Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Luminato, a summer arts and theatre festival, embraces and celebrates the cultural diversity of the city and recognizes that creativity flourishes when cultures join together in a spirit of tolerance and respect. For the first time in June 2007, Luminato, Toronto’s Festival of Arts and Creativity, became the world’s newest international multidisciplinary arts festival. The inaugural festival attracted over one million participants to over 100 events including music, dance, theatre, film, literature, visual arts and lectures.

Two visionaries, Tony Gagliano and David Pecaut, were brought together for lunch at the Grano Restaurant by owner, Roberto Martella. There, on a Saturday afternoon in 2004, over calamari, pasta and wine the two passionate city-builders formed a partnership that was to culminate in Luminato 2007.

For the second season in a row Luminato led-off the 2008 summer season in Toronto just as the Fall Film Festival marks the end of the summer season. They are in effect, book-ends to the Toronto cultural season.

On opening night, June, 6, 2008, the place to be was Yonge-Dundas Square for the dance party in the middle of the city. Under a square decorated with giant balloons that pulsed with light, the opening night concert began at 6:30 with free swing dance lessons. After that, the “young of heart” of all ages were invited to dance until 11:00 p.m. The East Coast New World Orchestra and Count Basie Orchestra were part of an all-star concert which featured Nikki Yanofsky, the 14-year old Canadian singing sensation who has taken the jazz world by storm. She spent her 14th birthday performing at Carnegie Hall. The dancing continued for six nights. The music changed each night as new groups of revelers were taught new styles of dance. One night featured “silent dancing” as the floor was filled with hundreds of dancers dancing to music only they could hear through their i-pods. It was all rather strange and beautiful and certainly innovative.

Late in the evening, on opening night, from 11:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. the Royal Ontario Museum presented an elegant evening of dance, music and, fashion accompanied by food and wine. L’oreal, a Luminato sponsor, was doing make-overs with some stunning results.

For ten days, in ethnic neighborhoods throughout the city, as well as central locations, the celebrations continue. One of the things that makes the festival so vibrant is that it was designed for the people of Toronto. Many of the events were free. Others were priced to be within the budget of most of the people.

The theatre offerings were eclectic. Some I liked, some I didn’t, but they all were thought provoking and inspired conversation. Black Watch, tells the story of one legendary Scottish regiment fighting in Iraq. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed in eight languagages, showcases dancers, acrobats, musicians and actors, in a completely innovative version of Shakespeare’s classic play. Dennis Cleveland, was a disquieting critique on the promise of salvation through popular culture. I found it quite obscure but visually interesting.

There was so much more. The offerings were as diverse as the audience. Luminato’s Closing Weekend Celebrations included a transformation of one of Toronto’s oldest and hippest neighborhoods, the Distillery district, into an open-air space for musical, theatrical, artistic and gastronomic performances from all over the city. A special emphasis was placed on the new young artists and performers. One City, One Table featured the city’s newest and hottest chefs preparing gourmet and affordable street food fare as part of a 650 foot long table stretching down Mill Street.

This was only the second year for Luminato. It is already ranked among the worlds most multidisciplinary arts festivals. It can only grow and grow and grow as word spreads throughout the city and the world. The world of the arts is never stagnant. Luminato will continue to take advantage of what is new and fresh and add it to what is tried and true. I hope that I will have a chance to be a part of future Luninato’s.