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EMERGING ARTISTS Jamii's RBC Emerging Artist Program AMBERLEE KING, VISUAL ARTS LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII In June 2024, Jamii, with the support of the RBC Emerging Artist program, proudly welcomed Amberlee King to Toronto for a week-long residency on The Esplanade. Amberlee, an exceptional painter from the Pikangikum community in Northern Ontario, first connected with us in 2023 during a video portrait project, thanks to the insight of dedicated art teacher Vanessa Hazel, who recognized Amberlee’s remarkable talent. During her residency, Amberlee was mentored by talented local artists, including Mariana Hernandez, Tugce Alemdar, Kseniya Tsoy, Ana Higuera, and Sabrine S. Hakam. The experience offered meaningful artistic exchanges and fostered personal connections: “Amberlee and I explored gel plate printing and image transfer techniques together. It was refreshing to create in a relaxed setting and get to know each other. Amberlee’s talent, humility, and tenderness shone through her art and presence. It was truly a special moment of connection.” – Ana Higuera. “I appreciated connecting with Amberlee as an artist and a mother. Hearing her thoughts on her artistic journey and learning about her community was inspiring. These interactions enrich us by facilitating cultural and creative exchanges that transcend location and language.” – Kseniya Tsoy. “Meeting Amberlee was transformative. As an Alevi woman artist from Turkey who has experienced state oppression, I found common ground with Amberlee through discussions on loss, grief, generational trauma, and the healing power of art. By the end of our session, we were more than collaborators—we were friends. It was a therapeutic and empowering experience, and I hope to work with her again.” – Tugce Alemdar. Amberlee’s residency also featured public engagements, including showcasing her work at Jamii’s National Indigenous Day celebration and Canada Multiculturalism Day. Her art resonated with the community, leading to the sale of several pieces and memorable interactions with notable figures such as MPPs Chris Glover and Krystin Wong-Tam. Amberlee’s visit was a deeply enriching experience, not only for her but for everyone she touched during her time in Toronto. We are excited to continue this creative journey with Amberlee and the Pikangikum community. SEE PROJECT SEE ARTIST'S PAGE AMBERLEE KING: Amberlee King is a rising visual artist from Pikangikum First Nation in Northern Ontario. A graduate of Eenchokay Birchstick School, Amberlee creates vibrant landscapes and portraits that celebrate the beauty of her community and people while reflecting on themes of healing and loss. Through her art, she finds solace and fosters connection, using painting as a powerful tool for expression and unity. Her work was recently showcased at The Esplanade in Toronto in collaboration with Jamii in June 2024, marking an important milestone in her artistic journey. FUNDERS:

2021/08, 09 < Back to Events La Bulle 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: 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. WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

COMMUNITY PROJECTS / PARTNERSHIPS / FROM DUMP TO DOUGH DUMP TO DOUGH Arts & Crafts Workshops PARTNERSHIP WITH SLNA REMARKET February 2025 Workshops Led by Isorine Marc, May Yu, Ghader Bsmar, Carolina Rojas, and Lexley Meldrum In February 2025, Jamii partnered with the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association (SLNA) Waste Reduction Group to deliver From Dump to Dough , a creative and educational workshop series for Grade 5 and 6 students from Market Lane Public School . This initiative invited 28 students to rethink waste through hands-on activities that transformed discarded materials into artistic and functional creations. Over four 90-minute sessions held at The Jamii Hub (February 10, 12, 19, and 21), students worked alongside artists and community leaders — Isorine Marc, May Yu, Ghader Bsmar, Carolina Rojas, and Lexley Meldrum — to turn plastic bottles into items such as pen holders, piggy banks, rockets, and lanterns. The workshops encouraged participants to explore the 5Rs of sustainability (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Refuse), develop creative problem-solving skills, and apply entrepreneurial thinking by connecting art-making with environmental awareness. The project’s impact was reflected in the students’ enthusiasm and creativity, as well as their increased understanding of responsible waste management. The program also strengthened community-school connections and demonstrated how creative learning can foster both environmental advocacy and youth empowerment. Key learnings from the project include the importance of small group setups to maintain engagement, the value of multiple facilitators for effective guidance, and the need for clear, step-by-step instructions. While the “dough” component — linking to entrepreneurship — was left for the school to follow up on, the overall experience proved both meaningful and inspiring for students and facilitators alike. A special thank-you goes to the SLNA Waste Reduction Group for supporting this initiative and helping bring it to life. From Dump to Dough successfully combined creativity, community, and sustainability — turning waste into opportunity and inspiration. Interested in such partnership? Contact us HERE . Photos by Iris Unlu

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / AROUND THE WORLD LAINI Youth A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! AROUND THE WORLD May to August 2021 - Ages: 16-25 yrs old Led by Paulina O'Kieffe Anthony In partnership with Soulpepper Theatre, young women were able to meet weekly over the Summer to listen together to a series of audio plays with lead artist Paulina O'Kieffe-Anthony facilitating conversations around the themes of each of the audio plays. To learn more about their project, visit: jamii.ca/illuminatedperspectives REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony is an award winning writer, performer, producer, arts educator and community advocate.  She is a 2x SLAM Poetry Nationals finalist, Tedx speaker and is regularly featured at When Sister's Speak.

WORKSHOPS BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation Arts Workshops in Pikangikum 2022 WORKSHOPS In 2022, from September 28th to October 9th, Isorine, along with artists Gillian Mapp and Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone traveled to Pikangikum once again and led a series of artistic workshops for the local youth - with a focus on young women. As part of these workshops, we collaborated with local artist Morningstar Quill, whose work was exhibited at our local Toronto public Library - St Lawrence branch. The photography workshops engaged 7 youth in daily two-hour workshops (for a total of 8 workshops). During these workshops, photographer Gillian Mapp and local artist Morningstar Quill had the opportunity to teach the basics on how to operate a camera and do practice sessions outside, working on both landscapes and portraits. Artists engaged the youth in exploring a theme for an exhibition, and what kind of photos they would like to explore. They chose “Nature” as a theme and the group had different outings to capture the nature surrounding Pikangikum, with a focus on both immensity and details offered all around us. The group had photographic sessions in the forest, by the water, in the quarry. Once a collection of photos the youth were proud of was produced, the group started a curation process for each youth to include three of their photos in the exhibit. As a group, they had a chance to look at the entire selection, make adjustments and decide how they would be presented to the public. Each youth contributed to the exhibition artistic statement: This exhibit is important to us as we dive into the theme of Nature and take the time to admire its beauty, its many surprises, its colors, and how alive it becomes when we take the time to listen to it. These photos were taken in and around our community and that’s important to us as it is our home. In this exhibit, we showcase powerful animals like the bear, our culture like the photo with the children’s hands painted in orange, and the way we come in and out of our community with the images of planes flying above our heads. Nature is poetry and takes us on a beautiful journey - especially at the change of seasons; within a few days, the leaves went from bright yellow to brown, and we got to capture the transformation. Nature shows us the opposite sides of beauty and the wide range of colors within it. Details like the photo with the feathers represents our culture, the beauty of our land, the wild animals and the colored leaves. Every details are here and it touches us softly, with care and with love. The wonderment of nature left us speechless but offered infinite beauty to capture with our cameras. We are proud to share this exhibit with you. The rhythmic gymnastics workshops, led by Isorine Marc, were a movement-based exploration getting comfortable with our bodies, learning how to stretch and strengthened our core, explore coordination, choreography, musicality, hoops artistic decoration and collective performance. 15 girls (10-yrs old) were committed to daily 2-hr workshops (for a total of 8 workshops) that culminated in creating a 3-min choreography that was presented to the community on October 8th alongside the photographic exhibition. We visited Pikangikum during Cultural Break, which is a time of the year when the school is closed and locals go to their cabins to hunt before the Winter. During Culture Break, some community members are left behind with nothing to do (especially that there is no school during that time). Fortunately, the school opened its doors to us so that we could run workshops. The 15 young ones who were involved in Rhythmic Gymnastics were grateful for the opportunity as they had nothing else to do during that time. They were very proud to showcase their performances to their parents on the last day. Artist Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone offered a variety of workshops to adults and youths including drumming circle, hand drum making workshops and birthing ceremony, visual arts and craft. 5 youths and 5 adults participated in these workshops which created a safe space “to be”. In total, we offered 23 2-hrs workshops during out visit. CULMINATION: The workshop series culminated in a presentation to the community On October 7th, which was attended by Chief Shirley Keeper and the vice-principal of our partnering school Eenchockay Public School, along with 30 community members. During the presentation, our young participants had the opportunity to share their movement-based routine (rhythmic gymnastics), and our youth presented their photo exhibition to the community. The project was very well received and open doors for continued collaborations. SUPPORTED BY INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

The Jamii Hub turns into a creative writing sanctuary on Sundays! Led by Patrick De Belen, join us for a series of creative writing and storytelling workshops inspired by this month's theme of "Migration". INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CREATIVE WRITING / MIGRATION - MARCH 2024 VERSIFYING Sunday 7 pm Discover your unique poetic voice! March 2024 MIGRATION March 3 - 10 - 17, 2024 Facilitator: Patrick de Belen For 3 sessions in March, award-winning poet, filmmaker, and storyteller Patrick de Belen will be facilitating a series of creative writing and storytelling workshops inspired by this month's theme of "Migration". Participants will explore different poetic styles through a collection of writing activities and prompts, and experiment with rhythm and rhyme, and the art of spoken word poetry. If you are interested in uncovering your own story, learning to craft a spoken word piece, space to poetically reflect and journal, and potentially developing some public speaking and performance techniques along the way, this workshop series is for you! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Shaimaa Yakout Patrick de Belen Patrick de Belen is an award-winning poet, filmmaker, educator and storyteller of many other mediums. His poetry, films and other projects often explore themes of mental illness, the Filipino-Canadian experience, social justice, youth empowerment and advocacy, grief and healing. He is most known for his poetic collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, CBC, his 2 spoken word EPs and multiple cine-poems and independent films he wrote and directed himself. When he isn’t onstage, or writing, he is an educator and youth mentor, partnering with many institutions like addiction centres, mental health focused organizations, libraries, schools, jails and more - advocating for storytelling opportunities and platforms in as many spaces as possible. Instagram Photo Credit: Unknown

November 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / DABKE FROM PALESTINE - NOVEMBER 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 November 2024 DABKE FROM PALESTINE November 4, 11, 18, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Mona Ayesh In Arabic, Dabke means "stomping of the feet" or "to make noise". During this dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh, participants will practice the group dance and learn about the origin and history of the steps, many of which are rooted in the land and agriculture. Learning and performing traditional Dabke is a form of preserving Palestinian identity and a form of cultural resistance. Dabke signifies hope, struggles, and the history of the Palestinian people, making it one of the most important cultural forms of art in Palestinian culture. Join us for this beautiful series of three dancing workshops with Mona, stomping your feet through culture on Mondays, November 4th, 11th and 18th at 7pm at the Jamii Hub. WE REACHED THE FULL CAPACITY FOR THIS WORKSHOP. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU WHEN A SPOT BECOMES AVAILABLE. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang Photo Credit: Unknown Mona Ayesh It is an honor to welcome in the space the respected Mona Ayesh who is a Palestinian Dabke instructor. She has been training youth and adults for over 7 years. Mona Ayesh and her youth team (@dabke4palestine) have performed Dabke Shows at various events across the Greater Toronto Area, including at Muslim Fest 2023, Ramadan Expo 2024, Eid Expo 2024, Hawa Canada, and other cultural events and festivals. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Oct 26 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 26, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. +2 more

Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / PATCHWORK PADDED TOTE BAG - MAY 2025 SEWING Wednesday 7 pm Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects May 2025 PATCHWORK PADDED TOTE BAG April 30 - May 7 - 14 - 21, 2025 Artist: Mariam Ahmad Patchwork Padded Tote Bag This May, join us for a cozy and creative sewing series where you'll be guided through making your very own patchwork padded tote bag, a functional and usable piece that’s all your own. Led by sewing facilitator Mariam Ahmad, this 4-part series is all about slowing down and reconnecting with the art of honing in and creating something unique. Inspired by the theme of Small and Mighty , we’ll take our time learning the basics of patchwork, a technique rooted in care, patience, and resourcefulness. We will all be working with fabric scraps collected to form our own textiles, giving new life to leftover materials and practicing care in how we create. Every stitch becomes part of the story, a reminder that small pieces, when thoughtfully brought together, can build something strong, functional, and meaningful. Whether you’re new to sewing or looking for a fun and beginner-friendly project, this workshop will guide you through all the steps of designing, sewing, and finishing your padded tote bag. You’ll have a mix of colourful fabric scraps to choose from to create your patchwork design, but you’re also welcome to bring your own fabrics to personalize your bag even more. Week 1 — Introduction to patchwork, fabric selection, assembling and sewing patchwork Week 2 — Cutting patchwork textile pattern for bag and start sewing padding to self Week 3 — Sew outer shell of bag, including pockets, strap etc Week 4 — Finishing sewing the bag and attaching lining, show off your bag! By the end of this series, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind tote bag that tells a story — stitched slowly and intentionally by you. This is a beginner-friendly, welcoming space for anyone looking to learn new skills, meet new people, and connect with sewing as a mindful, creative practice. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown Mariam Ahmad Mariam Ahmad is a BIPOC artist who learned to sew as a child on hand-pedalled Singer machines alongside her grandmother. Her work blends her Eastern heritage with ancestral textile traditions, creating romantic silhouettes that carry a sense of nostalgia. Beyond sewing, Mariam explores her artistic passions through photography and web design. As a mother, she draws inspiration from motherhood and her love of literature, infusing her creative journey with depth and meaning. UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. Wed, Oct 21 October Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Oct 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Turn a quilt, blanket, or meaningful textile into a cozy jacket in this sewing workshop. See All Wed, Oct 28 October Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Turn a quilt, blanket, or meaningful textile into a cozy jacket in this sewing workshop. See All

The Jamii Hub in The Esplanade, Toronto is home to creativity throughout the year! From painting nights to diverse crafts, explore artistry! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / Visual Arts VISUAL ARTS Cycles Workshops Jamii’s Visual Arts workshops invite participants to explore different creative practices in a supportive, hands-on environment. Each series is led by an artist who guides the group through making, experimenting, and learning together, using accessible approaches that welcome all experience levels. Workshops change throughout the year and may include painting, printmaking, mixed media, drawing, and other visual art forms. All materials are provided by Jamii, allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. These workshops are designed as shared experiences where curiosity, care, and creative confidence can grow over time. Registration is required for each workshop series, and spaces are limited. Registration opens on the 10th of the previous month at 12:00 AM. AGE GROUP | All Ages - Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult $20/SESSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED REGISTER NOW November 2026 PRINT, STORY, TOGETHER Wednesday, November 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Jieun Kim MORE INFO May 2025 CHARCOAL AND HARD PASTEL DRAWING May 8, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Erica Whyte MORE INFO November 2024 ANCESTRAL VISIONS November 7, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Ibrahim Abusitta MORE INFO September 2026 PAINTING ACROSS IDENTITY AND FORM Wednesday, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Andrew Patterson MORE INFO April 2025 EXPLORING THE CHAKANA April 10, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Andre Mandela Lopez MORE INFO October 2024 TEKA LANG October 10, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Ephraim Velasco MORE INFO May 2026 DRAWING WHAT FEELS RIGHT Wednesday, May 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Alison Garwood-Jones MORE INFO March 2025 PAINTING GROUNDING AND RENEWAL March 6, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Seema Anwar MORE INFO September 2024 EXPLORING KAPWA September 12, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Blessyl Buan MORE INFO March 2026 SILK PAINTING: COLOUR, LINE, AND FLOW Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Janice Garel MORE INFO February 2025 PAINTING PERSPECTIVES February 6, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Curtia Wright MORE INFO June 2024 ACRYLIC PAINT AND SAND June 6, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Julian Periquet MORE INFO Calendar UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Nov 04 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. +3 more Wed, Nov 11 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. See All Wed, Nov 18 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. See All Wed, Nov 25 November Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Explore linocut printing and collaborative storytelling in a four-week visual arts workshop with Jieun Kim. See All

2020/08 < Back to Events Lua Shayenne Dance CREDITS: WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

Monthly free arts outings for older adults in downtown Toronto. Visit theatres, museums, and galleries together with Jamii. Register for Belonging to take part. Outings INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING / BELONGING Outings AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION Belonging Outings are a monthly way for older adults to spend time together outside The Jamii Hub, with art as the shared reason to go. For some people, it’s a chance to return to places they used to love. For others, it’s the first time they’ve gone to a theatre, gallery, or museum in years. Either way, it’s easier to show up when you’re not doing it alone. These outings are built around simple things that matter: meeting up, recognizing familiar faces, and having time to talk while you walk. The art experience is part of it, but so is the moment before, when everyone gathers at the Hub, and the moment after, when people share what they noticed, what surprised them, or what a piece brought back for them. There’s no pressure to “know” anything. You can be quiet, you can ask questions, you can laugh, and you can take it in at your own pace. Each month, we visit a different venue across Toronto and GTA. Outings can include outdoor theatre, live performances, museums, and galleries. Past visits have included Canadian Stage, McMichael Art Gallery, Aga Khan Museum, Market Gallery, Canadian Canoe Museum and more. The location changes, but the feeling stays consistent: a welcoming group and a chance to spend the afternoon in good company. What to expect Meet at The Jamii Hub first. We’ll gather as a group before heading out. Travel together. Transportation or a group walk to the venue will be arranged. A relaxed pace. These outings are meant to feel comfortable and manageable. Time for connection. Many outings include time to chat and reflect before or after the visit. Please note: To be eligible for outings, you must be registered for Belonging Movement, Visual Arts, or Sing-Along workshops. Our Program Coordinator will email registered participants once a month with details about the upcoming outing and how to take part. Jamii’s Belonging Outings are sponsored by Government of Canada, New Horizons for Seniors Program, and Canada Council for the Arts. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Calendar No events at the moment UPCOMING DATES

The Jamii Hub turns into a niche artistic sanctuary once a month on Tuesdays! In May, join us to step into the world of blacksmithing with our workshop led by craftsman Steve Cornelson. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY LEARNING / NICHE ARTISTIC PRACTICES / BLACKSMITHING - MAY 2024 LEARNING Tuesday 7 pm Niche Artistic Practices Blacksmithing May 2024 May 7, 2024 Workshop Lead: Steve Cornelson Step into the world of blacksmithing with our workshop led by craftsman Steve Cornelson. You will discover the artistry of crafting custom cutlery in this hands-on experience. Throughout the workshop, you will immerse yourself in the ancient craft of forging, guided by Steve's expertise. Using a makeshift anvil and innovative techniques with frozen clay, you will learn the essential skills needed to shape metal into beautiful and functional pieces. You will gain valuable insights into the fundamentals of metallurgy, understanding the science behind the transformation of steel during the hardening process. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge under the guidance of a true artisan! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Iris Unlu Steve Cornelson Steve is a teacher turned blacksmith. After a decade teaching abroad, Steve returned home and decided to divert his focous to his passion of blacksmithing. He now spends most of his time crafting custom cutlery heavily inspired by Japanese cutlery. Photo Credit: Shogo

EMERGING ARTISTS Jamii's RBC Emerging Artist Program KAREN LAM ACTING, VISUAL ARTS LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII “As an emerging artist who has been working with Jamii, I can proudly say that it has opened doors to new learning and working experiences for me. I work as an actor and visual artist; Jamii has connected me with artistic mural projects and acting experiences in the community of The Esplanade these past few months. I have been supported as an actor as they have given me a space to shoot my own self-tape auditions, as well as supporting me with the camera, angles, and extra person reading the script. It helps me because it results in my self-tapes to look more professional and well done. Through Jamii, I had the opportunity to work on 2 large-scale murals in the neighbourhood. The first was the mural working with the main artist Darwin, who is from Pikangikum, Ontario. Following his indigenous artistic style and working together with him and the other artists was a beautiful experience. I had a sense of contentment, knowing how happy the kids and their parents were, after seeing our beautiful work on the wall beside their school. This experience opened me to connecting with the other visual artists and the community, and the smiles of our neighbours. The second mural opportunity I had through Jamii was mentoring and supporting a group of young women in their process of painting the mural. I gained some more leadership skills and was able to put my visual art skills into practice, as I also helped them paint the wall of the hydro box. I learned a lot being in the leadership support role. It provided a sense of belonging, support, and a good feeling after creating a more positive and colourful space in the area. I had the chance to paint a sea creature, an Axelotl, which is my 8 year-old niece’s favourite sea animal. She was thrilled and I was happy to see her smile! The Wayo festival was another eye-opening project I got to work on with Jamii. The show had many different elements (literally), and such amazing and diverse artists showcasing their art through each element. It was a fantastic show to support, as I helped to print beautiful photos for families to take home after the show. I was in awe of the elemental show, and emotional too. The airy opera, the fire dances, the water instruments, the earthly music, and the powerful drums of love; all were fantastically woven together and it was an honour to both witness and help the show. It has opened my eyes to many other mediums of art, and how they can all connect together to make something great for the community. Lastly, as an emerging artist who is helping both behind the scenes and planning to also perform for the new Jamii Shadow Puppet Theatre project in December 2023 titled Mudlark. I was very excited, nervous, and continuously learning new things through this experience. We presented the show, which we created with community, to 400 people and I had the chance to perform alongside professional artists under the artistic direction of Isorine Marc. I get to see the process of how projects start from brainstorming to becoming the real thing before my eyes. It’s interesting, busy, complicated, and also rewarding.” SEE PROJECT SEE ARTIST'S PAGE KAREN LAM: Karen Lam was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She has starred in the short film "SOLITUDE" (2021) that was nominated in the NYC Film Festival, and a finalist in Beyond the Curve International Film Festival. She was also one of the actors of Jamii's Unlocked (2020). In 2023, Karen performed in Mudlark, presented to 400 spectators in David Crombie Park, produced by Jamii. FUNDERS:

< Back I am me. I am beauty. A series of workshops to find your voice, facilitated by Georgia Reynolds. 2019 - AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2019 - AUGUST & SEPTEMBER Hosted at Windmill Line Co-Op. The reflective nature of this workshop invited each of the women to a space of vulnerability in order to embrace inner beauty. The workshop opened them to see, share and celebrate who they are. Facilitator Georgia had these heartfelt words for the participants at the end of the workshop: "To be able to spend these evenings with you, uncovering some of the parts of us, gave me energy to continue to hold these workshops where people can explore both empathy and their natural qualities in a safe and creative space. My wish for you is you are able to take small bits of time each day for yourselves, and engage in all three pillars Empathy ~ I ~ YOU ~ WE." To register, click below: http://closed

The Jamii Hub turns into a crafting sanctuary twice a month on Thursdays! POTTERY AND TATREEZ - NOVEMBER 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / CREATING Thursday 7 pm Crafting Nights POTTERY AND TATREEZ November 2024 November 14 - 21, 2024 Facilitator: Nadia Shammas, Paz Jurado Artist: Nadia Shammas Thursday, November 14 at 7pm BEFORE LANGUAGE/BEYOND WORDS: A Poetry and Hand-Building Pottery Workshop Join us for an intimate workshop led by Nadia Shammas, where we will explore hand-building small household objects while incorporating poetry. Together, we will delve into the history of Palestinian radical poetry and social memory, and share our own words or meaningful statements. In Nadia's words: "Art lies at the heart of Palestinian life. Our culture, expression, and daily experiences are reflected in the care and vibrancy of our most personal objects—whether in the decor of our homes, on our coffee cups, or in a small, resplendent plate for discarded olive pits." Join us for this unique workshop blending poetry and pottery on Thursday, November 14, at 7 p.m. at The Jamii Hub. FOR NOVEMBER 14 Artist: Paz Jurado Thursday, November 21 at 7pm Tatreez Learn traditional Palestinian embroidery art, "Tatreez", acknowledged as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The tatreez tradition is passed on from generation to generation and has been a channel for resistance for Palestinians in Palestine and diaspora. Tatreez preserves the Palestinian identity, and tells its ancients and evolving stories. This workshop will bestow participants with a soulful piece of Palestinian art and heritage stich by stich. This workshop will take place on November 21, at 7 p.m. at The Jamii Hub. FOR NOVEMBER 21 Photos by Hadeal Karrar Nadia Shammas Nadia Shammas is a multidisciplinary Palestinian-American writer, ceramic artist, and game developer. Raised in Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in Tkaronto, Canada. Nadia is best known for her work in comics as the writer and co-creator of the award-winning graphic novels SQUIRE and WHERE BLACK STARS RISE . Her work spans Palestinian speculative fiction and poetry, often focusing on the interplay of power, memory, the body, and the formation of identity. It is her ultimate belief that Palestine is the only futurism, and she dreams to return home to her grandmother's house in Bethlehem Paz Jurado Paz Jurado is a multidisciplinary artist and activist, born in Chile with Palestinian ancestors, based in Tkaronto, Ontario. She raises awareness about Palestine through art installations, facilitating Tatreez workshops, and leading a Tatreez circle in Toronto. Paz started this journey in Chile to honor the Palestinian culture and resistance and carried on the tradition into Toronto and Peterborough. Photo Credit: Unknown

The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to a new dance form guided by Toronto dance artists each month. Join our dance workshops and enjoy being around a community! OUTDOOR EVENTS / JOY IN THE PARK: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY JOY IN THE PARK! June 21, 2026 6 pm to 8 pm OUTDOOR EVENT SERIES IN DAVID CROMBIE PARK WHEN | Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 6 PM to 8 PM WHERE | David Crombie Park, The Esplanade & Princess St FREE | All ages welcome Event host Eve Saint Live music by FAYTH, Hoop Dance by Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat Featured dance performance by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre Live music by Mâmàwin’towin: A Métis Kitchen Party Facepainting by Linda Epp Craft designed by Eve Sain t Indigenous food by Tea N Bannock, local vendors, kids’ crafts, and Jamii’s 15th Anniversary birthday cake Jamii’s 8th Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration brought community members together in David Crombie Park for an evening of live music, dance, food, art, and gathering. This free outdoor event was a chance for neighbours of all ages to spend time together, celebrate Indigenous creativity, and listen to the voices, stories, and artistry shared by Indigenous artists. This year’s celebration was hosted by Eve Saint , a Wet’suwet’en/Mushkegowuk Land Defender, public speaker, community organizer, and advocate for Indigenous Rights based in Tkaronto. Eve invited us to come together during the summer solstice, a time to celebrate connection to the land and to one another, with joy, happiness, and good energy. The evening featured To Be Anishinaabe / Singing Covers and Originals by FAYTH , an acclaimed Indigenous singer-songwriter from Wiikwemkoong First Nation. FAYTH began performing in her early teens and has grown into a powerful, soulful performer whose music carries both personal expression and community connection. Her work has reached audiences across Ontario and beyond, including performances alongside leading Indigenous artists. The celebration also welcomed Mâmàwin’towin: A Métis Kitchen Party , an acoustic trio co-led by celebrated Métis fiddler Alyssa Katrine and JUNO-nominated, CFMA Award-winning Métis singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume, with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Danton Delbaere-Sawchuk. Rooted in the spirit of a Métis kitchen party, their performance brings together fiddle music, rich vocal harmonies, and storytelling grounded in Métis history, kinship, and shared gathering. Jamii was also proud to present Beings of Light by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre , founded by acclaimed multidisciplinary artist and Order of Canada recipient Santee Smith. Performed by Santee Smith, Nickeshia Garrick, and Irma Villafuerte, this contemporary dance work honours kinship with non-human entities and our connection to the natural world. Through movement, the performance acknowledges natural elements and plant life, including sunflowers, medicine plants, and food plants such as strawberries, while reflecting Haudenosaunee horticultural practices and cycles of growth, blooming, and return to the earth. Audiences also experienced a hoop dance performance by Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat , a Hoop Dancer, Fancy Shawl, and Jingle Dress Dancer from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. Emilee Ann has been hoop dancing since the age of five and has performed alongside many Indigenous artists across Ontario. Jamii is honoured to welcome her back after previous performances at Joy in the Park events and WAYO. The evening also included Indigenous food, local vendors, face painting with Linda Epp , a craft designed by Eve Saint, kids’ activities, and Jamii’s 15th Anniversary birthday cake. This event was part of Jamii and Canadian Stage’s ongoing collaboration to bring accessible, inclusive arts programming to public spaces. Support free community arts Jamii keeps programs and events free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Joy in the Park events are made possible through the support of the City of Toronto and the Community Celebration Support Fund as part of “The World in the City.” This event is supported by Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, City of Toronto, Metcalf Foundation, and Rama Gaming House and Charitable Gaming. Joy in the Park: Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m. David Crombie Park ARTIST LINE-UP: Event host Eve Saint Live music by FAYTH, Hoop Dance by Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat Featured dance performance by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre Live music by Mâmàwin’towin: A Métis Kitchen Party Facepainting by Linda Epp Craft designed by Eve Saint Photos by Jae Yang

< Back Cocoa and Paint Jamii is hosting a series of FREE “Cocoa and Paint” workshops for people of ALL ages in our community. 2022 - March 30 – April 6 – April 13 (3 evenings) Funded by Rama Gaming House As a group, alongside artist Alison Garwood-Jones, we will be painting the same image individually as a group while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa. Alison will go through a step-by-step process on how to paint the chosen image. This will allow participants to learn new painting skills, while also putting those skills to practice in real-time! The paintings will be an urban scene, a floral painting, and lastly a portrait which is all beginner-friendly. The sessions will also include a healing element as we will explore and express emotions through being intentional with our choice of colours, brush strokes, and technique in addition to our group discussions. Alison Garwood-Jones is a Toronto illustrator and writer who makes art because it lifts her spirits and changes her sense of what's possible. It's a message she likes to share with others. Participants have the option to either commit to all three paint nights or just attend one. The workshops will be on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm on March 30th, April 6th, and April 13th, 2022, at the St. Lawrence Community Center. FREE - No previous painting experience needed. To register, click below: http://www.jamii.ca/register

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

OUTDOOR EVENTS / JOY IN THE PARK: SUMMERWORKS - 2024 JOY IN THE PARK! August 2024 David Crombie Park - Lower Jarvis St & The Esplanade On August 1st and 2nd, Jamii joined forces with SummerWorks to celebrate Emancipation Day as part of "Joy in the Park" with live performances by CinnaMoon Collective (Nickeshia Garrick and Irma Villafuerte), Rudy Ray Trio Band, and Maulid Owino. Hosted by Brayden Cairns, the event included face painting and henna for the young attendees, making it a memorable community gathering. The Rudy Ray Trio Band kicked off the evening at 6 pm and 7 pm with dynamic and soulful performances. Led by exceptional trumpet player Rudy Ray, known for his virtuosic technique and expressive tone, the trio captivated audiences with unique interpretations of gypsy jazz. Guitarist Jared Higgins and bassist Max Simpson complemented Rudy’s trumpet, creating a vibrant sound that breathed new life into jazz classics. At 6:30 pm, the dance duet "Surrendered Spirits," choreographed and performed by Nickeshia Garrick and Irma Villafuerte, unfolded on stage. This powerful piece explored the artists’ reflections on childhood, familial displacement, and their identities as children of marginalized, racialized, and immigrant families. With emotional depth and physical virtuosity, the performance took the audience through moments of collective breath, care, and ancestral healing. The evening’s final performance featured Maulid Owino at 7:30 pm, a talented dancer from Kenya who was invited to Toronto following Jamii’s recent trip to Kenya. Alongside his solo piece, Maulid surprised the audience with a collaborative performance with Nickeshia Garrick. Known for his work with the Flat Dance Company in South Africa and for his internationally recognized dance films, Maulid brought a unique and powerful presence to the celebration. The event charmed attendees and added a joyful spark to the mid-summer evening, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. Supported by Artist Line-up: CinnaMoon Collective (Nickeshia Garrick & Irma Villafuerte), Rudy Ray Trio Band, Maulid Owino Photos by Jae Yang

OUTDOOR EVENTS / TO MY PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE - 2023 JOY IN THE PARK! 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:

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

2018 At Heart (Docu film) 2018 Citizens of The Esplanade Premiered Nov 2018 - Toronto, CA Awards: Best Editing, short documentary film category - Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela) - 2019Best Cinematography, short documentary film category - Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela) - 2019Award of Merit - IndieFest Film Awards (USA) 2019 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Alternative Film Festival (Canada)Docs Without Borders Film Festival (USA)Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela)IndieFEST Film Awards (USA)Diversity Feedback Film Festival (Canada) Canadian Diversity Film Festival (Canada) Project Genesis: In 2018, more than 150 Esplanadians of all ages (people who live, work, study and play in The Esplanade neighbourhood – downtown Toronto) embarked, with a team of artists, on a co-creative process to produce a participatory community-engaged docu-film. At Heart, Citizens of The Esplanade shines a light on our neighbourhood, the St Lawrence, and invites people to reflect on the values that drive community development and city planning. Artistic team: Producer: Isorine Marc Film director: Ayelen Liberona & Joseph Camí Assistant Project Coordinator: Yasmin Harris, Afsheen Chowdury, Nadifa Daud Mohamed Creative Process MARCH 2018: A total of 39 people joined a series of circle discussions to share personal stories or stories from our community which we feel are untold, silenced or represent a challenge. MAY 2018: A series of exciting workshops during which 32 people brainstormed, shared ideas and took artistic directions for the film with a creation of a series of shots. FILM PRODUCTION - JULY & AUG 2018: More than 100 people stepped in front of the camera as talents of our project. Another 20 people worked long hours behind the camera to bring this project to life. EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION: SEPT & OCT 2018 PREMIERE OF THE FILM - SOLD-OUT Nov 26, 2018 - Berkeley Theatre SECOND SCREENING: Nov 28, 2018 - Performing Arts Lodge

The Jamii Hub in Toronto is home to creativity on Thursdays! From painting nights to diverse crafts, explore artistry monthly or occasionally! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / Thursday Creating CREATING Thursday 7 pm Painting and Crafting Nights WHEN | Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm (Check the dates by clicking "more info" below) WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | All Ages - Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED On Thursdays at Jamii, The Jamii Hub transforms into a creative haven. It's a day dedicated to creating! To kick off each month, we host a painting night, a local favorite. The following two sessions are always diverse, offering you the chance to explore various crafts. For painting nights; whether you attend every monthly session or drop by occasionally, the choice is yours. For our craft sessions, a heads up: some projects may span two sessions, so be sure to confirm your attendance for those particular projects. Thursdays at Jamii are about unlocking your creativity, one session at a time. The creations you made, if you choose so, will be displayed at our “Saturday Mingling” to showcase to our community! PAINTING NIGHTS MORE INFO CRAFTING NIGHTS MORE INFO

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Takako Segawa Dancer Takako is contemporary dancer, choreographer and performer. Born in Kochi, Japan, she trained in both traditional arts and contemporary Japanese movement styles. Takako graduated from Nippon Sports Science University, and is a certified professional dancer from the London Contemporary Dance School. Takako’s 20-years career includes performances throughout Europe, North America and Asia. Takako also choreographed WA! in 2019 for the Yosakoi team premiered in Kochi Yosakoi dance festival. website << BACK TO ARTISTS

bcf751db-072c-43aa-990c-8edb1de4df10 < Back Toronto “Wind Stories” is a project that connects the communities of Toronto, Wawa, Michipicoten First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, and Wolfe Island. Community members are invited to co-create a series of portraits of fellow neighbours through creative writing, photography and visual arts. The first part of this project took place in Toronto in February 2020, with more than 50 people participating in this co-creation under the guidance of a beautiful artistic and production team: Isorine Marc, Andrew Patterson, Dan Bergeron, Zarita Adhiambo, Angel Narick. On February 8th, participants showed their portraits to their "chosen person" during a get-together at Performing Arts Lodge. A beautiful evening, warm and welcoming. The 22 portraits were then displayed at the Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre on February 13th and 15th 2020, welcoming hundreds of youth and their parents to discover this unique collection. Following the creation of a series of portraits of local people, made by fellow neighbours, a wonderful team of artists came together to bring eight of these portraits to life, through music, dance, and vocals.A unique way to share and celebrate each other stories.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 & Videos: Laura Dittmann Previous Next

PASI is a large-scale community photo exhibition along The Esplanade in Toronto. Apply to take part in a public artwork celebrating global communities in 2026. COMMUNITY PROJECTS / PASI PASI Passing the world along The Esplanade PASI is a large-scale outdoor community photo exhibition taking place along The Esplanade promenade in Toronto from May to July 2026. Led by Jamii, the project brings together community members of all ages to reflect how people from around the world live side by side in one city during a globally significant summer of international football. The name PASI, meaning “a soccer pass” in Swahili, refers to a simple gesture shared across cultures. In this project, that gesture becomes visual. Participants are photographed as part of a continuous chain of portraits, each person symbolically passing a soccer ball from one image to the next. Installed between the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market, the exhibition unfolds along The Esplanade as a public artwork rooted in neighbourhood life, movement, and everyday presence. PASI will feature a minimum of 48 community participants, representing countries taking part in the 2026 international football tournament. Rather than focusing on competition or spectacle, the project highlights the people who already make up Toronto’s global character. Families, newcomers, elders, youth, and first-generation Torontonians appear together in a shared visual sequence, reflecting how international histories and identities intersect in daily life. The final exhibition includes 48 large-scale outdoor portraits (3 ft x 4 ft) displayed throughout the promenade. From May to July 2026, the installation will be animated by live performances, daily stiltwalker appearances, and cultural moments that invite residents and visitors to slow down, look closely, and experience the city in a different way. PASI is open to community members of all ages with roots in one of the participating countries. No professional modelling or photography experience is required. The project is about presence, not performance, and participation is designed to be welcoming, accessible, and community-led. By taking part in PASI, participants contribute to a landmark public artwork that documents a unique moment in Toronto’s history and offers a people-centred reflection on what it means to share space, culture, and everyday life in a global city. STEP 1: You apply. APPLY NOW Fill out the PASI application form to tell us about yourself and your connection to one of the participating countries. Applications are open to community members of all ages, and no photography or modelling experience is required. Our team will review submissions and follow up by email. An informal selection process helps us create a diverse group of participants that reflects the many communities living in Toronto. STEP 2: You book your photoshoot. If selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You can go ahead and book your photoshoot through the booking calendar below. Choose a photoshoot date and time that works best for you. All photoshoots take place outdoors at David Crombie Park. Schedule your service Check out our availability and book the date and time that works for you STEP 3: You sign the release. SIGN NOW Participation requires signing the Photo Release and Waiver. You’ll receive the form after confirmation. Please review it carefully before signing to complete your participation. STEP 4: You show up Dress in colourful clothing that reflects your country of origin, arrive on time for your photoshoot, and be ready to take part in this shared community moment along The Esplanade. FUNDED BY

Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / QUILTED PILLOWCASE SET - MARCH 2024 SEWING Sunday 11 am Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects March 2025 QUILTED PILLOWCASE SET February 26 - March 5 - 12 - 19, 2025 Artist: Anita Boey In March at "Wednesday Sewing" we are making together a Quilted Pillowcase Set with the leadership of Anita Boey and support from Ghader Bsmar. Quilted Pillowcase Set This March, our theme is "Grounded" , curated by lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo . As Zarita describes, “being grounded  is a shared reflective experience of what we hold onto—within or around us—that sustains our personal journeys, making life’s phases fruitful while refreshing those around us.” To bring this theme to life, sewing facilitator Anita Boey  will guide participants in creating a Quilted Pillowcase Set . Why a pillow? Because it offers comfort, a place to rest, and a sense of home—where we return to, find shelter, and feel grounded. You'll have access to a curated selection of fabric from Jamii, and we will provide poly fill, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Each pillow insert and quilted pillowcase  will require 1.5 yards of fabric  plus poly fill . Throughout the workshop, sewing workshop assistant Ghader Bsmar will support you in mastering sewing machine basics while working on this engaging and meaningful project. Join us in a warm and encouraging space where creativity, skill-building, and connection thrive. By the end of the series, you'll leave not only with a beautiful Quilted Pillowcase Set but also with newfound sewing skills and community! Workshop plan: February 26  – Introduction to Grounded  and the inspiration behind the Quilted Pillowcase Set. Participants will choose fabric, transfer pattern pieces, and cut fabric. March 5  – Sew the pillow insert and enjoy stuffing it with poly fill. March 12  – Sew the quilted pillowcase top. March 19  – Assemble and finish the pillowcase. Let’s stitch together and create something both meaningful and practical. See you on Wednesday evenings! Sewing participants are highly encouraged to attend “Saturday Mingling” event at Jamii, to show off their mirror bag to the rest of the Jamii community! The capacity for this workshop series is 16 people without a machine, and we can accommodate 4 more people if they bring their own sewing machines. While you are only required to register for the February 26 session, participants are expected to join all four sessions on March 5, 12, and 19 . If you register for the February 26 session, you do not need to register again for the sessions on March 5, 12, and 19. New registrations will not be accepted throughout the month. We expect a high number of registrations, so please let us know immediately via email at info@jamii.ca before Monday, February 24 at 12 PM if you foresee that you will not be able to join all four sessions , so another participant from the waitlist can take your spot. We apologize if the workshop is filled before you register. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown Anita Boey Business Professor by day, sewist by night. I am a passionate sewist with a deep interest for sustainability and creativity. As an advocate for reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly practices, I utilize rescued materials in my sewing projects. I hope that my sewing serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can emerge from diverted waste, while inspiring others to join me in the quest for a more sustainable world, one stitch at a time. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. Wed, Oct 21 October Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Oct 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Turn a quilt, blanket, or meaningful textile into a cozy jacket in this sewing workshop. See All Wed, Oct 28 October Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Turn a quilt, blanket, or meaningful textile into a cozy jacket in this sewing workshop. See All

Remarkable things are made by remarkable people. Check out Jamii's leadership team & the baord of directors! Our Team of Community Enhancers LEADERSHIP TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS LeadershipTeam Jamii's Mission-Based Leadership Team ISORINE MARC ALCHEMIST & FOUNDER 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. GHADER BSMAR HOST Ghader Bsmar is a key member of the Jamii team and a long-time resident of The Esplanade community. At Jamii, Ghader hosts workshops, supports artists, coordinates events, and helps create welcoming spaces for participants of all ages. With her strong creative spirit and love for children, she plays an important role in Jamii’s Laini program, craft activities, Art Birthday Parties, and community events. Her warmth, energy, and natural ability to connect with people also make her a valued member of Jamii’s Belonging program team. In 2020, she studied Early Childhood Education (ECE) at George Brown Polytechnic. Originally from Syria, Ghader is a proud mother of three children. IRIS UNLU AMPLIFIER Iris has been working in marketing for a decade, in both Turkey and Canada. Before discovering her passion for creating ideas that have a profound influence on people, Iris completed her Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering in Turkey and later received a diploma from Sheridan College in Advertising and Marketing Communications in Canada. Iris was thrilled to get an opportunity to engage in community-based work when she joined Jamii in 2021 as a Graphic Designer and became Jamii’s Amplifier in May 2022. Iris is excited to continue engaging with the Esplanade, especially as she has been a proud Esplanadian since 2020. OMELETTE BARKER Omelette was raised in The Esplanade neighbourhood where her natural talent for loudness led her to a passion for barketing. Omelette studied wolves via distance education (internet videos) to get an advanced degree in Howling Honours. Omelette joined Jamii as a Barker in 2023 where she lends her artistic noise to attract the community to Jamii events and The Jamii Hub. Although she volunteers at Jamii, Omelette is a working breed, which means community members can ask her to show them a trick anytime when they see her. OMELETTE'S WORK HOURS: Tue & Thur from 8:30am to 4:30pm YUSRA YACOUT ENABLER Yusra Yacout is born and raised in the Esplanade community. Yusra Supports Jamii's administrative operations and is a certified Law Clerk. She also has a bachelor of Arts from Ryerson university in child and Youth care. Yusra has a wide experience ingrained in the community. Through the years, she has been a Project Coordinator with Jamii (Summer 2019), a children’s program leader with Kiwanis boats and girls (2017-2018), a caseworker with Aspire Muslim food bank, and early childhood assistant with the St Lawrence Daycare. CAREERS BoardOfDirectors Board of Directors Jamii's Dedicated DAVID CROMBIE MEMBER OF THE PATRONS' COUNCIL David Crombie, born in Swansea, began his career as a lecturer in politics and urban affairs at Ryerson in the 1960s. Crombie served as the 56th Mayor of Toronto from 1972 to 1978, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s landscape. One of his significant achievements as mayor was the development of The Esplanade neighbourhood in the St. Lawrence area, which stands as a testament to his vision for community-focused urban planning. After his time as mayor, Crombie was elected to Parliament as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party. He held several key cabinet positions, including Minister of National Health and Welfare (1979-1980), Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (1984-1986), and Secretary of State for Canada (1986-1988). Crombie’s contributions to Toronto and Canada have left a lasting impact, particularly in urban development and community building. LINDA LEISTNER DIRECTOR - TREASURER Linda is a neighbourhood business owner who personally knows and understands the importance of community engagement. Linda has often volunteered with Jamii, and her business, The Berkeley Castle, has been a supporter of Jamii since inception. In 2017, Jamii welcomed Linda to the board. SHARON MCMILLAN DIRECTOR A founding member of the Congress for the New Urbanism (Ontario Chapter) and a current Director of Communications in the Education Sector, Sharon McMillan has been an advocate for accessible, equitable and sustainable urban living for over 20 years. Inspired by the diverse and inclusive Esplanade community, Sharon moved her family here in 2014 and sought a way to contribute to the vitality of this neighbourhood. She soon became President of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association and now looks forward to continuing to help empower and amplify the voices and aspirations of residents. AMANDA MARAGOS DIRECTOR - CHAIR Amanda Maragos is the Director of Client Services and Volunteer Programs for Philip Aziz Centre and Emily's House Hospices. A member of the Esplanade/St Lawrence Community for about 40 years, she embraces this diverse, artistic and friendly neighbourhood where she lives with her family. With hopes to balance creativity, leadership, flexibility, accountability and openness; her goal is to contribute something good and lasting to Jamii's vision for the Esplanade/St. Lawrence Neighbourhood - a special place she calls home. ZOIE EDWARDS DIRECTOR - SECRETARY Zoie Edwards has a Bachelor’s of Urban & Regional Planning from Ryerson University and a Master’s of Public Administration from The University of Western Ontario where she completed a MRP on “The Revitalization of Social Housing: An Analysis of Mixed-Income Housing in the City of Toronto”. From 2013 to 2017, Zoie was the Project Coordinator for Jamii and CORPUS working on various art-based community engaged projects and events in The Esplanade,Toronto. Since 2018, Zoie is a Senior Associate at LURA Consulting. USHA JAMES DIRECTOR Usha James is the Executive Director of The Critical Thinking Consortium, a Canadian not-for-profit organization dedicated to nurturing critical thinking in educational spaces. She has been a secondary school teacher and an instructor at OISE at the University of Toronto. Usha has worked extensively with leaders to help them nurture thinking organizations, supporting their strategic planning and building capacity in leadership teams to think critically about their practice. She moved close to The Esplanade community in Nov 2021 and was immediately drawn in by Jamii’s work. It has been a nurturing source of light and warmth and magic and she’s thrilled to be able to contribute to the board. VANESSA BÉGIN-HENDERSON DIRECTOR - VICE-CHAIR Vanessa Bégin-Henderson is the Go-To-Market Lead at Hostie, a hospitality-focused AI voice platform, where she leads the company’s Canadian expansion strategy. She has strong leadership experience and a passion for team optimization. A resident of the Esplanade community for over 15 years, she is devoted to her work with Jamii in support of their mandate to foster neighborhood engagement through the arts, with a deeply inclusive spirit. Outside of work, she is a proud mom and dog-mom, an avid traveler, and a huge fan of the performing arts. HAMOON YOUSEFZADEH DIRECTOR Hamoon Yousefzadeh is a risk professional currently working at Scotiabank. He grew up and attended school in Scarborough and now resides in downtown Toronto, living nearby The Esplanade community. Hamoon was introduced to the world of arts through the inspiring work of his wife, Sabrine S. Hakam, who works with the Jamii community as an academic researcher and artist. In his spare time, Hamoon enjoys running, climbing, and traveling.

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

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EMERGING ARTISTS Jamii's RBC Emerging Artist Program NOOSA ZEIN, DANCE LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII Since Fall 2024, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Emerging Artist Programme through Jamii, a program designed to support emerging artists, particularly those who are BIPOC and women-identifying. This program offered me a unique opportunity to work alongside Emilio Esteban, a choreographer and dancer with whom I’ve shared the stage since 2019 as part of theTEAM . Emilio was not only my teammate but also our dance director, and his mentorship felt like the perfect fit for me. We worked together from September to October 2024 on a dance performance to be showcased at Pulse, a local event. The process of curating the performance from scratch was super interesting and eye-opening. I never realized how much went into creating a dance piece for an event—it wasn’t just about the choreography or the moves, but the entire concept; recruiting your people for a performance (Which are 99.9% of the time unpaid gigs), conforming to the event’s theme, selecting the music/order of music, picking costumes, and ensuring everything aligned with the story we wanted to tell. Being on the other side of the performance by supporting Emilio in this role gave me a deeper appreciation for the logistical and creative work that happens behind the scenes. I began to understand that choreography is not just a reflection of personal expression but also an intricate, collaborative effort that requires a thoughtful approach to every detail. Seeking to further expand my knowledge and skills, I decided to invest in myself by purchasing a 5-class pass at Studio North Toronto. This dance studio is known for offering classes with independent teachers, and I was eager to learn from a variety of perspectives rather than sticking to comfortability. The classes challenged me in new ways by pushing me to become a more versatile dancer. I was exposed to different teaching styles, and classes introduced me to new techniques and approaches to movement. It felt like a refreshing journey of discovery as I honed my skills and broadened my understanding of dance. I learned not only how to approach different styles from different teachers, but also how to push my body and mind to explore new creative possibilities. The experience at Studio North made me realize how important it is to seek out new challenges, to step outside of your comfort zone, and to continuously seek growth as an artist. One of the most impactful learning experiences came from a private lesson with Carl Mandac, one of my closest choreographers who was our former director on theTEAM. Carl is known for his creative choreography, and he crafted a performance-worthy piece for me to learn for fun. This was an intense but rewarding experience, as I had to fully immerse myself in the piece, focusing on both precision and expression, especially due to the 1 on 1 setting. What made the lesson even more enriching was Carl’s collaboration with Kristina, a talented videographer who works closely with choreographers and performing artists in the dance community. Carl granted me permission to showcase my take on his choreography while working alongside Kristina. Kristina’s expertise added a new dimension to my learning. While Carl taught me the moves to the choreography itself, Kristina coached me on how to translate my performance for the camera. I had never fully realized how nerve-wracking it could be to perform a solo act on film until I was in front of the camera myself. Kristina taught me grounding techniques, such as breath control, sensory grounding, and the importance of feeling my feet firmly planted on the ground when my anxiety spikes a bit. These techniques supported me in calming my nerves and improving my focus. Kristina also emphasized how nerves and emotions are incredibly readable to an audience, both in-person and on-screen, and she taught me how to stay present and grounded, even when under pressure. Through these experiences, I came to realize that performing is about much more than just executing choreography—it’s about truly embodying the song and its emotional message. Kristina’s guidance helped me understand the importance of interpreting the music as if I were the artist singing it, connecting with its emotional depth and expressing that through my movement. This concept completely shifted my approach to dance performance, as I began to see performances not just as a series of steps, but as a way of telling a story and connecting with the audience on an emotional level. I had always believed I was a good dancer, but learning how to channel emotion and intention into my performance took it to a whole new level. The physicality of dance was now intertwined with the emotional aspect of the music, and I learned how to bring both together to create a compelling performance. This experience also reminded me of how dance is both personal and universal. Dance is a way to communicate with others without words. It’s about vulnerability, emotion, and connection. It's a never ending journey of learning; there is always something new to learn. This realization has deepened my love for dance, and I’m now excited to approach every upcoming performance with a better sense of intention and awareness as a performer not just through my physical movies, but of the emotional story I want to tell through them. I am incredibly grateful for this experience presented to me through Jamii with the support of the RBC Emerging Artist program, and I am excited to bring this back full circle in my own journey as a leader in dance. PROJECT LINK COMING SOON ARTIST'S PAGE NOT AVAILABLE NOOSA ZEIN: Coming soon! FUNDERS:

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Maulid Owino Dancer Maulid Owino, a contemporary dancer and choreographer based in Nairobi, Kenya, with 5 years of professional experience, refined his skills at the Dance into Space. Founder of Dance Unites, an initiative focusing on dance production through films. His notable performances include appearances at the Dance Life Festival in Nairobi, choreographed by Neema Bahagmunda, and Haba na Festival in Tanzania, choreographed by Jared Onyango, known as Orodha Oracle. Engaging in an exchange program, Mauild collaborated with the Flat Dance Company in South Africa, and his dance films have received global recognition, participating in festivals as Ubumuntu in Rwanda, Dance on Camera in New York by the Dance Film Association, and Jomba Festival in South Africa. website << BACK TO ARTISTS

In 2020, we worked with 91 artists; We organized 101 workshops; We hosted 166 workshop participants; We counted 2300 audience members; We produced 34 public events, We were the Recipient of the 2020 Commnity Arts Award by the Toronto Arts Foundation And all of this, during a pandemic. 2020 in Review At Jamii, we define our success by the legacy of qualitative memories we ignite for all “Esplanadians” - people of all ages who have taken part in Jamii’s journey. By creating shared memories, we are creating stronger connections and bonds between people. In doing so, we create a sense of belonging, ownership and identity for the people engaged in the work we do in the community. This circles back to our mandate of enhancing social cohesion through the arts. In 2020, Jamii... worked with 91 artists organized 101 workshops hosted 166 workshop participants counted 2300 audience members produced 34 public events received the "2020 Community Arts Award by the Toronto Arts Foundation! And all of this, during a pandemic! SEE THE REVIEW By Isorine Marc Founder, Executive and Programming Director Excerpts from Acceptance Speech - 2020 Community Arts Award “Jamii is about to celebrate its 10-year anniversary (2011-2021) and this award feels like a recognition for and appreciation of the artistic quality, the depth of our social contract, and our commitment to the Esplanade community. It is also an energizing wind blowing our sails as we look ahead to the next 10 years. This award goes to the hundreds of artists who define Jamii; to the hundreds of Esplanadians who have participated in arts-making with us; to those who have worked with us through the years, paid or unpaid, including directors of our board; and to those who kept on encouraging us in their own way during our journey. At Jamii, we define our success by the legacy of qualitative memories we ignite for all “Esplanadians” - people of all ages who have taken part in the Jamii’s journey. By creating shared memories, we are creating stronger connections and bonds between people. In doing so, we create a sense of belonging, ownership and identity for the people engaged in the work we do in the community. This circles back to our mandate of enhancing social cohesion through the arts. A “memory” doesn’t happen overnight. It lives through time – and often enough, it changes and transforms with time. My hope is that, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, people will be sharing “Jamii memories”: things they have done with us that will connect all of us together: “Do you remember when…?”. This “thing” they’ll remember will be the social glue that keeps us united - even in challenging times. And I hope, I sincerely hope that Jamii will continue building the capacity to pursue its mandate, continue collaborating with creative people to create the qualitative memories we will share, and continue building a legacy for all Esplanadians. Oh, and on a personal note, something else I shared in my acceptance speech for the award: my hope is to inspire my daughters with the work I do. If I inspire them, chances are that Jamii will inspire countless other girls and boys. And this is the the ultimate goal - so that the work carries on to the next generation.” HIGHLIGHTS OF 2020 DURING THE FIRST WAVES OF COVID-19 In partnership with Canadian Stage Joining forces to offer artistic experiences to all Esplanadians 2020 is the year when Jamii and Canadian Stage , both based in The Esplanade & St Lawrence neighbourhood, made a powerful commitment to one another and to the community. They joined forces with the intention of growing capacity and leveraging resources, which is meant to increase the quality of the collective arts experience, for the Esplanade community. Our first year of partnership, 2020, was extremely fruitful with a series of projects and events that brought people together (physically-distanced) despite a global pandemic. We are delighted to be pursuing this partnership into 2021. Recipient of the 2020 Community Arts Award by the Toronto Arts Foundation Read acceptance speech and interview HERE Jamii is about to celebrate its 10-year anniversary (2011-2021) and this award feels like a recognition for and appreciation of the artistic quality, the depth of our social contract, and our commitment to the Esplanade community. It is also an energizing wind blowing our sails as we look ahead to the next 10 years. This award goes to the hundreds of artists who define Jamii; to the hundreds of Esplanadians who have participated in arts-making with us; to those who have worked with us through the years, paid or unpaid, including directors of our board; and to those who kept on encouraging us in their own way during our journey. By Isorine Marc: "I hope that everyone who has ever added a brick to the wall to build the Jamii house feels the butterflies. I do." May the Jamii house continue shelter creativity. Full release from Toronto Arts Foundation HERE . West African Dance performance August 4 & 5 2020 We are thrilled to welcome back to Lua Shayenne Dance Company in our community for a set of performances in Parliament Square Park on Aug 4th and 5th (back up for rain on Aug 6th), at 6pm and 7pm. Dance performances will be accompanied by a visual arts exhibit showcasing the work of local artist Andrew Patterson. Join us for a Q&A on both day, at 7:20pm, right after Lua's second performance. In partnership with Canadian Stage, supported by Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. Unlocked Art video premiere Berkeley Castle July 24 & 25 2020 In the Spring of 2020, Jamii and Canadian Stage partnered to invite eleven women, residents of the Esplanade community, to express artistically their personal journey during the COVID-19 pandemic through the creation of a reflective art video. Watch the online premiere of the video here . A project in partnership with Canadian Stage and supported by Canada Council for the Arts and Toronto Arts Council. Kisanii Hub Artistic Exploration Oct-Dec 2020 In October, November and December, Jamii invited four guest artists (dancers/choreographers) to explore the potential of artistic transformation of the Kisanii Hub. Each artist was offered a one-week research period at the rehearsal hall of Canadian Stage. We are thrilled that the richness of this process will be shared with the community with live performances in our park in 2021. Guest artists: Ayelen LIberona, Lua Shayenne, Ashima Suri and Michael Caldwell. Artistic Production: Isorine Marc A project in partnership with Canadian Stage and supported by Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council. WIND STORIES LIVE in WAWA & WOLFE ISLAND September 2020 In the Fall of 2019. Jamii visited Wawa and Wolfe Island, and invited people to create visual portraits of fellow neighbours, friends or family member. In September 2020, Jamii came back to both communities to exhibit the collection of portraits. Along with this beautiful exhibit, Jamii invited amazing local artists to bring these portraits to life. Music, dance, storytelling, and drumming, a whirlwind of stories. Wawa artists: Damian Binda, Isabella Imperatori, Joanne Poisson, Joanne Wilson, Mirinda Patterson and Samatha Stewart. Artists performing in Wolfe Island: Teilhard Frost, Jason Mercer, Robert Douglas, Terri-Lynn Brennan, Sue Croweagle, Sukruti Tirupattur, Nancy Steel, and Lucas Sherwood. A project supported by the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. Unlocked: From seed to sequoia A reflection by Sharon Zarita it is a grand pleasure to share with you Zarita’s writing about her experience with "Wind Stories" and "Unlocked". Zarita has been working at Jamii since September of last year and played a major part in bringing these projects to life. She is now finishing her contract with Jamii with the premiere of “Unlocked”, then continuing her beautiful journey of life. It is a full circle, and we are full of gratitude. Itinerant performances Featuring local talented Toronto-based artists 2020 COVID-19 has shaken Jamii to its core values by greatly limiting social connection. But it is of greater importance that we practice physical distancing to limit the spread of the virus. At Jamii, we believe it is our social responsibility to care for our community during such extraordinary times. We are producing live performances in the streets, courtyards and parks of our community, encouraging people to watch from a safe distance. Live arts has healing effects we wish to share around. Inugural performances featuring Domanique Grant, Leen Hamo, Iman Abdul Razzak, Jeremiah Sparks, Sara Luey, Alessandro Montelli, Johnny Toronto, Lua Shayenne, Cécé Haba, Arlene Paculan, Cleon Wong, Ayelen Liberona, Malavika Santhosh, Ekaterina HISIA - Kisanii Hub mobile performance October 3 2020 Watch performance excerpts HERE Hisia was an invitation to 8 artists to explore the emotional roller coaster of the past six months, since lockdown was imposed. Fear, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, anticipation, joy and trust expressed through words, movement, imagery, sound, visual and experiential arts: a delight to the senses. A series of personal statements within the frame of a common journey. Performers: Jaz Fairy J, Meryem Alaoui, Nicola Pantin, Sukruti Tirupattur and Yvonne Ng. Videographer: Ella Cooper. Spoken word artist: Paulina Anthony-O'Kieffe. Music: Evangelia Kambites. A project in partnership with Canadian Stage and supported by Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council. HISIA David Crombie Park August 21 2021 - 6pm & 7pm On August 21st, you are invited for a unique pop-up performance featuring four amazing artists. Jamii is thrilled to welcome back Heidi Chan (flute, drum), Jonelle Sills (opera), Raha Javanfar (violin), and to welcome for the first time in our community Eman Hillawi (lollilop lyra artist). The performance is titled HISIA, which is a Swahili word for inner feelings, emotions and thoughts. Jamii has 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. The Jamii teams hope you will come “look through the window” with us – as usual, at a safe physical distance from one another. This event is presented in partnership with Canadian Stage and supported by the Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario. WIND Stories Craft, exhibit and live arts in the park. Join us in the park with someone from your social bubble (family, friends or neighbours), and create, through arts and craft, a portrait of one another. This creative session will then be followed by live performances with artists Ashima Suri, Jonelle Sills, Jeremiah Sparks, Michael Caldwell, Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony and Sue Croweagle, with host Ryan G. Hinds. 3pm to 6pm: your portrait creation with facilitators Gillian Mapp and Sharon Zarita. 6pm & 7pm: live performance Friday July 17th Crombie Park (Princess and The Esplanade) Saturday July 18th St. James Park (by the Playground) – in partnership with Friends of St James Park. This project is supported by the Ontario Arts Council. A special thank you to the St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association for supporting local artists and to the St Lawrence Market BIA to help us with chairs and tables.

The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to sing-along gatherings for older adults on Mondays. Register now to join! Sing-Along INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING / BELONGING Older Adults Workshops Sing-Along WHEN | Thursdays from 4:45pm to 6pm WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | 55+ FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED Some weeks call for a calm, friendly room where you can sing without overthinking it. Jamii’s Sing-Along is a relaxed weekly gathering for older adults, held at The Jamii Hub with Stephen Targett on the piano. Together, we revisit much-loved classics, take song suggestions from the group, and enjoy the simple comfort of making music side by side. Singing together can lift the mood, support breathing and memory, and create a genuine sense of connection. The focus is on participation, not perfection. You can sing along the whole time, join in for a chorus or two, or simply listen and feel the music in the room. Each session follows the energy of the group, making it easy to return week after week. These workshops are part of Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults program for older adults in downtown Toronto. Participants register for the program, then can drop in to any Thursday session that works for them. Stephen Targett received a professional degree in classical piano performance from McGill University in Montreal. His work is largely collaborative, accompanying singers and instrumentalists in many genres and styles. He also works as a studio pianist and musical director for cabaret shows, and performs for recitals, auditions, and exams. Alongside performing, Stephen teaches piano, voice, and music theory, does arranging, makes accompaniment tracks, and writes songs. For the past couple of years, he has enjoyed leading Jamii’s Belonging Singing Group at The Jamii Hub in Toronto’s Esplanade neighbourhood. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in singing is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW Stephen Targett Calendar Thu, Oct 22 Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along / The Jamii Hub LEARN MORE Oct 22, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Relaxed Sing-Along for older adults. Sing classics with Stephen Targett on piano, share song requests, and enjoy a no-pressure vibe. Thu, Oct 29 Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along / The Jamii Hub LEARN MORE Oct 29, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Relaxed Sing-Along for older adults. Sing classics with Stephen Targett on piano, share song requests, and enjoy a no-pressure vibe. Thu, Nov 05 Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along / The Jamii Hub LEARN MORE Nov 05, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Relaxed Sing-Along for older adults. Sing classics with Stephen Targett on piano, share song requests, and enjoy a no-pressure vibe. Load More UPCOMING DATES

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Darwin Peters Painter Darwin Peters is a talented painter and muralist based in Pikangikum First Nation. His paintings are sold around the world and one of his biggest murals, aside the ones he has made at the Eenchokay Birchstick School in Pikangikum, is located in downtown Toronto, on the south wall of the St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre at the heart of The Esplanade for hundreds to enjoy every day. website << BACK TO ARTISTS

Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / SEWING A HANDMADE KIMONO SEWING Cycles Workshops Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects February 2026 SEWING A HANDMADE KIMONO Wednesday, February 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 7 PM to 9 PM Artist: Mayari This sewing workshop series is part of Jamii’s February Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by Mayari, the workshops centre around garment-making as a way to build skill, confidence, and a deeper relationship with clothing made by hand. Participants begin with a review of foundational sewing techniques before working through the creation of a kimono, design by Diséiye Thompson. The project supports learning how to read and follow a pattern, assemble garment pieces, practice straight stitching, and complete clean finishes. Designed to be accessible and hands-on, the workshops support both those new to sewing and those returning to the craft. All materials are provided by Jamii, removing barriers and allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. These workshops are open to all experience levels. Participants are encouraged to work at their own pace and engage in a way that feels comfortable and supportive. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Anita Boey Photo Credit: Isorine Marc MAYARI Mayari (any pronouns) is a Filipino-Canadian seamstress with over five years of experience in garment construction and a strong passion for sewing instruction and sharing classical techniques and finishing methods. Trained through Toronto’s ballroom scene and recognized with the TKBA’s New Fashion Walker of the Year award, Mayari’s work blends the extravagance of ballroom culture with historical tailoring, genderless design, and avant-garde aesthetics. UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. Wed, Oct 21 October Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Oct 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Turn a quilt, blanket, or meaningful textile into a cozy jacket in this sewing workshop. See All Wed, Oct 28 October Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Turn a quilt, blanket, or meaningful textile into a cozy jacket in this sewing workshop. See All

Explore Jamii’s decade-long journey in The Esplanade community through our season reviews - your visual guide to Jamii's impact! A Deep Dive into Jamii's Past Programming Year-in-Reviews This is a captivating journey through the vibrant tapestry of artistic experiences that have unfolded over the past decade in The Esplanade community. Since 2011, Jamii has passionately dedicated itself to enhancing togetherness by providing free, accessible artistic programs to everyone. We believe in the transformative power of shared experiences, and our commitment to building a connected community is reflected in the diverse array of events that took place in The Esplanade. From captivating shows to collaborative workshops, each program has been a stepping stone toward our goal of a stronger, healthier, and more resilient community. Join us in reliving these moments, as we celebrate the memories that bind us together and look forward to the continued enrichment of our neighborhood and beyond through the magic of the arts. HERE IS A SNAPSHOT OF THE PAST FEW YEARS OF JAMII'S MAGIC IN THE ESPLANADE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND! 2025 CHECK OUT 2024 CHECK OUT 2023 CHECK OUT 2022 CHECK OUT 2021 CHECK OUT 2020 CHECK OUT 2019 CHECK OUT 2018 CHECK OUT 2017 CHECK OUT 2016 CHECK OUT 2015 CHECK OUT 2014 CHECK OUT 2013 CHECK OUT

Choose how you would like to join the Jamii Family & take action: Connect we us. And let's take it from there. GET INVOLVED Creativity grows when people feel connected. There are many ways to be part of what we do, from supporting free arts programs to participating in hands-on community projects. Explore the opportunities below and find the path that feels right for you. DONATE Your support keeps Jamii’s programs free so everyone can participate without financial barriers. Donations of any amount directly sustain our workshops, events, and community projects. If you can, consider paying it forward and helping us continue offering accessible, creative opportunities for all. DONATE NOW VOLUNTEER Become a Jamii volunteer and help create welcoming, arts-filled experiences for neighbours of all ages. Volunteers support workshops, events, and community moments that spark connection and belonging. If you believe in the power of the arts to bring people together, we’d love to meet you. LEARN MORE COLLABORATE Jamii welcomes artists interested in meaningful collaboration. We work with dancers, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, writers to co-create engaging workshops, performances. If you’re excited about community-rooted arts, we’d love to connect and explore working together. GET IN TOUCH RUN Run with Jamii at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and support free arts programs in our neighbourhood. Choose any distance, fundraise $300 or more, and we’ll reimburse your registration fee. Join a team, make memories, and help strengthen community through the arts. SHOW YOUR INTEREST CONTACT Have feedback, a suggestion, or something you’d like to share? Reach out to us anytime. We welcome questions, ideas, comments, and concerns that help us grow and continue building meaningful arts experiences with our community. GET IN TOUCH PARTNER Partner with Jamii to bring arts-based experiences to your workplace, school, organization, or community. Together, we co-design creative workshops and events shaped around shared goals, with partnership funds supporting Jamii’s free programming for all ages. Let’s build something meaningful and community-driven. GET IN TOUCH WORK Join Jamii’s team and help shape community arts experiences in The Esplanade and beyond. Our staff contribute to building connections, supporting creativity, and strengthening neighbourhood pride. Explore opportunities to work with a small, dedicated team committed to accessible arts programming and meaningful community engagement. SEE OPPORTUNITIES CREATE Take part in one of Jamii’s creative community projects and see your ideas come to life. From photo exhibitions to murals to short films, these hands-on projects place community members at the centre. Join in, create something meaningful, and make memories with your neighbours. SEE PROJECTS SUBSCRIBE Stay connected with Jamii through our monthly e-newsletters. Join thousands of neighbours who receive updates about free programs, workshops, events, and community stories. We send 1–2 emails a month, always relevant and community-focused. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. SUBSCRIBE ARTIST HANDBOOK This password-protected section is for artists who are confirmed to work with Jamii. It includes essential forms, policies, and shared agreements to support smooth, respectful collaboration before workshops and events. If you’re an artist working with us, you’ll receive access details directly from the Jamii team. CHECK OUT

With our photo exhibits, our intent is to transform our public space to surprise passers-by, to engage in conversation through arts and to share different perspectives. It is also an amazing opportunity to feature photographers from Toronto and beyond, and to engage community members in curatorial processes. COMMUNITY PROJECTS / PHOTO EXHIBITS PHOTO EXHIBITS Curated by community Our intent is to transform our public space to surprise passers-by, to engage in conversation through arts and to share different perspectives. It is also an amazing opportunity to feature photographers from Toronto and beyond, and to engage community members in curatorial processes. Almost every year, Jamii produces a new photo exhibits to be displayed in our public space - usually David Crombie Park. PASI Summer 2026 MORE INFO WHAT WE REMEMBER Winter 2024 MORE INFO THE PAVILION Summer 2024 MORE INFO JOURNEY FROM... Spring 2023 MORE INFO Mong'Kah'Job Summer 2025 MORE INFO WANYAMA WA NYUMBANI Summer 2024 MORE INFO CALYX Summer 2023 MORE INFO WATER NO GET ENEMY Summer 2022 MORE INFO THE PACT Winter 2024 MORE INFO KOSHKI’ZI Summer 2024 MORE INFO MASHKIKI Summer 2023 MORE INFO THE RED CHAIR SESSIONS Summer 2022 MORE INFO

OUTDOOR EVENTS / JOY IN THE PARK: WONDERS OF THE FALL - OCTOBER 2025 JOY IN THE PARK! October 2025 David Crombie Park Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 6 PM – 8 PM David Crombie Park | The Esplanade Neighbourhood On Saturday, October 4th, David Crombie Park (at Berkeley and The Esplanade) came alive with music, colour, and celebration. It was a joyful evening filled with live performances, face painting, a craft table, and, of course, hot chocolate and apple cider. Audiences enjoyed The Enchanted Forest , performed by Hercinia Arts Collective, a magical story that featured three birds and two forest spirits brought to life through aerial arts, stilt dancing, and physical theatre. The little ones even had the chance to learn how to juggle. We were also thrilled to present a Roda de Samba with renowned musician Carlos Cardozo and his ensemble: Ian Felix, Matheus Coelho, André Valério, and Baiano. Neighbours danced to the rhythm and enjoyed the vibrant energy of Brazil throughout the night. This free community event brought together families, friends, and neighbours to celebrate the beauty of fall and the spirit of togetherness. This event was presented in partnership with Canadian Stage and supported by the Canada Council for the Arts , Ontario Arts Council , Toronto Arts Council , and Rama Gaming House . ARTIST LINE-UP: Dance Performance: Hercinia Arts Collective Edio Silvio Valerie Cheng Zita Nyarady Kirsten Edwards Vanita Butrsingkorn Live Music: Carlos Cardozo Ian Felix Matheus Coelho André Valério Baiano Photos by Iris Unlu, Isorine Marc

OUTDOOR EVENTS / JOY IN THE PARK: MELTEMI ORCHESTRA - MAY 2025 JOY IN THE PARK! May 2025 David Crombie Park Friday, May 16, 2025 | 6 PM – 8 PM David Crombie Park | The Esplanade Neighbourhood We kicked off the season with an evening of live music, dancing, kids’ crafts, face painting, and a local artisan market. All free, all outdoors, and all about community. Meltemi Orchestra set the tone with a vibrant mix of Greek and Turkish music, performed by an incredible lineup of musicians: Selcuk Suna, Demetrios Petsalakis, Brenna MacCrimmon, Dimitra Kahrimanidis, and George Vasiliou. Their sound brought people together, there was clapping, swaying, and more than a few folks dancing in the park. Also featured was The Joy , a 30-minute dance and music performance blending flamenco, samba, and contemporary dance with Brazilian percussion, African flute, and French accordion. Performing artists included Carmen Romero, Adrianna Yanuziello, Nickeshia Garrick, Tangi Ropars, Aline Morales, and Waleed Abdulhamid. It was a high-energy celebration of rhythm, connection, and movement, a moment to feel, witness, and move with joy. Plus: • Face painting by Linda Epp • Stilt-walking by Hayley Landry • Craft vendors Alex Mayers & Laura Martin • Kids’ craft table • Local artisan market Families, friends, and neighbours came together to celebrate the joy of art, dance, and community. Joy in the Park, in partnership with Canadian Stage, was supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and Rama Gaming House. ARTIST LINE-UP: Live Music: Meltemi Orchestra The Joy, Dance Performance: Carmen Romero, Adrianna Yanuziello, Nickeshia Garrick, Tangi Ropars, Aline Morales, and Waleed Abdulhamid Face Painting: Linda Epp Stilt Walker: Hayley Landry Craft Vendors: Alex Mayers & Laura Martin Photos by Jae Yang

c70b6714-1353-41f3-bfb6-849bbd660a78 < Back Wolfe Island SEPT 2020 3rd VISIT In the Fall of 2019, Jamii visited Wolfe Island and invited locals to create visual portraits of fellow neighbours, friends or family member.In September 2020, Jamii came back to Wolfe Island to exhibit this collection of portraits made throughout the province. Along with this beautiful exhibit, Jamii invited local artists to bring a selection of these portraits to life through music, dance, storytelling, and drumming; A whirlwind of stories.Artists Teilhard Frost, Jason Mercer, Robert Douglas, Terri-Lynn Brennan, Sue Croweagle, Sukruti Tirupattur, Nancy Steele, and Lucas Sherwood, host Heather Kushum Sheedy and tech Cohen Samson treated the audience to a very rich performance with dance, drumming, storytelling, music, and a mix of genres and styles together. We only had one rehearsal the day before the public performance to create this series of short pieces. Watching artists coming together, creating in the moment, exchanging ideas, trying things, developing a structure with room for improvisation and then sharing with an audience is such a beautiful process. A beautiful spirit by the water. A project directed by Isorine Marc On-site coordination: Sharon Zarita. Thank you to photographer Susan Bowers, for capturing the performances. Videos: Isorine Marc Supported by Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. NOV 20-24 & DEC 5-8 2019 2nd VISIT More than 55 people are participating in "Wind Stories" on Wolfe Island, and together, we are creating about 20 portraits of fellow members of the community. Some of the people involved in the project include (but not limited to): Barb Halladay, Chris Brown, Clara Lovalt, Don Chisholm, Eddie Calnan, Emilie Steele, Georgia Wroe, Hank, Janette Haase, Kathy Rothermel, Kerryn Graham, Kim Smith, Lily De Bruin, Linda Thomas, Liz Crothers, Lucas Sherwood, Lyda-Rose Eves, Marjorie Bousfield, Nancy Steele, Robert, Scarlett Graham, Susan Bowers, Terri-Lynn Brennan, Tom Wroe, Trudy de Ruiter, Wyatt Pyke. The students of Marysville Public School invited Danny Mosiers, James Kirkham, Ken White, Phoenix and Tara Broeders to have their portraits done in the school and they generously accepted. The students' artworks were very creative and we feel very proud of them. A special thank you goes to the teaching body of the school for their support through the creative process with the students. This project would not be possible without the support of the WIG (Wolfe Island Gallery) and Marysville Public School. Oct 5-9 & Oct 30-Nov 1 2018 1st VISIT 2018 JOURNAL (Nov 1st, 2018): During our journey to Wolfe Island in 2018, not only we were overwhelmed by a warm welcome but also discovered a community full of talented people, tons of stories to share, and breathtaking landscapes. Nancy Steele and Sus Bowers connected us to the community at large and gave us a special tour of the Wolfe Island Gallery (WIG); Pamela Miedema and her husband shared with us the history of the light house on Simcoe Island, which we reached via cable ferry; Tara Beers and Jennifer Lawless gave us a tour of Marysville Public School; Denis Doyle and Darlene Plumley told us about Frontenac Council; Kayo Murakami-Wood and Heather Kushum Sheedy shared with us insights on the life in the community; We met with Chris Brown who told us about the arts scene in the community; And we were humbled to meet beautiful people such as Pete Bowers, Bruce Mellon, Carolyn & Tom Wiens, Rocky Roberts, Leanne, Gail Kennie, and many more wonderful people. We got to learn about the history of the 89 windmills on the islands, as well as the different families who have been living on the islands for about 7 generations. Finally, many thanks to Terri-lynn Brenan who shared with us some insights on Indigenous burial grounds on the islands. It was also a pleasure to share with the community a special screening of Jamii's documentary FEETPRINT. Thank you to the WIG for organizing it. Previous Next

Join us as we reflect on and celebrate everything 2025 brought to life for The Esplanade, Toronto community! IN REVIEW 2025 VIEW IN PDF AN EXCERPT FROM THE FOREWORD BY ISORINE MARC, JAMII'S FOUNDER AND ALCHEMIST "When people flocked to the park on a chilly night in early October and I took a minute to look around - seeing kids with their parents making lanterns, the Brazilian crew dancing to Roda de Samba’s beats, an older neighbour giving a high-five to our stiltwalker, people learning how to juggle with circus artists under the trees, and kids getting their faces painted, all of that happening with magical lights glowing in the dark night - it felt right. It felt like whatever Jamii is doing, however people want to define it, however hard it is to pull things together, however much passion it takes to keep on believing in it - Summer, after Fall, after Winter, Spring, and Summer again - at every turn, honestly, it feels right. It feels like it is meant to be." Click the button below to read the rest of Isorine's foreword and check out Jamii's highlights of 2025. VIEW IN PDF VIEW IN PDF

Jamii is building a bridge between The Esplanade and Japan Live at the Kisanii Hub Featuring "Echoes" In Partnership with Our community was invited for an array of arts events to honour Japanese culture on The Esplanade! Jamii has developed a cultural experience curated by the Jamii team and the Japanese community in the Esplanade, to invite Esplanadians to explore different aspects of Japanese culture. "Live at the Kisanii Hub featuring Echoes” was an invitation to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of generations before us through captivating live performances, origami and calligraphy workshops, in addition to a movie screening of a film provided by the Japan Foundation . Through this series of events, we invited our community members to be part of the butterfly effect: as you know, the smallest flutter of a butterfly’s wing can ripple around the world to effect global change. As part of this series of events, Jamii has committed to make 1,000 origami cranes , which are a symbol of hope and a sign of friendship between the Esplanade community and a community in Japan. Esplanadians joined us and made a few of the 1000 cranes, which were later sent to Japan in commemoration of the 77th year of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Video by Recro Digital Marketing Video by Recro Digital Marketing LIVE PERFORMANCE OF "ECHOES" From July 28 to July 30, 2022 David Crombie Park | The Esplanade & Princess St Vibrations from Japan to The Esplanade: Jamii was proud to welcome " Echoes" , a dance production directed by Takako Segawa. This dance piece is inspired from the theory that even the smallest flutter of a butterfly’s wing ripples around the world to effect global change. In addition to exploring themes of migration, " Echoes " pays tribute to the Japanese experience of internment camps in Canada. The dance piece is performed by Takako Segawa, Noriko Hashimoto, Yurika Murakami and Tomomi Sakajiri . Along with the dance piece of Echoes, The Kisanii Hub also featured live music by Linda Caplan, Japanese calligraphy with Yukako Ichiki, brush ink painting with Hiroshi Yamamoto, and origami at the event. Linda Kakō Caplan , Canada’s premier koto artist, is a Tobiume Tsukasa Dai Shihan (Grandmaster) from Japan’s Chikushikai Koto and Shamisen School. Her repertoire ranges from Japanese classical pieces to folk to contemporary works. www.lindacaplan.com Yukako Ichiki is a master calligraphy artist and has won many competitions in Canada. Award-winning artist Hiroshi Yamamoto graduated Kyoto Industrial Design Institute and Kyoto Japanese Art School, and studied under Mr. Rokuro Yamamoto, a specialist in Nihonga. Hiroshi had over 20 individual exhibitions, in both Japan and Canada. https://www.hiroshiyamamoto.com/ It was a true honor for Jamii to welcome such talented artists in our community and through their work, create invisible bridges between cultures. Photos by Laura Dittman In this short video below, Japanese Canadian dancer Takako Segawa pays tribute to her fellow countymen from 1942. Like many of them from Japan, she absorbed 'sho ga nai' from the motherland--a blend of stoicism and practicality that means, "It is what it is. Get on with it." In this dance, Takako channels the spirits of these ancestors, acknolwedges their troubles, and in her own way, bestows healing. 1,000 ORIGAMI CRANES IN THE MAKING From July 18 to July 27, 2022 Jamii's Home | 250 The Esplanade, Unit 105 "Senba-zuru" in Japanese tradition is a set of a thousand origami cranes strung together with a thread. The crane is symbolic of happiness and a long life, and the wings are believed to provide protection. Strings of 1,000 origami cranes are often given to people suffering from illness or injury as a way of bringing them back to health Senba-zuru has become a symbol of peace after the story of Sadako Sasaki , a two-year-old Hiroshima resident who was exposed to dangerous amounts of atomic radiation in WWII. When she was 12, she began folding 1000 paper cranes wishing for recovery from leukemia as a result of being exposed to the atomic radiation. The Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima commemorates Sadako with a statue of her holding a crane. Many strings of 1,000 origami cranes are strung up around the park and at other significant sites in Japan as a gesture of peace, good fortune, and healing. The Jamii community is inviting you to take part in the creation of Senba-suru during a series of drop-in origami sessions . Each crane we string together a symbol of our community coming together, and honouring the August 6, 2022 commemoration of the 77th year of Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. No registration needed, come to Jamii's Home at 250 The Esplanade #105 (By the three at the courtyard of Berkeley Castle) any time within the time frames below. Photo Credit: Envato Photos by Isorine Marc MOVIE SCREENING: "DAD'S LUNCH BOX" "Papa no obento wa sekaiichi" July 27, 2022 Jamii's Home | 250 The Esplanade, Unit 105 In Partnership with This film was inspired by a real-life story of a Japanese father, who prepared bento lunch boxes for his daughter every single day during her time in high school. This leads to delicious, interesting or offbeat creations. The film showcases the bond between father and daughter as he put an effort into equipping his daughter with more than just sustenance for school. Directed by FUKATSU Masakazu Cast WATANABE Toshimi - Dad TAKEDA Rena - Midori Staff ONO Toshitsugu - Screenplay OKOZYO - Cinematography Production Company "DAD'S LUNCH BOX" Film Partners Distributor (Japan) PONY CANYON Official Site http://papaben-movie.com Film Festival, Award 2017 San Sebastian International Film Festival, Culinary Zinema 2017 Silk Road International Film Festival, Japan Film Week Photo Credit: IMDB JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP with Yukako Ichiki July 20, 2022 Jamii's Home | 250 The Esplanade, Unit 105 As a part of a series of lead-up events to the live dance performances of "Echoes", Jamii offered community members the chance to engage with Japanese calligraphy – an art form that celebrates the beauty of the Japanese language led by the talented Yukako Ichiki. A group of 16 joined us to learn about the significance of a variety of Japanese characters as each brush stroke tells a story.

The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! In May, join us to uncover the full potential of your singing voice. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / EXPLORING YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE - MAY 2024 SINGING Friday 7 pm EXPLORING YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE May 2024 May 10 - 17 - 24, 2024 Facilitator: Germaine Konji Three singing workshops led by Germain Konji during which you will be using your spoken voices as a gateway to a fresh perspective on singing. Through engaging group vocal warm-ups and exercises, uncover the full potential of your singing voice. In this workshop, Germaine will integrate elements of voice and text training within a group setting to explore the art of singing. Together, we'll dive into core principles of vocal technique, enhancing our sound and expanding our vocal abilities. With these three workshops, we will have one musical creation to share, for those willing, on May 25th, for our Saturday Mingling! There will be some movement activities which would be ideal with yoga mat. If you have a yoga mat, please bring one. Otherwise Jamii will provide them. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Germaine Konji Germaine Konji (they/them) is a Kenyan-Canadian actor, singer, and writer. A two time Dora nominee, their artistry often lives where the theatrical, cultural, and political intersect. Select credits: Universal Child Care (Canadian Stage), Grand Magic, A Wrinkle in Time, Finally There’s Sun (Stratford Festival), Serving Elizabeth (Theatre Aquarius), Dixon Road (Obsidian/ Musical Stage Co), UnCovered, the Music of ABBA, UnCovered, the Music of Carole King (Musical Stage Co.), Into the Woods (Talk is Free Theatre) Instagram Photo by Bradlee Dela Cruz UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Nov 02 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 02, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. +3 more Mon, Nov 09 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 09, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. See All Mon, Nov 16 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. See All Mon, Nov 23 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. See All Mon, Nov 30 November Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Nov 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing songs from across the Middle East in a five-week vocal workshop with Maryem Hassan Tollar. See All

OUTDOOR EVENTS / I AM ME. I AM HOME. - 2019 I AM ME. I AM HOME August 2019 Date: Saturday, Aug 24th, 2019 Location: Parliament Field "I am me. I am home." featured a cast of amazing artists: OPENING CEREMONY by Leonard Bernard. DRUMMING by Swift Current Singers. PANEL CONVERSATION with Sara Luey & Dynasti Williams who inspires people to reconnect to their higher selves through bold and unapologetic live performances, lyrics, videos, workshops and sonic experiences. She is known as a fierce entertainer with a contagious energy that can raise the vibration of any space she performs in. MODERATED by Joel Zola, a social entrepreneur who moved to Toronto 7 years ago and has since started an organization called Street Voices. Street Voices is a social enterprise aiming to empower marginalized voices through their print/online magazine, weekly workshops and events. EXHIBITION by Gillian Mapp , a Trinidadian- Canadian Portrait and Documentary Photographer who uses photography as a tool to change how people see the world and document visually unrepresented people. She contributes to various publications to create imagery that captures communities and stories that go unheard. Her work was recently featured in a group exhibition titled 'Us. Here. Now', during Black History month. SPOKEN WORD by Karizma, Ilham Suleman , an 18 year old aspiring spoken word artist who is passionate about using her voice to share her life experiences and tell stories about her Eritrean Roots. Jennifer Alicia , a queer, mixed (Mi’kmaw/Settler) storyteller originally from Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), now residing in Tkaranto. She is a two-time national poetry slam champion with the Toronto Poetry Slam Team (2017 & 2018) and member of Seeds and Stardust: Indigenous women’s poetry collective. She tells stories about love and rage. Maysam Ghani , a Muslim Palestinian settler dwelling on the unceded lands of Turtle Island. Born and raised on the Esplanade, she explores ideas of home through her familial, ancestral, and land based connections, while being inspired by the stories of people in her various communities. HOSTED by Britta b. , a spoken word poet, emcee and artist educator. Her poetry has featured in notable spheres such as TEDx, The Walrus Talks, The Stephen Lewis Foundation, and the Art Gallery of Ontario More than 100 people attended the event.

2021 was one of Jamii's busiest year! 2021 in Review Our 2021 theme was “Looks Like Us” and was an invitation to explore one of the foundational values of the Esplanade neighbourhood: the concept of “mix”. We wanted to ask if, while we celebrate each other’s cultural heritage, we also celebrate intercultural mixing, and if so, how? In 2021, through the 2nd year of a global pandemic, Jamii... worked with over 120 artists organized 13 online events, with approx. 18,000 views produced 3 photo exhibits to the delight of 4.000 viewers directed 13 short films which accumulated over 16,000 views organized 95 workshops which welcomed over 270 participants produced 39 live events with over 2,700 audience members worked with 31 Esplanadians (artists, arts managers, graphic designers, tech assistants and more) CHECK OUT JAMII'S ONE OF THE BUSIEST YEARS! HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021 "WIsdoM ripples" Photo Exhibit The Esplanade & Sherbourne Winter 2021 On December 12th, 2021, Jamii unveiled its latest photo exhibit for all Esplanadians and visitors to enjoy! WIsdoM ripples features the work of three Toronto-based photographers: Roya DelSol, Brianna Roye and Zahra Siddiqui. Over the course of eight workshops, nine Laini participants worked to select photos based on a curatorial vision they developed with guidance from Jamii founder Isorine Marc and artist Gillian Mapp. Through the exchange of ideas, perspectives and opinions, participants explored the “why” and "how" to present this exhibit to The Esplanade community. Supported by RBC Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, Government of Ontario, Rama Gaming House. Jamii fundraising Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 2021 WE ALL CAME TOGETHER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LAINI WITH ONE FUN RUN! On October 28th, as part of the Neighbour Champion program of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, we organized a run in our community to raise funds for Laini, our youth in leadership program. We are thrilled as we have, thanks to you, achieved our fundraising goal of $2000. We are still accepting donations until November 15th - click here to donate “GO TEAM GO". The funds raised will go towards projects such as Jamii's “Illuminated Perspectives”. Want to learn more? Email info@jamii.ca "La bulle" by CORPUS 700 people attended "La bulle", co-presented with Théâtre français de Toronto - August 31 - Sept 5 2021 Jamii recently joined forces with Théâtre Français de Toronto to present “La bulle” at the Berkeley Castle - "La bulle" is a visually stunning and poetic solo performance from the minds of David Danzon and Carolin Lindner of CORPUS. "La Bulle" features a one-of-a-kind bubble tent and its sole inhabitant: Pierrot, the iconic dreamer. All 6 performances were fully booked and about 700 people enjoyed the CANADIAN PREMIERE of this stunning show. A performance series at the Berkeley Castle, in the heart of the Esplanade community. Supported by Government of Ontario and Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada. Celebrating Community A musical ride through the St Lawrence neighbourhood July 1 2021 On July 1st, Jamii and the St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association joined forces to present "Cebrating Community", a musical happening through our three local parks: David Crombie Park, Berczy Park, St James Park. We were honoured to present artists include Aki Tenten, Heidi Chan, Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone, Sergio Xocolate, Suzanne Roberts Smith, Leen Hamo, John Abou Chacra, Dylan Bell and Suba Sankaran. Supported by Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada. Looks Like Us Photo Exhibit David Crombie Park April & May 2021 The 27 photos in this exhibit, documenting the human experience during this global pandemic, were taken by female photographers from around the world. The collection was curated by 13 young women from this neighbourhood. This extraordinary exhibit, located across three sites, throughout the Esplanade, was made possible through a wonderful collaboration between Jamii and a global collective of more than 400 women, photographers, called The Journal. The exhibit is featured as part of CONTACT, Photography Festival, and supported by the Government of Ontario. Hoop Dancing workshops facilitated by Nimkii Osawamick March 27 2021 20 Esplanadians of all ages participated in a series of hoop dancing workshops, facilitated by Nimkii Owasamick (one household at the time). Workshop participants learnt more about this traditional and physical art form taught by Nimkii Osawamick. Nimkii Osawamick is Odawa/Potawatami from Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation, representing the Wolf Clan. Nimkii is a world renown dance artist specializing in the Hoop dance, and is the founder and CEO of http://dnastage.ca/ Supported by Canadian Heritage. "Giizhig" Mobile performance in the streets of the Esplanade March 18-20 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. It's 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 In partnership with: Canadian Stage Funded by: the Government of Ontario Moving in the park Series of 25 mins movement sessions with pro dancers Parliament Square Park FREE January & February 2021 Jamii invited Esplanadians, one household at a time, to join our 25-min movement-based sessions in the park, encouraging our neighbours of all ages to keep physically as well a creatively active during the lockdown. We had professional artists/dancer guiding participants through a series of creative movements to break up our day and keep everyone smiling. Over 70 people joined "Moving in the park"! Singles, couples, families, roommates, etc. ONE HOUSEHOLD at the time. This program was offered for FREE. "Illuminated Perspectives" Photo Exhibit Toronto Public Library St Lawrence Branch Nov 2021 - Jan 2022 An exhibit featuring 4 photographers from Pikangikum First Nation, curated by 11 young women from The Esplanade community. “Illuminated Perspectives” portrays Pikangikum First Nation and its spectacular beauty. The photos capture the essence of northern wildlife and the people who live there. It tells a story and opens our eyes to a place in our country that many of us didn’t know existed. These photos are much more powerful than just a series of images. They are a statement of culture, heritage, pride, and community." Featured photographers: Clayton Turtle, Maddy King, Mandi Chan-Peters, Morningstar Quill Curation process facilitated by Elle Alconcel, assisted by Isorine Marc In partnership with Ontario Culture Days and Toronto Public Library - St Lawrence Branch With the support of RBC Foundation, Ontario Government, Rama Gamin House. The Wedding A three-part series of short videos exploring wedding through different lenses. June - October 2021 "The Wedding" is a three-part project inviting professional artists and members of The Esplanade community to explore what a mixed-culture wedding looks like, what are the emotional triggers of wedding ceremonies and the emotional roller coaster of a wedded life. Filmed in June, July and October, as a 20-min one shot through David Crombie Park, The Esplanade. Supported by Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada. Wayo - Festival 2nd annual children's festival 300 people attended FREE August 19-21 2021 300 people attended our mesmerizing parkour through the Berkeley Castle & Berkeley Theatre, to discover a series of delightful performances! "Wayo" is a Swahili word that means ‘footprint’, symbolizing the journey to life. On August 19th, 20th and 21st, Jamii welcomed families one-at-a-time for a physically-distanced experience where families were invited to follow a “parkour” through the famous Berkeley Castle and the Berkeley Theatre, discovering 7 live artistic installations and small-scale performances. The 2021 artists line-up included CORPUS’ “Les moutons”; lollilop lyra acrobatics artists Eman Hillawi & Alexandra Legendre with violinist Saraphina Violin, West African dancer Lua Shayenne & drummer Cécé Haba, Suzanne Roberts Smith and Sergio Xocolate, opera singer Jonelle Sills, as well as street theatre artist Kristi Heath. This event was in partnership with Canadian Stage and the Berkeley Castle. Supported by Canada Council for the Arts and the Government of Ontario. Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration A moment together to listen and reflect June 21 2021 On June 21st, Jamii initiated a story-sharing circle in David Crombie Park, with the intent to acknowledge National Indigenous Day and honor the Indigenous peoples on whose land we currently reside. Guest artists included Jim Adams (host), Kim Wheatley, Sue Croweagle, Jennifer Alicia, Leonard Benoit, and Aria Evans. It is an honor for Jamii to welcome such respected guests in our community. Supported by Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada. DUETS A series of 10 filmed duets Parliament Square Park May 2021 “DUETS” is an invitation for 10 artists and small audiences explore the questions around 'how we mix'. Watch as two artists "mix" and "mash-up" their styles after meeting just a few hours prior! As part of Jamii’s 2021 season titled LOOKS LIKE US, we continue exploring one of the foundational values of the Esplanade neighbourhood: the concept of “mix” - as written in the City of Toronto site-plan for our beloved neighbourhood. Even though it is now considered normal to celebrate each other’s cultural heritage, do we actually celebrate intercultural mixing, and if so, how? Can we bring our cultures together while retaining our cultural traditions, sense of identity and uniqueness? Our hope is that “DUETS" will continue engaging artists and audiences with questions around representation and belonging, and ignite conversations. "Allegra" at Market Lane Public School March 30 to April 8 2021 Susie Burpee brought her colourful character 'Allegra Charleston' to the Esplanade for a series of pop-up performances, which surprised students of Market Lane Public School. These short performances took place in the mornings, engaging young audiences on their way to school with (physically distanced) live interactions. The intent of these performances was to touch the hearts of young people who haven’t had the opportunity yet to see live performances in their schools this year, and bring some laughter and magic to their day to brighten up their mood. Performances of "Allegra" were followed by a series of 4 workshops facilitated by Diana Tso. Supported by the Government of Ontario "Looks Like Us" A winter series featuring live art pop-up performances in Feb & Mar 2021 In February and March 2021, Jamii presents a winter series of pop-up, mobile multidisciplinary performances, offering a wide range of free artistic experiences to all Esplanadians - MOBILE PERFORMANCE "GIIZHIG" March 18th, 19th, and 20th "LuminUS" by Clay and Paper Theatre Feb 25th, 26th and 27th WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO HERE "MIX" co-produced with CORPUS and in partnership with Canadian Stage. March 3rd to 6th - 7pm WATCH THE LIVE PERFORMANCES HERE. Collaborating with renowned performers, choreographers and directors Michael Caldwell and Susie Burpee, with dance/theatre company CORPUS and puppet company Clay and Paper Theatre, Jamii promises a delight of whimsical experiences to bring joy to audiences of all ages. Super(s)heroes Drawing workshops for youth December 2021 Local artist Chris Henderson facilitated a series of workshops to instill into our youths the pleasure of drawing and to boost their self-confidence as they dreamt about who they would be as a super(s)heroe. Participants learnt how to make faces, bodies, costumes design; they chose names and powers for their characters; and they came up with a story board. Three workshops. Fifteen of our youths having tons of fun. It was the first time Jamii initiated such workshops. It is, for sure, the beginning of a series! Special thanks to the St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre for hosting our workshops and TD Ready Commitment for supporting this project. Caring Connections Free creative workshops and live performances as part of Ontario Culture Days Sept 24-26 2021 Neighbours joined visual artist Saira Ansari in the creation of a collective fabric collage. This collage is a part of a continued community sharing process between residents of The Esplanade and those in Pikangikum First Nation (Northern Ontario). During the workshops, everyone enjoyed live music by Lauren Barnett , Veronica Lee , Tangi Lion , Jerusa Leao , Valentina Morelli and more! Jamii was thrilled to present a special guests! Dance installation "Two x 30" by Director Michael Caldwell. Supported by Government of Ontario and Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada. Becoming Garden Honouring Indigenous knowledge through story, song and ritual July 2021 In July, Jamii, in partnership with Canadian Stage, presented "Becoming Garden" - an interactive performance woven by Ayelen Liberona. An intimate sonic sensory experience that honoured Indigenous ways of knowing in an outdoor garden filled with songs, stories and joyful art-making. An Open Source Ritual Architecture, woven by Becoming Praxis. Co-created by Anishinaabe Kwe Vivian Recollet, Carolynne Crawley, Joce TwoCrows, Natasha Myers, and young girls from Jamii's "Laini" mentorship program. Supported by Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada and Government of Ontario. ÉCOUTE POUR VOIR David Crombie Park June 4-6 2021 United for a moment and bound up together in movement, “Écoute pour voir” is an invitation for dancers and spectators to engage in singular encounters and share a close dialogue. A show created by Emmanuel Jouthe/Danse Carpe Diem. Performances produced and presented by Jamii Artistic Direction: Emmanuel Jouthe Choreography: Emmanuel Jouthe in collaboration with performers Elise Bergeon, Andrea Nann, Syreeta Hector, Kaitlin Torrance, Swahdi Ranganee and Irma Villafuerte. Supported by Canada Council for the Arts In partnership with Canadian Stage Red Rhythm & Blues - Live-streamed from David Crombie Park March 29 2021 Jamii was thrilled to present a Facebook livestream of Red Rhythm & Blues on March 29th. Red Rhythm & Blues is a beautiful coming together of two-spirit Anishnaabe~Métis singer, songwriter, composer, artist and activist Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone, and talented queer artist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and activist Valentina Morelli. Together they craft soothing medicine music to heal the soul and free the spirit. Rooted in Indigenous storytelling, swelling harmonies expressed through the ‘time old’ overcoming of the blues, these two are a creative collaboration of magic. Supported by Canadian Heritage. Talks with Anishinaabe language specialist Brian Outinen March 22 & 23 2021 - 1-2pm Brian Outinen, currently a Professor at Algoma University Instructing Anishinaabe Philosophy of Language and Culture. He is Ojibwe from Serpent River First Nation, Ontario and a member of the Hummingbird Clan. Brian is the author of Ancient Ojibwe Teachings, a facebook page dedicated to the education of Anishinaabe philosophy, world views, and of the original instruction of the language and structure of words. Thank you to all those who joined us for one or both of these online sessions with Brian on the subjects of language, sacred symbol writing, and petroglyphs. Seven 7nights - 7min - 7dance solos Live on Facebook Feb 1-7 2021 “SEVEN” was a series of dance solos featuring 7 professional dance artists tasked to explore and share how they have been shaken to the core through the past year. As a mirror to their movements and words, we invited audiences to reflect on how their core had been shaken in the past months, as we are approaching a year, of life in a pandemic. Thank you to all those who joined us on Facebook LIVE from 7pm to 7:07pm where we featured the amazing artists: Feb 1: Michael Caldwell Feb 2: Yvonne Ng Feb 3: Jaz Fairy J Feb 4: Irma Villafuerte Feb 5: Lua Shayenne Feb 6: Jane-Alison McKinney Feb 7: Nicola Pantin

The Jamii Hub on The Esplanade is home to a new dance form guided by Toronto dance artists each month. Join our dance workshops and enjoy being around a community! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / BOOK CLUB / HAFEZ POETRY - MAY 2024 LEARNING Tuesday 7 pm Book Club HAFEZ POETRY May 2024 May 21, 2024 Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James The 14th-century Persian lyric mystic poet Hafez has resonated with audiences from his time and place into our own. Reading him through the translations of late 19th century British writer, political officer, and archaeologist Gertrude Bell, offers a stepping stone on the journey from his roots to ours. With the poems "Arise, Oh Cup-Bearer" and "Singer, Sweet Singer," we will explore translation, transculturation, and the joy of living. After you register, The Jamii Team will send you digital copies of the two poems that we will be focusing on during this session. If you need printed copies, stop by The Jamii Hub at 264 The Esplanade, between 9am and 5pm on weekdays to pick up a printed version. If you would like to explore more of Hafez's work, Eshe recommends "The Gift" collection, which you can find at independent bookstore Queen Books . Mention that you are a Jamii Book Club participant to receive a 10% discount. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Afnan Yakot, Maria Trivino, Sarah N. Ahmad, Jeeya Gandhi Eshe Mercer-James Eshe Mercer-James has taught literature courses at both York and Trent Universities, and also works with the Canadian Language Museum. Her PhD dissertation, Framing Standard and Dialect in Black Women’s Novels (2021), was nominated for the Mary McEwan Memorial Award, a prize for feminist scholarship. Photo by Isorine Marc

2013 Catwalkers 2013 For four months, six committed women from The Esplanade - Teresa McGeachie, Rosie Fernandez, Marina Hanacek, Judy Browne, Carol Auld & Kerryn Graham - worked with artist Anne Fauteux on the creation of a collection of wearable pieces. This unique collection pushes traditional boundaries of the fashion industry by creating outfits that are playful and stimulate interaction between people and urban space. Designers have used recycled material referring to sustainable and creative ways of living. Co-curated by Catherine Sicot ( Elegoa Cultural Production ) and Isorine Marc. ‘Catwalkers’ was a project designed, staged and performed by professional artists Anne Fauteux and Michael Caldwell, and community members from The Esplanade. The collection was presented for the first time to the public as part of the Catwalkers's Show, a choreographed site-specific performance featured during Scotiabank Nuit Blanche (Saturday, Oct 5th 2013). Choreographer Michael Caldwell worked with diverse models - members of The Esplanade community - on the creation of this performance. The Catwalkers' Show took the audience on a journey to the heart of The Esplanade. This project is co-produced by Jamii and CORPUS . Presenting partner: St Lawrence Market Neighboorhood BIA . Thanks to the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Ontario Arts Counci l. Special thanks to ING Direct, Jamii's 2013 season sponsor.