Event Details

Amalgamated in 2017, TO Live (formerly Civic Theatres Toronto) is a City agency which manages and operates the City’s three major civic theatres: the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (1967), Toronto Centre for the Arts (1989) and the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (1960). The mandate of TO Live is to provide quality performance and event facilities and to promote its contribution to the artistic, cultural and social vitality of Toronto and its communities. The three City-owned major civic theatres provide a broad range of performing arts, theatrical and concert events. The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts is the largest soft-seat theatre in Canada. The Sony Centre serves as a cultural hub which presents and promotes local, national and international performances and events. The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts houses two theatres and serves as a home to several Toronto-based not-for profit theatre and music companies. Toronto Centre for the Arts has four theatres that host a wide range of live performance events including theatrical productions, orchestral performances and community events. The TO Live Board consists of 13 members appointed by City Council. It comprises 10 public members appointed through the City’s Public Appointments process and three City Council members, one of whom is the Mayor or Council member-designate. The Board Chair is appointed by City Council and the Vice-Chair is appointed by the Board from among its members. Currently, council members on the board are Gary Crawford, John Filion, and Paula Fletcher.

This application is for “Up Front Festival"; a new multidisciplinary Indigenous festival taking place at Meridian Hall and the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts over three days from September 13 to 15, 2024, during the month of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The festival will feature music and comedy performances, fashion, graffiti art, artmaking workshops and an Indigenous art market, in total showcasing 50+ Inuit, Metis and Indigenous creators and 30+ Indigenous artisans. The festival will be curated by acclaimed Indigenous curators Cynthia Lickers Sage (Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, Tkaronto Music Festival), Candace Scott-Moore (Indigenous Fashion Arts), and Conor McSweeny (Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance). Individual artists are not yet confirmed, but the curatorial team are in discussions with event hosts (ShoShona Kish, Cheri Maracle) and an exciting roster of artists (below). Programming has yet to be finalized, but will include:

(1) Indigenous Art Market;

(2) A free party at Meridian Hall, featuring a traditional welcome and dancing with DJ Classic Roots (tbc), spinning vinyl throughout the night;

(3) Music, theatre, and comedy performances (The National Theatre of Greenland , Shawnee Kish, Blue Moon Marquee, Semiah Smith, Elisapee, Meg McKay & friends, Chad Soloman Puppet Show, Tonto’s Nephews, Cris Derksen, and Aysanabee);

(4) Artist-led workshops on comedy improv, song-writing, and mask-making (Red Pepper Spectacle Arts) and an afternoon talk about masks;

(5) Ojibwe food market Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin (tbc), coffee from Pilot Coffee Roasters and non-alcoholic refreshments from Muskoka Brewery and Collective Arts (tbc).