Pancake-Fueled People Power Up During Annual Winter Tree Lighting in Toronto's Entertainment District

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The Toronto Entertainment District kicks off the morning of its annual Winter Tree lighting with dancers receiving a free sampling of pancakes from The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto (9:15 am -10:15 am) and an all-day public dance marathon that aims to power up 10,800 LED tree lights. The Entertainment District's tree lighting commences on Friday November 16, 2012, from David Pecaut Square, (next to 225 King St. West), at 7:00 a.m. and runs through to 7:00 p.m.

Celebrity dancers are confirmed and members of the public are also encouraged to take to the outdoor dance floor during the 12-hour DJ dance marathon. The call for dancers is intended to draw human powered energy from a 10 ft by 10 ft sustainable energy dance floor. Their movement will be converted into usable electricity that will in turn, offset the power needed to trigger the festive lights of a 30ft Ontario grown Colorado Blue Spruce tree.

Expected attendees include dancers from the Argos Cheerleaders, ladies and gentleman of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, members of the Entertainment District and surprise visits from other soft-shoe luminaries. The installation and use of this innovative dance floor has been made possible through the sponsorship of CP24,  who will be broadcasting live from the event, starting on CP24 Breakfast, and will provide coverage throughout the day.

According to Janice Solomon, Executive Director, Toronto Entertainment District BIA, "…if anyone can light a tree with the energy from a dance floor, it is our Entertainment District members. We are thrilled that our long standing member, CP24 has generously sponsored the event and that the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish volunteers will be on hand to accept toy and financial donations."

The Entertainment District's Winter Tree lighting dance marathon brings local businesses together and highlights one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Canada. The district is home to thousands of residents, several theatres and performing arts centres, Toronto's five major-league sports teams, and an array of cultural and family attractions. Because the area is also home to many of Toronto's nightclubs and bars, it also has numerous dance floors throughout the area-bounded by: The Financial District to the East, Queen Street West to the North, Spadina Avenue to the West and the Lakeshore Blvd. to the South.

The nearby CN Tower, another supporting Entertainment District BIA member, will glow in a festive red over the tented dance floor at David Pecaut Square. (The Tower's regularly scheduled 8-minute light show occurs at the top of each hour). It is anticipated that by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 16 the dancers will have finally generated enough power to offset a portion of the energy required to light the Winter Tree.

Once the tree is lit, dancers and onlookers will be served hot chocolate, compliments of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. The Entertainment District's winter tree will remain on display until mid-January, 2013. For further information visit: http://torontoed.com/winter_tree

About the Entertainment District Improvement Area:

Established in 2008, the Toronto Entertainment District Improvement Area's mandate is to promote, improve and preserve one of the most dynamic areas 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. www.torontoed.com

SOURCE: Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area

Janice Solomon, Executive Director
Entertainment District BIA 416-926-1337 [email protected]
www.torontoed.com
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Twitter: @torontoed
Hash tag: #wintertree