Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) is giving Torontonians and visitors the chance to literally put themselves on the map and mark their place in the city through a new art installation outside the CN Tower. The TO BigCity Stage is a large 30-by-30 foot walkable map of Toronto that acts as a celebration of the diverse opera, dance, and theatre happening across the city.
The interactive map is part of TAPA’s All the City’s A Stage program and presents a perfect Instagram opportunity for anyone walking by. TO BigCity Stage is located on the public plaza between the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium.
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“The CN Tower is proud to be at the heart of a city that’s recognized around the world for its vibrant and diverse arts,” says Rob Ng, the CN Tower’s Director of Attractions. “We hope everyone will come and explore the TO BigCity Stage map and help us celebrate theatre arts and culture.”
Alongside the unveiling of the installation on Oct. 2, TAPA featured a pop-up performance of an excerpt of the new production Finding Home by Theatre Direct and Animacy Theatre Collective. Finding Home is the story of two chinook salmon best friends who are inseparable as they face all the challenges of living in the Humber River. It’s a story for all ages that will be put on in King’s Mill Park from Oct. 16 to 17.
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In partnership with Toronto branding agency Trajectory, the All the City’s A Stage initiative calls for people to re-engage with the city’s culture after the pandemic halted all in-person performances. This initiative is a city-wide celebration of dance, opera, and theatre and features pop-up performances and immersive experiences from September through December.
All The City’s a Stage launched last weekend with a series of pop-up performances at five Toronto libraries, before the opening of TO BigCity Stage.
“This is a hugely important time for Toronto as we slowly emerge from the pandemic, and All the City’s A Stage is an open invitation and reminder to all residents throughout the city that Toronto is home to an extraordinary array of performing arts—from world-renowned theatre, opera and dance companies to lively neighbourhood offerings,” says Jeannette Hanna, chief strategist at Trajectory.