Toronto, ON7– The eighth annual Culture Days weekend brings rural and urban communities across Canada together to showcase our diverse cultural mosaic from September 29 to October 1

The eighth annual Culture Days weekend brings rural and urban communities across Canada together to showcase our diverse cultural mosaic from September 29 to October 1.

As the final hoorah for both the summer and the yearlong Canada 150 celebrations, Culture Days has extra resonance this year as Canadians participate in an eclectic range of free, hands-on arts and culture activities in virtually every community across the country. Culture Days will offer Canadians the chance to get behind the curtain of their local arts and culture scene for a unique and lasting encounter.

Visitors can experience a traditional blessing ceremony with the K’ómoks Nation in Courtenay, BC, sculpt with celebrated artists in Stratford, PEI, or let loose and learn to swing dance in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sit in on a ballet premiere rehearsal in Vancouver, BC, while tweens become magazine publishers in Airdrie, Alberta. Preschoolers create in the kitchen making bannock in Flin Flon, Manitoba, and in Stratford, Ontario, anyone can let their inner superhero fly at mini-Comic Con. Add your touch to a collaborative mural in Carlingford, New Brunswick, or try your hand at Tipi raising in Regina, Saskatchewan. Whether discovering something new, or revisiting an old favourite, there’s something for everyone, everywhere.

“Culture Days has truly become a vehicle to celebrate and share arts and culture all across the country, in all its many forms,” said Aubrey Reeves, National Executive Director. “We are thrilled to see deeper integration in established hubs and the addition of many new exciting partners and communities for a plethora of events to choose from.”

THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES: Organizers expect more than 7,500 FREE Culture Days activities will be presented. Culture Days activities are curated and hosted by individual artists, organizations of all sizes and disciplines, community arts initiatives, municipalities and businesses. Activities span indigenous cultural traditions to new/digital media, fashion, crafts, music of all forms, and special Canada 150 fun. From culinary to literature, theatre to design and everything in between! Click HERE to search the full range of activities by location and type happening September 29 to October 1.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND WITH THE BRIGHT SPOTS SCHEDULE:

Creating a personalized Culture Days weekend itinerary of activities is made easy with the Culture Days Bright Spots Schedule. This innovative tool is generously made possible by Sun Life Financial through its award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible TM program.

“At Sun Life, we believe arts and culture should be celebrated within our communities and made available to everyone, regardless of their means,” said Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy and Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. “As a long-standing supporter of Culture Days, we’re pleased to play an important role in the success of this national program celebrating culture in communities across the country.”

ABOUT CULTURE DAYS

Millions of Canadians engage in thousands of free activities and performances hosted by artists, cultural organizations and municipalities in communities across Canada. From Nunavut to New Brunswick, and from British Columbia to Baffin Island – and all points in between – we share all the inspiration, artistry, creativity and expression that reflects the mosaic of Canadian culture. As a leading national voice for an active and engaged cultural life, we provide marketing and industry development resources that lead to greater cultural engagement. The Culture Days national awareness campaign culminates in a three-day celebration of the arts starting on the last Friday of September.

Sun Life Financial in the community At Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we’re proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, Employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against Diabetes TM platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible TM program. We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our Employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 40,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada. Read more about Sun Life Financial in the community.

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Mercedes Findlay, National Media Relations Mercedes@mercedesfindlayconsulting.ca 416-557-3361

Culture Days National Office info@culturedays.ca 416-964-7555