TheTravelzine Toronto Scene: Entertainment

Chinese Lantern Festival 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:59:36 GMT

The 2007 Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival at Ontario Place
is the largest event of its type ever produced and Toronto,
which is the only place in the world that it is staged.

We started at the entertainment stage where the beating of
drums introduced the first act featuring a masterful
performance by Chinese acrobats - truly amazing. There will
be many acts from China and Canada performing over the
course of the festival.

Just behind the stage is the brand new Marketplace where we
found cuisine and food demonstrations from the four regions
of China represented at the festival.

The nearby Craft Market offers lessons in paper cutting,
palm leaf weaving, candy making and many other Chinese art
forms, many of which are available for sale.

Forty new Chinese Lantern are on display during the 2007
festival. While they are stunning during the day and early
evening, they are amazing after dark. Come early, stay
late, you will have memorable evening.

The festival is on from July 19 to October 7, 2007.

Dates and hours:
- July 19 to September 3 - Every Day: 7:00pm to 11:00pm
- September-October 4,5 - Thurs & Fri: 6:00pm to 10:00pm
- September and October 6,7 - Sat & Sun: 5:00pm to 10:00pm

Chinese Lantern Festival 2006

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:35:21 GMT

We love summer in Toronto - street festivals, markets, jazz
concerts and the list goes on. Tonight we experienced the
highlight of this or any other summer - Rogers Chinese
Lantern Festival at Ontario Place,
http://www.chineselanternfestival.ca

The night of the Lantern Festival is an ancient Chinese
Tradition. Cities and villages are filled with brightly-
illuminated, magnificently-crafted and decorated lanterns
that are hung from temples and carried by children
scampering through the streets. The tradition has been
enhanced by the appearance of gloriously designed floats and
dazzling light shows. The lanterns were historically made of
paper and illuminated by candles. In recent years electric
versions have become more popular. The latter have been
brought to our city and our lakefront to enrich our lives.

Each lantern is a unique and intricate work of art created
by master artisans who have handed down their artistry for
generations. The designs fall into two catagories, iconic
or scenic. The iconic are in the shape of butterflies,
dragons, birds and other creatures. (You've got to love
"Pandas' Paradise".) The scenic depict scenes from popular
stories and legends and are educational in reinforcing
Chinese values in an entertaining way. (You'll want to move
into the "Heavenly Temple Ming Dynasty".)

During the Lantern Festival, the colorful streets of China
become a backdrop for dances, parades and other festivities,
just as we experienced. We arrived a little after 7:00pm,
hungry as usual, and headed directly to the food and market
area of the festival to enjoy fried rice, dumplings and
spring rolls. At 8:00pm we were treated to a delightful
show featuring dragon dancing and performances by
beautifully-costumed all girl troupes demonstrating the
intricate and graceful dance routines of their regions.

At dusk the illumination of the lanterns dominated the
skyline. As we walked along the Subaru Walking Path our
spirits soared as the failing light intensified the
exquisite colorful lighting displays. As darkness crept in,
the sounds of the splashing waves and water jets combined
with the soft rhythm of Chinese music to create a feeling of
sheer ecstasy.

You must see it to believe it! The setting along the
waterfront, the tantalizing design and color, the meticulous
workmanship, the reality - truly amazing. Run, do not walk!

Nightly, July 20 - September 4, 2006 7pm to 11pm
Thursday, September 7, - October 1, 2006 6pm to 10pm
Tickets available at the gates from 6:30pm. Gates open at 7pm
Subaru Walking Path opens a 8pm. Lanterns on at dusk.

Canada Day Picnic

Fri, 01 Jul 2005 19:08:02 GMT

Dr. Carolyn Bennett's Canada Day Picnic

Happy 138th Birthday, Canada!!

Caravan Kick-off at Dundas Square

Sat, 25 Jun 2005 01:44:04 GMT

Caravan Kick-off at Dundas Square
Yonge Street at Dundas - take the TTC!
A celebration of Toronto's Diversity!
Check-out the pix in the photo gallery.