BRIAN'S BLOG
Toronto Virtual Events: July 2020
June 30, 2020
Immersive Van Gogh (July 1st-September 30th)
Be immersed in 600,000 cubic feet of stunning projection animating the masters’ oeuvre and illuminating the mind of the genius. Wander through giant projections that highlight brushstroke, detail, and colour as you have never experienced them.
Visitors will be immersed in Van Gogh’s works — from his sunny landscapes and night scenes, to his portraits and still life paintings. The installation includes the Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), the Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889).
The exhibition is custom designed to the historic space that housed the Toronto Star’s printing presses at 1 Yonge Street — transforming the industrial into the magical. Experience the organic landscapes of Van Gogh’s imagination, and ride the rollercoaster of Van Gogh’s brilliance and madness.
The Fringe Collective (July 1st-12th)
The Fringe Toronto is the city’s largest, most diverse and entertaining performing arts festival of the year, but because of COVID-19 it’s not happening for the first time in 32 years. In its stead is a virtual fest featuring more than 50 companies – who were all originally slotted to be in the fest – presenting pre-recorded material. Among the anticipated works are Back To Summerland, by Anika Johnson, Barbara Johnston and Suzy Wilde; King Lear… A (Self-Isolating) Puppet Epic, by Tom McGee; A Perfect Bowl Of Pho by rising star Nam Nguyen; and two plays by The Seat Next To The King playwright Steven Elliott Jackson: Sarah/Frank and The Cage.
Toronto Online Art Fair (July 2nd-12th)
Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor art fair has been happening every second weekend in July since 1961, rain or shine, in the heart of downtown Toronto at Nathan Phillips Square.
Over 360 emerging and established contemporary visual artists and makers, working in an array of disciplines, come together to showcase and sell their work directly to the public.
Downsview Park Friday Night Lights Drive In Experience (July 3rd and 24th)
Downsview Park Friday Night Lights is back for another year! This year we will be changing our 4th annual movie nights at the park to a drive-in experience!
We have partnered up with MADE|NOUS to celebrate the works of Canadian creators in film. Please visit www.made-nous.ca for more Canadian content! All our featured films this summer were either shot in Canada, post-production in Canada and include Canadian actors/directors. We are proud to bring you these movies knowing that it was all done where we call home! We have an exciting line up of movies this summer that will make you think, make you laugh, make you scared, make you cry and make you believe.
Toronto Diversity Festival (July 4th)
Let’s Celebrate Our Culture, Heritage, and Inclusion as Canadian!
Join thousands of GTA residents as we celebrate our strength in diversity and build a united Canada. Canadian multiculturalism is at the forefront of civic pride in the GTA, and the Toronto Diversity Festival brings together people of all ages and nationalities to experience the richness of the cultural fabric that makes up our communities as Canadians.
National Virtual Career Fair (July 7th)
The National Virtual Career Fair is hosted to support Canada’s economy and unemployment market as Organizations are preparing to hire and bring employees back to work.
Beaches International Jazz Festival (July 17th-26th)
Due to Covid-19 the Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival is going online! Catch live performances, workshops and interviews from all of your favorite artists on our website and youtube, Instagram and Facebook Pages. Featuring multiple stages and venues, the return of festival favourites and leading musical talent, the annual Beaches International Jazz Festival is one that can’t be missed.
TD Salsa in Toronto (July 18th)
Canada’s largest celebration of Latin culture will be broadcast nationally on July 18th & 19th on TLN TV channel as a televised event taking TD Salsa in Toronto into the homes of salsa lovers! The festival will also be streamed worldwide at tln.ca .
This year’s unique festival format proudly continues to support local artists during these unprecedented times, a mandate that has been important to TD Salsa in Toronto throughout its history. The vibrant lineup celebrates Latino culture through musical performances, dance class instructions, Latin art exhibit, colourful cultural parade features, special guest segments throughout the broadcast and of course non-stop dancing!
Lavazza Drive In Film Festival Summerlicious (July 20th-31st)
The ICFF, Italian Contemporary Film Festival, presented by IC Savings and CHIN Radio/TV, will host a new initiative this summer: a Drive-In at the Ontario Place. In celebration of Canada’s diversity, the Festival will feature an incredible line-up of the latest international films representing countries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Festival will partner with the Italian Embassy, and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross. July 20-31 at 9pm. Price $20-60. Visit www.icff.ca or call 416-893-3966 for ticket information.
Toronto Burlesque Festival (July 23rd-26th)
Both local and international performers present a variety of music, comedy, and a little bit of skin at Revival Bar and MOD Club Theatre for the annual Toronto Burlesque Festival. The 2020 show is scheduled for July 23–26 and instead of taking place in-person, it will be streamed for viewers to see this risqué performance art from home.