The stage is being constructed and the fire & sculpture craftsmen and Superior Propane are on site in Nathan Phillips Square getting ready for the spectacular opening night celebration of Wow! Wild on Winter on Friday, January 29, 2010. Wow will run from January 29 to Feb 7. See more info on their website.
The fun starts Friday night at 6 and this is what the City is planning on the opening night: "The 2010 edition of Toronto's WinterCity Festival opens with an evening of fire, feasting and performance in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Dragon lion dancers wind their way beneath hundreds of red paper lanterns. Experience the premiere of Time Is… by Compagnie Les Passagers, a spectacular aerial dance performance inspired by contemporary and traditional Chinese culture. The celebration culminates with the Angel of the Apocalypse fire performance by the Flaming Lotus Girls, and a stunning fireworks finale."
This celebration is part of the Wintercity Festival which is scheduled to run from January 29 to February 11, 2010 and also includes the Winterlicious Culinary Event. This description is from the City's website.
WOW! Series at Nathan Phillips Square FREE! Beat the cold with a spectacular fire installation, gravity-defying aerial dance performances, ice sculptures and themed skating parties.
Five special performances and events produced by Toronto-based artists and institutions.
Winterlicious at Toronto Restaurants Presented by American Express. Experience a series of mouth-watering culinary events or indulge in great food at great value with the ever-popular prix fixe promotion.
The weather has been balmy lately and in Nathan Phillips Square the warmth and the recent rain has flooded the outdoor ice rink. The City's Zamboni was trying to pick up most of the water to allow the freezing to get the rink back into skating trim.
You can see him ripping around the rink on my YouTube video.
UPDATE January 28, 2010: The fire sculptures are nearing completion and the crews are making sure the show will be ready for the opening ceremonies on Friday. The flames will provide welcome warmth for the cold weekend.
UPDATE January 30, 2010: Joe Fresh got some nice photos and video of Friday's Opening Celebration, see Your Average Joe at http://cascarjoe.blogspot.com/2010/01/wow.html.
