PILAROS TASTE OF THE DANFORTH

TORONTO'S FAVOURITE FESTIVAL OFFERS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Friday, August 10, 2012 - Sunday, August 12, 2012

FOR RELEASE: AUGUST 01, 2012 - TORONTO:

Toronto's favourite street Festival has a whole new way to celebrate the fun flavours of Greece and summer in the city. Every year in August, the city of Toronto flocks to GreekTown on the Danforth. Celebrating its 19th year, the Pilaros Taste of the Danforth is Canada's largest street Festival, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors.

This year's Festival begins on Friday, August 10th at 6:00pm and runs through to Sunday, August 12th at 8:00pm.

A Decima Research poll indicated that 90% of respondents identified "The Taste" as their favourite GTA Festival event -- beating out such iconic events as the Toronto International Film Festival, Caribana and Pride Week.

The Festival's title sponsor is Pilaros International Trading Inc., a leading importer of Mediterranean food products, primarily olives and olive oil, what the ancient Greeks refer to as "the Essence of Life".

The GTA lays claim to more than 200,000 residents of Greek ancestry, the third largest Hellenic community outside of Greece, and between August 10th and 12th, 2012, everyone who comes to the Danforth gets to be "Greek for the day". But there is much more than the celebration of the Danforth's Greek heritage at the Festival. Here is a "taste" of what to expect...

This year's Pilaros Taste of the Danforth has loads of fun and family-friendly activities to engage and entertain Torontonians.

The programs, the exhibitors and performers are still being finalized but the following is a "taste" of what is to come:

1. THE CELEBRITY STAGE

• Second City: Join Second City for hilarious, interactive comedy
• Stage West: A tribute to Elvis and Neil Diamond
• Jamie Gutfreund (CP24) & his band – Rain or Shine
• "The Expendables II" Stunt Show
• “The Hunger Games” Show
• Dr. Draw (World Music)
• Coppertones (Pop & Rock)
• Daniel Cannis (Adult Pop with Greek Fusion)
• Eleni Alexandri (Greek Pop Music)
• eh 440 (Acapella Music)
• Galaxy (Greek Music)
• Yiannis Kapoulas (World Music)
• Lori Nuic (Pop and R&B)
• Sol de Cuba (Cuban Music)
• Frank D'Angelo Band (R&B)
• Sou-Xou-Mou-Xou (Greek Music)
• Linda Cara (Pop & R&B)
• Johannes Linstead (World Music)

Check www.tasteofthedanforth.com for updates and announcements as to the performers and schedules.

2. THE DANFORTH SHOWCASE STAGE

Featuring an eclectic array of music and lifestyle-related programs and performances from around the globe

• Joy of Dance (Dancing)
• Hannan’s Bellydance (Belly Dancing)
• Formation Showcase
• Satin Dolls (Jazz Music)
• Madison Violet (Canadian Folk Music)
• Julian Taylor Band (Rock)
• Nia (Dancing)
• Sarah Skinner & the Sisters of Salome (Belly Dancing)
• Ginga (Dancing)
• Elana Harte (New Country/Rock Music)
• Jennifer Brewer (Folk Music)
• Original Gentlemen (Dancing)
• Swamperella (Cajun Music)
• Afro Lusophone (Dancing)
• Urbanesque (Dancing)
• Souls of Steel (Music)
• Tyler Ellis and The Eddy Line (Folk Music)
• Artists in Motion (Dancing)
• Santerias (World Music)

Check www.tasteofthedanforth.com for updates and announcements as to the performers and schedules

3. THE ASTRO ORIGINAL GREEK STAGE

Featuring traditional Greek dancers, singers and musicians, plus Astro Original Greek Yogourt cooking demonstrations presented by "The Three Greek Sisters" - www.3greeksisters.com/threesisters.php

There will also be an opportunity for the audience to learn Greek dancing.

Some of the other amazing performers include:

• Galaxy Orchestra
• Arabesque Dance Company (Belly Dancing)
• Epohi (Greek Music)
• Michalitsa (Greek Folk & Pop)
• Eros (Greek Music)
• Levendia X (Learning Greek Dances)
• Arkadia (Greek Music)

Check www.tasteofthedanforth.com for updates and announcements as to the performers and schedules.

4. THE SPORTS ZONE

Including challenges created by Toronto's professional sports teams. Lots of chances for people to test their skills and win prizes:
• Toronto Maple Leafs - visit the Leafs' Mobile Dressing Room
• Toronto Raptors - test your basketball skills
• Toronto Argonauts – Have your photos taken the Toronto Argos Cheerleaders and see if you are up to • the Grey Cup “Arm Chair Quarterback” Challenge
• Toronto FC – enjoy TFC Soccer and see the Canadian Championship Trophy
• Toronto Rock – meet the Rock cheerleaders and enjoy lacrosse challenges at its best

5. THE TORONTO STAR KIDS' FUN ZONE

Offering fun-themed activities including:

• The Toronto Zoo - experience the amazing "Touch Table" and meet Toronto Zoo's mascot - Explorer Bear™

• The East York Mirror Kids' Activities Centre - giveaways and contests, colouring and crafts

The "Inner Hero" ParaNorman Puppet Show – Follow this engaging story about bullying with Aunty B and Tommy. Learn to care, learn to share and let your “Inner Hero” shine through
• There are some great characters in the film, including ghosts, zombies, and witches so we have invited some very talented face painting artists to turn kids into ghosts, zombies and witches at our ParaNorman Face Painting Station
• Dr. Dreadful Edibles ParaNorman Play Lab
• Enjoy a “taste” of ParaNorman with a Tim Hortons Green ParaNorman Ice Cream Sample

7. "THE EXPENDABLES 2" STUNT SHOW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

• Don’t miss the Iron Dragon Stunt Group as they battle it out on the Festival stage! The Expendables are back, and they want vengeance

• When your photo is inserted into the movie standee, which character will you be playing? Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, or Jet Li? Receive your complimentary souvenir photo

8. "THE HUNGER GAMES" ARCHERY EXPERIENCE

• Don’t miss “The Hunger Games” Show on the Celebrity Stage

• Test your archery skills at “The Hunger Games ‘Bow & Mallow’ Archery Challenge”

9. THE “RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION" EXPERIENCE

• Be greeted by Zombies and receive your FREE “Resident Evil: Retribution” Umbrella Corporation tattoo symbolizing your personal protection from the virus

• Are you up to the "Resident Evil 6: Raccoon City" video game challenge? Join us!

10. "THE POSSESSION"

• Do you dare open “The Possession” Dibbuk box?

• Don’t let the fear of the dark keep you away from guessing what possesses you! Touch objects inside the Dibbuk box – in complete darkness. Guess correctly and you will win your own Possession “Misfortune” Cookie.

11. MILLER GENUINE DRAFT BEER GARDEN

Join us at our Miller Genuine Draft Beer Garden for a refreshing drink.

12. GREAT CONTESTS, PRIZES AND FREE SAMPLES FROM A HOST OF EXHIBITORS INCLUDING

• Free samples from Sunny D
• Free samples of Astro Original Greek Yogourt
• Free samples from Dr. Oetker
• Free samples from Sabra
• Win prizes from Cheetah Power Surge
• Win prizes from GoodLife Fitness
• Win prizes from President's Choice Financial
• Win prizes from Bell
• Win prizes from Public Mobile

13. OPPORTUNITY TO WIN AN AMAZING TRIP TO GREECE

Opportunity to win an Aegean Splendour Trip for Two to glorious Greece, courtesy of Transat Holidays

Don't forget to stop at our information booths to pick up your Festival brochure containing the event schedule and map. It has a secret code that you will need in order to enter the contest

14. FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD!

And, of course, dozens and dozens of tasty food stations from Danforth's amazing array of multi-ethnic cuisine!

15. TORONTO EAST GENERAL HOSPITAL

The PILAROS TASTE OF THE DANFORTH is a proud supporter of the Toronto East General Hospital. A portion of our proceeds every year traditionally goes to supporting the hospital.  The Taste of the Danforth has exceeded its goal of donating one million dollars to the hospital. This past fall the Greektown on The Danforth BIA pledged an additional $250,000 towards the hospital’s new Paediatric Clinic.

The 6th annual Danforth Dash Bed Race is back and takes place on Friday, August 10th to kick-off the Festival.  Proceeds will support the Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre.  The race runs from 1:00pm to 2:00pm and is scheduled to take place just east of Broadview.  Local businesses, the hospital’s Emergency Services and the media will be competing to see who can win the 2012 Golden Bed Pan Trophy.  For further information, visit http://foundation.tegh.on.ca or call 416-469-6003.