Panamania: What's it all about?
Showcase of cultural, musical talent from the Americas
One of the areas that benefits greatly from hosting the Pan Am Games is Toronto's arts scene.
I performed in Mexico during the the Pan Am festivities in 2011 and at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and felt first hand the energy a city feels when hosting the world. Traveling abroad and appreciating what we have back home inspired the Panamania series that I am hosting on CBC Sports.
Panamania is 12-segment series offering a taste of our rich arts and culture scene. It brings viewers the stories of various artists and cultural leaders who live in Toronto.
We will speak to the National Ballet's ballerina Greta Hodgkinson about her work being performed over the fountain at Nathan Phillips Square, artistic director Albert Schultz about the theatre company he built that is thriving in the Distillery District, and get to know curator Isorine Marc, who works with communities to create bonds through art. We will speak to singer/songwriter Ron Hawkins about how Kensington Market inspires his music, and get to know the inspiration for how one of Toronto's world music clubs was born and keeps thriving.
Some of these artists are also showcasing their work during Panamania Live, the 35-day arts and culture festival taking place throughout the Pan Am and ParapanAm games. This will consist of over 250 free concerts at three different venues in Toronto.
I'm in awe of the dedication and sacrifice athletes make in order to compete in an event such as this one. The city's top artists have many of the same qualities too. My hope is that when art and sport collide during the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, we will be left with a renewed pride for the city we call home.