Expanding the possibilities
of performance
SUMMERWORKS AT UNION
We’re excited to announce a brand new way to experience SummerWorks’ bold and dynamic live performance programming – all summer long!
Through a new partnership with Union, SummerWorks will curate a series of live performances for Union Summer – an outdoor stage and market offering 60 days of free outdoor experiences featuring dynamic live performances, curated food vendors and beat-the-heat beverages and desserts, located directly in front of the Union Station terminal building on Front Street West.
Between June 26 and August 21, SummerWorks will present live performance, dance, theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, and more on Union Summer’s TD Stage, every Wednesday evening from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
We’ll feature a diverse and exciting lineup of local artists and acts that will engage and intrigue, offering a mid-week mood-boost to get you through those hot summer weeks.
(photo by Spring Morris)
SummerWorks and Union share a common goal: to celebrate the vibrancy of summer in the city. Through this partnership, we are excited to share SummerWorks’ unique programming with a brand new audience, expand the Festival’s community and our geographic footprint, and as always, expand the possibilities of performance!
SummerWorks at Union programming will be announced throughout the summer, so check this webpage often and stay tuned to our social media for ongoing updates!
DETAILS - SUMMERWORKS AT UNION
Address: 65 Front Street West
All SummerWorks at Union events happen outdoors at the Union Summer TD Stage, located directly in front of the Union Station.
Public transit is located directly within Union Station, and there are several Green P parking lots within a short distance of the main terminal building.
All Union Summer events are free to attend and the space is physically-accessible and barrier-free for mobility devices, with a variety of seating and lounging options inside the market area.
Food and beverage is available onsite, with payments made with cash or card.
Please prepare in advance for daily weather conditions. Performances may be delayed or cancelled, due to inclement weather or power outages.
Join the fun on social media, and tag us! #SummerWorksatUnion + #SummerWorksTO, and follow us @summerworksTO
NOTE: SummerWorks at Union happens every Wednesday between June 26 to August 21. However, Union Summer is closed on July 24th, and there is no programming scheduled for this evening.
Please visit the Union Summer website for further/ongoing updates and details.
(photo by Spring Morris)
SUMMERWORKS AT UNIONSelect presentations of SummerWorks at Union are generously supported with funding from the Government of Ontario, as part of our SummerWorks After-Hours programming initiative.
PAST PROGRAMMING - TRASH PANDA BRASS
June 26th // 6:00 – 7:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Hitting the streets in June 2022, Trash Panda Brass is a new and exciting voice in the Toronto brass band scene, bringing music and joy to as wide an audience as possible. They regularly play at community events and educational workshops and can still be seen playing on the streets of Toronto. With all musical arrangements done by members of the band, Trash Panda Brass is known for their upbeat and fun-loving tunes, paying homage to quintessential queer hits and icons. (photo by Thomas Li)
ALSO on Wednesday June 26, we kick-off SummerWorks at Union, and celebrate our 2024 Festival Programming Launch! Learn more about the SummerWorks Performance Festival programming, and share a moment with some Festival artists too!
PAST PROGRAMMING - ALINE MORALES & JUNIOR DIAS
July 3rd // 6:00 – 7:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Aline Morales is a vibrant and talented Brazilian singer and percussionist renowned for her captivating performances and dedication to the traditional rhythms of her homeland.
Teaming up with Junior Dias, a masterful accordion player, André Valério, a virtuoso guitarist, and Regis Cardoso, an energetic drummer, Morales has brought together a powerhouse ensemble.
This collaboration aims to deliver the ultimate Forró experience, immersing audiences in the lively and passionate music that defines this popular Brazilian genre. Together, they blend their unique talents to create an unforgettable musical journey that captures the essence and spirit of Forró, making it an unmissable event for music lovers in town. (photo by Michael Fender)
PAST PROGRAMMING - SLOWPITCHSOUND x ICOT REMIX
July 10th // 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
SlowPitchSound X ICOT Remix is a short performance where the Turntable Artist uses recordings of ICOT’s original compositions, and with his unique production techniques, manipulates, and mixes them into new and exciting musical landscapes.
ICOT is a non-profit art organisation founded by five Toronto-based composers in 2011 with the mission of creating new works that bridge cultural barriers through music and art. ICOT has produced over 60 new works since its inception, and has curated or has been involved as featured artists over 35 concerts. ICOT‘s current members are Maziar Heidari (Music Director), Keyan Emami (Artistic Director), and Saman Shahi (Executive Director). Main collaborations include National Ballet of Canada, Soundstreams, Tirgan Festival, Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Toronto, 13 Strings, Ottawa Chamberfest, Toronto Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Nuit Blanche Festival, Canadian Music Centre, and many others.
SlowPitchSound (Cheldon Paterson) is an award-winning Toronto-based composer, mentor, and explorer of sound & visuals with over two decades of experience. He has collaborated with brilliant creators from a wide range of disciplines including opera, jazz, classical, electronic music, theatre and dance. His unique style of production, has graced stages around the world including Canada, Australia, USA, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Germany and Taiwan. With a passion for depth and detail in his work, SlowPitchSound is heavily inspired by nature, outer space, and dystopian sci-fi. His approach to making and presenting music includes turntablism, live sampling and field recordings. (photo by Kevin Jones (above) and Dahlia Katz)
PAST PROGRAMMING - DRIFTNOTE
July 10th // 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Experience an immersive sound experience at Union Station, where modular synth music performed live by Driftnote meets the ambiance of departure.
Omar David Rivero, who goes by the alias Driftnote, is a Venezuelan-born musician and multimedia artist now residing in Tkaronto. Their artistic focus revolves around improvisation, interactivity, and the creation of audio and visual installations, along with expertise in 3D imaging. Rivero delves into inquiries about materiality and embodiment, particularly in the context of examining systems, cultural erasure, and identity within the African/indigenous diaspora. His research is dedicated to reevaluating methodologies related to image creation, archives, and self-portraiture. (photo by Driftnote)
PAST PROGRAMMING - R. FLEX
July 17th // 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
R. Flex is an electro-R&B artist known for their distinct voice and energetic performances. (photo by Josh Rille)
Learn more about R. Flex’s music and artistic life in this July 2022 CBC Arts interview with Amanda Parris.
PAST PROGRAMMING - KINAJ
July 17th // 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
ROCK with YOU: An Homage to the King of Pop celebrates Michael Jackson’s music through KINAJ’s innovative dance and fashion. This electrifying performance blends street and contemporary dance styles, highlighting each performer’s unique movement. The show honors Jackson’s legacy, pushing the boundaries of dance and fashion into a captivating fusion. Audiences will experience an immersive performance where music, movement, and fashion seamlessly intertwine, creating a memorable tribute that embodies Michael Jackson’s artistry while showcasing KINAJ’s visionary creativity. (photo/design, courtesy of the artist)
KINAJ is a cross-genre dance collective created and led by Kin Nguien and AJ Velasco. Founded in 2020, KINAJ’s mission as choreographers and dancers is to create impactful work that challenges the status quo, fosters collaboration and unleashes the captivating power of storytelling through movement. In their cross-genre dance pieces, they blend street styles with contemporary dance, incorporating elements of improvisation, freestyle, and partnering techniques.
PAST PROGRAMMING - FESTIVAL OPENING!
July 31st // 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
You’re invited to kick off this year’s Festival a day early, at the Union TD Summer Stage!
Join us for a lively and fun summertime event, featuring a welcome from Elder Duke Redbird and a live music/DJ set with Tdesu.
All are welcome; no registration required.
ASL interpretation will be provided for all speeches and performances.
PAST PROGRAMMING - TDESU
July 31st // 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Tdesu is a Toronto-based music producer & DJ known for his ear-catching remixes that blend soulful melodies with rhythms from around the world. His name-recognition in the global Soundcloud scene has given him opportunities to spin in cities across Canada and the US including Los Angeles, New York, and Montreal. With track features on major radio platforms (Apple Music, Soulection, Rinse FM) and a consistent output of Toronto parties focused on building community through music (co-organizer of Stir Fry and Soul Cleanse)—he continues to be one to watch in 2024. (photo by Leon Suave)
PAST PROGRAMMING - TELEHORN
August 7th // 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Join Telehorn in celebrating the release of his debut album The Gravity Of See You Later at Union Summer’s TD Stage. The genre-bending artist will make his Toronto musical debut presenting this ambitious record live to Toronto audiences with a 5-piece band. Inspired by artists like Beck, Prince, Joni Mitchell, and Radiohead, Telehorn’s sound seamlessly blends genres, from folk and synth-pop to rock and funk. (photo by Xavier Cyr)
Jacob Vanderham: singer/songwriter
Thomas Upjohn: guitar
Naomi McCarrol Butler: winds, synth
Julia Little: bass
Vania Lee: drums
PAST PROGRAMMING - CORPUS
August 7th // 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Known for its precise and surrealist humour, dance company CORPUS combines movement with theatrical imagery to create experiences that entertain children and adults alike. Founded in 1997, they have presented more than 2,500 performances in Canada and 34 other countries.
In Divine Interventions, a cast of powerhouse female performers appear as goddesses, singing and offering blessings, prayers, guidance and the occasional rebuke to a chaotic world in need of divine intervention. The work provides a sense of magic, beauty and reignited hope that perhaps we are indeed being cared for by something divine. (photo by Jae Yang)
Anika Johnson, David Danzon & Matthew O’Connor: Creators
Bonnie Kim and Matthew O’Connor: Choreographers
Anika Johnson: Musical Composition
Kaitlin Torrance, Christina Smith, Jillian Cooper, Macayla Paris: Performers
Carolin Lindner: Costume Designer
PAST PROGRAMMING - RYAN G. HINDS
August 14th // 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Songs that tell stories and entertain, performed by musicians who love to give good show. Ryan G. Hinds has been described as Judy Garland meets Sylvester with a dash of Marlene Dietrich, and is a celebrated cabaret performer with a taste for classic tunes put through a contemporary, personal lens. Expect energy, dazzle, and fabulousity.
Dubbed as “a Toronto theatre icon” by CBC and “one of Toronto’s most beloved cabaret performers” by My Entertainment World, Ryan G. Hinds has performed across Canada and the US, including Just for Laughs in Montreal, LA Pride, the Stratford Festival, Chapel Arts in Vancouver, Orlando Fringe, and the famed Don’t Tell Mama’s in New York City. (photo by Dahlia Katz)
PAST PROGRAMMING - TITA COLLECTIVE
August 14th // 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
Tita Collective is an all-Filipina collective composed of award-winning playwrights, comedians, musicians, dancers, theatre makers and actors. They explore different mediums to share stories about the Filipin* diasporic experience. Through theatre, comedy, music, and movement, the Tita Collective aspires to tell stories that thoughtfully honour and celebrate our roots and history, explore our identities as Filipinas, represent the narratives of the Philippine diaspora in an inclusive and respectful way, and nurture and unites the community through joy and laughter.
Individually, we are: Ann Paula Bautista (Grow: A New Musical), Belinda Corpuz (Ursa: A Folk Musical), Ellie Posadas (Scarborough), Alia Rasul (Moro Girl), and Maricris Rivera (Short Dances). (photo by Monography)
PAST PROGRAMMING - NATASHA POWELL & PULGA MUCHOCHOMA
August 21st // 6:00 – 7:45 PM
Union Summer TD Stage, 65 Front Street West
This movement workshop is designed to bring African Dance and Jazz Dance together as an exploration and fusion of both dance forms. The goal is to explore these two art forms with the participation of the audience as a way towards education and collaboration. All are invited to participate (individuals with or without any dance background).
Natasha Powell is a Toronto native who has been working in the dance industry for 20 years. Her soulful approach to movement, that transcends genre, can be seen and felt in her dancing, choreography, and teachings.
Pulga Dance was founded in 2015 by Pulga Muchochoma. Pulga Dance provides educational classes locally and abroad and has provided workshops in places such as Colombia, Cuba, Wales, Mozambique, and Grenada.