24 Hours of Light in Whitehorse

One of Canada’s most interesting and fun mountain bike festivals, 24 Hours of Light is held in Whitehorse, Yukon, and is generally known to be one of  Yukon's most original events run by locals who know how to throw a legendary summer solstice party as well.

Because of the prime time the competition takes place, the 24 Hours of Light is known for it’s taking place during 24 consecutive hours of sunlight, and because of that, no lights are allowed. If light conditions deteriorate during the race, the race organizing team will make a decision to stop the race and/or allow riders to use lights on the course.

The cost to take part in the race is $65 per rider and includes swag, random prizes, midnight snack and breakfast.

The categories include solo riders and teams of 2,4 or 8 people. Teams may be male, female or mixed.

For more details visit the Top Events Canada page about the 24 Hours of Light festival at http://www.topeventscanada.com/yukon-top-events-festivals-24-Hours-of-Light.html

Golf on Father's Day in Canada

The rolling fairways and manicured greens of Niagara’s finest golf courses offer the perfect setting for spending time with Dad on Father’s Day.

It is an event celebrated all over the country with major attractions - and what could be more fun than celebrating Father’s Day in one of Niagara Falls main attractions.

  

Both the Marriott Fallsview and Marriott Gateway are running a special in honour of Father’s Day.

The Marriott Golf Getaway package, in partnership with three of the top golf courses in the area — Legends on the Niagara, Grand Niagara and Thundering Waters — includes:

·         One night Fallsview Room at either the Marriott Fallsview or Marriott Gateway (based on double occupancy)

·         Fallsview Breakfast for two

·         18 holes of golf (1 for each person) and cart at any one of the select courses

·         Marriott Golf Getaway packages start at $129 per person (based on double occupancy); this limited time offer expires June 18.

For more information about other events and festivals in Ontario, visit www.topeventscanada.com/ontario-canada-events-festivals.html or read more about the Marriott special deals at www.niagarafallsmarriott.com/golf 

Banff Summer Arts Festival

Tickets are now available for the ever popular Banff Summer Arts Festival, the annual Banff feature of new performances and exhibitions in music, opera, theatre, dance, visual and literary arts, new media, and film, much of it original work created at the Centre.

Taking place from May to August each year, the Banff Summer Arts Festival has been held at the Banff Centre for more than 67 years. Attracting more than 25,000 people each year, the festival showcases close to 200 events featuring over 1,000 international artists participating in Banff Centre programs.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at (403) 762 6301 or 1 800 413 8368, and at two locations in Banff –  the main box office of the Banff Centre at 107 St. Julien Way, and the downtown ticket outlet at the Old Crag Cabin, in Bison Courtyard at 211a Bear Street.

Tickets can also be purchased on line at https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/pack_home.htmI?l=EN&team=banff

Click here for more details about the Banff Summer Arts Festival or visit the Banff Summer Arts Festival website at : http://www.banffcentre.ca/events/listings/by-category/banff-summer-arts-festival.mvc

photo: Delphine Leroux, Peter J Smida, Maggie Forgeron, Doland Sales, Alexis Fletcher, and Gilbert T Small in Kevin )‘Day’s Face to Face - courtesy The Banff Centre

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival

For a sneak look at  what’s going on at the next Edmonton International Street Performers Festival in Alberta - take a look at  the latest newsletter at  that has lots of information about signing up to volunteer for the 2011 festival and the annual general meeting and membership drive.

The facebook page for the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival is packed with useful information.

Each year in mid July, Edmonton’s downtown core is transformed into the ultimate play zone as street performers from around the globe gather for ten days of fun and laughter in the annual Edmonton International Street Performers Festival.

A main attraction for over 26 years, the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival was the first of its kind in North America when it began in 1985.

For more information take a look at the Top Events Canada page about the festival at: http://www.topeventscanada.com/alberta-edmonton-international-street-performers-festival.html

The brand new site celebrating the wonderful events and festivals throughout Canada is brought to you by the team who has produced the highly successful Top Events USA at http://www.topeventsUSA.com

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan

Summer is almost here and it is only a month to go before the start of the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival! 

Contemporary and traditional productions of plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries are presented in large tents on the banks of the beautiful South Saskatchewan River in the heart of Saskatoon.

Now in its twenty-seventh summer at the South Saskatchewan River locations, the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan season for 2011 season of Magic and Mirth features the hilarious romantic folly of Love's Labour's Lost, playing in repertory with Shakespeare's touching blend of drama and comedy, The Winter's Tale.

Performances run from July 6th To August 21st with the ticket office opening in a few days on June 9th, 2011.  Look to book on line at www.shakespeareonthesaskatchewan.com/tickets/ or call Ticketmaster at (306) 938-7800

Prices vary from $10 to $30.

For more special events and festivals in Saskatchewan please visit the Top Events Canada page dedicated to top events and festivals in Saskatchewan.

Summer Vancouver Events

There’s lots of fun to be had in Vancouver this summer, with several very popular events.

At the end of June, the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival brings some of music’s edge-pushers, mainstayers and international ambassadors to Vancouver. For 10 days, music lovers can enjoy 400 concerts in 40 venues across the city. Each day from noon to the wee hours, jazz of all styles and stripes resonates throughout Vancouver. 

Click here for more details about the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival or visit the official web site at http://www.coastaljazz.ca

A month later, at the end of July, the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival that started as a courageous and peaceful protest in 1978 has become one of the most spirited and well attended celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride anywhere. Drawing 650,000-plus spectators, the parade begins on Robson Street, travels through the West End, and finishes at the Sunset Beach festival site. Showcasing colourful floats, rainbow-coloured balloons, music, dancers, and a heck of a party, it’s no wonder Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival is one of Vancouver’s can’t-miss summer events. 

Click here for more details about the The Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival or visit the official web site at http://www.vancouverpride.ca 

The largest off-shore fireworks competition in the world, the Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival (July 30, August 3 and August 6 at 10:00 pm) takes place over three nights in the summer. Lighting up the sky over English Bay and the city’s downtown core, the amazing pyrotechnic show is choreographed to music and showcased free to the public, drawing crowds of more than 1.5 million people annually to the city’s beaches, waterfront parks and restaurants. All performances begin at 10:00 pm. 

Click here for more details about the Celebration of Light or visit the official web site at http://www.celebration-of-light.com/

Just for Laughs

Just For Laughs, held in June in Montréal, Québec (QC) is now known as the world’s largest comedy event, and attracts more than 2 million people each year who come to take part in a wide range of activities from live performances of world famous comedians, to comedic film previews and television specials.

The 2011 fest is, claim the officials, “ridiculously awesome”. 

Massive shows include Russell Peters: Best Night Ever, Modern Love, hosted by ABC’s Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet and Craig Ferguson’s International House of Comedy should be amazing as well. It his third time hosting a Videotron Gala, so he knows what he's doing!

This year, the Just for Laughs festivals is the longest presentation ever, and covers more than 3 weeks packed with comedy stars.  All the fun takes place from July 11th to the end of the month.

Click here for more information on the Just for Laughs Festival in Montréal or visit the official web site at www.hahaha.com

Tickets for the festival are available on line at https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/pack_home.htmI?l=EN&team=jprjfl

SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival

The ever popular SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is offering a wide range of treats for this year, including:

• New Orleans legend Aaron Neville will make a return to the Festival on Sunday, June 26, when he brings his soulful brand of R&B and gospel to the TD Mainstage, joined by his funky quintet and his brother Charles Neville.
  
• The Broadway Theatre will welcome one of the world’s great young jazz musicians on Monday, June 27, as bassist Christian McBride and his acoustic jazz quintet Inside Straight perform a collection of hard swing-to-bluesy groove tunes.
  
• On Saturday, July 2, a night of eclectic hip hop comes to the Bessborough Gardens, featuring Arrested Development‘s potent concoction of funk, rap, soul and jazz music, and the playful wordplay of De La Soul.
  
• Regina-born blues guitarist Colin James comes home to Saskatchewan to play the Festival on Saturday, June 25.
  
• Reunited for the first time since 1992, the original lineup of Béla Fleck & The Flecktones will perform their extraordinary music on Tuesday, June 28.
  
• Indie folk-rock duo Tegan and Sara will draw the Festival to a close on Sunday, July 3, in their first visit to Saskatoon since their sold-out concert at TCU place in January, 2010.  

For more information visit the new Top Events Canada web site and see the information on the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival or visit the official web site at http://saskjazz.com/

Highland Storm on Prince Edward Island

Part of the annual Summerside Highland Gathering  in Summerside on Prince Edward Island, the all new production of Celtic music and dance, Highland Storm, takes place throughout July and August and showcases the very best in PEI talent!

Featuring a cast of over thirty including Highland and step dancers performing to the sounds of the pipes and drums, the high energy Highland Storm show runs four nights a week, outdoors in the covered amphitheatre in Summerside.

Click here for Top Events Canada for more details about the Summerside Highland Gathering celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage ( including step-dancing, Highland dancing competitions, bagpiping and bagpiping competitions, drumming and Scottish athletic events ) or visit the official web site at www.collegeofpiping.com

Held at the end of June, the Summerside Highland Gathering attracts locals and visitors from all over the world to take part in the competitions, wander through the clan tents, visit Celtic gift vendors, try the Scottish food and enjoy the music in the entertainment tent or at the outdoor main stage.

Luminato Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity

For ten days each year in June, the five-year old Luminato, the Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, transforms the stages, streets and public spaces of Toronto with theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, literature, food, visual arts, fashion, film, food and design.

For the fourth consecutive year, Luminato is presenting The Canadian Songbook, which celebrates Canadian songs each year and, on June 15, Luminato pays tribute to Ron Sexsmith at Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall, where Sexsmith shares the stage with friends and fellow musicians.

Additional guest artists include Kevin Hearn, Band Member of the Barenaked Ladies who will be the Musical Director for the evening, Greg Keelor, the award winning Canadian singer-songwriter and band member of Blue Rodeo, multi instrumentalist Julie Fader, Andy Kim, Montreal-born rock indie pop singer/songwriter who has been awarded Canada’s top music industry honor twice, the JUNO Award for Outstanding Achievements in the record industry, Juno-nominated, Toronto-based singer songwriter Matthew Barber, Shane Koyczan: Award-winning Canadian spoken word artist, seen at the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Olympics, and Measha Brueggergosman, the multi-award-winning Canadian soprano who performs both as an opera singer and concert artist.

Luminato takes place from June 10-19, 2011.

Click here for more details about Luminato - The Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity or visit the official Luminato web site at www.luminato.com

Les FrancoFolies de Montréal

Diversity has always been the watchword of Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, and this year, the festival raises the ante with the indoor program of this 23rd edition.

From June 9 to 18, FrancoFans can revel in a record number of never-before-seen spectacles, events and premieres by artists who, now more than ever, have adopted the Francos as the platform to launch their new material.

Catherine Ringer with her first solo album since the loss of her man, Fred Chichin; Mara Tremblay, also solo, and utterly intimate; a heaven-sent event with Ferland, stepping out of his den to revitalize a landmark album in the Québécois discography; Daho and Moreau, an unlikely but compelling couple that breathes new life into a firebrand poem; Béatrice Bonifassi with her new project; Daran, accompanied by a… comic book artist; the ever-surprising Éric Lapointe, who makes a dream come true by performing with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal… and makes another come true for his fans, who absolutely cannot miss this unique event; the grand premiere of Gerry, the highly-anticipated film on the Québécois rock icon; a concert tribute to poet Serge Gainsbourg, directed by Pierre Lapointe; Akhénaton, who flies out of the IAM fold to soar on his own… Moreover, fans will be thrilled to learn that the largest event devoted to the music of the francophone world, presented for an 8th consecutive year by Ford of Canada, will also offer a particularly strong hip hop program this year, featuring the finest mic-rocking MCs from here and abroad.

Tickets for these indoor shows are now on sale.

For details about Les FrancoFolies de Montréal visit the official web site at /www.francofolies.com/default-en.aspx

For more information about other top events and festivals in Québec, visit the  annual events and festivals page about Quebec at Top Events Canada. 

The Image Mill Quebec

The largest display of its type, The Image Mill™ is a summer evening projection made up of a magnificent HD display of images set to music and displayed on the 2,100 foot wide grain silos in Quebec Harbour.

Celebrating four centuries of Québec history, The Image Mill™ is one of Québec’s major attractions and has earned itself a place in the 2008 Guiness Book of World Records.

Although this enormous work can be viewed from several different vantage points of the city, the best views are to be had from the wharves between the Old Port Market and rue Dalhousie, north of Quai Saint-André.

Specific dates for the 2011 presentation are yet to be confirmed, but typically the performances are on Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 10pm from late June to end July, and at 9:30pm from end July to mid September.  

For details about the Image Mill visit the official web site at http://lacaserne.net/index2.php/other_projects/the_image_mill/

For more information about other top events and festivals in Québec, visit the  annual events and festivals page at Top Events Canada. 

Photo: www.quebecregion.com

Dreamspeakers International Aboriginal Film Festival

Dreamspeakers International Aboriginal Film Festival

Edmonton, Alberta hosts the 16th Annual Dreamspeakers International Aboriginal Film Festival from June 1 to 4. What makes this film festival different than others is its strong focus: it gives voice to Aboriginal communities and concerns, not simply from Canada but around the world.  

"This year's submissions have included works from India, Taiwan, South America, Greenland, Mexico, Phillipines and a good showing from Canada too," explains Helen Calahasen, Executive Director.  Calahasen stresses that "variety" is the key to what you can expect to experience.  "We have everything from comedy, drama, and music videos as well as some excellent documentaries."

The festival's opening night film is New Zealand director Taika Waititi's Boy, based on his Oscar-nominated short Two Cars, One Night. It's a heartwarming and funny coming of age story set in 1984. "It's a great film you can see over and over again," raves Calahasen. 

Equally impressive is the festival's stirring documentary Long Road Home, directed by Albertan Susan Feddema-Leonard. It focuses on a 14-day trek made my descendants of six families evicted from - and returning to - their homeland in the Athabasca Valley.

Throughout the year, Dreamspeakers also mentors Aboriginal youth through its Dreamspeakers On Tour program.  Film and television professionals take students from basic skills to a finished product (often a short film), all in the course of one year.

For details about the Dreamspeakers International Aboriginal Film Festival visit the official web site at www.dreamspeakers.org

For more information about other top events and festivals in Alberta, visit the Alberta annual events and festivals page at Top Events Canada 

Ontario Shaw Festival

One of Bernard Shaw’s greatest plays, Heartbreak House has begun previews at the Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (ON), and opens Wednesday, May 25

As the Western world teeters toward the tragedy of war, a young girl, her father and her older fiancée receive a seemingly innocent invitation to join Hesione Hushabye for a weekend in the English countryside. They quickly become entangled in a web of escalating events that result in unlikely unions, unwanted complications and ultimately, explosions, both metaphorical and real. A ruefully funny play, with a serious underlying message that still reverberates today.

Heartbreak House is described by Shaw to be one of his favourites and is without doubt one of his most celebrated.

Renowned internationally for single-handedly revitalizing and re-energizing the works of Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival is the only theatre in the world that specializes exclusively in plays by George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries, and in plays about the period of Shaw’s lifetime.

For details about the Shaw Festival please visit the official web site at www.shawfest.com/ or for an overview of the festival see the Top Events Canada page about the Shaw Festival

For more information about other top events and festivals in Ontario, please visit the Ontario annual events and festivals page at Top Events Canada.

St Albert International Children's Festival

This June, a trip to Edmonton isn't complete without an adventure just a little westward of the city, in the picturesque community of St. Albert. Founded in 1861 by Father Albert Lacombe, St. Albert is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year.  Fittingly, its festivals and attractions are bigger than ever before. 

The St. Albert International Children's Festival from May 31 to June 4 celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. One of North America's longest running and biggest children's festivals, this year's show will be made even more exciting with its largest production to date: a French-Canadian style cirque: Viaggio by iL CiRCo. 

Festival director Nancy Abrahamson calls it "an inspiring journey to a surreal world with whimsical characters, original music, and artful choreography." And by the latter, she means modern-day acrobatics that display awe-inspiring and downright superhuman acts of strength.  

The festival showcases some of the world's best children's performers from all around the world: actors, dancers, puppeteers, clowns and storytellers from Australia, Germany, Mexico, the United States and Canada. Abrahamson refers to it all as "a cultural kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and one-of-a-kind performances."  

Another must-see attraction in St. Albert is the newly opened Enjoy Centre, a project by Hole's. This massive 242,000 square foot facility holds: a huge greenhouse with trees, shrubs, perennials, bedding plants and floral studio; a bistro with an espresso and wine bar; an events space for weddings and conferences; and by the end of June, a wine store, European spa, food store, deli, home décor store, kitchen store and bakery. 

For details about the International Children’s Festival visit the official web site at www.childfest.com

For more information about other top events and festivals in Alberta, visit the Alberta annual events and festivals page at Top Events Canada 

Maritime Countryfest

The Maritime Countryfest announces five more acts to join Dr. Hook & the Stampeders for the annual country music festival to be held at the Historic Garrison District (Officers Square) in downtown Fredericton, NB on June 9, 10 and 11, 2011.

These include the Durty Nellys, known as one of the hottest, cutting edge pub/Celtic bands the Maritimes has to offer; the group Mason’s Tender combine Acadian and Irish folk tunes with a rock sensibility; Melanie Morgan who has been described as one of the most exciting new voices to hit the Canadian Country scene; and Kevin Davison, New Canadian Country Music Artist from Nova Scotia Canada.

Tickets for the Maritime Countryfest are on sale on line at www.ticketpro.ca, by phone at 1-888-311-9090, or in person at East Side Board Supply 520 Queen St in Fredericton.

Prices range from $60 for the All Access Pass, to $10 for Thursday, June 9th, or $30 for Friday, June 10th and $30 for Saturday, June 11th $30.

For details about the Maritime Countryfest visit the official web site at www.maritimecountryfest.com

For more information about other top events and festivals in New Brunswick, visit the New Brunswick annual events and festivals page at Top Events Canada.

Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival

Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival - A Gourmet Getaway

A celebration of the finest local restaurants in Banff paired with an extensive selection of international and Canadian wine, premium spirits, fine scotches, liqueurs, and micro-brewed and import beer, the Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is back again this year and takes place May 13 - 14th.

A major part of the festival this year will be held at The Fairmont Banff Springs. Guests can choose from one of three tasting sessions in what is called the Grand Tasting Hall: Friday evening 7 pm - 10 pm, Saturday afternoon 2 pm. – 5pm, or Saturday evening 7 pm - 10 pm. 

Tickets for each of the tasting sessions are sold online at www.rockymountainwine.com for $24 or $27 at the door (based on availability). Sampling coupons are available for purchase for $0.50 each upon arrival, allowing consumers to customize what they try and how much they spend.

For more information about the Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival take a look at the Top Events Canada feature:  Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival and for other Alberta events and festivals visit Top Events and Fetivals in Alberta

Launch of Top Events Canada

Many Lands One Moon Publications Inc is proud to announce the launch of the new site Top Events Canada highlighting the top events and festivals taking place each year in Canada.

Following the success of Top Events USA, launched 2 years ago, Many Lands One Moon Publications brings you a new site with the same attention to detail and quality. Focusing this time on the top events and festivals across Canada, Top Events Canada is the ideal web site to take a look at when you want to know all about the best events and festivals in the country.