TORONTO, Sept. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Businesses in Toronto's Entertainment District Business Improvement Area (TOED BIA) are rolling out the red carpet for this year's 40th Annual Toronto International Film Festival.
The popular Festival Street initiative returns for the second year with 14 participating restaurants on King St., between John and Peter extending their patios into the street as part of the film-themed outdoor fair. This block fondly referred to as "Restaurant Row" adds a special touch to Festival Street during the opening weekend of the Festival, September 10 through to September 13, 2015.
The vision for the 2015 Festival Street is to create a grand promenade of art and music for pedestrians during the first four days of the Festival.
"We are thrilled to be working with TIFF and our hospitality members for a second year of Festival Street. The Toronto International Film Festival is a marquee event and we congratulate TIFF on their 40th anniversary," says Janice Solomon, Executive Director, of Toronto Entertainment District BIA.
The 14 Entertainment District restaurants with extended patios participating in Festival Street include: Pearl King, Maki My Way, Hey Lucy, Kit Kat Italian Bar & Grill, N'awlins, HUSH, Gabby's, Le Saint Tropez, Joe Mamas, La Fenice, Fred's Not Here, z-teca, Forget About it Supper Club and Parlor Foods
Hundreds of Entertainment District bars and restaurants beyond the King St. Festival Street are participating in TIFF's 40th anniversary. The District offers one of Toronto's widest varieties of restaurants and event spaces to accommodate the tastes of all festival goers.
"The Festival is once again going beyond the theatre and bringing cinema to the streets," said David Carey, Director of Government & Foundation Relations at TIFF. "We want everyone to have an opportunity to partake in what the Festival has to offer, whether it be checking out a band, our interactive installations or just enjoying some food and drink – they can do it all right here in the Entertainment District."
This year's Festival Street is literally reaching new heights with Questival, a walking interactive quiz designed by Frontier Design & Innovation. A fleet of balloons emblazoned with artwork representing past Festival films will float above King Street for four days only. The NewCanadianMusic.ca stage features one-of-a-kind presentations connected to film as well as a lineup of up-and-coming musical talent. New this year, cinema-inspired installations explore everything from experimental film to stop-motion animation and the Slaight Family Zone welcomes even the littlest cinephiles to Festival Street.
From September 10 to 20, 2015, 393 films from 79 countries will screen at the Festival. The Entertainment District will have the red carpets rolled out and club and restaurant venues decked out to celebrate and welcome over 500 celebrities. An exciting guest list of celebrated A-listers from around the globe includes: Kristen Stewart, Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Jake Gyllenhal, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, Common, Jessica Chastain, and Ethan Hawke.
About the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area:
Established in 2008, TOED's mandate is to promote, improve and preserve a dynamic area of Toronto. Benefitting from economic, environmental and social factors driving downtown growth, the Entertainment District is in the midst of a renaissance, firmly establishing itself as a thriving and vibrant district for living, creating, working and entertainment. From Air Canada Centre to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the Entertainment District includes many of Toronto's most iconic buildings. In the heart of the District is the CN Tower, Steam Whistle Brewing, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, MetroCentre, Rogers Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre and TIFF Bell Lightbox.
SOURCE Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area
Image with caption: "Toronto Entertainment District (CNW Group/Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150908_C5272_PHOTO_EN_491983.jpg
please visit www.torontoed.com or contact: Janice Solomon, Executive Director, Toronto Entertainment District BIA, 416-926-1337 or [email protected], torontoed.com facebook.com/ torontoed, twitter: @toronto_ed
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