Aug 4th & 5th

West African Dance performance

We are thrilled to welcome back to Lua Shayenne Dance Company in our community for a set of performances in Parliament Square Park on Aug 4th and 5th (back up for rain on Aug 6th), at 6pm and 7pm. Dance performances will be accompanied by a visual arts exhibit showcasing the work of local artist Andrew Patterson. Join us for a Q&A on both day, at 7:20pm, right after Lua's second performance.

In partnership with Canadian Stage, supported by Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.

Art video premiere at the Berkeley Castle on July  24th  & 25th.

Unlocked

In the Spring of 2020, Jamii and Canadian Stage partnered to invite eleven women, residents of the Esplanade community, to express artistically their personal journey during the COVID-19 pandemic through the creation of a reflective art video.

Watch the online premiere of the video here.

Attend our in-person outdoor event by booking your tickets here.

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A project  in partnership with Canadian Stage and supported by Canada Council for the Arts and Toronto Arts Council. 

Featuring Domanique Grant, Leen Hamo, Iman Abdul Razzak, Jeremiah Sparks, Sara Luey, Alessandro Montelli, Johnny Toronto, Lua Shayenne, Cécé Haba, Arlene Paculan, Cleon Wong, Ayelen Liberona, Malavika Santhosh, Ekaterina.

Itinerant performances

COVID-19 has shaken Jamii to its core values by greatly limiting social connection. But it is of greater importance that we practice physical distancing to limit the spread of the virus.

At Jamii, we believe it is our social responsibility to care for our community during such extraordinary times.

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We are producing live performances in the streets, courtyards and parks of our community, encouraging people to watch from a safe distance.

Live arts has healing effects we wish to share around.

This award recognizes work that celebrates our city's rich heritage and diverse stories of its people and places.

Winner of the 2019 Public History Award - Heritage Toronto

What an honour this is for our Esplanade community, especially the 157 people who took part in creating this film which shines a light on our neighbourhood, and invites people to reflect on the values that drive community development.

A big thank you to the amazing Ayelen Liberona and Joseph Johnson Camí who directed the film and Jamii's producer, Isorine Marc!

"At Heart" was produced by support from Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada and Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario.

A self-reflective workshop that celebrated our inner beauty and natural qualities, led by Empathy Facilitator Georgia Reynolds 

I am me.

I am beauty.

Throughout August, a group of 11 young women were engaged in a workshop exploring inner values and a deeper understanding of self. With this confidence in their abilities, participants created a one-year vision board as a template for goal setting.

Jamii and the St. Lawrence Library co-presented a fabulous event for children of all ages!

Drag Queen

Story Time

A very special story time with drag queens Atmos Fierce and Lucinda Miu; Face painting with our local artist Linda Epp; live music with amazing Aline Morales; stilt walking by Blake; and last but not least, craft!

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Sat, Aug 10th 

Crombie Park

Jamii and St. Lawrence Library marked this year's Culture Days by celebrating mighty women characters in children books and stories. 

I am me.

I am mighty.

This event was a showcase of mighty women who inspire us to be who we are and highlighted the beauty of cultural diversity in our community. Story times were led by Sharon McMilland, Parent Resources EarlyON CFC and St. Lawrence Library. Participants enjoyed live music by Aline Morales and Arlene Paculan, crafted with May Massijeh, had a drawing workshop with Connie Wang and took their live portraits home by Alison Garwood.

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Sat, Sept 28th 

St. Lawrence Library 

​A docu-film co-created by more than 150 Esplanadians.

2019 At Heart, Citizens of The Esplanade

​AWARDS:
Best Editing, short documentary film category - Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela) - 2019
Best Cinematography, short documentary film category - Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela) - 2019
Award of Merit - IndieFest Film Awards (USA)

2019 OFFICIAL SELECTION:
Alternative Film Festival (Canada)
Docs Without Borders Film Festival (USA)
Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela)
IndieFEST Film Awards (USA)
Diversity Feedback Film Festivals (Canada)

A reflection by Sharon Zarita

Unlocked: From seed to sequoia

it is a grand pleasure to share with you Zarita’s writing about her experience with "Wind Stories" and "Unlocked". Zarita has been working at Jamii since September of last year and played a major part in bringing these projects to life. She is now finishing her contract with Jamii with the premiere of “Unlocked”, then continuing her beautiful journey of life.  It is a full circle, and we are full of gratitude. 

On June 27th, join us to celebrate Multiculturalism Day in the park.

MultiCultural Day

On Saturday June 27th, Jamii celebrates the rich cultural diversity of our community in the context of Multiculturalism Day by having a series of short performances in Parliament Square Park. Eight amazing artists will share with you an evening of culture through music, dance, spoken word, and drumming. The 20min performances, which are better enjoyed at a safe physical distance from one another, will begin at 5.30pm, then 6pm and 6:30pm. In case of rain, event will take place on Monday, 29th June – same time, same place. 

2019 highlights:

>> 9th season
>> 88 Artists
>> 48 Workshops
>> 400+ Participants
>> 1500+ Audience members
>> 22 Events

Jamii 2019

Season Review

We are grateful for a year 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.

While the city celebrated the annual Toronto Nuit Blanche event, Jamii invited audiences to participate in a sensory experience inspired by our award-winning documentary “At Heart”.

I am me.

I am heart.

25 Esplanadians took the audience on a unique and interactive journey through David Crombie Park in our own version of Nuit Blanche. The hour-long shows lasted till midnight with a screening of "At Heart" at the end of each show. More than 100 community members participated in this unforgettable experience between the rehearsal and event night.

"I am me. I am heart" was co-directed by Ayelen Liberona and Isorine Marc and featured 25 Esplanadians.

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Sat, Oct 5th

Crombie Park

A one-of-a-kind event which explored the meaning of "home" through discussions, a photo exhibition, Indigenous drumming and spoken word performances.

I am me.

I am home.

On August 24th, "I am me. I am home. "  featured a cast of amazing artists:

OPENING CEREMONY by Leonard Bernard. PHOTO EXHIBITION by Gillian Mapp. DRUMMING by Swift Current Singers. PANEL CONVERSATION with Sara Luey & Dynasti Williams. and moderated by Joel Zola. SPOKEN WORD by Ilham  Suleman, Jennifer Alicia, Karizma, Maysam Abu-khreibeh. Host: Britta b.

More than 100 people attended the event.

in July, 17 youth were invited to visit our local theatres.

Tour of our local  theatres

In partnership with Soulpepper, Sony Centre, CanStage, Young People's Theatre and Canadian Opera Company.

Jamii and Soulpepper are bringing Waleed Abdulhamid to our park for one-of-a-kind choir experience!

Choir in the park

Amazing multi-instrumentalist
Waleed Abdulhamid, known for his striking vocals, innovative bass technique,
and his speed and precision on percussion, invited Esplanadians of
all ages and all artistic backgrounds to be part of our choir for three sessions in August. More than 60 people participated in this project.

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Aug 14, 21 & 28, 2019
Crombie Park

Basketball Court Mural

LEGACY PROJECT

In 2014, Jamii spearheaded a mural painting on 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.

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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.

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Vibrant ideas — and vibrant paint — can go a long way toward strengthening and
healing a community.

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@jamiiesplanade

Craft, exhibit and live arts  in the park.

WIND Stories

Join us in the park with someone from your social bubble (family, friends or neighbours), and create, through arts and craft, a portrait of one another. This creative session will then be followed by live performances with artists Ashima Suri, Jonelle Sills, Jeremiah Sparks, Michael Caldwell, Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony and Sue Croweagle, with host Ryan G. Hinds. 

3pm to 6pm: your portrait creation with facilitators Gillian Mapp and Sharon Zarita.

6pm & 7pm: live performance

Friday July 17th Crombie Park (Princess and The Esplanade)

Saturday July 18th St. James Park (by the Playground) – in partnership with Friends of St James Park. 

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This project is supported by the Ontario Arts Council. A special thank you to the St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association for supporting local artists and to the St Lawrence Market BIA to help us with chairs and tables.

An evening of dancing, singing and drumming in Crombie Park

Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

On June 21st, it was our deepest honour to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in David Crombie Park.

We were blessed with drumming, singing and dancing by Blackfoot Standing, Michele Perpaul, Bri Briskool Marie, Nimkii Osawamick, Danny Mckenna, and Maria Bonaparte.

We are grateful for a beautiful audience to celebrate with us, and glad everyone kept their physical distances with one another.

The event was co-presented with

Canadian Stage and supported by

Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada.

In 2020, Jamii is launching Laini, a women in leaderhsip initiative.

LAINI

Jamii's Women In Leaderhip Initiative

LAINI will help participants to:

- Develop their leadership skills;

- Discover their talents and gifts;

- Ignite their self-drive;

- Connect to matching mentors.

An intra-provincial project that connects people in Wolfe Island, Wawa, Michipicoten First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation and The Esplanade neighbourhood in Toronto.

The Stories 

The Wind Carries

This project invites people from each community to create the portrait of a fellow community member through creative writing, visual arts, and photography. 

"The Stories The Wind Carries" takes place in both 2019 and 2020.

This project is supported by Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Ontario Arts Council- Conseil des arts de l'Ontario, and Toronto Arts Council.

On Oct 20th, Jamii won the First Prize for Best Cheering Section of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

St Lawrence Cheering Section

Jamii also organized the Family Fun Run, an annual 1km-run that starts from Berkeley St and The Esplanade, and takes participants all the way to Berczy Park. About 60 people of all ages participated.

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Sun, Oct 20th

Family Fun Run

Cheering Section

Berczy Park

On July 24th, more than 100 people joined us in the park to meet dancer Neena Jarayajan.

Discover Dance

Performances and discussion were hosted by award-winning dance artist Nova Bhattacharya. Discover Dance is a monthly event at the Sony Center that features some of Toronto’s incredible dance artists - this time, in our local park!

I am me (Girl, I got you)

By 10 talented young women

PHOTO EXHIBIT

This exhibit invites viewers to push beyond the confines of society’s image of women. Created by 10 young women under the artistic leadership of Brianna Roye and Isorine Marc, this exhibit is displayed in Crombie Park in May 2019 as part of CONTACT, Photography Festival.

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WHERE:

Crombie Park

(The Esplanade & Jarvis St)