Historic walk in the Beach, Electric Island music festival at Woodbine Park, Dusk Dances in Withrow Park among events this weekend

An electronic music festival, a farmers’ market and an historic walk through Balmy Beach are among events planned for this weekend in East Toronto.

ELECTRIC ISLAND AT WOODBINE PARK

The final day of the Electric Island music festival at Woodbine Park takes place on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Woodbine Park. The first day of the festival was on Friday, Aug. 8.

Electric Island celebrates house, techno and electronic music.

Among the artists slated to perform today at Electric Island today are Yung Singh, Chase & Status, Tinzo & Jojo, Mild Minds, Milch, Space 92, Stacey Pullen, Malone, Pedro, Nuni, Marcus Visionary, Operator PB281TK, Elixah, Ace, and Hydee.

For Saturday tickets, please go to https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/electric-island-2025-august-edition-woodbine-park-tickets/14497693

HISTORIC WALK WITH GENE DOMAGALA

Local historian and Beach Metro Community News columnist Gene Domagala will be leading an historic walk on Queen Street East in the Balmy Beach area on Saturday, Aug. 9.

The walk starts at 1 p.m. Participants are asked to meet in front of the Beaches Branch Library on Queen Street East just west of Lee Avenue.

During this afternoon’s walk, Domagala will be asking and answering some questions (a quiz about the area for the walkers on the tour).

Here are examples of some of the questions to be asked (and answered) on the walk:

On Queen Street East heading east from Lee Avenue there were three theatres and one is still in existence. What is the name of the theatre still operating and the addresses of the other two?

As many Beachers will know, the area once had many amusement parks. What were their names and locations?

LESLIEVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET

The Leslieville Farmers’ Market takes place on Sunday, Aug. 10, at Greenwood Park.

The market goes every Sunday until Oct. 26 at the park which is located at 150 Greenwood Ave. between Dundas Street East and Gerrard Street East. Times for the Sunday outdoor market is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, please visit https://www.leslievillemarket.com/

DUSK DANCES AT WITHROW PARK

The final performances of this summer’s Dusk Dances in Withrow Park will be taking place this weekend.

Dusk Dances features a series of choreographed pieces inspired by the park’s natural environment, performed in a non-traditional venue. The event aims to make dance more accessible and open to people of all ages.

Withrow Park is located at 725 Logan Ave., south of Danforth Avenue. This weekend’s performances are slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10.

Admission for Dusk Dances is on a pay-what-you-wish basis, with a suggested donation of $20.

The festival’s mandate aims to bring accessible dance to the community by standing on three pillars: it’s physically accessible, financially reasonable, and artistically varied. Dusk Dances is one of Canada’s longest-running outdoor dance events, and its rooted history brings audiences back year after year.

This year’s event is hosted by Latin-pop singer Ana Lía, who will lead spectators around the park for four unique performances taking place throughout Withrow Park each evening.

Performances include BABAElan, choreographed by Blessyl Buan, which pays tribute to the Babaylan, the Philippines’ female and non-binary spiritual leaders, through dance, ritual, and sound.

The second performance, Portrait, is choreographed by Lina Cruz and inspired by the poem of the same name by Hector de Saint-Denys Garneau, which explores the beauty and fragility of existence.

Next is Sweet Mother, inspired by the choreographer Kwasi Obeng-Adjei’s experience in Ghana, which combines traditional and modern African dance styles to energize the audience.

Finally, Re-imagining Bhamakalapam, choreographed by Harikishan S. Nair, invites contemplation on performance and breaking down cultural barriers.

Each day of the Dusk Dances begins with a free dabke dance workshop at 7 p.m., hosted by Zaytouna Academy for Cultural Arts, followed by the scheduled dance performances at 7:30 p.m., which last until approximately 9:15 p.m.

While weather cancellations are rare, they do happen. If there is a cancellation, an announcement will be made between 7 and 7:30 p.m., since cancellations before the event’s start time are unlikely.

For more information on Dusk Dances, please visit https://www.duskdances.ca