Play the Parks, an iconic Toronto music festival is expanding nationally and will arrive in Winnipeg for the first time!
Presented by the TD Music Connected Series, Play the Parks is an annual music program that focuses on showcasing local, diverse and talented artists in Toronto’s Downtown for the past 10 years. This year, Play the Parks is expanding into 13 cities across Canada. Curated by Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI), the free, musically, and culturally diverse concert series will spotlight over 100 musicians, connecting communities from coast to coast throughout the rest of the summer.
On August 23rd, 30th, and September 6th, six diverse artists will perform in FREE outdoor concerts at The Cube Stage Parkette, notably featuring Kelly Bado. With influences from her African heritage, la chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado’s music is an intoxicating blend of Soul, World, and Pop. This Francophone and Global Artist of the Year (Western Canadian Music Awards – 2021) crosses cultural barriers to bring people together in joy and hope. Kelly will be performing at The Cube Stage Parkette on August 30, at 4:30 pm.
In addition to Kelly Bado, here are five diverse and incredibly talented local artists, including:
Fortune Block – The Cube Stage Parkette – August 30 – 4:30 pm
Fortune Block is a folk-country duo that combines the beautiful melodic voice of Amber Rose Nielsen and the deep rich vocals of Richard Inman. Together they write songs of love, death, horses and hot dogs.
Diaphanie – The Cube Stage Parkette – September 6 – 4:30 pm
Born in the cool, dry air of prairie autumn, songwriter Heather Thomas’ introduction to folk music came at an early age. Diaphanie is a return to that beginning, channelling Thomas’ first influences – from Joni to John Prine – to tell the well-trodden stories of old through a new lens.
FONTINE – The Cube Stage Parkette – September 6 – 4:30 pm
FONTINE crafts sanguine lyrics that tell of loves past and present. Through songwriting, beading, and exploring the natural world, FONTINE is working to uncover the roots buried for years, and become a part of a wider community of songwriters.
For a complete list of artists that are performing for the 2022 Play The Parks live program, visit: https://www.tdmusicconnectedseries.com