Doors open for the first time with free admission overnight through to June 3rd
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) invites everyone to celebrate the Architectural Opening & Building Dedication of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal with a live outdoor concert on the ROM’s new Bloor Street Plaza starting at 9:30 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2007. Presented by CIBC, the Inaugural Season Sponsor of the Lee-Chin Crystal, the 75-minute concert entitled A World of Possibilities features theatrical performances by an outstanding line-up of Canadian and international artists from all musical and performance genres. The performances are highlighted by spectacular visual effects projected on the dramatic multi-faceted exterior of the Lee-Chin Crystal.
Hosted by film and television actor and writer Paul Gross, A World of Possibilities tells the story of mankind’s timeless and adventurous pursuit of the impossible. Three stages host a series of pop, classical, rock, jazz, opera, ballet, folk and gospel performances, including R&B singer Deborah Cox, Broadway star and holder of one of the longest running number one singles on the music charts, Metropolitan Opera star and international recording artist Isabel Bayrakdarian, acclaimed environmentalist and scientist David Suzuki, and multi-Grammy award winning producer-composer David Foster, who will be writing and conducting the musical Grand Finale.
“There is no better way to mark this important moment in the ROM’s history than to invite the public to experience a remarkable concert and explore our unique new building through the night free of charge,” said William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO. “We hope that Toronto residents and visitors will join us in celebrating the opening of this new cultural fact in our province.”
Following the unique performance, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, joined by architect Daniel Libeskind and lead donor Michael Lee-Chin, will officially dedicate the building. The doors of the new Lee-Chin Crystal will open to the public for the first time, with free admission with timed tickets until 6 pm on Sunday, June 3, courtesy of CIBC.
People wishing to see A World of Possibilities will be admitted on a first-come-first-serve basis. Access to the ROM’s Bloor Street Plaza begins at 8 pm, with remarks at 9 pm; space is limited. Timed tickets for entry into the Museum, for the period following the end of the concert to 6 pm Sunday, June 3, will be available starting at noon on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at the Loblaws Entrance on the south side of the Museum. Tickets are limited to two per adult. Regular admission rates come back into effect on Monday, June 4. As of May 1, 2007, advance tickets for the June 4 to August 6 period, can be purchased on the ROM website at www.rom.on.ca/visit/tickets.php or through TicketKing by calling 1.800.461.3333 or 416.872.1212. Service charges will apply. Please note: the ROM is closed June 1 and 2, 2007, in preparation for the concert and other Architectural Opening celebrations.
From June 2 to 10 only, ROM visitors will have a unique opportunity to enjoy the pure architectural design of the completed building before the installation of its galleries begins. On June 11, the gallery floors will close for installation, but the Museum’s new main entrance on Bloor Street and the Lee-Chin Crystal’s public amenities and special exhibitions will remain open. The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal is the centrepiece of the $250-million Renaissance ROM project.
Other Information
The Architectural Opening of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal forms part of the opening weekend of Luminato, Toronto’s new Festival of Arts & Creativity, with over 90 events city-wide, from June 1-10, 2007. For more information: www.luminato.com