media kit - a midsummer's dream final

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________________________________________________________________________ Ontario’s premier colour festival

Table of Contents

Are you ready? | page 1

Our story | page 2

What to do | page 3

Where are we | page 4

Statistics/Attendance | page 5

In the Media | page 6

Advisory Committee | page 7

Sponsors and Partners | page 8

The History of Holi | page 10

Celebrating South Asia’s Independence | page 11

Contact Us | page 12


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Are you ready?

On August 15th, Hamilton will show

its true colours.


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Our Story

A MIDSUMMER’S DREAM is one of the liveliest festivals in

Hamilton, Ontario. This colour festival and food-raiser is held at Gage Park and features live music, a large yogafest, food, a do-it-yourself arts and crafts tent, a sports zone, a tea lounge, a craft vendor market and an abundance of colour throwing. It is FREE entrance for our sprightliest festival-goers!

Inspired by the Hindu festival called “Holi”, a Midsummer’s Dream is a celebration of unity, peace, happiness and joy. This festival has grown from 800 attendees in its inaugural year in 2012 to an attendance of 4,000 in 2014. This year on August 15th, we’re aiming for our greatest success yet. We’re not just dreamers, we’re also doers. To date, we have raised just over 5,300 lbs. of food for local food banks. This year, our food bank partner is Living Rock Ministries in support of street-involved youth and we hope to raise 3,500 lbs. of food.

This year our festival falls on India’s Independence Day. We are happy to announce A Midsummer’s Dream has partnered with the Hindu Samaj Temple to host South Asia’s Independence day celebrations for the very first time this year.

Our objective?

When A Midsummer’s Dream was created, it was created with a single purpose. The purpose to aid with the movement in helping humanity push forward towards a bright new future that embodies inclusion, balance, and service. It was created to serve as a massive force for good in the community, and to create a spiritual vibration that would echo through the energies of the people who attend. We want to bring a diverse group of people together and encourage them to do acts of good and make positive changes in their communities. We want to honour the principles of Holi, and share that message here in Hamilton, in hopes of opening the hearts and minds of all who attend.



Our Festival

What to Do

WHAT: Colour festival and food donation raiser WHEN: August 15, 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Gage Park, 1000 Main St. E A Midsummer’s Dream has something for everyone.

● COLOURS: Every 20 minutes, we gather in a big group and throw colours in the air to signify how all people of all walks of life can come together and create something beautiful.

● MUSIC: This year, we will be featuring talented musicians and artists on the Judy Marsales Stage such as Young Empires and Sophia Shy and many more. The diverse genres of music that will be played are Rock, EDM, Indian Sitar, Kirtan Chanting and Alternative.

● FITNESS: Fitness fan? Have a shot at Bubble Soccer or an inflatable obstacle course, hosted by Hamilton Sports Multiplex.

● COMMUTE: Ride your bike to the festival and park it in our Mountain Equipment Co-op sponsored bike valet. Store your bike for $2.

● FOOD: Hungry? Grab a bite from our Food Sponsor Narula’s or other food vendors. ● CREATIVITY: The Temple of Creativity will satisfy anyone looking to get his or her

art on. We’ve got origami, incense making workshops, tie-dye workshops, and an abundance of arts and craft materials that should make anybody an artist.

● YOGA: Send a mighty warm thank you to iHELP Entertainment; they’re bringing Yogafest to a Midsummer’s Dream! Enjoy free yoga in the park. Namaste.

● SHOP: Shop and explore our craft vendor market.



Gage Park

Where are we?

For the past three years, Gage Park in downtown Hamilton has provided A Midsummer’s Dream with a home and they have blessed us again. The park is the perfect environment for families, kids and teens alike and a festival of this kind.



Statistics

800 attendees in year one (2012)

4,000 attendees in year three (2014)

Over 5,300 lbs. in food donations to date

Over 7,067 likes on Facebook

ATTENDANCE

800 in 2012 2,500 in 2013 4,000 in 2014



In the Media

“We become all the same, suddenly.” “It started as a dream to get people together to celebrate,

regardless of their race, gender or background.” “The energy was incredible; I always feel so uplifted at this

event. It really is something so unique and special.” “Mid Summer's Dream has the look of a potential fixture of

Hamilton's festival season.”


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Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members Left to Right:

Cat Love - Hamilton Regional Indian Centre

Rosy Narula - Narula’s Indian Food and Banquet Hall Tracee Halloway - Digital Canaries Daniel Dinizo - iHelp Entertainment Joanna Bis - iHelp Entertainment

Anthony DiDomenico - iHelp Entertainment Mark Gowland - Midsummer’s Dream Organizer

Sherry Mousavi - sherryinthecity.com Baldeep Randhawa - Programming Director for Sound of Music Festival

Christina Aikey - Mohawk College Journalism Intern Kayla Perna (Missing) - Mohawk College Journalism Intern

Nick Fotache - RevUp Group Remi Panchal - President - Hindu Samaj Temple


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Sponsors and Partners

Presenting Sponsors

Media Partners


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Manifestor Sponsors

Shared Dreamers



The History of Holi

Holi is an ancient festival celebrated in India and its significance is celebrated across the world. This festival encourages the dissolution of false social barriers that we have to one another.

Holi is a festival that is traditionally celebrated in spring, it is also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. Recently, it has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia.

Holi celebrations start with a bonfire on the night before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is when the colour festival begins and participants play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders. The frolic and fight with colours occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. People visit family, friends and foes to throw colours on each other, laugh and chit-chat, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks.

The festival celebrates various legends (such as the legend of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva), which reassure the people of the power of the truthfulness. The general moral of these legends is the triumph of good over evil, and it breaks down the false barriers that we have between one another. In addition, it is a celebration of springtime, and the disregard of social norms. The ritual of

throwing colours on each other allows people to “throw off the gloom of winter” and revel in enjoyment. Photo credit: happynew-year.org Holi has blessed us with the inspiration for a Midsummer’s Dream, and we have done our best to honour the tradition of holi, by throwing colours, and providing a wonderful and uplifting experience for our attendees, we celebrate our livelihood, our diversity and our unity. We celebrate peace and

love, and as we are all covered in these vibrant hues, we are all truly one. To learn more about the origins of Holi, its legends and its traditions, visit http://www.holifestival.org/ or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi


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Celebrating South Asia’s Independence

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, we are happy to announce that the Hindu Samaj Temple of Hamilton and the South Asian Business Community will be hosting a South Asian Independence celebration at A Midsummer’s Dream this year. South Asia’s Independence day festivities are celebrated from August 14th to the 15th, and we are happy to partner with the South Asian community to make this event truly extraordinary. We will have traditional games, Indian food from Narula’s Indian Eatery & Banquet Hall, and much more! Some activities include Henna Tattoos, Rangoli Arts and Crafts, Incense Selling, traditional Indian bangle bracelets, as well as information about the history and the cultural significance of Holi. This is a wonderful opportunity to educate people about the South Asian community and give the opportunity for people to experience the culture. Every year, the Hindu Samaj Temple hosts its own Independence Day celebration. It is a privilege that they have agreed to integrate their event with A Midsummer’s Dream, and we are so very happy to have them at our beloved festival.


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CONTACT US

M a r k G o w l a n d , E v e n t F o u n d e r E m a i l [email protected] P h o n e 905 577 7306

K a y l a P e r n a , P R & S o c i a l M e d i a C o o r d i n a t o r E m a i l [email protected]

C h r i s t i n a A i k e y , P R & S o c i a l M e d i a C o o r d i n a t o r E m a i l [email protected]

S h e r r y M o u s a v i , P R & M e d i a L e a d E m a i l [email protected]

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