TO Dwell has introduced the return of the UpFRONT Competition, an Indigenous-led celebration of arts, music, and tradition. For its second iteration, the competition of music, storytelling, and visible artwork might be offered outside, and all occasions might be freed from cost.
The multidisciplinary competition of Indigenous group, tradition, and creativity will characteristic over a dozen performances, interactive installations, an Indigenous arts and crafts market, and reside graffiti artwork on the partitions of the St. Lawrence Centre.
“The UpFRONT Competition is a celebration!” says Clyde Wagner, President and CEO of TO Dwell in a press release. “It’s an honour to assist our companions TKMF Productions to create a enjoyable area that celebrates Indigenous id, invitations significant dialogue, and showcases the vitality of Indigenous storytelling in at this time’s city public areas. With inclusion and accessibility at its core, the UpFRONT Competition brings Indigenous tradition to the forefront of Tkaronto’s downtown arts scene.”
The competition will take over Berczy Park and Scott Road within the coronary heart of downtown Tkaronto from August 15 to 17, 2025.
Headliners
Susan Aglukark
Uuliniq Susan Aglukark, OC blends the traditions of her Inuit musical heritage with up to date songwriting for a method that’s uniquely her personal. Born within the Keewatin Area within the Northwest Territories, Susan sang in her father’s church choir, and first started to check the guitar at a Bible camp on the age of 15.
The JUNO Award-winning Inuk singer and songwriter sings in each English and Inuktitut. Her 1995 album This Little one bought greater than 300,000 copies in Canada, and have become the primary No. 1 hit for an Inuk performer. Amongst her many accolades is a Governor Normal’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Inventive Achievement in 2016 and the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award on the 2022 Juno Awards, and she or he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Sebastian Gaskin
Sebastian Gaskin is an award-winning, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter and producer initially from the Manitoba Tataskweyak Cree Nation, at this time primarily based in Toronto. His music has been famous for a mix of insightful and emotional lyrics with a style defying musical fashion that pulls on parts of R&B, rock and hip hop. Lyrically, he balances political commentary with expressions of pleasure. Sebastian gained the 2025 JUNO Award for Up to date Indigenous Artist of the 12 months for his 2024 single Brown Man.
Different musical acts embrace:
- Brothers Wilde, an Ojibwe country-rock duo from Kettle & Stony Level First Nation;
- Métis singer-songwriter Kaeley Jade;
- Mi’kmaq hip-hop artist Wolf Citadel;
- Mattmac, a blind Anisininew music producer whose melodic pop-trap beats have earned him over 30 million streams;
- Digital music innovator Traditional Roots (Ojibwe/Blackfoot) brings a fusion of powwow-infused techno and home music;
- Shawnee Kish, a strong Two-Spirit Mohawk soul singer and three-time Juno nominee;
- Mohawk and French-Canadian songwriter James Wilson;
- From the Mississaugas of the Credit score First Nation, MR. SAUGA is a singer-songwriter who brings collectively conventional data of the Michi Saagiig individuals and activism in his music;
- Beatrice Deer, an Inuk/Mohawk icon from Nunavik, whose music combines indie rock, Inuk custom, and throat singing.
Extra…
Households will take pleasure in Rabbit and Bear Paws, created by Henvey Inlet First Nation’s Chad Solomon, and performances of conventional dancing by Odawa Wiingushk.
There might be a showcase of visible arts within the foyer of St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Berczy Park all through the Competition from August 15 to 17, and a free Indigenous artwork exhibition on the Meridian Arts Centre Gallery by TO Dwell’s Indigenous Cultural Curator Sierra da Silva-Canadien from July 28 to August 24, 2025.
The work of Indigenous artists, together with pictures, beadwork, sculpture, and extra might be on show.
“TKMF Productions was based with one function: to place Indigenous artists on the primary stage. Our reciprocal partnership with TO Dwell permits us to amplify our efforts by selling Indigenous artists from throughout the nation within the coronary heart of downtown Tkaronto,” notes Candace Scott-Moore, TKMF Productions.
Sista’s MexiKanata meals trailer will provide a tasty fusion of Indigenous and Mexican cuisines, and an Indigenous arts & crafts market might be working in Berczy Park from Friday to Sunday of the competition.
- Discover extra details about this free competition [HERE].
Are you trying to promote an occasion? Have a information tip? Have to know the perfect occasions occurring this weekend? Ship us a notice.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the day by day arts information straight to your inbox.
Join the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — native classical music and opera information straight to your inbox HERE.
Anya Wassenberg is the Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. Beforehand, she was a contract author with a specialty in tradition and journey for 3 many years, and a artistic writing teacher for Ontariolearn.
