If you’re looking for activities that might help you deepen your connection to community this summer, you could consider attending one of the free or low-cost music or cultural festivals across Canada that are presented by TD, through the TD Ready Commitment.
From music, food, cultural dances, unique neighbourhood experiences and more, there’s something for almost everyone.
“Community and culture are the heart of a thriving ecosystem, and as humans, we crave connection to help create a sense of belonging to where we live and play” said Alicia Rose, AVP, Social Impact.
“While feeling connected can help improve our quality of life, contribute to our happiness and facilitate social bonds, more of us are feeling increasingly disconnected and the need to try to deepen our connection with our communities has never been greater”.
According to data published by the Government of Canada, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians admits to feeling lonely.
“To help foster a sense of connectedness, TD supports a variety of programs and initiatives that focus on helping bring people together. It’s one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to deliver on our purpose to help enrich the lives of the customers, colleagues and communities we serve,” Rose said.
Through the TD Ready Commitment, the Bank’s corporate citizenship platform, TD aims to support initiatives focused on creating shared experiences through unique arts, music and cultural events that can help bring people from diverse backgrounds together. These include events and cultural activities that reflect diverse voices and strive to create spaces for community connections to thrive.
Check out the list below to learn more about several of these festivals from the organizations in their own words, and to help find a summer music or cultural festival near you:
ALBERTA
OneWorld Festival—August 15 to August 24, Calgary
Taking place in Elliston Park, OneWorld Festival hosts a “delicious selection of over 25 food trucks and international food booths that will tempt everyone’s taste buds.” The festival offers food, music, dance, and children’s programming so there is something for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
Visit the OneWorld Festival website to learn more.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Concerts at the Pier—July 4 to August 29, White Rock
Concerts at the Pier is a free outdoor concert series featuring five exciting concerts on Thursdays in July and August 2024. Performers to include 54-40 and Chrystal Shawanda.
Visit the Concerts at the Pier website to learn more.
ONTARIO
Heritage Sounds Music Festival—June 13 to June 16, Brampton
Heritage Sounds Music Festival (HSMF) is a four-day “musical extravaganza”. “Now in its 9th year, HSMF has evolved into a grand celebration of diversity, showcasing the rich tapestry of South Asian music while fostering cross-cultural musical exploration,” the festival says on its website. This year, HSMF says it is creating “an unforgettable experience” for visitors with multi-lingual and multi-genre presentations.
Visit the Heritage Sounds Music Festival website to learn more.
Sunfest Global Music & Jazz Festival—July 4 to July 7, London
Sunfest “has blossomed into a magnificent festival that radiates positivity and celebrates the diverse rhythms of the world.” Visitors of Sunfest can enjoy a lineup of international musical talents, from the soulful melodies of Seoul to the sounds of Bossa Nova from Brazil, as well as artisan vendors and culinary delights.
Visit the Sunfest Global Music & Jazz Festival website to learn more.
Festival of South Asia—July 20 to July 21, Toronto
The 22nd annual Festival of South Asia “celebrates the diversity of South Asian culture through multidisciplinary arts and foods from varying countries making up South Asia.” Located along Gerrard Street from Glenside Avenue to Coxwell Avenue, the festival says it has become one of the largest South Asian street festivals in North America, showcasing the culture of the South Asian community with live entertainment including dance, fashion shows, and authentic South Asian cultural programs reflecting Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, Bengali and Sri Lankan cultures.
Visit the Festival of South Asia website to learn more.
Markham Jazz Festival—August 16 to August 18, Markham, Unionville
Celebrating its 27th year, the Markham Jazz Festival will feature more than 25 free performances on three open-air stages from Friday to Sunday.
Visit the Markham Jazz Festival website for more information.
QUEBEC
Festival Orientalys—August 8 to August 11, Montreal
This free festival entirely dedicated to the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures celebrates a diverse, avant‐garde and open-minded Montreal. Every year, the Old-Port moves to the beat of bold fusions and original shows crossing three continents from North Africa to China, by way of Spain, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Cambodia, India and Japan as well as many other Eastern countries. Performances, workshops, animations, exhibitions and activities for children and adults are on the program each year.
Visit the Festival Orientalys website to learn more.
To learn more about how TD is helping support local community festivals, visit the TD Ready Commitment to read the most recent issue of the TD corporate citizenship quarterly newsletter.
