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- IMPULSE: SINGING, RHYTHM, AND PLAY
A free community singing workshop in Toronto led by Natalie Fasheh. Explore rhythm, improvisation, and joyful expression. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / IMPULSE: SINGING, RHYTHM, AND PLAY SINGING Cycles Workshops IMPULSE: SINGING, RHYTHM, AND PLAY September 2026 Tuesday, September 8, and Monday, September 14, 21, and 28 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM Facilitator: Natalie Fasheh This singing workshop series is part of Jamii’s September Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . ImPulse centres song and rhythm as tools for creative freedom, rest, and connection, encouraging participants to trust instinct and expression over polish. Participants explore singing, rhythm, and simple improvisation through playful prompts and shared musical exploration. The workshops invite humour, spontaneity, and presence, allowing voice and body to move together without expectation. The emphasis is on access, joy, and collective expression rather than performance. These workshops are open to participants of all experience levels. No prior musical or singing experience is required. Participants are encouraged to engage in ways that feel playful, supportive, and true to themselves. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website . Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s September Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATION OPEN ON AUG 10 Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jeeya Gandhi, Mariana Hernandez, Hadeal Karrar NATALIE FASHEH Natalie Fasheh is a diasporic Palestinian artist, activist, and social impact leader whose work spans singing, composition, conducting, writing, and arts administration. Her facilitation is grounded in liberatory practice and justice-centred approaches to creative work. Natalie has an ongoing relationship with Jamii, having facilitated the Friday Singing workshop series during the November Cycle in 2024 under the leadership of Razan Samara. Photo by Jae Yang UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. No events at the moment
- EXPLORING THE CHAKANA
The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / EXPLORING THE CHAKANA - APRIL 2025 CREATING Thursday 7 pm EXPLORING THE CHAKANA April 2025 April 10, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Andre Mandela Lopez Join us on April 10 for an evening of painting and reflection as we explore the rich symbolism of the Chakana, an ancient Andean symbol representing the three realms of existence: Hanan Pacha (Upper World), Kay Pacha (World of the Living), and Uqhu Pacha (Lower World). Led by multidisciplinary visual artist Andre Mandela Lopez, this 2-hour workshop will guide you through the process of creating your own personalized Chakana cross while reflecting on its deeper meaning in your life. Using acrylic paints on wooden canvases, you’ll create a personalized Chakana cross that blends Andean cosmology with your own story while exploring the three realms of the Andean worldview. Through thoughtful prompts, Andre will encourage you to reflect on your unique experiences and their spiritual, earthly, and ancestral significance, translating these reflections into your artwork. In addition, you will gain knowledge about the colour symbolism of the Wiphala flag, learning how its vibrant colors represent life, wisdom, nature, and spirituality. Andre will offer guidance on how to incorporate these colours and symbols into your Chakana cross, helping you bring your creative vision to life. Whether you're adding intricate details or focusing on the cross itself, Andre’s step-by-step support will ensure that everyone can create something meaningful. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a unique and personalized painting that combines Andean cosmology with your own life’s story, a piece of art that resonates with both spiritual and cultural significance. No prior painting experience is needed; Just bring your creativity and curiosity! For those who want to take their experience further and display their creations, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on April 26, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. This Painting workshop is part of Jamii's April cycle, guided by lead artist Carolina Rojas, and centred around the theme of the Chakana—an ancestral Andean symbol representing the connection between the spiritual, earthly, and inner realms. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing,singing and creative writing, we’ll reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of the Chakana, connecting its ancient wisdom with our modern experiences.” – Carolina Rojas. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown Andre Mandela Lopez Andre Mandela Lopez is an Afrolatino multidisciplinary visual artist with Chileno, Peruvian, Mapuche, and Andean roots. His work is deeply influenced by his diverse heritage and focuses on freedom, economic justice, food sovereignty, and radical education reform. Spanning murals, digital illustration, sculpture, and tattoos, Andre uses art to promote healing, play, and connection to one’s inner child. Originally studying political science and engaging in grassroots activism, Andre shifted to art as a tool for social change. He blends activism with creative expression, addressing political and environmental issues through a spiritual, indigenous lens. UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +19 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more
- KIMONO-STYLE CARDIGAN
Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / KIMONO-STYLE CARDIGAN - MAY 2024 SEWING Sunday 11 am Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects May 2024 KIMONO-STYLE CARDIGAN May 5 - 12 - 19 - 26, 2024 Artist: Anita Boey Join us in a new series of sewing workshops this May. Our theme for this month is “Roots”, which encourages us to reflect on our profound connection with diverse origins that shape our identities. Our Lead Artist, Takako Segawa, envisions a metaphorical “tree” which draws strength and substance from its roots, so too can we find resilience and depth by nourishing the essence of who we are. Sewing Facilitator, Anita Boey, has designed a Kimono-style cardigan, featuring a statement patchwork collar, to tell the story of our varied life experiences that makes us who we are as individuals. Each of us has an intricate tapestry that is unique, and we can proudly wear this on our collars! Join in to create your own customized Kimono-style cardigan. Jamii will provide a selection of fabric for you to choose from, and we also welcome you to bring fabric that means something special to you. For novice sewers, Shaimaa Yacout, our dedicated Sewing Workshop Assistant, will guide you with the fundamental skills of operating a sewing machine and through the month, you will create your first sewing project! Let's stitch away our Sundays together in a warm and encouraging atmosphere. By the end of this workshop series, you'll not only have a garment to treasure but also the pride of mastering new sewing skills! Participants are registering for one-month only, and required to attend all 4 sessions. Lesson plan: May 5 – Introduction to the theme of “Roots”, and how it inspired the design of this Kimono with a statement patchwork collar. Participants will choose their fabric, transfer the pattern pieces onto their fabric and cut their fabric. May 12 – Piecing together fabric to create the statement patchwork collar. May 19 – Sewing the collar to the bodice of the Kimono. May 26 – Sewing the sleeves, adding finishing touches to the Kimono, and end with a fashion show! REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown Anita Boey Business Professor by day, sewist by night. Anita is a passionate sewist with a deep interest for sustainability and creativity. As an advocate for reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly practices, I utilize rescued materials in my sewing projects. I hope that my sewing serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can emerge from diverted waste, while inspiring others to join me in the quest for a more sustainable world, one stitch at a time. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. No events at the moment
- SILK PAINTING: COLOUR, LINE, AND FLOW
A free visual arts workshop in Toronto led by Janice Garel. Learn silk painting techniques and create a mounted artwork. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / SILK PAINTING: COLOUR, LINE, AND FLOW VISUAL ARTS Cycles Workshops SILK PAINTING: COLOUR, LINE, AND FLOW March 2026 Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Janice Garel This visual arts workshop series is part of Jamii’s March Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by artist Janice Garel, the workshops centre around silk painting as a practice of focus, patience, and expression through colour and line. Participants learn a traditional silk painting approach using the French Serti method, beginning with designing on paper before transferring imagery onto silk. Using black, silver, and gold gutta resist, participants define their compositions before applying richly coloured silk dyes. The process allows colour to move naturally within each outlined form, creating a finished piece that reflects both intention and spontaneity. Each participant completes a 12” x 15” silk painting mounted on foam core, suitable for framing or tabletop display. All materials are provided by Jamii, removing barriers and allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. These workshops are open to participants of all experience levels. No prior painting or silk work experience is needed. Participants are encouraged to engage at their own pace and in a way that feels comfortable and supportive. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website . Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s March Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTER NOW Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown JANICE GAREL Janice Garel is a visual artist with formal training from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica and the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. Her practice spans over two decades, with a focus on silk and oil painting. Janice has exhibited her work locally and internationally, received the Markham Mayor’s Award for Community Service, and completed mural and banner commissions for schools across the York Region. Through her long-running Art Adventure Studio, she has taught art to children and adults, and she has been a returning facilitator with Jamii through the Belonging Older Adults programs. UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +19 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more
- JUNE CYCLE - SEWING
Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / JUNE CYCLE - SEWING SEWING Cycles Workshops Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects June 2026 JUNE CYCLE - SEWING Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 7 PM to 9 PM Artist: To be Announced Important registration note: New this year, participants must register separately for each workshop session they plan to attend. To complete a registration for the full month, participants need to register each session as we expect participants to attend all sessions of that month. All materials are provided by Jamii, removing barriers and allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. No previous sewing experience is required. Participants will leave with a completed kimono and the confidence to take on future sewing projects at home. Workshops are free for participants, but registration is required and space is limited. Spots fill quickly, so be sure to register ahead of time. Support free community arts Jamii offers workshops free of charge so that everyone can take part. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by making a donation through Jamii’s website . Your support helps sustain accessible, community-rooted arts experiences for neighbours of all ages. Jamii’s June Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATIONS OPEN ON MAY 10 Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown ARTIST BIO: To be announced UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. No events at the moment
- TEKA LANG
The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / TEKA LANG - OCTOBER 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm TEKA LANG October 2024 October 10, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Ephraim Velasco In this workshop, inspired by the theme of TEKA LANG , participants will explore the value of slowing down and taking time to reflect through painting techniques. Under the leadership and guidance from Ephraim Velasco, the group will focus on using acrylic paint and pencil crayons, learning how to control the amount of water and paint applied to create various desired effects, from rich and bold opaque layers to soft, translucent washes. Doing this process, specifically waiting for the paint to dry, mirrors that theme of patience and mindfulness taken from TEKA LANG . Participants will also experiment with creating gradients and using tape to create clean, satisfying shapes! During the workshop, Ephraim will share personal stories related to the theme. For example, his mother would remind me as a child to find his “happy place,” when feeling overwhelmed which for him was the beach in the Philippines. Through this exercise, participants are able to discover and draw back to their own stories and emotions, using color as a means of expression. The goal is to create meaningful, yet simple pieces that reflect our individual journeys while grounding us in the present moment. Join us on this workshop on Thursday, October 10th at 7pm for a beautiful painting night together. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown Ephraim Velasco Ephraim Velasco is an interdisciplinary visual artist and aspiring illustrator who specializes on identity formation, concept art, self expression, empowerment, gender & sexuality in the realm of fashion, pop culture, ancestral stories/designs, nostalgia, consumerist desires and cultural hybrids. Through traditional and digital drawing, painting, and collage, he creates playful, bold, unapologetic, dramatic and vibrantly coloured compositions of hybrid identities and characters. Recently graduating with a BFA in Visual Arts at York University, he seeks to facilitate conversations around belonging and culture through his work relating to personal experiences of Filipino diaspora and neurodivergence. UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +19 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more
- NORTHERN BRAZIL LANDSCAPE
The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! In February, participants will paint a Northern Brazilian landscape with the lead of Julian Periquet. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / NORTHERN BRAZIL LANDSCAPE - FEBRUARY 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm NORTHERN BRAZIL LANDSCAPE February 2024 February 15, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Julian Periquet In this session, we invite participants to craft a step-by-step painting of a Northern Brazilian landscape. Participants will be learning how to blend with pastels and accompany with acrylic paint. After each session, take home your masterpiece and cherish the memories of a delightful evening at Jamii. No experience is required – just a passion for art and a willingness to explore! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown Julian Periquet Marc Julian Periquet is a proud Canadian Filipino born and raised in the downtown core neighbourhood, The Esplanade. He established an addiction to the art world at an early age. More so from the encouragement and creative techniques his father Ernesto instilled in him. Many of his weapons of mass creation vary from pencils to pens, markers to charcoal, acrylics to pastels, spray cans and more. Hands on with all purpose materials, Julian doesn't shy away from making an everyday object come to life artistically. New ventures such as live painting and set building have given Julian an opportunity to work with various creatives. Working well under pressure and inviting new challenges will always be an ever growing trait on his journey. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +19 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more
- ACRYLIC POURING
The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! In May, participants will create brilliant abstract acrylic pour artwork on canvas boards with the lead of Andrew Patterson. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / ACRYLIC POURING - MAY 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm ACRYLIC POURING May 2024 May 9, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Andrew Patterson What happens when different colours come together? They can create beautiful, unexpected new visions! Using a variety of colours of their choosing, during this workshop, you will create brilliant abstract acrylic pour artwork on canvas boards. Artist Andrew Patterson will suggest colours that work well together, and demonstrate some basic pouring techniques for people to experiment with. These works will stand on their own as vibrant abstracts, or can even be used as the background for further experimentation! Register now to enjoy pouring acrylic! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Iris Unlu Photo Credit: Unknown Andrew Patterson Andrew Patterson is a Toronto-based artist and designer working to challenge myths and ideas regarding identity. In particular, his work focuses on the subject of mixed-race identity and the spaces where it overlaps; culturally, ethnically, and socially. What similarities and differences do we emphasize, and why? And what bridges might be discovered and formed by those who occupy those spaces in between? These are the questions he hopes to explore and answer, often through portraiture, abstraction, and decorative/geometric symbolism. We need new fiction. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +19 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more
- APRIL CYCLE - SEWING
Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / APRIL CYCLE - SEWING SEWING Cycles Workshops Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects April 2026 APRIL CYCLE - SEWING Wednesday, April 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7 PM to 9 PM Artist: To be Announced Important registration note: New this year, participants must register separately for each workshop session they plan to attend. To complete a registration for the full month, participants need to register each session as we expect participants to attend all sessions of that month. All materials are provided by Jamii, removing barriers and allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. No previous sewing experience is required. Participants will leave with a completed kimono and the confidence to take on future sewing projects at home. Workshops are free for participants, but registration is required and space is limited. Spots fill quickly, so be sure to register ahead of time. Support free community arts Jamii offers workshops free of charge so that everyone can take part. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by making a donation through Jamii’s website . Your support helps sustain accessible, community-rooted arts experiences for neighbours of all ages. Jamii’s April Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATIONS OPEN ON MARCH 10 Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown ARTIST BIO: To be announced UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. No events at the moment
- MIRROR BAG
Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / MIRROR BAG - FEBRUARY 2025 SEWING Wednesday 7 pm Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects February 2025 MIRROR BAG Jan 29 - Feb 5 - 12 - 19, 2025 Artist: Anita Boey In February at "Wednesday Sewing" we are making together Mirror Bag with the leadership of Anita Boey and support from Ghader Bsmar. The capacity for this workshop series is 16 people without a machine, and we can accommodate 4 more people if they bring their own sewing machines. While you are only required to register for the January 29 session, participants are expected to join all four sessions on February 5, 12, and 19 . If you register for the January 29 session, you do not need to register again for the sessions on February 5, 12, and 19. New registrations will not be accepted throughout the month. We expect a high number of registrations, so please let us know immediately via email at info@jamii.ca before Monday, January 27 at 12 PM if you foresee that you will not be able to join all four sessions , so another participant from the waitlist can take your spot. We apologize if the workshop is filled before you register. Mirror Bag Join us for our new series of sewing workshops! Guided by Sewing Facilitator Anita Boey, you’ll create a Circular Lay-Flat Cosmetics Bag—perfect for holding your essentials, including your mirror. This February, as part of our theme “Mirrors,” led by Lead Artist Jonelle Sills, we’ll explore the deeper significance of mirrors both literally and metaphorically. Mirrors offer us a space for reflection and a chance to appreciate ourselves and our communities. The “Mirror Bag” we’ll make represents a special space to hold these reflections, ensuring we’re always ready to pause, see ourselves, and take a moment to reflect. Jamii will provide a selection of fabric for you to choose from, but you are also welcome to bring your own fabric. Each bag would need ½ yard of fabric, interfacing, bias tape, and ribbons (or draw strings). Shaimaa and Ghader, our dedicated Sewing Workshop Assistants, will guide you with the fundamental skills of operating a sewing machine while delving into this simple yet captivating project. Let's stitch away our Wednesday evenings together in a warm and encouraging atmosphere. By the end of this workshop series, you'll not only have a Mirror Bag to treasure and use, but also the pride of mastering new sewing skills and friends! Workshop plan: 1) January 29, 2025 – Introduction to the theme of “Mirrors”, and how it inspired the design of this Mirror Bag. Participants will choose their fabric, transfer the pattern pieces onto their fabric, cut their fabric and iron on the interfacing. 2) February 5 – Sew the closure flap, learn about bias tape and how to sew the bias tape to the bag. 3) February 12 – Sew the main fabric and lining of the bag. 4) February 19 – Insert draw strings, final top stich and add finishing touches. Sewing participants are highly encouraged to attend “ Saturday Mingling ” event at Jamii, to show off their sewing project to the rest of the Jamii community! REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown Anita Boey Business Professor by day, sewist by night. I am a passionate sewist with a deep interest for sustainability and creativity. As an advocate for reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly practices, I utilize rescued materials in my sewing projects. I hope that my sewing serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can emerge from diverted waste, while inspiring others to join me in the quest for a more sustainable world, one stitch at a time. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. No events at the moment
- TAP INTO RHYTHM
October 2026 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / TAP INTO RHYTHM DANCING Cycles Workshops October 2026 TAP INTO RHYTHM Monday, October 5, Tuesday, October 13, and Monday, October 19 and 26 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM Facilitator: Elise McGrenera Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. This tap dance workshop series is part of Jamii’s October Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by tap dancer Elise McGrenera, the workshops centre rhythm as a shared language that connects body, music, and collective movement. Participants explore foundational tap steps, coordination, and musicality through guided exercises and creative play. The workshops emphasize feeling rhythm through the whole body and building confidence through repetition and exploration. The space is welcoming and supportive, encouraging participants to move at their own pace while staying connected as a group. Comfortable shoes are welcome, and participants may bring tap shoes if they have them. These workshops are open to participants of all experience levels. No prior tap or dance experience is required. Participants are encouraged to engage in ways that feel comfortable and expressive. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website . Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s October Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATION OPENS ON SEPT 10 Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo by Hadeal Karrar ELISE MCGRENERA Elise McGrenera is a Vancouver-born tap dancer now based in Toronto. Her training includes the School at Jacob’s Pillow, where she completed the tap dance program in 2019 and received the Professional Advancement in Dance Award. Elise has performed in On Foot by Danny Nielsen, Jeffrey Dawson and Friends , and toured internationally with the tap dance collective Boys’ Club, which she co-founded in 2022. She has an ongoing relationship with Jamii, having facilitated Monday Dancing workshops during the March Cycle in 2025 under the leadership of Zarita Sharon Adhiambo. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 02 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +8 more Mon, Mar 09 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +6 more Mon, Mar 16 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +4 more Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +7 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +5 more
- BUTOH
May 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / BUTOH - MAY 2025 DANCING Cycles 2025 May 2025 BUTOH May 5 - 12 - 19, 2025 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Mayumi Lashbrook Discover the art of mindful movement in this welcoming series with dance artist Mayumi Lashbrook. Rooted in the Japanese avant-garde dance style of Butoh, these workshops offer a space to slow down, tune in to your body, and explore movement as an expression of inner awareness. Whether you are a dancer, a creative spirit, or someone looking to reconnect with yourself through movement, this is a unique opportunity to experience dance as a pathway to presence. Under Mayumi’s gentle guidance, you will dive into improvisation exercises inspired by Butoh’s philosophy of uncovering the dance already within you. Through mindful attention and creative limitations, you will explore how slowing down can open up surprising new forms of expression. Mayumi brings years of experience as a performer, choreographer, and facilitator, and shares her journey of learning Butoh with renowned dance artist Denise Fujiwara. No dance experience is needed. Just bring your curiosity and willingness to move. For those who want to take their experience further and perform, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on May 24, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. Spots are limited, so be sure to register today! This Monday Dancing - Finding Presence through Butoh workshop is part of Jamii's May cycle, guided by lead artist Heidi Chan, and centred around the theme of Small & Mighty. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing, singing, and creative writing, we will reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of Small & Mighty, finding the joy and value in doing one thing, but doing it well by slowing down and zooming in.” - Heidi Chan. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar, Heidi Chan Photo Credit: Unknown Mayumi Lashbrook Mayumi Lashbrook (she/her) is a mixed race Japanese Canadian settler who seeks to create transformative dance theatre experiences that invite attentive presence. Her practices span performance, choreography, curation, and facilitation. Mayumi is a 2024 nominee of the Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Award and the Artistic Director of Aeris Körper, recipient of the 2024 Hamilton Arts Creator Award. As mentee of renowned dance theatre artist Denise Fujiwara, she has been studying choreographic composition, the Japanese dance form Butoh, and is a company member of Fujiwara Dance Inventions. She aims to create spaces that pursues an equilibrium of artistic excellence and compassionate care. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 02 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +8 more Mon, Mar 09 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +6 more Mon, Mar 16 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +4 more Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +7 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +5 more
- JI GOE AND JAPANESE FOLK SONGS
Sing traditional Japanese work songs with Aki Takahashi. Learn JI GOE, a rhythmic vocal style rooted in collective movement and folk tradition. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / JI GOE AND JAPANESE FOLK SONGS - MAY 2025 SINGING Friday 7 pm JI GOE AND JAPANESE FOLK SONGS May 2025 May 9 - 16 - 23, 2025 Facilitator: Aki Takahashi Raise your voice and feel the rhythm of community at this Friday Singing series with Aki Takahashi. Rooted in the tradition of JI GOE, a percussive vocal style used in Japanese folk music, this workshop invites you to use your voice as a pulse of connection, energy, and encouragement. You will learn how JI GOE supported workers rowing boats, pulling nets, or labouring side-by-side, helping them move in unison through shared rhythms. In this hands-on experience, you will sing from the stomach, finding a deep, earthy voice that carries strength and spirit. Together, we will accompany traditional Japanese work songs, learning how to keep time and lift each other up through sound. Aki Takahashi brings a lifetime of expertise as a taiko drummer, shamisen player, and folk singer, and shares her passion for bringing traditional music into today's communities with energy and heart. No singing experience is needed. Just come ready to make some noise and connect through song! For those who want to take their experience further and sing at our community celebration, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on May 24, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. Spots are limited, so be sure to register today! This Friday Singing - JI GOE and Japanese Folk Songs workshop is part of Jamii's May cycle, guided by lead artist Heidi Chan, and centred around the theme of Small & Mighty. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing, singing, and creative writing, we will reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of Small & Mighty, finding the joy and value in doing one thing, but doing it well by slowing down and zooming in.” - Heidi Chan. Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Aki Takahashi Aki Takahashi (aka. Ten Ten) is a taiko, shamisen player and folk singer. She has given shamisen and vocal performances at numerous venues and events. Aki is a member and a co-artistic director of pre-eminent Canadian taiko drumming group; "NAGATA SHACHU" and creates her own original compositions and choreographed dance pieces to accompany her music. She is also the founder of the Japanese Folk ensemble "TEN TEN" and has performed with numerous artists from a variety of other cultural backgrounds and traditions. Now she teaches shamisen and voice at the Bachido Schoolhouse: International Shamisen Community. Photo Credit: Unknown UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. No events at the moment
- VOICES OF ANDES
The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! In March, join us to explore traditional celebrating songs from Souther Africa, led by Brian S. Moyo. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / VOICES OF ANDES - APRIL 2025 SINGING Friday 7 pm VOICES OF ANDES April 2025 April 11 - 18 - 25, 2025 Facilitator: Jaime Stears Join us on April 11, 18, and 25 to step into the world of Andean music in Voices of the Andes, an interactive workshop led by Jaime Stears. In this 2-hour session, you’ll have the opportunity to discover traditional Andean instruments like the charango and the quena, learning about their unique sounds and cultural significance. Jaime will guide you through the history and role of these instruments in Andean music, providing an immersive experience that allows you to connect with the rhythms and melodies that have been passed down through generations. The workshop will conclude with a group singing session where you’ll learn and perform a traditional Andean song, celebrating the music that has shaped the cultural landscape of the Andes. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or a complete beginner, this is a chance to connect with the rhythms and melodies that have been passed down through generations. No experience required; Just bring your love for music and a willingness to sing! For those who want to take their experience further and perform, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on April 26, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. This Singing workshop is part of Jamii's April cycle, guided by lead artist Carolina Rojas, and centred around the theme of the Chakana—an ancestral Andean symbol representing the connection between the spiritual, earthly, and inner realms. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing,singing and creative writing, we’ll reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of the Chakana, connecting its ancient wisdom with our modern experiences.” – Carolina Rojas. Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Jaime Stears Jaime Stears began his immersion in music by participating in a Chilean folkloric group at a very young age, where he learned about the music and dance of the different regions of Chile. He is a civil engineer by profession, but thanks to his 20 years of experience in music, he is a versatile musician and multi-instrumentalist. In Toronto he is part of the band Viento Sur, which pays tribute to Latin American roots music and other Latin bands. Photo Credit: Unknown UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. No events at the moment
- THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF SPIRITUALS
The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! In February, join us to explore melodies and create a communal song led by Nickeshia Garrick and Paula Sofía Morales. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF SPIRITUALS - FEBRUARY 2025 SINGING Friday 7 pm THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF SPIRITUALS February 2025 February 7 - 14 - 21, 2025 Facilitator: Martin Gomes In this musical workshop exploring the theme of “Mirrors”, we will focus on the rich musical tradition of Spirituals. Spirituals are musical folk songs created by enslaved Africans following their arrival in North America between 1619 and 1860. Passed down orally through generations, these melodies and stories encapsulate the history, suffering, hope, and resilience of a people who found the strength to sing through their hardships. As Dr. Everett McCorvey describes, Spirituals speak to the profound ability to tell and re-tell heroic stories of triumph and survival through music. They are deeply rooted in the call-and-response technique, which demands intentional listening and often repetition of musical lines. Building on Jonelle Sills’s theme of Mirrors , this workshop will invite participants to audibly mirror one another, fostering connection and understanding through the shared experience of these powerful songs. Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jeeya Gandhi, Mariana Hernandez, Hadeal Karrar Martin Gomes Martin Gomes (He/They) is an Afro/Latino, queer writer and composer born & based in downtown Toronto. He currently works as an artist facilitator teaching poetry & beatboxing for organizations such as Unity Charity, Lakeshore Arts, JAYU, VIBEArts, tdsbCREATES, & Crossroads Theatre. He’s been afforded the opportunity of performing for people & places such as Opera Atelier, CBC, Sony, Soho House, The Harbourfront Centre, Nuit Blanche, TOLive, and Treemonisha. With their art, he hopes to set an example of authenticity, empathy, and observation wherever possible in an attempt to spread messages of loving each other's neighbours even through all the noise. Photo Credit: Unknown UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. No events at the moment
- EXPLORING MELODIES AND CREATING A COMMUNAL SONG
The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! In June, join us to explore melodies and create a communal song led by Nickeshia Garrick and Paula Sofía Morales. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / EXPLORING MELODIES AND CREATING A COMMUNAL SONG TOGETHER - JUNE 2024 SINGING Friday 7 pm EXPLORING MELODIES AND CREATING A COMMUNAL SONG June 2024 June 7 - 14 - 21, 2024 Facilitator: Paula Sofía Morales, Nickeshia Garrick Join us on Fridays June 7th, 14th and 21st for a three-part workshop series where we explore the melodies within us while creating a collective song celebrating Latin American rich cultural connections. Guided by June lead artist Nickeshia Garrick (June 7th) and singer-songwriter Paula Sofía Morales (June 14th and 21st), we'll explore music and storytelling, emphasizing unity and strengthening our community bonds through the power of music. The participants will be encouraged to sing with each other, strengthening their listening skills and singing in tune as a group. Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang Paula Sofía Morales Paula Sofía is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter based in Toronto. From the stage, Paula weaves a playful connection with her audience, turning each live performance into a unique, shared moment. While most of her songs are in Spanish, Paula transcends language boundaries through her quirky songwriting, vivid imagery, and a touch of playfulness. She navigates the human experience and shares it with her listeners through her melodious voice. Instagram Nickeshia Garrick Nickeshia Garrick is a settler on the stolen land of Tkaronto and has performed on this land for over 25 years. They are unapologetically a Black, Queer Artist, who believes in the healing power of breath through raw emotion and movement. Nickeshia received their dance training at the NYIDE (New York Institution of Dance and Education), National Ballet School of Canada (Tkaronto), Toronto Dance Theatre (Tkaronto), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver). Nickeshia is a Dora Mavor Moore, winning and multi-nominated artist who holds a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University. Recently, Nickeshia became the Co-Founder of the dance collective CinnaMoon Collective which premiered their full-length work, Surrendered Spirits at Canadian Stage. Instagram Photo by María Vega UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. No events at the moment
- CARNATIC SINGING
The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / CARNATIC SINGING - SEPTEMBER 2024 SINGING Friday 7 pm CARNATIC SINGING September 2024 September 13 - 20 - 27, 2024 Facilitator: Ganesh Iyer Carnatic singing and improvisation Over three sessions, participants will use their voice to perform and tell their stories through ragam-based improvisation. They will learn the foundational elements of why Carnatic music sounds the way it does, and enter a meditative state as you immerse yourself into those sounds individually, and as a group. Led by musician Ganesh Iyer, participants will use those foundation elements to compose and perform jatiswarams and nottuswarams during Saturday's Mingling. Expect to experience the therapeutic joy of singing in a group, as well as be given the opportunity to improvise as individuals. Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Mariana Hernandez Ganesh Iyer is a vocalist, improviser, and composer trained predominantly in Carnatic classical music, who also actively performs in genres like classical, ghazals, jazz, blues, rock, metal, and R&B. His work emerges from an intent to create music that's more evocative than our day-to-day life experiences. Join Ganesh as he takes you through an interactive introduction to Carnatic music in which you'll not only come out with an appreciation for the classical form as a listener, but also wield its magic in composition and improvisation. Photo Credit: The Lightsmiths UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. No events at the moment
- FREE STYLE
Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / FREE STYLE - FEBRUARY 2024 SEWING Sunday 11 am Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects February 2024 FREE STYLE February 4 - 11, 2024 Artist: Anita Boey Explore the art of sewing in our weekly workshops. Whether you're a novice or an experienced hand, join us for hands-on sessions guided by skilled instructor Anita Boey. Acquire essential sewing skills, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and relish a supportive environment. We provide fabric, and you're welcome to bring your own. Come with your curiosity, and let's sew together! Please commit to completing your projects as we aim to minimize fabric waste. Choose to be part of our community for the entire year or select specific projects that resonate with you. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Isorine Marc Photo Credit: Unknown Anita Boey Business Professor by day, sewist by night. Anita is a passionate sewist with a deep interest for sustainability and creativity. As an advocate for reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly practices, I utilize rescued materials in my sewing projects. I hope that my sewing serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can emerge from diverted waste, while inspiring others to join me in the quest for a more sustainable world, one stitch at a time. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. No events at the moment
- LEARNING TAP DANCE
March 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / LEARNING AND TRYING TAP DANCE - MARCH 2025 DANCING Cycles 2025 March 2025 LEARNING TAP DANCE March 3 - 10 - 17, 2025 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Elise McGrenera Step into the rhythm and explore the joy of tap dance in this all-levels workshop with dancer Elise McGrenera! Whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience, this movement-based class will introduce you to the fundamentals of tap dance, focusing on rhythm, coordination, and musicality. Guided by lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", we’ll explore how rhythm connects us to ourselves and each other, feeling the beat not just in our feet but throughout the whole body. Through traditional tap steps, movement exercises, and creative exploration, you'll discover the grounding power of dance in an open and welcoming space. No tap shoes? No problem! Wear comfortable shoes or bring tap shoes if you have them. For those who want to take their experience further, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on March 22, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. Come move, make some noise, and find your rhythm—one tap step at a time! This dancing workshop is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Tuesday Creative Writing, Tuesday Book Club, Tuesday Culture Cloths-Artist Talks, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Crafting, Thursday Painting, and Friday Singing. “Through these workshops, we let art and community exchanges guide the discovery of what grounds us, or what we need to find grounding on, and pass this discovery to someone else's journey.” - Sharon Zarita Adhiambo. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo by Dayna Szyndrowski Elisa McGrenera Elise McGrenera is a tap dancer from Vancouver, Canada currently living in Toronto, Ontario. Elise is an alumna of the School at Jacob's Pillow where she was accepted into the 2019 tap dance program and graduated with the Professional Advancement in Dance Award. She was a featured dancer in the 2019 Vancouver premier of Danny Nielsen’s On Foot and joined the cast again in 2023 for their BC tour. Elise was featured in both the 2021 and 2022 productions of Jeffrey Dawson and Friends presented by the Vancouver Tap Dance Society. In 2022, Elise co-founded the tap dance collective Boys’ Club which was invited to showcase their first full-length work throughout Europe. Currently, Boys’ Club is creating a new work through the 2024/2025 cohort of the Process+Practice residency produced by TOES For Dance and Elise continues to immerse herself in the tap dance and jazz music community in Toronto. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 02 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +8 more Mon, Mar 09 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +6 more Mon, Mar 16 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +4 more Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +7 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +5 more
- DABKE FROM PALESTINE
November 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / DABKE FROM PALESTINE - NOVEMBER 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 November 2024 DABKE FROM PALESTINE November 4, 11, 18, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Mona Ayesh In Arabic, Dabke means "stomping of the feet" or "to make noise". During this dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh, participants will practice the group dance and learn about the origin and history of the steps, many of which are rooted in the land and agriculture. Learning and performing traditional Dabke is a form of preserving Palestinian identity and a form of cultural resistance. Dabke signifies hope, struggles, and the history of the Palestinian people, making it one of the most important cultural forms of art in Palestinian culture. Join us for this beautiful series of three dancing workshops with Mona, stomping your feet through culture on Mondays, November 4th, 11th and 18th at 7pm at the Jamii Hub. WE REACHED THE FULL CAPACITY FOR THIS WORKSHOP. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU WHEN A SPOT BECOMES AVAILABLE. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang Photo Credit: Unknown Mona Ayesh It is an honor to welcome in the space the respected Mona Ayesh who is a Palestinian Dabke instructor. She has been training youth and adults for over 7 years. Mona Ayesh and her youth team (@dabke4palestine) have performed Dabke Shows at various events across the Greater Toronto Area, including at Muslim Fest 2023, Ramadan Expo 2024, Eid Expo 2024, Hawa Canada, and other cultural events and festivals. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 02 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +8 more Mon, Mar 09 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +6 more Mon, Mar 16 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +4 more Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +7 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +5 more
- Sewing | Jamii Esplanade
The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade, Toronto is home to sewing workshops throughout the year! Open for beginners to intermediate, come connect with fellow enthusiasts! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / Sewing SEWING Cycles Workshops AGE GROUP | All Ages - Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED Explore the art of sewing in our weekly workshops. Whether you're a novice or an experienced hand, join us for hands-on sessions guided by skilled instructor Anita Boey. Acquire essential sewing skills, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and relish a supportive environment. We provide fabric, and you're welcome to bring your own. Come with your curiosity, and let's sew together! REGISTER NOW February 2026 SEWING A HANDMADE KIMONO February 4 - 11 - 18 - 25, 2026 Artist: Diséiye Thompson MORE INFO May 2025 PATCHWORK PADDED TOTE BAG Artist: Mariam Ahmad MORE INFO November 2024 TWO-TONE DRESS WITH BELT Artist: Anita Boey MORE INFO April 2026 APRIL CYCLE - SEWING April 6 - 13 - 20 - 27, 2026 Artist: To be Announced MORE INFO April 2025 AGUAYO MINI PURSE Artist: Anita Boey MORE INFO October 2024 BUCKET HAT AND BANDANA Artist: Anita Boey MORE INFO June 2026 JUNE CYCLE - SEWING June 3 - 10 - 17 - 24, 2026 Artist: To be Announced MORE INFO March 2025 QUILTED PILLOWCASE SET Artist: Anita Boey MORE INFO September 2024 HOODED SCARF Artist: Anita Boey MORE INFO October 2026 OCTOBER CYCLE - SEWING October 7 - 14 - 21 - 28, 2026 Artist: To be Announced MORE INFO February 2025 MIRROR BAG Artist: Anita Boey MORE INFO June 2024 WRAP SKIRT Artist: Mariam Ahmad MORE INFO Calendar UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Cycles - All Ages | Jamii Esplanade
Join Jamii’s monthly Cycle Programs: community arts workshops, artist residencies, and collaborative events at The Jamii Hub in Toronto. CYCLES Jamii's In 2026, Jamii marks 15 years of artistic practice rooted in care, community, and shared experience. This milestone is not framed as a celebration alone, but as a moment of attention. A pause to recognize what has been built together, what has been carried forward, and what is beginning to take shape. Our artistic direction for the year is guided by a simple and resonant feeling. It feels right. We understand this feeling not as certainty, but as recognition. It is the quiet clarity that surfaces when an action, idea, or gesture aligns with values, intuition, and responsibility to others. It often arrives before language. It is guided by care, conviction, and attentiveness, and rooted in purpose, contribution, and necessity. It appears when something is meant to be done. Throughout 2026, Jamii’s Cycles offer artistic experiences that hold space for reflection and memory. They acknowledge transformation, lineage, and change, while also creating moments of gathering, celebration, and joy. These workshops centre practices that speak to intuition and values, and that invite participants to consider futures that feel grounded, hopeful, and necessary. This guiding line shapes all of our 2026 Cycles workshops. To support this vision, lead artists were invited to work with three shared prompts: Recall a moment when you acted before you could fully explain why. Create from what has been carried and what is beginning to emerge. Consider a future that feels right, not perfect. The artists facilitating these workshops are people we know and trust. Each has been part of Jamii’s story in different ways, returning with care, generosity, and a deep understanding of community-based practice. These Cycles are an invitation to take part, to be present, and to create together. We hope you’ll find something here that feels right. DANCING MORE INFO SINGING MORE INFO SEWING MORE INFO THE JAMII COFFEE MORE INFO VISUAL ARTS MORE INFO
- Dancing | Jamii Esplanade
Jamii offers free dancing workshops in downtown Toronto led by artists. Join one session or a full series. Registration required per session. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / Dancing DANCING Cycles Workshops Jamii’s Dancing workshops invite participants to move, connect, and build confidence through guided, community-based dance series. Each month features a specific style or cultural tradition led by a professional dance artist, offering a welcoming space to learn, sweat a little, and share rhythm with others. You can register for the full month to build familiarity over time, or sign up for a single session to get a taste of the dance form. Registration is required for each individual session you plan to attend, and spaces are limited. Workshops change throughout the year. These sessions are designed to be accessible and beginner-friendly, with options to adapt movement for different bodies, abilities, and comfort levels. Workshops are free to attend. Registration opens on the 10th of the previous month at 12:00 AM. FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED AGE GROUP | All Ages - Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult REGISTER NOW March 2026 SOCA & CARIBBEAN RHYTHMS March 2 - 9 - 16 - 23 - 30, 2026 Facilitator: Michael Mortley MORE INFO May 2025 BUTOH May 5 - 12 - 19, 2025 Facilitator: Mayumi Lashbrook MORE INFO November 2024 DABKE FROM PALESTINE November 4, 11, 18, 2024 Facilitator: Mona Ayesh MORE INFO May 2024 YOSAKOI FROM JAPAN May 6 - 13 - 20, 2024 Facilitator: Takako Segawa MORE INFO April 2026 MOVING WITH RHYTHM AND EXPRESSION April 6 - 13 - 20 - 27, 2026 Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO April 2025 CACHARPAYA AND TINKU April 7 - 14 -21, 2025 Facilitators: Carolina Rojas, Ximena Loayza MORE INFO October 2024 IGAL FROM PHILIPPINES October 7 - 14 - 21, 2024 Facilitator: Candace Kumar MORE INFO April 2024 KUKU FROM GUINEA April 8 - 15 - 22, 2024 Facilitator: Mabinty Sylla MORE INFO June 2026 DABKE: STOMPING, RHYTHM, RESISTANCE June 1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29, 2026 Facilitator: Mona Ayesh MORE INFO March 2025 LEARNING TAP DANCE March 3 - 10 - 17, 2025 Facilitator: Elise McGrenera MORE INFO September 2024 STORYBEING September 9 - 16 - 23, 2024 Facilitator: N. Jayarajan, B. Buan, R. Joshi MORE INFO March 2024 FLAMENCO FROM SPAIN March 4 - 11 - 18, 2024 Facilitator: Tamar Ilana MORE INFO October 2026 TAP INTO RHYTHM October 5 - 13 - 19 - 26, 2026 Facilitator: Elise McGrenera MORE INFO February 2025 CONTEMPORARY DANCE February 3 - 10 - 17, 2025 Facilitator: Ysabel Garcia MORE INFO June 2024 AFROCARIBBEAN DANCE MOVES June 3 - 10 - 17, 2024 Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO February 2024 FORRÓ FROM NORTHERN BRAZIL February 5 - 12 - 19, 2024 Facilitator: Vinicius and Joseane MORE INFO Calendar Dancing-Upcoming-Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 02 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +8 more Mon, Mar 09 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +6 more Mon, Mar 16 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +4 more Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +7 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +5 more Mon, Apr 06 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 06, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. Mon, Apr 13 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. Mon, Apr 20 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 20, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. Mon, Apr 27 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 27, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. Mon, Jun 01 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 01, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 08 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 08, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 15 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 15, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 22 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 29 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Oct 05 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 05, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration. Tue, Oct 13 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration. Mon, Oct 19 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration. Mon, Oct 26 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 26, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration.
- Our Artists | Jamii Esplanade
Artists Jamii works with shape what our programming is. We are grateful to be working with hundreds of talented artists. who we work with Artists LEAD ARTISTS ARTISTS EMERGING ARTISTS LeadArtists Lead Artists who curate monthly themed programs at The Jamii Hub In February 2024, Jamii embarked on a transformative journey towards fostering community bonds through shared leadership and agency of what’s happening at The Jamii Hub. For three weeks every month, daily at 7pm, Jamii gives the keys to lead artists tasked with curating diverse immersive activities at The Jamii Hub. As such, each month, one artist is entrusted with shaping the Jamii experience, intertwining their voice with our collective narrative. The selection of our lead artist prioritizes relationality, trust, and a commitment to nurturing genuine connections within our community. We seek talented artists who appreciate engaging communities through creativity and are eager to share their talents and networks. It's about fostering meaningful engagement and dialogue through art. Lead artists are empowered to conceive a thematic vision for their three-week tenure, supported wholeheartedly as curators of the Jamii Hub. This opportunity offers a platform for curatorial expression, collaboration, and deeper community engagement in the arts. Thanks to the support oof Canada Council for the Arts, Metcalf Foundation and Rama Gaming House, we rejoice in opening our space to these artists, witnessing their brilliance illuminate our community with fresh perspectives and practices. Meet our lead artists and their visions below. Heidi Chan "Small and Mighty" - May 2025 MORE INFO Jonelle Sills "Mirrors" - February 2025 MORE INFO Nova Bhattacharya "Storybeing" - September 2024 MORE INFO Waleed Abdulhamid "Motherland" - April 2024 MORE INFO Carolina Rojas "The Chakana" - April 2025 MORE INFO Razan Samara "Return" - November 2024 MORE INFO Nickeshia Garrick "Connectedness" - June 2024 MORE INFO Tamar Ilana "Migration" - March 2024 MORE INFO Sharon Zarita Adhiambo "Grounded" - March 2025 MORE INFO Patrick de Belen "Teka Lang (Just Wait)" - October 2024 MORE INFO Takako Segawa "Roots" - May 2024 MORE INFO Aline Morales "Forró" - February 2024 MORE INFO who are featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists At Jamii, we consider ourselves fortunate to collaborate with over a hundred artists each year—some joining us for the first time, while others have engaged in years of artistic dialogue within our community. These artists, whether leading workshops, gracing our events with performances, showcasing their works through photo exhibitions, or beautifying our community with murals, are pivotal in defining the essence of Jamii. They weave together the fabric of our shared experiences, crafting memories, narrating stories, and enriching our collective identity. Their contributions resonate deeply, shaping the very soul of what Jamii represents. Aline Morales Singer, Musician MORE INFO Ayelen Liberona Dancer, filmmaker MORE INFO Andrew Patterson Visual Artist MORE INFO Brescia Nember Reid Puppetry MORE INFO Anita Boey Sewing MORE INFO Daniel Hamin Cellist MORE INFO LOAD MORE artists with the support of RBC's Emerging Artist Program Emerging Artists In 2023, thanks to the support of RBC’s Emerging Artists program, Jamii launched its first Emerging Artists Initiative that invited 6 artists, from different arts forms, in the emergence of their artistic career for a one-year programme that supported their artistic growth. This one-year (about 88hrs/artist) programme was customized to each artist participating and offered: 1) Artistic practice support (through mentorship and access to a creative space); 2) Creative industry management and networking support; 3) Public exposure with exhibition, screening, performance and more. This initiative follows in the footsteps of Laini, a 2022 RBC funded initiative that supports young women in creative leadership programme. This is also an initiative the community has directly requested Jamii to pursue as part of a strategic planning initiative in the Summer of 2022. The six emerging artists who benefited from this exceptional programme are Sabrine S Hakam (photographer), Yasmine Omar (photographer), Karen Lam (visual artist and actress), Gillian Mapp (photographer), Darwin Peters (painter) and Morningstar Quill (photographer) - all 6 identifying as BIPOC. Based on the success of the programme, we foresee Jamii’s Emerging Artist Initiative growing in 2024 and beyond. AKRAM YACOUT Photography MORE INFO TINA ABDELBASIT Visual Arts & Murals MORE INFO JONELLE SILLS Music MORE INFO AMBERLEE KING Visual Arts MORE INFO VRUNDA UPADHYAY Dance MORE INFO KURRI QUILL Photography MORE INFO SHILPA SHAH Visual Arts MORE INFO LEAH KING Photography MORE INFO ANA HIGUERA Music & Visual Arts MORE INFO ANA DA SILVA Photography MORE INFO NOOSA ZEIN Dance MORE INFO KAREN LAM Acting, Visual Arts MORE INFO emergingartists
- Visual Arts | Jamii Esplanade
The Jamii Hub in The Esplanade, Toronto is home to creativity throughout the year! From painting nights to diverse crafts, explore artistry! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / Visual Arts VISUAL ARTS Cycles Workshops Jamii’s Visual Arts workshops invite participants to explore different creative practices in a supportive, hands-on environment. Each series is led by an artist who guides the group through making, experimenting, and learning together, using accessible approaches that welcome all experience levels. Workshops change throughout the year and may include painting, printmaking, mixed media, drawing, and other visual art forms. All materials are provided by Jamii, allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. These free workshops are designed as shared experiences where curiosity, care, and creative confidence can grow over time. Registration is required for each workshop series, and spaces are limited. Workshops are free to attend. Registration opens on the 10th of the previous month at 12:00 AM. AGE GROUP | All Ages - Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED REGISTER NOW March 2026 SILK PAINTING: COLOUR, LINE, AND FLOW Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Janice Garel MORE INFO May 2025 CHARCOAL AND HARD PASTEL DRAWING May 8, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Erica Whyte MORE INFO November 2024 ANCESTRAL VISIONS November 7, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Ibrahim Abusitta MORE INFO May 2026 DRAWING WHAT FEELS RIGHT Wednesday, May 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Alison Garwood-Jones MORE INFO April 2025 EXPLORING THE CHAKANA April 10, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Andre Mandela Lopez MORE INFO October 2024 TEKA LANG October 10, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Ephraim Velasco MORE INFO September 2026 PAINTING ACROSS IDENTITY AND FORM Wednesday, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Andrew Patterson MORE INFO March 2025 PAINTING GROUNDING AND RENEWAL March 6, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Seema Anwar MORE INFO September 2024 EXPLORING KAPWA September 12, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Blessyl Buan MORE INFO November 2026 SONGS THAT FEEL LIKE HOME Monday, November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Jieun Kim MORE INFO February 2025 PAINTING PERSPECTIVES February 6, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Curtia Wright MORE INFO June 2024 ACRYLIC PAINT AND SAND June 6, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Julian Periquet MORE INFO Calendar UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +19 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +16 more Wed, May 06 May Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 06, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Draw, reflect, and create without pressure. A four-week visual arts series led by Alison Garwood-Jones. Free with registration. Wed, May 13 May Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Draw, reflect, and create without pressure. A four-week visual arts series led by Alison Garwood-Jones. Free with registration. Wed, May 20 May Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 20, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Draw, reflect, and create without pressure. A four-week visual arts series led by Alison Garwood-Jones. Free with registration. Wed, May 27 May Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 27, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Draw, reflect, and create without pressure. A four-week visual arts series led by Alison Garwood-Jones. Free with registration. Wed, Sep 02 September Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore painting through identity and form. A five-week visual arts workshop led by Andrew Patterson. Free with registration. Wed, Sep 09 September Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore painting through identity and form. A five-week visual arts workshop led by Andrew Patterson. Free with registration. Wed, Sep 16 September Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore painting through identity and form. A five-week visual arts workshop led by Andrew Patterson. Free with registration. Wed, Sep 23 September Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore painting through identity and form. A five-week visual arts workshop led by Andrew Patterson. Free with registration. Wed, Sep 30 September Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore painting through identity and form. A five-week visual arts workshop led by Andrew Patterson. Free with registration. Wed, Nov 04 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. Free with registration. Wed, Nov 11 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. Free with registration. Wed, Nov 18 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. Free with registration. Wed, Nov 25 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. Free with registration.
- Singing | Jamii Esplanade
The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to singing workshops throughout the year! Experience the dynamics of group singing in a welcoming atmosphere. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / Singing SINGING Cycles Workshops Jamii’s Singing workshops invite participants to explore voice, sound, and shared expression in a welcoming, community-centred setting. Each month features a guided singing series led by a professional artist, drawing from different musical traditions, styles, and cultural practices. Singing workshops may include group singing, vocal warm-ups, rhythm and breath work, listening, and creative exploration. Sessions are designed to be accessible and low-pressure, welcoming people of all experience levels, including those who may not see themselves as singers. Participants can choose to attend all sessions in a month to build confidence and connection over time, or register for a single session to experience the workshop. Registration is required for each individual session, and spaces are limited. Workshops are free to attend. Registration opens on the 10th of the previous month at 12:00 AM. AGE GROUP | All Ages - Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED REGISTER NOW February 2026 SINGING YOUR HEART OUT February 2 - 9 - 17 - 23, 2026 Facilitator: Martin Gomes MORE INFO May 2025 JI GOE AND JAPANESE FOLK SONGS Facilitator: Aki Takahashi MORE INFO November 2024 RETURN Facilitator: Natalie Fasheh MORE INFO May 2026 SAKURA: SPRING SONG May 4 - 11 - 19 - 25, 2026 Facilitator: Aki Takahashi MORE INFO April 2025 VOICES OF ANDES Facilitator: Jaime Stears MORE INFO October 2024 EXPLORING SINGING AND DEEP REFLECTION Facilitator: Victoria Sawal MORE INFO September 2026 IMPULSE: SINGING, RHYTHM, AND PLAY September 8 - 14 - 21 - 28, 2026 Facilitator: Natalie Fasheh MORE INFO March 2025 TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION SONGS FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA Facilitator: Brian S. Moyo MORE INFO September 2024 CARNATIC SINGING Facilitator: Ganesh Iyer MORE INFO November 2026 SONGS THAT FEEL LIKE HOME November 2 - 9 - 16 - 23 - 30, 2026 Facilitator: Maryem Hassan Tollar MORE INFO February 2025 THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF SPIRITUALS Facilitator: Martin Gomes MORE INFO June 2024 EXPLORING MELODIES AND CREATING A COMMUNAL SONG Facilitator: Paula Sofía Morales, Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO Calendar UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, May 04 May Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing into spring. A Sakura-inspired folk singing workshop led by Aki Takahashi. Free with registration. Mon, May 11 May Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing into spring. A Sakura-inspired folk singing workshop led by Aki Takahashi. Free with registration. Tue, May 19 May Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing into spring. A Sakura-inspired folk singing workshop led by Aki Takahashi. Free with registration. Mon, May 25 May Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing into spring. A Sakura-inspired folk singing workshop led by Aki Takahashi. Free with registration. Tue, Sep 08 September Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 08, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing, play, and follow your impulse. A four-part singing workshop led by Natalie Fasheh. Free with registration. Mon, Sep 14 September Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 14, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing, play, and follow your impulse. A four-part singing workshop led by Natalie Fasheh. Free with registration. Mon, Sep 21 September Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing, play, and follow your impulse. A four-part singing workshop led by Natalie Fasheh. Free with registration. Mon, Sep 28 September Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Sep 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing, play, and follow your impulse. A four-part singing workshop led by Natalie Fasheh. Free with registration. Mon, Nov 02 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. Free with registration. Mon, Nov 09 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. Free with registration. Mon, Nov 16 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. Free with registration. Mon, Nov 23 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. Free with registration. Mon, Nov 30 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. Free with registration.
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- OUTDOOR EVENTS | Jamii Esplanade
With our series of Live Events, our intent is to activate our public space and create opportunities for our community not only to discover and enjoy amazing artistic performances, but also to connect and spend quality time together, in our local park. Joy in the Park Concerts, theatre performances, dance shows, and more! Through our array of live events, we aspire to activate both our community space, The Jamii Hub, and our public space, David Crombie Park with The Kisanii Hub, in order to provide our community members with opportunities to not only experience outstanding artistic performances but also to foster connections and cherish quality time together. 2025 EVENTS JOY IN THE PARK: RODA DE SAMBA & HERCINIA October 4, 2025 David Crombie Park MORE INFO JOY IN THE PARK: MELTEMI ORCHESTRA May 16, 2025 David Crombie Park MORE INFO JOY AT THE MARKET: CORPUS & MELAT MENGESHA July 19, 2025 Market St. MORE INFO JOY IN THE PARK: CELEBRATING CULTURES June 27, 2025 David Crombie Park MORE INFO JOY IN THE PARK: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY June 21, 2025 David Crombie Park MORE INFO PAST EVENTS October 2024 Joy in the Park: Moskitto Bar MORE INFO May 2024 Joy in the Park: Fórro MORE INFO May 2023 Svaha MORE INFO June 2021 Écoute pour voir MORE INFO Aug and Oct 2020 Hisia MORE INFO October 2019 I am me. I am heart MORE INFO August 2024 Joy in the Park: SummerWorks MORE INFO December 2023 Mudlark MORE INFO 2021 and 2022 LuminUs MORE INFO Mar - Apr 2021 Allegra MORE INFO August 2020 Lua Shayenne Dance MORE INFO August 2019 I am me. I am home. MORE INFO June 2024 Joy in the Park: Celebrating Cultures MORE INFO September 2023 Flamenco on The Esplanade MORE INFO Aug to Sep 2021 La Bulle MORE INFO March 2021 Red Rhythm & Blues MORE INFO 2020 Itinerant performances MORE INFO July 2019 Drag Queen Story Time MORE INFO June 2024 Joy in the Park: National Indigenous Peoples Day MORE INFO July 2023 To My Past Present and Future MORE INFO July 2021 Becoming Garden MORE INFO March 2021 Giizhig MORE INFO Summer 2020 Wind Stories MORE INFO SEE MORE
- Potlucks | Jamii Esplanade
Monthly potluck lunches for older adults at The Jamii Hub in downtown Toronto. Share food, stories, and connection with Jamii’s Belonging community. Potlucks INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING / BELONGING Potlucks AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION Belonging Potlucks are a monthly way for older adults to slow down, share a meal, and spend time with people who are becoming familiar faces. These gatherings are simple on purpose. We bring food, we sit together, and we catch up. Over time, the potlucks have become one of the warmest parts of Belonging, because sharing lunch has a way of turning a group into a community. A Belonging Potluck feels like a room full of stories. Participants often bring dishes connected to their cultures, their families, or a favourite recipe they’ve made for years. The food is always special, but what stays with people is the feeling in the room: laughter, easy conversation, and that quiet comfort of being welcomed as you are. Some potlucks also include singing, a little dancing, or a moment of celebration. It depends on the day and the group, and that’s part of what makes it feel real. Dates are announced regularly, and details are shared with Belonging participants. If you’re already part of Belonging, you’ll hear about the next potluck through our monthly program email. If you’re new, potlucks are one of the many ways Belonging supports connection alongside our Movement, Visual Arts, and Sing-Along workshops. What to expect A shared meal. People bring a dish or snack to contribute if they’re able. A welcoming table. Come for the full lunch or drop in for a shorter visit. Conversation and connection. The potluck is social, relaxed, and community-focused. A little celebration. Some gatherings include singing or movement, depending on the day. Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults programs are sponsored by Government of Canada, New Horizons for Seniors Program, and Canada Council for the Arts. Calendar No events at the moment UPCOMING DATES
- GABENA | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / COFFEEHOUSE / Gabena THE JAMII COFFEE Cycles Workshops Subtitle GABENA Sunday, May 10 from 10 AM to 11 AM Facilitator: Muna Elbadri This gathering is part of Jamii’s May Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . This month, The Jamii Coffee explores the gabena coffee ceremony, a ritual centred on care, memory, and gathering through shared preparation and presence. Guided by Muna Elbadri, and alongside one of her Ethiopian aunties, participants are invited into a ceremonial coffee experience rooted in Ethiopian and Sudanese traditions. Coffee will be roasted on-site, brewed in traditional clay gabena pots, and served with Hambasha bread, Sudanese lega’imat, dates, and frankincense smudging as part of the ritual. Beyond tasting, the gathering includes storytelling and shared learning about coffee’s origins in Ethiopia, its movement across continents, and how ancestors cultivated and honoured the plant. The session invites reflection on how everyday rituals carry history, resilience, and connection across generations. This gathering welcomes all who are curious about coffee, culture, and shared ritual. Spots are limited. Registration is required for each The Jamii Coffee gathering. Support free community arts Jamii’s programs are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s May Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATION OPENS ON APRIL 10 MUNA ELBADRI Muna Elbadri is the co-owner and operator of Esra’s in Moss Park, a community-rooted space dedicated to holistic wellness. Her knowledge of herbal medicine and food traditions comes from ancestral teachings passed down through her grandmother in Sudan, as well as lived experiences across the Caribbean. Through Esra’s, Muna brings people together around nourishment, care, and cultural knowledge. Photo by Jae Yang
- HIGH TEA | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / COFFEEHOUSE / High Tea THE JAMII COFFEE Cycles Workshops Subtitle HIGH TEA Sunday, June 7 from 10 AM to 11 AM Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James This gathering is part of Jamii’s June Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right. This month, The Jamii Coffee turns its focus to British high tea as a ritual shaped by empire, class, and everyday care. Guided by Eshe Mercer-James, participants gather around tea, freshly baked goods, and finger sandwiches to explore how this familiar practice emerged through colonial trade routes and the influence of the East India Company. The session traces how tea moved across continents and became woven into British identity, reshaping economies and social life across the empire. The gathering also examines how tea rituals developed across different social settings, from aristocratic afternoon tea to working-class high tea, including Victorian traditions of reading tea leaves. These practices offer insight into social hierarchy, gender roles, and belonging, while also reminding us of tea’s role as a shared pause and a gesture of care. Eshe Mercer-James has taught literature at York and Trent Universities and works with the Canadian Language Museum. Her PhD dissertation, Framing Standard and Dialect in Black Women’s Novels (2021), was nominated for the Mary McEwan Memorial Award for feminist scholarship. She brings a deep care for storytelling, history, and accessible conversation into this gathering. This The Jamii Coffee session welcomes all who are curious to listen, reflect, and share. Spots are limited. Registration is required for each The Jamii Coffee gathering. Support free community arts Jamii’s programs are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s June Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATION OPENS ON MAY 10 ESHE MERCER-JAMES Eshe Mercer-James has taught literature at York and Trent Universities and works with the Canadian Language Museum. Her PhD dissertation, Framing Standard and Dialect in Black Women’s Novels (2021), was nominated for the Mary McEwan Memorial Award for feminist scholarship. She brings a deep care for storytelling, history, and accessible conversation into this gathering. Photo by Ghader Bsmar
- A CUP REMEMBERED FOR FORTY YEARS | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / COFFEEHOUSE / A Cup Remembered for Forty Years THE JAMII COFFEE Cycles Workshops Subtitle A CUP REMEMBERED FOR FORTY YEARS Sunday, March 8, from 10 AM to 11 AM Facilitator: Elif Birbiri This gathering is part of Jamii’s March Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . This month The Jamii Coffee explores the tradition of Turkish coffee, a practice shaped by hospitality, conversation, and time. Prepared unfiltered and served with intention, Turkish coffee has travelled across continents while holding its place at small tables where stories are shared and relationships are formed. Guided by Elif Birbiri, participants experience coffee preparation alongside stories of its cultural roots, reflections on migration and memory, and the tradition of reading fortunes from the cup. The focus is not instruction, but connection, presence, and shared experience. The Jamii Coffee welcomes all who are interested in gathering, listening, and sharing. Spots are limited. Registration is required for each The Jamii Coffee gathering. REGISTER NOW ELİF BİRBİRİ Elif Birbiri is a cook and anthropologist from Turkey, now based in Toronto. As a PhD researcher in anthropology, her work explores how food travels, transforms, and connects people across borders. Through scholarship and practice, she traces the movement of ingredients, recipes, and rituals, revealing how food carries history within it. Outside academia, Elif brings people together through shared meals, conversation, and curiosity. Photo Credit: Unknown
- Belonging - Older Adults | Jamii Esplanade
The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to sing-along, movement, and visual arts workshops for older adults. Register now to join! Belonging Older Adults INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING Older Adults Workshops WHEN MOVEMENT | Tuesdays from 10am to 11:15am VISUAL ARTS | Tuesdays from 11:30am to 1pm SING ALONG | Thursdays from 4:45pm to 6pm POTLUCKS | Various Dates OUTINGS | Various Dates WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED Initially, the Belonging program was created to respond to the isolation that older adults experienced and expressed to the Jamii team during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program has steadily grown since 2020 and is now designed to promote healthy aging, social participation, and a sense of belonging through the arts for older adults across The Esplanade neighbourhood and beyond. Belonging offers year-round movement and visual arts workshops, as well as various short-term programs to accommodate the diverse interests of our community members. These workshops provide opportunities for learning new skills, social interaction, and fostering new friendships. With a regular schedule, Belonging workshops have become something for older adults to look forward to every week. Belonging's programming is defined by our Programming Committee, composed entirely of Belonging's participants. The Committee meets every three weeks for an hour on Thursdays from 10 am to 11 am. Would you like to be a part of the Programming Committee? Send us an email at info@jamii.ca or talk to one of the Jamii staff. We are grateful for the support of the Government of Canada, New Horizons for Seniors Program, as well as the Canada Council for the Arts. Programming is free for all participants. Special thanks to Caroline Co-Op and Woodsworth Co-op for supporting this program and to all the participants who are walking the 5k on October 19th, 2024, to fundraise for this program. You too can support this program with a financial donation. Click here. REGISTER Movement Tuesdays 10am to 11:15am MORE INFO & REGISTER Outings Various Dates MORE INFO Visual Arts Tuesdays 11:30am to 1pm MORE INFO & REGISTER Potlucks Various Dates MORE INFO Sing-Along Thursdays 5 pm to 6 pm MORE INFO & REGISTER
- WAYO Children's Festival | Jamii Esplanade
Wayo is a children’s festival produced and presented by Jamii. It is the ultimate compensation for all the live art children and young audiences have been deprived off lately. The three day festival gives attendees an intimate multi-arts experience through a journey of performances at Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Theatre. WAYO Children Festival 2026 - Jamii's 7th Annual WHEN AUGUST 12th to 16th, 2026 SHOW TIMES 4:30PM - 5PM - 5:30PM - 6PM WHERE 250 THE ESPLANADE 2025 FESTIVAL: In August 2025, families across Toronto were invited to experience one of the city’s most imaginative and joyful events for young audiences, Wayo, the 6th annual children’s festival presented by us at Jamii. Running from August 7 to 10, WAYO was a four-day celebration designed especially for children under 12 and their families. We transformed two of Toronto’s heritage gems, Berkeley Castle and the Berkeley Theatre (Canadian Stage ), into an immersive, maze-style journey of discovery and wonder. This year, children had the chance to explore the world one continent at a time through a series of interactive artistic experiences. They dove into the enchanting music of Africa, experienced the magic of Filipino storytelling from Asia, swayed to the sounds of French accordion and Flamenco dancing from Europe, moved to the rhythms of Chilean dance from South America, crafted penguins of icy Antarctica, and were mesmerized by the dances and rhythms of Oceania. At every turn, a new world came to life, inviting festivalgoers to reflect on how many continents we count, where they get their names from, and what the world map looks like when viewed from a different perspective. We were excited to feature a fantastic lineup of artists: Queen Hezumuryango, Michael Mortley, Carmen Romero, Tangi Ropars, Patrick de Belen, Vrunda Upadhyay, Aliki La Bercasio, Ximena Loayza, Osvaldo Barreda, Zully Ceballos, Troy Feldman, Hayley Landry, and Linda Epp. New this year: On August 7, the festival opened with an internationally acclaimed dance performance presented in partnership with SummerWorks . FreeSteps – NiNi by Taiwanese choreographer Wei-Chia Su. This meditative solo invited families to slow down and imagine, setting the tone for the creative adventure ahead.* With tickets at only $5 each, the festival welcomed a record breaking number of audience members: 768 attendees over 16 shows! More than just a festival, WAYO embodied our broader mission to create accessible, inclusive arts experiences that strengthen community and inspire creativity in people of all ages. Special thanks went to our amazing partners, Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage, and to our generous funders: Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, and Rama Gaming House. FreeSteps - Grand Canyon by HORSE was generously supported with funding from the Taipei Cultural Center in New York, as well as the sponsoring program from National Culture and Arts Foundation Taiwan: Taiwan Top. PRODUCED AND PRESENTED BY JAMII IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CANADIAN STAGE AND BERKELEY CASTLE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ISORINE MARC PERFORMERS/ARTISTS (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) NORTH AMERICA TROY FELDMAN, STILT WALKER - (AUG 7, 8, 10) HAYLEY LANDRY, STILT WALKER (AUG 9) OCEANIA ALIKI LA BERCASIO, DANCER EUROPE CARMEN ROMERO, DANCER TANGI ROPARS, ACCORDIONIST ASIA PATRICK DE BELEN, SPOKEN WORD POET PEI-YUNG CHEN, DANCER (FreeSteps – Grand Canyon* ) VRUNDA UPADHYAY, DANCER SOUTH AMERICA XIMENA LOAYZA, DANCER OSVALDO BARREDA, DANCER (AUG 8 & 10) ZULLY CEVALLOS, DANCER (AUG 7 & 9) AFRICA QUEEN HEZUMURYANGO, OPERA SINGER MICHAEL MORTLEY, DANCER ANTARCTICA LINDA EPP, FACE PAINTER *MORE INFO ABOUT FREESTEPS-GRAND CANYON at summerworks.ca THE JAMII TEAM ISORINE MARC, FOUNDER & ALCHEMIST AFNAN YAKOT, PROJECT & EVENT COORDINATOR IRIS UNLU, AMPLIFIER (DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS) YUSRA YACOUT, ENABLER (ADMINISTRATOR) COLLEAN CHAU, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT JAE YANG and AKRAM YACOUT, PHOTOGRAPHERS LAURA DITTMANN, VIDEOGRAPHER EVENT CREW AÉLA KURIA CAROLINA ROJAS GHADER BSMAR KAREN LAM NADA YAKOT RUTHMARIE WILLIAMS TYSON PINETTE-HUBSCHMANN ZÉLIA KURIA A festival for children and children at heart since 2020! In partnership with Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage Each year, Jamii invites families and young adventurers to embark on an artistic journey filled with wonder and imagination. Held in the heart of the vibrant Esplanade neighbourhood, WAYO has been a resounding success, with hundreds of attendees joining us for an unforgettable experience every year. What sets WAYO Children's Festival apart is its unique concept. It's a parkour-like adventure through the world of art, where groups of audience members explore captivating live installations within two heritage buildings at 2 Berkeley St (Berkeley Castle), 26 Berkeley St (Canadian Stage/Berkeley Theatre). These historic venues provide the perfect backdrop for our creative performances. CHECK OUT PREVIOUS YEARS' WAYO! 2024 PHOTOS & VIDEOS 2020 PHOTOS & VIDEOS 2023 PHOTOS & VIDEOS 2022 PHOTOS & VIDEOS 2021 PHOTOS & VIDEOS FAQ WAYO Children's Festival Where is 6th Annual WAYO Children's Festival located? WAYO Children's Festival starts at 250 The Esplanade (Berkeley Castle's west entrance on The Esplanade). The festival is designed as a maze and takes place within Berkeley Castle, The Jamii Hub, and Berkeley Theatre (Canadian Stage). What are the festival hours and what is the duration of the performance? Performance duration is approximately 60 to 90 minutes with a start time at 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm, and 6pm. WAYO Children's Festival runs from August 7 to 10, 2025. What is the age group for the festival? This event is designed for children age 2 to 12. All children must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver. Should I get tickes for my kids? Please, get a ticket for each person in your party/family, INCLUDING CHILDREN - if you do not get tickets for everyone, we might not be able to accommodate everyone as spots are limited. Can I bring my child in a stroller? Yes! The full parkour is wheel accessible and your child can enjoy the festival from their stroller! When should we line up? We suggest you line up 15 minutes prior to the start of your show at the entrance, 250 The Esplanade. What if we are late? If your start time is 4:30pm, 5pm or 5:30pm, you might be able to join the following group, however, this is not guaranteed as the next group might be sold out. Can I get tickets at the entrance? All shows have limited spots and tickets might be sold out before event day. We suggest to get your tickets as soon as possible. How can we get to the festival via TTC? Option 1: The closest subway station is King station. From there, take a short streetcar ride on #504 or #503: Get off at Ontario St and walk south to The Esplanade Option 2: Bus #121: Get off at Princess St & The Esplanade, the venue is just around the block Option 3: Bus #75: Get off at Sherbourne and The Esplanade, then walk one block east Option 4: Bus #65: Get off at Mill St and The Esplanade, then walk one block west How can we get to the festival by biking? Bike Rakes: On the north side of The Esplanade around Berkeley Cafe at 262 The Esplanade. BikeShare: There are several BikeShare stations closeby: Princess & Front, Scadding & Sherbourne, Parliament & Mill. Is there any parking available at the festival area? You may find paid street parking on Berkeley Street, Front Street, or Scadding Ave. The closest Green P parking lot is located in the Distillery District just one block east on Parliament. We recommend you take the transit, bike, walk or take rideshare/cab to save time finding parking! Is there reserved seating? This event is designed as a parkour-like journey and people will be moving along the path to see different arts performances. No designated seats. Can we eat or drink during the show? Please bring your own water. No eating and drinking is allowed throughout the parkour. Can we take photos and videos during performances? You are encouraged to take photos and videos during performances! If you share them on social media, don't forget to tag @jamiiesplanade :) Is the festival wheelchair accessible? The WAYO Children’s Festival is designed to be 90% wheelchair accessible. Please note that one of our performance stops takes place inside the upstairs theatre at Canadian Stage (Berkeley Theatre), which is currently only accessible by stairs. The rest of the festival route is fully navigable, and the program is designed in a way that attendees can enjoy the full experience, with the exception of this one 10-minute performance stop. After this short segment, the audience continues to the next location as part of the festival’s journey. We warmly encourage everyone to attend the festival. Our team is committed to providing intentional and thoughtful support to accommodate the needs of all participants to the best of our capacity. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us in advance so we can ensure the most welcoming experience possible. I need accessibility accommodation. What do I do? If you need any accessibility accommodation (interpreter etc.) please get your tickets and email info@jamii.ca (mailto:info@jamii.ca)to describe your need(s). Use "Wayo Accessibility" in your subject so we don't miss your email! Are there washrooms at the festival area? There are no washrooms onsite, however, the St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre (230 The Esplanade) has public washrooms. What if it rains? This is a rain or shine event. Please bring your umbrella if it rains. In case of heavy rain, we may move outdoor performances to a nearby covered area; if this happens, please follow the instructions of Jamii staff onsite. I registered for the event but I can't come. What should I do? We are sorry that we cannot provide refunds for your tickets. You can consider gifting the tickets to your friends or family. I would like to reach out to Jamii with any questions, concerns, feedback. How can I get in contact? Please send us an email at info@jamii.ca (mailto:info@jamii.ca) I would like to learn more about Jamii. Where do I go? Please visit www.jamii.ca (http://www.jamii.ca/)to learn more about us. I would like to sign up for Jamii's e-newsletter to learn more about their upcoming events. Please visit www.jamii.ca/subscribe(http://www.jamii.ca/subscribe)
- Indigenous Day Celebrations | Jamii Esplanade
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Jamii's Annual Celebrations Celebrating Indigenous peoples and cultures since 2019 in The Esplanade! WHEN JUNE 21, 2026 SHOW TIMES 6 PM TO 8 PM WHERE DAVID CROMBIE PARK The National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration takes place on June 21st at David Crombie Park and Jamii has been celebrating it since 2019! Every year this event brings the community together to honor Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contributions through live performances, art exhibitions, storytelling, and more. Experience the richness of Indigenous music, dance, and art, while learning about the heritage and resilience of Indigenous peoples. This event is a chance for all ages to come together in solidarity, reflection, and joy. CHECK OUT PREVIOUS YEARS' OF INDIGENOUS DAY CELEBRATIONS 2025 MORE INFO 2021 MORE INFO 2024 MORE INFO 2020 MORE INFO 2023 MORE INFO 2019 MORE INFO 2022 MORE INFO
- Outings | Jamii Esplanade
Monthly free arts outings for older adults in downtown Toronto. Visit theatres, museums, and galleries together with Jamii. Register for Belonging to take part. Outings INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING / BELONGING Outings AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION Belonging Outings are a monthly way for older adults to spend time together outside The Jamii Hub, with art as the shared reason to go. For some people, it’s a chance to return to places they used to love. For others, it’s the first time they’ve gone to a theatre, gallery, or museum in years. Either way, it’s easier to show up when you’re not doing it alone. These outings are built around simple things that matter: meeting up, recognizing familiar faces, and having time to talk while you walk. The art experience is part of it, but so is the moment before, when everyone gathers at the Hub, and the moment after, when people share what they noticed, what surprised them, or what a piece brought back for them. There’s no pressure to “know” anything. You can be quiet, you can ask questions, you can laugh, and you can take it in at your own pace. Each month, we visit a different venue across Toronto and GTA. Outings can include outdoor theatre, live performances, museums, and galleries. Past visits have included Canadian Stage, McMichael Art Gallery, Aga Khan Museum, Market Gallery, Canadian Canoe Museum and more. The location changes, but the feeling stays consistent: a welcoming group and a chance to spend the afternoon in good company. What to expect Meet at The Jamii Hub first. We’ll gather as a group before heading out. Travel together. Transportation or a group walk to the venue will be arranged. A relaxed pace. These outings are meant to feel comfortable and manageable. Time for connection. Many outings include time to chat and reflect before or after the visit. Please note: To be eligible for outings, you must be registered for Belonging Movement, Visual Arts, or Sing-Along workshops. Our Program Coordinator will email registered participants once a month with details about the upcoming outing and how to take part. Jamii’s Belonging Outings are sponsored by Government of Canada, New Horizons for Seniors Program, and Canada Council for the Arts. Calendar Wed, Feb 18 Belonging Older Adults - Outing / Allan Gardens MORE INFO Feb 18, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Allan Gardens, 160 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M5A 2E5, Canada A winter green escape. Visit Allan Gardens Conservatory with Belonging. Meet at The Jamii Hub Feb 18 at 9:15 AM. UPCOMING DATES
- Visual Arts | Jamii Esplanade
The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to visual arts workshops for older adults on Tuesdays. Register now to join! VISUAL ARTS INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / BELONGING Visual Arts Workshops For Older Adults WHEN | Tuesdays from 11:30am to 1pm WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED Our Visual Arts workshops series is all about bringing new artistic experiences to the older adults in the community. Led by artists who find great joy in working with older adults, these workshops stimulate creativity and artistic capabilities for participants. Participants learn something new every week and develop new skills while engaging with their fellow community members and nurturing social connections. Workshops are free and the program is supported by the Government of Canada, New Horizons for Seniors Program, as well as the Canada Council for the Arts. Join our Visual Arts workshops on Tuesdays at The Jamii Hub! REGISTER NOW MARCH 2026 CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY Facilitator: May Yu LEARN MORE FEBRUARY 2026 PAPER MARBLING Facilitator: Janice Garel LEARN MORE JANUARY 2026 WINTER IN THE CITY Facilitator: Mariana Hernandez LEARN MORE Calendar Tue, Feb 17 Belonging Older Adults - Visual Arts / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 17, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Make a hard-cover notebook with marbled paper using Turkish Ebru and Japanese Suminagashi techniques. Led by Janice Garel. Register now. Tue, Feb 24 Belonging Older Adults - Visual Arts / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 24, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Make a hard-cover notebook with marbled paper using Turkish Ebru and Japanese Suminagashi techniques. Led by Janice Garel. Register now. Tue, Mar 03 Belonging Older Adults - Visual Arts / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 03, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Learn Chinese calligraphy and ink brush painting with May Yu. Practise characters, blessings, and create framed cards to take home. Register now. Load More UPCOMING DATES
- PASI | Jamii Esplanade
PASI is a large-scale community photo exhibition along The Esplanade in Toronto. Apply to take part in a public artwork celebrating global communities in 2026. COMMUNITY PROJECTS / PASI PASI Passing the world along The Esplanade PASI is a large-scale outdoor community photo exhibition taking place along The Esplanade promenade in Toronto from May to July 2026. Led by Jamii, the project brings together community members of all ages to reflect how people from around the world live side by side in one city during a globally significant summer of international football. The name PASI, meaning “a soccer pass” in Swahili, refers to a simple gesture shared across cultures. In this project, that gesture becomes visual. Participants are photographed as part of a continuous chain of portraits, each person symbolically passing a soccer ball from one image to the next. Installed between the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market, the exhibition unfolds along The Esplanade as a public artwork rooted in neighbourhood life, movement, and everyday presence. PASI will feature a minimum of 48 community participants, representing countries taking part in the 2026 international football tournament. Rather than focusing on competition or spectacle, the project highlights the people who already make up Toronto’s global character. Families, newcomers, elders, youth, and first-generation Torontonians appear together in a shared visual sequence, reflecting how international histories and identities intersect in daily life. The final exhibition includes 48 large-scale outdoor portraits (3 ft x 4 ft) displayed throughout the promenade. From May to July 2026, the installation will be animated by live performances, daily stiltwalker appearances, and cultural moments that invite residents and visitors to slow down, look closely, and experience the city in a different way. PASI is open to community members of all ages with roots in one of the participating countries. No professional modelling or photography experience is required. The project is about presence, not performance, and participation is designed to be welcoming, accessible, and community-led. By taking part in PASI, participants contribute to a landmark public artwork that documents a unique moment in Toronto’s history and offers a people-centred reflection on what it means to share space, culture, and everyday life in a global city. STEP 1: You apply. APPLY NOW Fill out the PASI application form to tell us about yourself and your connection to one of the participating countries. Applications are open to community members of all ages, and no photography or modelling experience is required. Our team will review submissions and follow up by email. An informal selection process helps us create a diverse group of participants that reflects the many communities living in Toronto. STEP 2: You book your photoshoot. If selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You can go ahead and book your photoshoot through the booking calendar below. Choose a photoshoot date and time that works best for you. All photoshoots take place outdoors at David Crombie Park. Schedule your service Check out our availability and book the date and time that works for you STEP 3: You sign the release. SIGN NOW Participation requires signing the Photo Release and Waiver. You’ll receive the form after confirmation. Please review it carefully before signing to complete your participation. STEP 4: You show up Dress in colourful clothing that reflects your country of origin, arrive on time for your photoshoot, and be ready to take part in this shared community moment along The Esplanade. FUNDED BY
- SILK PAINTING | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / VISUAL ARTS / SILK PAINTING BELONGING Visual Arts Workshops For Older Adults SILK PAINTING JUNE 2026 Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Facilitator: Janice Garel In June, Belonging participants are invited into the colourful, hands-on practice of silk painting with Janice Garel. Silk painting has deep roots in Asia, and this series offers a welcoming way to learn the process while creating a finished artwork you can take home and display. Participants will create a 12” x 15” silk painting using a method that does not require stretching the silk on a frame. Over the sessions, participants will design their own pattern on paper, then transfer it onto silk. Using the French serti method, they will outline the design with black gutta resist, then add silver and gold gutta to highlight selected areas. Once the gutta is dry, participants will paint their work using a vibrant selection of silk dyes. Each finished piece will be mounted on foam core, ready to be framed or displayed on a table easel. This series is a great fit for older adults in Toronto who are curious about silk painting, textile arts, or visual arts workshops that combine drawing, design, and painting techniques. The steps are taught in a supportive way, with time to focus, ask questions, and make choices that feel right for your own style. Participants register for the Belonging Older Adults program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in visual arts is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW JANICE GAREL Janice Garel is an artist with a long-standing practice and a generous teaching style. She studied at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica and the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. Her work has been exhibited locally and internationally, and she has worked primarily with silk and oil painting for over 25 years. In 2002, she received the Markham Mayor’s Award for Community Service and has been commissioned by schools across York Region to create murals and painted silk banners. Janice also founded the Art Adventure Studio, offering art classes for children and adults. Photo by Ghader Bsmar
- MARATHON FUNDRAISER | Jamii Esplanade
As part of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Jamii organizes a Cheering Section in Berczy Park where families cheer on all runners. Along with the cheering section, we organize a Family Fun Run to encourage young ones to be physically active. MARATHON Jamii's Fundraiser Every October since 2017, Jamii had a cheering site as part of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in the St Lawrence Neighbourhood. Starting from 2024, we are taking it to a next level by taking a part in the Charity Challenge of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: We are running, walking or strolling the marathon with our community! JAMII'S 2025 CHAMPIONS Raised: $10,423.76 Goal: $7,500 %139 Your efforts in supporting Jamii and our runners will directly impact you and your community! By reaching our shared goal of $7.5k, we will be able to sustain and bring more free arts programs. Your dollars will make a difference in LAINI Youth programs for girls and young women, Belonging Workshops for older adults, Indoor Activities & Workshops for all, and Outdoor Events in David Crombie Park. Every dollar raised will enable our capacity to continue our community work and engage in programming for Esplanadians of all ages, abilities, and income levels. Join in, support one of our champions and make a difference today! HAMOON YOUSEFZADEH Goal: $2,000 Raised: $2,991.34 SUPPORT NOW AFNAN YAKOT Goal: $1,000 Raised: $535.97 SUPPORT NOW MALCOLM RAMSAY Goal: $368.54 Raised: $318.54 SUPPORT NOW ISORINE MARC Goal: $2,500 Raised: $2,435.63 SUPPORT NOW MICHAEL LIN Goal: $550 Raised: $500 SUPPORT NOW ALEX RICE Goal: $1,000 Raised: $266.85 SUPPORT NOW IRIS and OMELETTE Goal: $1,500 Raised: $1,635.64 SUPPORT NOW ARUN JAIN Goal: $500 Raised: $380.51 SUPPORT NOW MEERA JAIN Goal: $500 Raised: $184.37 SUPPORT NOW KOLPONA MOOKERJEA Goal: $800 Raised: $577.52 SUPPORT NOW LAURIE STEVENSON Goal: $500 Raised: $340.32 SUPPORT NOW SIGN UP & SHOW UP Start by registering for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon by using this link and selecting Jamii as your charity. Choose your race: 5K, half marathon, full marathon, or virtual. Then create your fundraising page. You can join an existing team or start your own to support a specific Jamii program. Once you're in, we’ll be here to support you along the way. BONUS: Raise $300 or more and Jamii will reimburse your registration fee. RAISE & RALLY Your individual fundraising goal is $1,000. With 30 or more participants, we’re aiming to raise $30,000 for Jamii’s free arts programs. Share your story, invite your network to support you, and use your page to track progress. We’ll provide tools, templates, and encouragement to help you along the way. You’re not fundraising alone! TRAIN & SUSTAIN MOVE & GROOVE Training is up to you, but you won’t be on your own. Jamii will organize casual group walks for 5K participants and help connect runners who want to form pace groups. We’ll send occasional check-ins, updates, and motivation to keep you moving. Whether you're walking, jogging, or going the distance, we’re here to keep you going. Race weekend is October 18–19, 2025. Put on your Jamii team shirt and move at your own pace. Walk it, run it, roll it, or stroll it. Join the 5K group walk or coordinate with others in your category. Expect cheers, connection, and a shared sense of purpose. You’ll be part of something real, something community-driven, and something worth showing up for. SIGN UP NOW CHECK OUT PREVIOUS TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON'S CHEERING SECTIONS! 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Fundraising SEE MORE 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2017 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2022 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2016 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2019 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE
- Tuesday Discovering | Jamii Esplanade
On Tuesday, The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is dedicated to immersive learning experiences through discussions, inspiring talks, and niche artistic practices! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / Tuesday Discovering DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Book Club, "Culture Cloths" Talks, Creative Writing WHEN | Tuesdays from 7pm to 8:30 pm (Check the dates by clicking "more info" below) WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | 16+ FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED At Jamii, Tuesdays are dedicated to immersive learning experiences through dynamic discussions, inspiring talks, and engaging artistic practices. Join our thought-provoking Book Club discussions, attend captivating Culture Cloths talks, or delve into Creative Writing. Whether you prefer committing to every Tuesday for a year-long journey, selecting specific monthly series that resonate with you, or focusing solely on the Book Club, Culture Cloths talks, or Creative Writing, there is something for you: dive into diverse learning experiences, and connect with like-minded individuals. BOOK CLUB MORE INFO & REGISTER CULTURE CLOTHS MORE INFO & REGISTER CREATIVE WRITING MORE INFO & REGISTER
- Sing-Along | Jamii Esplanade
The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to sing-along gatherings for older adults on Mondays. Register now to join! Sing-Along INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING / BELONGING Older Adults Workshops Sing-Along WHEN | Thursdays from 4:45pm to 6pm WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED Some weeks call for a calm, friendly room where you can sing without overthinking it. Jamii’s Sing-Along is a relaxed weekly gathering for older adults, held at The Jamii Hub with Stephen Targett on the piano. Together, we revisit much-loved classics, take song suggestions from the group, and enjoy the simple comfort of making music side by side. Singing together can lift the mood, support breathing and memory, and create a genuine sense of connection. The focus is on participation, not perfection. You can sing along the whole time, join in for a chorus or two, or simply listen and feel the music in the room. Each session follows the energy of the group, making it easy to return week after week. These workshops are part of Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults program for older adults in downtown Toronto. Participants register for the program, then can drop in to any Thursday session that works for them. Stephen Targett received a professional degree in classical piano performance from McGill University in Montreal. His work is largely collaborative, accompanying singers and instrumentalists in many genres and styles. He also works as a studio pianist and musical director for cabaret shows, and performs for recitals, auditions, and exams. Alongside performing, Stephen teaches piano, voice, and music theory, does arranging, makes accompaniment tracks, and writes songs. For the past couple of years, he has enjoyed leading Jamii’s Belonging Singing Group at The Jamii Hub in Toronto’s Esplanade neighbourhood. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in singing is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW Stephen Targett Calendar Thu, Feb 19 Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 19, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Relaxed Sing-Along for older adults. Sing classics with Stephen Targett on piano, share song requests, and enjoy a no-pressure vibe. Thu, Feb 26 Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 26, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Relaxed Sing-Along for older adults. Sing classics with Stephen Targett on piano, share song requests, and enjoy a no-pressure vibe. Thu, Mar 05 Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 05, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Relaxed Sing-Along for older adults. Sing classics with Stephen Targett on piano, share song requests, and enjoy a no-pressure vibe. Load More UPCOMING DATES
- Movement | Jamii Esplanade
The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to movement workshops for older adults on Tuesdays. Register now to join! MOVEMENT INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / BELONGING Movement Workshops For Older Adults WHEN | Tuesdays from 10am to 11:30am WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED Our Movement workshops series is a safe and inclusive space for older adults with all levels of mobility to engage in collective physical exercises tailored towards their needs with a focus on fun and joy. This weekly workshops series goes beyond the average gym class. They are led by professional dancers who bring their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic visions into their choreographed dance moves. Each week, participants learn new moves and steps, work on their mind and body coordination, and practice a collective fun routine. The Movement workshop has become a weekly rendez-vous for our older Esplanadians who look forward to exercising alongside their friends in the community every Tuesday. Workshops are free. The program is supported by the Government of Canada, New Horizons for Seniors Program, as well as the Canada Council for the Arts. Join our Movement workshops on Tuesdays at The Jamii Hub! REGISTER NOW MAY & JUNE 2026 LATIN DANCE Facilitator: Carolina Rojas LEARN MORE MARCH & APRIL 2026 PILATES AND YOGA Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick LEARN MORE JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2026 AFRO-BRAZILIAN DANCE Facilitator: Newton Moraes LEARN MORE Calendar UPCOMING DATES Tue, Feb 17 Belonging Older Adults - Movement / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move, stretch, and dance to Afro-Brazilian rhythms with Newton Moraes. High-energy, welcoming movement for older adults. Register now. Tue, Feb 24 Belonging Older Adults - Movement / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move, stretch, and dance to Afro-Brazilian rhythms with Newton Moraes. High-energy, welcoming movement for older adults. Register now. Tue, Mar 03 Belonging Older Adults - Movement / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 03, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Pilates and yoga-inspired movement with Nickeshia Garrick. Options for seated or standing participation. Upbeat and welcoming. Register now. Load More
- PAPER MARBLING | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / VISUAL ARTS / PAPER MARBLING BELONGING Visual Arts Workshops For Older Adults PAPER MARBLING FEBRUARY 2026 Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17, 24, 2026 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Facilitator: Janice Garel Some art forms feel like a deep breath. In this February Belonging Older Adults visual arts series, Janice Garel returns to The Jamii Hub to guide participants through paper marbling, an ancient, meditative practice also known as Turkish Ebru and Japanese Suminagashi. Together, we’ll create swirling patterns on water, transfer them onto paper, and turn those finished pieces into a hard-cover notebook you can actually use. Across the four sessions, participants will learn the basics of marbling and experiment with colour, pattern, and gentle motion to create one-of-a-kind marbled papers. Paint is floated on a thickened water surface, then carefully swirled to form patterns before paper is laid on top to instantly capture the design. Once the marbled sheets are dry, the group will assemble a finished notebook with hard covers, a spine, and inner pages. This series is a great fit for older adults in Toronto who want a hands-on visual arts workshop that’s calm, tactile, and satisfying. You’ll leave with a finished piece that holds both function and memory. Participants can also personalize their notebook by adding a favourite quote or poem to the inside cover, and finishing it with a decorative ribbon if they wish. These workshops are part of Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults program for older adults in downtown Toronto. Participants register for the program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in visual arts is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW JANICE GAREL Janice Garel is an artist with a long-standing practice and a generous teaching style. She studied at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica and the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. Her work has been exhibited locally and internationally, and she has worked primarily with silk and oil painting for over 25 years. In 2002, she received the Markham Mayor’s Award for Community Service and has been commissioned by schools across York Region to create murals and painted silk banners. Janice also founded the Art Adventure Studio, offering art classes for children and adults. Photo by Ghader Bsmar
- CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / VISUAL ARTS / CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY BELONGING Visual Arts Workshops For Older Adults CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY MARCH 2026 Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2026 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Facilitator: May Yu In March, slow down and make space for calm, focused creativity through the art of Chinese calligraphy. Led by May Yu, this welcoming Belonging Older Adults visual arts series introduces participants to the beauty, philosophy, and expressive power of brushwork. Together, we’ll practise simple characters, explore the meaning carried in each stroke, and begin pairing calligraphy with ink brush painting. No prior experience is needed. Across the series, participants will learn foundational brush techniques using brush pens and traditional tools, then build toward creating finished pieces to take home. The sessions move from basic strokes and nature-inspired characters, into everyday phrases used as blessings, and then into the relationship between calligraphy and ink brush painting. Session 1: Introducing Chinese calligraphy. Explore different calligraphy styles, learn basic strokes, and practise simple characters such as 日 (sun), 月 (moon), 山 (mountain), and 水 (water). Session 2: Calligraphy and everyday life. Practise popular characters and short phrases like 平安 (peace) and 大吉 (big luck). Participants can also create a Chinese nickname or pen name for their work, and try a first ink brush painting exercise, such as painting a mandarin orange in black ink. Session 3: From calligraphy to ink brush painting. Learn key themes and philosophies of Chinese ink painting, and practise techniques by painting familiar subjects like plum blossoms, bamboo, vegetables, fish, insects, and more. Participants will develop a theme and a matching character or short phrase for a final piece. Session 4: Final work development. Create a finished artwork that combines calligraphy and ink brush painting on a framed card, signed with a pen name. Participants will take home one or two framed cards to keep as decorations or share as blessing cards with family and friends. This series is a great fit for older adults in Toronto who are interested in calligraphy classes, ink brush painting, or hands-on visual arts workshops that bring together culture, storytelling, and gentle skill-building. The pace is supportive and encouraging. Participants register for the Belonging Older Adults program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in visual arts is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW MAY YU May Yu, also known as Yu, Hsiao Min (May), is an interdisciplinary artist and researcher who leads community arts workshops as a form of social empowerment. Her work explores Hong Kong diaspora identities through community cultural engagement in Canada and the UK. She shares cultural stories through many art forms, including origami, Chinese paper-cutting, calligraphy and ink painting, food styling, and photography. May holds a PhD in community-engaged theatre and critical pedagogy from Lingnan University, Hong Kong. She previously served as a full-time faculty member before relocating to Canada in 2021. Photo by Isorine Marc
- WINTER IN THE CITY | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / VISUAL ARTS / WINTER IN THE CITY BELONGING Visual Arts Workshops For Older Adults WINTER IN THE CITY JANUARY 2026 Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Facilitator: Mariana Hernandez Winter can make the city feel quieter, slower, and a little more reflective. In this January visual arts series for Belonging Older Adults , Mariana Hernandez invites participants to paint winter scenes and winter selves while thinking about self-care and the comfort we build for ourselves and each other. We’ll work with both watercolour and acrylic paint, and leave space for conversation, shared memories, and a calm creative routine in the middle of the week. Over four sessions, participants will create a set of paintings inspired by winter in Toronto and personal winter moments. Two sessions focus on watercolour and two sessions focus on acrylic paint. Each week offers a guided prompt, plus time to make it your own: January 6: Self-portrait in winter (watercolour). Paint yourself bundled in a favourite hat and scarf, holding a warm drink. January 13: Winter memories (acrylic). Paint a winter memory, like skating at a rink, tobogganing, a snowy cottage, or a mountain scene. January 20: The snowy owl (acrylic). Paint the Canadian snowy owl, a symbol of resilience and adaptation. January 27: Winter scene at the Distillery District (watercolour). Paint a festive streetscape with brick buildings, lights, and the beauty of community in winter. These workshops are part of Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults program for older adults in downtown Toronto. Participants register for the program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in visual arts is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW MARIANA HERNANDEZ Mariana Hernandez is an artist and art educator based in Toronto’s Bayside waterfront community, where she lives and works among a collective of 80 live/work artists. Her paintings have been acquired by TRIDEL Inc., Daniels Corporation, and the Distillery District, and have also been featured in rentals by Facebook. Mariana studied Fine Art at OCAD University and continues to build her practice through ongoing self-directed learning. Originally from Chile, she draws inspiration from Toronto’s waterfront, and her work is known for bold line work, vibrant colour, and a love of water and urban landscapes. Alongside her studio practice, she teaches with several non-profit arts organizations. We’re grateful to have her back with our Belonging community at The Jamii Hub. Photo by Ghader Bsmar
- AFRO-BRAZILIAN DANCE | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / MOVEMENT / AFRO-BRAZILIAN DANCE BELONGING Movement Workshops For Older Adults JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2026 AFRO-BRAZILIAN DANCE Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27 and February 3, 10, 17, 24, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM Facilitator: Newton Moraes Start your Tuesday morning with music, movement, and a room full of neighbours doing the same. In this high-energy Belonging Older Adults session, participants will move, dance, stretch, and build cardio endurance through Afro-Brazilian dance practices, including Samba and Batuque from southern Brazil. It’s welcoming, upbeat, and rooted in presence, with lots of room to listen to your body and move at your own pace. Each class begins seated, with breathing and gentle, isolated movements through the head, arms, torso, and pelvis. From there, the group transitions to standing work, learning gestures and movement phrases that wake up different parts of the body. Over the session, participants build toward a short movement sequence or simple choreography, then close with a cool-down and relaxation period to settle, reflect, and leave feeling grounded. This workshop is a great fit for older adults in Toronto looking for a morning movement class that combines dance, stretching, and light cardio in a supportive community setting. The focus is on embodied movement, coordination, rhythm, and stamina, with options to take breaks, modify, or participate more gently as needed. Participants register for the Belonging Older Adults program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in movement and dance is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW Photo Credit: Unknown NEWTON MORAES Newton Moraes is a dancer, choreographer, and educator who has taught at Ballet Creole, COBA (Collective of Black Artists), Kashedance, York University, and Humber College. His performance and teaching work has been presented internationally and across Canada. He is the founder and artistic director of Newton Moraes Dance Theatre and a board member of the Dance Ontario Association. He has also contributed to dance preservation through his work with Dance Collection Danse. Photo Credit: Unknown
- PILATES AND YOGA | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / MOVEMENT / PILATES AND YOGA BELONGING Movement Workshops For Older Adults MARCH & APRIL 2026 PILATES AND YOGA Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick If you’ve been wanting a movement class that feels energizing, supportive, and doable, this one is for you. Nickeshia Garrick returns to Jamii this spring to lead Belonging Older Adults movement sessions that combine Pilates and yoga techniques with upbeat music. It’s a welcoming space to stretch, strengthen, breathe, and move in community. Across the series, participants will work with gentle strength-building and stretching that supports balance, mobility, and full-body activation. The class is designed to accommodate different mobility needs. Participants can take part seated in a chair or moving on their feet, with options to adapt throughout the session. You can come to build consistency, try something new, or simply give your body a good reset in the middle of the week. These sessions are part of Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults program for older adults in downtown Toronto. Participants register for the program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website . Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in movement and dance is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW Photos by Iris Unlu, Ghader Bsmar, Row Iliescu NICKESHIA GARRICK Nickeshia Garrick is one of Belonging’s beloved facilitators and has been part of Jamii for several years, leading and performing in many projects. They are a settler on the stolen land of Tkaronto and have performed on this land for over 25 years. Nickeshia is an unapologetically Black, queer artist who believes in the healing power of breath through raw emotion and movement. Their training includes the New York Institution of Dance and Education (NYIDE), the National Ballet School of Canada, Toronto Dance Theatre, and Simon Fraser University. Photo Credit: Jae Yang
- LATIN DANCE | Jamii Esplanade
INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / MOVEMENT / LATIN DANCE BELONGING Movement Workshops For Older Adults MAY & JUNE 2026 LATIN DANCE Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM Facilitator: Carolina Rojas Bring some rhythm into your Tuesday morning. Carolina Rojas returns to The Jamii Hub to lead Belonging Older Adults movement sessions that keep you active, smiling, and connected to the people around you. Using accessible Latin dance rhythms and steps, this class supports cardio health, muscle strength, and coordination in a supportive space where everyone can move at their own pace. Across the series, participants will work with continuous, repetitive movement that builds stamina and coordination over time. The pacing is designed with older adults in mind, with options to take breaks, adjust intensity, and participate in a way that feels right for your body. The vibe is caring and community-focused. You’ll move together, get your heart rate up, and leave feeling more awake in your body. These sessions are part of Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults program for older adults in downtown Toronto. Participants register for the program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in movement and dance is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW Photos by Iris Unlu, Ghader Bsmar CAROLINA ROJAS Carolina Rojas is a multifaceted dance artist with a lifelong relationship to movement and performing arts. Her training includes rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, music, and modern dance, followed by Dance Interpretation studies in Santiago, Chile. She has performed in works by established choreographers, co-founded Danza Independiente Antofagasta to promote dance in the region, and taught in schools while supporting young dancers as they developed their practice. Carolina also trained in Silvestre’s Technique in Brazil. Now based in Canada, she is a member of Dance Migration Company and continues to dance, teach, and volunteer, including sharing her Chilean heritage through folk dance classes. Photo Credit: Jae Yang
- Moving in the park | Jamii Esplanade
< Back Moving in the park A series of movement sessions for one household at the tim, serving over 70 participants. 2021 - JANUARY & FEBRUARY Funded by Jamii. Back in January and February 2021, Ontario imposed severe lockdown on its population due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People were allowed one hour of outdoors exercise, one household at the time. Jamii stepped in to offer unique movement sessions for one household at the time for 3 weeks, serving over 70 participants. It was cold - but that didn't stop us! Let’s get "MOVING IN THE PARK" Physical exercise for one household at the time. Jamii invited neighbours to join our 25-min movement-based sessions in the park, encouraging everyone to keep physically as well a creatively active during the lockdown. We had professional artists/dancer guiding participants through a series of creative movements to break up their day and keep them smiling. To register, click below: http://closed
































