Musicians plating on a pontoon boat

Ready, Set, Reopen: Part II

August 11, 2021

In our last Things to Do, we focused on the reopening of some featured galleries, highlighted live and virtual performances to take in, and provided ways to get creative this summer. With so many exciting arts & culture events popping up across the province, we’re bringing you even more reopening goodness!

Festival Players’ Six Feet Festival

July and August, The Eddie Hotel & Farm, Wellington

Prices vary

Throughout July and August, Festival Players will be presenting a series of theatrical and musical performances in Wellington, Prince Edward County at the beautiful Eddie Hotel & Farm. Savour a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy a socially distanced evening with some of Canada’s most extraordinary artists.

Look out for FLIGHT, an outdoor festival celebrating diverse and Indigenous dance; a meeting ground for expression and education. Playing August 19-22. Add to the experience with classes and workshops as part of the FLIGHT Festival. More information on their website.

CultureShock Community Arts Festival 2021

August 4-7, Artscape Weston Common

Free, register here

CultureShock is a community-driven festival that celebrates and showcases the artistic vibrancy of our community and the diverse cultural backgrounds of local residents within York-South Weston. In its 16th year running, CultureShock provides a forum and a space for artists from the area and across the city to showcase their talent and craft, including dance, music, visual arts, and spoken word.

3 people smiling on a stage with a ghana flag in the background
Credit: GhanaFest

Ghanaian Festival Of Art And Culture

August 7, 2021, Earl Bales Park at the Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre

Free

Showcasing Black Canadian music, dance, fashion, poetry storytelling and arts on one BIG stage, the 9th annual Ghanaian Festival of Arts & Culture will be held Saturday August 7, 2021 at Earl Bales Park at the Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre. The festival is free to attend in person or via livestream. This festival highlights both contemporary and traditional Ghanaian foods, language lessons, games, and a broad spectrum of arts exhibition.

Stratford Summer Music

August to September, Stratford

Prices vary

The magic of Stratford Summer Music comes when they orchestrate music to pop up in the most unlikely and beautiful place this quaint town has to offer. Stroll along the Avon River and listen for local musicians playing a set on the Floating Music Barge! Audiences are invited to walk or bike around the river to follow the music or bring their own lawn chair to enjoy the scenery. There are many picnic tables in nearby parks, and we encourage you to support local restaurants with take-out to add to this experience.

Some examples of the free musical offerings listed below!

  • Aug 6-8: Marcus Nance and Kevin Ramessar at 1pm, Duance Andrews at 4:30pm on the Barge
  • Aug 14: Cris Derksen at 4pm in Market Square
  • Aug 27-29: Dayna Manning and Laura Chambers at 1pm on the Barge

SummerWorks Festival 2021

August 1-31, Toronto

Free

Free, public-facing programming across multiple platforms throughout the month of August. Each day will offer new ways of encountering artists and their work, either in person or through digital formats. Through the month, you will be invited to witness online public sharings, engage with artists through social media, as well as explorations of public access to artistic process, from performance in storefront windows to communal walks through the park.

A band of 4 people playing music outdoors under a canopy
Toronto All-Star Big Band at Muskoka Chautauqua
Credit: Muskoka Chautauqua

Muskoka Chautauqua Family Fun Art Party

August 15 at Muskoka Chautauqua

Free, register here

Fun for the whole family in celebration of Muskoka Chautauqua’s 100th anniversary! Activities will include: arts & crafts, a performance by Jam Sandwich, button making, paddle & stone painting, mosaics, barbeque, bake sale, and more.

Sunday, August 15 at Muskoka Chautauqua: Theatre in the Woods

Check out the other wonderful offerings as part of Muskoka Chautauqua’s 2021 Summer Festival here:
Muskoka Chautauqua 2021 Season

nowhen

August 5-15, Toronto’s High Park Amphitheatre

PWYC

Seven paths, seven stories, converging in celebration of the thing that unites us – place.

In nowhen, York University Theatre and Canadian Stage’s Alison Wong invites guests to explore, and “let go of time, and revel in place” in a two-part, auditory and nature-based experience set in High Park featuring current Theatre at York students.

Pay-what-you-wish. Playing in Toronto’s High Park Amphitheatre from August 5-15 as part of Dream in High Park.

Peterborough Folk Festival

August 18, Downtown Peterborough

Prices vary

As part of the “We Can Do This” Film and vinyl record project, Peterborough Folk Festival has announced their first concert of the year – Juno Award Winning artist Hawksley Workman with Evangeline Gentle! Taking place on August 18 at a transformed Bankers Common Courtyard in Downtown Peterborough DBIA, click the link below for tickets and more info.