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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.

Once a month on Tuesday, The Jamii Hub is home to a creative writing club! Join our creative writing club, engage with fellow writers in Toronto. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / Creative Writing DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Creative Writing WHEN | Third Tuesday of each C ycle from 7pm to 8:30pm (Check upcoming dates below) WHERE | The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade AGE GROUP | 16+ FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED Join us for Creative Writing at Jamii — an invitation to explore self-expression and discover your unique poetic voice. In this transformative journey from heart to pen, your poetry becomes the content for a spoken word piece. If you choose to take the leap from writing to performance, share your spoken word piece at our Saturday Mingling, every 4th Saturday of each month at 7pm. These workshops offer a welcoming space where the enchantment of poetry and storytelling comes to life. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED May 2025 WHAT IS POETRY FOR? May 20, 2025 Facilitator: Jody Chan MORE INFO November 2024 TRADITION OF ORAL POETRY November 19, 2024 Facilitator: Leen Amarin MORE INFO May 2024 ROOTS May 5 - 12 - 19, 2024 Facilitator: Hidetaka Ishii MORE INFO April 2025 EXPLORING SELF THROUGH ANDEAN COSMOVISION April 15, 2025 Facilitator: Paulina Muñoz MORE INFO October 2024 TEKA LANG (JUST WAIT) October 22, 2024 Facilitator: Patrick de Belen MORE INFO April 2024 MOTHERLAND April 7 - 14 - 21, 2024 Facilitator: Sharon Zarita Adhiambo MORE INFO March 2025 WRITING FROM THE HEART March 18, 2025 Facilitator: Damilola Olajire (SmilingPen) MORE INFO September 2024 EXPLORING OUR EMOTIONS September 24, 2024 Facilitator: Asha P MORE INFO March 2024 MIGRATION March 3 - 10 - 17, 2024 Facilitator: Patrick de Belen MORE INFO February 2025 CRYSTAL CLEAR CONVERSATIONS February 18, 2025 Facilitator: Joshua "Scribe" Watkis MORE INFO June 2024 FOUND June 2 - 9 - 16, 2024 Facilitator: Jäjé MORE INFO February 2024 FORRÓ February 4 - 11 - 18, 2024 Facilitator: Carolina Leite MORE INFO Calendar No events at the moment UPCOMING DATES

COMMUNITY PROJECTS / PARTNERSHIPS / DRAWINGTO DRAWINGTO Visual Art Workshops PARTNERSHIP WITH ARTISTS 2025 Workshops Led by Juliana Bandeira and Luiza Albertini Jamii partners with DrawingTO , an initiative founded by Juliana Bandeira and Luiza Albertini, two Brazilian artists who share a love for art, design, and all things handmade. Since 2023, DrawingTO has been creating spaces across Toronto where people come together to draw, experiment, and reconnect with creativity for its own sake. At The Jamii Hub, we support their ongoing workshops by providing space and helping connect their sessions with our community. Each 90-minute gathering focuses on the joy of process over perfection, inviting participants to explore, play, and see the world with fresh eyes. Through simple yet thoughtful exercises like turning random shapes into imaginative forms, drawing self-reflective sketches, and creating tactile collages, participants find themselves slowing down and noticing the small details of their lives. As one participant shared, “It helped us make our mind ponder over the small details of our lives.” Others appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and accessibility that come with hosting DrawingTO at The Jamii Hub. “The venue provided ample space for everyone and having the materials provided made it very accessible,” one participant reflected, while another added, “It was my first time attending and I had a great time… the exercises were a fun warm-up to the collage activity.” Participants often leave feeling inspired and recharged: “DrawingTO is an amazing event in Toronto that has the power to change the way you feel. It is impossible not to feel energized after so much fun and creativity being expressed.” This partnership celebrates what both Jamii and DrawingTO believe in: creativity as a shared, human experience that connects us to one another. Photos by Juliana Bandeira and Luiza Albertini

Jamii offers free dancing workshops in downtown Toronto led by artists. Join one session or a full series. Registration required per session. OUR ORGANIZATION / Website Privacy Policy PRIVACY POLICY Jamii's Website Anti-Discrimination and Data Collection Statement JAMII WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY At Jamii, we value the trust of our community. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, store, and share your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your information in accordance with Canada’s privacy laws (PIPEDA). 1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT   We collect both personal and non-personal information through various forms and interactions on our website and in-person activities. The information we collect may include: Name Phone number Email address Pronouns Age / Birth year Gender BIPOC status Social media links (artists where applicable) SIN or HST number (as required for artists or contractors) Photos and photo credits (artists where applicable) Resume (artists where applicable) Work eligibility in Canada (volunteers and artists where applicable) Availability (volunteers where applicable) Skill levels (volunteers and participants where applicable) Program and event interests Access requirements Full mailing address Confirmation of residency (The Esplanade or nearby) Confirmation of reading Jamii’s Living Community Agreement Confirmation of reading workshop registration requirements Confirmation of understanding workshop attendance expectations Confirmation of understanding workshop cancellations Workshop/project information Food and medical allergies/restrictions (child where applicable) Emergency contact information (child where applicable) Special needs Date and time of art birthday parties attended by children Internet Protocol (IP) address Login and password Workshop/event registration history Donation history Computer and connection information Purchase history Page response times Length of visits Page interaction information Browsing behaviour Credit card information Personal profile 2. HOW WE COLLECT INFORMATION   We collect information when you: Sign up for our newsletter Register for workshops or events Make donations Complete surveys Book space rentals or art birthday parties Complete art birthday party waivers (for participating children’s parents/guardians) Purchase merchandise Submit volunteer applications Submit artist forms   These forms and transactions are processed through: Wix Forms Wix Events Wix Sales   We also collect website usage data through Google Analytics and Wix. 3. WHY WE COLLECT YOUR INFORMATION   We collect this information for the following purposes: To provide and operate our programs, services, events, and sales To assist community members with ongoing support To communicate about workshops, events, and opportunities To create statistical reports to help improve our services To comply with legal and funder reporting requirements To process donations, sales, and registrations To ensure safety and accessibility at events (e.g., allergies, emergency contacts, children’s needs) To verify eligibility for participation where applicable (e.g., work eligibility) To share updates, newsletters, and promotional messages To maintain accurate internal records of participation and contributions 4. HOW WE STORE, USE, SHARE, AND DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION   Our website is hosted on the Wix.com platform. Wix provides us with the tools to deliver our programs and services. Your data may be stored through Wix’s data storage, databases, and applications on secure servers behind a firewall. Payments are processed through Wix’s secure systems and adhere to PCI-DSS standards for credit card security. We share limited, non-identifying data with: Google Analytics (for website performance insights) Wix (our website platform) Funders (in aggregate form only, e.g., number of participants, demographics — never full personal details) 5. COMMUNICATION   We may contact you to: Notify you about your account Confirm registrations or donations Share important updates about events, programs, or opportunities Request feedback through surveys or questionnaires Address technical issues, disputes, or account matters Send newsletters or promotional materials Comply with legal obligations Collect fees or outstanding payments   We may contact you via: Email Telephone Text messages Postal mail 6. CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMS   For programs involving children and youth, such as LAINI Workshops and Art Birthday Parties, we collect personal information through our registration and waiver forms. These forms include a section where parents or guardians provide their consent for the collection and use of this information at the same time as they complete the registration. 7. YOUR RIGHTS   You have the right to: Access the personal information we hold about you Correct any inaccurate information Withdraw consent for future communications Request that we delete your personal information   To do so, please contact us at: info@jamii.ca The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada 8. UPDATES TO THIS POLICY   We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will take effect immediately upon posting on our website. We encourage you to review this policy regularly. 9. QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS   If you have questions, concerns, or wish to make a request about your personal data, please contact: info@jamii.ca The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Last Update: March 5, 2026

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

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 / Saturday Mingling MINGLING Saturday 7 pm A monthly community gathering: A night filled with music, dance, conversations and other art forms! WHEN | Every 4th Saturday of each month from 7pm to 8:30pm (Check the dates below for each month) 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 Join us at Jamii for an enchanting Saturday night! Our Saturday Mingling is a culmination of the diverse artistic creations and experiences from each month's evening programming. It's a unique occasion where community members come together to celebrate the richness of our shared creative journey. This vibrant gathering offers a platform for everyone. Join artists in a night filled with music, dance, and other art forms. Whether you've been part of our painting nights, singing sessions, or other creative workshops, this Saturday evening is an opportunity to connect, share, and immerse yourself in the lively and welcoming atmosphere of Jamii. Bring your enthusiasm for the arts, your love for community, and your appetite for sharing food and stories. We look forward to making this 'Saturday Mingling' a memorable celebration of creativity and community at Jamii — see you there! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED May 2025 SMALL AND MIGHTY May 24, 2025 Lead Artist: Heidi Chan MORE INFO November 2024 RETURN November 23, 2024 Lead Artist: Razan Samara MORE INFO May 2024 ROOTS May 25, 2024 Lead Artist: Takako Segawa MORE INFO April 2025 THE CHAKANA April 26, 2025 Lead Artist: Carolina Rojas MORE INFO October 2024 TEKA LANG (JUST WAIT) October 26, 2024 Lead Artist: Patrick De Belen MORE INFO April 2024 MOTHERLAND May 2, 2024 Lead Artist: Waleed Abdulhamid MORE INFO March 2025 GROUNDED March 22, 2025 Lead Artist: Sharon Zarita Adhiambo MORE INFO September 2024 STORYBEING September 28, 2024 Lead Artist: Nova Bhattacharya MORE INFO March 2024 MIGRATION March 23, 2024 Lead Artist: Tamar Ilana MORE INFO February 2025 MIRRORS February 22, 2025 Lead Artist: Jonelle Sills MORE INFO June 2024 CONNECTEDNESS June 22, 2024 Lead Artist: Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO February 2024 FORRÓ February 24, 2024 Lead Artist: Aline Morales MORE INFO Calendar No events at the moment UPCOMING DATES

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Nicola Pantin Dancer Nicola Pantin is an independent dance artist, choreographer and dance instructor based in Toronto, Canada. website << BACK TO ARTISTS

ART WORKSHOPS BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation Jamii's 8th Visit to Pikangikum 2026 ART WORKSHOPS In January 2026, Jamii returned for its eighth visit since 2018 to Pikangikum, a remote fly-in Indigenous community in Northern Ontario with a population of approximately 4,000. Rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty, and strong family bonds, Pikangikum also faces ongoing challenges related to infrastructure, access to essential services, and youth well-being. This visit reflects Jamii’s sustained commitment to building long-term relationships through the arts—creating meaningful spaces for cultural exchange, shared creativity, and connection between northern Indigenous communities and urban Toronto. Jamii’s Alchemist and project lead, Isorine Marc, was joined by Dani Kwan-Lafond, Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, whose work bridges social work, community arts, land-based learning, and ethical community engagement. Dani was invited to lead a five-part drumming workshop series designed to culminate in a community performance, while Isorine facilitated guided painting sessions with high school students. Extreme winter weather, with temperatures dropping to -30°C, led to multiple school closures at Eenchokay Birchstick School, limiting the number of workshops that could take place. Despite these challenges, the team successfully delivered sessions and was warmly received by students. Rather than viewing the closures as a setback, Jamii deepened its engagement by meeting with youth centre leadership to explore future collaborations, connecting with school administration to plan the next phase of programming, supporting local muralist Darwin Peters, and developing plans for a new video portrait series with a key teacher partner. These relationship-building efforts further strengthened the foundation for long-term collaboration. Upon returning to Toronto, Jamii hosted a public screening and discussion evening to raise awareness about Pikangikum - highlighting both its beauty and its realities. The evening featured screening and discussion with videographers Ana Higuera on the video portraits she made in the Fall 2026, and a community dialogue with Harmony Nadjiwon, Professor of Indigenous Curriculum Development at Centennial College and a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. Guided by the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing, the discussion fostered cross-cultural understanding and emphasized shared responsibility in reconciliation and ethical engagement. Acknowledments This project was supported by the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts, with additional support for the video series from the JP Bickell Foundation and private donors Jim and Marjorie Dawson. Jamii plans to return to Pikangikum in Fall 2026 to continue arts workshops and expand the video portrait series, and is preparing to welcome Pikangikum artists and youth to Toronto in Summer 2026 - further strengthening reciprocal exchange and community capacity through the arts. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

2015 Forty-One 2015 A book, a mural, a dance performance & a visual exhibition The BOOK "Forty-One Neighbours" From our immediate neighbors to people living in neighboring countries, there are unique, moving and beautiful stories to be discovered, to be shared, and to be enlivened. Each story is a component of an ensemble. Written by 53 students from The Esplanade , FORTY-ONE Neighbours is a portrait book of 41 people, each one currently living in one of the countries participating in the 2015 Toronto Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and having a personal link to The Esplanade neighbourhood. 39 photographers from the Americas participated in the project. 600 copies were printed and distributed locally and internationally. After its launch on April 14th, 2015, FORTY-ONE Neighbours became a source of inspiration for a visual arts installation, a dance performance and a mural project – all unveiled in our park on July 4th 2015. Credits Book creative team: Curator: Isorine Marc Project Coordinator: Zoie Browne Editorial Coordinator: Rosemary Doyle Graphic Designer: Joseph Harbans Cover illustration: Yasmin Harris International Outreach Coordinator: Kerryn Graham Translator: Alvaro Blanch Co-produced by Jamii & CORPUS; In partnership with St Lawrence Market BIA , St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association , St Lawrence Recreation Centre , Toronto Public Library -St Lawrence Branch , Young People’s Theatre , St Michael’s Catholic School, Market Lane Public School, Canada Running Series , Prologue to the Performing Arts , Berkeley Castle ; With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation , Ontario Ignite, Ontario Arts Council , Toronto Arts Council . Partnering schools: St Michael’s Catholic School Market Lane Public School FORTY-ONE embarked Esplanadians on a one-of-a-kind journey that contributes to defining our common identity and embracing our differences. The MURAL"Forty-One" To all the constellations that shine above us, wherever we may be. This mural embraces our neighbours from all point of the compass. In spite of the physical distance, we all remain connected. Inspired by the book “FORTY-ONE Neighbours”, a mural was created during an 8-week process under artistic leadership of Nick Sweetman. Seven Esplanadian painters designed and painted the mural at the “Circle/Stonehenge” (The Esplanade & Frederick St). It represents all landmasses in a mixed arrangement, with 41 dots spread throughout and all connected to each other by a ribbon. The artists involved in this project celebrated our connections in spite of physical distance. Artistic Team: Lead artist: Nick Sweetman Esplanadians: Suzanne Barnes, Kerryn Graham, Marina Hanacek, Andrew Patterson, Julian Periquet, Dan Philips, Ivan Blagojevic, Diana Portokalidis Curator: Isorine Marc Project Coordinator: Zoie Browne Produced by Jamii @jamiiesplanade The DANCE"Forty-One" Based on the concept of ÉCOUTE POUR VOIR, each dance solo was inspired by a portrait from the book “FORTY-ONE Neighbours”. This dance performance was presented on July 4th on The Esplanade, at the opening of the St Lawrence Market on July 11th, and at the Ontario Celebration Zone at the Harbourfront Centre on both July 11th and 13th. Artistic and Community team: Original concept: Emmanuel Jouthe/Danse Carpe Diem Lead artists: Michael Caldwell, Laurence Fournier Campeau, Emmanuel Jouthe, Indrit Kasapi, Jolyane Langlois, Alix Sideris Esplanadians: Mumina Aden Hussien, Karam Aly, Christine Andrews, Athan Belasco, Farid Dastmalchi, Iraj Dastmalchi, Amber Ebert, Yossef Kurdi, Hiba Kurdi, Nasir Robertson, Jacqueline Tarne, Pauline Williams, Kenan Yousef The VISUAL EXHIBITION"FORTY-ONE The Esplanadian Connection" “FORTY-ONE The Esplanadian Connection” celebrated our similarities and shared our stories with a series of 33 installations along The Esplanade’s promenade. A mirrored reflection of each original picture from the book “FORTY-ONE Neighbours” was re-enacted by 7 local photographers and 104 Esplanadians. This photo exhibit was designed by 9 Esplanadians during a two-month creative process, under the artistic leadership of Jacques Fortier. The exhibit was on display from July to October 2015. Artistic and Community team: Lead artist: Jacques Fortier Esplanadians: Nancy Barber, Nancy Brown, Gabrielle Franke, Raecheal Goddard, Mia Hesse-Fernandes, Mike Hutchinson, Margot Mercier, Majeeb Zafar, Ribqah Zafar Graphic designer: Gus Morainslie Photographers: Grant Cockburn, André Daley-Wiltshire, Laura Dittmann, Cyesha Forde, Charlie Lindsay, Aleshia Nigh-Neverson, Nick Spector PARTNERS

DRUMMING AND FILMING LOCAL STORIES BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation Jamii's 7th Visit to Pikangikum 2025 DRUMMING AND VIDEO PORTRAITS III From Toronto to Pikangikum First Nation In October 2025, Jamii embarked on its seventh visit to Pikangikum First Nation since the beginning of this relationship in 2018. Located in Northern Ontario, Pikangikum is a remote fly-in community of about 4,000 people. Rich in natural beauty, cultural heritage, and strong family bonds, Pikangikum also faces challenges related to infrastructure, access to basic needs, and youth well-being. Each visit to Pikangikum is part of Jamii’s long-term commitment to building bridges through art - creating space for connection, cultural exchange, and shared creativity between communities. This year’s project brought together three Toronto-based artists Isorine Marc, Jamii’s Alchemist and project lead, Aline Morales, musician and singer, and Ana Maria Higuera, photographer and videographer. Together, they traveled from Toronto - through Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout - to Pikangikum, where they spent 9 days at the Eeenchokay Birchstick School, working closely with students, teachers, and community members. Part 1: Music Workshops and Community Performance Under the guidance of musician Aline Morales, Grades 6, 7 and 8 students participated in daily drumming workshops. These sessions introduced them to Brazilian rhythms. Approximately 235 students participated in music initiation workshops - 11 of them all together! The week culminated in a community performance, where the students proudly shared their music with their families and peers. It was such a successful engagement that the school has reinvited Jamii to continue this project in February 2026 and dive further in the learning, focusing intensively on 5 classrooms who will do daily sessions and a performance for the entire school! Part 2: Video Portrait Series In 2022, community members shared that recordings of Elders’ stories were tragically lost in a fire. Jamii’s video portraits series have become a way to rebuild that archive - capturing the voices, languages, and histories of Pikangikum Elders for current and future generations. As such, alongside the music workshops, videographer Ana Maria Higuera and Jamii's Alchemist Isorine Marc continued Jamii’s ongoing Video Portrait Series. The portraits feature Elders, community leaders, and artists, allowing them to share their voices and experiences. This year, the 5 new portraits are capturing beautiful stories: Lloyd Quill shares his experience of residential school and the teachings of the land. Michaela Peters-Turtle tells us about the joy she finds in life in Pikangikum and the support her school provides as she navigates health challenges as a high schooler. Eddie Quill, an Elder, speaks passionately about the importance of keeping the language alive for the younger generation. Valerie Strang, the first graduate in Pikangikum of the Personal Support Worker program, shares her experience working at the Elders’ Home. And McDonald Turtle, from the Pikangikum Education Authority, reflects on the community’s progress over the years and the ongoing need for more housing for the next generation. A work-in-progress screening took place at the end of our visit, and final videos will be released online later in the year. Since the project’s inception, these portraits have collectively reached over 20,000 views on Facebook - the community’s main communication platform - reflecting their deep local impact. Impact and Reflections For students in Pikangikum, the workshops offered opportunities to express themselves through rhythm, movement, and teamwork - building self-esteem and joy through creative collaboration. For Toronto-based artists, the experience provided a transformative exchange - deepening their understanding of Indigenous realities and reinforcing the importance of respectful, long-term relationships between communities. This project continues to demonstrate how art can bridge distances - geographically, culturally, and emotionally - and create shared spaces for storytelling, learning, and connection. Acknowledgements This project is made possible through the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council, the JP Bickell Foundation, and Jamii’s private donors. Our deepest gratitude goes to the Eeenchokay Birchstick School and PIkangikum Education Authority for their partnership, hospitality, and trust, and to the Pikangikum community for welcoming us into their homes once again. VIDEO PORTRAITS Lloyd Quill Lloyd speaks with the calm of someone shaped by the land. He remembers learning from wind, water, animals. A time when survival meant listening, watching, and passing knowledge through generations. He says the seven grandfather teachings still hold strength in the spirit, body, and mind. He carries memories of the residential school system. Strict rules. Silence. Coming home and feeling lost without the voice of elders to show what was safe or good. He wonders how easily harm takes root when guidance is taken away. Now he wants young people to return to the land. To revitalize culture. To learn at home, with parents and grandparents, because a teacher is someone who loves you enough to prepare you for life. Click here to watch Lloyd’s video portrait about returning to the teachings and carrying them forward. Eddie Quill What begins as a child being told he is going for a plane ride becomes a story of separation, survival, and lifelong care for community. In this video portrait, Eddie Quill reflects on being taken from his family during the Sixties Scoop, growing up in Pikangikum, and spending decades teaching Northern Ojibway, also known as Oji-Cree, to younger generations. His words carry grief, strength, and a deep commitment to protecting language as a living part of culture. Click here to watch Eddie’s video portrait about memory, language, and holding on to what should never have been taken. Michaela Peters-Turtle Michaela Peters-Turtle introduces herself with such honesty and ease. She shares little pieces of her world in Pikangikum: school, family, porridge, summer days at her auntie’s cabin, walleye on the land, and trips across the lake and beyond for appointments. There is something so moving in the way she speaks about the people and places that make her feel safe, cared for, and happy. Through her words and quiet presence, we get a glimpse of her strength, her humour, and the everyday rhythms of her life. Click here to watch Michaela’s video portrait about family, home, and the places that bring her joy. Valerie Strang Valerie Strang speaks about care with so much heart. From raising her daughter and encouraging her to follow her dreams, to working with elders in Pikangikum, her words carry both tenderness and determination. In this video portrait, she reflects on family, loss, learning, and the pride she feels in caring for others. You can feel her hope as she speaks about going further in her studies and building a future rooted in compassion and community. Click here to watch Valerie’s video portrait about caring for elders, encouraging youth, and pursuing the dreams that keep calling you forward. McDonald Turtle Stay tuned! Coming soon. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

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 / SANKOFA - MARCH 2025 DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Book Club SANKOFA March 2025 March 4, 2025 Facilitator: Glodeane Brown Join us on March 4th for an enriching session of Jamii's Book Club, facilitated by Glodeane Brown. This month, we're discussing "Sankofa" by Chibundu Onuzo, a compelling narrative that intertwines themes of identity, heritage, and personal growth. "Sankofa" follows Anna, a middle-aged British woman of mixed race, who embarks on a transformative journey to uncover her father's identity. Her quest leads her to a small West African nation, where she confronts complex truths about her heritage and herself. This exploration resonates deeply with lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded" as we reflect on the anchors in our lives that sustain us through various phases. Our discussion will blend structured insights with open, informal conversations, creating a welcoming environment for participants aged 16 and above, regardless of their prior experience with book clubs. While reading the book beforehand enriches the experience, we encourage everyone to join, even if you haven't completed your read. This book club is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around with our lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Monday Dancing, Tuesday Creative Writing, Tuesday Culture Cloths-Artist Talks, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Crafting, Thursday Painting, and Friday Singing. “Through these workshops, we let art and community exchanges guide the discovery of what grounds us, or what we need to find grounding on, and pass this discovery to someone else's journey.” - Sharon Zarita Adhiambo. "Sankofa" is available at the Toronto Public Library in print , e-book , and audio book formats and can be purchased at most bookstores. The workshop is free to attend. Come and connect with a community of readers and creatives as we journey through literature and art to discover what grounds us. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Afnan Yakot Glodeane Brown Glodeane Brown is a Mississauga based arts and culture writer, arts administrator and cultural manager, visual arts curator, and an avid reader. Her great grandmother taught her to read at age four and instilled in her a love of books and reading. Glodeane is looking forward to connecting with other bibliophiles who love good conversation. Photo by Edwin Maina

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Zaynab Wilson Singer & Musician Zaynab Wilson is a wayfaring multi-instrumentalist who transmutes stories of growth and progress into songs. Born in Montréal and raised in a Trinidadian steelpan-playing family band, she sculpts an original soundscape combining intrinsic ancestral Afro-Caribbean rhythms and her soulful vocalization of the inward and outward journeys. She continues the tradition of blending music and family- community. website << BACK TO ARTISTS

December 8 & 9 < BACK TO EVENTS Mudlark Outdoor Show Friday & Saturday, December 8 & 9, 2023 6pm & 7pm The Esplanade & Berkeley St Embark on a whimsical journey with Mudlark, a theatrical shadow puppetry performance of a young girl who seeks a place to call home among the enchanting stories of the Esplanade neighbourhood. Experience her navigation through time, witnessing the land's resilience and ever-evolving history. Discover the warmth of a home, dream of the future alongside her, and add your unique touch to this immersive and interactive show! “Mudlark” promises a show that merges music, dance, and shadow puppetry, was conceptualized by artists with the creative contributions of Esplanadians of all ages who attended multiple workshops to create music, contribute to the storyline, and craft shadow puppets. Dress warmly and be part of this celebration of The Esplanade's rich tapestry! Join us for an unforgettable storytelling experience on Friday, December 8th or Saturday, December 9th for an outdoor performance, a 30-minute journey into our neighbourhood's past, present and future. WHEN | Fri, Dec 8 & Sat, Dec 9 at 6pm & 7pm WHERE | David Crombie Park (The Esplanade & Berkeley St) CREDITS: Artistic Direction: Isorine Marc Musical Direction: Aline Morales, Lauren Barnettt Shadow Puppetry: Brescia Nember Reid Creative Consultant: Sarah N. Ahmad Scene 1 written by Mahlikah Outten Scenes 2 to 6 written by Sharon Zarita Adhiambo Performers: Aline Morales, Lauren Barnett, Brescia Nember Reid, Troy Feldman, Karen Lam, Nickeshia Garrick, Mahlikah The Moonrise Poet Production: Maria Paula Triviño, Iris Unlu, Yusra Yacout, Afnan Yakot Funders:

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 / REUNITING WITH STRANGERS - OCTOBER 2024 DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Book Club REUNITING WITH STRANGERS October 2024 October 8, 2024 Facilitator: Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio Join us on Tuesday October 8th at 7pm, for a fascinating conversation on the impacts of separation and reunification many families deal with, with a focus on Filipino communities. Author Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio will share her debut novel, Reuniting with Strangers , with you along with her experience as a community worker supporting with over 1200 Filipino youth. Using a mix of humour and heart, Jennilee will share her journey from the settlement sector to the publishing world, and lead a discussion geared towards community-minded readers and aspiring writers. Reuniting with Strangers connects closely with the theme of TEKA LANG because the book was created due to a need for self-care under the pressures of frontline work. Reuniting with Strangers , which was longlisted for Canada Reads 2024, named one of CBC's Best Books of 2023, and was a finalist for the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award and the 2024 Toronto Book Awards. A fascinating conversation you don't want to miss! We will also share Filipino childhood snacks mentioned in the book. Readers are encouraged to read the whole novel before this session. If you are short on time, readers can focus on Chapters 1, 7, 8, and 9. Reuniting with Strangers is available in print and e-book at the Toronto Public Library , independent bookstores such as Queen Books , and more retailers . REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Jeeya Gandhi Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio After working in multiple school boards as a settlement worker, public speaker, and researcher, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio founded Filipino Talks-- a program that builds bridges between educators and Filipino families. Her work with 1200+ Filipino youth inspired her debut novel, Reuniting with Strangers, which was longlisted for Canada Reads 2024, named one of CBC's Best Books of 2023, and was a finalist for the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award and the 2024 Toronto Book Awards. Photo Credit: Unknown

OUTDOOR EVENTS / JOY IN THE PARK: MOSKITTO BAR - 2024 JOY IN THE PARK! October 2024 David Crombie Park - Hahn Place & The Esplanade On Friday, October 4th, and Saturday, October 5th, Jamii hosted "Joy in the Park" at David Crombie Park, bringing together an all-ages crowd for joyful live music, stunning dance performances, and complimentary hot chocolate and apple cider! The evenings began with live music from Moskitto Bar, a incredible group blending Balkan, French Celtic, Iraqi Middle-Eastern, and Ukrainian influences. Known for their performances across Ontario and Québec, including the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Moskitto Bar’s vibrant sounds captivated the audience. Between their musical sets, and with a warm sip of hot chocolate in hand, attendees enjoyed Earth Synergy , a dynamic dance performance by Artists in Motion (AIM). This piece, exploring our connection to time and the four elements, was a powerful showcase of energy, movement, and music. Directed by Shameka Blake, AIM is celebrated for works that highlight social justice and Black culture, with performances across the GTA, including Dusk Dances festival. With the lively tunes of Moskitto Bar and the evocative movement of AIM, Joy in the Park was an exciting, energizing event, filling two October evenings with music, dance, and community warmth. Artist Line-up: Moskitto Bar (Tangi Lion, Shahriar Siavash, Majd Sukkar, Dijerdam Baiano Gomez) and Artists in Motion Photos by Jae Yang

In 1976 The Esplanade - a downtown Toronto planned community - was created with a pioneering vision of diversity. Today it is home to a very diverse population - with Esplanadians of all ages, abilities, household incomes and cultural backgrounds living together. We come from distant horizons, and yet together we live a harmonious and friendly day-to-day life. ABOUT/ THE NEIGHBOURHOOD The Esplanade Neighbourhood In 1976 The Esplanade - a downtown Toronto planned community - was created with a pioneering vision of diversity. Today it is home to a very diverse population - with Esplanadians of all ages, abilities, household incomes and cultural backgrounds living together. We come from distant horizons, and yet together we live a harmonious and friendly day-to-day life. However, with such a wide diversity, how do we ensure that intercultural understanding prevails; that economical disparity does not build walls between families; that both people with special needs and seniors are engaged and connected; and that all young people have an opportunity to express their unique voices? We believe that part of the solution is to offer inter-generational programming that is free and accessible by all, along with an inclusive, accepting and welcoming environment where all people can connect, gather and create together. We believe that offering both access and engagement opportunities in the arts contributes to a more cohesive, united and supportive community. THE ESPLANADE The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood, also referred as The Esplanade, is a high density, socially mixed community in the centre of downtown Toronto. Built to provide affordable downtown housing, it houses over 10,000 people. It is seen as one of the best municipally organized inner-city redevelopments in Canada. It is also an excellent example of how the public sector, in cooperation with the private sector, can work together to develop a successful new community. Jamii serves The Esplanade neighbourhood. What makes this area of Toronto so unique? The Esplanade is a downtown Toronto community purposefully developed in the 1970's as a new model for urban planning centred around people from socially and economically diverse backgrounds. In 2020, The Esplanade continues to be a "people" focused community that welcomes and embraces a rich mosaic of ethnic groups. This community is considered to be one of the most successful municipally organized inner-city redevelopments in Canada. The Esplanade (original site plan for the St Lawrence Neighbourhood) is home to about 15,000 people – people who represent Jamii’s primary audience and project participants. The pioneering vision of diversity this community was built on encompasses cultural, multigenerational, socio-economical diversity while also embracing universal design for accessibility. Our cultural diversity was nurtured through the specific offering of social housing residences to cultural groups that include eastern European, Francophones, East Africans, and Russians. Our community is welcoming of people of all ages with 3 daycares, 2 schools, and 3 senior homes. People of all socio-economical status mingle with one another as neighbours from co-ops, social housing, private homes and condos. It’s conceived and developed with specific architectural intent so that socio-economic status would not be evident based on where one lived. As well, a specific percentage of fully accessible units were allocated to a significant segment of the residential buildings in the community. Accessibility is a main feature of our neighbourhood thanks to its promenade: a green artery along Crombie Park, connecting our community from East to West. The promenade is also the social hub of our community: when locals walk down the promenade, they can be seen regularly waving to one another. The Esplanade, nestled between the Distillery District and the St Lawrence Market, steps away from the lake, is a gem surrounded by high-caliber artistic institutions. It feels like a village in the City. It feels like home. This inside knowledge, specifically on the design intent of the community, comes from Alan Littlewood, one of the architects of The Esplanade, who was on the board of directors of Jamii for its first few years, as well as former Mayor David Crombie, who was the first person to support the creation of Jamii. Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) "Founded in 1971, OFIFC works to support, advocate for, and build the capacity of member Friendship Centres across Ontario. Friendship Centres are dynamic hubs of economic and social convergence that create space for Indigenous communities to thrive. Friendship Centres are idea incubators for young Indigenous people attaining their education and employment goals, they are sites of cultural resurgence for Indigenous families who want to raise their children to be proud of who they are, and they are safe havens for Indigenous community members requiring supports." St. Lawrence Market “In 1803, Governor Peter Hunter issued a proclamation, following recommendations made as early as 1796, that all the land north of Front, west of Jarvis, south of King and east of Church street was to be designated officially as the "Market Block." Since 1901, the South St. Lawrence Market has been known primarily for its fruits, vegetables, meat and cheese. For many years, few people realized that Toronto's original City Hall had been incorporated into today's south market. The history of the South St. Lawrence Market also includes the north "farmer's market" and St. Lawrence Hall as well." SLNA The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association is dedicated to helping the St. Lawrence neighbourhood maintain its international reputation as a model for a diverse, mixed-income, multicultural, healthy and safe living neighbourhood. Berkeley Castle Site of the former Joseph Simpson Knitting Mills, the Berkely Castle is now home for advertising agencies, garment showrooms, computer software programmers and architects. St. Michael's Catholic School St. Michael Catholic School was opened on June 9, 1982 with 103 children. The key to the success of the students of St. Michael's is the emphasis on learning goals, co-created success criteria and practical and timely descriptive feedback. Canadian Opera Company Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The company enjoys an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. Market Lane Public School "We are dedicated to the nurturing of independent, life-long learners through individual academic achievement and social responsibility. We value our unique diversity and model inclusionary practices within a safe and peaceful learning environment. We foster accountability, pride, respect and responsibility." Toronto Public Library St. Lawrence Branch TPL is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems, with 100 branches across the city and over 12 million books, movies, and other items. It is the largest neighbourhood-based library system in the world. St. Lawrence BIA The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area is a non-profit organization whose membership includes every business and commercial property owner within the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood. The BIA work cooperatively to improve the public realm, promote the neighbourhood and events, and support local business. Flatiron Building The red-brick Gooderham Building (Flatiron Building) is historic landmark of Toronto. The building, completed in 1892, was built by architect David Roberts, Jr. and originally cost $18,000 to construct for distiller George Gooderham, son of Gooderham & Worts distillery founder William Gooderham. It was the office of the Gooderham & Worts distillery until 1952 and sold by the Gooderham Estate in 1957. Saved by David and Thomas Walsh, restoration took place in 1998 by owners Michael and Anne Tippin. The building was declared a historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1975, and then in 1977 the Ontario Heritage Trust attained a Heritage Easement. St. Lawrence Co-Operative Daycare St Lawrence Co-Operative Day Care 3 locations: - 230 The Esplanade - 2 Princess St. - 4 Market Street The Day Care has been in operation since 1979 and believes children learn through play. Play is the cornerstone where children have the opportunity to actively explore and learn through materials and their environment. St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre offers a full range of programming for families, children, adults and older adults. The "Rec Centre" has squash courts, a small weight room, swimming pool, and meeting rooms. Canadian Stage The Canadian Stage Company was founded through the merger of CentreStage and Toronto Free Theatre. Canadian Stage officially came into existence in March of 1988 with its production of B-Movie, The Play written by Tom Wood and directed by Bob Baker. Canadian Stage’s mission is to present work that is global, sometimes blurs the line between the performing arts disciplines, and is brought to life by artists with distinctive, contemporary voices. Downtown Alternative School DAS is a supportive and nurturing community that fosters curiosity, engagement, and a lifelong love of learning to empower students with the core values, skills and knowledge they need to be confident and successful citizens. Distillery District Nearly 15 years ago a small group of visionary developers had a dream for Toronto. They looked at a derelict collection of Victorian Industrial buildings that had been pronounced a national historic site and imagined transforming it. Their vision was to combine the romance and relaxing atmosphere of European walking and patio districts with the hip, cool dynamic of an area like New York City's SoHo or Chelsea, where creative minds get together and you feel as if anything could happen. Young People's Theatre From the very beginning, Young People’s Theatre established its dedication to professional productions of the highest quality from Canada and around the world, written just for children and the people who care about them. Now, after 50 years, YPT is bursting at the seams with highly engaged audiences, bustling drama school classes, strong community partnerships, and innovative in-school programming. Today’s YPT enjoys a reputation for deeply meaningful experiences for all.

"This award goes to the hundreds of artists who define Jamii; To the hundreds of Toronto’s 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, Jamii's Executive and Artistic Director. The Community Arts Award Toronto Arts Foundation - September 2020 ACCEPTANCE SPEECH by Isorine Marc, Executive and Programming Director "I am so proud that Jamii was selected as a finalist with such outstanding organizations: Muse Arts and Unit-2. Congratulations for the exceptional work you are doing. This award goes to the hundreds of artists who define Jamii; To the hundreds of Toronto’s 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. I am grateful and I hope that, today, everyone who has ever added a brick to build the Jamii house feels the butterflies that I do. In 2021, we will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary 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 and beyond. Thank you. When I go home tonight, my two daughters will be back from school and I will tell them with pride about the award and what it means for me. They watch me working day in and day out; they attend most of the events; they listen to the “Jamii conversation” again and again; I share with them my crazy ideas, my challenges, and my happy moments. They will feel in their hearts their mother’s pride in winning this award. And with this award, my hope is that I will inspire them. Inspire them to express their crazy ideas, to face challenges and to celebrate happy moments. If I inspire them, chances are that Jamii will inspire countless other girls and boys. And this would be the ultimate goal so that the work carries on to the next generation. This award is the most welcomed, energizing wind blowing our sails as we look ahead to the next 10 years, while pursuing our work to enhance social cohesion through the arts in the Esplanade community and beyond. May the Jamii house continue to shelter creativity. Thank you." INTERVIEW WITH THE TORONTO ARTS FOUNDATION: Jamii serves The Esplanade neighbourhood. What makes this area of Toronto so unique? The Esplanade is a downtown Toronto community purposefully developed in the 1970's as a new model for urban planning centred around people from socially and economically diverse backgrounds. In 2020, The Esplanade continues to be a "people" focused community that welcomes and embraces a rich mosaic of ethnic groups. This community is considered to be one of the most successful municipally organized inner-city redevelopments in Canada. The Esplanade (original site plan for the St Lawrence Neighbourhood) is home to about 15,000 people – people who represent Jamii’s primary audience and project participants. The pioneering vision of diversity this community was built on encompasses cultural, multigenerational, socio-economical diversity while also embracing universal design for accessibility. Our cultural diversity was nurtured through the specific offering of social housing residences to cultural groups that include eastern European, Francophones, East Africans, and Russians. Our community is welcoming of people of all ages with 3 daycares, 2 schools, and 3 senior homes. People of all socio-economical status mingle with one another as neighbours from co-ops, social housing, private homes and condos. It’s conceived and developed with specific architectural intent so that socio-economic status would not be evident based on where one lived. As well, a specific percentage of fully accessible units were allocated to a significant segment of the residential buildings in the community. Accessibility is a main feature of our neighbourhood thanks to its promenade: a green artery along Crombie Park, connecting our community from East to West. The promenade is also the social hub of our community: when locals walk down the promenade, they can be seen regularly waving to one another. The Esplanade, nestled between the Distillery District and the St Lawrence Market, steps away from the lake, is a gem surrounded by high-caliber artistic institutions. It feels like a village in the City. It feels like home. This inside knowledge, specifically on the design intent of the community, comes from Alan Littlewood, one of the architects of The Esplanade, who was on the board of directors of Jamii for its first few years, as well as former Mayor David Crombie, who was the first person to support the creation of Jamii. Your programming and events have an emphasis on being free and accessible. Why is this vital? By removing ticketing, we are removing barriers of accessibility that would otherwise limit the ability of our diverse audiences to enjoy quality arts. Barriers can be financial, and simply put, attending the theatre is not an affordable activity for everyone, especially larger families. Providing free events removes that financial burden so often associated with quality arts experiences. Our numerous outdoor events also provide greater comfort and accessiblity to children and adults with special needs. Physical accessibility is a key component of accessibility. Outdoor performances are not perfect, especially on grassy surfaces, but when planning, we always keep in mind strollers, wheelchairs, walkers and older folks who might need adequate sitting. Another barrier to access arts and that we don’t always think about is the social construct on how to behave, for example, at a theatre and in a theatre. What to wear, how to find our seat, the rules around accessing bathrooms, food and drinks and many more social rules we don’t even think of when we visit the theatre. This all implies a learning curve. By offering high-caliber performances in an outdoor setting where there is no set social behavior and where one can - respectfully - do what one pleases, can create a more accessible environment for many to enjoy the arts. Outdoors performances are a vital link in the chain of connecting new audiences to artistic venues. Enjoying arts in an outdoor space is often a relaxed way to connect to live performances, and for many, a first exposure to live arts. This Summer, we presented a duet with an Indigenous drummer (Sue Croweagle) and opera singer (Jonelle Sills) - a first. By presenting different arts forms, sometimes in unexpected ways, we are exposing audiences to arts they might not have otherwise seeked out - like going to the opera or an Indigenous event. These are important experiences. Some people might not buy a ticket to the opera, but they might stop by a local outdoor event and possibly stay with us through the whole performance enjoying Jonelle’s opera performance! In short, ensuring that our quality arts programing remains free and accessible for all to enjoy, is vital for Jamii. You’ve launched a women in leadership initiative, LAINI, this year. Tell us more about the inspiration behind it. In Jamii’s first year of existence, we partnered with street theatre company CORPUS, and invited one local young woman to accompany CORPUS on a tour through Cambodia, to view performances including one in a Phnom Penh orphanage run by an Esplanadian. Since that time, we have taken every available opportunity to engage in a very intentional way with young women in our community. LAINI is a Swahili word that means to flatten an area with the intent of making it accessible. It is a very similar in meaning to the definition of “esplanade”, which is a flattened path for people to walk on. LAINI is about giving every woman the confidence and tools to see themselves as leaders; it is about equal chances, and the ability for all to walk the path of leadership. For years, Jamii has been engaging young women in its programming through volunteering opportunities, participating in creative workshops, and working within the organization. However, we have never had an official Women in Leadership programme. Between July and September 2019, Jamii invited 20 young women (past participants in Jamii events) to take part in a one-on-one discussion on the impact of the organization both personally and on the community. Local scholar Tanjin Ashraf compiled a report based on these testimonies. The following quote from one of the participants encapsulates the impact of Jamii, and also emphasizes two aspects that Jamii will focus on in its future programming: building leadership skills, female empowerment, and the nexus between the two. "To create leaders, you first have to foster community, then you bring on leadership skills and contribute shaping women as the leaders of tomorrow. Jamii has enabled The Esplanade's community's potential to be iconic: it has definitely raised the potential of our neighbourhood. Somehow, it brought its talents out. I am excited to see what future programming of Jamii will be about." When the pandemic hit in March, we directed our energy towards keeping the social connection alive with our local young women. We fundraised and produced a series of weekly artist-led drop-in virtual workshops from mid-April to the end of June. Our intent was to create a safe space for our 22 participants where we could process the challenging situation on an emotional level while meeting inspirational artists: Domanique Grant, Jacquie Crombie, Arlene Paculan, Malavika Santhosh, Gillian Mapp, Takako Segawa, Anika Johnson, Britta Badour, Lua Shayenne and Devonna Munroe. While looking for funding to launch a more formal mentorship program, LAINI continues with one-on-one meaningful and intentional experiences and support to our local young women. Mentorship is a decade-long journey: the young woman who was able to travel to Cambodia with us, participated in several arts projects, volunteered at our events, experienced a Summer Job, and worked as an emerging artist. We wrote reference letters for her high school application, her University application and then became a reference for her first job. And yet, we are still at the beginning of the journey. How has Jamii continued to serve and stay connected to the community in 2020 through the circumstances of the pandemic? In 2019, Jamii produced a mobile arts space called the Kisanii Hub (a cargo bike with trailer that transforms into a mobile theatre), which was supposed to be launched in the Spring of 2020. The launch itself was canceled, but when the pandemic hit in March, we believed that it was vital to find ways to maintain social cohesion within our community, fight social isolation while implementing physical distancing, and support artists. As a nimble organization, we explored new ways to bring live arts to our community with a new format for live performances and the Kisanii Hub was at the centre of it all. After two weeks of social, programming, and economic chaos, on March 30th, we decided to produce what would be the first of a series of 20 performances in the streets and courtyards of the Esplanade community for neighbours to watch from their balconies, porches, and home windows. Between March 30th and August 27th, we worked with 54 artists, and paid about $28,000 in artists’ fees. While theatres remained closed, Jamii reached about 2000 audience members - all at a safe distance from one another. Even though Jamii garnered unexpected visibility (national media coverage) by responding to the pandemic in an innovative way, most importantly, we received an enthusiastic and emotional response to our programming, with raving online reactions from residents and the public-at-large. We performed in front of local senior housing and had folks watching from their balconies, looking for eye-to-eye connection and waving at us in gratitude. Our actions and performances implied “we see you and we are here, hold on”. We also had whole families coming to their balconies, craving fresh air, live artistic experiences, and human connection (from a distance). Each performance fueled the next one. From fully mobile performances, we started to do itinerant performances and then pop-up performances, each time exploring new formats to see what worked and what didn’t. Each performance was organized on a week-by-week basis, while watching how the pandemic evolved and responding to the government’s changing health guidelines. This was done thanks to the support of our Arts Councils and a unique partnership with our local theatre Canadian Stage.

The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / PAINTING GROUNDING AND RENEWAL - MARCH 2025 CREATING Thursday 7 pm PAINTING GROUNDING AND RENEWAL March 2025 March 6, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Seema Anwar What colours make you feel grounded? What textures bring a sense of renewal? In this guided, reflective workshop, participants of all ages and skill levels will explore these questions through mixed media painting. Using acrylic paint, recycled textiles, and craft materials, you’ll start by creating a background of colours, patterns, and shapes that evoke stability. Then, through layering, stitching, and gluing, you’ll add textures that represent renewal, what sustains and refreshes you. With a brief discussion to spark ideas before diving into painting, this two-hour creative experience is not just about making art but about connecting with yourself and your community. You’ll leave with: Your own finished artwork New painting and mixed media techniques New memories shared with others Whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or you’ve been making art for years, this is a space to reflect, create, and feel inspired. For those who want to take their experience further and display their artwork, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on March 22, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. Join us for an evening of colour, creativity, and connection. Painting Night is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Monday Dancing, Tuesday Culture Cloths, Tuesday Book Club, Tuesday Creative Writing, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Crafting, and Friday Singing. “Through these workshops, we let art and community exchanges guide the discovery of what grounds us, or what we need to find grounding on, and pass this discovery to someone else's journey.” - Sharon Zarita Adhiambo. Please note that the March 6 workshop is now full . Join the waitlist, and we will contact you if there are spots open up. We encourage you to look out your email inbox (including "Promotion" / "Other" inbox) closer to the workshop date. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Afnan Yakot, Ghader Bsmar, Hadeal Karrar Photo by Iris Unlu Seema Anwar Seema Anwar has a diploma in textile design. She was under the tutelage of Mr. Azer Zubi and Mohammad Ali Bhatti, both well-known artists in Pakistan. Seema uses various mediums such as watercolor, pen work, pastels, glass, and oil paints. Seema believes art can be used as a therapy to relieve stress, trauma, and other daily struggles. Ever since she moved to Canada she has been working with many communities such as the Flemington Community Centre, Arts in the Park, Malton Women Council, Making Art Making Change, Voice of Toronto, Afghan Women, Toronto Green, TNO organization, FHC and Flemingdon Community Support Services. She has worked on various projects such as gender-based violence, green earth initiatives, and art therapy with the TNO organization in the senior group and Early On, Autism Thorncliffe group and Alzheimer Society. In 2023, she did 2 exhibitions, one was Wedbi and one was Scarborough's topic on Islamic heritage. She did one event with the Art in the Park organization in 2023 at Burgess Park Thorncliffe to reduce climate change and recycle textiles. She leads art workshops for physical and mental health and wellness in the community. She has aimed to use her artwork to spread joy and happiness. 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

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / JAMII'S THRIFT MARKET SPECIAL EVENTS Fundraising Cute Finds, Great Prices, Big Community Vibes! JAMII'S THRIFT MARKET (HOLIDAYS VERSION) November 15, 2025 - 9am to 5pm Tis the season… for great finds! Jamii’s Thrift Market is back with a special Holidays Version. Think cozy gifts, sparkly accessories, home décor, stylish clothing, and little surprises for stockings. Whether you're shopping for loved ones or treating yourself, this is the perfect stop for affordable holiday treasures. All items are like-new and available for suggested donations from $1 to $50. Your support helps Jamii continue offering free arts programs for the community, so every gift you find gives back twice! Why pop by? • Festive deals: Score trendy, high-quality items that won’t break the bank • Holiday cheer: Free coffee or tea to sip while you browse and chat with neighbours • Shop that feels good: Your donations support Jamii’s free arts workshops and events • Baked treats! Community members will be selling their best holiday goodies to support our programs Bring your favourite shopping buddy, your holiday spirit, and your reusable bag. First come, first served… and these treasures won’t wait long! Cash, credit, and debit accepted. Let’s make gifting joyful, cozy, and community-powered. OOPS, THIS EVENT IS OVER Photos by Akram Yacout

2020 Community Projects / Film Projects / Unlocked 2020 A Flow of Colourful Connections in Lockdown An art video project created in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic Awards: Five Continents International Film Festival #42 (Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela): Best Experimental Short Film, Special Mention Cinematography Short Film, Special Mention Editing Short Film, Special Mention Original Score Short Film. Canada Shorts: Award of Distinction. Docs Without Borders Film Festival (Nassau, USA): Exceptional Merit Official Selection: Yellowknife International Film Festival (Canada) DIVERSITY FEEDBACK Film Festival (New York, USA) Better Cities Film Festival (New York, USA) Docs Without Borders Film Festival (Nassau, USA) "Unlocked: A Flow of Colourful Connections in Lockdown" is a short film/art video that captures the personal journey of eleven women during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Spring of 2020, eleven women were asked to express artistically how months of isolation has affected their sense of identity. In answering the question, “what is left of me,” each participant, multi-generational and all residents of the Esplanade community, was paired with a professional artist to assists them in the creation process. An abstract symphony of thoughts, emotions, and reflection, Unlocked offers a window into the emotional lives of women. From isolated days that connected them with close family, to sleepless nights which drew them to take a closer look inward, to a new relation to time that led them to dive into forgotten interests, these stories invite the viewer to contemplate how the pandemic has impacted each of us differently. Filmed entirely in the Esplanade neighbourhood - in the middle of the road, in a living room, under balconies, in the park - these interwoven stories express feelings of joy and comfort, melancholy and hope, loss and love through poetry, song, dance, sculpture, painting and photography. First Public Screening: July 24th and 25th 2020, Berkeley Castle, Toronto A project produced in partnership with Canadian Stage . This project is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and Toronto Arts Council . This project is an adaption of WIND STORIES – an initiative that was adjusted due to COVID-19 impact on live arts. FILM CREDITS Produced by Jamii In partnership with Canadian Stage Directed and Produced by: Charmaine Kachibaia & Isorine Marc  Writen by: Afsheen Chowdhury, Aziza Virani,  Bana Stegu, Britta Badour, Francisca Zentilli, Helena Maragos, Indrit Kasapi, Isorine Marc, Julie Nadine, Karen Lam, Kerryn Graham, Lilly Otieno, Mihaly Szabados , Paula Wing, Samantha Stewart, Sharon Zarita, Sid Aakowa, Takako Segawa, Tanjin Ashraf, Teilhard Frost, Tereka Smith,  Wendy Devine  Cast (in alphabetical order): Aela Kuria, Afsheen Chowdhury, Aziza Virani,  Bana Stegu,  Daniella Gakumba, Francisca Zentilli,  Gennavive Marshall, Gergetet Abdelmalak, Helena Maragos, Isabella Mutoni, Julie Nadine,  Karen Lam,  Lilly Otieno,  Michele Brennan, Mireille Ouellet, Paula Wing, Tanjin Ashraf, Tereka Smith,  Verna Chong, Wendy Devine  Director of Photography:  
Nick Kay  Production Coordinator:  Sharon Zarita  Editor: Nick Kay  Assistant Editor: Charmaine Kachibaia Sound Design and Audio Mix: Matthew Maaskaant  Original Score: Teilhard Frost and Jason Mercer Recorded at Neptune's Machine Engineered and mixed by Jason Mercer Original Music: “WAVES” Written, produced, recorded and performed by Bana Stegu “Set It Free” Written by Robert Graham  A REFLECTION BY SHARON ZARITA: UNLOCKED: FROM SEED TO SEQUOIA It is human nature to begin a journey with expectations of how it will turn up, but the past year has shown me life often offers paths that not even our wildest imaginations can anticipate. When I joined Jamii just after completing my postgraduate course in Arts Administration last year, my expectation was broadly to engage the Esplanade community through the arts. I had no idea a few months later we would begin WIND STORIES, a project that would tap into my personal love of listening to people and celebrating their lives. This project invited participants from four communities in Ontario to pick someone in their neighbourhood, have a conversation with them and then translate their story into a visual art portrait. I come from Kenya, a country deeply rooted in the social African culture of sharing stories. Growing up, families would gather by water fountains in the evening to catch up on the day. The streets are often filled with talking clusters of acquaintances who have run into each other. Hence when I accompanied participants to their conversation interviews in Toronto, I forgot I was at work and was taken back to the evening community chatters at home. The beauty about WIND STORIES it is an intersection of four, like streams that meet and flow together into a river. I was honoured to take the project initiation trip to Wawa, one of the four communities. Wawa captivated me by its mountains curved in colourful fall leaves and surrounded by water. Our team was treated with such generosity by Robin, our host, who introduced us to the community and gave the project a strong start. Months later when Isorine, Jamii’s Founder and Director, came back with the finished portraits from Wawa, they had surpassed my imagination. This was also the case when I opened the boxes of portraits from Wolfe Island and later on Pikangikum First Nation. As a Newcomer, I wouldn’t have chosen a better way to be introduced to the First Nations in Ontario: the people, their stories, the traditions, their cultures. Earlier this year we got a chance to exhibit the community portraits, joined streams, at Canadian Opera Company, a mighty river. Like everyone else who had a script for 2020, we were looking forward to the second phase of the project where each of the portraits would be turned into live performances when COVID-19 struck. The pandemic hurt the core of our work – people, connection, community relations. Without these elements the effect of this second phase would be watered down. Though, have you ever seen a stream held back by a rock on its path? When a stream meets a rock its waters slowly build up, go around continuing on its way as if no barriers existed. Since WIND STORIES sought to initiate deeper conversations between community members, we decided to follow this objective and adapt the second phase to a creative process that would explore the layers of the pandemic to individuals. How was the pandemic affecting you, and how would you translate that into an art form of your choice? At the end these pieces would be filmed into a reflective art video. Over-reflecting is a personal habit that helps me process things so this project, again, felt like inviting Esplanadians to the evening community chatters we have at home. As we were filming one of the participants I noticed she had been called by the artists who helped in writing her scene before she went on set and was curious about her experience in the project. Julie took a minute, sighed a little and narrated with her eyes welling up how she has always loved to dance but never gotten the chance and was looking for a channel of her emotions during the isolation when we made the call for participants. This project gave her something to lean on through the raging days of COVID-19. As she spoke, I could picture being encountered by a river that had busted its banks due to heavy rains on your hiking path. Just as you scramble for something to hold onto, you get a sequoia tree which isn't being swayed by the waters nor the wind. I could see each of the community members finding their own sequoia and together forming a canopy to make the grip even stronger. As they hold tight, they don't realize that the canopy not only shelters them but many other creatures from the pouring rain. Many don't realize how community engaged arts touch the producers just as much as participants. A sequoia to an artist is making the art itself so as we brainstormed ideas, scripted, filmed, coordinated tiny details of this video we got our tight grip through the pandemic as well. At the end of June, the team of 11 community members named the art video “Unlocked” because though the pandemic was raging physical locks at us, we found an opening which revived us from the inside. One which our wildest imagination would never have planned for when WIND STORIES was being initiated last year. As UNLOCKED premieres at Canadian Stage on July 24th -25th and you get a chance to watch it online, I truly hope it reminds you that within you is the ability to find a sequoia and grip onto it through your hardest seasons. Dear Esplanadians, you have a canopy at Jamii and I invite you not only to admire its beauty from the outside but come in and enjoy its cooling shade. Even better since you are one of the sequoias in this community coming closer makes the canopy thicker and ever so mightier. This film happens to be the last project I coordinate under my current contract with Jamii and I am touched that God found it worthy to script this canopy on my path as an Arts Administrator. Through my work as the Project and Community Outreach Coordinator I have been granted a year of unexpected enjoyment in my career journey. By Sharon Zarita Unlocked 2020

EMERGING ARTISTS Jamii's RBC Emerging Artist Program AKRAM YACOUT, PHOTOGRAPHY LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII Working with Jamii was honestly a big step for me, both as a person and as an artist. It gave me the chance to see my photography in a new way and to push myself past where I thought I was at. Having mentorship, collaboration, and the space to learn made me realize how much growth can happen when you’re in the right environment. Artistic and Personal Learnings In my session with Laura, I picked up some lessons that really changed how I look at my work. She showed me how wide crowd shots can capture the energy of a moment, not just the people in it. That opened my eyes to storytelling through photography, not just taking nice pictures. She also reminded me to get clean portraits of each artist and to bring more variety into my shots, which is something I know I’ll carry forward. Hearing her say she really loved some of my photos gave me a lot of confidence. With Jae, I learned a whole lot about the technical side. He broke down focus points and anticipation, which helped me understand how to catch the right moment instead of just reacting late. We also went deep into how shutter speed and ISO change depending on light. That knowledge gave me way more control, especially in darker or brighter environments where before I’d just hope for the best. Personally, these sessions taught me patience and being more intentional. Photography isn’t just snapping, it’s being present enough to see the moment coming before it happens. Challenges and How I Handled Them One of my biggest challenges was adapting to different environments, especially when the lighting changed. At first I struggled, but with guidance I learned to adjust my settings faster and not panic. Another challenge was self-doubt. Sometimes I’d look at other people’s work and wonder if I was good enough. What helped was opening up to feedback and realizing critique is about growth, not comparison. Collaboration and Mentorship The collaborative vibe at Jamii stood out to me. Seeing other artists work in their own way gave me ideas and inspired me to try new things. The mentorship from Laura and Jae was also huge because they didn’t just tell me what to do they let me figure things out while guiding me in the right direction. That balance made me feel supported but also responsible for my own growth. Insights and Feedback This whole experience showed me the power of community. Having people to guide you, share feedback, and encourage you really speeds up growth. It also made me realize how important it is to be adaptable and bring variety into my art. Overall, I’m walking away with more confidence, sharper skills, and a better sense of direction. I’m grateful for Jamii giving me the chance to learn, grow, and see my photography in a new light. SEE PROJECT SEE ARTIST'S PAGE AKRAM YACOUT: Akram is a Toronto-based photographer rooted in the downtown community. What began as a hobby in 2016 has grown into a true passion, shaping the way he sees and connects with the world. Now part of the Shoot for Peace program, and Jami’s Emerging Artist program Akram is sharpening his craft and stepping into photography on a professional level. He specializes in capturing live events, where his eye for detail and timing brings out authentic emotion and energy. Through his lens, Akram creates space for reflection inviting viewers to pause, feel, and recognize the beauty and meaning in ordinary life. FUNDERS:

2023/05 < Back to Events Svaha Live Event - Dance May 26. 27 , 28. 2023 David Crombie Park "Svāhā!", a celebration of dance as a revitalizing ritual that brings us closer together. Created by award-winning Nova Bhattacharya , Svāhā! was an offering of movement, music, colours and sensations. It embodied the transformative power of dance, expressing the uniqueness of the individual and the value of community. Bringing together dancers from a varying dance forms and cultural backgrounds, Svāhā! asked how can we be better together? “I am inspired by the eloquence of the human body and the intelligence of the senses. The potential for dance to stimulate people emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually drives my commitment to creating dances that exalt the human spirit and express ideas that words cannot.” ~ Nova Bhattacharya This dance performance included a warm-up with the professional dancers, and a series of dance workshops (cypher) led by Mel Hart so that everyone could join the dance with us. As a perk, our little ones were treated to facepainting with local artist Linda Epp. Founded by Nova Bhattacharya in 2008, dance company Nova Dance brings new ideas to dance, re-inventing the possibilities of the art. The company breaks down conventions and encourages new talent with the best and most exciting in performance the world over. Nova Dance works with artists from many art forms and a multitude of backgrounds to create a community that celebrates the life-force of dance in our lives. Nova Dance exists to bring contemporary Canadian dance towards a new future. Embracing diversity as creative inspiration for a body of work that has garnered awards, national and international recognition, and most importantly made connections with audiences and communities. Find more on their website: https://www.novadance.ca/company-biography CREDITS: Director: Nova Bhattacharya Dancers: Mellisa Hart, Candace Kumar, Neena Jayarajan, Rajvi Dedhia, Nova Bhattacharya Facepainting: Linda Epp Sewing: Diséiye Thompson Organized by the Jamii Team Produced by Jamii WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / JAMII'S THRIFT MARKET SPECIAL EVENTS Fundraising Cute Finds, Great Prices, Big Community Vibes! JAMII'S THRIFT MARKET April 18-19, 2026 - 9am Thrift Market days and times Saturday, April 18 | 9 AM to 7 PM Sunday, April 19 | 9 AM to 4 PM Jamii’s Thrift Market is a community fundraiser where donated second-hand items are offered at low suggested donation amounts, with all proceeds supporting Jamii’s free arts programs. The market brings together clothing, accessories, home items, and other like-new treasures donated by the community and passed on for a good cause. It is part fundraiser, part neighbourhood gathering, and part treasure hunt. People come to shop affordably, donate useful items they no longer need, and support free creative programming at Jamii. What makes this event special is its simple idea: something sitting unused in one home can become something useful or exciting in another. By giving these items a second life, the community helps keep Jamii’s arts workshops and events accessible to more people. Why pop by? Affordable second-hand finds A community-powered fundraiser A chance to donate useful items Support for free arts programming A welcoming neighbourhood atmosphere Jamii’s Thrift Market reflects what Jamii does best: bringing people together in a way that feels practical, joyful, and rooted in community care. WOULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE & HELP JAMII RAISE FUNDS? Donation drop-off days and times Wednesday, April 15 | 9 AM to 7 PM Thursday, April 16 | 9 AM to 7 PM Friday, April 17 | 9 AM to 12 noon ACCEPTED ITEMS: Homemade baked goods, clothes (washed), shoes (clean) bags, purses, wallets, accessories (hats, scarves, belts, sunglasses, etc.), jewellery, small furniture: side tables, stools, small shelves, household decoration, plant pots and vases, wall art, lamps and light fixtures, kitchenware, stationary items, board games, and puzzles, craft and art supplies; fabric, yarn, sewing notions, sports and camping gear (clean, safe), kids items and toys PLEASE DON'T BRING: Books, mattresses, sofas, large furniture, open cosmetics, used pillows, used undergarments, broken or old electronics, TVs, printers, large appliances, hazardous items, medical equipment OOPS, THIS EVENT IS OVER Photos by Akram Yacout

EMERGING ARTISTS Jamii's RBC Emerging Artist Program TINA ABDELBASIT, VISUAL ARTS LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII As part of Jamii’s Emerging Artist Program, supported by the RBC Foundation, Jamii invited Tina Abdelbasit to participate in the creation of a mural project, mentored by Jieun Kim. The experience offered Tina a hands-on learning opportunity in bringing art to public spaces, collaborating with one of Toronto’s leading muralists, and engaging directly with the community to ensure their voices were central to the creative process. Through this project, Tina demonstrated her talent, ambition, and dedication, contributing meaningfully to a professional and community-centered public artwork. The mural is located on the South side of the St Lawrence Market. Tina reflected on her experience and shared with us: “I learned so much during my time at Jamii working on the mural. I faced some challenges but overall, I feel like the experience helped me grow as an artist, an individual and a community member. On my first day, I was immediately welcomed into the Jamii community. Everyone seemed to already have a level of trust in me and my skills that I did not expect which gave me a confidence boost right away. I expected to have to prove myself first but even on my very first day, I felt like the people around me believed in me. This day set the tone for the rest of my experience at Jamii. One of the challenges I faced was my lack of experience in spray painting. Spray painting was to be a huge part of the mural and I wanted to help the Laini girls practice doing it but I had little experience myself. It turned out that with a little practice of my own and guidance and tips from the artist, Jieun Kim, I felt confident enough to help others. The youth that we worked with were extremely creative and had ambitious ideas that made me want to push myself and my technical skills in order to be able to make their vision a reality. Another challenge was navigating obstacles around the technical aspects of painting the mural such as how we were going to reach the very top of the wall or getting the right colors and materials. Everyone I worked with was always so prepared to pivot and come up with ways to continue working despite the challenges. This taught me to keep calm when obstacles occur because we shared a common goal and everyone seemed to be willing to try their hardest in order to reach it. Because of this, we always found a solution and had fun doing it. This experience was the best I could have asked for as my first time working in a professional setting as an artist. I was able to work closely with Jieun and learn so much from her as well as being supported by the Jamii team the whole way through. I left feeling like I have truly become a part of the community.” In Jieun Kim's words: " Tina’s mentorship with me throughout the mural workshop was a rewarding experience. As my mentee, she embraced the challenge of learning how to create large-scale murals while also discovering the joy and responsibility of working with children. Her cheerful energy quickly made her a favourite among the kids, and she played a meaningful role in helping each of them develop confidence in their artistic abilities. The final mural at St. Lawrence Market stands as a beautiful testament to this shared journey. It was a meaningful creation shaped by the children’s ideas and guided by our collective efforts. From the design stage to painting and execution, Tina contributed thoughtfully and skillfully, making the project richer for everyone involved. " A special thank you to the RBC Foundation for supporting this program and providing the next generation of artists with opportunities to grow and establish themselves in the local arts community. SEE PROJECT ARTIST'S PAGE TINA ABDELBASIT: Tina Abdelbasit is a Sudanese painter based in Toronto where she is currently undergoing her undergraduate degree at York University in visual art. Her work is heavily inspired by her relationship with her family and all the different cultures she was exposed to growing up in the middle east. Tina's paintings often draw from her real life or childhood memories and focus on representing human beings beyond what is on the surface. FUNDERS:

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

The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! In February, join us to explore melodies and create a communal song led by Nickeshia Garrick and Paula Sofía Morales. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF SPIRITUALS - FEBRUARY 2025 SINGING Friday 7 pm THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF SPIRITUALS February 2025 February 7 - 14 - 21, 2025 Facilitator: Martin Gomes In this musical workshop exploring the theme of “Mirrors”, we will focus on the rich musical tradition of Spirituals. Spirituals are musical folk songs created by enslaved Africans following their arrival in North America between 1619 and 1860. Passed down orally through generations, these melodies and stories encapsulate the history, suffering, hope, and resilience of a people who found the strength to sing through their hardships. As Dr. Everett McCorvey describes, Spirituals speak to the profound ability to tell and re-tell heroic stories of triumph and survival through music. They are deeply rooted in the call-and-response technique, which demands intentional listening and often repetition of musical lines. Building on Jonelle Sills’s theme of Mirrors , this workshop will invite participants to audibly mirror one another, fostering connection and understanding through the shared experience of these powerful songs. 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 Jeeya Gandhi, Mariana Hernandez, Hadeal Karrar Martin Gomes Martin Gomes (He/They) is an Afro/Latino, queer writer and composer born & based in downtown Toronto. He currently works as an artist facilitator teaching poetry & beatboxing for organizations such as Unity Charity, Lakeshore Arts, JAYU, VIBEArts, tdsbCREATES, & Crossroads Theatre. He’s been afforded the opportunity of performing for people & places such as Opera Atelier, CBC, Sony, Soho House, The Harbourfront Centre, Nuit Blanche, TOLive, and Treemonisha. With their art, he hopes to set an example of authenticity, empathy, and observation wherever possible in an attempt to spread messages of loving each other's neighbours even through all the noise. Photo Credit: Unknown UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. 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 / JOY IN THE PARK: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY - JUNE 2025 JOY IN THE PARK! June 2025 David Crombie Park Saturday, June 21, 2025 | 6 PM – 8 PM David Crombie Park | The Esplanade Neighbourhood On June 21, 2025, we were thrilled to host Jamii’s 7th Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in David Crombie Park, and what a beautiful evening it was! The event featured the powerful performance of Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone with their band, Red Rhythm & Blues. Accompanied by the talented violinist Brittany Iwanciwski and gifted singer-songwriter Leah Holtom, their music became a symbol of reconciliation on our shared lands, creating a space for healing. In essence, it was soul music made of magic. As part of the celebration, Jamii also honoured its long-standing relationship with Pikangikum First Nation by unveiling a new photo exhibition by Kurri Quill. Titled “Mong'Kah'Job” , the exhibition invited us to see the people of Pikangikum, individuals of all ages navigating their own life journeys, while celebrating their culture and way of being. Kurri’s message was a quiet yet powerful invitation to grow closer, bridge gaps in understanding, and honour the dignity of every story captured through his lens. “Mong'Kah'Job” encouraged us to see one another more fully. The event was guided by Suzanne Smoke, who shared with us Indigenous rhythms of tradition, joined by Dakota Myran’s hand drumming and Abby Myran’s beautiful dance, and offered a beautiful opening and closing ceremony and talks. The celebration also featured face painting with Linda Epp, crafts with Sun Raven Arts, and delicious food by Tea & Bannock. We came together for the food, the music, the dancing, and above all - the joy. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Indigenous voices, artistry, and community. Joy in the Park, celebrating Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, in partnership with Canadian Stage, was supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and Rama Gaming House. ARTIST LINE-UP: Featured live music by Aqua’s Red Rhythm & Blues Photo Exhibition Unveiling by Kurri Quill Facepainting by Linda Epp Craft: Pinch Pottery with Sun Raven Arts (Rhonda Lucy) Craft activity for kids Photos by Laura Dittmann

Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site GET INVOLVED / MARATHON / 2019 MARATHON CHEER 2019 October 20 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site On Sunday, October 20th 2019 Jamii organized both the Family Fun Run and St Lawrence Cheering Site at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and won the big prize for the Best Cheering Site! Thank you to our partners in organizing this event: Friends of Berczy Park, Children Princess Garden. Thank you to our sponsors CONCERT, Tim Hortons, Aroma and GWL Realty Advisors! We are also grateful to our local cinema, Imagine Cinemas for the donation of movie passes for all the winners of the Family Fun Run! Thank you to the planning committee: Isorine Marc, Dennis Glasgow, Shaun Pearen, Mary McDonald, Dan O'Leary, Zarita Adhiambo, Josefina Bilotta, Maureen Browne, Raecheal Goddard, Karen Lam and all the wonderful people who showed up on the day of. Without you cheering up the marathon runners, we wouldn't have won! Last but not least, thank you to all the amazing artists who brought the cheering site to life! Linda Epp - Face Painting Andrew Patterson - Live Portrait Drawings Aline Morales - Brazilian drums Walter MacLean - African drums Kaitlin Torrance, Patrica Estay and Miranda Meijer - Dancing Supported by:

The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! In February, participants will paint a Northern Brazilian landscape with the lead of Julian Periquet. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / NORTHERN BRAZIL LANDSCAPE - FEBRUARY 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm NORTHERN BRAZIL LANDSCAPE February 2024 February 15, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Julian Periquet In this session, we invite participants to craft a step-by-step painting of a Northern Brazilian landscape. Participants will be learning how to blend with pastels and accompany with acrylic paint. After each session, take home your masterpiece and cherish the memories of a delightful evening at Jamii. No experience is required – just a passion for art and a willingness to explore! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown Julian Periquet Marc Julian Periquet is a proud Canadian Filipino born and raised in the downtown core neighbourhood, The Esplanade. He established an addiction to the art world at an early age. More so from the encouragement and creative techniques his father Ernesto instilled in him. Many of his weapons of mass creation vary from pencils to pens, markers to charcoal, acrylics to pastels, spray cans and more. Hands on with all purpose materials, Julian doesn't shy away from making an everyday object come to life artistically. New ventures such as live painting and set building have given Julian an opportunity to work with various creatives. Working well under pressure and inviting new challenges will always be an ever growing trait on his journey. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, 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

2021 Community Projects / Film Projects / Duets 2021 “ DUETS ” is a series of 10 short videos that explore Jamii's season theme "How do we mix?". We invited 10 artists who didn't know each other, and paired musicians with dancers to explore this theme through a mini-creative process that saw the making of these short videos within an afternoon of magic. From Flamenco to hip hop to Opera, the Balkan trumpet, Slam Poetry and more, watch as each artists pair "mix" their artistic paths together! 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. Welcome to the journey. Concept by Isorine Marc Produced and presented by Jamii Supported by Canada Council for the Arts In partnership with Canadian Stage Guest Artists: Waleed Abdulhamid, Heidi Strauss, Atri Nundy, Michael Louis Johnson, Mahlikah Awe:ri, Teiya Kasahara, Meryem Alaoui, Edz, Aline Morales, Carmen Romero. Videography/Editing: Ana Maria Higuera and Alejandra Higuera Stage Manager/Sound: Amye Sagar Jamii Team: Isorine Marc, Jasmin Linton, DeeAnn Sagar, Mira Ghabiel Filmed in the Esplanade neighbourhood, Toronto - May/June 2021 DUETS - No. 1 Co-created and co-directed by Ana Maria Higuera,Teiya Kasahara, Isorine Marc, Heidi Strauss Performed by Teiya Kasahara, Heidi Strauss Music by Teiya Kasahara Choreography by Heidi Strauss Filmed by Ana Maria Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera, Ana Maria Higuera DUETS - No. 2 Co-created and co-directed by Waleed Abdulhamid, Ana Maria Higuera, Atri Nundy, Isorine Marc Performed by Waleed Abdulhamid, Atri Nundy Music by Waleed Abdulhamid Choreography by Atri Nundy Filmed by Ana Maria Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera, Ana Maria Higuera DUETS - No. 3 Co-created and co-directed by Michael Louis Johnson, Ana Maria Higuera , Isorine Marc, Carmen Romero Performed by Michael Louis Johnson, Carmen Romero Music by Michael Louis Johnson Choreography by Carmen Romero Filmed by Ana Maria Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera, Ana Maria Higuera Supported by Rama Gaming House DUETS - No. 4 Co-created and co-directed by Alejandra Higuera, Waleed Abdulhamid, Isorine Marc, Heidi Strauss Performed by Waleed Abdulhamid & Heidi Strauss Music by Waleed Abdulhamid Choreography by Heidi Strauss Filmed by Alejandra Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera & Ana Maria Higuera DUETS - No. 5 Co-created and co-directed by Alejandra Higuera, Meryem Alaoui, Isorine Marc, Aline Morales Performed by Meryem Alaoui & Aline Morales Music & Vocals by Aline Morales Choreography by Meryem Alaoui Filmed by Alejandra Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera & Ana Maria Higuera DUETS - No. 6 Co-created and co-directed by Alejandra Higuera, Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw, Isorine Marc, Carmen Romero Performed by Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw & Carmen Romero Songs and slam poetry by Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw Choreography by Carmen Romero Filmed by Alejandra Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera & Ana Maria Higuera Supported by Rama Gaming House DUETS - No. 7 Co-created and co-directed by Alejandra Higuera, Atri Nundy, Isorine Marc, Michael Louis Johnson Performed by Atri Nundy & Michael Louis Johnson Music Performed by Michael Louis Johnson Choreography by Atri Nundy Filmed by Alejandra Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera & Ana Maria Higuera DUETS - No. 8 Co-created and co-directed by Ana Maria Higuera, Edz Gyamfi , Isorine Marc, Aline Morales Performed by Edz Gyamfi & Aline Morales Music & Vocals by Aline Morales Choreography by Edz Gyamfi Filmed by Ana Maria Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera & Ana Maria Higuera DUETS - No. 9 Co-created and co-directed by Alejandra Higuera, Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw, Isorine Marc, Meryem Alaoui Performed by Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw & Meryem Alaoui Words & Vocals by Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw Choreography by Meryem Alaoui Filmed by Alejandra Higuera Stage manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera & Ana Maria Higuera DUETS - No. 10 Co-created and co-directed by Alejandra Higuera, Waleed Abdulhamid, Isorine Marc, Heidi Strauss Performed by Waleed Abdulhamid & Heidi Strauss Music by Waleed Abdulhamid Choreography by Heidi Strauss Filmed by Alejandra Higuera Stage Manager/Sound by Amye Sagar Edited by Alejandra Higuera & Ana Maria Higuera Duets 2021

The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! In June, participants will use acrylic paint and sand on canvas boards with the lead of Julian Periquet. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / ACRYLIC PAINT AND SAND - JUNE 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm ACRYLIC PAINT AND SAND June 2024 June 6, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Julian Periquet Unleash your creative spirit at Jamii's Painting Night! Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner, our painting nights provide a space for self-expression and connection. At this session, under the guidance of artist Julian Periquet, you will be invited to play with acrylic paint and sand, creating an artwork that explores "Connectedness through Culture". After the session, take home your masterpiece and cherish the memories of a delightful evening at Jamii. No experience required. 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 Isorine Marc, Ghader Bsmar Photo Credit: Unknown Julian Periquet Marc Julian Periquet is a proud Canadian Filipino born and raised in the downtown core neighbourhood, The Esplanade. He established an addiction to the art world at an early age. More so from the encouragement and creative techniques his father Ernesto instilled in him. Many of his weapons of mass creation vary from pencils to pens, markers to charcoal, acrylics to pastels, spray cans and more. Hands on with all purpose materials, Julian doesn't shy away from making an everyday object come to life artistically. New ventures such as live painting and set building have given Julian an opportunity to work with various creatives. Working well under pressure and inviting new challenges will always be an ever growing trait on his journey. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, 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

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / SEWING WORKSHOP - ADVANCED SPECIAL EVENTS Fundraising Sewing Studio Series SEWING WORKSHOP - ADVANCED September 14, 2025 - 10:30am SEWING STUDIO SERIES - ADVANCED LEVEL Facilitated by Mariam Ahmad DATE & TIME: Sunday, September 14 I 10:30am to 5:30pm Includes a one-hour lunch break (1:00 PM to 2:00PM). The last hour of the workshop (from 4:30pm to 5:30pm) is dedicated to further individual practice or work on your own projects with assistance from our team. LOCATION: The Jamii Hub – 264 The Esplanade, Toronto ON M5A 4J6 COST: $150 per session This is a fundraising initiative for Jamii. The actual value of the workshop is $75, and the remaining $75 is a charitable donation. Participants will receive a tax receipt for the donation portion. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: In this advanced workshop, you’ll create a denim skirt that’s personalized to you by using recycled denim jeans. We’ll begin by constructing your own textile from patchworked denim, giving new life to old garments through creative paneling and visible mending techniques. Then, using pre-drafted skirt patterns, we’ll walk through how to make basic fit adjustments to suit your body. You’ll learn how to construct a clean-finished skirt, including hemming techniques and installing closures like zippers. By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a stylish denim skirt you made entirely from reclaimed materials. Prior experience required: Participants should be highly confident with a sewing machine, able to work with patterns, and experienced with a variety of fabrics and sewing techniques. Completion of a complex sewing project is expected. OOPS, THIS EVENT IS OVER Photos by Ghader Bsmar

The Jamii Hub in The Esplanade, Toronto is home to free workshops & activities based on different themes each month! Check out and register now. ARTISTS / Nickeshia Garrick Connectedness by Nickeshia Garrick June 2 to 22, 2024 DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE An exploration of the sharing of knowledge and resources beyond borders. “JUNE at Jamii”, under the vision of lead artist Nickeshia Garrick, explores the connection between the Caribbean and Central America through cross-cultural nuances and similarities in the customs, food, clothing, music, dances and rhythms. “Connectedness” reminds us that we are all part of the collective searching for moments to relate to one another. As Nickeshia says “I chose this theme because I have never truly understood or believed in the separation of borders. It is important to tell the stories of how our tribes shared knowledge, resources, food, adornment (and so much more), freely searching for lands we could take care of so that the land would take care of us. We all have this in common; searching for a place we can call home”. These stories should remind the community of how connected we are, and how sharing knowledge and finding similarities in our lived experiences bring the collective together instead of separating us. Join us at “JUNE at Jamii” with Nickeshia Garrick for a month of connection through shared stories that travel beyond borders. Monday Dancing   Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO Wednesday Watching   Facilitator: Jessica Zepeda MORE INFO Saturday Mingling   Lead Artist: Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO Tuesday Learning Book Club Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James MORE INFO Thursday Creating Painting Night Facilitator: Julian Periquet MORE INFO Sunday Sewing   Facilitator: Mariam Ahmad MORE INFO Tuesday Learning Niche Artistic Practices Facilitator: Shelly Ann Mc Leod MORE INFO Thursday Creating Crafting Nights Facilitator: Michael Mortley MORE INFO Sunday Versifying   Facilitator: Jäjé MORE INFO Tuesday Learning Culture Cloths Facilitator: Sabrine S. Hakam MORE INFO Friday Singing   Facilitator: Paula Sofía Morales, Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO Photos by Jae Yang, Isorine Marc, Shelly Ann, Ghader Bsmar, Aurora NICKESHIA GARRICK Nickeshia Garrick is a settler on the stolen land of Tkaronto and has performed on this land for over 25 years. They are unapologetically a Black, Queer Artist, who believes in the healing power of breath through raw emotion and movement. Nickeshia received their dance training at the NYIDE (New York Institution of Dance and Education), National Ballet School of Canada (Tkaronto), Toronto Dance Theatre (Tkaronto), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver). Nickeshia is a Dora Mavor Moore, winning and multi-nominated artist who holds a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University. Recently, Nickeshia became the Co-Founder of the dance collective CinnaMoon Collective which premiered their full-length work, Surrendered Spirits at Canadian Stage. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

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 / I HOPE WE CHOOSE LOVE - MAY 2025 DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Book Club I HOPE WE CHOOSE LOVE May 2025 May 6, 2025 Facilitator: Lee Stone Join us for a thoughtful evening of reflection and conversation as we focus on a selected passage from Kai Cheng Thom’s I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl’s Notes from the End of the World . Guided by theatre artist and educator Lee Stone, we will read and discuss “How Neoliberalism Is Stealing Trans Liberation,” a powerful eight-page piece that asks us to think deeply about systems of injustice, not just elsewhere but here at home. Participants are encouraged to bring Canadian or personal examples, and to bring questions they would like to explore together. This will be a participant-led discussion, welcoming open dialogue and community reflections. Copies of the book are available through the Toronto Public Library in print , ebook , and audiobook formats, and we encourage you to support local independent bookstores if purchasing a copy. All are welcome. No previous book club experience needed. For those who want to take their experience further and share their reflections, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on May 24, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. Spots are limited, so be sure to register today! This Tuesday Discovering - Book Club: I Hope We Choose Love workshop is part of Jamii's May cycle, guided by lead artist Heidi Chan, and centred around the theme of Small & Mighty. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing, singing, and creative writing, we will reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of Small & Mighty, finding the joy and value in doing one thing, but doing it well by slowing down and zooming in.” - Heidi Chan. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Afnan Yakot Lee Stone Lee Stone (they/them) is a director, producer, and educator. They were born and raised on Chumash and Tongva land in Southern California and educated on Kānaka Maoli land at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (2013). As a queer/polyamorous, trans/non-binary, white settler/immigrant of German, Jewish-Ukrainian, and Armenian descent, Lee has spent a lifetime using theatre, storytelling, and education to resist the cishet, white colonial project. In 2022 Lee was awarded the Toronto Arts Council, Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship Grant for the purpose of founding Dead Name Theatre, which uplifts and centres the voices, experiences and talents of trans, non-binary, and queer creatives in Toronto. Photo Credit: Unknown

Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / KIMONO-STYLE CARDIGAN - MAY 2024 SEWING Sunday 11 am Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects May 2024 KIMONO-STYLE CARDIGAN May 5 - 12 - 19 - 26, 2024 Artist: Anita Boey Join us in a new series of sewing workshops this May. Our theme for this month is “Roots”, which encourages us to reflect on our profound connection with diverse origins that shape our identities. Our Lead Artist, Takako Segawa, envisions a metaphorical “tree” which draws strength and substance from its roots, so too can we find resilience and depth by nourishing the essence of who we are. Sewing Facilitator, Anita Boey, has designed a Kimono-style cardigan, featuring a statement patchwork collar, to tell the story of our varied life experiences that makes us who we are as individuals. Each of us has an intricate tapestry that is unique, and we can proudly wear this on our collars! Join in to create your own customized Kimono-style cardigan. Jamii will provide a selection of fabric for you to choose from, and we also welcome you to bring fabric that means something special to you. For novice sewers, Shaimaa Yacout, our dedicated Sewing Workshop Assistant, will guide you with the fundamental skills of operating a sewing machine and through the month, you will create your first sewing project! Let's stitch away our Sundays together in a warm and encouraging atmosphere. By the end of this workshop series, you'll not only have a garment to treasure but also the pride of mastering new sewing skills! Participants are registering for one-month only, and required to attend all 4 sessions. Lesson plan: May 5 – Introduction to the theme of “Roots”, and how it inspired the design of this Kimono with a statement patchwork collar. Participants will choose their fabric, transfer the pattern pieces onto their fabric and cut their fabric. May 12 – Piecing together fabric to create the statement patchwork collar. May 19 – Sewing the collar to the bodice of the Kimono. May 26 – Sewing the sleeves, adding finishing touches to the Kimono, and end with a fashion show! REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown Anita Boey Business Professor by day, sewist by night. Anita is a passionate sewist with a deep interest for sustainability and creativity. As an advocate for reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly practices, I utilize rescued materials in my sewing projects. I hope that my sewing serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can emerge from diverted waste, while inspiring others to join me in the quest for a more sustainable world, one stitch at a time. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. 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 free workshops & activities based on different themes each month! Check out and register now. ARTISTS / Patrick de Belen Teka Lang (Just Wait) by Patrick de Belen October 7 to 26, 2024 DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE Encouraging us to slow down, to hold on, to take a second, “JUST WAIT (TEKA LANG)” is a multimedia, Filipino culture inspired arts exhibit and series of interactive workshops and events curated by Patrick de Belen. Inspired by his mom and Lola yelling at him to stop for a second, talk slower and to give them time to think, “JUST WAIT” or “TEKA LANG” explores a fusion of contemporary storytelling and a variety of different art forms inspired by Filipino culture. Through textile techniques, crafts, poetry, dance and music, “Just Wait!” Encourages participants and audiences to take a second, to contemplate, to reflect, to meditate, to slow down and learn more about Filipino arts, culture and storytelling from the eyes and mind of Patrick de Belen, and a community of incredibly talented Filipinx-Canadian artists. Monday Dancing Facilitator: Candace Kumar MORE INFO Wednesday Sewing Facilitator: Anita Boey MORE INFO Saturday Mingling Lead Artist: Patrick De Belen MORE INFO Tuesday Discovering Book Club Facilitator: Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio MORE INFO Thursday Creating Painting Night Facilitator: Ephraim Velasco MORE INFO Tuesday Discovering Culture Cloths Facilitator: Sabrine S. Hakam MORE INFO Thursday Creating Crafting Night Facilitator: Norwin Anne MORE INFO Tuesday Discovering Creative Writing Facilitator: Patrick de Belen MORE INFO Friday Singing Facilitator: Victoria Sawal MORE INFO Photos by Jae Yang, Hadeal Karrar, Jeeya Ghandi PATRICK DE BELEN Patrick is an award-winning poet, filmmaker, educator, and storyteller across many mediums. His work often explores themes such as mental illness, the Filipino-Canadian experience, social justice, youth empowerment, advocacy, grief, and healing. He is best known for his poetic collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, CBC, as well as his two spoken word EPs and numerous cine-poems and independent films that he has written and directed. When he isn’t on stage or writing, Patrick serves as an educator and youth mentor, working with institutions such as addiction centers, mental health organizations, libraries, schools, and even jails—advocating for storytelling opportunities and platforms in as many spaces as possible. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

2021/03 < Back to Events Red Rhythm & Blues CREDITS: WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

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

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Suzette Vidale Musician With roots from Trinidad, the home of the steelpan, Suzette has incorporated the rich and vibrant cultures of Toronto into her diverse repertoire. Her love of working with children has allowed her to merge her craft with education and teach with a focus on cooperation and team building through the use of the steelpan. Performance highlights include the annual Mayor's Art Luncheon, the Toronto Pan Am Games, the Congress of Black Women of Canada Annual Brunch, the Art Gallery of Ontario and most recently the 2022 Royal Common Wealth Society's Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Her greatest moments are using the steelpan as a wellness tool for youth and the city's most vulnerable women experiencing mental health challenges and homelessness. Suzette will continue sharing her craft with people from all walks of life and welcomes everyone to join her on her journey of "educating, entertaining, and inspiring". website << BACK TO ARTISTS

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Sabrine S Hakam Photographer Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work. website << BACK TO ARTISTS

The Jamii Hub turns into a crafting sanctuary twice a month on Thursdays! In February, you are invited to learn how to punch needle led Alejandra Higuera. PUNCH NEEDLE - FEBRUARY 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / CREATING Thursday 7 pm Crafting Nights PUNCH NEEDLE February 2024 February 8 - 22, 2024 Facilitator: Alejandra Higuera Join artist Alejandra Higuera for an engaging Punch Needle Workshop. Explore the delightful world of expressing yourself through thread and needle in a fun and creative way. During this workshop, participants will craft decorative pieces for their homes, enjoying a learning environment tailored to their pace. By the end of the session, everyone will leave with their own unique piece—a tangible creation from an inspiring day of artistic exploration. Photos by Afnan Yakot Alejandra Higuera Alejandra Higuera (she/her) is a queer multidisciplinary, visual storyteller focusing on creating poetic visuals through different mediums: video, illustration, animation, embroidery, and projection. Her work focuses on themes of migration, feminism, memory, grief, ritual and being a solo parent by centering the intricate stories of immigrant, queer, and BIPOC resilience, exploring how healing leads us to re-imaging ourselves. As a Latinx artist, Alejandra supports our ever-changing identities, resisting homogenization through a decolonizing lens. Alejandra spends a lot of her time being curious: making up songs and languages, learning about plants, drawing, and being creative with her seven-year-old kiddo. Instagram Photo by Ana Higuera

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE SPEACIAL EVENTS Fundraising Support Jamii & Win one week vacation for two! ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE RAFFLE June 1-30, 2026 Win a One-of-a-Kind Week for Two in the South of France A 7-day escape with flights, accommodation, a meal allowance, and airport transfers in France included. The winner and their guest will enjoy a 7-day escape in and around the beautiful little town of Clermont-l’Hérault, including: Round-trip flights from Toronto to Montpellier, 6 nights of accommodation, A meal allowance, Airport transfers in France. With the major travel essentials taken care of, you can settle into one of southern France’s most charming regions and enjoy a beautiful stay shaped by what you most want out of the experience. THE DESTINATION AND A BONUS What makes this journey special is the human connection behind it. “Part of what gives this trip its personal spirit is my connection to the region. If the winner wishes, they and their guest may also have the opportunity to spend time with me in Clermont-l’Hérault and receive my informal recommendations based on their interests, from historic villages and local markets to lakeside swims, food and wine discoveries, and more adventurous outings, subject to availability,” said Isorine Marc, Founder and Director of Jamii. Every ticket purchased helps support Jamii’s free arts and community programs in Toronto, creating inclusive spaces where people of all ages can connect, create, and feel a sense of belonging. Thank you for being part of this - and good luck! Ticket Pricing: 1 ticket: $100 Discounted bundle pricing: 3 tickets: $250 5 tickets: $375 10 tickets: $700 20 tickets: $1,250 Only 355 tickets are available. Tickets are available throughout June, and the raffle draw will take place on June 30. The trip dates will be chosen together and must take place between December 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027, excluding June 15th to August 31st 2027. The raffle is open to Ontario residents ages 18+. OOPS, THIS EVENT IS OVER Photos by Isorine Marc

< Back Moving in the park A series of movement sessions for one household at the tim, serving over 70 participants. 2021 - JANUARY & FEBRUARY Funded by Jamii. Back in January and February 2021, Ontario imposed severe lockdown on its population due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People were allowed one hour of outdoors exercise, one household at the time. Jamii stepped in to offer unique movement sessions for one household at the time for 3 weeks, serving over 70 participants. It was cold - but that didn't stop us! Let’s get "MOVING IN THE PARK" Physical exercise for one household at the time. Jamii invited neighbours to join our 25-min movement-based sessions in the park, encouraging everyone to keep physically as well a creatively active during the lockdown. We had professional artists/dancer guiding participants through a series of creative movements to break up their day and keep them smiling. To register, click below: http://closed