The City of Burlington is proud to announce that acclaimed musician, cultural changemaker, and community advocate Chris McKhool will be presented with the Key to the City on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
The honour recognizes McKhool’s extraordinary contributions to the city and beyond through his internationally celebrated artistic projects such as Walking Through the Fire and The Refuge Project. Both productions were deeply rooted in Burlington while resonating across Canada, spotlighting Indigenous voices, refugee stories, and diverse communities through music, film, and live performance.
McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape. He has worked to remove barriers for youth in underserved neighbourhoods, collaborated with educators and presenters across the region, and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue through artistic expression.
In 2024 alone, McKhool was inducted into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame, and his work with Sultans of String has garnered multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Cannes World Film Festival win, and national acclaim for his efforts to build inclusive communities through music. His projects have been featured in both local venues and international festivals, bringing Burlington’s name to the world stage while nurturing the arts at home.
Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate Chris’s achievements alongside family, friends, and community supporters. Special acknowledgment is extended to Burlington Indigenous artist Kate Dickson, who nominated Chris for this recognition.
Chris McKhool’s decades-long dedication to the arts is a model of civic leadership through creativity. From producing award-winning visual albums to creating the world’s largest bicycle bell orchestra, his imaginative approach to community building continues to inspire and uplift audiences of all ages.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre Lobby, 440 Locust St, Burlington ON
Admission: Free. No registration required. All are welcome.
Learn more about Chris’ projects at https://sultansofstring.com and https://fiddlefire.com
You can watch the Walking Through the Fire Trailer here: https://youtu.be/wWSZUduo5Kk
Upcoming Sultans of String shows
Apr 12 • Walking Through the Fire KINGSTON ROAD VILLAGE CONCERT SERIES / Toronto
Apr 26 • Walking Through the Fire SIMCOE STREET THEATRE / Collingwood
May 2 • Feature Film: Walking Through the Fire PARKMINSTER UNITED CHURCH / Waterloo
May 6 • Refuge – Education Show BURLINGTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE / Burlington
May 10 • Sultans of String CANTERBURY COMMON / Port Perry
May 31 • Sultans of String FESTIVAL DES GUITARES DU MONDE / Rouyn-Noranda
Jun 5 • Feature Film: Walking Through the Fire AURORA TOWN SQUARE / Aurora
Jun 7 • Sultans of String HARMONY HALL / Vandorf
Jun 8 • Sultans of String THE WESTDALE / Hamilton
Jul 5• Sultans of String OLD CHURCH THEATRE / Trenton
Aug 9 • Muskoka Chautauqua
Upcoming Kids shows
May 4 • Earth, Seas & Air – Free pizza & pyjamas concert at Port Nelson United, Burlington
May 6 • Refuge Project – Education shows at Burlington Performing Arts Centre,
May 10 • Earth, Seas & Air – Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail
July 1 • Earth, Seas & Air and Fiddlefire! – Canada Day in Collingwood, Shipyards Amphitheatre
Aug 10 • Fiddlefire! – Muskoka Chautauqua
LISTEN/STREAM:
All DSPs:https://smarturl.it/RefugeAlbum
Spotify Playlist:https://tinyurl.com/refuge2025
VIDEOS:
YouTube Playlist https://tinyurl.com/sos-refuge
El Bint El Shalabeya – feat. Leen Hamo: https://youtu.be/q5pFvr8tOcM
Refuge Project Sizzle Reel – Summer in Tehranto:https://youtu.be/uGzM35R1sCA
BAND LINKS:
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