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Forty Years of Legacy and Innovation

This summer, we welcomed thousands of visitors like you to our events, along with 5,820 campers, 1,323 international artists, 501 Lake View Market and World Café vendors and 18 community partners. There were 2,465 volunteer shifts, 9 Free Flicks about funny girls, 7 Random Acts of 40, 3 Legacy Awards and innumerable outstanding performances. Though still challenged by street construction on Queens Quay and the surrounding areas, many visitors found their way to the site. I think we are all looking forward to 2015 when access to Harbourfront Centre will be unencumbered, and the street will be a beautiful boulevard.

We also said farewell to our long-time CEO William Boyle and welcomed our new CEO, Marah Braye. I know you will all enjoy working with Marah as we build for the future on our beautiful new site.

There are so many wonderful memories from summer 2014: performances, dancing on the pier, young people enjoying camps, films, fireworks, projections, culinary treats, friendships, international exchanges, China Now, incredible music and so much more. You, our volunteers, are an integral part of the summer team that makes all of this happen. Collectively, we make Harbourfront Centre a special place in the heart of the city. A big thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm and support.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Melanie Fernandez Director, Community Engagement & Activation (CEA)

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 3 June 2014

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 5 October 2014

Left to right: Janice Bearg, Head of Administration, CEA, Melanie Fernandez, Director, CEA and Rodrigo Fritz, Head of Events, CEA

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In Praise of Summer Volunteers – Development

From Allan Penning, Development (interviewed by Lyn n Allen)

Allan Penning and his department have many responsibilities. They raise funds for Harbourfront Centre through the Individual Giving program. They organize the use of donation boxes at public venues. They keep track of annual donors and family foundations that financially support Harbourfront Centre on a regular basis. They also cultivate and steward the Leadership Circle, which is composed of people who have donated $1,000 or more annually. They are continuously looking for new donors through ticketed events.

The Development department has steadily been increasing its number of requests for volunteers. Volunteers canvassed site visitors using ,the donation boxes at all the summer festivals at the WestJet Stage and the Music Garden. According to Allan, the volunteers collected significant funds. They also helped to raise public awareness of the fact that Harbourfront Centre is a charity and that it needs public support to finance its free programming.

The donation boxes are a relatively new format. They were a big success in 2013 and the Development department wanted to continue to encourage this success and growth. This is the main reason for the small but steady increase in volunteer requests from this department. Allan feels that the donation box volunteers are the first touch point in securing new donors for Harbourfront Centre. They are donors themselves, by giving so willingly of their time. All of the volunteers that I spoke to, many of whom participated frequently, said they enjoyed the experience very much.

Allan Penning and Andrew McKay

Michael and Kathy with fundraising volunteers Vladimir and Robin (left) and fundraising volunteer Suki (right)

Fundraising volunteers Desiree (left) and Sailesh (right)

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In Praise of Summer Volunteers – Info Host

From Jo Ann Roberts, Info Desk Well, Info Host team, it’s been an exciting summer 2014.

The Info Host volunteers are a valuable part of the Information Desk team. This summer, they had a front-row seat for the transformation as the Waterfront Toronto plan (ever so slowly!) came together. Drilling, dust storms and major construction just feet from where they were sitting! Thrilling!

It hasn’t been easy dealing with the challenges of a long construction project like the revitalization of Queens Quay West. We heard lots of complaints and comments about it and about transportation to and from the site. The positive attitude of volunteers deserve a bravo! Being on the Info Host team can be a learning position and a veteran’s position. Veterans enjoy talking about the history of the area and Harbourfront Centre, and the new volunteers love to learn. We had a great mix this year at the table. And we’re lucky that you all choose to volunteer with us, that you bring your wealth of knowledge to our guests and that you help spread the Harbourfront Centre love! This summer, guests who walked by the inside Information Desk told us, “You should give the team at the outside table a raise! They’re great!” (I couldn’t agree more!) Heartfelt thanks to you, the Info Host volunteers, for your dedication and hard work during this year’s events. Your time and efforts are truly appreciated. With smiles on your faces, you have prevailed by bringing your own unique perspectives and outlooks to our team in Information Services.

Thanks, team. And congratulations on another great summer!

In Praise of Summer Volunteers – Play Zone

From Morag McDonald, Planning & Production This summer we launched the Play Zone, a new activity in the South Exhibition Common. The Play Zone is an imagination playground made of life-sized foam bricks, tubes and balls. Kids can connect pieces, build, and create walls, forts, castles and all kinds of fun environments. We could not have offered this activity if it weren't for our fantastic volunteers who were the Play Zone's Play Associates, responsible for supervising the children, setting up and putting everything away. To the credit of our volunteers, we had an incredibly positive response from the public who looked forward to repeat visits.

We're hoping to be able to bring the Play Zone indoors for the winter, to complement skating and Miss Lou's Room. Until then, a big thank you to the summer Play Zone volunteers—you were awesome!

Jo Ann Roberts

Morag McDonald

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In Praise of Summer Volunteers – Music Garden

From Lynanne Sparrow, Artistic Associate – Dance, P erforming Arts The 2014 Summer in the Music Garden was another successful concert season. The Music Garden is a beautiful, magical place that our volunteers help bring to life. At each concert, volunteers support the program by answering patron questions and handing out marketing information, among other duties. The lush green garden, blooming flowers, world class music and smiling patrons make Summer in the Music Garden a very special program. Thank you to all the Volunteers that make it happen. See you next summer!

Outdoor music on a beautiful Sunday afternoon

A captivating musical performance Fundraising Assistant at the Music Garden

Thank you for the donation

Lynanne Sparrow

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Summer Festivals: Classical VI: Voice and Strings

Island Soul

Clockwise from top left: Di and Ziheng at Musideum, Luisa at Crafts, Larry Lewis performing with the New Horizons Band and Saambavi at Crafts

Clockwise from left: Pamela at the Jerk Jam Down competition, Tanzina at Crafts, Isabella teaching visitors to play Oware and Ava at the face-painting workshop

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Hot & Spicy Food Festival

Host Carmine Accogli with Cooking Demo Assistants Christine, Tom and Cristina Chrissi, Integrated Communications Specialist, having a blast with the hula-hoop

VVC Zuzanna with Cooking Demo Assistants Angela and Katherine Ticket sellers Helna and Vicky

International Iron Chef Competitors Chef Chi Wen Chen (Taiwan) and Chef Xavier Perez Stone (Mexico)

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Summer Festivals: TAIWANfest

Pili Puppetry Taiwanese glove puppetry, which originated in the 17th century, combines literature, philosophy, storytelling, sculpture, embroidery, painting, music and showmanship. The Pili Puppetry Company uses various characters to illustrate issues profoundly rooted in Taiwanese society. The Legend of the Sacred Stone, which was screened at Studio Theatre during TAIWANfest, is the Pili Puppetry Company’s first film. Somewhat like

the superheroes of the Western world, most of the characters are destined to protect humanity. The main characters—Sheng (man), Dan (woman), Jing (power and ambition), Choiu (clown), Muo (elder) and Za (many characteristics)—combine ancient Chinese stories, Chinese history, Buddhist scripture and films. The Straw Men When most of us think of scarecrows, we think of straw mannequins dressed up in old clothing used as decoys to scare birds away from crops. Home, an artist and “lazy” farmer, has turned scarecrows into works of art, each with its own personality and story. For example, the Straw Men on display in Ontario Square, each represent a real mountain farmer from Home’s community in Southeastern Taiwan.

Home’s own story is equally interesting. In 2007, a typhoon destroyed his family farm. His father also died. He and his wife, Iris, decided to cycle around Taiwan in the hopes of reinventing their farming life. In Southeastern Taiwan, they discovered a relaxed, comfortable community. They found inner peace there and convinced their families to join this organic farming community. These are the “Lazy Farmers.”

The Lazy Farmers went back to hand weeding, using only small machines and minimal management. They learned more about the ecology of the land. They built a community by creating beautiful public spaces with found items and by installing stone carvings and sculptures in their fields.

Home believes that children need to appreciate nature more, so he has incorporated a small ecology school on his farm. The school groups who visit learn to see the farmer as an artist.

Valentine at the scarecrow craft activity

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Expressions of Brazil

A Brazilian volunteer (left) and Miranda (right) at the balloon

workshop Isabella and a Brazilian volunteer grooving to Brazilian rhythms

Ashkenaz Festival

Lynn Allen at the craft activity Signature event of the Ashkenaz festival – the parade

Something From Nothing Shadowland Theatre’s parade puppets

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Ghosts of Harbourfront Centre Theatre

A popular theatre superstition is that every good theatre has a ghost. If this is the case, the Harbourfront Centre Theatre (formerly the Enwave Theatre) is extra special, because there are three ghosts that haunt it. If you're lucky, here's who you may run into the next time you're watching a performance. The most-sighted ghost is known as the “Man in the Brown Coat.” He has been seen in the upper gallery of the theatre and along the side of the balcony level. He often appears to be watching whatever performance is happening on stage. In fact, we've had patrons come out of the theatre at intermission and ask the House Manager why a man was standing up in the side balcony during the performance.

The other two ghosts in the theatre are a woman and a young boy, assumed by theatre staff members to be mother and son. The woman seems to like watching performances as well, but she has also been seen in the theatre when there is no show, during office hours and at night when the cleaning staff are working in the theatre. The young boy, who looks about 7 or 8, has been known to play hide-and-seek with staff, hiding behind backstage doors and furniture.

The HCT ghosts are occasionally too popular for their own good. Two ghost-hunting television shows have shot episodes in the theatre, and we regularly get requests from amateur ghost and paranormal groups for tours and backstage access. The next time you're in the theatre, keep an eye out, because you never know who you might see. By Morag McDonald Senior Coordinator, Planning & Production

Want more about haunted buildings in Toronto? http://www.torontoghosts.org/

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Mark Your Calendars

Day of the Dead, November 8-9

Uncover the ancient and contemporary stories, rituals and practices of Mexico and other Latin American countries with Day of the Dead. A joyous festival celebrating the living memory of the dearly departed.

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a festival observed throughout Mexico and other cultures and countries around the world. The festival provides people with the opportunity to rejoice in the living memories of their loved ones. Although this Mesoamerican festival has been amalgamated with Catholic theology, it still maintains the basic principles of the Aztec traditions, such as the use of skulls (calaveras).

Don’t miss our annual

holiday celebration!

Tickets are still available.

Volunteer E-Newsletter Sub-Committee: Lynn Allen, Coordinator/Writer; Lidia Jarmasz, Writer/Editor; Nida Haroon, Design/Layout; Kathleen-Sonja Mooney-Childs, Sean McCluskey, Jennifer Cai, Committee Members; Genevieve Peng, Advisor/Editor.

Photos courtesy of Tom Bilenkey, Ricky Yu, Holmes Pasiminio, Rebecca Kalant, Stefano Rodriguez, George Lobb