Luminato’s Holiday Gift Guide

For the theatre lovers and environmentalists in your life : What You Won’t Do for Love  is an inspiring conversation about love and the environment. When artist Miriam Fernandes approaches the legendary eco-pioneer David Suzuki to create a theatre piece about climate change, she expects to write about David’s perspective as a scientist.

Instead, she discovers the boundless vision and efforts of Tara Cullis, a literature scholar, climate organizer, and David’s life partner. Miriam realizes that David and Tara’s decades-long love for each other, and for family and friends, has only clarified and strengthened their resolve to fight for the planet. Performed as part of Luminato 2022.

For the book lovers in your life: Featured in Beloved: A Tribute to Toni Morrison and Black Women Writers , this was a top seller during Luminato 2022!

In the Nigerian city of Enugu, young Nwabulu, a housemaid since the age of ten, dreams of becoming a typist as she endures her employers’ endless chores. She is tall and beautiful and in love with a rich man’s son.

Educated and privileged, Julie is a modern woman. Living on her own, she is happy to collect the gold jewellery lovestruck Eugene brings her, but has no intention of becoming his second wife.

When a kidnapping forces Nwabulu and Julie into a dank room years later, the two women relate the stories of their lives as they await their fate.

Pulsing with vitality and intense human drama, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia’s debut is set against four decades of vibrant Nigeria, celebrating the resilience of women as they navigate and transform what remains a man’s world.

Another top seller from Luminato’s Beloved: A Tribute to Toni Morrison and Black Women Writers !

Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Coming of age in Detroit, she can’t imagine settling for a 9-to-5 job—despite her unusual looks, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records.

Provocative and chilling,  The Final Revival of Opal & Nev  features a backup chorus of unforgettable voices, a heroine the likes of which we’ve not seen in storytelling, and a daring structure, and introduces a bold new voice in contemporary fiction.

For the local Toronto music lovers in your life :

Aysanabee is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer songwriter currently based in Toronto. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation a remote fly-in community in the far reaches of Northwestern Ontario. Featured in Luminato Live At Yonge-Dundas Square! during Luminato 2022, Aysanabee’s music continues to capture our hearts.

His debut album, Watin (2022) named after his grandfather, includes 10 tracks and nine interludes featuring the voice of his grandfather and is both part music and journalism, artistry and expression.

For the vintage music lovers in your life : This 80s album comes in CD, record and (even) cassette by Beverly Glenn-Copeland, who appeared at Luminato Live at Yonge-Dundas Square! during Luminato 2022.

Pioneering electronic composer and generally-beloved person  Beverly Glenn-Copeland  has detailed  Keyboard Fantasies Reimagined , the remix album of his  seminal 1986 record.

Julia Holter ,  Bon Iver  and  Flock of Dimes ,  Joseph Shabason  and Thom Gill,  Arca  and Ana Roxanne all feature on the record, alongside previously shared remixes from  Kelsey Lu ,  Blood Orange  and  Jeremy Dutcher. 

Along with the full tracklist, Copeland has also shared Roxanne’s rendition of “Old Melody,” entitled “Old (New) Melody.”

For the photography lovers in your life : Edward Burtynsky’s In the Wake of Progress lit up Yonge-Dundas Square during Luminato 2022 and now you can bring it home with you in this photography book.

40 years in the making, Edward Burtynsky’s  In the Wake of Progress  is a multimedia project that bears witness to the impact of human industry on the planet.   This spectacular experience, which was available to audiences in June 2022 as unique indoor and outdoor presentations, challenges us to have an important conversation about our legacy and the future implications of sustainable life on Earth.

For the live performance-goers in your life: For only $80, treat yourself and someone you love this holiday season by gifting a membership and saving $20 with our exclusive holiday deal! By gifting the Luminato Membership, you and your friend or family member will each get:

• Two free tickets to any 2023 performance ($90 value)*
• Four free drink vouchers ($40 value)**
• Invitation to exclusive events
• 25% off regular tickets with guaranteed priority booking
• Year-round programming, artist talks, & networking opportunities
• Subscription to quarterly e-newsletters
• Complimentary gifts