Dear Friends of OCAF,
I’m thrilled to share with you the many events OCAF is supporting throughout the province this July. The summer is in full swing with music, performances, exhibits and art opening throughout Ontario. Following a jam-packed June, we are on pace to have a lot more cultural experiences the rest of the summer!
This month we’re excited to see the opening of Muskoka Story, Collingwood Music Festival and Toronto Outdoor Art Fair amongst many others. There’s something for everyone, and we are so proud to see so many diverse organizations put forward great performances for audiences all over the province.
I hope you will take advantage of the weather, the summer energy and the cultural renaissance of summer and enjoy some of the events and activities in our newsletter this month.
Kathleen Sharpe
Executive Director, OCAF
Events On Now: Opening
Muskoka Story
Muskoka Story opens July 4 at the Muskoka Discovery Centre featuring three world class exhibits about the Muskoka we all love and cherish. Starting with the Indigenous presence in Muskoka for more than 10,000 years, then focusing on the last 250 years of development and finishing with an electrified Wanda III as a symbol of our need for sustainability in all parts of our life.
The exhibit introduces more than 10,000 years of Indigenous history and has been created by a curatorial circle of Indigenous elders, scholars and linguists representing the four cultural groups including Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabek, Metis and Haudenosaunee that are part of that history. You can also visit Wanda III, a ship that is a sterling example of the bygone steam era and one of the few surviving steam yachts. With the transition to electric power she has also now become a symbol of sustainability and our need to make our world a more environmentally friendly place.
There is lots to discover and learn about Muskoka at Muskoka Story for the whole family.
Learn more.
Collingwood Music Festival
The Collingwood Music Festival brings exceptional performances to Collingwood each summer, featuring award-winning artists in the fields of classical, world, jazz and Indigenous genres.
From July 5 to July 15, you’ll hear the brilliant, symphonic power of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, followed by a program of popular spirituals with the Toronto Mass Choir, which will have you singin’ along and dancing in the aisles. And that’s just the start! This year, there are once again FREE events for youth in nearby Duntroon Highlands Golf Club, with an enchanted, musical pathway coupled with the serenity of nature – all outdoors with charming views of the bay.
Learn more.
Brott Music Festival
Brott Music Festival is bringing an array of delightful concerts to Hamilton this July!
PopOpera: An evening of your favourite PopOpera arias, ensembles, orchestral overtures and more. A showcase of pure talent from our BrottOpera cast and National Academy Orchestra.
All Out 80’s: All Out 80’s concert with special guests Jeans ‘n Classics. In an era of electronic dance and new wave music the 80’s brought favourites such as Take on Me, Whip It, One Way or Another, Love Shack, and more. Take a trip down memory lane with music sure to get you grooving.
Practically Hip: A Tragically Hip tribute concert like no other! Singer and Practically Hip front man, Dean Hughes channels the high intensity of Gord Downie in all the Hip favourites. Featuring Bobcaygeon, Wheat Kings, Fiddler’s Green, Poets, Ahead by a Century and more.
Learn more
Northern Lights Festival Boréal
Sudbury: July 6-9
The Northern Lights Folk Festival is coming to Sudbury this July 6-9 and is Canada’s longest continually running outdoor music festival! Taking place on the picturesque shores of Ramsey Lake in Bell Park, in the heart of Sudbury, Northern Lights Festival Boréal will present festival favourites, new sensations, while celebrating its history.
As always the artistic roster is a multi-genre, musical adventure to behold – this year presenting festival favourites from the early days, new trailblazers from folk to electronic, plus an assortment of collaborative ‘workshop performances’, which can’t be seen anywhere else.
Learn more.
Niagara Jazz Festival
The award-winning 10th annual TD Niagara Jazz Festival is dedicated to celebrating the art form of jazz throughout the year in the Niagara Region.
The summer festival includes a combination of ticketed and free community events: Jazz Under the Stars, Soul Jazz in the Vineyard, Vibes in the Vines, and Music in the Park.
Other events throughout the year include the annual Online Emancipation Day Event, a Twilight Jazz & Blues Series, a Jazz Crawl, the Jazz 4 the Ages Youth program, Jazz Jams, the Hungry 4 Hammond Series and more. In addition to jazz, audiences are invited to enjoy local wine, beer and food while experiencing cultural and artistic activations.
Learn more.
Bollywood Monster Mashup
#BollywoodMonster Mashup, run annually by MonstrARTity, is the LARGEST South Asian festival in Canada and features free concerts with international Bollywood stars, a food festival, dance performances, shopping, a laser show and more!
The whole family can enjoy this monstrous event with free entry, free parking, free arts & sports activities and a free seniors area. Come dance, sing and feast at this one-of-a-kind production taking place at Mississauga Celebration Square!
Learn more.
More July Events
There are so many wonderful events throughout the province, we weren’t able to share them all in-depth!
We hope you take advantage of the warm summer weather and all the fantastic programming to explore all the culture Ontario has to offer. Here are several more July events we are proudly supporting:
- 62nd Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
- Toronto Fringe Festival’s 35th Anniversary
- Fun Philippines 2023
- Belleville Jazz Festival
- Wikwemikong 60th Annual Cultural Festival
- Scarborough Folk Fest 2023