Events On the Hill

On the Hill is a program of music, movie, and community events held year round by Transfig. It is a way for us to honour the gift of green space that we are blessed to have, by inviting our neighbours to come relax, have fun, and connect with each other “on the hill”.

July 7th: Griffith Hiltz Trio

GHT began rooted in tradition and has since launched into the unexpected, appealing to more than just your average jazz listener. They’ve rallied impromptu dance parties with hippies on Salt Spring Island, played clubs, theatres and festival stages from St. John’s and Victoria to the Yukon and back again. GHT’s latest release “Arcade” (2020), is a result of the global pandemic. Social distancing forced the band to give up the familiarity of recording live-off-the-floor to collaborating remotely from basements and laundry rooms across Toronto, Halifax and Germany. This format forced them to think in less conventional ways and resulted in their most experimental album yet. Their acoustic sound has been augmented by analog synthesizers and chiptune style vintage digital gaming consoles resulting in an 80s themed throwback with a wholly contemporary sound. Both high-energy and unexpected, “Arcade” is what happens when jazz meets the nostalgia of childhood.

Learn more at griffithhiltztrio.com

July 21st: Alex Pangman & the Sweet Hots

Although Alex Pangman grew up a couple of generations late to have sung with Teddy Wilson, the vibrant young vocalist is proud to be known as Canada's Sweetheart of Swing. With pipes aplenty, Juno nominee Pangman possesses the requisite taste, talent and the historical knowledge of an avid record collector to breathe new life into the sturdy standards of the classic jazz era. She's also a broadcaster on JAZZ.FM91 on her program Swing Set, where she shares the records and stories of the swinging music that began to take shape in the 1920s, hit its stride in the ’30s and ’40s, and continues to be played by artists today. A superb song stylist with growing compositional chops, the gifted Toronto scenemaker and singer has built a loyal fanbase amongst jazz listeners and dancers alike through her critically acclaimed work with her stacked Alleycats in the studio, nightclubs and concert halls across Canada including three stellar showcases at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Learn more at alexpangman.com

August 11th: Anda Zeng

Her years of creating impressionistic blends of harp, piano, dreamy vocals, and visceral lyrics culminated in the release of her debut EP, Night Dress, produced by Jonathan Wu. At once soothing and wounding, Night Dress lures listeners through the small hours into dawn, through the thicket of our illusory selves into our vulnerable human core. Anda is also a vocalist, harpist, and songwriter for the band Tiger Balme. The band’s debut album, produced by Paul Chin, will be released this summer.

Learn more at andazeng.com

August 25th: El Ceibo

Formed in 2019, El Ceibo is a music group that performs a variety of Argentinian folk music. Among its repertoire, the audience can expect to experience arrangements of all time favourites as well as fresh new compositions that echo the rich and colourful sounds of this tradition. Based in Toronto, Canada, El Ceibo is comprised of professional musicians from both Canadian and Latin American cultural backgrounds, which seeks to honour this music, but also exemplify the wonderful diversity of the local music scene.

Learn more here

September 15th: Deb Whalen-Blaize and David King

Deb Whalen Blaize is an accomplished local artist with a soulful, folkrock sound. She has played a number of venues throughout the city and leads music at Wine Before Breakfast, Church on Tap and Transfiguration's own "Water's Edge" service. David King is a classically trained pianist and the music director at Church of the Transfiguration. In 2020 he released an album of original piano compositions called "Solitude".