Giant light tunnel coming to King West and University
Along with the announcement of TIFF's first few films for the 2014 season last month, film fest organizers revealed that a brand-new street festival would transform the stretch of King St. bordering the TIFF Bell Lightbox from September 4 to 7. More details for the opening weekend fest have been announced, and the schedule of events and attractions certainly looks lively, if not at all film-centric.
Public art will play a big part, including the Light Tunnel, the "world's most soothing red carpet," which will be set up at the festival's entrance near University Ave. As you move along King to Peter, you'll be able to play giant chess, board games (as supplied by Snakes & Lattes), and summer camp-style games (who's ready for trust falls?) with Mammalian Diving Reflex.
A public piano will be available for several thousand key mashings, and a giant HAL 9000 will be on site to take your photo / haunt your nightmares. Each night will be capped off with DJ sets and live performances. The lineup is solid, if not exactly novel: think Jason Collett, Rich Aucoin, DIANA, Maylee Todd, and BADBADNOTGOOD. There are also plans to have food trucks serving guests on site. Basically, it's going to be a good old-fashioned Toronto street festival - right down to the frustrated drivers who forgot King St. was shut down.
Thanks to the Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, for sponsoring our coverage of TIFF 2014.
Photo of Lightbridge (created for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche) by Jennifer Yeaman.
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