Pan Am Games, Nathan Phillips Square Celebration Event [Experience]:  July 25, 2015

Pan Am Games, Toronto2015 has been on, and poppin' this summer some Torontonian's see it as a inconvenience having the city over crowded, and others see it for the beautiful spice it adds to our city. There's sports, there's music, there's art, there's culture, there's fireworks, something new everyday, and a price range that ensures all can afford to enjoy.

The first thing that caught may attention after the games started was that Kanye West would be in Toronto to perform the closing ceremonies Pan Am Games Toronto2015, the second was the fact that daily celebrations have been organized around the city featuring new Indie acts everyday. Sun, music, art all in one place count me in.  

On July 25, 2015 Nathan Phillips Square Celebration included an Art Battle with Painter's & canvas, live Music, a huge Toronto2015 SUPERSTORE gift shop, musical swings, and big outdoor screens for people who want to watch the games. Walking up to Nathan Phillips Square Celebration one gets excited by the music, and bright colors of the games.

In the afternoon Justin Hines was on stage singing Folk/Country music his voice is great (no lie), and he played the Harmonica setting a friendly atmosphere. Outside the Toronto2015 SUPERSTORE (gift shop) was a man by the name of David Arrigo painting athletes on canvas who participated in the Pan Am Games. Other finished paintings that have been completed by David are hanging on the wall leading out of the SUPERSTORE (gift shop). David Arrigo has a shop of his own on Hockey Valley if you want to check it out or want a painting done. continuing on, the main attraction was the Art Battle bringing the best painters from around the world together to battle in two 20 min challenges judged by the audience. This event was held under the "Ark of Freedom"; the stage built on the shallow water. The Art Battle was fun for those who enjoy art, and many were in attendance! there was to be two rounds of votes to determine the final winner. During the second round of  the event event management shut down the stage due to a weather warning of thunder. This was a real bummer for the spectators/voters, and the artists themselves. Nobody would be disappointed for long...

After the cancellation of the Art Battle everyone heard Classical music coming from the far stage; People took notice after they heard bass too!? everyone quickly made their way over to the Black Violin performance, that got everyone dancing swinging and their arms. Black Violin group met each other in high school they say they listened to Classical music, and WU-TANG. The two young men from Miami, Florida  decided to fuse the two sounds together making Classical/Hip Hop- Brilliant!  some people planned on leaving, but stayed just to listen to the captivating music and entertainers.

Below is an event photo album by: HOOKEDUPB MAG (July 25, 2015) as well as, a short video shot on a cell phone of Black Violin on stage. 

If your interested in the celebrations you can look up the details, and schedules at www.toronto2015.org  

The closing ceremony is on July 26, 2015