Toronto's Venus Fest Gets Emel Mathlouthi, Grouper, Weaves for Inaugural Edition

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished May 18, 2017

Founded with "intent to foster community, inclusivity, unification, and feminist values" within Toronto's music and arts community, Venus Fest is set to launch its first iteration this fall. Ahead of the September event, festival organizers have lifted the curtain on the lineup for the inaugural edition.

The single-day fest will be headlined by Emel Mathlouthi, Grouper and a secret headliner to be revealed later in the summer season. Local favourites Weaves, DIANA, Lido Pimienta, Phèdre, Ice Cream, Witch Prophet, Queen of Swords, the Highest Order and Hex are also set to perform. 

Along with the musical lineup, 3D art installations, video projections, local food vendors and a series of other unique collaborations will take place at the event.

The first edition of Venus Fest will take place on September 30, running from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Artscape Daniels Spectrum building in Toronto's Regent Park neighbourhood. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, while the festival will have assisted listening devices available upon request.

Venus Fest was created by Toronto musician and astrologist Aerin Fogel (the Bitters, Queen of Swords), and was born from "a desire to create change and awareness around who has access and representation in the arts."

Festival tickets go on sale today (May 18), with three tiers of pricing for different levels of access. A full breakdown of pricing tiers can be found through Venus Fest's official website.

Latest Coverage