Hundreds flocked from all over the city to party and mingle in Toronto’s newest public square. The Yonge-Dundas Square, while open for months, had its official opening ceremony on May 30 that had people literally dancing in the streets.
Like its predecessors, Nathan Philips Square outside Toronto’s City Hall and Mel Lastman Square, in front of North York City Hall, these public spaces play host to fun free events for all. One of the differences with the Yonge-Dundas Square is that these events quickly spill over out onto the streets.
Back in mid-February, the Square was the site for one of the city’s biggest anti-war protests.
"The location was perfect," Toronto Centre-Rosedale Councillor Kyle Rae (Ward 27) told the Town Crier back then. "It seemed to work as a meeting place. It’s quite clear, not only were people in the Square, but also on Yonge St. and Dundas St. and other parts of the intersection."
This city-run party worked much the same way. While rain sprinkled now and again as people looked for cover, the night sky soon cleared up and people spread out in all directions.
A fireworks display, the acrobatics of Cirque Sublime that had a woman suspended above the crowd, music by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Jesse Ketchum’s Pan Vibrations all had the spectators’ full attention. Large screens that normally display advertising, instead, projected images of the crowd and performers for all to see and gave the event a concert like atmosphere.
One of the headliners, Canadian reggae artist Snow, had people grooving.
"I happened to be downtown and saw this magnificent thing so I stayed for a few hours," mentioned Ligia from North York (who did not give her last name).
"I think it’s wonderful that all these communities get together. I am happy to see people represented from Latin America and there was a beautiful Trinidadian band with little drummers and now we have classical music. What more could you ask for?" mentioned Ligia who came from Ecuador 35 years ago.
But as a public space on its own when no event is taking place, some complain the Square is too sparse.
"Its not impressive," said Michael Cait. "It does not lend itself to draw people. It is not even remotely close to Times Square in New York.
"I don’t feel that it gives itself to (street) theatre the way Queen West does. It doesn’t have any drawing power. It’s like a nice parking lot," added Cait.
"I wish there were trees," mentioned Ryserson student Mandy Schrurr. "It’s too modern . . . it looks to concrete. It doesn’t have character."
Her friend Pablo Dely from Markham added, "Its good to get people out together especially after SARS," he said. "But they should have more speakers to improve the sound."
However, North Toronto resident Darrell Heaton, there with his four-year-old son Sage, likes the bareness. "The Square is nice. I come here quite often when there are (fewer) people. I access it from the Eaton Centre over to Ryerson (University). I like the idea of it being a canvas as opposed to having it all there."
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