Harbourfront Centre’s Day of the Dead festival: November 7, 8

Posted on October 19th, 2009 in Children, Dance, Events, Festival, Music.

Harbourfront Centre’s Day of the Dead festival (November 7 and 8 ) brings Mexican culture to life with traditional and modern music, folkloric dance, storytelling, children’s crafts, film and delicious food demonstrations. Produced in programming partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico, this FREE family-friendly festival is an opportunity to experience this popular Mexican holiday and its vibrant traditions.

Observed for centuries, the Day of the Dead can be traced back to Mesoamerican traditions and beliefs that see death as a continuation of life. Traditionally, Latin-American families celebrate the lives of ancestors and the departed by decorating altars with flowers, sugar skulls, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), and ofrendas (offerings).

All of the above and more can be experienced at Harbourfront Centre from noon to 6 p.m. each day as local artists and community members gather to commemorate this important tradition. Music highlights include Toronto-based Mariachi Fuego mixing mariachi artistry with fun and flair; Café con Pan performing traditional Mexican music influenced by African and European traditions; and hip hop group La Alianza blending Latin rhythms with hip hop beats.

Festival goers can taste the authentic Mexican cuisine from some of Toronto’s best Mexican food vendors and chefs. Pastry chefs from Pancho’s Bakery demonstrate how to make Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead); while Mole, Mexico’s famous spicy-chocolate sauce is cooked up by a local chef.

All events take place at Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West) and are suitable for all ages.
For information the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com.

 

One response

  1. fernando escoto says:

    Added on November 2nd, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    Please come and support the Donald Dawnson project of teaching aerial arts and dance to children in Latin America

    La Compania de Danza Aeria de la Ciudad de Mexico

    We would like to invite you to our fundraising show this Saturday, November 21st at 9 pm. at 2968 Dundas St West and Pacific Ave at the JUNCTION area.

    .

    Time: doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9pm.

    Donation: $10.

    The goal of this fundraising show is to introduce the aerial dance arts in remote areas of Mexico and Central America where children have no access to artistic education.

    We would like to dedicate this project to our friend, wonderful dancer and talented choreographer Donald Dawson who passed away this year.

    Donald graduated The American Ballet Theatre School and choreographed and danced with Ballet Jorgen and The National Ballet of Canada.

    This fundraising event aims to collect $4000 for transporting 1200 pounds of our aerial dance equipment to donate it to the art schools in the South of Mexico.

    In 2007 and 2008 The Toronto Aerial Dance Company provided free aerial dance classes to more than 600 children in Toronto.

    This Saturday, November 21, we would like to present “Black and white” show, combining visual arts, aerial dance, dance music and opera performances.

    Artists:

    Ismailova Theatre of Dance

    choreographer – Merey Ismailova

    Rock-n-roll, contemporary dance, East-European folk

    Dancers: lukas Press, Isneida Morales, Merey Ismailova.

    Special guests – the percussionists Michael Menegon and Hudson Menegon

    Shameka Blake AIM Artists In Motion1

    hip pop dance perform by Esie Mensah,Gigi Semajuste.Tasha “Tazz” Ricketts, Amy Taylor,Alex Spence.Jordan washington,Justin David,Jade”Hollywood” Anderson,Lauren Lyn,Allison Bradley, lius Camplin, Amadeus Marquez,

    Ryan Rader(visual artist/painter)

    Surrealism/creative anatomy

    Melanie Berett

    Ophelia

    modern Dance, multimedia and wather

    choreographer Melanie Bennet

    Yves Beretta mother Earth

    Electronic music/dance/multimedia

    Dancer:

    Melanie Bennet

    tTravis Knights – tap dancer from Montreal

    Jef Kearns – the flute

    Film by Ballet Expresivo

    part of the film competition at n.f.b.

    Film lights Edge choreographer Donald Dawson

    Aerial dance and pole dance by Madeleine Seignoret

    Henry Vivel – Latin pop, folklore and romantic singer

    Adrianna Prosser actor

    Lukas prest chorography veronica Kvon

    contemporany mix whit jazz

    Dancer lukas prest /veronica Kvon

    African Dance

    and more

    Please come and support the Donald Dawnson project of teaching aerial arts and dance to children in Latin America

    For more information please contact us at danza.aerea@yahoo.com.mx