TAIWANfest: A Cultural Tango with Hong Kong, August 26–28

Harbourfront Centre is delighted to present TAIWANfest: A Cultural Tango with Hong Kong, August 26–28, co-produced by Asian Canadian Special Events Association. This year’s festival celebrates the people and culture of Hong Kong and Taiwan, showcasing stories and icons from both countries through music, arts, games and family activities.

Headlining on opening night, Maestro Ken Hsieh conducts a symphony orchestra performance of When Lion Rock meets Jade Mountain. This performance pays tribute to Teresa Teng and Leslie Cheung, and invokes memories of when Eastern pop music was introduced to the West.

On August 27, the Friendship Picnic returns by popular demand providing friends and guests with tasty treats. The Friendship Picnic offers Canadians who are unfamiliar with the culture of Taiwan or Hong Kong the opportunity to speak with a first-generation Taiwanese or Chinese Canadian. They are free to ask questions and learn about the cultures over a delicious spread of food native to both cultures. On August 27, Utopia, Taiwan’s first ambient, electro-dance music band performs on the Concert Stage. Their unique and vibrant sound is woven with chill step, ambient pop and trip-hop.

“The Taiwanese and Chinese communities play an immense role in making Toronto one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the world,” says Diana Webley, Senior Artistic Associate at Harbourfront Centre. “We’re so excited to showcase Taiwan and Hong Kong side by side all weekend, giving some Torontonians a taste of home and others an opportunity to learn more about some of their neighbours’ ethnic roots. This three-day festival also includes The International Pan-Asian Culinary Invitational: Taiwan vs. Hong Kong vs. Canada. This competition puts Toronto’s local talent up against bona fide chefs hailing from Taiwan and Hong Kong and takes place August 27 and 28.”

For additional information on TAIWANfest, please visit harbourfrontcentre.com/festivals/taiwanfest/ or call 416-973-4000. For information about getting here, visit harbourfrontcentre.com/gettinghere/.

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating the 10 prime acres of Toronto’s central waterfront as a free and open public site. We celebrate the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enliven the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe.