HIGHLIGHTS OF JAMII's RECENT PROGRAMMING YEARS
2022
“Water is Memory” was the theme of 2022. While we explored what this theme meant to us, to the artists we collaborated with and community members who participated in programming, memories, like bubbles of water, popped through the months and floated down the river of new connections.
In 2022...
We were in our park for 31 days for 60 live performances attended by 4,735 Esplanadians.
We organized 4 photo exhibitions viewed by 4,000+ people.
We held 84 LAINI workshops participated by 69 girls and young women of The Esplanade.
We worked with 118 artists.
We organized 203 workshops attended by 194 participants with over 500 participations.
2021
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
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.
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
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