JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL takes over Dundas West, Sept. 9 - 13, 2009 September 8, 2009

Toronto, ON, June 18, 2009 – The Junction Arts Festival, produced by the Junction Forum for Art and Culture, remains true to its name presenting five free days of eclectic culture and a multitude of unique dance, visual, literary and musical arts in many different forms; September 9 – 13, 2009 along Dundas Street West between Keele Street and Quebec Avenue (weekend street closure, September 12 and 13).

Creative producer Michael Menegon states, “The festival and the Junction’s roots are based in artistry, innovation and that ‘certain something’, that can only be found by being there. This year, we will weave a mosaic of extraordinarily creative discoveries throughout the Junction and showcase our incomparable neighbourhood.”

The adventure will feature an all Canadian artist line-up, and proud Junction native singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge is collaborating with the festival creative producer as host/programmer of a special evening of musical celebration (exact date and more details TBA).

GET DOWN TO IT:
· The Junction City Square: At Dundas Street West and Pacific Avenue, it is the centre to the five-day celebration, the spot for the weekend beer tent and the place to find the train platform (specially built for the 2008 Junction Centennial); the 2009 Main Stage.

· Visual Arts: A festival foundation, the Juried Art Exhibit and Junction and impromptu galleries along Dundas West go for the full five days. The new Artist Laneway, featuring visual, sculpture and installation artistry, will be there to discover (during weekend street closure only, Sept. 12 & 13).

· Musical Arts: The Junction City Square’s train platform will act as the Main Stage for live music and headlining performances (dates TBA). Musicians will also play in unexpected settings in local shops (Sept. 12 & 13).

· Literary Arts: Back for the second year with an increased presence, the literary component will feature writers and poets in unusual venues and experimental ways; sponsored by Junction publishing company BookThug, www.bookthug.ca (Sept. 12 & 13).

· Performance Arts: There’ll be dancing in the streets – dance, theatre and comedy performers wind there way in and out of Dundas West shops and buildings (Sept. 12 & 13).

· The Green Village: The third annual Green Village is a specific
area during the weekend street closure presenting materials, speakers and workshops on environmental initiatives such as building green, painting green and rooftop gardens (Sept. 12 & 13).

· The KidZone: Is a FunZone with kid-friendly arts and crafts, face painting, games, rides and more (weekend only, Sept. 12 & 13).

· Artist Vendor Market: Creative types, artisans and yummy food and drink vendors make for interesting and fun weekend shopping (Sept. 12 & 13).

Note: More details are coming soon and for schedule updates please visit regularly at, www.junctionartsfest.com.

New to the festival website is the Junction Arts Festival Blog, which will be updated almost daily by Michael Menegon or the JFAC board with insights into the creative and planning process.

The 17th annual Junction Arts Festival is generously supported by title sponsor the Junction Business Improvement Area (BIA), and is also possible because of the active involvement from Junction businesses and residents.

The Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC) is a non-profit arts presenting organization and its main project is the annual Junction Arts Festival. The hands-on JFAC Board of Directors consists of dedicated cultural producers, artists, residents, business owners and politicians, all of whom are based in the Junction.

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For media information and interviews, please contact:
Laurie Lockhart,
Publicist
Tel: 416-988-2530 / E-mail: gtmessage@sympatico.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com

For general information, please contact:
Michael Menegon,
Creative Producer
2009 Junction Arts Festival
Tel: 416-767-5036 / E-mail: junctionartsfest@bellnet.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com
Councillor Bill Saundercook (Ward 13, City of Toronto), JFAC Chair

Official Website: http://www.junctionartsfest.com