Experience Toronto’s Cultural Diversity at Nathan Phillips and Mel Lastman Square!

Torontonians are invited to celebrate every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square! If you don’t live in or around Toronto, this is your chance to experience the city’s cultural diversity.

This is a festival that honours Torontonian culture by showcasing top local talent. With new performances from successful Canadian artists and delectable treats from neighbourhood culinary professionals, you won’t want to be anywhere else on Fresh Wednesdays, Tasty Thursdays or Sunday Serenades.

What you need to know:

Fresh Wednesdays

From now until August 27th, embrace the opportunity to participate in one (or all) of these great events! Join celebrated, Juno Award winner Liona Boyd and violinist Yosvani Castaneda who will be performing at Nathan Phillips Square between 10 am to 2 pm. While you appreciate the talent, get your grocery shopping done; pickup Ontario-grown, fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, honey and preserves. That’s not all though, depending on what time you get there, you’ll have a chance to get professional golf tips from P.O.W.E.R. Lesson golf simulator, or show off your breakdancing skills in the ‘Breakin’ for Lunch’ competition that encourages inter-generational engagement, sharing and growth in the community. For observers, enjoy soothing Toronto poetry with appearances from George Elliott Clarke and invited guests. Don’t know what to cook for dinner? Find all the ingredients you’ll need and get inspired by Chef Emily Richards who will be there demonstrating how to create the ideal summer menu! For details, click here.

Tasty Thursdays

Foodies, put those bikinis away, Tasty Thursdays will have you ditching those diets and indulging - weekly - in all kinds of international delicacies. From 11 am to 2 pm every Thursday, participating local restaurants will be at Nathan Phillips Square offering palate pleasing dishes from Asia, India, Latin America, Greece, Italy and everything in between. Try a new flavour every week or stop by for the free music and activities. For a complete list, click here.

Mel Lastman Square

Sunday Serenade

This “free outdoor concert series,” features the fantastic sounds of Ontario-based bands like Orchestra Copacabana, Sophisticated Swing, and Metro Big Band. All you need to do is show up to Mel Lastman Square on a Sunday sometime before August 17th between 7 pm and 9 pm (and don’t forget your dancing shoes!). For a complete list of bands and music genres, click here.

Now that you know what you’ll be doing every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, what restaurant are you booking reservations for Friday night Summerlicious?

Feature image via Wikipedia - photo by Paolo Costa