Activities Included Book Readings, Poetry Recitals, Film Screenings, Music, Dances And Folklore
MISSISSAUGA: All roads in Mississauga led to Celebration Square this past weekend when Mosaic festival celebrated its 13th birthday, with over 60,000 people enjoying the varied fare.
Mosaic is the oldest and the largest South Asian festival that attracts families from across GTA and surrounding cities and other cities and towns in Ontario and the USA.
TD Mosaic 2018 maintained its status of the largest such festival by presenting the largest number of activities (including book readings, poetry recital and Film screenings), covering maximum number of art practices including music, dance, folklore, ceramic and pottery, comedy and visual arts.
This year the festival presented two events at the Mississauga Central Library including book reading by a Canadian writer and a conversation with a Canadian painter. Mosaic presented a media launch for film “Parwaz hai junoon” with stars and director and producer in attendance.
The Jim Tover “Service in Arts” award 2018 was given to Brian Crombie for his life time service to arts and artists in Mississauga.
Sarmad Sehbai, well known and acclaimed poet, writer, producer from Pakistan was invited for a poetry recitation and artist in conversation session at the Living Arts Centre. The outdoor festival opened with a tribute to sister event “Caribana” which also was on the same weekend.
Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie cut the ribbon and declared the festival officially open. The premier of Ontario sent his best wishes to the festival which was read out by Sheref Sebawi, MPP from Mississauga Erin Mills.
Guiness book of world record holders Vidha Lal and Abhimanyu Lal from Delhi demonstrated their expertise and incomparable skills in Kathak dance. Mohsin Shaoukat Ali performed sufi and folk songs accompanied by western instruments as continuation of Ekta 2018 project.
Humera Channa from Pakistan took to the stage as the Friday night headline act and Mohsin joined her again for a finale. The incredible Denique Le Blanc ended the Mosaic 2018 day 1 on the highest possible note with his electric violin and with beautiful classical dance renditions by Vaishali and Hemant Panwar.
Jake Dheer from Omni Television and winner of citizen of the year award was the festival MC on Friday. Arshad Bhatti from Radio Pakistan Toronto and Toronto 360 TV introduced Mohsin Shoukat Ali and Humera Channa.
Saturday saw many local upcoming bands and performers including The Mad Band, Hamza, Delhi Express, Raas Haddippa, Jadoo and other Mississauga Rising Star performers. Desi Elvis, Lorensz Francke (a regular at the Elvis look alike festivals and winner of two Spirit o Elvis awards) performed many of Elvis’s hit songs on Saturday and was very well received. Shivani and Shalini Dixit were the Saturday night MC’s for Mosaic.
The headliner for TD Mosaic 2018 was the Bollywood powerhouse Richa Sharma who literally rocked the stage for almost 2 and half hours. Her performance included a dance by Vidha Lal and a duet with Humera Channa where Humera sang Lata ji and Richa paid tribute to the melody queen Noor Jahan. The festival ended at a high note once again with Shiamak Dawar Toronto Dance Team erforming to the latest Bollywood tunes.
TD Mosaic 2018 presented 13 restaurants and food vendors as well as many commercial vendors. The festival and all its components were completely free and it offered free parking to its patrons. This was TD’s 6th year as Title Sponsor and Greeniche 3rd year as community partner.
Mosaic receives funding from department of Canadian heritage, The Canada Council for the Arts, The province of Ontario, The Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and The City of Mississauga and its sponsors include Asian Television Network, Voice Media Group, Jang Canada, Pakistan Post, Urdu Post, Akhbar e Pakistan, Gujarat Abroad, weekly Awaz, Radio Pakistan, Radio Saz o Awaz, Media Mughals, Shon Radio and Shivani and Shalini Dixit, Sunshine Radio, Toronto 360 TV, TAG TV, RawalTV, CanadaOneTV, Outfront Media and many more.