Celebration of Music and Cuisine: Toronto's Taiwan Music & Food Fest 'PLAYFEST' and 'A+ Love Music Festival' Concludes Successfully｜Special Interviews and Video Coverage

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From June 21 to 23, Mel Lastman Square in Toronto became the venue for a unique cultural celebration—”PlayFest”, the Taiwan Music & Food Fest. This festival, Toronto’s first music-themed Taiwanese event, perfectly blended Taiwanese pop music with delicious cuisine, offering an unforgettable experience for the city’s residents.

Over the three-day festival, attendees enjoyed a diverse range of Taiwanese musical performances. The event featured pop musicians from Taiwan, local bands, and captivating jazz performances, providing a rich auditory experience for everyone.

In addition to the music, the festival’s highlight was undoubtedly the variety of Taiwanese cuisine. Attendees indulged in a wide array of Taiwanese foods, from spicy snacks to traditional desserts, satisfying every palate.

The opening ceremony on June 22 featured Kandy Chen, a veteran Taiwanese singer now residing in Toronto, as the guest of honor. The ceremony also welcomed distinguished guests, including Jin-Ling Chen, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto, and Toronto City Councillor Lily Cheng, who celebrated this special occasion together.

Despite the rainy weather on June 22, the attendees’s enthusiasm remained undampened. On June 23, the weather improved, with sunny skies and occasional strong winds, making the festival atmosphere even more enjoyable.

June 23 was a significant day for the A+ Love Music Festival, a public event supporting AIDS awareness, held for the first time in Toronto. This event saw performances from Taiwanese music stars such as Wanfang, Kay Huang, her son Arthur, Kuo Heng Chi, George Chen, Hush, Pei-Yu Hung, Crispy, and The Dinosaur’s Skin, drawing large crowds of fans.

Kay Huang performed with her son Arthur as part of the duo “Mother and Son,” and also teamed up with Kuo Heng Chi and George Chen in the group “Soft Ice Cream” for their performances. Wanfang’s renditions of several classic hits, including her famous song “New Endless Love,” captivated the audience. Hush’s unique style and performance enthralled the crowd, while Pei-Yu Hung wowed everyone with her Taiwanese song “The Same” and A-mei’s “Release.” Kuo Heng Chi’s engaging performance of his hit song “Blessing” had the audience singing along.

Crispy and The Dinosaur’s Skin maintained lively interactions with the audience, with The Dinosaur’s Skin even inviting some audience members on stage to dance, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere. The festival concluded with all the performers singing “Let’s Be Friends Now,” marking a perfect end to the Taiwan Music & Food Fest.

The Taiwan Music & Food Fest successfully combined music and cuisine, bringing a unique cultural feast to Toronto’s residents and promoting greater recognition and appreciation of Taiwanese music and food.