Media Advisory - TO2015 marks three-year countdown to TORONTO 2015 Games with celebrations

PAN AM/PARAPAN AM DAY, Play Me I'm Yours - the 41 Pianos project and the multimedia Arrivals.ca project highlight the Toronto 2015 Games focus on diversity and Pan American culture through art and celebration.

TORONTO, June 27, 2012 /CNW/ -

What:

The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) kicks off festivity, culture and celebration with its three-year community countdown on July 10. All events are free and open to the public.

PAN AM/PARAPAN AM DAY

July 10, 2012 will be exactly three years to the TORONTO 2015 Opening Ceremony.  To mark the day, the public is invited to Nathan Phillips Square at Toronto City Hall for a day of celebration.  Mayor Rob Ford will officially proclaim July 10 as Pan Am/Parapan Am Day and raise the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games flags.  Visitors will have a chance to enjoy a day of music and culture from many of the 41 Pan American countries, tour interactive areas and try their hand at TORONTO 2015 sports. Performers include Kardinal Offishall, Eliana Cuevas, Aline Morales, dance troupes and flash mobs as well as sport demonstrations.

WHEN:	Tuesday, July 10, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Official flag raising:  12:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Nathan Phillips Square

Play Me, I'm Yours

An interactive phenomenon in Sao Paolo, New York, Paris and London, the Play Me, I'm Yours street pianos project is coming to Toronto—with a Pan Am twist. In July, forty-one pianos—each painted by a local professional artist with roots in one of 41 Pan American countries—will be unveiled for the first time in Canada and placed in accessible spaces across the city core where the public is encouraged to spontaneously break out and play a tune. This exercise in harmony through diversity will be launched at a special celebration and free concert in David Pecaut Square on the evening of July 10.  Torontonians will be invited to tickle the ivories at 41 iconic Toronto locations all month long. The presentation of Play Me, I'm Yours is brought to you in part by CIBC, Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. For more details on Play Me, I'm Yours, visit streetpianos.ca.

WHEN:	Tuesday, July 10, 8:00 p.m.
WHERE:	David Pecaut Square at Metro Hall

Fresh Eyes by Arrivals.ca

Throughout July, Toronto City Hall will be the site of Fresh Eyes, an innovative photographic installation created by Arrivals.ca, a team led by Toronto artist Devon Ostrom. Giant photographs capturing the eyes of new Canadian citizens primarily from Pan American nations will fill the windows of city councillors' offices overlooking Nathan Phillips Square at Toronto City Hall. Fresh Eyes by Arrivals.ca is the maiden project commissioned by the TO2015 Arts and Culture program which is mandated with developing public arts and culture creations leading up to 2015. The presentation of Arrivals.ca is brought to you in part by CIBC, Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. For more information on Arrivals.ca and the TO2015 Arts and Culture program, visit TORONTO2015.org.

WHEN:	Debuts Tuesday, July 10; show runs until July 31, 2012
WHERE:	New City Hall
MEDIA PREVIEW:	Friday, July 6, 2012

About the TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games

The Pan American Games are one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Games comprise all Olympic Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games, supported by the Governments of Canada and Ontario, will draw 10,000 athletes and officials and feature 48 sports in municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14. For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org.

Diane Hargrave Public Relations
For TO2015
416.467.9954 ext 104