June 9, 2008
Illuminato Weekend! 8
I pretty much just had the most jam-packed weekend of my life! The weather was fantastic, people were out and about in the city, I got to spend time with both family and friends, nothing gets better then some quality time with friends and fams!
Friday night I had the pleasure of attending the Luminato Festival kick off at Dundas Square, it was quite the crowd. I loved seeing people dancing and jumping to some quality music, and it was great to be downtown on a Friday night, the city was just bursting with life! First Nova Scotia’s East Coast New World Orchestra sizzles the floor with their regional folk music that made everyone danced (or at least, tapped their feet).
The dancing continued with a lindy-hop swing dance lesson, I’ve never seen so many people dancing to swing
Then, the fantastic, Grammy winning Count Basie Orchestra blew the night away with their smooth and swin’in jazz. I still can’t believe I heard them for free at a spot right in front of the stage. This was followed by the brilliant 14-years-old Nikki Yanofsky who wowed the crowd with her strong vocal work. I still have “Ol’ Macdonald had a farm” stuck in my head (in a good way).
After all the festivity was over, I ran into my high-school buddy Tim Chong and we had Pizza together and catch up on some good times as well as discussing good o’l photography, it was definitely a fantastic night all around.
Saturday a bunch of us celebrated Howard’s 22nd birthday with a dim-sum lunch, the food was quite delish, and then we went crazy and played mario-cart and smash brothers for the rest of the afternoon. In the evening, my family and I went to see “Evil Dead — The Musical”, which I think everyone in Toronto should go see because it was freaken hilarious. The one-liners and slapsticks were dead on, I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard in a long time. It does use a lot of fake blood for effect though, so those that don’t really like seeing blood might want to skip this one for that reason. Seriously though, if my mom enjoyed it, you will enjoy it too!
Sunday morning I went to see Heather play some tournament baseball with the Lion’s club. They didn’t do so well, and I wasn’t the lucky charm I thought I was. 
Nevertheless, it was fun being there watching a supporting a friend and enjoy the outdoors and tanning in the sun. In the afternoon I drove to Waterloo to have all-you-can-eat Sushi with Scotty, and then visited Alex for a quick chat (which usually lasts around an hour or more, so much for “quick”).
Jam-packed but fun weekend!? I think so. My cousin is visiting TO next week, plus gatherings here and there, this is going to be a fun summer!
Jun 09, 2008 @ 19:18:48
I was at Dundas sq for saturdays’ extravaganza and videotaped most of it. I have uploaded some already and will be uploaded many more if you’d like to check them out.
Jun 09, 2008 @ 21:21:46
Great videos! Thanks for sharing them!
Jun 09, 2008 @ 21:38:08
i saw pictures from Illuminato! made me jealous
Wish I could have been there
Jun 11, 2008 @ 00:26:08
There should be way more killer events in SF in the summer! Do take lots of piccs!
Jun 12, 2008 @ 01:45:21
I was only out at Luminato for a short short time at the noon hour after my midterm, and again after class before I came back uptown
Sorry I missed the Saturday lunch & afternoon!
Jun 13, 2008 @ 07:17:07
I saw the ad and wanted to go tooo! what is it really any? just a festival or is there a specific theme?
Jun 17, 2008 @ 22:55:55
@Dan: No worries buddy! School comes first!
@Katie: It’s a week long festival full of events, most are free, some are ticketed. The fact that I got to hear Count Bassie Orchestra live for free was too awesome to pass up!
Jun 24, 2008 @ 09:08:31
I was at Luminato too!
Wasn’t the swing dancing so much fun??
Keep the stories coming Timy Lee!