2008 Year End Report - Yonge

YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE
2008 YEAR END REPORT
Winter KidzFest ‘07
Just for Laughs ‘07
Johannes Linstead
BT Viewer Appreciation Day ‘08
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Luminato ‘08
Adidas World Cup ‘08
City Cinema
Just for Laughs ‘08
Panorama India ‘08
Francophonie Elegante ‘08
Video Games Live ‘08
ydsquare.ca
ABOUT YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE
Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) is a City of Toronto public facility
operated by a Board of Management appointed by City Council.
The Square was opened in 2003 as part of the Yonge Street
Revitalization project. Since that time, the Square has produced
over 150 events and hosted more than 1000 promotions, media
launches, community & cultural festivals, attended by more
than 3 million people.
The Square has established a solid international profile serving
a broad constituency including neighbours, city residents,
businesses, educational institutions, not-for profit organizations
and visitors.
The Square takes part in some of the city’s biggest celebrations
including Luminato, NXNE, Just for Laughs, the Toronto
International Film Festival, Nuit Blanche and the Santa Claus
Parade. The Square also hosts numerous special events, most
of which are free admission.
On quiet days, the Square is a respite from the hectic pace of
downtown life by offering an oasis of water fountains, café
seating and several site amenities including free wi-fi access.
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SITE AMENITIES
The Square is an urban oasis with a 20 fountain water play
area and café seating. It provides a safe environment through
24 hour security staffing, appropriate illumination and
video surveillance.
Free wireless internet is provided in partnership with the
not-for-profit organization Wireless Toronto.
Reduced priced tickets for theatre and events are offered at the
onsite T.O. TIX booth operated by the Toronto Alliance For The
Performing Arts.
A bus tour and information kiosk is operated onsite. The Square
is one of the city’s most prominent pick-up and drop-off points.
The Downtown Yonge BIA Discovery Team staffs a seasonal
information kiosk.
The Square participates in the “murmur” audio history exhibit.
Callers to the posted telephone number can listen and
contribute to the oral history of the area.
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ydsquare.ca
SITE MAP
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YDS PROGRAMMING
THE SQUARE PRODUCES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT APPEAL TO AREA WORKERS,
LOCAL RESIDENTS, AND VISITORS ALIKE. YDS EVENTS ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE OF
DOWNTOWN TORONTO AND ACT AS A CATALYST FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD REVITALIZATION.
SERENADES IN THE SQUARE JAZZ, FOLK & ROOTS
MAY 7 – JUNE 25 / SEPT 17 – OCT 15
WEDNESDAYS 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Wed. May 7
Dr. Draw
Wed. May 14 Valery Gore
Wed. May 21 Toronto Blues Society 23rd Anniversary
Party featuring Shakura S’Aida
Wed. May 28 WNED 2008 JoAnn Falletta
International Guitar Competition
preview Featuring Kevin Ramessar
Shakura S’Aida
Wed. June 18 Flat Fifth
Wed. June 25 Ciara Adams
Wed. Sept 17 Justin Hines
Wed. Sept 24 Peter Elkas
Wed. Oct 1
Wil
Wed. Oct 8
Brandi Disterheft
Wed. Oct 15
Marinda
Kevin Ramessar
MONDO MUZIKO A-GO-GO CONTEMPORARY WORLD MUSIC
JUNE 27 – SEPT 19
FRIDAYS 8:00 – 10:00 PM
Fri. June 27
Psychotropical Orchestra
Fri. July 4
Nomadic Massive
Fri. July 11
People Project
Fri. July 18
Socalled
Fri. Aug 1
Kae Sun / Hard Core
Fri. Aug 8
Eccodek
Fri. Aug 15
Telmary
Fri. Aug 22
Staylefish
Fri. Aug 29
Mr. Something Something
Fri. Sept 19
Alex Cuba
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Psychotropical Orchestra
Nomadic Massive
ydsquare.ca
CITY CINEMA OUTDOOR MOVIES
JUNE 24 - AUG 26
This year’s program featured Romantic Reels, a
selection of the most romantic movies ever made –
as selected by our audience poll.
#9 June 24
June 30
Gone With the Wind (Part I)
(1939)
Gone With the Wind (Part II) (1939)
#8 July 8
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
#7 July 15
Romeo + Juliet (1996)
#6 July 22
Annie Hall (1977)
#5 July 29
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
(2004)
#4 Aug 5
Princess Bride (1987)
#3 Aug 12
Titanic (1997)
#2 Aug 19
The Notebook (2004)
#1 Aug 26
Casablanca (1942)
STREET SCENES
Short street performances by music groups, a
breakdancing troupe, jugglers and other buskers.
ARTISAN MARKET
The artisan market featured vendors of unique
handcrafted items including jewelry, textiles,
woodwork and visual art.
The market ran in conjunction with Mondo Muziko
concerts on Fridays and with community events on
weekends.
Vendors were selected by jury from submissions by
local artists and fair trade importers.
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COMMUNITY FESTIVALS & EVENTS
YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE CITY’S MOST POPULAR VENUES
FOR CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2008:
April 12 & 13
“Canadian Idol” filming
April 20
Earth Day Climate Rally
April 27
International Dance Day
May 23 & 24
Green Toronto streetfestival
May 31
desiFEST
June 6 – 11
Luminato
June 12 – 14
NXNE
June 21 & 22
Future Shop presents Video
International Dance Day ‘08
Games Live
Luminato ‘08
June 28
Fiesta Mexicana
July 1
Multicultural Canada Day
July 2 & 3
Dinner in the Sky presented by
AMEX as part of Summerlicious
July 6
Bangladesh Festival
July 16
Festival of India
July 19 & 20
Bana Y’Afrique
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Dinner in the Sky ‘08
Canada Day ‘07
ydsquare.ca
July 25 & 26
Just for Laughs
Aug 2 & 3
Turkish Bazaar
Aug 9
Francophonie Multiple
Aug 10
Panorama India
Aug 13
Bills in Toronto Kick-Off
Aug 16 & 17
Toronto African Dance Festival
Aug 27
Women’s Day in the Courtyard
TIFF ‘08
Turkish Festival ‘08
Sept 4 – 13
Toronto International Film Festival
Sept 22
Car Free Day
Sept 26
Caribbean Week
Oct 4
Nuit Blanche
Nov 16
Santa Claus Parade breakfast
Nov 29 – 30
Winter KidzFest
Dec 12
BT Christmas Tree Sale
Winter Kidzfest ‘08
ydsquare.ca
desiFEST ‘08
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EVENT & ATTENDANCE BREAKDOWN
Located at Canada’s busiest pedestrian intersection, more than 28 million people pass through the Square
every year. The popularity of the Square is also seen in the growth in attendance at events.
Despite a season marred by inclement weather, the number of patrons at Yonge-Dundas Square events
increased dramatically in 2008 to almost 1 million. This can largely be attributed to the addition of several
major festivals to the line-up including Luminato, the Toronto International Film Festival, Nuit Blanche and the
Santa Claus Parade breakfast.
1000000
Attendance
800000
600000
400000
200000
0
‘03
‘04
‘05
‘06
‘07
‘08
Year
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ydsquare.ca
BOARD MEMBERS & OFFICE CONTACTS
BOARD
Yonge-Dundas Square is a unique partnership between the City of Toronto, residential communities and area
stakeholders including the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area. A volunteer Board of Management
appointed by Toronto City Council operates the Square. Members include local business and community leaders
and City of Toronto representatives:
MEMBERS
COUNCILLOR FOR WARD 27 – TORONTO CENTRE-ROSEDALE
STAFF
GENERAL MANAGER
Councillor Kyle Rae
Taylor Raths
DOWNTOWN YONGE STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
MANAGER – PROGRAMMING & EVENTS
Ron Soskolne (Chair )
Neil Miller (Treasurer)
Chi Cheung
John Evanson
Patrick Carnegie
MEMBER OF A RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
(MCGILL-GRANBY VILLAGE)
Elizabeth Parker-Wanie
Barbara Caplan (Secretary)
RYERSON UNIVERSITY
John Corallo (Vice Chair)
FACILITIES & EVENTS COORDINATOR
Christine MacLean
PARTNERSHIP & EVENTS COORDINATOR
EVENT COORDINATOR
Sara Peel
BOOK KEEPER
Sue Kilbride
YONGE STREET MISSION
David Adcock
Our offices are located at:
TORONTO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
(T.O. TIX OUTLET)
2 Carlton St., Suite 620
Toronto, ON M5B 1J3
Tel: 416-979-9960
Fax: 416-979-8836
info@ydsquare.ca
Jennifer Ginder
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
TORONTO PARKING AUTHORITY
Lorne Persiko
CITY OF TORONTO, FACILITIES & REAL ESTATE DIVISION,
CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Mike McCoy
CITY OF TORONTO, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
CULTURE & TOURISM DEPARTMENT
Eva Pyatt
TORONTO POLICE SERVICES
Staff Sgt. Shaun Narine
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THE HEART OF THE CITY
Yonge-Dundas Square Board of
Management is a board of the City of Toronto.
2 Carlton St., Suite 620, Toronto, ON M5B 1J3