators are taken to a live Hollywood-style movie set while the touching interactions between human and horse are at the heart of the action. Layers of mesmerizing decors combined with gravity-defying acrobatic and areal stunts and the staggering effects created by state-of-the-art scenery makes this humongous stage a real 3-D feast for the eyes! Cavalia

1.Pan Am Torch Relay

41-Day Journey of Pan Am Torch relay across Ontario starts on May 30. The relay’s first torchbearer: Colonel Chris Hadfield. The celebration will feature entertainment, including performances by Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra, The Chimera Project, Dance Migration and Jasmine Denham, who will perform the official song of the Games live for the very first time.

2. Toronto FC

vs. San Jose Earthquakes

3. Runs & Walks

Move for Hope

Saturday May 30, 2015 | 11:00 AM -12:00 PM @ Mel Lastman Square, Toronto

Colour Me Rad

Saturday, May 30, 2015 | 9:30 AM @ Downsview Park, Toronto

Walk of Life

5k/10K Run on Saturday, May 30, 2015 | 09:40 AM @ Ontario Science Centre

CARSTAR’s Great Strides™ Walk for Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Sunday, May 31, 2015 Erindale Park @ Mississauga; Mill Pond @ Richmond Hill; Toronto Zoo, Scarborough

Push for your Tush

Colon Cancer Canada’s Annual 1K/5K Walk & 10K Run 0n Sunday, May 31, 2015 | 09:00 AM @ The East Don Parkland , Toronto

The Becel Heart &Stroke Ride for Heart

Sunday May 31, 2015 from Exhibition Place. Ride on Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and Gardiner Expressway.

Road Closure: F.G. Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway (Humber River to York Mills Rd) –

1. Midnight MRKT

Shop local, independent retailers for an array of unique gift ideas including offerings from Blanc De Noir, Shelfies, Nebula Artwear, Citchen Candle Co., Li & Mi, Accessories du Jour, Higgins Would Be Proud, Csaw & Co. and many more! Drinks and street style food are available all night long, alongside DJ sets by Lucie Tic, Dirty Dale and Johnny Hockin. MRKT.

2. Mardi Gras Cruise

Who doesn’t love a night of eating, dancing and dressing up N’awlins style? Best of all you don’t need to spend a small fortune to fly to New Orleans to experience the flavours & party atmosphere of a Mardi Gras celebration. Ditch the mainland patio on Friday May 29 and come aboard Mariposa Cruise’s Mardi Gras Cruise with your friends for a night of good times.

3. Toronto Coin Expo

Canada’s premier coin and bank note collectible show. Featuring 30+ internationally renowned coin & banknote dealers, representing Canada, United States, and World collectible currencies.

4. Jane Austen Festival

Taste, touch, smell and sound: textures of life in Regency England – experience Jane Austen’s world through historical sites, food, clothing, music, lectures, workshops, and of course, a ball! Taste foods from her time and hear the music she played. Learn the dance moves she loved, how to write with a feather pen, what cheese tasted like. You can even try on a Regency gown! Lectures, hands-on workshops, tours, demonstrations and more!

5. People in Motion

Canada’s largest disability exhibition!

6. Halal Food Fest

Celebrate Toronto’s diversity with the best halal restaurants, manufacturers, bakeries and specialty stores representing cuisines from around the world. More than 100 food exhibitors will be on the show floor, ready to serve you their unique offerings!

7. Desifest

South Asian Music concert, desiFEST features 12 hours of entertaining musical and dance performances. It gives audiences of all ages and cultures the ability to enjoy South Asian music, arts and culture. Included in the celebrations for the day are South Asian delicacies in the food market, artisans in the merchant market and the popular Kid’s Zone, entertaining kids with a popular bouncy castle and other activities.

8. Spring into Summer Show & Sale

Don Valley Art Club Show and Sale.

9. Canterbury Creative Arts Show & Sale

An eclectic group of 20 artists present their work. Plan to attend and enjoy a glass of wine and finger foods in our lounge.

10. What’s Springing Up

Learn about what is being planted in the new garden and take in horticultural demonstrations. Make ice-cream on the porch and watch heritage demonstrations in the historic house. Join us for tea and hands-on activities on the lawn.