Toronto hosts 2010 Abilities Arts Festival beginning this week

From the Abilities Arts Festival Website:

The 2010 Abilities Arts Festival brings together a dazzling array of talent and creativity. We are proud to showcase inspired local performers, dynamic artists from across Canada, the United States and as far away as Australia as part of this year’s line-up. We invite you to explore and... be inspired.

CONNECTIONS 5:
September 24th - October 24th, 2010
VMAC Galley, 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 440, Toronto
A juried art exhibit free to the public featuring some of the finest visual artists with disabilities from across Canada.

IN CELEBRATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
September 29, 30, October 1 (school registration required)
Villa Colombo - 40 Playfair Avenue, Toronto
Three days of performances for school-aged children, with mime and puppeteer Chris Welsh, the African dance and music of Sidiki Conde, break dance sensation Luca “Lazylegz,” LiANA “Guitar Babe,” singer/storyteller Sheila Boyd and ASL Waves dance troupe.

FAMILY DAY
Saturday, October 2nd: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
Free family performances featuring the fun-filled show of mime and puppeteer Chris Welsh together with the pounding African rhythms and acrobatic dance of Sidiki Conde.

MIRAGE (pictured)
Saturday, October 2nd - Sunset to Sunrise
Theatre Direct, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
A spectacular performance installation - movement-based performance, video art, sound art, and a series of mirror-based booths exploring the phenomenon of phantom limb sensation.

SIGNALS FROM THE STAGE
Thursday, October 7th - 7:30 pm
Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis Street, Toronto
An exciting mix of free flowing performances by some of the best local and national artists including Quebecois rocker Martin Deschamps, musician Shawn Brush aka The Krooked Cowboy, comedian Andre Arruda, dancer Spirit Synott and poets Irena Kagansky, Barbara Landry, Philip Tetrault.

FILM NIGHT
Wednesday, October 13th - 7:30 pm
Al Green Theatre at Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave, Toronto. Presenting the award-winning film “The Red Chapel” and the Canadian short “Asia Trains.”

EVENT SERIES
Starting 2011
Various locations in Toronto
Bi-monthly event series for professional artists with disabilities.