Over 40 of the finest Aboriginal music talents from across the America’s descend on the Fort York Garrison Common grounds for a historic 10 day showcase of musical and artistic excellence.
Toronto, ON (May 13, 2015) – The inaugural Aboriginal Pavilion marks a historic occasion where for the first time the ALP (Aboriginal Leadership Partners) comprised of 14 Aboriginal community entities have come together around a common goal of creating a space for Aboriginal musicians and multi-disciplinary artists to shine during the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. As the lone “official” Indigenous music and arts festival taking place during the Pan Am Games, the staging of the Pavilion marks the first time in the history of the games that there has been such a large and strong Aboriginal music presence performing during the world renowned sporting event. The music lineup for the inaugural festival unveiled today features 10 of the overall 19 days and nights of Pavilion programming that features a focused sampling of a who’s who of North American Indigenous musical talents including:
A Tribe Called Red, Crystal Shawanda, Leela Gilday, LightningCloud, Digging Roots, Quetzal Guerrero, Logan Staats, Reyes Poetry and Sacramento Knoxx, Don Ross, Derek Miller and many more!
“The Aboriginal Pavilion is a large-scale celebration of Indigenous music, arts, culture and sport like no other. We’re especially excited for everyone who will get to experience everything the festival has to offer over the 10 days and hope everyone who attends will share in this cultural experience” says Executive Producer, Cynthia Lickers-Sage.
The Aboriginal Pavilion brings together Indigenous musicians and artists from across the Americas in a historic collaboration that celebrates the vitality of Indigenous communities by showcasing works by innovative Canadian and American artists. The Pavilion aims to share the art, music, culture, and traditions of Aboriginal peoples with peoples of other lands and cultures, showcase the diversity within the community, and thus promote greater appreciation and understanding among all peoples. The Pavilion will also occupy one of the largest footprints of any arts festival in Toronto held during the Pan Am Games.
Up to 10,000 festival attendees will enjoy this free admission and family-friendly festival that features an energetic mix of music styles from traditional, rock, hip hop and blues to electronic, pop, classical and folk on the Main Stage. Dance, theatre and family programming will be featured on the daytime Stage. This multi-disciplinary music and arts festival will also feature visual arts and traditional crafts workshops, artist talks, film screenings and a curated exhibition while talented artisans and chefs offer up handcrafted works and culinary treats for visitors in our Artisan and Food Marketplace. Also, in the spirit of the Indigenous community and the Pan Am games, many notable athletes will be animating the Sports Zone, with a special focus on lacrosse. This historically significant gathering of the community’s finest artistic talents coincides with the first time in the history of the Pan Am games that there is a Host First Nation (Mississauga’s of the New Credit First Nations).
The Aboriginal Pavilion’s concert series runs from July 17th – 26th at the Fort York Historic Site’s Garrison Common grounds (250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto). All events are FREE admission. For the full Aboriginal Pavilion schedule and more information please visit: alppavilion.ca and follow @alp_pavilion.
The Aboriginal Pavilion acknowledges the financial support of the Dreamcatchers Charitable Foundation, K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation, Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto – Community Funding.
For high res images, interview requests or more information about the Aboriginal Pavilion please contact:
Dalton Higgins
(o) 416 964-9087 / (m) 647 880-2355
daltonhiggins@gmail.com
www.alppavilion.ca
