spOtlight will take place in Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Stratford and Waterloo from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7. The spOtlight website will launch on May 20 with details of 135 free activities.
spOtlight is an opportunity for the public to learn about and experience the arts through various activities in theatre, music, dance, literature, media arts, crafts, and the visual and performance arts. The weekend festival includes free ‘behind the scenes’ tours, workshops, lectures, and other events. More than 200 local artists are involved in a spectrum of arts activities. Fourteen hub locations and dozens of other venues will be abuzz with artistic activity.
QUOTES
“The McGuinty government values the contributions of Ontario’s artists to our communities and to our economy. I encourage everyone who is able to take time June 5 to 7 to participate in the many wonderful activities planned and learn more about local artists,” said Ontario Minister of Culture, Aileen Carroll.
“We hope the community will be impressed by the extraordinary range of activities and artists that are featured at spOtlight this year and people will be inspired to participate,” said Martha Durdin, Ontario Arts Council Chair.
Further information
- A 20-page spOtlight festival guide will help you plan your weekend. Watch for it in local newspapers the final week of May and in downtown business locations.
- Festival guides will also be available at local businesses and arts venues.
- Ride the Grand River Transit Art Bus for free. You and your family can take the Art Bus to major spOtlight locations in Kitchener-Waterloo with four artist-hosts on board who will amuse passengers with insight into their work and fun on-the-road activities.
- Grand River Transit is also offering a special $5 Family Day Pass to get around all regular GRT routes during spOtlight. Details on how to buy a Family Day Pass available at www.grt.ca
- spOtlight launches Friday, June 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a ceremony co-presented by the City of Waterloo at the brand new Waterloo Public Square. The launch includes the official unveiling of Royden Rabinowitch’s sculpture Bell for Kepler in its permanent home, songs by jazz singer Diane Nalini and a performance by flamenco dance troupe Sol y Sombre.
spOtlight is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Culture and produced by the Ontario Arts Council.
- 30 -