WHAT'S HAPPENING AT JAMII IN SEPTEMBER?
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
WAYO Children’s Festival 2026 made history!
This year, over 1,000 attendees joined us for The Mudlark’s Mother, making this our biggest WAYO Children’s Festival yet.
For five days, families moved through The Esplanade’s past, following a story carried by music, movement, storytelling, interactive art, and the energy of 11 incredible artists. Across Berkeley Castle and Berkeley Theatre, the neighbourhood became a place of memory, imagination, and shared wonder.
A big thank you to Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage for opening their doors for another year of WAYO Children’s Festival, and for helping us welcome families through two historic buildings in the neighbourhood.
Thank you to all the artists, the WAYO Festival Team, and our wonderful volunteers for bringing so much care, creativity, and energy to every part of the festival.
This record-breaking edition was made possible with the support of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Rama Gaming House, Charitable Gaming and Metcalf Foundation Booster Fund.
WAYO will return next year. We hope to see you there!
Want to hear what the audience had to say about WAYO?
Watch our video!
NEW ART INSTALLATION IS COMING TO THE ESPLANADE AND YOU CAN BE PART OF IT!
This summer, Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults community began creating three mosaic-covered tables with Toronto mosaic artist Alex Ganassini for the public space outside 262 The Esplanade, in front of Berkeley Cafe.
Together, participants developed three designs exploring The Esplanade community before colonization, industrial era, and our neighborhood today, with the present-day table reflecting connection and living in harmony. Production is now underway and is planned for installation in early October.
This September, we are inviting everyone to join us in this detailed work to complete all three mosaic tables - a beautiful opportunity to contribute directly to a permanent public art installation in the neighbourhood.
Join us at any or all of the days below, learn the basics of mosaic art, and play your part in completing a new community art piece!
WHEN |
Thursday September 3, 10, 17,
Wednesday September 23,
Thursday October 1, and 8
TIME | From 10am to 2pm
WHERE | The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade
No previous mosaic experience is needed, and all materials are provided. Registration is required for first-time participants. Children under 12 must attend with a parent or caregiver.
CYCLE ARTS WORKSHOPS ARE BACK!
SINGING WORKSHOPS
IMPULSE: SINGING, RHYTHM, AND PLAY
WHEN | Tuesday, September 8, and Monday, September 14, 21, and 28 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM FACILITATOR | Natalie Fasheh
Sing, play, and follow your creative impulse in this four-part workshop with Natalie Fasheh. Explore rhythm, improvisation, and familiar tunes in a relaxed space centred on expression and connection.
VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOPS
PAINTING ACROSS IDENTITY AND FORM
WHEN | Wednesday, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 7 PM to 9 PM FACILITATOR | Andrew Patterson
Explore painting through reflection and experimentation in this five-part workshop with Andrew Patterson. Learn new techniques while creating expressive work in a supportive, pressure-free environment. All materials provided.
HEADS UP!
OCTOBER WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONS WILL OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 10 AT 12 AM. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR REMINDERS TO RECEIVE A REMINDER FROM US.
LAINI LAND CELEBRATES ITS 5TH SUMMER!
From August 18 to 22, Jamii brought 19 girls and young women from The Esplanade to Farming Futures Co-op in Hastings County for the fifth edition of LAINI LAND.
Over five days, participants swam, tried archery, danced, journaled, made friendship bracelets, created tote bags, experimented with T-shirt bleaching, visited the farm’s cows, and shared meals and camp responsibilities together.
This year, Nairobi-based musician Liboi, visiting Toronto through Jamii’s Baraza program and its partnership with communities in Nairobi, Kenya, led music workshops with the group.
A special thank you to Berkeley Castle, Optic Zone, and our private donors for helping make LAINI LAND 2026 possible and keeping the program free for participants.
COMMUNITY NOTES
On Our Radar: To a Flame
Starring Nickeshia Garrick
We’re excited to see Nickeshia Garrick, one of the artists Jamii regularly works with, starring in To a Flame at Nightwood Theatre from September 22 to October 4! This award-winning Victorian Gothic horror blends English and American Sign Language with movement and live music in a haunting performance for Deaf and hearing audiences.
Comments