TAIWANfest 2024: Harbourfront Centre

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TAIWANfest is back, and this year, it takes you from the bustling streets of Taiwan to the historic lanes of Spain without leaving the Harbourfront. This festival will spark your curiosity and stir your soul. It is a perfect event if you’re a fan of creative performances or an art enthusiast eager to explore new perspectives.

TAIWANfest 2024 draws inspiration from Spain, creating a fascinating blend of Taiwanese and Spanish traditions. The theme, Becoming Me, explores the narratives of migration, the evolution of cultural legacies, and the timeless dance between tradition and modernity.

Highlights of the Festival

Featured Performances

Flamenco de Formosa – August 25, Fleck Dance Theatre / Click here for tickets

This powerful fusion of Spanish Flamenco and Taiwanese traditional dance traces the steps of life through three generations.

SaySiyat azem – Soul of SaySiyat – August 24, Studio Theatre

This performance features the traditional songs, dances, and rituals of the SaySiyat people, offering a deep connection to their cultural soul.

TAIWANfest Orchestra: Becoming MeAugust 23, Concert Stage

This musical journey combines melodies from Taiwan, Spain, and beyond, guiding us toward our true selves.

¡Sinophone! – Road to…August 24, Concert Stage

Lilium, a Taiwanese indie band, blends traditional and modern sounds to create a fresh, contemporary style of Taiwanese music.

¡Sinophone! – Refuge – August 24, Concert Stage

Listen to Chynna Lewis as she shares her life journey through music, reflecting on generational trauma, love, and family themes.

¡Sinophone! – Love Letters – August 24, Concert Stage

Jacq Teh pays tribute to her grandfather with a unique blend of R&B and Teresa Teng’s timeless classics.

Hakka Pavilion: Hakka Fever – August 25, Stage-in-the-Park

Wing Lo, a trilingual singer-songwriter, shares his passion for supporting Hakka culture and Taiwanese music.

Community Performances

Resonance of Identity: A Journey to Becoming Across SeasAugust 24, Stage-in-the-Park

This immersive musical experience with EnCello Toronto combines Spanish flamenco, Taiwanese folk, and pop music into a storytelling performance.

Dialogos Flamencos – August 25, Stage-in-the-Park

Melon & Lara’s performance is a captivating interplay of traditional and contemporary, showcasing improvisation and musicality.

AIKO TOMI – Violently Kawaii – August 25, Stage-in-the-Dark

Toronto’s psycho-pop sensation AIKO TOMI brings high-energy music and a unique style to TAIWANfest.

Hakka Pavilion– August 24 to 25, Brigantine Room

Engage with the Hakka community, exploring their rich history, language, lifestyles, and food in a dynamic cultural exchange.

Cinematic Taiwan

A Performance in the Church – August 24, Studio Centre

This journey across time and space with contemporary art and sound installation intersects archaeology and modern creativity.

Identity: Lost and Found – August 25, Studio Theatre

Follow the emotional journey of the Taiwanese Indigenous band Kanatal as they explore self-identity and cultural exchange during their Canadian tour.

When the Flowers Bloom – August 25, Brigantine Room

Discover the wisdom of Hakka culture in this documentary that follows 98-year-old Guo Huoyan’s efforts to protect Taiwan’s forests.

Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls – Special Edition – August 25, Studio Theatre

Inspired by Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters,” this theatrical production explores life, death, and the complexities of human relationships.

Hope Talk

TaiwanFest
Photo via @taiwanfest.toronto / Instagram

Barefoot and High Heels – August 24, Lakeside Terrace

A dialogue between Lian Ho and Yu Hsien Hsueh about the power of dance to inspire Taiwanese youth in rural mountain villages.

The Making of New Taiwanese Pop Music – August 25, The Lookout

I-Shuo Lin of Lilium shares his journey in crafting a new kind of Taiwanese music for a new generation.

From Guest to Host: Hakka Migration Around the World – August 24, Brigantine Room

Vivian Chang takes you on a global journey to explore the migrations and cultural legacies of Hakka women.

How Minnanese Survived Abroad During the Age of Exploration – August 24, Lakeside Terrace

Professor Fabio Yu-Chung Lee examines the survival and success of the Hokkien people during the Age of Exploration.

Hakkamazing – August 24, Brigantine Room

Wing Lo shares his favorite Hakka music, providing a deeper understanding of the Hakka community’s rich musical traditions.

Hakkas Meet The World – August 25, Brigantine Room

Professor Fabio Lee tells incredible stories of the Hakka people’s global exploits from the 17th century onward.

Road Trip – Reimagining International Artistic Exchange – August 25, Lakeside Terrace

TTLink delivers insightful discussion on the transformative power of international cultural exchange.

Visual Arts

Photo via @taiwanfest.toronto / Instagram 

Whispers of Love from the Turtle Island – August 24 to 25, MBCS

This exclusive exhibition features poetry and torn-paper paintings by renowned Taiwanese writer Huang Chun-ming.

Passing By or Belonging – August 25 to 26, Brigantine Room

Artist Chang Chiu-tai’s paintings remind us of our roots, highlighting cultural legacy in a fast-paced world.

¡Buen Camino! – August 24 to 25, West Corridor Bays

A transformative experience with Taiwanese traveler Siraya Lo as she shares her 28-day spiritual journey along the Camino de Santiago.

Artist ShowcaseAugust 24 to 25, Garage Bays

Toronto’s local artists present their works, offering interactive workshops and demos that connect creativity with the community.

Exhibition

Walking Melodies– August 24 to 25, South Lawn

Violinist Tom Su lets you experience the healing power of music through shared stories and melodies.

Taiwan Bookstore

Discover literary works about or by authors with mixed identities, offering fresh perspectives on our diverse society.

Artist Market 

Support local artists and small businesses at the festival’s first-ever artist market, including:

  • MigoHouse
  • Charmello
  • Liulyam
  • Irene & Ribbon
  • Mavis Lo
  • Wo Life Inc.
  • November Studio
  • Gu+Ava Designs
  • Hanazaki Florist
  • Kiss A Mermaid x Carmen’s Handmade x Johnson Ng Photography

Event Details

  • Where: Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West, Toronto)
  • Date and Time: August 23 (8:00 pm to 10:00 pm), August 24 (12:00 pm to 10:00 pm), August 25 (12:00 pm to 6:00 pm) / Click here for the Program Schedule
  • Website: https://torontotaiwanfest.ca
  • Tickets: Free Admission / Click here for Flamenco de Formosa tickets

References:

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