World Rhythms – A Showcase of Global Sounds and Culture Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15 – ONLY at Harbourfront Centre (complete event schedule included below)

TORONTO – Harbourfront Centre travelled the four corners of the earth to assemble the incredible line up for World Rhythms. This festival escorts visitors on a journey around the world to bring together globally diverse art, food and culture, an undertaking only Harbourfront Centre could bring to fruition.

With icons of the world music community, traditional and contemporary dance performances, exquisite global culinary demonstrations, awe-inspiring films and visual art displays, as well as plenty of activities for the kids, Harbourfront Centre’s World Rhythms is a gateway to an enriched cultural experience, from Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15.

World Rhythms is part of Harbourfront Centre’s summer long series of festivals, World Routes 2007 presented by RBC. Each weekend from June through September, top Canadian and International artists perform in all of the creative disciplines including music, dance, theatre, visual arts, readings and film. Harbourfront Centre’s unparalleled 10-acre waterfront site is prized for its fun and educational family activities at multiple venues, as well as the ethnic diversity of the International Marketplace and World Café. These rotating shops and cafés are nestled along an expanded boardwalk, and enable visitors to explore and access each weekend's cultural theme through the purchase of unique items and food. All World Routes 2007 summer festivals are FREE admission.

Featured music performances include the incomparable Sa-Ra Creative Partners, the Toronto debut of Motown guitar legend Dennis Coffey, the highly acclaimed Mamani Keita & Nicolas Repac, and the exciting Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca. The Canadian Premiere of the documentary Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté - The Hotel Mandé Sessions is only one of many very special film screenings.

Stunning dance troupe Ballet en Fuego from New Mexico make their Canadian Debut while the body plays percussion in the special dance performance East Meets West featuring Little Pear Garden Collective and Turn on the Tap.

Local musician and world instrument craftsman Nuno Christo will display his unique collection of instruments from around the world and appetites for global cuisine will be satisfied with special Cooking Demonstrations courtesy of local chefs such as Caroline Ishii, Gregg Lewis and Jim Comishen.

World Rhythms at Harbourfront Centre – All events are FREE

Friday, July 13

Music:

8:00 p.m. – The Arsenals – Toronto’s underground Ska legends (Concert Stage)
9:00 p.m. – Soul Influence – soulful a cappella quartet (Toronto Star Stage)
9:30 p.m. – Mamani Keita & Nicolas Repac – Malian songstress and French electronic wizard (Concert Stage)
11:00 p.m. – Pat Braden – Yellowknife based singer/songwriter (Brigantine Room)

Dance:

7:30 p.m. – Hollywood & Tazz (Toronto Star Stage)

Film:

8:30 p.m. – As Old as My Tongue: The Myth and Life of Bi Kidude – Canadian Premiere! (Studio Theatre)

Saturday, July 14

Music:

2:00 p.m. – Fiamma Fumana – Northern Italy’s finest (Concert Stage)
3:30 p.m. – Justin Nozuka – Rising Japanese/Canadian soul star! (Concert

Stage)

7:00 p.m. – Beyond the Pale – Toronto’s genre-defying specialists, presented by Tilley (Toronto Star Stage)
8:00 p.m. – Dennis Coffey – Motown and jazz guitar legend – Toronto Solo Debut! (Concert Stage)
9:30 p.m. – Sa-Ra Creative Partners – witness "The Future of Music" – Canadian Debut! (Concert Stage)
11:00 p.m. – Peace…What It Is! – Sa Ra Creative Partners After Party with DJ Dave Campbell (Brigantine Room)

Dance:

1:30 p.m. - Mosaic Dance (Toronto Star Stage)
3:00 p.m. – East Meets West – Little Pear Garden Collective and Turn on the Tap (Toronto Star Stage)
5:00 p.m. – Tarana Dance Academy (Toronto Star Stage)
5:30 p.m. – Ballet En Fuego – New Mexico’s finest dance troupe – Canadian Debut! (Toronto Star Stage)

Film:

2:00 p.m. – Mariza and the Story of Fado (Studio Theatre)
7:30 p.m. – The World Talks: The San People of Namibia (Studio Theatre)
9:00 p.m. – Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté - The Hotel Mandé Sessions - Canadian Debut! (Studio Theatre)

Food:

1:30 p.m. – Chef Jim Comishen – "Jambalaya" Cooking Class (Lakeside Terrace)
3:30 p.m. – Chefs Caroline Ishii & Gregg Lewis of ZenKitchen – Food Demo (Lakeside Terrace)

Family Activities:

1:00 p.m. – Children’s Craft Rainstick (Kids Zone Tent)

Talks/Workshops:

3:30 p.m. – World Music Instrument Talk with local collector Nuno Christo (Studio Theatre)

Sunday, July 15

Music:

3:00 p.m. – Pacha Massive – Colombian rhythms via New York City - part of the Pepsi Concert Series (Concert Stage)
4:30 p.m. – Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca – Legendary Congolese Rumba (Concert Stage)

Dance:

1:00 p.m. – Bold Steps Dance Studio – Highland Scottish step dance (Toronto Star Stage)
2:30 p.m. – Ballet En Fuego (Toronto Star Stage)
4:00 p.m. – The Road – Emily Cheung and Rina Singha (Toronto Star Stage)

Film:

2:00 p.m. – HerSong "La Colombiana" - WORLD PREMIERE! (Studio Theatre)
4:00 p.m. – Breaking the Silence – Music in Afghanistan (Studio Theatre)
5:30 p.m. – The Cult of Walt: Canada’s Polka King (Studio Theatre) Family Activities:

1:00 p.m. – Children’s Craft Rainstick (Kids Zone Tent)

Food:

2:00 p.m. – Chef La-Toya Fagon – Food Class "Sweet and Spicy Caribbean Style Chicken with Vegetables" (Lakeside Terrace)
4:00 p.m. – Tamales Demo with John Martin of Johny Banana (Lakeside Terrace)