Swifties left out of sold-out Toronto shows can still party in London

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London fans frozen out of Taylor Swift’s sold-out, six-show Toronto run next month can still catch the frenzy over the mega-pop star’s Eras Tour – at a fraction of the cost.

About 240,000 fans are expected to attend Swift’s Rogers Centre concerts in November, with Toronto expecting a nearly $300-million economic bang from the show series. But Swifties left behind in London who couldn’t snag tickets will still be able to soak up the hoopla at several Swift-themed local events including dance and video parties.

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Even the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, a treatment centre that helps children with special needs, is getting in on the action. It plans an event for its young clients called Taylor Swift’s Fearless Friends, spread over all four Tuesdays next month, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., for children between the ages of eight and 12.

The recurring event, part of the centre’s recreational therapy program, is a positive way to work on children’s social, communication and motor skills, said Jill Bell, the centre’s manager of family and community services.

“And who doesn’t want to engage with Taylor Swift?” Bell asked, noting “everyone loves (Swift) and she’s coming to Canada, which is a big deal. She’s also a (way) to engage with our clients.”

With dozens of shows spread over five continents, Swift’s global tour was less than half-way through its run last year when it became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, surpassing the US $1 billion mark. Fans have been known to travel far – even flying abroad – for a chance to see the American singer-songwriter, who was named Time magazine’s person of the year in 2023 and shared in that distinction in 2017 as well.

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Toronto is Swift’s only Ontario stop on her tour, with shows Nov. 14 to 23 before she heads to Vancouver for three shows to close out her tour.

In London, at least two big, ticketed events are planned in the lead-up to Swift’s Toronto show run.

London Music Hall will hold a Swift-inspired dance party Nov. 9 where you can sing and dance to more than three hours of music spanning the different eras of Swift’s recording career. The downtown club has held several Swift-related events in the past two years.

“It’s probably the night where I see the most smiles,” said Demetri Manuel, the music hall’s promoter. “People just come in their best Taylor Swift gear.”

He said the event is like a nightclub that only plays Swift, but only for one night, with a big DJ booth, large video wall and a lot of moving lights on stage. “It’s probably the closest thing you can get to a feel of her concert,” he said.

About 500 people are expected for the event, with tickets ranging in price from $15 to $25 and available for sale online through the music hall’s website.

Another London option, for younger Swifties, is a Swift video party Nov. 14 at The Factory at 100 Kellogg Lane. The party will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and take over the venue’s indoor trampoline park, with a mix of videos including tour footage. The event is focused on fans between the ages of eight and 13.

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Earlier, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., a friendship bracelet station will operate. Friendship bracelets are a hallmark of Swift concerts, where fans who make the bracelets trade them.

Not interested in jumping through the trampoline video party?

No problem. You can just kick back, make bracelets and listen to the music.

“It’s a way for us to have something fun that people are excited about with a large trampoline area and projector screen,” said Sean Sinclair, The Factory’s marketing director, adding “the nature of the event also lands well to our facility.”

About 400 to 500 people are expected at the event. Tickets range in price $59.99 to $99 and are available online.

At the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, Olivia Langford – a Swift fan herself – said she’s borrowed positives from the pop star’s concerts, such as friendship bracelets, to make them accessible to the centre’s young clients. The friendship bracelets are made of colourful beads and draw on different words related to Swift’s songs.

Making the bracelets gives children a chance to work on their motor skills, including those with different abilities, said Langford, the centre’s program director.

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Themed Fearless, which is the title of one of Swift’s albums, the free event also aims to work on clients’ social goals with lots of music and crafts, Langford said.

“(Swift) is a common interest among a lot of people and kids included,” she said. “A lot of kids with disabilities and special needs, whether they struggle with social skills because of their disability, have fewer social opportunities than their peers to work on those goals.”

But the real goal, Langford said, like at any Swift concert, is to have fun and meet friends.

bbaleeiro@postmedia.com

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