Acknowledgment of country

Polyglot acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and create, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. For more than 65,000 years, children and families have created and played here, and we are grateful to make our art on this country too.

May 20 - May 22 2023

Bees at JUNIOR Festival (Canada)

Bees is a joyful interactive work in which children are welcomed into a world of community, communication, wonder and imagination.

A Bees production photo. A Polyglot artist, wearing an intricate black and yellow Bee costume, perches on a metal object. A green tree and heritage buildings are in the background. Blue sky with sparse white clouds stretches behind them.

Presented by Harbourfront Centre

Explore a buzzing, humming hive of activity, as three human-sized Bees busy themselves in the creation of a community alongside children who transform into bees as they play. The bees are fascinating, strange and beautiful, traversing invisible pathways and mapping delicate patterns across the performance space.

Inspired by the mysterious life and work of bees, this re-imagining of public space involves the slow uncovering of an intricate unseen world. Children are immersed in the sounds, shapes and scents of the bee world, from their familiar buzz to honeycomb houses. Bees uses ritual, non-verbal communication and the secret world of bee movement to provide a range of access points for children to participate.

Polyglot is working in partnership with Inlet Dance Theatre to deliver this season. 

Harbourfront Centre Campus
235 Queens Quay West
Toronto ON M5J 2G8
Canada
Find it on Google Maps

Entry is FREE.

  • Saturday 20 May 2023
    1:30pm-2:15pm
    3:00pm-3:45pm
    4:30pm-5:15pm
  • Sunday May 21 2023
    11:30am – 12:15pm
    1:30pm – 2:15pm
    3pm – 3:45pm
    4:30pm – 5:15pm
  • Monday May 22 2023
    11:30am – 12:15pm
    1:30pm – 2:15pm
    3:30pm – 4:15pm
  • Harbourfront Centre’s main building at 235 Queens Quay West is wheelchair accessible.
  • The closest bathrooms and baby changing stations can be found inside the Harbourfront Centre Main Building (235 Queens Quay West) and the Harbourfront Centre Theatre.
  • Service animals are allowed in areas of Harbourfront Centre that are open to the public.
  • Further access information for Harbourfront Centre is available HERE.
  • Visitor Information is available HERE.

Bees

  • Children and families choose how they interact with the performers and the landscape. Some participants may prefer a gentle experience, others may be more energetic.
  • Bees will take place outdoors at the Harbourfront Centre’s west campus. There will be no bright or flashing lights.
  • Bees contains amplified sound and music that is played through portable speakers.
  • A visual story to help your family prepare for the experience is available to view/download HERE.

How to prepare

  • When you come to a Polyglot show we recommend you wear comfortable clothing that allows you to enjoy moving. Remember that you have come for an adventure and there are many ways to begin finding your play. You are curious and this space is yours. Just as you might at the beach, do you take your time and dip your toe in to warm up, or do you run and jump right in? The worlds we set up welcome you to take your time and find your own way to your imaginative play; and our performers are there to join you, or play alongside you, and look after these worlds and their inhabitants.

Accessible Public Transit  

  • The closest accessible subway station is Union Station. If you are coming from Union Station, head south down York Street from Union Station. Turn right on Queens Quay West, head west for about two minutes, and Harbourfront Centre will be on your left at 235 Queens Quay West.
  • Union Station is the closest accessible TTC station, and Harbourfront Centre is the name of the nearest streetcar stop. From Union Station, you can take either the 509 Harbourfront or 510 Spadina streetcar. The Harbourfront Centre stop is two stops west of Union Station.
  • TTC Accessible Trip Planner: ttc.ca/trip-planner

Streetcar

  • 509 Harbourfront streetcars run between Union and Exhibition.
  • 510 Spadina streetcars run between Spadina and Union.
    Exit your streetcar at the Harbourfront Centre stop.

Subway

  • Head southbound on the Yonge-University Line to Union Station.

Walking 

  • Head South down York Street from Union Station. Take a right on Queens Quay West for about two minutes and Harbourfront Centre will be on your left at 235 Queens Quay West. Or The PATH provides a direct route south to Queens Quay West.

Parking

  • Lot P2: York Quay, 225 Queens Way West (10 accessible car park spaces)
  • Lot P3: Rees Street. 318 Queens Way West (5 accessible car park spaces)
  • Lot P6: Spadina Pier, 538 Queens Way West

JUNIOR, one of Canada’s largest children’s festivals, is returning to Harbourfront Centre this spring!

Harbourfront Centre’s west campus will be bustling with an exciting schedule of performances in theatre, dance, music and interactive activities for children ages 5–12, all designed to inspire children to recognize their limitless potential and learn about the world around them and connect with the community. It’s a long weekend full of surprises, fun and joy. Bring the whole family!

Co-curated by Lisa Marie DiLiberto and Nathalie Bonjour.

harbourfrontcentre.com/series/junior

Watch the trailer

When

20 - 22 May 2023

Cost

FREE - no bookings required

Venue

Harbourfront Centre, Toronto

Age

  • Children and families

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Access Wheelchair Access
  • Accessible Toilet Accessible Toilet
  • Visual Story (Yes) Visual Story (Yes)
  • Registered Assistance & Companion Animals welcome Registered Assistance & Companion Animals welcome
More info
(416) 973-4600

Contact

Polyglot Theatre

Contact

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