Build it and they will come...
Build it they did and yes, the people arrived. The Beaches International Jazz Festival exploded onto Woodbine Park 18-20 July, celebrating 20 years of bringing Jazz to the people in Toronto.
The parks's three story gazebo became a people's cathedral as musicians created the music that floated and soared over that grassy amphitheatre.
The park itself was a fair with children's activities, colorful food and refereshment tents, and three stages for music. Wandering groups including Samba Squad were gathering crowds whenever they stopped. Saturday's balmy air added to a very relaxed experience. The music was there, but not pounding, allowing for complete enjoyment.
Perhaps Alexis Barro was the iron man of the week-end, playing a full set Saturday with Luis Mario Ochoa on the MainStage, another set with Cane Fire and fronting his own band on Sunday.
The festival continues a little further east on Queen Street East Thursday-Sunday 24-27 July. The Jazz - Salsa connection is not lost as Caché takes to the street @ 2066 Queen St. East Thursday-Saturday nights from 7:00pm.
And, you saw her at Salsa on Saint Clair. Frontwoman Lady Son y and her Articulo Veinte take the Kew Beach MainStage 2:00pm. Sunday 27 July. Video.
