Garden Distrikt

Right. Good question. It goes back to brainstorming a name. At first, I thought I wanted something whizz-bang-cool. You know, like you do. "The Screaming Abbadabs", or "Fool's Pyrite", maybe "Debbie Doesn't" - something like that. But when I began to ponder how this whole caper might be received, I was reminded that the very lofty (geddit - artist's place) idea of any kind of collective, let alone a fucking art collective, can be taken as too intellectual, perhaps too formal, too learned, too highbrow. Well, it doesn't have to be those things. Look, among many other facets, there will be, e.g.: heavy metal, rap, neoclassical and anything we want. We would like everyone to have fun making art or enjoying art. We hope our audience/member line will blur. Anyway, this barrier would not seem smaller if the moniker were some silly trumped-up wannabe. So, I thought that a simple, direct and ultimately forgettable name would suit best. It be...

Garden Distrikt . . . is an art collective based in Regent Park, Toronto's recently revitalized - and largest - housing project. GD's many members are from all backgrounds and work in unlimited disciplines. Group performances are generally centered around music , as provided by GD's house band, "The Strikt", plus guests. Whatever else you find Garden Distrikt doing, there will likely be music. The aim of GD is to create unique, multi-disciplinary art experiences that can morph at will, and at random. Inclusion of found sound and art - and found audiences and performers - is expected. All shows will be PWYC, with the emphasis that FREE is a good and fair price for those living in poverty - in this fabulously wealthy country . If you're green but keen, we'll gladly mentor as needed. If you're old and not cold, we'll quickly offer you a place in GD - be it assisting an existing art group, or creating a new one.