Luminato Official Press Release

Luminato.com (Website)
May 28, 2013

JONI MITCHELL TO ATTEND LUMINATO FESTIVAL 2013

TORONTO (May 28, 2013) - Luminato Festival Artistic Director Jorn Weisbrodt today confirmed that the legendary Joni Mitchell will attend this year's 7th Annual Luminato Festival.

Joni Mitchell is confirmed to participate in an onstage TimesTalks Luminato on Sunday, June 16 at 6pm. Originally programmed as a "multi-artist appreciation of Joni Mitchell," the TimesTalk will now feature Ms. Mitchell with drummer/bandleader Brian Blade, one of the Grammy Hall of Fame winner's frequent collaborators, in conversation with New York Times chief pop music critic Jon Pareles.

All TimesTalks Luminato programs will be web-cast live at luminatofestival.com and nytimes.com/artsbeat.

Joni Mitchell will also attend the world premiere of JONI: A PORTRAIT IN SONG - A BIRTHDAY HAPPENING LIVE AT MASSEY HALL, a celebration of her artistry and her upcoming 70th birthday on Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19.

New additions to the all-star lineup of musicians and vocalists interpreting the songs of this brilliantly original artist include American jazz/R&B singer and composer Lizz Wright and singer-songwriter and musician Kathleen Edwards joining the previously announced line-up of multiple Grammy Award-winner Chaka Khan; Grammy, Tony and Academy Award-winner Glen Hansard (Once); and acclaimed singer/songwriter and Festival fave, Rufus Wainwright. In addition, musician and actor Liam Titcomb and singer-songwriter Cold Specks will each perform one song on each evening; and Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding and 14-time Grammy Award-winning icon Herbie Hancock (River: The Joni Letters) will both perform June 19.

"With Joni coming to Luminato Festival, the tribute concert celebrating her art, life and 70th birthday has climaxed and reached its completion! Everything I dreamed of when we started this journey, immediately after last year's celebration of Kate McGarrigle's music at Massey Hall, has come true. We have an incredible line-up of singers that will interpret the timeless songs of one of the most important artists of our time. We have the band of Joni's dreams with Brian Blade on drums, Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet, Bill Frisell on guitar and many others playing in the most revered hall in Canada. Joni has been a great partner in shaping this evening and I am incredibly honoured that she has decided to attend our Festival," said Luminato Artistic Director Jorn Weisbrodt.

JONI: A PORTRAIT IN SONG - A BIRTHDAY HAPPENING LIVE AT MASSEY HALL
Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19, 7:30PM - Two Performances Only!
Massey Hall, 178 Victoria Street

Ticket prices range from $35-$175 (inclusive of HST and facility fee; plus applicable service charges)

Tickets can be purchased online at luminatofestival.com; by phone at 416-368-4TIX(4849); in person at the Roy Thomson Hall box office (10am - 6pm); online at http://www.roythomsonhall.com/eventdetail/luminatojoni; or by calling 416-872-4255.

Presented by Sun Life Financial with support from Slaight Music

TIMESTALKS LUMINATO 2013
Sunday, June 16, 6PM - 7:30PM

Joni Mitchell and Brian Blade with Jon Pareles
Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles Street West

All Tickets $35 (inclusive of HST and facility fee; plus applicable service charges)
Purchase online at luminatofestival.com or by phone at 416-368-4TIX (4849)

The seventh annual Luminato Festival takes place from June 14 - 23, 2013. Tickets for all Luminato Festival 2013 programs are now on sale. For details, visit luminatofestival.com.
Twitter: @Luminato
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ABOUT TIMESTALKS

TimesTalks have been entertaining and inspiring audiences in New York, across the country and around the world since 1998. These compelling conversations live on stage, on the Web and on video feature New York Times journalists in conversation with today's leaders in culture and the arts, politics and world affairs, and ideas and media. Watch TimesTalks online and on demand at YouTube.com/TimesTalks and NYTimes.com/Video, where the conversation begins.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

The New York Times Company, a leading global, multimedia news and information company with 2012 revenues of $2.0 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, NYTimes.com, BostonGlobe.com, Boston.com and related properties. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information.

ABOUT THE LUMINATO FESTIVAL

Luminato Festival is the international multi-arts festival for people open to having art change their outlook on the world. For ten days each June, the Luminato Festival transforms theatres, parks and public spaces across the city and creates a home for artists to come play, share and create. When the unexpected meets the transformative, that's a Luminato moment.

Luminato Festival gratefully acknowledges the generous support and vision of its Founding Luminaries, SuperNova donors, and Patron Circle Members. The Festival would not be possible without the support of our Partner in Creativity, L'Oréal Canada. Luminato also proudly acknowledges the support of its Founding Government Partner the Province of Ontario, as well as the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, and the Ontario Arts Council.

Luminato Partner in Creativity: L'Oréal Canada.
Luminato Presenting Partners: Kia Canada, TELUS, President's Choice®, Manulife Financial, City of Toronto and Sun Life Financial.
Luminato Media Partners: Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and St. Joseph Communications.
List represents commitments as of May 28, 2013

Media Contact: FLIP PUBLICITY, 416.533.7710, Grant Ramsay, X222, grant@flip-publicity.com or Michelle McTeague X253, michelle@flip-publicity.com

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