While TO Live’s doors remain closed great art continues to stimulate, inspire, and build connections. Living Rooms provides a platform for Toronto local artists to celebrate the neighbourhood they live in and promote their work.

TO Live’s curatorial, educational and content teams are currently working together virtually to bring digital experiences to  online members, supporters and art fans providing entertainment and a digital refuge during these challenging times. Every day, TO Live will feature local artists bringing you an exciting performance from the comfort of their own living rooms!  

TO Live will be sharing the videos through their social channels and on their website.  All videos are archived so that you can watch them at anytime. You will also be able to access the artists’ work and connect with them on social media. Come celebrate the artists that live in your City and share them with your friends and family.

TO Live would like to thank the City of Toronto, the Mayor and City Council along with all the dedicated people who continue to work tirelessly to keep our City safe.

“With the massive challenges, uncertainty and isolation being experienced across the world at the moment, it’s important to find ways for the arts to keep bringing us joy and inspiration and to keep bringing us together, even if it is only virtually,” said Josephine Ridge, VP of Programming. “To do that, our artists need to stay connected with us, their audiences and Living Rooms is one way that TO Live can help them to do just that.  Please watch, listen and discover and share with your friends”

Media Relations Officer, Grant Ramsay, mentioned several queer artists have been showcased in the past, including Ronnie Burkett, OKAN, D’bi young and Tea Mutonji. He also stated that Diane Flacks will be upcoming as well.

Upcoming “Living Rooms” – Check website for details

Singer / actor Jake Epstein (“Degrassi, “Beautiful” on Broadway)

Writer Carrianne Leung Her debut novel, The Wondrous Woo (Inanna Publications) was shortlisted for the 2014 Toronto Book Awards

Comedian Jordan Armstrong (Death Ray Cabaret)

Dancer Caroline “Lady C” Fraser (Holla Jazz) Internationally known for her unique versatility and original style in both dance and music, Caroline “Lady C” Fraser has won two  Dora Mavor Moore Awards for ‘Best Female Solo Performance’ and again in 2018 for ‘Best Ensemble (Floor’d)’ .

Meditation with Meditation Community Class instructor Cassidy Thedorf

Gaga Certified Instructor (Toronto & Berlin-based) Alvin Collantes.  (Note: Gaga is a movement language and pedagogy developed by Batsheva Dance Company director and teacher Ohad Naharin.)

Dancer Brandon “Bizzy” Owusu (Local dancer/choreographer. He has danced for artists such as Ariana Grande, French Montana, Rihanna, Drake, Sean Paul, Paula Abdul, Elephant man, and many more.

ABOUT TO LIVE

TO Live is one of Canada’s largest multi-arts organizations, operating three iconic venues: Meridian Hall (formerly the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts), the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Meridian Arts Centre (formerly the Toronto Centre for the Arts). In addition, TO Live presents a full range of performing arts, theatrical and concert events at these venues in both downtown and uptown Toronto. With these two hubs of creativity and content creation, TO Live has a unique place and perspective to activate creative spaces by inspiring local and international artists, connect audiences and to be the nexus for new ideas, elevate artistic potential, and be the catalyst for creative expression that is reflective of Toronto’s diversity.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.