Stage Door News
Toronto: SummerWorks announces free late-night programming
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Following the June announcement of the 2019 program and with the Festival kicking-off later this week, SummerWorks Performance Festival is thrilled to share details today regarding adventurous LATE NIGHT programming for 2019 - including Opening and Closing Night parties - to keep the Festival going past your bedtime!
Throughout the Festival, SummerWorks invites audiences to wrap up the day and party with friends, queer clowns, alt-comedy nights, and spoken word celebrations. The eclectic mix of local artists in the LATE NIGHT program have been curated by SummerWorks Artistic and Managing Director Laura Nanni, The Theatre Centre’s Liza Paul and Obsidian Theatre Company producer and award-winning spoken word artist Luke Reece.
In keeping with the mandate to make SummerWorks as accessible as possible in a variety of ways, including financially, the Festival is also very excited to announce that the 2019 LATE NIGHT program is being made free to the public.
Another exciting announcement from the Festival today is that they have entered into a partnership this year with the Stratford Festival, adding a new award to an already robust line-up of recognitions distributed to Festival artists each year. The Stratford Festival Lab Award for Research and Development will be awarded to a company or collective exhibiting in the SummerWorks Lab program this year, that creatively uses the platform to pursue artistic inquiry.
Winners will receive a residency week in Stratford, including fees, accommodations & travel, designed with the Stratford Festival Lab team (in-kind value of up to $10k). Like many of the SummerWorks Festival awards, the award will be adjudicated by an independent jury. The jury for 2019 is comprised of artists and leaders in the performing arts in Toronto, selected by SummerWorks for their diversity in practice and viewpoints.
The SummerWorks Award Ceremony and Closing Night Party have been moved to the second Saturday night of the Festival this year (August 17th), with all awards being handed out that evening with the exception of the NOW Magazine Audience Choice Award, which will be announced after the Festival wraps up for the year.
The 2019 SummerWorks Performance Festival kicks-off next week on Thursday, August 8th running until August 18th at venues centered around Lisgar Park including The Theatre Centre, the Toronto Media Arts Centre, and Longboat Hall, as well as various site-specific locations. For tickets and scheduling information visit summerworks.ca.
This year the Festival Box Office is located inside The Theatre Centre at 1115 Queen Street West and will be open daily August 8th – 18th from noon until eight pm. Festival passes and single tickets are now on sale.
LATE NIGHT at SummerWorks 2019
Thursday, August 8
On Thursday, August 8th, after seeing an opening night show or two, audiences and artists are invited to join the Festival for our annual Opening Night Party, this year featuring DJ Fly Lady Di, an interactive photo installation from Francesca Chudnoff, pop-up performances by Uma Nota Culture, 2019 SummerWorks artists, and more!
All going down in the Theatre Centre Café and Upper Gallery beginning at 10:00pm.
Friday, August 9
#ClownsKillEmpires present: THE FUTURE OF CLOWN
#ClownsKillEmpires have traveled through time and space to roast beets and the patriarchy for your entertainment. Come distract yourself from the impending apocalypse through the bizarre, musical, and magical antics of the queer clown.
Theatre Centre - BMO Incubator
10:30PM
Saturday, August 10
Amigas Cheetas
Hosted by Ben Sosa Wright and Aba Amuquandoh
Though we don’t look the same... our spots are different... different... colours... we make each other stronger... that ain’t ever gonna change... we’re cheetah girls! Iconic comedy queen, Aba Amuquandoh and Latinx comedy sensation, Ben Sosa Wright, have whipped up a fierce new showcase with an emphasis on showcasing LGBTQIA2+ and POC COMEDIANS!
Theatre Centre - Gallery
10:30PM
Tuesday, August 13
REECE’S PIECES 2.0
Curated and Hosted by Luke Reece (Producer at Obsidian Theatre, Canadian Poetry Slam National Champion) with guests Taya Neumeyer, Andre Prefontaine, SPIN El Poeta, Robyn Sidhu and David Silverberg.
Reece’s Pieces 2.0 is a Spoken Word showcase, featuring Toronto's top poetic talents. It's a night of poetry, performance, good vibes and laughs.
Theatre Centre - BMO Incubator
10:30PM
Thursday, August 15
Good Morning, Tonight!
Hosted by Karis Anderson and Aidan O’Loughlin with guests Chris Sandiford, Courtney Gilmour, Nour Hadidi, Natalie Norman and Jackie Pirico.
Good Morning, Tonight! is a stand-up comedy showcase produced & hosted by Karis Anderson and Aidan O’Loughlin. The only morning show that happens at 10.30PM - think Regis & Kelly, but gayer. A comedy show formatted like a morning talk show? We know what you’re thinking: is this a podcast? NOPE – this is for your eyes, ears and heart, so take out your AirPods.
Theatre Centre - BMO Incubator
10:30PM
Saturday, August 17
Closing Night Party and SummerWorks Awards
Say goodbye to another year of the Festival. Come for the drinks and celebration, stay for the announcement of the SummerWorks Awards. All awards are adjudicated by a jury of three performance
professionals. Followed by a DJ set late into the night by SummerWorks favorite, DJ L’Oquenz.
Theatre Centre Cafe
9:30PM
Get social:
Website: summerworks.ca
Twitter: @SummerWorks
Facebook: SummerWorks Performance Festival
Instagram: @SummerWorks_festival