Toronto's Luminato Festival Announces Lineup for Virtual 2020 Edition

Including free appearances from Sultans of String, Measha Brueggergosman, Nimkii Osawamick, Quique Escamilla and more

BY Exclaim! StaffPublished May 27, 2020

Like so many live events, Toronto's Luminato Festival was forced to change its 2020 plans, and organizers recently announced that the event has moved online. Now, Luminato has released the lineup that will be appearing for free from 7 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, June 11 until 12 midnight (EDT) on Saturday, June 13.

Although Luminato's format is different, the mission remains the same, as this year's lineup breaks down boundaries between different art forms. Some of the music-focused performances include Anishinaabe vocalist/percussionist Nimkii Osawamick, world music musician Quique Escamilla, a radio hour with pioneering hip-hop DJ Ron Nelson, a conversation with Toronto instrumental group Sultans of String, and a singing session with Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman (who will also be showing off some cooking).

Beyond that, writer Alanna Mitchell will discuss climate change in relation to the pandemic (in collaboration with the Theatre Centre and FOLDA [Festival of Live Digital Art]) and artist Amy Sharrocks will be leading conversations about climate change and activism. Late-night programming will come via Black Summers Night (with Unit 2, Black Lives Matter Toronto and Tea Base) and THE REVELATION. Alex Bulmer will do an audio art installation titled May I Take Your Arm?, and Halifax's Zuppa Theatre Co. will appear.

On the archival side of things, viewers will see gems from past Luminato Festivals with reprised airings of R. Murray Schafer's 1,000-performer oratorio Apocalypsis (2015), Blast Theory's one-shot film My One Demand (2015), and the cabaret concert The Cave (2019).

Artistic Director Naomi Campbell said in a statement, "Our virtual offering includes selections from Luminato's past, a taste of what would have been in this year's originally programmed festival, and a sneak peek into the future: world premieres, theatre, film, singer/songwriters, local, national and Indigenous artists, all wrapped up with intense conversations, late night DJs and VJs, burlesque, special guests and more."

See full lineup details at Luminato's website, luminatofestival.com. All told, the virtual festival will run from 7 p.m. on the Thursday (June 11) until midnight on the Saturday (June 13). Over 20 hours of content will be streamed from the festival's website and social media platforms.

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