Milk International Children's Festival of the Arts - May 22 to 29 - The festival, sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Canada, is a spectacular performing arts extravaganza for families and school groups. Harbourfront Centre will present the 24th edition of its world-renowned festival from Sunday to Sunday, May 22 to 29. The festival, one of North America's biggest and best festivals for young people, showcases the world's finest theatre, music, dance, physical comedy performances and more. The 2005 festival features performances from Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Germany and Spain, including five North American and four Toronto premieres. A fun-filled site with plenty of great activities, including the Dairy Farmers of Canada Art Alley, will round out the festival experience. For tickets and information, the public can call Harbourfront Centre at 416-973-4000 or visit harbourfrontcentre.com/milk;

School by the Water - Through June 24, weekdays - Open to visiting school groups, School by the Water provides a unique lakefront adventure for students from kindergarten to high school. Students gain firsthand experience with strong curriculum links and clear expectations in urban studies by discovering Toronto's waterfront and Island environment, Chinatown and Kensington Market, mapping and orienteering, government study, towers and tunnels; visual arts programs including mask-making, drawing, painting, clay work, weaving, collagraph and more. Returning adventures are: Orienteering at the Toronto Music Garden, an opportunity to explore art and nature; Food, the Marketplace, and You, a chance to visit the St. Lawrence Market and the Redpath Sugar Museum; Discover the Waterfront Aquatic Habitats and Taking Flight, where kids can learn the characteristics of flying. Workshops with Harbourfront Centre's Performing Arts and Literary departments are available. Program cost for a full day is only $9 per student or $7 per student for a half-day. Registrar: 416-973-4091. For more details, the public can check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

International Readings - Wednesdays and other selected evenings - Celebrating its 31st season in 2005, International Readings is one of the oldest and most admired public reading programs in the world. Since its inception, over 4,000 of the world's most distinguished authors have read at Harbourfront Centre, including thirteen Nobel laureates. International Readings is designed to present the public with the finest international novelists, poets, playwrights, short story writers and biographers, while simultaneously providing Canadian writers with an internationally recognized forum in which to present their work. Regular readings take place Wednesdays and other selected evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Brigantine Room, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West (except as noted). Tickets are $8 (free for members and students with valid id). Special event locations and admission prices may vary. For information/updates and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit www.readings.org.

 

International Readings presents Aloud: A Celebration for Young Readers - June 24 to 26 - Bring the family to Harbourfront Centre for three fun-filled days of books by the lake. For information and tickets, the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit www.readings.org.

MARINE

Battle of the Atlantic Ceremony - May 1 - Spadina Quay - A ceremony to mark the 60^th anniversary of the end of World War II - Also, from April 25 to September 15, daily, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a large display on the Empire Sandy showcasing Canada's Naval heritage. Throughout the ship there will be displays of personal remembrances and tributes to the sailors from World War II to this present day. Admission is free. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at harbourfrontcentre.com.

 

Nautical Centre - year-round - Sailing, canoeing, kayaking and tall ship adventures begin at the Nautical Centre. Instruction, charters, rentals, camps and clubs for all ages and abilities are available. Located at 275 Queens Quay West, just west of the Radisson Plaza Hotel Admiral and the Police Marine Unit. For more information the public can contact Queens Quay Yachting Inc. at 416-203-3000; Queens Quay Disabled Sailing Program at 416-214-0358; Toronto Brigantine at 416-260-6355; or the Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak School at 416-203-2277.

Tour and Charter Boats - May through October - Harbourfront Centre is home to many unique harbour tour and charter boats that provide informative hour-long trips around the Inner Harbour, musical or romantic dinner-dance cruises, corporate receptions and private parties. For information on sightseeing tours or how to hold an event in this unique setting with a view of Toronto's spectacular skyline, the public should call 416-973-4094 or visit Harbourfront Centre's website for links.

Visiting Ships - May through October - John and Maple Leaf Quay seawalls - Harbourfront Centre plays host to tall ships, naval vessels and grand pleasure crafts from all over the world from time to time. The public is often invited, free of charge, to board vessels and meet the crew. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or check the Harbourfront Centre website at www.harbourfrontcentre.com

Marinas - Harbourfront Centre operates Marina Four (100 slips) and Marina Quay West (200 slips). For information on seasonal or visitor dockage for these two mainland downtown marinas, the public can call Marina Four at 416-203-2620 or Marina Quay West at 416-203-1212.

SUMMER FESTIVALS

Every summer weekend, Harbourfront Centre presents top Canadian and International artists in music, dance, theatre, film, food, readings, visual arts and family activities at multiple venues, including the CIBC Stage. All events are free admission.

Audiences will experience the rich cultural diversity of each weekend's unique theme (see below) while enjoying a multitude of shopping and eating options at the International Marketplace and at The World Café nestled alongside a new waterfront boardwalk and new finger piers. Harbourfront Centre also features a wide array of weekday events and activities for all ages!

Harbourfront Centre Summer Festivals 2005 include:
* All festivals are free admission *

Barbados on the Water (June 17 to June 19)
Canada's largest celebration of Barbados and Barbadian culture is presented by Harbourfront Centre in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Authority, the Consulate General of Barbados and the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados.

ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers (June 24 to June 26)
A new festival featuring three fun-filled days of readings and family book-centered activities.

Labatt Blue Canada Day Extravaganza (July 1)
Celebrating Canada Day by paying tribute to carnivals and festivals "Canadian Style" with an extravagance of Canadian talent, floating venues, an opening parade, children's carnival activities, Miss Canadiana and the Busker Canadiana Idol Contest!

Extravaganza! A Feast for the Senses (July 1 to July 3)
Mardi Gras to Carnivale - this new festival embraces the energy and spontaneity of the world's beloved festivals.

Beats, Breaks & Culture: Toronto Electronic Music Festival (July 8 to July 10 - presented by NOW magazine)
Exploring Electronic music and culture, as well as its expanding influence in contemporary society.

All Over The Map: A Feast of Global Sounds (July 15 to July 17)
This new festival reveals eclectic World music and culture while examining how geography influences its creation.

Dim Sum: Sampling Contemporary Chinese Culture (July 22 to July 24)
Traditional and current Chinese culture has changed the way we see the world. Find out how East meets West!

Stella Artois Hot & Spicy Food Festival: The Island Soul Edition (July 29 to August 1)
Caribbean vibes, celebrity chefs, hot and cold delicacies and the famous Red Hot Market.

Masala! Mhendi! Masti! - An Explosive South Asian Arts Festival (August 4 to August 7)
Emerging and established South Asian performers showcase hot new innovations and traditional culture.

T.O. Twang: All Things Alt Country (August 12 to August 13 - presented by NOW Magazine)
This new festival turns Rockabilly, Bluegrass, Country Rock and more into Toronto's only Alt-Country festival.

Alexander Keith's East Coast Rhythms: An Exploration of Atlantic Canada's Culture (August 19 to August 21)
This new festival explores and celebrates East Coast culture.

Kick Up Your Heels: Your Chance to Dance! (August 26 to August 28)
This dance festival presents some of the most exciting and innovative dance and music groups from Canada and beyond!

Ukrainian Zabava (September 2 to September 5)
This new festival explores folkloric and contemporary Ukrainian Canadian culture and Ukrainian culture worldwide!

Weekly free admission events at Harbourfront Centre this summer include:

Free Flicks (every Wednesday evening - July 6 to August 17 - CIBC Stage)
Moviegoers of all ages can enjoy outdoor evenings of specially selected films by the lake.

Summer Music in the Garden concerts
(every Thursday at 7 pm. and most Sunday's at 4 p.m. - June 23 to September 18)
The Toronto Music Garden is a City of Toronto park, located on the waterfront at 475 Queens Quay West, between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue. The Summer Music in the Garden series regales audiences with classical music from western and non-western traditions, along with new music and dance. Free Toronto Music Garden walking tours occur Wednesday's at 11 a.m. and Thursday's at 5:30 p.m. Self-guided audio tours are also available ($5 rental fee). This programme is presented by Harbourfront Centre in partnership with the City of Toronto's Department of Parks and Recreation.

Harbourfront Centre Visual Arts (open daily, some spaces closed Monday)
A vibrant variety of Canadian and International visual arts and crafts at six indoor exhibition spaces in York Quay Centre.

Artists Gardens (viewable daily beginning July, 2005)
This programme features more than 20 diverse gardens across the Harbourfront Centre site. Landscape architects, designers, craftspeople, performing artists and visual artists have all created living installations since the gardens began in 1990.

Daily ticketed activities at Harbourfront Centre this summer include:

The Power Plant (June 25 to September 5, $4 admission/$2 students and seniors)
Canada’s leading non-collecting contemporary art gallery hosts the North American premiere of a major touring exhibition featuring the work of American artist Glenn Ligon. This important exhibition surveys the breadth of Ligon’s oeuvre, including painting, sculpture, prints, video and installation work. The exhibition then travels to the U.S. and Europe through 2007.

Tours and Charter Boats (May through October, various prices / call for info) Harbourfront Centre hosts many unique harbour tour and charter boats that provide informative hour-long trips around the Inner Harbour, musical or romantic dinner-dance cruises, corporate receptions and private parties.

Special free admission events at Harbourfront Centre this summer include:

Francofête (June 24 - CIBC Stage)
A celebration of Québec’s official national holiday with a special evening concert featuring dance and music.

Altamira Summer Opera Concerts (August 30 to September 1 - CIBC Stage)
The Canadian Opera Company Orchestra presents three free evenings of arias and overtures.

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