Dominoes brought together Torontonians in a joyful act of community-building, as 8,000 human-sized dominoes weave and fall along an epic 2.5km journey through downtown neighbourhoods.
Powered by Presenting Sponsor: Choice Properties
Dominoes bought together Torontonians in a joyful act of city-building through public art. Created by the world-renowned company Station House Opera, this larger-than-life, moving sculpture stretched across multiple downtown neighbourhoods and, over the course of a day-long epic event, united neighbours in a common cause: setting up and setting off over 2.5 km of giant dominoes.
Across streets, through parks and buildings, occasionally disappearing and then resurfacing, sometimes pausing for sculptural performances, the domino line threaded its way through old and new parts of the city, linking its diverse communities in a symbolic as well as physical chain of cause and effect. At a time when 43% of Canadians report never seeing their neighbours, this event brought together over 250 local volunteers and thousands of audience members, connecting vital public spaces and the people who inhabit them, imagining an alternative vision of the city.
Dominoes offered a day-long experience where audiences were invited to come down and experience the building of the route across the city as well as the big set off or “fall” of the dominoes!
This was the project’s first time in North America, following successful events across Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Thank you to the thousands of visitors who helped us build, chase, cheer, and celebrate in the streets!
READY…
SET…
FALL!
Route Map and Schedule of Events
READY
1pm to 4pm – Explore the route
- Walk the 2.5km route as it takes shape
- Chat with fellow explorers and local residents
- Meet our friendly team of volunteers
SET
4pm to 4:30pm – Find your spot
- Choose your favourite viewpoint to catch the domino run in action
FALL
4:30pm – Go time!
- Cheer as the dominoes tumble through the city
What to expect:
- Dominoes is a day-long experience where audiences are invited to come down and experience the building of the route across the city, meet people and organizations who live and work along the route, as well as the big set off or “fall” of the dominoes.
- The Dominoe line will weave in and out of public and private spaces – some will be fully accessible to the public while others will be viewed from afar – these will be indicated.
- Read more about how to Dominoes here!
collaborators
presenting sponsor
Choice Properties
supporters
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
Dream Community Foundation
Waterfront BIA
Hal Jackman Foundation
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
FirstService Residential
project team
Conceived and directed by Station House Opera
Artistic director: Julian Maynard Smith
Production manager: Dan Adams
Producer: Ania Obolewicz for Artsadmin
An Artsadmin project
Thanks to our community host partners: The City of Toronto, CreateTO, The Old York Tavern, The Circular Living Lab, Twin Sister’s Family, John Shoust and Family, Stackt Market, Toronto Public Library – Fort York Branch, Toronto Community Housing, Jumblies Theatre, City of Toronto – Parks, Forestry, and Recreation (Canoe Landing Park, Little Norway Park), Douglas Coupland, Choice Properties, FirstService Residential, Joe Fresh, Esso Circle K, 25 Bishop Tutu, Arcadia Housing Co-operative, Laurie Stevenson, Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, and Pirate Life Theatre.
