Harbourfront Centre to Present TAIWANfest: A Cultural Tango with Hong Kong

Harbourfront Centre is delighted to present TAIWANfest: A Cultural Tango with Hong Kong, August 26-28, co-produced by Asian Canadian Special Events Association.

This year's festival celebrates the people and culture of Hong Kong and Taiwan, showcasing stories and icons from both countries through music, arts, film, games and family activities.

Headlining on opening night, Maestro Ken Hsieh conducts a symphony orchestra performance of When Lion Rock meets Jade Mountain. This performance pays tribute to Teresa Teng and Leslie Cheung and invokes memories of when Eastern pop music was introduced to the West.

On August 27, the Friendship Picnic returns by popular demand providing friends and guests a tasty treat. The Friendship Picnic gives Canadians, unfamiliar with the culture of Taiwan or Hong Kong, the chance to speak with a first-generation Taiwanese or Chinese Canadians. They are free to ask questions and learn about the cultures over a delicious spread of food native to both cultures. Also on August 27, Utopia, Taiwan's first ambient, electro-dance music band performs on the Concert Stage. Their unique and vibrant sound is woven with chill step, ambient pop and trip-hop.

"The Taiwanese and Chinese communities play an immense role in making Toronto one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the world," says Diana Webley, Senior Artistic Associate at Harbourfront Centre. "We're so excited to showcase Taiwan and Hong Kong side-by-side all weekend long, giving some Torontonians a taste of home and others an opportunity to learn more about some of their neighbours' ethnic roots."

On both Saturday and Sunday, audiences are invited to watch The International Pan-Asian Culinary Invitational: Taiwan vs. Hong Kong vs. Canada; a competition that puts Toronto's local talent up against chefs hailing from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Throughout the Festival, the World Café will be turning out delicious food inspired by TAIWANfest, while the Lakeview Market will be bursting at the seams with vendors from all over the city.

And everyday at Harbourfront Centre, Boxcar Social offers a curated, rotating list of coffees from the best roasters in North America, and a careful selection of some of the world's top new-world wines, craft beers, scotches and bourbons. The Slip, voted one of Toronto's best new patios, offers all-day sun, a breeze off the lake, cocktail pitchers and fresh cuisine.
In addition to TAIWANfest, co-produced by Asian Canadian Special Events Association, Harbourfront Centre's exciting Summer Festivals still include the upcoming Ashkenaz Festival, produced with Ashkenaz Foundation in partnership with Harbourfront Centre, September 3-5; and Veg Food Fest 2016, produced by the Toronto Vegetarian Association, September 9-11.

Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating 10 prime acres of Toronto's central waterfront as a free and open public site. It celebrates the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enlivens the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe.

IF YOU GO:

Harbourfront Centre presents
TAIWANfest, A Cultural Tango with Hong Kong
Co-produced by Asian Canadian Special Events Association
At Harbourfront Centre - 235 Queens Quay West
August 26-28, 2016
Admission to TAIWANfest is Free

When Lion Rock meets Jade Mountain - by Maestro Ken Hsieh, August 26

't' for Taiwan!, August 26 and 27

Dimension, August 27

New Generation War: The Rise of Youth Powers and Political Change in Taiwan & Hong Kong, August 27

Cosmos People, August 27

Willowdale Lane, August 27

Utopia, August 27

Taiwanese-Hakka Spirit, August 27

AIKO TOMI, August 27 and 28

Monkey Theatre, August 27 and 28

One Minute Movies, August 27 and 28

Cinematic Taiwan, August 27 and 28

Pan-Asian Culinary Invitational: Taiwan vs. Hong Kong vs. Canada, August 27 and 28

Friendship Picnic, August 27 and 28

Experience HAKKA, August 27 and 28

Hope Talk, August 27 and 28

MuUyas, August 28

Ho Deng Music Ensemble, August 28

Moonfall, August 28

For more information visit harbourfrontcentre.com/taiwanfest or call 416-973-4000.

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