"Muddy York’s" Harbourfront – 214 years later

This once humble conglomeration of dirt roads and small industries has grown into an internationally famous metropolis and one of the largest cities in the world. With the aid of a strongly engaged community and an equally strong government to guide them Toronto cast off its rudimentary beginnings and grew into the architectural and cultural maturity of an internationally acclaimed urban centre.

Among the many attractions such as restaurants, markets, theatres, the island and distillery district plus many others, Harbourfront Centre- on its 10-acre-site - is one such target for the citizens Toronto, with some special entertainment almost every day – starting in July and lasting till the end of August.

It is one of Toronto’s premiere summer destinations.

Here you will find an eclectic diversity of Canadian and international performers at many festivals and events. The free festivals bring over 1000 miscellaneous artists to your eyes and ears. Carnevalissima takes you into the magical world of carnivals, brightening the waterfront with thousands of radiance lanterns, swirling fire dancers and mystical dragons. Spiegeltent’ntavern becomes the social hub for Luminato, the inaugural Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity and more. The World Café serves up diverse and delicious cuisines, while the International Marketplace provides a multitude of treasures.

World Routes 2007 will add sizzle to your weekends: Generations, Beats, Breaks and Cultures, World Rhythms, Dim Sum Chinese Festival, Global Hip Hop: The Four Elements, Island Soul, Hot and Spicy Food Festival, Filipinos Making Waves, Taiwan Ilha Formosa and the Ukrainian Zabava.

This year the Ukrainian Festival – celebrated in the Bloor-West Village in the past – is moving to Harbourfront from August 31 to September 3.

The Ukrainian Zabava will feature The Wedding Show – traditional Ukrainian wedding ceremony complete with bride, groom, live music and dance.

Oleh Skrypka and Le Grand Orchestra fuse jazz and ethnic-disco.

Look for the Ryshnyky Arts Exhibition wedding ceremonial clothes and costumes.

Hard Rockers Ephyra plus the Desna Ukrainian Dance Company combine tradition with contemporary creative vision and much more.

The Toronto Music Garden, located at the far west end of the Harbourfront complex, with its abundance of lush trees and flowers, is beautiful and unique for classical musical concerts. Art lovers will find and experience visual art exhibitions daily in various locations throughout the site, including the Power Plant.

The Artist’s Garden, located in front of the children’s play area, will intrigue you also with wonderful flora planted in old TV sets and other unique innovations and the fauna represented by various bees and the odd bumblebee.

Contemplate the defining moments of your generation. How deep are the roots of your family tree? What legacy will you leave?

Generations are defined by history, cultural movements and shared experiences. They both divide and unite us.

From June to December, Harbourfront Centre is talking about your generation – where it is all relative – and a lot of fun!

As always,

Dick Altermann