Luminato Festival
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Each June the Luminato Festival transforms theatres, parks and public spaces across the city and creates a home for artists to play, share and create.
The World Comes to Toronto to Celebrate Creativity
The Luminato Festival was born out of the cultural and creative energy of the city of Toronto and has become one of the preeminent arts festivals in North America. It’s an event for people who are open to having art change their outlook on the world.
5 Things to See at Luminato 2018
With dozens of thought-provoking, outrageous and entertaining events taking place across the city, choosing is hard. We’ve picked our top 5–one with a decided Toronto bias–from each of the categories of music, talks, film, dance and theatre.
1. The Ward Cabaret
The Ward Cabaret recreates the vibrant sound of Toronto’s first multi-cultural neighbourhood. JUNO Award-winning musician and composer David Buchbinder is joined by a collaborative team of musicians, singers and actors for a musical event based on the songs and sounds of Toronto’s first cross-cultural community. June 20 to 22 at the Berkeley Street Theatre.
2. Amal Clooney
Renowned international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney joins her father-in-law, veteran journalist Nick Clooney, for a rare public appearance to talk about the pressing human rights issues facing the world today. June 22 at Roy Thomson Hall.
3. Mankiller
This powerful documentary pays tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nation’s first female Principal Chief. June 9 at Hot Docs Theatre.
4. Malpaso Dance Company with Arturo O’Farrill
Following the sold-out 2015 run, this festival favourite returns with a mixed program of works that show off the artistry, technical skill and dynamic energy of these exciting Cuban dancers along with Grammy Award-winning composer Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble. June 15 & 16 at the Elgin Theatre.
5. Swan Lake / Loch na hEala
From the imagination of one of Ireland’s foremost dance and theatre-makers, Michael Keegan-Dolan, comes a contemporary adaptation of the most famous ballet in the world. Swan Lake/Loch na hEala transforms this age-old folk tale into a transcendent and original illumination of the familiar, with searing modern resonance and visceral impact. June 6 to 10 at Bluma Appel Theatre.