Derelict Toronto mall to host huge art party this month

Toronto's Long Winter is well-known for hosting monthly art and music parties at The Great Hall. But now, it's taking its seasonal event farther north to an unlikely place: the notorious Galleria Mall.

"It's a fun mall but also somewhat of a relic," says co-organizer Mike Haliechuk via email when I ask about the unique venue. "Lots of art happens in the neighbourhood and lots of artists live up there so it felt like a good fit to bring our community into the space."

On January 30, Haliechuk and the rest of his team will transform the rather depressing mall, complete with performances from TEENANGER, The Highest Order, VCR, New Fries and S.H.I.T. as well as an It's Not U It's Me dance party in an empty storefront. As per usual, there will be installations by local artists - including Andrew Lamb, Laura Dawe and Jonathan Carrol and Ben Macarthy - scattered about.

Long Winter will unfold throughout the Galleria, but despite the change of venue, notes Haliechuk, the event will essentially remain intact.

"It will have a different feel because of the space but we're programming it in the same way with the same intention for it to be a special night in a special space."

Editor's note: The original photo used in this post has been updated.