Cozy Concerts in the Wonder Garden
Wednesday, May 18th 11am
Sing Along Tim and the Pacifiers | Folk Rock
Tim Machin and the Pacifiers-from old and traditional to new and original via some of the greats like Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger and Sharon Lois and Bram. Each song is performed in a way that encourages audiences to join in and experience the joy of making music together. They have played at the Montreal Folk Festival, Ancaster Fall Fair and the Mariposa Folk Festival, where they were thrilled to share the stage and some songs with Bram from Sharon Lois & Bram. They perform regularly at Sick Kids Hospital. This summer they will be at Hillside Festival in Guelph, the Oakville Children’s Festival, Millrace Folk Festival in Cambridge and their local library! They are delighted to be part of this wonderful festival
Wednesday, May 18th, 6:30
Autorickshaw |World Music
Autorickshaw’s music lies on the cultural cutting edge, as contemporary jazz, funk and folk easily rub shoulders with the classical and popular music of India. Formed in 2003, Autorickshaw is one of the most intriguing acts on the world music and jazz landscapes, garnering 2004 and 2007 JUNO nominations for World Music Album of the Year, winning a Canadian Independent Music Award in 2005, and a John Lennon Songwriting Competition Grand Prize in World Music and the CAPACOA Touring Artist of the Year award, both in 2008. This critically acclaimed, cutting edge world music ensemble released their fourth CD in November 2013. Driving and danceable, the new sound includes reinterpretations of Indian folk songs, groove-driven Canadian pop, vintage Bollywood, and hypnotic south Asian traditional selections with a twist.
Thursday, May 19th, 11am
John Campbell |Soul
John Campbell has been composing and performing since his childhood. Based in Toronto, John is active not only in the local music scene but in acting and modeling as well. John’s music can best be described as Adult Contemporary / Soul with a wide musical range and influences. John’s musical influences include such musical heavyweights as Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Seal and Sting. His original compositions draw on deeply personal themes, but appeal to a universal audience.
Thursday, May 19th, 6:30pm
Cosima Grunsky | Folk
Sponsored by Prologue to the Performing Arts
Cosima is a singer-songwriter, artist, mother of two little boys and has been singing and performing to live audiences since she was eight years old, accompanying her dad, Juno award-winning children’s artist, Jack Grunsky. Some highlights were singing the national anthem at a Blue Jays game in the Skydome, opening for Jim Cuddy in concert, TV appearances on ‘Mr. Dress-Up’ and the Toronto Sick Children’s Telethon. To this day Cosima performs as a singer and percussionist in her dad’s band.
In the last 15 years she has also branched out into the children’s music scene performing at numerous venues and festivals for children and recently, releasing her third children’s recording, ‘The Whole World Sings With Me’, which received strong responses from the public and schools and has garnered a nationwide distribution deal.
Cosima continues to perform with her dad as a back up musician and is working on new songs for a future children’s CD release. www.cozymusic.ca
Friday, May 20th, 6:30pm
WeeFestival Family Jam
Kick back and celebrate the arrival of the long weekend with the WeeFestival team as they stir up some musical fun. Bring an instrument and join in. There will be dancing and silliness.
Saturday, May 21st, 11am
Cathy Nosaty | Various Genres
“Participlay!”
Cathy began her musical training as a classical pianist and her love of creative collaboration led her to work in dance, theatre and scoring to picture. Cathy has created scores for over 90 Canadian theatre for young audience productions including the premieres of Alphonse (Theatre Direct), L’Envol de l’Ange (DynamO Théâtre), Jack and the Bean and i think i can (Young People’s Theatre), Comet in Moominland and Where the Wild Things Are (Manitoba Theatre For Young People). Cathy was Assistant Conductor/Keyboardist for the Toronto company of JERSEY BOYS and was a founding member of theatre company CANADIAN CONTENT THEATRE which toured Canada performing for school and family audiences. Using music, dance and guided play Cathy will lead participants through a joyful, imaginative PARTICIPLAY! session packed with singing and active fun!
Saturday, May 21st, 6:30
Roula Said | World Music
World in a Garden: lullabies and magical tales from east and west
Roula is a singer, dancer, writer and actor of Palestinian heritage. Roula is the director of Om Laila Studio, which is a fairy treehouse where she teaches Arabic music and Seven Waves Movement. Roula is the vocalist, dancer and percussionista of the funked up Arabic-Roma band, Nomadica. She plays qanun (Arabic table harp), sings traditional Arabic songs and has appeared on many fine theatre and festival stages across Canada. Roula also works at Diasporic Genius, a creativity-based city building initiative with a strong presence in Thorncliffe Park. When she’s not making music, Roula can be found hanging out in one of her WaveCradles – A WaveCradle is a divinely comforting cotton sling for humans of all sizes.
Sunday, May 22nd, 11am
David Macmichael | Indie Rock for Families
David MacMichael is a multi album selling singer songwriter who is best known for fronting indie rock outfit The Danger Bees. David’s writing, which blends sentimentality with humour, is at the heart of his act which has drawn comparisons to Weezer, Elliott Smith, and Ben Folds. Expect a wide range of material when David appears live acoustically with a repertoire of covers and originals several hundred deep.
SPECIAL OUTDOOR CONCERT!
Sunday, May 22nd, 5pm
Samba Kidz | Samba Music
In Lisgar Park (across from The Theatre Centre)
Drum Artz Canada is a registered charity, providing arts-based educational programs to children and youth across the GTA. It is the home of the Samba Kidz After-school Programs, Summer Camps, Workshops, and Performing Troupe. The Samba Kidz have performed at the Royal Ontario Museum, Salsa on St. Clair, Beaches Jazz Festival, and at other events throughout the GTA.