LUCIDMEDIA

Luminato Shines A Light On Fun

Written by Catherine Kustanczy Thursday, 04 June 2009 16:43

The third annual Luminato Festival of Arts and Creativity kicks off this Friday, June 5th, and features 10 heady days of concerts, talks, exhibits and performances.

Opening night is kicked off in rockin’ style by Canada’s own Randy Bachman, who’ll be playing Yonge-Dundas Square as part Luminato’s Guitar-themed festivities this year. The guitar goodness continues into Saturday, when thousands of players will join together, hoping to set a world record. They’re aiming to get in the Guinness Book of World Records for being part of the world’s biggest jam session. Hosted by CTV’s Seamus O’Regan, participants will be playing Neil Young’s “Helpless,” which was recently voted the top song in Luminato’s Great Canadian Tune Contest. Registration begins at 2 pm. 

Over at Massey Hall on Friday night, bluegrass legend Buddy Miller (who recently played with Alison Krauss and Robert Plant on their Grammy Award-winning album Raising Sand) will be conjuring up the spirit of the Appalachia along with fellow bluegrass artists Emmylou Harris and Patti Grifin. And Canadian favourite Neil Young will be saluted at Massey Hall days later, with The Canadian Songbook, a tribute concert featuring a host of celebrated musicians including Sarah Slean, Carole Pope, Colin Linden and Holly Cole.

In addition to music, there’s plenty for performing arts fans. Theatre powerhouse Robert LePage brings his monumental nine-hour epic Lipsynch to Toronto. LePage’s work explores the interconnected lives of nine people over 70 years, and received glowing reviews during runs in London, Sydney, and Madrid. Lest you think sitting through nine hours is too much to ask, don’t worry: the piece includes four intermissions and one extended break –or you can opt to see the show spread out over three nights. LePage will also be taking part in a public chat prior to his performance on June 6th; he’ll be part of Illuminations, the talking-artist series, discussing Lipsynch and its genesis.

The work of Edgar Allan Poe also features prominently in this year’s programming –which is fitting, considering it’s the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birth in Baltimore. “A Poe Cabaret: A Dream Within A Dream” features Poe-inspired music sung by steamy Canadian chanteuse Patricia O’Callaghan, while Nevermore, produced by Edmonton’s award-winning Catalyst Theatre, takes an imaginary take on the life and death of the famous gothic writer. The show comes to Toronto hot on the heels of its national debut at the Magnetic North Theatre Festival in Ottawa.

The Young Centre will also be abuzz with activity: the New Waves Festival happens down at the Distillery District hotspot during Luminato’s weekends. Weaving multidisciplinary approaches with a range of artistic media, the New Waves Festival features the work of the newly-installed Young Centre resident artists, including composer David Buchbinder, dancer Robert Campanella author Noah Richer, director Weyni Mengesha, and many more. The Centre, already a hub of creative activity, is sure to feature some inspired collaborations and combinations.

In terms of unusual combinations, you can’t get much more unique than a theatre artist taking on a jazz legend. Hailed theatre artist Pierre Brault ties the twin aspects of theatre and music together with his piece 5 O’Clock Bells, which explores the life and work of jazz guitarist (and one-time teacher of Randy Bachman) Lenny Breau. The piece sold out during its run in Ottawa earlier this year, and won the Outstanding New Creation Award at the second annual Rideau Awards, which honours the best in Ottawa professional theatre.

Visual art is also well-represented at this year’s festival. For instance, the Redball Project, by Kurt Perschke, will be rolling through the city making its Canadian debut. Part performance piece, part sculpture, Perschke’s work is never dull or predictable; the artist’s passion is in investigating urban landscapes, and what better way, than with an enormous red ball wedged into the drab concrete slabs of Nathan Phillips Square? The ball will also be appearing at Old City Hall, First Canadian Place, Ryerson, and Queen Street West.

Fans of author Neil Gaiman are in for a treat, as the Coraline author brings his latest work, The Graveyard Book, to town for a reading and book signing June 8th. Gaiman is noted for his liberal mix of the fantastical and the frightening, and won the 2009 John Newbery Medal for children’s literature. The genre itself receives a review with showings around the city of the best artwork from Canadian children’s literature, while gothic lit fans will be treated to trio of authors Patrick McGrath, Sarah Langan, and Monique Proulx read from their latest works.

The National Ballet will be part of this year’s Luminato as well, offering a spicy, sexy, dance version of the famous Georges Bizet opera Carmen at the Four Seasons Centre. If you’re feeling feather-footed yourself, you might want to take part in Light On Your Feet, Luminato’s outdoor dance party, happening nightly in Yonge-Dundas Square. Each evening has a different theme (disco, salsa, big band, swing) and lessons are available. Just in case you need a breather, the Hard Rock Café at the Square has Luminato entertainment too: local blues band Raoul and The Big Time (voted Now Magazine's Best Blues Artist of 2007) will be performing, along with other guests artists from the festival’s Guitar celebrations.

When it comes to rock, Goran Bregovic fits the bill nicely. The Balkan rock superstar closes the Festival June 13th with the release of his latest album, Alkohol. The night before, he’ll be playing a free concert at Yonge-Dundas Square. Considering the rise and popularity of gypsy-punk as a music genre, Bregovic is a suitable choice, having been one of its greatest ambassadors and champions.

Perhaps the best thing about Luminato, aside from the sheer range and diversity of events, is the fact that most of the programming is free. The Festival is also important because it gives people both in and outside the city a chance to explore culture from various vantage points, without feeling they need to be part of a cultural “in group.” There’s no sense of exclusivity or poshness, but rather, a refreshing, inclusive feeling that incorporates exploration and inspiration. Dancing in Dundas Square, chasing a red ball, rocking out to the blues… fun, good, and illuminating. Here’s to year three!