YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE PRESENTED BY VIRGIN MOBIILE Free Summer Events in the Heart of the City!
Serenades in the Square – FREE Lunchtime jazz, roots and folk
Wednesday, May 12 MAIKO WATSON 12:30pm-1:30pm
Maiko Watson’s songs are everyday stories of love, heartbreak, optimism and strength. Her sound is a melting pot of earthy, vintage tones, where classic soul meets the twenty first century, layered with reggae and rock, and topped by jazzy vocal stylings. In 2001 Maiko Watson beat out four thousand young women to become a member of Sugar Jones, a girl group spawned from reality TV show “Popstars”. Since Sugar Jones, Maiko has become a multi-instrumentalist. Her solo debut album “Sweet Vibration” has been winning critical praise across the country. “NNNN” – NOW Magazine.
Wednesday, May 19 ELIZABETH SHEPHERD 12:30-1:30pm
Elizabeth Shepherd is among Canada’s most promising young talents and she has the widespread critical acclaim to prove it. The rave reviews for her first two studio albums as well as sold-out performances at prestigious venues like Tokyo’s Cotton Club, London’s Jazz Café and the Hollywood Bowl have been extremely gratifying for Shepherd, but the Toronto-based singer/songwriter/pianist has never been content to rest on past achievements. _Shepherd’s debut Start To Move (2006) and follow-up Parkdale (2008) were both JUNO nominated and described as “pushing the boundaries of jazz”. With the release of her stunning third album Heavy Falls the Night, she pushes well past those boundaries to carve out her own niche of smart, sophisticated and adventurous music.
Wednesday, May 26 LADIES OF THE CANYON 12:30-1:30pm
Built of four of the strongest musical voices in Montreal’s thriving, celebrated scene, Ladies of The Canyon’s sound is as polymorphic, true and passionate as its members. LOTC are candy sweet folk pop one minute and heart-wrenching soulful complaint the next. Their music always follows the spirit of the moment – ethereal folkie fingerstyle guitar licks might escape suddenly to pounding rock drums and bass, heavy grooves or lush vocal harmonies that soar over a simple piano melody. The undercurrent maintained throughout, however, is more than a little bit country. LOTC are the sexy breeders of a timeless, roots-influenced sound that is addictive and moving.
Arts at the Heart – Weekend Artisan Market
This program runs in conjunction with community festivals and other events.
Artisans feature high quality, unique, one-of-a-kind handcrafted items with a wide variety of cultural influences. Receive a free reusable tote designed by Toronto artist Yasmine Louis with a minimum purchase of $10.
Saturday, May 8 11am – 11pm (in conjunction with United We Rock)
Sunday, May 9 12pm – 7pm
Friday, May 14 11am – 11pm
Saturday, May 15 11am – 11pm (in conjunction with Trek for Teens)
Sunday, May 16 12pm – 7pm
Friday, May 21 11am – 11pm
Saturday, May 22 11am – 11pm
Sunday, May 23 12pm – 7pm
Monday, May 24 12pm – 7pm
Sunday, May 30 12pm – 7pm (in conjunction with Walk for Values)
Community Events and Festivals
Saturday, May 8 - United We Rock
Saturday, May 15 - Trek for Teens
Monday, May 17 - EMS Week
Thursday, May 20 – Safe Boating Week Launch
Wednesday, May 26 – Bollywood Night
Saturday, May 29 - desiFEST
Sunday, May 30 - Walk for Values
For more information, visit www.ydsquare.ca
EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
