Light on Your Feet marks summer debut of OLG music sponsorship program
TORONTO, June 11 /CNW/ - The 2010 summer season of OLG Presents Music launches this weekend at Luminato, Toronto Festival and Arts and Creativity, where Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) will serve as presenting partner at the Light on Your Feet dance party from June 12-16.
Light on Your Feet is a five-night, high-energy celebration of multicultural music and dance taking place at Yonge-Dundas Square in the heart of Toronto. It begins Saturday, June 12, at 7 p.m. with Light on Your Feet: Latin Divas, featuring Grammy-nominated Salsa superstar INDIA. All events in the series are free.
"LUMINATO is about bringing the work of great artists and creators directly to the people," said Rob Moore, a Senior Vice-President at OLG. "OLG is proud to once again be able to support Luminato - and proud to invest year-round in festivals and events that celebrate our multicultural heritage and the diversity that defines and strengthens our city, our province and our country."
The events at this year's Light on Your Feet are a cross-cultural tribute to the Diva:
Saturday, June 12 - Latin Divas
INDIA "la princesa de salsa" headlines Latin Divas night. INDIA became a singer at the age of 16 in the dance group TKA, one of the first Latin Hip Hop ensembles. The night begins with the Lula All Stars paying tribute to the queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, featuring Patricia Cano, Alberto Alberto and Luis Mario Ochoa.
Sunday, June 13 - Queer Divas
Hosted by American actor Michael Urie of the hit TV show Ugly Betty, and Canadian comedic performer Shawn Hitchins, Queer Divas features an all-star lineup of queer and queer-friendly artists, including Toronto's own Kelly and the Kellygirls, reuniting for their first appearance in many years. Featured performers include: jazz artist Lea DeLaria; singer, songwriter, and Tony-nominated performance artist Justin Bond; alternative music star and former Rough Trade vocalist Carole Pope; and Toronto-born actor Christian Campbell, perhaps best known as Gabriel in the cult classic movie, Trick.
Monday, June 14 - Bollywood Divas
Bollywood-style dance lessons punctuate a night of vibrant Bollywood performances. Monday's featured Diva is Suzanne D'Mello, a Bollywood playback singer celebrated for her diverse range of musicality. Her hits include two songs from the Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire. Joining the bill is classical fusion vocalist Bageshree Vaze, a multi-talented Indo-Canadian artist.
Tuesday, June 15 - The Ultimate '80s Party
Yonge-Dundas Square is transformed into the Ultimate '80s Party with a slate of retro-chic tribute bands. Luisa Marshall as Tina Turner starts off the night, so faithfully replicating Ms. Turner that in 2003, she won the World Rock and Roll Tribute Artist Championship. On the Rock side, '80s Diva band Heart is represented by New York tribute band Heartless. In homage to the ultimate '80s Diva, Britain's Vogue Madonna closes out the night with an authentic tribute to the Queen of Pop.
Wednesday, June 16 - J-Pop Divas
The Japanese Pop celebration begins with The Moist Towelettes, a quartet that splits its time between Toronto and Tokyo. Next, Japan's Maki Nomiya headlines the J-Pop show with a rare North American appearance. Well-known as the vocalist for Pizzicato Five in the '90s, Maki is now a full-fledged celebrity and cultural icon in Japan, a captivating solo singer who also designs, writes and models.
More information about these and other events at Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, can be found at www.luminato.com.
OLG Presents Music supports musical performances at festivals and events across Ontario as part of its commitment to investing in the communities in which it operates. For further information and event listings, please visit www.olg.ca.
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $32 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Know your limit, play within it! THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505 Disponible en français ABOUT LUMINATO --------------
For 10 extraordinary days in June, Toronto's stages, streets, and public spaces are illuminated with arts and creativity. Luminato is an annual multi-disciplinary celebration of theatre, literature, music, food, dance, celebrations, visual arts, fashion, film, and magic.
For more information, visit luminato.com. Tickets are available now through all Ticketmaster outlets (call 416-872-1111 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca).
For further information: Sarah Kiriliuk, Media Relations Manager, 416.224.4975, 416.726.3641
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