Free Stuff 2019

Make-believe meets reality in this unique live-performance installation that recreates a country scene in an urban setting. Travel to a strange, poetic and baffling universe that takes you through a carefully studied overview of sheep behaviour. Les moutons has mesmerized audiences all over the world.

Ants is an enchanting investigation into the nature of group work – an interactive performance delivering unusual landscaping. Young and old will be irresistibly drawn to the enormous breadcrumb-collecting ants, whose task-focused building ultimately transforms public space.

These tall, elegant birds are marionettes of fine wood manipulated by skillful stilt walkers. Under the watchful eye of their shepherd, they come to life and interact with the public in a surprising and magical way.

TORONTO PREMIERE! This installation-performance is a meditation in movement, reflecting on the passing of time. Open yourself up to this beautiful and mesmerizing experience set against Lake Ontario.

Imagine a live fashion show where the designers are children and audience members are the muses! Leading up to Junior, professionals train local children in the rudiments of theatre, fashion design and garment construction. These new, young fashion designers select willing audience members for a fashion makeover. You could walk the runway yourself! So, are you “in” or “chicken”?

With the support and participation from The Neighbourhood Group, we are able to teach children and youth about fashion design to fuel their own form of creativity.

Drag performers Fay Slift and Miss Fluffy Soufflé return to Junior for more storytelling fun, bigger and better than ever before! Join them for an outdoor reading experience and dance party. They make reading fun for kids (and adults), while encouraging everyone to see our differences as beautiful.

Looking to get rid of your children’s gentle used clothing, or looking to add to their wardrobe? In connection with Fashion Machine and in the spirit of the 3 R’s, there will be a free children’s clothing swap on the Brigantine Patio. Bring a shirt, take a skirt!

Item drop-off from 11am–1pm daily.

She’s been given a mission by the ministry: to make soup in the classroom. But she’s given a recipe that isn’t exciting, so she chooses to use different ingredients that remind her of her childhood in another country, a country at war that she fled many years ago. As the ingredients simmer, her memories come flooding back. This performance will leave you with a full belly, new memories of your own and flavourful stories to tell.

Pre-registration is recommended. Registrants are encouraged to sign in at least 10 minutes prior to the event start time. At that time, any unclaimed reservations will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Write It Workshop Series is Ripple Foundation’s creative writing program designed to inspire young authors. The series focuses on improving youth writing skills and increasing their confidence in writing through effective brainstorming, character development and plot structure.

Pre-registration is recommended. Registrants are encouraged to sign in at least 10 minutes prior to the event start time. At that time, any unclaimed reservations will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Come experience the beauty of Bollywood Dance and learn this fun and energetic dance style just like a Bollywood movie star! Taught by the acclaimed Canada’s Got Talent Finalists, Broken Dance!

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. Students and performers of all ages will demonstrate a typical capoeira roda, and then will invite interested audience members to join us in a mini introductory workshop.

Gumboot dancing is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. South African Gumboot Dance originates from the gold mines in Johannesburg during apartheid. It has influenced contemporary dance forms such as stepping and hip hop. Learn gumboot dance vocabulary and work together to make spectacular body-beats.

Ciimaan/Kahuwe’yá/Qajaq (CKQ) Indigenous Language Initiative at The Centre for Indigenous Studies at University of Toronto is pleased to be partnering with Junior for its second year. Metawe Penkoo (Play bingo), learn Anishinaabemowin words, and try to win a prize! You can also join in on a fun colouring activity for all ages.

Try your hand (and foot) at various circus disciplines – learn how to walk a tightrope, and see how high you can climb the silks!

Curious about making music? Discover a variety of instruments with Sistema Toronto’s hands-on musical drop-in where you can touch, hear and play!

Youth entrepreneurs, Amreen, an economic and community development worker, and Farheen, a nature-lover and sustainability enthusiast, both see henna as a means to spread love and knowledge of the art form that has carried itself through generations. Come adorn yourself with their beautiful henna designs and take part in a collective henna canvas project. Variable prices apply for hand designs.

Here you can colour artwork by Ojibwe artist Patrick Hunter while also picking up some Ojibwe language yourself! Take artwork on paper home or help create a large piece on wood that will live on at Harbourfront Centre.

This project has been supported by Prince’s Trust Canada – a national charity established by HRH The Prince Wales that is committed to supporting young people, veterans and Indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast.

Let’s Talk Science is a national organization that provides free STEM outreach to the community. Participate in the hands-on science activities and learn about sustainability and renewable energy!

Bring your unwanted toy parts and join Tiny Toy Co. for playful, brain-building games while keeping toy waste out of the landfill. Go home with many ideas to reactivate the fun and learning with your own random toys and contribute to a solution for our global plastic crisis.

Marvel©’s newest superhero, Snowguard, is an Inuk teenager who was imbued with the power to shape-shift by Sila, a powerful spirit from the North. Come experience this augmented reality activity and play with shape shifting yourself.

Dive into our tickle trunk and see who you become…

Join Inuk friends Darryl Day and Charlie Tookalook in sharing Inuit culture through the education and demonstration of Inuit games like Leg Wrestling and Kneel Jumping.

At age 13, Dylan D’Haeze had a simple question: What happens when we throw plastic away? The more he learned, the more he realized how big the problem is – and the more it scared him. But rather than be afraid, Dylan decided to do something about it. That was the beginning of the Kids Can Save The Planet documentary series. Learn all about issues that face our planet from a kid’s perspective.

Featured films: Plastic is Forever (20 min.) and Everything Connects (35 min.).

Recently landed from Australia, Bust a Move Dance is a leading dance company for children, teens and young adults with disabilities. BAMD is passionate about dance as a powerful vehicle to unleash our spirit and encourage independence, confidence, resilience and empowerment, whatever our ability.

Pre-registration is recommended. Registrants are encouraged to sign in at least 10 minutes prior to the event start time. At that time, any unclaimed reservations will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Drawing inspiration from their hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut, The Jerry Cans blend traditional Inuit throat singing with Inuktitut language roots-rock, adding a bit of Celtic punk to the mix to shake things up. Celebrate the May long weekend with a true-North concert that feels like a party!

Don’t miss Toronto’s original guerrilla-folk music ensemble. The self-described Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-Party-Punk Super Band will have the entire family up on their feet with infectious music and energy.

Sistema Toronto provides musical and intellectual opportunities to 275 children living in vulnerable communities, with the goal of transformative social change. They build stronger communities by enabling at-risk children to overcome poverty, grow, and thrive as engaged citizens and future leaders. This performance will feature the Sistema Toronto Senior Orchestra led by Cuban percussionist and educator Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo.

Make Me A Song is a collaborative program between The Musical Stage Company & Regent Park School of Music. Each year, the choir performs a public premiere of eight original songs created with Canadian musical theatre composer-lyricists for the Regent Park School of Music’s choir.

To celebrate tap legend Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s birthday, Toffan Rhythm Projects gathers local youth dancers to perform alongside Toronto’s finest professional tap dancers and musicians. Share in their unique perspectives in rhythm, traditional tap repertoire, and dig into the richly diverse and multi-generational vibrancy in tap today.

Collage Party is a nomadic, collective studio where you can join in the fun of making your own collage alongside internationally renowned artist Paul Butler. This social artwork project has travelled to a variety of venues around the globe, including museums, universities, schools, galleries, department stores – and now Harbourfront Centre.

Rising artist Shellicka Anglin showcases the beauty of protective Black hairstyles. With the use of vibrant colours, Love Your Hair highlights the key aspects and importance that braids, bantu knots, dreads and curls have in Black culture.

A new art installation created for Junior. Toronto-based artist Rebecca Jane Houston explores how our overuse of plastic is taking over our waterways.

Immerse yourself in the creative responses of the young artists who have participated in our School Visits and Camps programs. You’ll be inspired by the big thoughts from Toronto’s growing minds.