Steelband Festival at Fort York this Saturday

Fort York National Historic Site and the Pan Arts Network are presenting a celebration of Caribbean steel pan music featuring 10 Toronto area steelbands on Saturday, July 12.

“Toronto’s steelbands are musical forces for community and youth development in this city,” said Mayor Rob Ford. “I encourage Torontonians to support them at this festival and at the many places they perform in Toronto and beyond.”

This free outdoor festival will take place at Fort York from 3 to 8 p.m. The bands performing include award-winning ensembles Pan Fantasy Steelband and the Afropan International Steelband. These bands have strong youth participation, with seven of the steelbands consisting entirely of youth performers.

“The steelband festival presents some of Toronto’s best steel pan groups, along with the next generation of steel pan artists,” said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee.

Other participating bands performing include CCAH Steel Orchestra, Gemini Pan Groove, JK Pan Vibrations, Malvern Praise on Pan, Silhouettes Youth Steel Orchestra, St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra, Symphonyx Steel Orchestra and the Farmers Rhythm Section.

There will be Caribbean food for sale, free all-ages pan workshops and opportunities for audience participation. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Toronto’s vibrant Caribbean community and support youth engagement through the steel pan tradition.

“This festival is a unique experience for residents and tourists alike to experience in a beautiful, historic outdoor setting,” said Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina).

Fort York, located at 250 Fort York Blvd. is one of 11 historic museums operated by the City of Toronto. The public can call 416-392-6907 or visit http://www.toronto.ca/fortyork for more information. The public can also find, and interact with, Fort York at https://twitter.com/fortyork and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fortyork.

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