Toronto's famously abandoned subway station is opening to the public this weekend
Yorkville Murals, a large-scale, multidisciplinary Toronto public art festival will invade Yorkville this weekend and include a two-day takeover of the abandoned Lower Bay subway station.
The 50,000 square foot festival will take place Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 and span Yorkville Ave from Bellair St to Hazelton Ave—leaving no street corner untouched (the festival's theme is "No Empty Spaces").
From art installations in abandoned subway stations to live mural painting, here's all the programming happening this weekend that you won't want to miss.
Ever wondered what an abandoned TTC station looks like? This weekend is your chance to explore the out-of-service Lower Bay subway station (which is rarely open to the public) and admire a captivating installation by the artist duo Trever Wheatley and Cosmo Dean in this liminal urban space.
A rendering of the chandelier coming to Lower Bay.
A mirrored chandelier made up of symbols and letters will hang in the middle of the station and spin on its axis.
This exhibit will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
At three seperate spots along Yorkville Ave, three artists will showcase one-of-a-kind inflatable artwork.
Artists, Michelle Hoogveld, Greg Mike and Dalkhafine will present their unique takes on inflatable art from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on Saturday and Sunday.
Inflatable art will be larger than life at Yorkville Murals.
Block parties are a summer staple and this one you won't want to miss. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, five live murals will be created on the rooftop of 148 Cumberland Parkade with a bar and live music by DJ Skratch Bastid.
After 10 p.m, the W Hotel will host an afterparty with tickets going for $20.
Free and VIP tickets are available for the block party and subject to limited capacity. VIP tickets include entry to the W Hotel After Party.
Between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m, Yorkville Ave will be blocked off for pedestrians to freely roam and engage with great art, live performances and several pop-ups and vendors.
For the first time, food will be for sale at the festival. Celebrity chef, Antonio Park's eats will be served up at a 40 foot long communal table in the food area on both Saturday and Sunday.
Head out to Yorkville this Saturday and Sunday to take in some amazing street art, live performances and music for free. A festival map and more info is available on the Yorkville Murals website.
Jack Landau
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