Experience the magic of Celestia by kleis at Sankofa Square
Free concert kicks off Celestia by kleis opening night
with a UNESCO Cities’ celebration featuring Toronto and London, Ontario musical artists
Free pre-opening Artist Talk at TMU with the creative minds
behind Celestia by kleis and ILLUMINITE installations
MEDIA RELEASE – Toronto, Ontario – February 6, 2025 – Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) is thrilled to announce the arrival of Celestia by kleis, an enchanting public art installation that will illuminate the Square from February 14 to March 16. This captivating exhibit invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world of light and wonder, transforming Sankofa Square into a celestial haven.
CELESTIAL CONVERSATION: A POETRY OF LIGHT
Celestia by kleis transforms Sankofa Square with an enchanting installation of light and sound inspired by the celestial myth of the Pleiades. As visitors encounter and interact with the Seven Sisters, they reveal their individual emotions and characteristics through melodies, colours, and poetry, intertwining their connections with one another.
Celestia celebrates literature, music, digital arts, and design in a collaborative experience led by poet Carolanne Foucher and Huron-Wendat storyteller Yolande Okia Picard.
“We are delighted to welcome Celestia by kleis to Sankofa Square,” says general manager Julian Sleath. “This stunning installation aligns perfectly with our mission to create a vibrant and engaging public space for everyone. We encourage everyone to come and experience the magic for themselves.”
Initiated by the Canadian cities of Montreal, Quebec City, and Toronto, with the participation of London, this project is part of an effort to enhance their status as UNESCO Creative Cities.
“We wanted to highlight sisterhood, which could be part of a collection, a network that builds bridges between UNESCO cities,” shares Sandrine Thériault, project manager – design and development at kleis. “Celestia represents each of the Pleiades sisters individually. Each of the seven modules, representing the seven sisters, has an assigned colour, emotion, and characteristic. When participants stroll through our collection of urban furniture, they will be able to feel the different emotions.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network promotes cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. A UNESCO Creative City places creativity and cultural industries at the heart of its development plan at the local level and cooperates actively at the international level. unesco.org/en/creative-cities
Celestia Details
What: Celestia by kleis, a public art installation
When: February 14 to March 16, 2025
Exhibit Times: Noon to 11:00 PM daily
Where: Sankofa Square, 1 Dundas Street East
Cost: Free and open to the public
Website: sankofasquare.ca/celestia
Social: @sankofasquare #celestia #qdsinternational #unescocities
Media Kit: sankofasquare.ca/media-centre
Celestia by kleis is a co-production with Quartier des spectacles Partnership, ExpoCité and Sankofa Square, supported by the City of Montréal, the City of Québec, the City of Toronto, the City of London (Ontario) and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Distribution by Quartier des spectacles international (QDSi).
OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATIONS
In addition to celebrating the opening of Celestia by kleis and ILLUMINITE, Sankofa Square is also presenting a one-night concert featuring musicians from the UNESCO creative cities of London (Ontario) and Toronto. The concert takes place on February 14 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Sankofa Square. Free hot chocolate and churros available while supplies last.
Featured Musicians
Junko Daydream (London) is a frenetic and emotionally raw post-hardcore four-piece band that blends a variety of influences to create a unique sound that challenges the boundaries of punk music. instagram.com/junkodaydream
Tara Kannangara (Toronto) is a JUNO-nominated, Sri Lankan-Canadian musician known for her unique blend of jazz, pop, and electronic music, incorporating her captivating vocals and trumpet melodies. tarakannangara.ca
Lady Pista (Toronto) is a boundary-pushing South Asian DJ and producer blending Tamil music with global sounds like Afrobeats, Bollywood, and electronic music. ladypista.com
NESS (London) is an American-made, Canadian-raised country music artist who melds country, pop, rock, and soul into her own signature sound and packs a punch with every note. nessmusic.ca
Rosina B. Solomon (London) is a singer-songwriter of Ethiopian origin who blends soul, funk, and ‘90s R&B influences to create a unique, warm and nostalgic sound. rosinabtheartist.wordpress.com
Tyrone Traher (London) singer-songwriter (formerly known as Paris Monroe) is known for his heartfelt and introspective folk-pop music, which he often performs with a five-piece band. parismonroe.ca
CELESTIA BY KLEIS, PART OF ILLUMINITE
For the second year, Sankofa Square joins the Downtown Yonge BIA in illuminating the downtown core with adding Celestia by kleis to the ILLUMINITE lineup. ILLUMINITE is a celebration of light, art, and togetherness in the heart of Downtown Yonge. This year’s theme, Making Connections, shines a spotlight on the bonds between people and the spaces we share, transforming the winter landscape into a vibrant, interactive experience.
ILLUMINITE takes place February 14 to March 2, running daily from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. More info at downtownyonge.com/illuminite | #IllumiNite2025
ILLUMINITE Connections: An Evening of Art, Light, and Cultural Storytelling
For a more immersive opening night experience, Downtown Yonge BIA and Sankofa Square are collaborating to bring together the creative minds behind the installations for an artist talk. Meet artists Matt Jones, Nyle Miigizi Johnston, Jordan Shaw, along with representatives from kleis and others, as they share their insights into the creation of their remarkable installations that are part of ILLUMINITE.
When: February 14 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: DMZ Sandbox, SLC, Toronto Metropolitan University
Admission: Free
Registration: sankofasquare.ca/celestia
Tour of ILLUMINITE to follow immediately after the talk.
CELESTIA CREDITS
Creation, design and executive production: kleis inc.
Fabrication: Atelier Papineau
Technical and Interactive Programming: Charlie Golf Tango, Thierry Dumont
Sound design: Jérôme Guilleaume
Texts: Poems: Carolanne Foucher / Huron-Wendat Story: Yolande Okia Picard
Narration: Alexia Gourd, Carolanne Foucher, Yolande Okia Picard
Coproduction: Quartier des spectacles Partnership, ExpoCité and Sankofa Square, supported by the Cities Montréal, Québec, Toronto, London (Ontario) and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
Distribution: QDSinternational
Executive Production, Touring: Jack World
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About Sankofa Square
Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) is a bustling gathering place for millions of visitors each year. Established in 2004, the Square hosts hundreds of diverse events including community-based festivals, concerts, public art, and commercial experiences. The Square is an open space that welcomes everyone. It is managed by the Sankofa Board of Management, a City of Toronto agency. sankofasquare.ca | @sankofasquare
About kleis
kleis Inc. is a group of professionals from the entertainment, event management, and outdoor planning industries. The founding members have pooled their expertise to create a team and an agile structure that can successfully execute any type of project, from conception to operational implementation. kleis.ca | @kleisinc
About Quartier des Spectacles / Quartier Spectacles Partnership
The Quartier des Spectacles is Montreal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s greatest concentration and variety of cultural venues. The district is the year-round host to countless festivals and events, many of which include free outdoor shows and activities. The Quartier hosts innovative urban installations featuring cutting-edge lighting design, immersive environments and interactive digital spaces. Year round, the Quartier presents artistic video projections on building façades. The Quartier des Spectacles is also a showcase for new multimedia technology, making Montreal a global leader in the urban exhibition of digital content.
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 80 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership is supported by the Ville de Montréal. quartierdesspectacles.com
Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (BIA)
A champion for the mixed-use community of 2,000+ businesses and property owners in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the culture and economy of our world-leading downtown neighbourhood through programs, partnerships, advocacy and outreach. downtownyonge.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marnie Grona
Sankofa Square
Marketing, Communications & Corporate Partnerships
marnie@sankofasquare.ca | (416) 979-9960 ext. 125
