By: Lisa Naccarato
Casa Loma Gardens (Photo courtesy Liberty Entertainment Group)
Toronto, Ontario - Against the stunning backdrop of Casa Loma, Toronto's Gothic-rival castle, Liberty Entertainment Group kicked off its highly anticipated summer events program with Symphony in the Gardens. The season began Monday with "Crooning Classics" a 20 plus musical set featuring some of the most popular songs from "My Way" and "Mack the Knife" to "Sway", in the Glass Pavilion in the heart of the estate's gardens.
Under the skilled leadership of Maestro Paolo Busato, the Casa Loma Orchestra presented a toe-tapping repertoire of top crooner hits featuring world class Tenor Joey Niceforo and Soprano Sara Papini. The Symphony in the Gardens is a popular draw for locals and visitors offering a unique fusion of natural beauty and soul-stirring music to create an immersive experience with one of the best views in Toronto.
Every Monday through September 4, Symphony in the Gardens will offer different musical themes including Big Band, Broadway Musicals, and tributes to Abba and Pavarotti. The summer-line up includes something for the whole family as the season will end September 4th with a Disney/Dreamworks Night featuring the most cherished songs from some of the greatest animated films of all time.
Back by popular demand this year, is Soul is the City led by Juno award-winning singer Sean Jones and his seven-piece band the Righteous Echo. Starting June 20th, this energetic show will have guests on their feet throughout the garden as Jones takes to the Glass Pavilion stage Tuesdays until August 29th. Jones was the surprise guest at Monday's Symphony opening, delighting patrons with a stirring rendition of the soul classic, "Stand By Me."
This summer also marks the return of outdoor dinner service in the garden where patrons can enjoy casual dining al fresco with an extensive cocktail, wine and spirits selection while seated in the shadow of the castle overlooking the city skyline. “Our summers in Toronto are special and cherished,” said Nick Di Donato, president and CEO, Liberty Group. “We want to attract guests to visit one of the city’s greatest landmarks by continuing to offer themed entertainment and rich programming, in addition to destination-based dining in our incomparable outdoor space. We know our guests will make memories while enjoying their shared experiences this season at the castle.”
With each season, the Liberty Entertainment Group is able to transform areas of the castle into something new, offering experiences that fit the time and theme. Spaces are laid out to capture the mood of the event while showcasing the castle's stunning architecture. Summer in Gardens 2023 highlights the best of what the summer can be in Toronto.