Online Search Leads to Free Arts in Toronto
Luminato Festival In The Distillery District
The Luminato Festival had begun and I was on a search for some free programming that I could check out. There had to something for free. The historic Distillery District known for a growing artistic hub in Toronto surely had some free arts performances. My web savvy search lead me to the Young Centre and the free events to attend during Luminato. Every little bit helps, when on a tight budget and when you are inspired by the other creative arts.
Dance - Emoticonics - Technological Influence
I noticed some very intriguing programs during my search. Especially Emoticonics, it was on the top of my list. It was described as a love story told through dance and beatbox, directed by Weyni Mengesha, choreographed and performed by Troy Feldman and Kristy Kennedy. The schedule showed there was another performance piece called Bedtime Stories that suggested you might be settling into comfy beds and transported into an intimate bedtime inspired performance. This looked good and I had to make a decision. They were both scheduled at the same time. The decision to see what Emoticonics was made. This modern day love story and the effects of social media on our love lives was incredible.
Modern Day Love Story to Beatbox
Emoticonics had a brief description had me curious. can be exciting not knowing what to expect in a public performance. I was not expecting much only because of the word “Free” was involved. I would have paid a lot more for a lot less. It was a performance that most could relate to, I know that I could. The story line was relevant, for most of us live in the digital world. The fine details in the movement and the direction of the dance kept the audience engaged. There were only three performers on stage during the performance and I was amazed at the ability to convey such a strong tight story through sound, light and movement. The dance performers Troy Feldman and Kristy Kennedy worked well together and conveyed a believable and fun love story. Everyone connected with social networking could connect to these three at the Tank House Theatre. The sound designed and performed by aka SUBLIMINAL was tight with the performers. There was definite proof that art reflects life in the piece. I always thought I could do a University research thesis on the social networking and here it was condensed into a light hearted and fun story told through sound and dance in the Distillery District. This was definitely a performance that any of the audience from IT Staff to Toronto Accountants could find themselves finding something they could relate to in this modern day world.
Music Cabaret at the Young Centre for Performing Arts -
Search and you will find discover. After Emoticonics I was hoping there was more free arts programming. I wanted more! Fortunately as we were leaving we were guided into the other theatre at the Young Centre. It was a different type of ambiance.This cabaret featured some performing artists in a lounge type setting with a talk show cabaret featuring live music, and special guests that I was familiar with. It was good music but not what I was looking for at the moment.
Online Freebies - Photography Contests Too
During my web search I also found some free online photo contest. It was my lucky day. I found Lenzr which has a main office in the Distillery District and is free. You can easily upload your photos for various contests and valuable prizes with any strings attached. The current contests consist of: A Counting Exercise, Best Office Staff Party, and Construction Sights. 
These contests have Sony laptops and cameras offered to the winners thanks to support from an Ottawa roofing company and another business that specializes in sunrooms. My favourite is the Shafts of Sunlight photo contest and look forward to seeing the photo submission. The four current photo contests only run until the end of July but there will be new contests with Lenzr starting in August. The Lenzr judges determine the winning photo after the online voting. People start voting online from a scale from one to ten and then the top ten rank photos move to the judges panel. It’s fairly easy to win and great to see the winners written on the blog.
