Latest news with #Sunfest
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
London festival organizers seek city support for rising security costs
Social Sharing London festival organizers say they're looking to increase security measures in response to public safety concerns and would like to see more financial support from the city. Annual festivals like London's Sunfest have emergency procedures and security in place, but a recent attack in Vancouver spurred organizers to ensure "all their ducks are in a row," said Mercedes Caxaj, Sunfest's co-artistic director. "We have to be prepared for any kind of situation, especially at public-facing events." On April 26, a man drove a car into a Filipino community festival in Vancouver, killing 11 people and injuring more than two dozen others. The tragedy has since sparked conversations around minimizing safety risks at public events, with the B.C. government reviewing festival safety measures and Toronto recently announcing $2.1 million in funding for increased festival security. Caxaj said she would like to see London follow Toronto's lead. Caxaj said festival security costs have increases year over year for Sunfest, and that funding from the city would be an investment in the city's culture. "To have that kind of support from the city would mean that they're also investing in the events, the event organizers, and in the social fabric and cultural vibrancy of the city," she said. "It means that we're working collectively." London's Victoria Park is also set to host a new festival celebrating Filipino culture and heritage in August, and the tragedy in Vancouver was discussed during security planning. Organizer Faith Trigo-Sawyer said they are taking it very seriously and have plans to set up barricades and even speed bumps to protect against vehicles. Trigo-Sawyer said they will also be meeting with London police and city officials to discuss support and was pleased to see Toronto step up with added security funding. "They should do it in all the cities that are having festivals," she said. New city policy aims for collaboration London currently gives financial support to city-run and non-profit events and festivals on a case-by-case basis, keeping in mind the cost to taxpayers and the level of community support, according to Paul Ladouceur, the city's director of emergency management and security services. "We want to make sure the public can enjoy these events without concern for safety," he said. When asked whether or not the city will consider allocating funds for festival security, Ladouceur said discussions about event safety are still ongoing, and he does not know where they will land. Ladouceur said a new special events policy aimed at increasing safety could be coming, but the policy would not include funding to support for-profit festival organizers, but rather a requirement that they work with the city to develop a comprehensive emergency response plan. Organizers are asked to outline typical safety features like medical support, inclement weather protocol and road closures, but also procedures for more severe emergencies. Organizers are taking precautions but are not worried Caxaj and Trigo-Sawyer made it clear they do not believe festivals in London are less safe than before. Unexpected situations can happen anywhere, and there are some events that can't be accounted for," Caxaj said. "I think we just hear about it a lot more," she said. "But because we're hearing about it, we have to be responsible to make sure that everybody's safety is the number-one priority." Trigo-Sawyer said she isn't concerned about any danger at Fiesta Extravaganza, but as an organizer, she wants to show people that they're taking appropriate precautions. "That way, it will give them security that something like the Vancouver attack will not happen."
CTV News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘This is a party': Sunfest Block Party continues Saturday night
Singer Ana Lía performs during the Sunfest Block Party at London Brewing Co-op in London, Ont. on Saturday May 17, 2025. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Sunfest 2025 unveils artist lineup
London's premier outdoor summer festival has unveiled its lineup at a kickoff event hosted by CTV London's Nick Paperella. Sunfest 2025 will be packed with music, dancing, food, and drink when it returns to Victoria Park from July 3 – 6. In its 31 years, Sunfest has grown from a small local event to an international attraction and brand. It is also an economic driver for the city. 'We have the economic studies that show that, you know, 20 to 25 per cent of attendance are coming from outside of London and other parts of Canada, and even all over the parts of the world,' said Alfredo Caxaj, the founder of Sunfest. Sunfest began with a focus on international acts, and this year it will feature more than 20, including groups from Cuba and Africa. 'We have a great band from DR Congo this year,' highlighted Mercedes Caxaj, the artistic co-director. 'They make all of their outfits and all of their instruments. They're known as an Afro-futuristic, punk, eco-friendly collective.' She added that the international sounds of Sunfest will be met equally by homegrown talent. 'This year we are really seeing a big focus on Indigenous voices, especially from across Canada and internationally. We also have women-led voices as well,' explained Mercedes. Sunfest Chair Paula Jesty hopes all featured artists will bring smiles to attendees' faces amidst an increasingly polarized world. 'I think now more than ever in the world we live in, we need organizations like Sunfest. We need to remember and to celebrate,' said Jesty. And if people take time to do just that, Alfredo concedes he would be moved, 'By all of you, by the local community, international people. This is so beautiful because it's so meaningful.' A free kickoff block party for Sunfest will be held this weekend at London Brewing Co-op on Burbrook Place. More information on Sunfest acts can be found online.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Check out who's coming to Sunfest this summer
Social Sharing Victoria Park will be vibing with dozens of musical artists from coast to coast and around the world as Sunfest returns this summer. Organizers unveiled the 46 acts who will be performing across five stages from July 3 to 6, including bands from South Korea, Brazil and Sweden. "We're always looking for something that is new, fresh and innovative," said Alfredo Caxaj, the founder and co-artistic director of Sunfest. "Of course, the essential element is artistic quality. There's no question about that. And because that's basically how we have built the reputation of Sunfest. It's not based on names, it's based on artistic quality." There are five themes to this year's lineup. Indigenous voices will highlight healing, truth and empowerment as the audience hears stories from Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin, Isleña Antumalen from Chile, and Canada's Digging Roots and Amanda Rheaume. Soundtracks of resistance will feature activist and revolutionary artists with a call to action. Featured artists include Canadian-Filipino rapper, singer and artist Kimmortal. The Lemon Bucket Orchestra from Toronto will bring their messages of liberation, resistance and solidarity. Future-forward and earth-conscious acts like Fulu Miziki Kolektiv from the Democratic Republic of Congo will perform with instruments and costumes created out of discarded materials. Theatrical acts that are bordering on avant-garde include South Korean bands Gonia and 64ksana, who blend new sounds with traditional instruments. New Brunswick's Les Moontunes will bring their celestial blend of jazz and heavy metal. Organizers are also highlighting places in the world that are new to the festival with a discovery of sounds, including Farah Siraj from Jordan, SARĀB from Syria, ViiK from Denmark, Fattú Djakité from Guinea-Bissau/Cabo Verde and De Mar y Río from Colombia. "It really is about celebrating being alive through music and coming together through music, and you will hear a diversity of sounds like you've never heard before," said Mercedes Caxaj, co-artistic director of the festival. "I think even the most seasoned industry professional in the global music scene will always discover something new at Sunfest, and that's something that we love to hear." In addition to the 23 national and 23 international acts coming to London, there will be more than 225 food and craft exhibitors in the park. For an early taste of the Sunfest spirit, Londoners can join the Block Party at London Brewing Co-op which is happening on Friday, May 16 from 4 to 10:30 p.m., featuring Curly Strings from Estonia, Less Toches from Montreal, and London's Mark Swan's Good Hand. The party continues on Saturday, May 17 from 2 to 10:30 p.m., featuring a lineup of artists from Toronto.
