10 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SATURDAY MINGLING / GROUNDED - MARCH 2025 MINGLING Saturday 7 pm Monthly Community Gathering: A night filled with music, dance, and other art forms! GROUNDED March 2025 March 22, 2025 Lead Artist: Sharon Zarita Adhiambo Join us for Saturday Mingling, the grand finale of Jamii’s March cycle with lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo! This intimate evening of live music, art sharing, and delicious food is a celebration of the creativity, connections, and discoveries made throughout the month. Experience a soulful live performance by R&B singer-songwriter Kajé, pianist Saksham Singh, and violinist Albert Amponsah. Through original compositions, this talented trio will bring music that offers joy, solace, and a sense of renewal for the soul. But this night is more than just a concert: it’s a showcase of the artistic journey that has unfolded throughout the month. Participants from Monday Dancing, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Crafting, Thursday Painting, and Friday Singing will take the stage to share the work they’ve created, whether through movement, music, visual art, or handmade pieces. It’s a moment to honour their creativity and the grounding power of artistic expression. As you mingle, enjoy tasty Kenyan finger food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere where neighbours come together to share in the joy of community. Whether you've been part of Jamii’s workshops or are simply curious to experience the magic of our programs, this is the perfect night to connect, celebrate, and be inspired. Come for the performances, stay for the community, and leave feeling a little more grounded! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Jae Yang Sharon Zarita Adhiambo Sharon Zarita Adhiambo is a Kenyan arts administrator, consultant and creative leader whose heart beats for holistic development of people and communities through artistic experiences. Zarita has worked in the arts sector in Kenya and Canada producing projects centered on self expression, social integration, and cultural celebration. Her work is grounded in creating barrier-free spaces where everyone can explore the artist in them while remaining authentic in their identity and stories. Apart from being an arts worker, she strengthens the industry as a mentor and advocate for arts progression. Zarita holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Arts Administration from Humber College and is currently the Arts Program Officer at Assembly Hall, City of Toronto. She is also the founder of Sekoya East Africa, a non-profit that provides emerging crafters and other artists in Kenya accessible professional development resources and mentorship to advance their careers locally, produce artwork with a global influence and have a peer community to belong to. Since 2019, she has worked with Jamii in various capacities and projects with the most recent being The Little Esplanade. She is delighted to join Jamii’s community this March as a guest curator alongside other incredible artists.   Kajé Northern Star Soul Diva singer, songwriter Kajé is an upcoming artist that is killing the urban scene! Kajé has already worked with grammy nominated producers such as Sauce Boy, Eli Brown and Albi. Kajé just released her 2nd single “Let You Go” February of this year. She is extremely passionate about producing true R&B Music. Kajé sings about friendships, love, betrayal and her own personal life experiences. Her musical influences include Dorinda Clarke, Erykah Badu, Prince, Lauryn Hill and Jazmine Sullivan just to name a few. She has worked with a collective group of talented musicians from all around North America. Kajé believes humility is the key and keeps God at the centre of her life to stay grounded. Saksham Singh Saksham Singh is a Toronto-based musician and composer with roots in India. He is the founder of Kalakaar Collective, an artist-led group that experiments with and performs South Asian music, having played over 120 shows across Canada. He began his musical journey exploring blues and pop before delving into Indian classical music. He experiments with fusing different genres to discover new and unique musical expressions. Currently studying Arts Administration at Humber College, he also works with Arts Etobicoke, a non-profit dedicated to fostering an inclusive and creative community. Albert Amponsah Albert Obeng Amponsah is a choral composer, conductor, and passionate musician playing both ateneteben (bamboo flute) and violin. Composing music rooted in choral and church traditions, he is a also music educator and teaches community music at Wilfrid Laurier University. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

May 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / MONDAY DANCING / YOSAKOI FROM JAPAN - MAY 2024 DANCING Monday 7 pm A new dance form each month! May 2024 YOSAKOI FROM JAPAN May 6 - 13 - 20, 2024 Facilitator: Takako Segawa In May, join us and discover "Yosakoi," a timeless Japanese dance form, with rich history and vibrant energy. Derived from the ancient Japanese phrase meaning "come and visit at night," Yosakoi has transcended generations, evolving into a dynamic expression of movement cherished by people of all ages. Whether you're a novice or seasoned dancer, come to learn the basic steps of Yosakoi with dancer, choreographer, and instructor, Takako Segawa, as your guide. Takako's own cultural heritage is intimately intertwined with the origins of this dance form and she will bring Naruko for you to try – it is instruments that used to scare away birds in rice fields in Kochi, Japan, and will be our dance instruments! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Hadeal Karrar, Jae Yang Takako Segawa Takako Segawa is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, theatre performer, and director of Japanese dance arts. Born in Japan, Takako trained in traditional arts and contemporary Japanese movement styles, before graduating from the London Contemporary Dance School. Takako’s 25-year career includes performances throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. She was nominated outstanding female for the Dora Award in 2015, and has been honoured by two All Japan Kobe Dance Festival awards, and by the Stuttgart SoloTanz festival. Recently she performed in "Universal Child Care" at the Canadian Stage in Toronto. Takako also performs worldwide with the Corpus theatre group and is currently directing the multimedia piece “Echoes: Vibrations from Japan to Canada,” premiering in Ottawa in November 2024. Photo Credit: Laura Dittman

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Erin Ademoglu Arts Facilitator website Erin Ademoğlu weaves elagance through the wreckage of forgotten factories and graveyards of oyr favourite things. Handcrafted jewelry for women and men. Wearable. Modern & timeless. -Basic Jewellery workshops are available for educational centers and parties for all ages. -Jewelry Styles and techniques: Up-cycled, costume, lost wax carving and silver smiting . << BACK TO ARTISTS

The Jamii Hub turns into a movie and performance sanctuary on Wednesdays! In April, join us to watch Foli, How West Africa Went Psychedelic, All Eyes on Africa, Let's Find a Way with the lead artist Waleed Abdulhamid and Dr Clem Marshall INDOOR ACTIVITIES / WEDNESDAY WATCHING / MOTHERLAND - APRIL 2024 WATCHING Wednesday 7 pm Live performances, films and documentaries Motherland April 2024 April 10, 17, 24, 2024 Lead: Waleed Abdulhamid April 10 Foli (Rhythm) + “How West Africa Went Psychedelic” Presented by Waleed Abdulhamid Attend our Wednesday Watching as Waleed Adbulhamid discusses with us two short films “Foli” and “How West Africa Went Psychedelic”. “Foli” is the word used for rhythm by the Malinke people. It encompasses more than sound - “Everything is rhythm”. The 11-minute film, directed by Thomas Roebers and Floris Leeuwenberg in 2010, documents the rhythm of daily life of the Malinke people in Baro, Guinea. This film was edited following the Malinke rhythms, where you can hear, feel, and see the rhythm. “How West Africa Went Psychedelic” is a 22-minute music documentary discussing the history and development of West African psychedelic music. The video shows clips and music samples from renowned West African bands and musicians including Super Djata Band, Zani Diabeté, Rail Band, Bembeya Jazz, and more. In addition to presenting these documentaries, Waleed will be demonstrating musical elements relating to the films. Be ready for a musical ride! April 17 All Eyes on Africa Led by Dr Clem Marshall On this Wednesday Watching, we are watching “All Eyes on Africa”, a 60-minute educational documentary directed by Dr Clem Marshall in 1992. The film presents authentic images of modern and ancient Africa, as well as art and culture in African and Black heritage in Canada. It shows how art is present in many aspects of African life, from the weaving of the hair to the construction of a modern building. We are honored with Dr Marshall leading an introduction and post-screening discussion with audience. April 24 Let’s Find a Way Led by Waleed Abdulhamid Join us as we are watching a 40-min film produced by Waleed Abdulhamid. “Let’s Find a Way” is a documentary illustrating the making of the song of the same name to fundraise for children with AIDS worldwide. After the screening, Waleed will lead a discussion about the film and project. REGISTER NOW Photos by Isorine Marc, Karen Lam Clem Marshall: Clem Marshall is a Canadian educator and writer whose work focuses on race, language, culture, and ancestry. Marshall is president of MangaCom Inc., which offers a range of services aimed at improving equity in education, organizational change, and the arts. He received his doctorate in 2011. Clem Marshall’s areas of research include diversity in schools, especially as relating to curricula and community affairs, but also in public and independent education, both elementary and secondary. He is particularly interested in race, gender, community education, community art, equity in education, health and social work, as well as African art. Waleed Abdulhamid: Waleed Abdulhamid is a Canadian Multi-instrumentalist; Composer; Vocalist; Music and Film Producer, known for his striking vocals, innovative bass technique, and his speed and precision on percussion. He has been an active member of the Toronto music scene since his arrival, in 1991 from Sudan, where he began to perform as early as six years old. He is the recipient of the Canadian New Pioneer Award; African Tama Award; Reel World Film Festival Award and Canadian Film Board of Excellence Award. In addition, he has not only received other international awards, but was also twice honoured with a DORA Award. In turn, he is frequently invited to serve on juries in Music and Theatre, and has acquired a distinctive profile in the media. This educator-artist of demonstrated versatility plays 20 instruments including the guitar; bass; drums; flute; harmonica; kirin; bass kirin; darabhuka; marimba; balimbo; congas; bongos; djembe; dumbek; aghera; tambour; cajun; denger; ekaa and tama. Waleed is not only a band leader, a conductor and insightful arranger of popular compositions, but also a Director of Choral and Orchestral Music. He frequently conducts workshops designed for both new or advanced learners, and works collaboratively with choreographers to produce innovative creations. Waleed Abdulhamid has recorded, performed and toured with celebrated artists including David Clayton Thomas of the Grammy Award winning band Blood, Sweat & Tears and Motown legends, The Drifters. He has also toured both nationally and internationally. However, he is most proud of his role as a mentor to acclaimed younger artists such as D’bi Young, Ngozi Paul, and Zaki Ibrahim. Waleed has been the subject of study for researchers and PhD candidates seeking to understand the workings of the virtuoso mind, and is currently a faculty member in the music department of the University of Toronto. Formerly, he worked for twenty years as a professor in the Music Degree Program at Humber College. When not teaching, performing and producing, Waleed can be found in front of the camera, acting in short and feature films, most recently for CBC, CANN Film Festival France, and TIFF. Photo Credit: Unknown

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / VIDEO SKILLS LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! VIDEO SKILLS November 2021 - January 2022 Led by Alejandra Higuera Alejandra Higuera and her mentee have embarked on a journey to capture "WIsdoM ripples" - a photography exhibit curated by 9 young women of The Esplanade community. During this project, Alejandra and her mentee worked on filming skills, getting familiar with professional filming equipment, editing a short video, and exploring video animation. This project led to the creation of a short video that was distributed on Jamii's social media and presented on Jamii's website. Alejandra Higuera is a multidisciplinary, visual storyteller working in video, animation, projection, and illustration. Her work focuses on themes of migration, feminism, memory, grief, ritual by centering the intricate stories of immigrant, queer and BIPOC resilience and exploring how healing leads us to re-imaging ourselves. Photo by Ana Figo

OUTDOOR EVENTS / MUDLARK - 2023 Mudlark December 2023 On December 8th and 9th 2023, audiences embarked on a whimsical journey with Mudlark, a theatrical shadow puppetry performance of a young girl who seeks a place to call home among the enchanting stories of the Esplanade neighbourhood. Spectators experienced her navigation through time, witnessing the land's resilience and ever-evolving history. They discovered the warmth of a home, dreamt of the future alongside her, and added their unique touch to this immersive and interactive show. “Mudlark” is a show that merges music, dance, and shadow puppetry, conceptualized byprofessional artists with the creative contributions of Esplanadians of all ages who attended multiple workshops to create music, contribute to the storyline, and craft shadow puppets. Thank you to all 400 who attended our performances of Mudlark! A series of performances presented in partnership with Canadian Stage ! CREDITS: Artistic Direction: Isorine MarcMusical Direction: Aline Morales, Lauren BarnettShadow Puppetry: Brescia Nember ReidCreative Consultant: Sarah N. AhmadScene 1 written by Mahlikah OuttenScenes 2 to 6 written by Sharon Zarita AdhiamboPerformers: Aline Morales, Lauren Barnett, Brescia Nember Reid, Troy Feldman, Karen Lam, Nickeshia Garrick, Mahlikah The Moonrise Poet, Hafsa IsmailWith performances by community members: Nesrin, Keiron, Kolpana, Norita,Production: Maria Paula Triviño, Iris Unlu, Yusra Yacout, Afnan YakotWith creative contribution of community members and Downtown Alternative School students. Supported By: PHOTO CREDITS

MULTICULTURAL DAY CELEBRATIONS / 2023 MULTICULTURAL DAY Jamii's Annual Celebrations 2023 - 5th Year! June 27 at 7 pm The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade Esplanadians joined us for an enchanting evening featuring Dijlah, an all-female music band that brings together the rich traditions of Arabic and North African music, expressing the resilience and aspirations of women. Additionally, audience members immersed themselves in the inspiring CALYX photo exhibition, created by a talented group of women from Jamii's LAINI initiative led by photographer Sabrine S. Hakam, as they explore the diverse dimensions of personal identity. We were happy to have The Esplanade community at The Jamii Hub to celebrate the richness of our vibrant community, empower women's voices, and embrace the beauty of diversity with us at this extraordinary event! Photos by Laura Dittman

2019/07 < Back to Events Drag Queen Story Time CREDITS: WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / PAINTING NIGHTS / TEKA LANG - OCTOBER 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm Painting Nights TEKA LANG October 2024 October 10, 2024 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 Photos by Afnan Yakot 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. Photo Credit: Unknown

The support of our partners is the foundation for Jamii's engaging and creative work in The Esplanade neighbourhood. We are grateful for their ongoing support. ABOUT/ JAMII'S SUPPORTERS Jamii's Supporters The support of our partners is the foundation for Jamii's engaging and creative work in The Esplanade neighbourhood. We are grateful for their ongoing support. PARTNER Jamii and Canadian Stage share a unique partnership. Click here to find out more. PUBLIC FUNDERS FOUNDATIONS & SPONSORS COMMUNITY & PROGRAMMING PARTNERS PARTNERING RESIDENTIAL CO-OP Centre d'Accueil Héritage www.caheritage.org Windmill Line Co-Op http://www.windmill-line.coop/ Woodsworth Co-Op http://www.woodsworthcoop.ca Cathedral Co-Op http://cathedralcourt.ca New Hibret Co-Op https://co-ophousingtoronto.coop/new-hibret-co-op/ OWN Co-Op http://olderwomensnetwork.org/

The Jamii Hub turns into a crafting sanctuary twice a month on Thursdays! WOOL AND CROCHET - MARCH 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / CREATING Thursday 7 pm Crafting Nights WOOL AND CROCHET March 2025 March 13 - 20, 2025 Facilitator: Seema Anwar, Abi Akinlade & Nyokabi Muchuku WOOL AND PATTERNS OF LIFE Artist: Seema Anwar Thursday, March 13 at 7pm Join us for a cozy evening of creativity, conversation, and connection at this beginner-friendly crafting workshop! Using colourful wool, glue, and canvas, we’ll explore the patterns that shape our lives, lines, textures, and hues that reflect what keeps us grounded. Guided by artist Seema Anwar, the workshop begins with a brief introduction to the techniques, then opens up into a free-flowing space where you can experiment, reflect, and create at your own pace. As you craft your own unique square pattern, you’ll have the chance to express what anchors you, whether it’s memories, people, places, or dreams. This is more than just a hands-on workshop, it’s a moment to slow down, immerse yourself in creative expression, and share in the experience of making alongside others. You’ll leave not only with a piece of art that represents your personal grounding but also with new techniques, fresh inspiration, and warm memories of crafting together. For those who want to take their experience further and display their artwork, 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. No experience needed, just bring your curiosity, and we'll provide the rest! This workshop will take place on March 13, at 7 p.m. FOR MARCH 13 Please note that the March 13 workshop is now full . Join the waitlist and we will contact you if there are spots open up. We encourage you to look out your email inbox (including "Promotion" / "Other" inbox) closer to the workshop date. GROUNDING PRACTICE: CROCHET BOOKMARKS Artist: Abi Akinlade & Nyokabi Muchuku Thursday, March 20 at 7pm Crochet has a way of slowing things down, letting your hands find rhythm while your mind settles. In this workshop, Abi and Nyokabi will guide you through the basics of crochet as you create your own handmade bookmark, something small yet meaningful, stitched with intention. Whether you’re new to crochet or have experience with yarn, this session is a space to pause, reflect, and connect, both with the craft and with others. We’ll start with a demonstration, and from there, you’ll have time to explore the process at your own pace, with guidance available along the way. For those who want to take their experience further and display their artwork, 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. All materials will be provided. Just bring yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to try something new. Spots are limited, register now and join us for an evening of creativity and reflection! This workshop will take place on March 20, at 7 p.m. FOR MARCH 20 Crafting Night is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Monday Dancing, Tuesday Culture Cloths, Tuesday Book Club, Tuesday Creative Writing, Wednesday Sewing, 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. Photos by Hadeal Karrar Seema Anwar Seema Anwar has a diploma in textile design. She was under the tutelage of Mr. Azer Zubi and Mohammad Ali Bhatti, both well-known artists in Pakistan. Seema uses various mediums such as watercolor, pen work, pastels, glass, and oil paints. Seema believes art can be used as a therapy to relieve stress, trauma, and other daily struggles. Ever since she moved to Canada she has been working with many communities such as the Flemington Community Centre, Arts in the Park, Malton Women Council, Making Art Making Change, Voice of Toronto, Afghan Women, Toronto Green, TNO organization, FHC and Flemingdon Community Support Services. She has worked on various projects such as gender-based violence, green earth initiatives, and art therapy with the TNO organization in the senior group and Early On, Autism Thorncliffe group and Alzheimer Society. In 2023, she did 2 exhibitions, one was Wedbi and one was Scarborough's topic on Islamic heritage. She did one event with the Art in the Park organization in 2023 at Burgess Park Thorncliffe to reduce climate change and recycle textiles. She leads art workshops for physical and mental health and wellness in the community. She has aimed to use her artwork to spread joy and happiness. Abi Akinlade Abi Akinlade is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto, Ontario. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 2023 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Drama. As a creative, she has experience in acting, writing, makeup artistry, and, most recently, fibre artistry. Represented by AMI Talent Agency, she has performed in both film and theatre productions, worked as the Web Marketing Coordinator for Driftwood Theatre, and is currently a freelance writer for She Does The City . She is honoured to have co-founded Crochet Gardens with Nyokabi Muchuku and is passionate about exploring the connectivity and synthesis between various art forms. Nyokabi Muchuku Nyokabi Muchuku is an artist passionate about self-expression, exploring creativity through braiding, crochet, and dance. She thrives in spaces that foster connection, creation, and inspiration. A 4th-year Human Biology student at the University of Toronto, with minors in Anthropology and Immunology, she seeks to merge her scientific curiosity with her artistic spirit, always striving to uplift those around her. Photo Credit: Unknown

Welcome to The Jamii Hub where we enhance togetherness through arts! Check out our workshops and activities, and enjoy the richness of our community, The Esplanade! Crafting moments, creating memories: Join us at workshops & activities! Join us at The Jamii Hub, our vibrant art space nestled in the heart of The Esplanade, where creativity knows no bounds. Designed for diverse individuals and families who live and work within our community, our indoor activities offer an oasis for Esplanadians to explore, create, and connect. Discover a world of artistic expression through our two distinctive categories of indoor activities. Dive into our Monthly Themed Activities and Workshops, where each month brings a fresh theme curated by a lead artist. From Monday's captivating dance sessions to Sunday's soul-stirring poetry workshops, immerse yourself in a three-week journey of self-discovery and creativity. Explore diverse art forms, from painting nights to community sing-alongs, and celebrate your creations with our monthly Saturday Mingling gatherings. In addition to our themed activities, our Regular Programs offer a variety of workshops catering to different age groups and interests. Whether it's the Belonging movement and visual art workshops for older adults or the LAINI Youth sessions empowering young women, there's something for everyone at The Jamii Hub. Best of all, all our activities and workshops are led by experienced artists and are completely free of charge. Don't miss this opportunity to unleash your creativity and connect with your community. Register now to secure your spot in our upcoming events! Jamii's workshops and activities take place at The Esplanade's community arts space: THE J AMII HUB | 264 The Esplanade CYCLES - ALL AGES MORE INFO LAINI - YOUTH MORE INFO BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS MORE INFO MINI MAKING MORE INFO THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

November 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / MONDAY DANCING / DABKE FROM PALESTINE - NOVEMBER 2024 DANCING Monday 7 pm A new dance form each month! November 2024 DABKE FROM PALESTINE November 4, 11, 18, 2024 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 Photos by Jae Yang 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. Photo Credit: Unknown

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 / FRIDAY SINGING / TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION SONGS FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA - MARCH 2025 SINGING Friday 7 pm Explore singing in a community sing-along! TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION SONGS FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA March 2025 March 7 - 14 - 21, 2025 Facilitator: Brian S. Moyo Step into a world of rhythm, movement, and joyful singing with multitalented artist Brian S. Moyo in this vibrant 90-minute workshop. Brian will guide you through the traditional celebration songs of Southern Africa, songs that are woven into the fabric of life’s happiest moments, like birthdays, weddings, and the arrival of the rainy season. Together, we’ll celebrate the power of music to ground us, uplift us, and bring us together in joy and tradition. In this welcoming, all-ages workshop, no previous singing or dance experience is required, just bring your energy and an open heart! Together, we’ll explore the art of call-and-response singing, using our voices and bodies to bring the music to life. Expect rhythmic clapping, chanting, and simple dance steps, all designed to help you connect with the rhythm of the music and each other. You’ll be encouraged to embrace the joy and communal spirit of these songs as you learn their meaning and cultural significance. Feel free to bring shakers or any other small instruments you’d like to add to the sound, this is your chance to get creative and fully immerse yourself in the music! Everyone, regardless of ability level, is invited to participate and move at their own pace. For those who want to take their experience further and perform, 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. We can’t wait to sing, dance, and connect with you! Friday Singing is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Monday Dancing, Tuesday Culture Cloths, Tuesday Book Club, Tuesday Creative Writing, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Painting, and Thursday Crafting. “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 Photos by Jeeya Gandhi, Mariana Hernandez, Hadeal Karrar Brian S. Moyo Brian S. Moyo is a multitalented singer, dancer and choreographer originally from Plumtree, in southwest Zimbabwe. Brian has over two decades of experience performing and conducting workshops in Canada, UK, Norway and Estonia. He has worked with Southern African Embrace Foundation, TNO Summer Festival, Bring on the Sunshine African Festival, Open Streets Toronto, Habari Africa Festival in Harbourfront Centre, and Batuki Music Society. In 2016, he co-founded Izimba Arts, a collective of African performing artists who pursue art as an instrument for community engagement. The group specializes in high-energy traditional and urban dances and music from Southern Africa. Photo Credit: Unknown

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / PREMIERE OF VIDEO PORTRAITS FROM PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION SPECIAL EVENTS Fundraising Experiencing Pikangikum through Art and Storytelling PREMIERE OF VIDEO PORTRAITS FROM PIKANGIKUM December 3, 2024 - 7pm Since 2018, Jamii has been honoured to foster a beautiful connection with Pikangikum First Nation in Northern Ontario. A three-flight journey takes us to this remote community, and every visit deepens the bond we share. Over the past three trips, we’ve created video portraits celebrating local leaders, artists, and Elders from Pikangikum. On December 3rd, we were thrilled to premiere these videos at a packed house at The Jamii Hub! In between each short video screening, we enjoyed engaging conversations led by videographers Gillian Mapp, Eray Guler, and Isorine Marc, offering insights into the stories and creative processes behind each film. A special thanks to Asmita Pal, a resident of The Esplanade, whose connection between our community and Pikangikum made this journey possible. Another special thanks to the Jamii team who were in Toronto and ensured this project ran smoothly: Iris Unlu for video support and May Chook for event management! To honour the moment, we shared delicious Indigenous food from Tea and Bannock in Toronto. This ongoing artistic exchange is made possible through the support of the Ontario Arts Council @ontarioartscouncil and the Canada Council for the Arts @canada.council. We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership in 2025 and beyond. Our screening raised $1,200, which will directly support flights for our next visit. OOPS, THIS EVENT IS OVER Photos by Eray Guler, Isorine Marc Eray Guler Eray Güler is a visual storyteller whose journey began in Turkiye, where two of his photography works were published by BBC Turkiye. After moving to Canada in 2014, he expanded his expertise through digital marketing courses at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. Eray founded Recro Digital Marketing, which continues to thrive in Canada’s competitive marketing field. His YouTube channel, the largest Turkish-Canadian channel, connects Turkiye and Canada, offering guidance to immigrants and promoting cross-cultural understanding. With over 120,000 subscribers and 17 million views, Eray is dedicated to producing content that resonates, inspires, and fosters meaningful connections. Gillian Mapp From a young age, Gillian Mapp began capturing images long before ever picking up a camera. Using her eyes, she made memories permanent in her mind's eye. Gillian understood the importance of documenting her story, knowing no one else would do it for her. Her mother’s dedication to recording every moment of their childhood instilled a deep appreciation for preserving history. Gillian’s early experiences with film rolls and the anticipation of their development inspired her to use photography to change how people see and remember the world. Her work highlights the beauty in everyday moments and brings untold stories to the forefront. Isorine Marc Isorine obtained her Masters Degree in Performing Arts Management in France and has acquired international work experience in arts organizations such as The Paris Conservatoire (France), L’École des Sables (Toubab Dialaw, Senegal), Le Centre National Chorégraphique Mathilde Monnier (France), Ausdance Queensland (Brisbane, Australia), and fFIDA-TIDF 06 (Toronto). Isorine was CORPUS' Artistic Producer from 2006 to 2018 and founded Jamii in 2011. The Esplanade neighbourhood is Isorine's home since 2006 and she is a passionate advocate for her community.

Culture Cloths THE CHAKANA - APRIL 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths THE CHAKANA April 2025 April 22, 2025 Lead Artist: Carolina Rojas Join us on April 22 for an insightful workshop exploring the Chakana, a sacred Andean symbol that has been central to Indigenous cosmology for centuries. More than just a symbol, the Chakana represents the profound connection between the spiritual, earthly, and inner realms, guiding us in our relationship with nature, the cycles of life, and our community. Through colonization, the Chakana has also become a symbol of resistance and Andean peoples have carried it through generations as a quiet yet powerful act of defiance against forced erasure. In this workshop, Carolina Rojas, Jamii’s lead artist for the April cycle, invites you to discover the significance of this ancient symbol and how it continues to shape Andean identity and resilience today. Led by Carolina, a seasoned dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator, this workshop invites you to the rich traditions and philosophies of the Andean peoples. Carolina’s expertise in dance, her commitment to community empowerment, and her deep understanding of Andean cultural heritage will guide you in exploring the Chakana’s significance in contemporary times. This session is open to all, whether you're familiar with Andean culture or simply curious to learn more. Carolina’s inclusive approach ensures a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of experience. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register today! This activity 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 Photos by Afnan Yakot Carolina Rojas Carolina Rojas, a dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator. She earned a Dance Interpretation degree from Las Americas University in Santiago de Chile. In 2012, she co-founded 'Danza Independiente Antofagasta,' aiming to expand dance horizons in her hometown. Carolina initiated the 'Interpreters in Dance School' project in 2013, providing free training to aspiring dancers, fostering community growth and education. Since moving to Canada in 2017, she has expanded her repertoire, contributed to the Dance Migration Company, and volunteered with Chilean associations, sharing her cultural heritage and commitment to community empowerment. Carolina’s vision prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for Latin American communities in Toronto facilitating artist exchanges. Carolina is not only our Lead Artist for April at Jamii, she is also our Metcalf Intern, managing programs such as Belonging and Laini, excelling in arts management Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

OUTDOOR EVENTS / HISIA - 2020 Hisia Aug and Oct 2020 HISIA is the Swahili word for inner feelings, emotions and thoughts. August 21st, 2020 - David Crombie Park (corner of Esplanade and Princess) Pop-up performance featuring four amazing artists: Heidi Chan (flute, drum) Jonelle Sills (modern opera singer) Raha Javanfar (violinist) Eman Hillawi Eman Aerial & Pole (lollilop lyra artist) We have invited these artists to connect with one another through a structured improvisation exploring their individual whirlwind of emotions since pandemic hit us mid-March. We all lived through the same major event, but all had a different journey. HISIA is a window into our unique ways to deal with the same situation. We hope you will come “look through the window” with us – as usual, at a safe physical distance from one another. October 3rd, 2020 On October 3rd 2020, we danced, filmed, wrote down and sang these emotions to share with you in the hope that you may relate and connect to some of them. The pandemic is an individual journey in a shared landscape. We hope these emotions will weave our journey together. Produced by Jamii Director: Isorine Marc Live videography: Ella Cooper Live poetry: Paulina O’Kieffe Anthony Music and singing: Evangelia Kambites Dancers: Jaz Fairy J, Nicola Pantin, Meryem Alaoui, Sukruti Tirupattur, Yvonne Ng Photographer: Gillian Mapp Editing: Isorine Marc Music: “Feel the Fall” by Evangelia Kambites In partnership with Supported by PHOTO CREDITS

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / LATIN AMERICAN CARNIVAL LAINI Youth After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! LATIN AMERICAN CARNIVAL February to May 2025 - Grade 2 to 8 Led by Carolina Rojas, Aline Morales, Shelly Ann McLeod From February to May 2025, Jamii’s LAINI program brought the energy and spirit of Latin American carnivals to life through 16 weeks of arts-based workshops for girls in grades 2 to 8. Led by artists Aline Morales (percussion and singing), Carolina Rojas (dance), and Shelly Ann McLeod (costume-making), each workshop offered a hands-on space for creative expression, collaboration, and personal growth. Throughout the program, participants explored Afro-Latin American dances, created original choreography, learned the basics of percussion and songwriting, and designed and sewed their own colourful carnival-inspired costumes. The sessions were filled with laughter, movement, rhythm, and connection—offering a space where every girl could express herself freely while developing new skills. Inspired by the tradition of community carnival processions, the workshops encouraged teamwork and confidence-building while celebrating cultural heritage. The girls not only learned new artistic techniques, but also practiced leadership, focus, and the joy of working toward a shared goal. The program concluded with a heartwarming community performance at The Jamii Hub on Thursday, May 29, where the LAINI girls proudly took the stage to share what they had created. Families, friends, and neighbours gathered to cheer them on, filling the room with pride and joy. This low-cost, high-impact program was made possible with the support of Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, and funding through Rama Gaming House and the Charitable Gaming Community Good program. We are proud of each participant, volunteer, and artist who made this season so meaningful—and we can’t wait for what’s next. Photos by Iris Unlu, Isorine Marc, Carolina Rojas CAROLINA ROJAS From the age of 7, Carolina has charted an extraordinary journey through rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, music, and modern dance in esteemed arts schools, cultivating a deep passion for the arts. As a dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator, Carolina pursued a Dance Interpretation degree at Santiago de Chile's Las Americas University, dedicating four years to mastering contemporary dance. She became a dynamic force, participating in events like the "International Dance Day" celebrations from 2006 to 2008, leaving a mark on Chile's cultural landscape. In 2009, Carolina co-founded "Danza Independiente Antofagasta," helping to catalyze regional dance growth through festivals and training initiatives. Since 2017, Carolina has called Canada home, expanding her dance repertoire with samba do pe and contributing to the Dance Migration Company. She also volunteers with Chilean associations, sharing folklore and dance with youth, exemplifying her commitment to artistic excellence and community empowerment. ALINE MORALES: Aline Morales is a passionate promoter of the traditional rhythms of northeastern Brazil, continuing to perform with her percussion troupe, Baque de Bamba, at countless festivals and events. Now drawing upon a wider range of influences, Morales finds herself in a stage of musical exploration. Gone is the heavy wall of percussion, replaced instead by lush, eclectic arrangements, seamlessly blending traditional and modern instrument. SHELLY ANN MCLEOD: Born on the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Shelly Ann began formal dance training at age 11 with Les Enfants Dance Company. She has traveled the Caribbean representing Trinidad and Tobago at various dance festivals. After expansive dance training, she then took her pedagogy to Seneca College, York University Campus as Dance and Movement Professor in August 2016, and Movement Professor at Toronto Film School in January 2018. She is now the Dance and movement Educator at Emery Collegiate Institute.

The Jamii Hub turns into a movie and performance sanctuary on Wednesdays! In March, join us to watch The Key From Spain, Flamenco, Latcho Drom with the lead artist Tamar Ilana, and Dr Judith Cohen. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / WEDNESDAY WATCHING / MIGRATION - MARCH 2024 WATCHING Wednesday 7 pm Live performances, films and documentaries Migration March 2024 March 6, 13, 20, 2024 Leads: Tamar Ilana & Judith Cohen March 6 Led by Tamar Ilana and Judith Cohen Documentary: The Key From Spain Embark on a captivating journey with us at Wednesday Watching series! This week, we invite you to immerse yourself in the 40-minute documentary, "The Key from Spain," showcasing the remarkable story of Flory Jagoda, a legendary Sephardic singer hailing from Bosnia. Join us for an evening filled with inspiration and cultural richness. Following the documentary, we are delighted to have Tamar Ilana and Judith Cohen lead an engaging conversation, delving into the profound themes explored in the film. Get ready to be part of a beautiful dialogue as we reflect on the extraordinary life and musical legacy of Flory Jagoda. March 13 Led by Tamar Ilana and Matt Selick Documentary: “Flamenco” by Carlos Saura Join us for our Wednesday Watching and discover “Flamenco” - a documentary that includes performances from some of the best flamenco singers, dancer and guitarists. With the masterful cinematography of the Oscar-winning director of photography Vittorio Storaro, director Carlos Saura brings with this film the "Light of Flamenco to the World". As part of the program, we will have discussions and performances led by Tamar Ilana and Matt Selick, which promise a memorable evening. March 20 Led by Judith Cohen and Demetrios Petsalakis Film “Latcho Drom” by Tony Gatlif For our third night of Wednesday Watching under the artistic lead of Tamar Ilana, join us to watch “Latcho Drom” ("safe journey"), which is a 1993 French film directed and written by Tony Gatlif. The movie is about the Romani people's journey from north-west India to Spain, consisting primarily of music. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival. Discussions and complementing performances will be offered by Judith Cohen and Demetrios Petsalakis. REGISTER NOW Photos by Karen Lam and Iris Unlu Tamar Ilana is a Jewish-Indigenous multilingual singer and flamenco dancer. Tamar's music and fierce talent reflect her life growing up in multicultural Toronto; accompanying her ethnomusicologist mother, on village fieldwork expeditions and on stage as a child; and living in Ibiza, Barcelona, Paris and Seville. Tamar is a renowned flamenco dancer and multilingual singer, and in 2011 she founded her flamenco/global roots project, Ventanas. Together they have released three albums, been nominated for four Canadian Folk Music Awards including Best Traditional Singer, and toured Canada, US and Colombia. They are currently working on their 4th album and will be embarking on their first European tour in October 2023. Tamar has collaborated with such renowned artists as Jesse Cook, Measha Brueggergosman, Anna Colóm (Rosalía), Manu Soto, Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies), Suba Sankaran, Meesha Shafi, and Margaret Atwood. Tamar has also been featured in award-winning international musicals in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, the UK and Germany. Tamar Ilana is the Executive and Artistic Director of FabCollab, a performing arts organization based in Toronto, Canada. Tamar was one of the first Toronto-based artists to pivot to live-streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully making the transition to online as a presenter and performer. In August 2020 she co-founded FabCollab in order to continue this work, and, with FabCollab, has since created numerous programmes and presented over 200 IBPOC womxn and minority artists at iconic Toronto sold out venues, live streaming to audiences of 40,000+ in partnership with the National Arts Centre, Lula Lounge, Koerner Hall, Small World Music and the Aga Khan Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum. Instagram Photo by Cassandra Popescu

OUTDOOR EVENTS / I AM ME. I AM HEART - 2019 I am me. I am heart October 2019 Click here to find more information about this project PHOTO CREDITS

MULTICULTURAL DAY CELEBRATIONS / 2020 MULTICULTURAL DAY Jamii's Annual Celebrations 2020 - 2nd Year! June 27, 2020 David Crombie Park | The Esplanade & Princess St On June 27th 2020, the community of The Esplanade came together to celebrate Canada's Muliculturalism Day, funded by Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts, and in partnership with Canadian Stage. We treated the audience with a beautiful performance bringing to life a series of eight visual portraits that were created as part of Wind Stories . A unique way to share and celebrate each other stories. FEATURED ARTISTS: Ashima Suri, Jonelle Sills, Jeremiah Sparks, Michael Caldwell, Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony, Sue Croweagle, Heidi Chan, Raha Javanfar, with hosts Ryan G. Hinds & Indrit Kasapi. Photos and videos: Laura Dittmann Photos by Laura Dittmann

February 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / MONDAY DANCING / FORRÓ FROM NORTHERN BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 2024 DANCING Monday 7 pm A new dance form each month! February 2024 FORRÓ FROM NORTHERN BRAZIL February 5 - 12 - 19, 2024 Facilitator: Vinicius and Joseane In February, Vini Dantas de Limo Melo and Joseane Maria Da Silva will lead an introduction to Forró, a dynamic Brazilian partner dance known for its energetic footwork and lively music. No need to bring a partner. Participants will be encouraged to switch partners during the class and dance with others in the workshop. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Mariana Hernandez Vini Dantas de Limo Melo Vinicius started dancing forró in 2014 as part of the Forró in Toronto group. He returned to Brazil in 2015, where he started a group called Forró na UFRN, which, to this day, has taught more than 1000 people. Later Vinicius returned to Toronto and re-joined the Forró For All crew in 2022. He is extremely passionate about forró as dance but also as a cultural manifestation, studying its history, artists, and contemporaneity. Instagram Joseane Maria Da Silva Joseane is a forró instructor and holds a master’s degree in scenics arts. She is keenly passionate about the popular culture from the Northeastern or Brazil. Since her childhood, she has have forró as a part of her life, participating in quadrilha festivities, Brazilian’s manifestation of square dance, for more than 3 years. She joined Forró na UFRN in 2016 as a student, and became a forró instructor starting in 2017, with a focus in the development of body awareness. In 2022 she joined Forró For All as an instructor, and started teaching private lessons in 2023, intertwining dance knowledge with music and body for a conscious dance. She constantly seeks to rediscover and research forró as a dance, as a cultural manifestation and a rediscover of one’s self. Instagram Photo by Forro

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / SEW & BARK SPECIAL EVENTS for Dog Lovers BEGINNER LEVEL SEW N BARK February 8, 2025 - 1:30pm Sew & Bark February 8 | 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM | The Jamii Hub Calling all beginner sewists and dog lovers! Celebrate your love for your pup this February at The Jamii Hub and join us for a unique hands-on sewing workshop where you’ll learn the basics of sewing with a machine while creating a custom two-colour, over-the-collar snap-on bandana for your furry friend. Choose from a range of fabrics to design an accessory that’s as unique as your pup! Whether you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day experience, a thoughtful gift idea, or a fun afternoon to share with your pup, this workshop is perfect for you. Here’s what’s included: • Expert guidance from a skilled sewing instructor, Anita Boey. No experience required! • All sewing supplies provided. • Trusted dog walkers to care for your pup at an indoor space and also walking outside while you focus on sewing. • A printed photo of you and your dog showcasing their stylish, handmade bandana. By the end of the workshop, we will have a dog socialization party, and you’ll leave with: • A handmade bandana, valued at $25, you’ll be proud of. • New connections with fellow dog lovers. • A printed photo keepsake to treasure. Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot today and treat yourself (and your pup) to an unforgettable experience! Supporting Jamii: All proceeds from this event directly fund Jamii’s free art programs, for older adults, youth, and more, which aim to provide accessible, creative experiences for the community. By joining this workshop, you’re not only learning how to sew with a sewing machine but also supporting the arts in our neighbourhood. Feel free to check out our free workshops at www.jamii.ca/indooractivities Dog Behaviour & Vaccines: For the comfort and safety of all participants, dogs attending the workshop must be social and comfortable around other dogs. Unfortunately, this event is not suitable for reactive/confrontational dogs, intact dogs, or dogs that are not potty trained. By ordering tickets, you confirm that your dog's vaccines are up to date. Let’s ensure a fun and relaxed experience for everyone—pups and humans alike! Ticket Information: Each ticket includes admission for one person and one dog. Please refrain from bringing more than one dog per ticket. Get in touch with us if you have any questions: info@jamii.ca OOPS, THIS EVENT IS OVER

MULTICULTURAL DAY CELEBRATIONS / 2021 MULTICULTURAL DAY Jamii's Annual Celebrations 2021 - 3rd Year! "The Wedding" is a three-part project that invited professional artists and members of The Esplanade community to explore what a mixed-culture wedding looks like (PART I), what are the emotional triggers of wedding ceremonies (PART II) and the emotional roller-coaster of wedded life (PART III). Part I was filmed on June 27th as a celebration to Canadian Multiculturalism Day, Part II in July and Part III in October - all filmed as a one-shot, at the heart of The Esplanade community - David Crombie Park. With Part I of this wedding you will see, we explore different ceremonial traditions, based on the artists and participants' own cultures. Amongst other traditions, we brought together a Brazilian procession, a Chinese tea ceremony, an Indigenous blanket ceremony, and an Albanian shami burning dance. Even though it is now considered normal to recognize each other’s cultural heritage, do we actually celebrate and acknowledge intercultural mixing, and if so, how? Can we bring our cultures together while retaining our cultural traditions, our sense of identity and uniqueness? "The Wedding" is an invitation to explore these questions, together. Check out the full series HERE . Produced and presented by: Jamii Esplanade A PROJECT SUPPORTED AND FUNDED BY: Canada Council for the Arts Canadian Heritage Ontario Arts Council Government of Ontario ShowLoveTo - City of Toronto Canadian Stage St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Photos by Omer Yukseker Jae Yang

6 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SATURDAY MINGLING / STORYBEING - SEPTEMBER 2024 MINGLING Saturday 7 pm Monthly Community Gathering: A night filled with music, dance, and other art forms! STORYBEING September 2024 September 28, 2024 Lead Artist: Nova Bhattacharya An evening filled with live music, food and arts! Bringing Nova Dance’s aesthetic of experimentation to a joyous conclusion, join musicians from folk rock band Onek, along with dancers Neena Jayarajan & Rachana Joshi for live music inspired by different regions of the Indian subcontinent, and some improvisational hijinks. Expect to tap your feet and groove, as they blend multiple styles like rock, blues, carnatic, and bossa nova into a tapestry of fun! Whether you're dancing, playing music, enjoying South Asian snacks and drinks, or simply enjoying the performance, this event promises fun, creativity, and a chance to connect through the universal languages of dance and music. Onek's band line-up: Ganesh Iyer (voice) Kenneth Menezes (cajon, percussion) Darryl Britto (guitar) REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Jae Yang Nova Bhattacharya is an award-winning, barrier-breaking, artist and cultural leader based in Tkaronto. Her inspiration is found in identities, hybridities and diversities, manifesting creations that resonate with technical virtuosity and lush, vivid imagery. In 2008, she founded Nova Dance, embedding the principle that building for the margins ensures inclusion for everyone. Nova’s recent choreography Svāhā! features a cast of 22 performers proficient in more than 29 dance forms currently practiced on Turtle Island. Nova believes that dance expresses the essence of our humanity. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / ILLUMINATED PERSPECTIVES LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! ILLUMINATED PERSPECTIVES September to October 2021 - Ages: 10-16 yrs old Led by Elle Alconcel In the Fall of 2021, 11 young women, under the guidance of Elle Alconcel, curated an exceptional photo exhibit titled "Illuminated Perspectives". This exhibit features the works of 4 artists from Pikangikum First Nation, Northern Ontario. The exhibit was displayed in the courtyard of the St Lawrence Library (Toronto Public Library) through November & December 2021. The group of girls who curated "Illuminated Perspectives" came together and shared their ideas and visions of how to showcase the photos for everyone to enjoy. They dreamed about how these pictures would transform the courtyard space; how they would share stories through the images; and debated, exchanged ideas and challenged one another to create a cohesive exhibit. The older girls helped the younger girls and the group came together on a curatorial journey. Here is an excerpt of their artistic statement: “Illuminated Perspectives” portrays Pikangikum First Nation and its spectacular beauty. These photos are much more powerful than just a series of images. They are a statement of culture, heritage, pride, and community." -

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / BECOMING CLUB LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! BECOMING CLUB June & July 2021 - Ages: 11-13 yrs old Led by Ayelen Liberona A Rite of Passage, Connection & Collective Creation. "Becoming Garden" was a journey through art, music and imagination to explore our stories and why we tell them. A unique opportunity to dream with and learn from professional artists, earth workers, story weavers and mystery makers. Participants were invited to play, dig in, grow wings and dance with their shadow. Becoming Club participants were also part of the creation and performance of the "Becoming Garden: Cultivating Gratitude; Composting Grief; Harvesting the Mystery" - a performance that premiered on The Esplanade on July 15-17, 2021. 10 participants - 43 hours of workshops Ayelen Liberona is a multifaceted dancer, filmmaker, culture maker and community weaver. She is the co-founder of The Wandering Eye, where she creates award winning films and site-specific experiences as powerful tools for transformation and social justice. She is also the co-founder/director of Becoming Praxis, an organization committed to developing Open Source Ritual Architectures and Pedagogies that re-story our relationship to land and to each other. Photo Credit: Unknown

The Jamii Hub turns into a movie and performance sanctuary on Wednesdays! In June, join us to watch The Room of Bones, Ixcanul, and Cahada: The Opportunity with the artist Jessica Zepeda. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / WEDNESDAY WATCHING / WOMEN'S VOICES FROM CENTRAL AMERICA - JUNE 2024 WATCHING Wednesday 7 pm Live performances, films and documentaries Women's voices from Central America June 2024 June 5, 12, 19, 2024 Lead: Jessica Zepeda Under the curation of Jessica Zepeda, Wednesday Watching this month explores three films/documentaries from El Salvador and Guatemala: "The Room of Bones" by Marcela Zamorra Chamorro, "Ixcanul" by Jayro Bustamante, and "Cahada: The Opportunity" by Marién Vinayo. These three films and documentaries are centered on women's perspective in very different contexts and will bring exciting conversations within the group. Join us on June 5th, 12th and 19th at 7pm at The Jamii Hub for watching together and engaging conversations with Jessica Zepeda! June 5: The Room of Bones Directed by Marcela Zamorra Chamorro | Mexico/El Salvador | 2015 | 61 minutes A film that follows the passage of four mothers in the Institute for Legal Medicine as they search for their children’s remains in the midst of three decades of social violence in El Salvador. June 12: Ixcanul Directed by Jayro Bustamante | Guatemala | 2015 | 93 minutes María, a seventeen-year-old Mayan (Kaqchikel) girl, lives on the slopes of an active volcano in Guatemala. An arranged marriage awaits her, but her suitor must first spend months working in the city. It is a world María knows nothing of, but is forced to grapple with when problems arise. June 19: La Cachada: The Opportunity Directed by Marlén Viñayo | El Salvador | 2019 | 80 minutes Five Salvadoran women take to the stage to tell their stories about being poor, single moms and working as street vendors. Heads-up: We will be on a break in July and August. Jamii's indoor activities & workshop series will commence in September 2024. REGISTER NOW Photos by Isorine Marc, Karen Lam Jessica Zepeda Jessica is a performance artist from Tkaronto (Treaty 13) with roots from Kuskatan, post-colonial El Salvador and focuses on collaborations with fellow Salvadoran artists. Jessica has produced/starred in the short film Sinvergüenzilla in First Kiss (Official Selection: 31st Inside Out LGBTQ Film Festival) and starred in the short film Saturday Fuego Diablo (Official Selection: Sivar en Cortos 2022), both Directed by Anita Abbasi. Currently, Jessica is working on a piece called mi historia que no es única (working title), which is a synthesized recorded audio of their father’s story of defying borders and accompanying his retelling with movement and saxophone. Photo Credit: Unknown

2020 OUTDOOR EVENTS / WAYO / WAYO 2020 WAYO 2020 JAMII'S 1ST ANNUAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL Jamii produced its first official children’s outdoors festival for the Esplanade community: WAYO (a Swahili word that means footprint, symbolizing the journey to life). WAYO brought creativity to the hearts of our youngest community members as it awakened their imaginations and touched their souls through storytelling, song, dance and crafts. Supported by August 26 LOCATION Berkeley Castle & Berkeley Theatre CREDITS Performers: Indigenous artist Mahlikah Awe:ri with the performance “Becoming a Thunderbird”; Eman Hillawi and Alexandra Legendre for a lollipop lyra duet; and Bana Stegu and Arlene Paculan for a musical performance. This event was MC’d by Kristi Heath Artistic direction: Isorine Marc Event Production: Isorine Marc, Sharon Zarita SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS Berkeley Castle , Canadian Stage Photos by: Delphy Photography

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / STORYTELLING & SONGS LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! STORYTELLING & SONGS November 2021 - Ages 14-17 Led by Jonelle Sills This series of workshops, led by celebrated Opera signer Jonelle Sills, were designed as weekly sessions meant to build communication skills specific to the medium of song. Participants enjoyed spending time together learning developing their musical and creative talent. Jonelle is one of Canada’s 30 hot classical musicians under 30 for 2020 by CBC Music. Jonelle was a member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program with Vancouver Opera in 2022. In the fall of 2020 Miss Sills made her debut with the National Arts Centre Orchestra singing Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 and Carlos Simon’s Portrait of a Queen with text by Courtney Ware Lett. Photo Credit: Unknown

2021 OUTDOOR EVENTS / WAYO / WAYO 2021 WAYO 2021 JAMII'S 2ND ANNUAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL WAYO was a three-day children’s festival that gave attendees an intimate multi-arts experience through a timed journey of performances through The Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Theatre. The 2nd annual festival welcomed 300 audience members through this parkour festival experience. "Wayo was the ultimate compensation for all the live art children and young audiences have been deprived off lately. Empty lawns, parking lots, staircases, building corners were all designed and utilized as COVID-safe outdoor stages. For the second year, Jamii has successfully offered the arts in a palatable and personal way to young audiences at Wayo Children's Festival.” -Sharon Zarita, Arts Administrator and Writer An artistic footprint for Esplanadian families to encounter Written by Sharon Zarita August 22nd, 2021 "Wayo, a children’s festival produced and presented by Jamii, was the ultimate compensation for all the live art children and young audiences have been deprived off lately. The three day festival gave attendees an intimate multi-arts experience through a journey of performances at Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Theatre. Curated to reflect its Swahili meaning of footprint, eight stages with different groups of artists awaited to gift the attending families a lasting creative mark for the summer. At each stage, the attendees had three minutes of a solo performance, and thereafter engaged by ring masters in an informative post-show analysis. Empty lawns, parking lots, staircases, building corners were all designed and utilised as COVID-safe outdoor stages. Attendees were invited to the parkour by the bleating sounds of CORPUS “Les moutons” sheep. The children look on as a shepherd strolls by the shed to feed the sheep and are left to their own imagination in this display of real life characters in theatrical costumes. “I think that one is a person because he has a beard,” a 5 year old whispers to the dad who challenges her guess with a reminder that goats have beards too. Next they are ushered to a henna booth for a culturally inspired keepsake on their palms. Each child gets to pick a design and while it’s being drawn they are informed on the origin of henna. As the henna dries up, a soft violin tune begins to play in the background which they can’t resist but follow it. The violinist, Saraphina Violin, is joined by lollipop lyra performers Aelxandra Legendre and Eman Hillawi, whose snake-skin costumes in a calming blue hue make the children gasp. Here, they come in close proximity with artistic elements like sounds, movement, set up, wardrobe - and are able to internalize it all without distractions often found in crowds when this performance happens on large platforms. As it ends two sets of claps fill the empty lawn, and even though the artists are used to a more fulsome standing ovation the looks on their faces say this personal performance was just as delightful." "If a dollar was donated for every time a child mentioned the next stage as their favourite Jamii would already be planning next year’s festival. They participate in a giraffe trivia show by Kristi Heath, then are tasked with a toss game to put a ring around the giraffe’s neck. It rebirths zoo experiences they love and have missed. The next three performances happen in the Berkeley Theatre, starting with a powerful percussion and opera duet in the Baillie Theatre by Jonelle Sills, Sergio Xocolate and Suzanne Roberts Smith. At an outdoor corner naturally decorated with a wall plant, they engage with a flamenco dance by Carmen Romero, accompanied by cellist George Crotty. They are offered a toy bird needing a home to take care of. Afterwards, they get to dance and sing along to West African beats and chants of Lua Shayenne and Cécé Haba. As each family takes their turn to be front row guests to these performances, one cannot help but appreciate how the festival has introduced the community to artistic spaces within the neighbourhood that are inaccessible to some. The festival wraps up with a ride on Kisanii Hub, Jamii’s mobile theatre. It cycles around the empty Canadian Stage parking lot, celebrating how this experience has enabled young audiences to experience and enjoy live arts within a COVID world. On their way out, they choose a book to take home from a collection of BIPOC authors. Tayaa, 10 years and Nazaree, 12 years both pick “Amina’s Voice” saying it feels like the girl with curly hair on the cover was calling to them. The two applaud the festival for combining different cultural genres and art forms making them feel like they were on an art tour around the world. Parents in attendance appreciated how this will have a positive effect in the creative development of the children. For the second year, Jamii has successfully offered the arts in a palatable and personal way to young audiences at Wayo Festival. Huge appreciation to them for this much-needed artistic experience." Sharon Zarita is a Kenyan arts administrator at Lakeshore Arts and Editor-in-Chief of Sekoya Magazine, the premier East African crafts and culture publication. Supported by August 19 to 21 LOCATION Berkeley Castle & Berkeley Theatre CREDITS Featured Artists (in order of appearance): Corpus, Saraphina Violin, Alexandra Legendre, Veronica Lee, Kristi Heath, Jonelle Sills, Sergio Xocolate, Suzanne Roberts Smith, George Crotty, Carmen Romero, Lua Shayenne, Cécé Haba. SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS The Berkeley Castle, Canadian Stage, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and Indigo, Love of Reading Foundation JAMII TEAM Isorine Marc (Artistic Director), Jasmin Linton (Event Manager), DeeAnn Hagler Sagar (Philanthrophy Manager), Amye Sagar (Production Assistant), Cynthia Ruso (Coordinator), Iris Unlu (Graphic Designer) WAYO STAFF Afnan, Tereka, Asmaa, Maha, Alysha, Akram, Ammar, Usama, Rayan, Maram & Anhar. All staff at Canadian Stage, lead by Leslie Hernandez, who helped us onsite Photos by: Jae Yang

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Michael Caldwell Dancer, Choreographer, Artistic Director website Michael Caldwell (he/him) is a choreographer, performer, curator, artistic director, producer, and arts advocate, based in Tkaronto, Canada. 
 Garnering critical acclaim, his choreography has been commissioned/presented throughout Canada at major festivals, in traditional venues and in site-responsive and community-engaged contexts. Michael’s most recent choreographic work responds to the 'site' in as many ways as can be conceived, and subverts traditional modes of viewing. He recently premiered ‘Two x 30’ - a large-scale performance/sound work as part of ArtworxTO: Toronto's Year of Public Art, and is currently working on two collaborative multidisciplinary performance projects. Caldwell is a two-time K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation Artist Award finalist. 
 Michael has performed/collaborated with over 55 of Canada's esteemed performance creators/companies, working internationally and performing across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. His performances have earned him two (2) Dora Mavor Moore Awards for outstanding performance in dance. 

 Currently, Michael serves as Artistic Director at SummerWorks in Tkaronto, and as Programming Advisor for Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal, in Nova Scotia. Most recently, as Creative Director: Programming at Generator, he led the reimagination of the overall governance structure of the organization, moving towards a co-leadership framework. Previously, Michael played a pivotal role in the growth and development of Fall for Dance North, serving as Executive Producer for eight years. He has also previously guided projects with CanAsian Dance, Dusk Dances, Older & Reckless, and Kaeja d’Dance’s ‘Porch View Dances’. In addition, he acts as a consultant with various arts organizations and as a mentor to many emerging artists/curators in the Tkaronto arts community.
 With a bachelor’s degree in film/art history from Syracuse University in upstate New York, and professional dance training at Dance Arts Institute, Michael now serves as President of the Board of Directors at The CanDance Network. << BACK TO ARTISTS

Culture Cloths FORRO - FEBRUARY 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / LEARNING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths FORRÓ February 2024 February 13, 2024 Lead Artist: Aline Morales This months 'Culture Cloths' edition will use textile, fabric and apparel from Northeastern Brazil to explore 'Forro'. Participants will hear from musician and Jamii's Lead Artist for the month Aline Morales about the particular meanings and histories associated with clothing and textile from the region. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Ghader Bamar, Isorine Marc, May Chook Sabrine S. Hakam | Instagram Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work.

11 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SATURDAY MINGLING / THE CHAKANA - APRIL 2025 MINGLING Saturday 7 pm Monthly Community Gathering: A night filled with music, dance, and other art forms! THE CHAKANA April 2025 April 26, 2025 Lead Artist: Carolina Rojas Join us on April 26 for a lively evening of music and connection at Saturday Mingling from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM! We’re excited to welcome Rimay Canada, an Andean music group that has been sharing the rich traditions of Ecuadorian folk music for over 20 years. Their performances bring together multiple generations of musicians, creating a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates Andean culture. Rimay Canada’s energetic rhythms and captivating melodies have taken them across the globe, from Korea to Japan to Russia, where they’ve delighted audiences with their performances. This is your chance to experience their music firsthand and connect with others in a welcoming, community-driven environment. Whether you're a fan of world music or new to Andean sounds, this evening promises a fun and cultural celebration of music and dance. Get your free tickets now and don’t miss out on this special evening of live music and great company! This Mingling event 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 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 Photos by Laura Dittmann Carolina Rojas Carolina Rojas, a dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator. She earned a Dance Interpretation degree from Las Americas University in Santiago de Chile. In 2012, she co-founded 'Danza Independiente Antofagasta,' aiming to expand dance horizons in her hometown. Carolina initiated the 'Interpreters in Dance School' project in 2013, providing free training to aspiring dancers, fostering community growth and education. Since moving to Canada in 2017, she has expanded her repertoire, contributed to the Dance Migration Company, and volunteered with Chilean associations, sharing her cultural heritage and commitment to community empowerment. Carolina’s vision prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for Latin American communities in Toronto facilitating artist exchanges. Carolina is not only our Lead Artist for April at Jamii, she is also our Metcalf Intern, managing programs such as Belonging and Laini, excelling in arts management. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

Culture Cloths JAPANESE CLOTHING - MAY 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / LEARNING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths JAPANESE CLOTHING May 2024 May 14, 2024 Lead Artist: Takako Segawa In this edition of Culture Cloths, you are invited to delve into the world of Japanese attire, exploring its cultural significance and evolution through time. From the timelessness of the kimono to the understated charm of the yukata, Japanese garments reflect tradition and craftsmanship. Join us as we explore the diversity and beauty of Japan through its garments and discover the artistry and symbolism woven into Japanese clothing. Sabrine S Hakam, concept and design, will moderate a conversation with "MAY at Jamii" lead artist Takako Segawa. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Isorine Marc Sabrine S. Hakam | Instagram Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work.

2 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SATURDAY MINGLING / MIGRATION - MARCH 2024 MINGLING Saturday 7 pm Monthly Community Gathering: A night filled with music, dance, and other art forms! MIGRATION March 2024 March 23, 2024 Lead Artist: Tamar Ilana Gather at Jamii for a lively Saturday evening at our 'Saturday Mingling,' curated by Tamar Ilana, this month’s programming lead. Explore and celebrate the artistic creations, join in for music, dance, and community connections. An enriching night of shared creativity awaits! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Jae Yang Tamar Ilana Tamar Ilana is a Toronto-born multifaceted artist who grew up on stage singing in multiple languages, touring internationally and dancing flamenco since a very young age. Of Jewish-Indigenous-Romanian-Scottish descent, Tamar sings in 20 languages and is most influenced by the Sephardic and Flamenco traditions. Tamar’s music and fierce talent reflect her personal and cultural history growing up in multicultural Toronto; accompanying her ethnomusicologist mother, Dr. Judith Cohen, on village fieldwork expeditions and on stage as a child; and living in Ibiza, Barcelona, Paris and Seville as a teen and young adult. Drawing on these experiences, Tamar founded her world music project, Ventanas, in 2011 with whom she has released three albums and been nominated for four Canadian Folk Music Awards including Best Traditional Singer. Tamar has collaborated with such renowned artists as Anna Colóm, Jesse Cook, Briga, Eliana Cuevas, Lenka Lichtenberg, Jaffa Road, Sultans of String, the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, and Ahmed Moneka. A highly sought-after flamenco dancer and singer, Tamar performs with the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company, and at the Academy of Spanish Dance. Tamar has also been featured in award-winning, innovative international musicals in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, the UK and Germany. In 2020, Tamar co-founded the presenting arts organization FabCollab, and has since presented over 100 BIPOC women and minority artists at venues such as Koerner Hall and the Aga Khan Museum. Instagram Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

About 100 people joined us in the park on July 24th 2019 to discover and continue learning about Indian Classical Dance with dancer & choreographer Neena Jayarajan, a trained artist in Bharatanatyam.  The event was in partnership with Meridian Hall, as part of the Discover Dance series that feature some of Toronto’s incredible dance artists, curated by Nova Bhattacharya. Live at the Kisanii Hub Discover Dance featuring Nova Dance July 15 and July 16, 2022 David Crombie Park Co-presented with Video by Recro Digital Marketing Video by Recro Digital Marketing This special edition of Discover Dance featured award-winning artist Nova Bhattacharya. Discover Dance is a free, all-ages series that highlights many of Toronto’s incredible dance artists and is co-presented by TO Live and Nova Dance. With Nova, we discussed the personal and dynamic elements of dance and the process of artistic creation, with a focus on Nova Dance new piece; "Svāhā!". Together, we explored the themes of intersection, identity and hybridity. Audiences were invited for a deep dive into South Asian culture with music by Gurtej Hunjan, Carson Freeman, and Davison Elie, dance workshops with Neena Jayarajan and Sukruti Tirupattur, talks led by host Dainty Smith, and henna with Sonia's Henna Art A series of beautiful afternoon in the park, dancing together, listening, discovering, growing and sharing. We are grateful Credits Discover Dance Host: Dainty Smith Performers & Facilitators: Nova Bhattacharya, Sukruti Tirupattur, Neena Jayarajan Kisanii Hub Music: Gurtej Hunjan Henna Artist: Sonia Sumaira Event Photographer: Jae Yang Event Videographer: Recro Digital Marketing Jamii Team: Hadeal Karrar, Iris Unlu, Isorine Marc, Maysam Ghani, Nadifa Daud Mohamed, Yusra Yacout With the support of Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, City of Toronto ArtworxTO "Live at The Kisanii Hub: Discover Dance featuring Nova Dance" on Media "Live at The Kisanii Hub: Discover Dance featuring Nova Dance" was highlighted on the August 2022 issue of a local newspaper, The Bridge , with an article written by Raji Kaur Aujla. Reframing grief through moments of dance Author: Raji Kaur Aujla It was Frida Kahlo who once wrote, “I do not think that the banks of a river suffer because they let the river flow.” There are dozens of quotes pulled from different essays that are scribbled on post-its around my office. I often look at this one and contemplate why we aren’t more like river banks. It feels rare for human bodies to flow in such a state, allowing experiences to happen without imprinting our bodies with the weight of memories and emotions, mostly grief. I find myself thinking about this a lot. Majority of our waking hours consist of doing the things that we may not actually enjoy. Writing emails, sitting in unproductive meetings, small talk, contemplating memes, etc. Years can go by without us taking a moment to reflect on our state of being. An active pursuit to resist this has been to learn how to live in my body rather than my mind. So when Isorine Marc programmed Discover Dance last week, a collaborative experience between TOLive, Nova Dance, and Jamii, it influenced an uncharacteristic instinctual response from me. I took a break from my desk during lunch and rode my Nishiki down to David Crombie park. By the time I found an umbrella to sit under, Nova Bhattacharya was in namaskaram. She bowed and asked the Earth Mother for permission and forgiveness before beginning to dance atop Her soil. It was a beautiful introduction to a journey the dancers and audience embarked upon together. Nova humanizes Earth through relational connectedness seldom considered. She co-exists in a state of oneness that I’ve been silently working towards, embodying humans and nonhumans, especially the mythological beings ranging from Brahma to Sarasvati, that allow her to transcend the human form. “As a racialized person moving through the world, I carry all of myself in performance, holding both pain and pleasure in my body. The act of dancing makes me feel better.” Sukruti Tirupattur and Neena Jayarajan joined her in a Bharatanatyam dance. They floated with one another when the drums sounded. The way they gracefully moved each muscle of their hands, as if slowly untethering all of the grief from our bodies. I no longer thought about the heaviness of the work I do in reforming colonial movements as a brown woman. I felt the bliss of silence in my body. “All art is political but our human presence transcends that.” Nova speaks about making the personal universal by being steeped in oneness despite walking through life as a woman of colour herself. She is one with the universe and puts her human costume on only when required. The truth is we experience the beauty of rivers without acknowledging the erosion that created the banks to begin with. Frida’s quote doesn’t reflect this phase of that natural creation. Destruction and creation happen in natural flow with one another. My writing would have traditionally remarked the dispositions of my own body and soul more than that of the dancer’s movement in front of me. But that afternoon, I flowed downriver and consciously oscillated between giving less significance to my gaze and more presence to the collective energies of the community at the park. Less in my thoughts and more in my body, I felt each movement of the dancers’ bodies, earnestly detangling before shapeshifting grief to beauty. It was beautiful. Photos by Jae Yang July 24th, 2019 1st edition of Discover Dance in David Crombie Park: About 100 people joined us in the park on July 24th 2019 to discover and continue learning about Indian Classical Dance with dancer & choreographer Neena Jayarajan, a trained artist in Bharatanatyam. The event was in partnership with TO Live (Sony Center in 2019), as part of the Discover Dance series that feature some of Toronto’s incredible dance artists, curated by Nova Bhattacharya. Find our more about Discover Dance programming here . Photos: Isorine Marc

OUTDOOR EVENTS / JOY IN THE PARK: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY - 2024 Joy in the Park: National Indigenous Peoples Day June 2024 David Crombie Park - Sherbourne St & The Esplanade Jamii's 6th Annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations took place on June 21st in David Crombie Park and was a wonderful celebration. Attendees enjoyed a taste of Indigenous food, a captivating dance performance by Tribal Vision Dance, and explored a cultural market featuring Indigenous vendors. Jamii also unveiled a photo exhibition by photographer Maddy King and presented paintings by artist Amberlee King, both from Pikangikum First Nation, who visited Toronto for the occasion. Not only Tribal Vision Dance performed " Visions of Turtle Island" for the general public in the evening, but during the day, they also performed for over 300 students from Market Lane Public School. Tribal Vision Dance, a family troupe from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, brought a high-energy show to share Indigenous culture and traditions. The performers explained the history and significance of each dance, introducing the audience to the powwow culture of North American Indigenous people. The cultural market featured jewelry by Theresa Burning, fashion and streetwear by Neechi by Nature, ribbon skirts and accessories by Laura Martin, beads and accessories by Nunny Pelletier, and beadwork and candles by Rikki Singleton. The evening also highlighted Jim Adams, a multidisciplinary artist and educator who combines Indigenous knowledge with contemporary art and science. With a rich cultural heritage connecting to the Swampy Cree, Innu, and Mohawk, as well as Welsh and Kent roots, Jim shared his unique perspective, drawing from his grandfathers' traditions as hunters and gatherers with deep ties to the land and its significance. Jim hosted the event and led a round dance with everyone involved. The photographic exhibition by Leah King is titled Koshki'zi. In Leah's words: "Our culture and our connection to Mother Earth has been deep in slumber. We were made to forget. We began to fear it. Now we are awake. Restless. We see with new eyes. Reborn. We are taking back our culture. We wear the ribbon skirt that connects us with Mother Earth. We dance because we have reclaimed what we lost. We are awake. And we will relearn and rebuild." This special day brought the community together to celebrate, learn, and appreciate Indigenous culture and peoples. Support by Artist Line-up: Tribal Vision Dance, Jim Adams, Marketplace Artists: Jewelry art by Theresa Burning, Fashion and streetwear by Neechi by Nature, Ribbon skirts and accessories by Laura Martin, Beads and accessories by Nunny Pelletier, Beadwork and candles by Rikki Singleton, Beadwork & keychains by Shawntelle Clarke (The No BS Label), Painting & resin/beads jewellery by Caterina Sinclair (Memengwaa Kwe Originals). PHOTO CREDITS

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CELEBRATING CULTURES Jamii's Annual Event In light of Canadian Multiculturalism Day since 2019! WHEN JUNE 27, 2026 SHOW TIMES 6PM to 8PM WHERE DAVID CROMBIE PARK Canadian Multiculturalism Day is an annual celebration that brings together diverse communities to honor the rich cultural fabric of Canada through music, dance, art, and storytelling. Audiences on The Esplanade are invited to enjoy performances by local and international artists, including vibrant music, dance, and photographic exhibitions. Celebrating Cultures is a chance to reflect on the beauty of diversity, the strength of our communities, and the shared experiences that unite us all. Celebrated every year, this event is a true reflection of the multicultural spirit that defines Canada. CHECK OUT PREVIOUS YEARS' CELEBRATING CULTURES! 2025 MORE INFO 2021 MORE INFO 2024 MORE INFO 2020 MORE INFO 2023 MORE INFO 2019 MORE INFO 2022 MORE INFO

OUTDOOR EVENTS / TO MY PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE - 2023 To My Past Present and Future July 2023 On July 27th to 29th, 2023 Jamii invited audiences to experience "To My Past, Present and Future" - a multidisciplinary solo exploration by Nickeshia Garrick. This series of evenings in the park with live music and dance were an invitation to explore our sense of identity through our journeys. Leading up to the performances, Nickeshia led a series of workshops on breathwork, clay pottery, and creative writing at The Jamii Hub. This was the perfect way to wholistically enrich audiences' experience before they enjoyed Nickeshia’s dance performance in the park. 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 and is a Movement Teacher at the Toronto Film School. CREDITS: Choreographer & Performer: Nickeshia Garrick Workshop Lead: Nickeshia Garrick Music performers: Kazdoura Band, Zaynab Wilson Supported By: PHOTO CREDITS

Culture Cloths RETURN - NOVEMBER 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths RETURN November 2024 November 5, 2024 Lead Artist: Razan Samara Join us for the next Culture Cloths, an evening of conversation designed by Sabrine S Hakam, featuring Jamii's lead artist Razan Samara and moderated by Tameem Rahal. This month’s Culture Cloths delves into the art of Palestinian embroidery, known as Tatreez , a profound emblem of identity, resilience, and a yearning for return. Through intricate stitching and patterns, Tatreez weaves together personal and collective narratives woven across generations. This evening is designed as a conversation with Jamii's November Artist Lead Razan Samara. Razan is a Palestinian community worker, artist, and researcher based in Tkaronto/Toronto. Since 2020, she has been deeply involved in reviving stories of Palestinian embroidery (tatreez) and cultural resistance, facilitating tatreez circles and developing the Tatreez Library , a digital archive dedicated to this craft. She is also a member of the New Committee at Hamilton Artists Inc., an initiative focused on increasing community engagement through decolonization and intersectionality. Additionally, Razan is a PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, and a researcher at the Tkaronto CIRCLE Lab, which emphasizes Indigenous feminist ethics. Her creative work and research reflect her dedication to exploring the relationships, resistance, and youth activism shared by Palestinian and Indigenous communities on Turtle Island. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Jae Yang, Hadeal Karrar Sabrine S. Hakam | Instagram Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work.

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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 / FRIDAY SINGING / THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF SPIRITUALS - FEBRUARY 2025 SINGING Friday 7 pm Explore singing in a community sing-along! 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. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED 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

OUTDOOR EVENTS / GIIZHIG - 2021 Giizhig March 2021 "A moment of calm, a meeting, an exchange, a smile... it's a journey through and into community, a brief encounter for connection and reflection. From March 18–20, 2021, it became a conversation between our urban landscape and the natural environment. Throughout this movement-based, traveling performance, GIIZHIG brings community together while physically apart, uplifting our spirits through our shared senses and with our collective imaginations." “Giizhig” is the Anishinaabemowin - Ojibway word for “cedar”, and pronounced “gee zhig” CREDITS: Director: Michael Caldwell Artistic advisor: Isorine Marc Created with and performed by: Aria Evans, Irma Villafuerte, Jane-Alison McKinney, Jim 'Many Hats' Adams and Michael Caldwell Poem by: Mahlikah Awe:ri Produced and presented by: Jamii Onen’takwenhténhtshera (Cedar) Aromatic sensations of ethereal Stability Somatic Sovereignty Silence is our Sanctuary With every sip my spirit drifts To ancestral woodlands Where her tender protective bows Inwardly sway me back To Lodge Prayer Ceremony Releasing the toxicity Which threatens reciprocity Grandmother Cedar’s Roots Trust where our ancestors planted us Embrace the constant growing While invoking ancient ways of knowing Medicinal pathways of healing and flowing Grandmother Cedar’s Branches Expand our capacity, tenacity To hold space for self-love Granting peace of mind To rise above, clouds of incertitude & hopelessness Presence is our gift Grandmother Cedar’s Leaves Grieve, and let go, of inter-generational suffering & sorrow Movement is our medicine Soothing cavernous, wounded marrow So, we inaugurate a promising tomorrow Grandmother Cedar’s BarkTake’s shame off the table Fear has no place in a warrior’s heart We are not societies labels We will exhale, smoke signals Declaring “I AM ENOUGH!” Grandmother Cedar’s Trunk Stands in our highest truth Embodying the beautiful proof That with every act of surrender We call into existence the splendour Of reclaiming versions, versions of ourselves Longing to fill our restorative brew Swallowing fermented fragments Steeped in lineages not to be forgotten Rest is Resiliency, Energy is our Currency Infused with everything we need, to be whole By Mahlikah Awe:ri Enml’ga’t Saqama’sgw ©2021 In partnership with Funded by PHOTO CREDITS

OUTDOOR EVENTS / LA BULLE - 2021 La Bulle Aug to Sep 2021 Jamii and Théâtre Français de Toronto co-presented "La Bulle" by CORPUS Aug 31 to Sept 5, 2021 Berkeley Castle Courtyard700 spectators A visually stunning and poetic solo performance from the minds of David Danzon and Carolin Lindner. La Bulle featured a one-of-a-kind bubble tent and its sole inhabitant: Pierrot, the iconic dreamer. Confined together, they live in transparent symbiosis. In this theatrical setting, there is nowhere to hide - an absurd situation, fully exploited with humour by a lucid and lunar Pierrot. La Bulle is nominated for the 2022 Dora Awards by Toronto Alliance of Performing Arts in the categories of "Outstanding Achievement in Design" (Scenic Design: David Danzon and Carolin Lindner) and "Outstanding Production" (CORPUS presented by Théâtre Français de Toronto and Jamii). CREDITS FOR LA BULLE: Conceived, directed and designed by David Danzon & Carolin Lindner (CORPUS) Co-presented with Théâtre français de Toronto and Jamii Performed by David Danzon Costume Design by Françoise Autran ABOUT CORPUS: Co-founded in 1997 by Sylvie Bouchard and artistic director David Danzon, CORPUS is known for its precise and surrealist humour that combines movement with theatrical imagery. CORPUS’ unique and engaging performances are presented in both traditional and unusual locations for large and diverse audiences. A huge thank you to the production team: For CORPUS: Janin Goldman, Paulina Speltz, Jeff Souzy, Deanna Gene. For Théâtre français de Toronto: Karine Ricard, Ghislain Caron, Manuel Verreydt, Sandra-Emily Veilleux, Hadrien Volle. For Jamii: Isorine Marc, Jasmin Linton, DeeAnn Sagar, Cynthia Ruso, Tereka Smith, Ammar Salem, Iris Unlu. For Berkeley Castle: Linda Leistner and Melody Arnold. Supported by PHOTO CREDITS

Culture Cloths MIRRORS - FEBRUARY 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths MIRRORS February 2025 February 11, 2025 Lead Artist: Jonelle Sills Mirrors can symbolize the tension between how we see ourselves and how others perceive us, a theme central to cultural identity and representation. Like a mirror reflecting what’s in front of it while holding a sense of depth, this edition of Culture Cloths uses the idea of mirrors to connect contemporary identities with ancestral legacies. Join us for an engaging conversation with Jonelle Sills, moderated by Sabrine S Hakam. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Jae Yang Jonelle Sills | Instagram Jonelle Sills is one of the most exciting young sopranos of her generation. Named one of CBC Music’s 30 hot classical musicians under 30, Jonelle made her company debut at the Canadian Opera Company as Mimi in La bohème, a performance that was lauded as being a “beautifully sensitive Mimi with careful control and colour” (The Globe and Mail). Her 2023/24 season also saw role debuts with Edmonton Opera as Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Vancouver Opera as Micaëla (Carmen), Toronto Operetta Theatre as Anna Glawari (The Merry Widow), and, in recital for the Prince Edward County Chamber Festival with the Viano Quartet. Ms. Sills past highlights include being a recital soloist with Ottawa Chamberfest, and her company debut with Toronto’s Against The Grain Theatre in Vivier Kopernikus, which earned her a 2019 Dora Award as a member of the ensemble. Jonelle has been an integral collaborator with Jamii since 2020, beginning with a performance alongside Jeremiah Sparks in Wind Stories . Over the years, her creative contributions have spanned various projects, including performing in Wayo (2021), starring in the short film series The Wedding , producing Stolen (2023) and Butterfly Ballet (2023), and most recently, performing in An Evening with David Crombie (2024). Sabrine S. Hakam | Instagram Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

8 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SATURDAY MINGLING / RETURN - NOVEMBER 2024 MINGLING Saturday 7 pm Monthly Community Gathering: A night filled with music, dance, and other art forms! RETURN November 2024 November 23, 2024 Lead Artist: Razan Samara It is the last Saturday Mingling of 2024! Join us on Saturday, November 23, from 7pm to 9pm, at The Jamii Hub for live music, dance, snacks, and celebrate "November at Jamii" curated by Razan Samara along the theme of "Return". Enjoy live music by Tabiba, a women’s drum and vocal ensemble made up of Arabic world music artists including Roula Said (Palestine/Canada) and Maryem Hassan Tollar (Egypt/Canada). Tabiba combines the colours and textures of their voices, traditions and inspirations to create music that heals. Join us for an evening of community celebration! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Jae Yang Razan Samara Razan Samara is a Palestinian community worker, artist, and researcher living in Tkaronto/Toronto. Since 2020, Razan has been deeply engaging with stories of Palestinian embroidery (tatreez) and cultural resistance, facilitating tatreez circles, and developing Tatreez Library, a digital resource on the craft. Razan is a member of the New Committee at Hamilton Artists Inc., an initiative that works to increase community engagement in the arts through the lens of decolonization and intersectionality. Razan is also a PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto and a researcher at the Tkaronto CIRCLE Lab, a collaborative research lab based in Indigenous feminist ethics. Her creative work aligns with her research interests, which include working from Indigenous epistemologies to consider the relationships, joint resistance, and youth activism between Palestinian and Indigenous communities living on Turtle Island. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

5 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SATURDAY MINGLING / CONNECTEDNESS - JUNE 2024 MINGLING Saturday 7 pm Monthly Community Gathering: A night filled with music, dance, and other art forms! CONNECTEDNESS June 2024 June 22, 2024 Lead Artist: Nickeshia Garrick Our last Saturday Mingling before the Summer break! Join us for a community celebration on June 22nd, at 7pm at the Jamii Hub, with live music, dancing, food and arts. Nickeshia Garrick, our lead artist and curator for "JUNE at Jamii" hosts the event! With a feel of a community party, we share food together, enjoy Nickeshia's dancing, surprise performance by fellow community members and live music by Paula Sofía Morales (vocals & guitar), Dhaivat Jani (percussion) and Hiro Tanaka (upright bass). Paula Sofía and her band play soft Latin folk music, featuring gentle acoustic melodies and heartfelt vocals. We promise an evening filled with shared creativity and camaraderie! Join us on Saturday, June 22nd, at 7pm at The Jamii Hub! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Jae Yang 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 Sabrine S. Hakam

Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site GET INVOLVED / MARATHON / 2023 MARATHON CHEER 2023 October 15 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site Another year, another jam-packed day of fun! 2023 St Lawrence Neighbourhood's Cheering Site at Toronto Waterfront Marathon hosted face painting by Linda Epp, the vibrant beats of Brazilian music courtesy of Tallbeat - a fantastic Stilt Drumming Troupe that's all about Afro-Brazilian drumming and Maracatu from dazzling heights, lively dancers and creative crafts to explore!