Jamii's whimsical world!
WHAT'S NEXT?
Live at The Kisanii Hub as part of Ontario Culture Days
September 23 to September 25
“Live at the Kisanii Hub” is bringing arts to The Esplanade as a part of the Ontario Culture Days Regional Hub Program and making the Esplanade Toronto's only festival hub!
The event, “What We Remember”, invites the audience to explore the perception of time and its impact on remembrance. From our busy and meticulously scheduled lives, to timeless ancestral storytelling, this event promises to entertain the whole family!
Location: The Esplanade & Berkeley St
When: Friday, September 23 to Sunday September 25 at 5pm
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Photo Exhibits:
"The Red Chair Sessions by Nadya Kwandibens" & "Water No Get Enemy" by Murphy Owusu
New Photo Exhibits in Honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day & Celebrating Cultures
"The Red Chair Sessions" is an ongoing open-call portraiture series that places importance on the acknowledgement and reclamation of Indigenous lands and the revitalization of Indigenous languages.
"Water No Get Enemy" because "Nothing without water." The exhibit shows how communities around the world live around water and what water means to them.
Location: The Esplanade & Princess St
When: From June to Fall 2022
WHAT'S PASSED?
WAYO! Jamii's 3rd Annual Children's Festival
Toronto's only children's parkour festival for the arts!
Wayo, is an invitation to uncover a world of wonders for children and their families! Designed as a whimsical journey through the Berkeley Castle and Berkeley Theatre with arts happenings at every turn, this unique experience was filled up with music, dance, crafts, storytelling and more!
With Wayo, children and their families stepped into a magical arts experience while engaging in conversations around social, and environmental justice issues that impact our local and global communities. Wayo featured amazing artists including dancer Raoul Wilke, singer and musician Aline Morales, hoop dancer Valentina Morelli, storyteller Monique Diabo and many more!
Location: Berkeley Castle | 250 The Esplanade
When: August 18 to August 20
2022 JAMII EVENTS VIDEOS
Live at the Kisanii Hub Celebrating Cultures
On June 27, we gathered in our park and celebrated all that defines our unique and infinite identities: Culture! For a beautiful moment, we took a breath and moved to the rhythms and sounds from various parts of the world - connecting with one another through our cultural traditions and ancestral teachings.
You can find more about the event here: Celebrating Cultures
Video: Recro Digital Marketing
Live at The Kisanii Hub Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Jamii hosted an array of Indigenous artists and mediums. From live music, and traditional dance and music with EJ Kwandibens and his daughter Sagatay, to drumming, photo exhibit unveiling and panel discussions, hosting by Jim Adams - our community was graced with stories of Indigenous resurgence, resistance and joy.
You can find more about Jamii's 2022's and previous years' celebrations here: Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations
Video: Recro Digital Marketing
Live at the Kisanii Hub Featuring Twox30
On June 9th to 11th, Esplanadians gathered in our park spaces to pause, listen, and reflect on our connections with one another and the spaces between us. Through movement, live music, old-school typewriter poems, animated and folklore stories and face painting, people were invited to connect with one another.
A gentle way to explore Jamii's 2022 theme: "Water is Memory"
You can find more about the event here: Twox30
Video: Recro Digital Marketing
Live at The Kisanii Hub Featuring CORPUS' Divine Interventions
Five goddesses descended from the heavens to offer Esplandians some blessings! In May 2022, Jamii had the pleasure of hosting the world premiere of Corpus Dance Projects's Divine Interventions, a musical outdoor processional performance, that took place throughout The Esplanade! We are excited to share a glimpse of the event with you!
You can find more about the event here: Divine Interventions
Video: Dawar Naeem
Video: Dawar Naeem
Live at the Kisanii Hub Featuring ApHeart
"ApHeart" is a performance by Moonhorse Dance Theatre that Jamii was delighted to present in our community on May 13th and 14th as part one of Jamii's "Live at the Kisanii Hub" series of local events.
Esplanadians joined us on May 13th and 14th in David Crombie Park for breathtaking musical performances by Red Rhythm and Blues and Robert Scott, dance performances of "ApHeart" by Moonhorse Dance Theatre and local older adults, captivating storytelling by Jim Adams and Sarah Abusarar, mesmerizing face painting by Linda Epp, and last but not least, high energy hosting with our MC Monica Garrido.
You can find more about the event here: ApHeart
The Unveiling of Seeing Evergreen
Jamii unveiled a photo exhibit, Seeing Evergreen, in David Crombie Park on April 2, 2022. At the unveiling, our host Monica Garrido guided audience members experience with speechees from artists and participant youth and seniors of Seeing Evergreen, henna art and face painting for the young ones, as well as live music by Tennyson King, a singer-musician from Hong Kong and Canada.
You can find more about the project and the unveiling here:
Video: Dawar Naeem
2021 Jamii Season Review (click here for interactive pdf)
HIGHLIGHTS OF JAMII's RECENT PROGRAMMING YEARS
2021, 2020 & 2019
2021
One of Jamii's busiest year!
Our 2021 theme was “Looks Like Us” and was an invitation to explore one of the foundational values of the Esplanade neighbourhood: the concept of “mix”. We wanted to ask if, white we celebrate each other’s cultural heritage, we also celebrate intercultural mixing, and if so, how? Through a wide range of artistic experiences, we explored if we could bring our cultures together while retaining our cultural traditions, sense of identity and uniqueness. We hoped to continue engaging artists and audiences with questions around representation and belonging, and to ignite conversations. Did we succeed? Only you can say.
2020
Check full document HERE
At Jamii, we define our success by the legacy of qualitative memories we ignite for all “Esplanadians” - people of all ages who have taken part in the Jamii’s journey. By creating shared memories, we are creating stronger connections and bonds between people. In doing so, we create a sense of belonging, ownership and identity for the people engaged in the work we do in the community. This circles back to our mandate of enhancing social cohesion through the arts.
In 2020, we worked with 91 artists;
We organized 101 workshops;
We hosted 166 workshop participants;
We counted 2300 audience members;
We produced 34 public events,
And all of this, during a pandemic.
2019
Reflecting on 2019 is inspiring: it has been a beautiful year for Jamii; one of growth, enriching partnerships, exciting projects in our community, and throughout the Province. A year during which one of our dreams came true: the creation of a mobile theatre for our community, the Kisanii Hub. Last but not least, in 2019, Jamii refined its goal of both building community through multiple artistic initiatives, and nurturing young women in leadership.
In 2019, we worked with 88 Artists;
We organized 48 Workshops;
We engaged 400+ Participants;
We counted 1500+ Audience members;
We produced 22 events.
HIGHLIGHTS OF JAMII's PAST PROGRAMMING
The Wedding
A three-part series of short videos exploring wedding ceremonies through different lenses.
June - October 2021
"The Wedding" is a three-part project inviting professional artists and members of The Esplanade community to explore what a mixed-culture wedding looks like, what are the emotional triggers of wedding ceremonies and the emotional roller coaster of a wedded life.
Filmed in June, July and October, as a 20-min one shot through David Crombie Park, The Esplanade.
Supported by Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada.
Wayo Festival
3rd Annual Children's Festival 400+ people attended!
FREE - August 18-20 2022
400 people attended our mesmerizing parkour through the Berkeley Castle & Berkeley Theatre, to discover a series of delightful performances!
"Wayo" is a Swahili word that means ‘footprint’, symbolizing the journey to life.
This event was in partnership with Canadian Stage and the Berkeley Castle.
Supported by Canada Council for the Arts and the Government of Ontario.
Legacy Project
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Toronto's Iconic
Basketball Court Mural
In 2014, Jamii spearheaded a mural painting on David Crombie Park basketball court wall after the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment paid to resurface the court, which had been destroyed during a police chase in 2013.
The mural, produced by Jamii, was created by 16 local youths under artistic guidance of Shalak Attack, Julian Periquet and Bruno Smoky. Curated by Isorine Marc. Vibrant ideas — and vibrant paint — can go a long way toward strengthening andhealing a community.
If you would like to learn more, e-mail us at info@jamii.ca