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

OUTDOOR EVENTS / RED RHYTHM & BLUES - 2021 Red Rhythm & Blues March 2021 Jamii was thrilled to present a Facebook LIVE livestream of Red Rhythm & Blues , filmed in Crombie Park on March 29th, 2021. 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. More about Red Rhythm & Blues: facebook.com/redrhythmandblues In partnership with Supported by PHOTO CREDITS

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

Jamii is offering FREE leadership programs for girls and young women of The Esplanade community. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI LAINI YOUTH A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! "Laini" is a Swahili word that means 'to flatten an area with the intent of making it accessible'. It is a very similar meaning to “Esplanade”, which is a flattened path for people to walk on by the water. Laini is about giving every young 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. SUPPORTED BY EVENTS AND PROJECTS BeaYOUtiful: SIX-WEEK CONFIDENCE PROGRAM 2026 LATIN AMERICAN CARNIVAL 2025 VISUAL ART SERIES 2023 MOVIE NIGHT: IN MY DREAMS 2026 DRAMA WORKSHOPS 2024 JEWELLERY MAKING 2023 MOVIE NIGHT: ABOMINABLE 2025 MUSIC WORKSHOPS 2024 LAINI LAND 2023 MURAL PROJECT 2025 HIP HOP WORKSHOPS 2023 LAINI MURAL 2023 How can you be part of Laini? Creative Workshops & Projects Ages: from 6 to 16yrs old FREE TO PARTICIPATE Jamii offers a wide range of artistic workshops for girls and young women of The Esplanade community to explore their creative skills and ignite their leadership. Music, dance, visual arts, photography, creative writing and much more, there is something for everyone at Laini. Would you like to register your daughter? Click HERE to register Research - Impact Laini's impact Read 2021 research. Jamii is committed to assess its impact on the young women who participate in Laini activities and programming. In both 2019 and 2021, we worked with Tanjin Ashraf on measuring the impact of Laini through a series of interviews and programme observations. The findings of both reports are inspiring. Read more HERE. Volunteer hours for high school students Ages: 14-18 yrs old GET YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS Are you looking for an opportunity to be involved in your community and make a difference? Jamii always welcomes volunteers from the neighbourhood to be part of our team and help bring magic into The Esplanade. We would love to count you in! Volunteering with Jamii can contribute to High School Volunteer Hours for students. CONTACT US to be involved: info@jamii.ca Testimonies What are past participants saying? For years, Jamii has been engaging young women in its programming through volunteering opportunities, participating in creative workshops, and working within the organization. Here is a series of testimonials that speak to the work we have already done. Read more HERE . Work Experience for young adults Ages: 19+ GET PAID Gain working experience as a Summer Project Coordinator (Fledger) and start your career at Jamii! Since 2017, we have been lucky to welcome talented young women through Canada Summer Jobs. They have contributed to make the Summer seasons a success by bringing new perspectives, fresh ideas, passion and energy. Be a Summer Project Coordinator. Send us a letter of interest and résumé. What Zarita has to say: The experience of Sharon Zarita with Jamii "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, my expectation was broadly to engage the Esplanade community through the arts. I had no idea what was to come." Read more HERE. LAINI is supported by

OUTDOOR EVENTS / LUA SHAYENNE DANCE - 2020 Lua Shayenne Dance August 2020 High energy dance performance by the amazing Lua Shayenne on August 4th and 5th, 2020. She embarked all of us on a celebration of water and got everyone in the audience to clap and dance along. Lua is a light and tonight she was performing with Cece Haba nand Walter McClean! It was also very special to display Andrew Patterson ’s visual exhibit “Mixed Blood Manifesto” (more pictures to come). Grateful for the Jamii Esplanade team: Isorine Marc , Raecheal Goddard and Afnan Yakot A performance in partnership with Supported by PHOTO CREDITS

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Waleed Adbdulhamid Musician website Waleed Abdulhamid is a Canadian Multi-instrumentalist; Composer; Vocalist; Music and Film Producer, known for his striking vocals, innovative bass technique, and his speed and precision on percussion. He has been an active member of the Toronto music scene since his arrival, in 1991 from Sudan, where he began to perform as early as six years old. He is the recipient of the Canadian New Pioneer Award; African Tama Award; Reel World Film Festival Award and Canadian Film Board of Excellence Award. In addition, he has not only received other international awards, but was also twice honoured with a DORA Award. << BACK TO ARTISTS

Toronto Waterfront Marathon Fundraising GET INVOLVED / MARATHON / 2024 MARATHON FUNDRAISER 2024 October 19 & 20 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Fundraising This year marked a significant milestone for Jamii as we participated in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon for the very first time. Thanks to the incredible support of our dedicated participants, we are thrilled to share that we successfully raised $20,000! This achievement would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and generosity of everyone who joined us in this journey. Each step, each donation, and every effort contributed to making this fundraiser a success. We are deeply grateful to our runners, donors, volunteers, and supporters who helped us reach our goal. Your commitment to Jamii and the causes we champion will have a lasting impact, and we look forward to growing this initiative even further in the years to come. Participants of the 2024 Waterfront Marathon: Abdul-Hamid Oladipo: Raised $181.20 Afry Tajaddini: Raised $459.35 Alex Rice: Raised $1,216.27 Aparna Mookerjea: Raised $958.23 Arjun Jain: Raised $100 Blair O'Connor: Raised $532.63 Brenda Wootten: Raised $3,820.06 Carol Pasten: Raised $1,109.46 Dylan Peifer: Raised $191.69 Felix Watanabe: Raised $481.46 Folu Adewusi: Raised $180.96 Hamoon: Raised $1,726.17 Iris and Omelette: Raised $1,147.89 Isorine Marc: Raised $1,449.08 Jaden Kwan: Raised $194.18 Marc Daguro: Raised $183.85 May Chook: Raised $136.11 Meera Jain: Raised $100 Omelette and Nicole: Raised $2,523.26 Pablo Gonzalez Legendre: Raised $214.58 Paloma Gallego Oliva: Raised $218.54 Phoenix Stanshall: Raised $179.63 Row Iliescu: Raised $553.71 Sho Brooks: Raised $66.33 Simone VanderMeulen: Raised $194.18 Tefetro Weekes: Raised $86.84 Yasseen Ashri: Raised $200 We are grateful for the support of Joystride Run Club for joining the marathon and fundraising for Jamii!

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

"Divine Intervensions" is coming to David Crombie Park between May 24 and May 28! Join us at this outdoor processional performance co-presented with CORPUS. Featuring CORPUS' Divine Interventions Live at the Kisanii Hub Co-presented with In Partnership with From May 25 to May 28, 2022 David Crombie Park | The Esplanade and Princess Street There comes a time in every story when it feels like hope is lost. Everything is going wrong, all options have been exhausted, and the only thing left to do is pray for Divine Interventions. Developed in confinement, this outdoor processional performance is a playful response to the challenges of 2020 and beyond. Five goddesses descend from the heavens and tour the streets of the Esplanade on a giant quint bicycle, having received word that the world is in dire need of their help. Through a suite of new songs by Dora-winning composer Anika Johnson, and with ornamented costumes designed by German artist Carolin Lindner, the goddesses offer blessings, prayers, guidance, and the occasional rebuke. Choreographer Bonnie Kim and Matt O’Connor create a movement language that evokes divine wisdom and timeless ritual, while CORPUS’ co-founder and artistic director David Danzon injects the performance with the company’s trademark humour. Featuring a diverse cast of powerhouse female performers, Divine Interventions is a sincere offering for these chaotic times. Audiences may encounter the piece unexpectedly as the goddesses pass by on their giant bicycle or witness a transformative ritual when the women disembark to sing and bless an urban street corner or a public park. Regardless, it is the intention of the work to offer a sense of magic, beauty, and the reignited hope that perhaps we are indeed being cared for by something divine. Divine Interventions is nominated for the Dora Awards 2022 by Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts in the categories of "Outstanding New Musical" (Anika Johnson), "Outstanding Original Choreography" (Matthes O'Connor and Bonnie Kim), and "Outstanding Musical Direction" (Anika Johnson). Video and Edit by Dawar Naim Photos by Jae Yang & Isorine Marc Credits Divine Interventions Created by: David Danzon, Anika Johnson, Matthew O’Connor Choreographers: Bonnie Kim, Matthew O’Connor Composer and Musical Director: Anika Johnson Costume Design: Carolin Lindner Photo: Jae Yang Performers: Barbara Fulton, TrudyLee Gayle, Barbara Johnston, Tracy Michailidis, Michelle Yu, and special guest Raya Danzon Kisanii Hub Organized by Jamii Team: Isorine Marc, Iris Unlu, Afnan Yakot, Yusra Yacout, Nadifa Daud Mohamed, Maysam Ghani Host: Monica Garrido Live Performer: Kazdoura Music Live Performer: Jerusa Le ào, May Akanuma Live Performer: Tara Moneka, Sabine Ndalamba, Jessica Deutsch Face Painter: Linda Epp Event Photographer: Jae Yang Event Videographer: Dawar Naim Stage Manager: Julia Beaulieu Kazdoura Music Kazdoura is a Toronto-based band that serves up Arabic fusion with a modern twist. Equal parts nostalgia and reinvention, their style is a cross-cultural blend of Eastern and Western music that blends old-world Arabic classics with jazz, funk, electro-pop, and disco. This project was founded in the summer of 2020, quickly finding success online, where their videos have collected more than 3 million views on Tik Tok. Singer Leen is a newcomer from Syria whose passion for classical Arabic music led her to collaborate with jazz musician Johnny who has a Lebanese background in order introduce this fusion music to a Canadian audience. In October 2021, Kazdoura released their debut single "Wain", song of their Ep, set to be released June 2022. Kazdoura has been performing extensively in Toronto and Montreal and festivals such as the Toronto Palestine Film Festival and the Taste of the Middle East. @kazdouramusic BACK TO PROJECTS May Akanuma May Akanuma started playing saxophone when she was 12 years old and played throughout high school. After, she studied jazz at Shobi music college in Tokyo and continued to teach ensemble lessons and musical direction in Japan after graduation. Since moving to Toronto in 2016, she has played more than 400 gigs and performed on more than 30 recordings. Her current jazz trio “Redmarsh” performs at private parties, festivals and various music venues in the GTA and she also continues to perform with world artists from many different cultures, from Brazilian to Nigerian. In 2021, she released the first single for her personal project “Maysaxophone”. @maysaxophone BACK TO PROJECTS Tara Moneka Tara Moneka is a singer from Iraq sings in different types of music and different languages , (Arabic,English, Indian, Latino, Moroccan , African, Turkish, and more)‪.‬ She has a female band consisted of professional multicultural players‪.‬ She is also an advocate for women's rights‪.‬ Tara is from Iraq Baghdad, she became well known singer in early age 12 years old after she participated in The Voice Kids and she did many festivals in Iraq ‪.‬ She studied music for 7 years , she has collaborated with different institutions , organizations and collectives including : Aga Khan Museum, the Koerner Hall , Fabcollab (Women in a song) , Umanotaculture , Moskittobar, Mixto, Moneka Arabic Jazz, Lula Launch, The Opera House of Toronto, SOFAR Music, Drom Taberna, The Oud and The Fuzz, Lemon Bucket, Kune)‪. ‬ Tara's goal is to share different music types with people‪ and to be multilingual that represents the diversity of the world‪. @tarasmoneka BACK TO PROJECTS Linda Epp Linda is a face painter for approximately 10 years. Her story with face painting began with her two children went out for Halloween one year when they were quite young. She went and bought some terrible (non FDA approved) paint at the dollar store and thought she could magically transform them. She later figured out that it didn’t quite work out that way, but she fell in love with the art of face painting. She has since honed her skills with workshops and many hours of practice. Linda has worked with many organizations such as the St. Lawrence BIA, Jamii, long term care facilities, local festivals and private birthday parties. She states that she loves what she does and there is nothing better than putting a huge smile on a child’s face! BACK TO PROJECTS Jerusa Leao Jerusa Leão is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto, Canada. Over the course of a decade Jerusa has cultivated several impressive musical projects that span different continents. These musical projects showcase Brazilian music and culture. One such project is the half-Canadian, half-Brazilian band Maria and The Band (www.mariaband.com ). Jerusa holds the position of the artistic director, singer, songwriter and percussionist of the band. Her world ethnic music style and collection of electronic music has been enjoyed in cultural events and festivals throughout Brazil, Canada, France and USA. @jlmusicca BACK TO PROJECTS 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. www.corpus.ca BACK TO PROJECTS

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

d6c0229c-7b8a-4ea8-948f-4634639d38fb < Back Wawa and Michipicoten Firts Nation Wawa & Michipicoten First Nation SEPT 2020 3rd VISIT In the Fall of 2019, Jamii visited Wawa and invited locals to create visual portraits of fellow neighbours, friends or family member. Altogether, 21 beautiful portraits were created. Following the creation of this series of portraits, Jamii came back to Wawa in September 2020 to exhibit this collection of portraits, along with portraits created in Toronto, Wolfe Island and Pikangikum. Along with this unique exhibit, Jamii invited local artists to bring a selection of these portraits to life through music, dance, storytelling, and drumming; A whirlwind of stories and a unique way to share and celebrate each other stories. ARTISTS: Damian Binda, Isabella Imperatori, Joanne Poisson, Sheila Rodger, Brian Lachine, Mirinda Patterson and Samatha Stewart. Host: Nadine Kwissiwa. Tech: Marty Rodger. Ambassador: Darren Marshall. In partnership with the Municipality of Wawa and Wawa Colab and supported by Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. Photos: Kylie Marie (Inspired Moments Photography) Wawa & MIchipicoten First Nation NOV 9-18 2019 2nd VISIT 2019 JOURNAL: It has been quite an amazing week in Wawa & Michipicoten First Nation. We have created 22 portraits of people from the community made by fellow community members, and in the creative process, more than 50 people were involved. On November 16th, about 60 people joined us at the LakeView Hotel to celebrate this success. (see photos below by Kristen Sabourin). It is humbling to witness people coming through and opening up to each other, especially when they haven't previously met. To say the least, this has been an amazing and moving journey.We are grateful for the support of many partners who greatly contributed in bringing this project to life: Canada Council for the Arts Ontario Arts Council Toronto Arts Council Superior Children Centre Wawa EarlyON Child & Family Centre Wawa Goose Seniors Club Michipicoten High School Michipicoten First Nation CSC Nouvelon A special thank you to all those who participated in this project, included but not limited to: Marilyn Perkovich-Farand, Pauline Dawson, Robin Marshall Davidson, Thelma Joyce Smitham, Carol, Matt Larrett, Chief Patricia Tangie, Lucille Vachon-Case, River Lise Berry, Brian Outinen, Doris Jacques, Jacob Larrett, Melina DeSaulnier, Elma Spooner, Hamza Khan, Kayley East, and Isabella Impératori. Last but not least, thank you to amazing artists Kara Spencer and Dan Bergeron; our community ambassador Darren Marshall, Jamii's President Georgia Reynolds, and the amazing amazing Robin Marshall Davidson. Isorine Marc and the Jamii team are grateful. Thank you Wawa, Ontario. Michipicoten First Nation & Wawa Sept 21st to 25th 2018 1st VISIT 2018 JOURNAL (Oct 1st 2018): Our visit to Michipicoten First Nation and Wawa was yet another soul-enriching journey. On our way to the two communities, we visited the Twilight Resort, Chippewa Falls, Old Women Bay. We then discovered Mr Vallee Park and Anderson Lake, Hawk Junction, Michipicoten High School, Lions Park, Superior Childcare Centre, the local North of 17 and Embassy restaurants (both meeting places in the community), the Lady Dunn Health Centre, Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, Michipicoten First Nation Community Centre, Sandy Beach and much more. We were blessed to meet Brian Outinen who shared with us his knowledge of pictographs and local legends. Isabeau Allard from the township of Wawa shared with us some insight on the township efforts to bring people together through the new strategic plans. Nancy Auclair told us about Indigenous youth and the importance of finding one’s sense of identity. Nathalie Scully gave us a tour of her camp and told us about Hawk Junction history that was once thriving with the passenger trains, which no longer runs thus reinforcing isolation. Carolle Beaulieu-Pitre showed us her community project of organic farming at the Flying Geese Farm. We also met as a larger group composed of Paula Valois, Amanda Gautier, Brian Lachine, George Brousseau, Jessie Labonte, Maury O’Neil, and Beverly Boyd to discuss how each local organizations are contributing to the overall health of both communities and are linked together, what makes us proud of both Michipicoten First Nation and Wawa, and what are some of the untold & silenced stories of these two communities. Special thank you to Robin Marshall for welcoming us to her community. Previous Next

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Kristi Heath Stilt Walker website Kristi Heath has been creating and performing stilt characters since God was a baby. Her performing career has taken her around the world and includes stints with Cirque du Soleil, Second City and three World Expos. << BACK TO ARTISTS

"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.

EMERGING ARTISTS Jamii's RBC Emerging Artist Program ANA HIGUERA, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY VISUAL ART & MUSIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII In 2025, as part of Jamii’s Emerging Artist Program, supported by the RBC Foundation, Jamii invited Ana Maria Higuera Tirado (aka Ana Figo) to gain experience and expand her creative practice through two complementary projects: LAINI Land and Baraza Pikangikum. LAINI Land 2025, held in August at Restoule Provincial Park near North Bay, marked the fourth edition of this immersive youth program. Jamii invited 16 girls from The Esplanade community to engage in a five-day journey of discovery, creativity, and empowerment. Guided by a leadership team including Jamii’s Artistic Director Isorine Marc, Ana Figo as artist-in-residence, and other facilitators, participants explored artistic expression, outdoor skills, and teamwork. Ana led daily workshops in zine-making, visual arts, and creative writing, helping the girls explore their voices, stories, and creativity. The experience fostered confidence, independence, leadership, and creative expression, leaving a lasting impact on both participants and their families. Through LAINI Land, Ana reflected on her growth as an emerging artist, noting how she learned to facilitate creative exploration for youth, adapt workshops to different energy levels and personalities, and support participants in finding their own voices. She also gained hands-on experience in collaborative program design, leadership, and outdoor arts integration, strengthening her ability to balance artistic vision with logistical planning. In October 2025, Ana joined Jamii on its seventh visit to Pikangikum First Nation, a remote community in Northern Ontario of about 4,000 residents. Alongside Jamii’s Artistic Director Isorine Marc and musician Aline Morales, Ana co-led a series of music workshops for Grades 6-8 students, introducing Brazilian rhythms through drumming and culminating in a community performance. Approximately 235 students participated, and the school has since invited Jamii to expand the project in 2026. Alongside the music programming, Ana contributed to Jamii’s ongoing Video Portrait Series, documenting Elders, community leaders, and local youths to preserve voices, stories, and local histories for current and future generations. The 2025 series featured five new portraits, including stories from Lloyd Quill, Michaela Peters-Turtle, Eddie Quill, Valerie Strang, and McDonald Turtle. Through Baraza Pikangikum, Ana developed skills in community-based documentary work, learning to engage participants respectfully, capture authentic storytelling, and adapt to different cultural and logistical contexts. She reflected on the importance of listening, honoring participants’ voices, and collaborating with community members to produce work that is both artistically strong and socially meaningful. The experience also expanded her technical skills in photography and videography under varying conditions and with diverse subjects. Together, LAINI Land and Baraza Pikangikum exemplify Jamii’s commitment to providing emerging artists like Ana with transformative mentorship, professional growth, and deep insights into community-centered creative practice. Ana Maria Higuera is a self-taught photographer and videographer, whose work captures the poetry, beauty, and extraordinary moments of everyday life, focusing on nature, women, and community initiatives - from Toronto, to Restoule, to Pikangikum. We are grateful to the support of the RBC Foundation towards Jamii’s Emerging Artist program. SEE PROJECT SEE ARTIST'S PAGE ANA HIGUERA: Ana Maria Higuera is a self-taught photographer and videographer who captures the poetry, raw beauty and extraordinary of the everyday, focusing on nature, women and community initiatives. FUNDERS:

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Brescia Nember Reid Puppetry website Brescia is a queer multifaceted artist and birthworker, with a focus on large-scale shadow puppetry and paper cut-outs. Passionate about community and local arts, Brescia has worked solo and in collaboration on projects with Summerworks Performance Festival, Buddies in Bad Times, Victoria Mata Productions & Aluna Theatre, and more. She/They was one of the minds behind Mudlark, the theatrical shadow puppetry performance Jamii perfermed on December 2023, and described the history of a young girl who seeks a place to call home among the enchanting stories of the Esplanade neighbourhood. << BACK TO ARTISTS

Visual artist Saira Ansari guided participants in the creation of a collective fabric collage to be created and gifted to the Pikangikum community. This is part of a continued community sharing process between residents of the Esplanade, and those in Pikangikum First Nation in Northern Ontario. Live at the Kisanii Hub As part of In Partnership with September 23 to September 25, 2022 David Crombie Park | The Esplanade & Berkeley St Video by Laura Dittman “Live at the Kisanii Hub” brought arts to The Esplanade as a part of the Ontario Culture Days Regional Hub Program and made The Esplanade Toronto Downtown's only festival hub in 2022! The event, “What We Remember” , invited the audience to explore the perception of time and its impact on remembrance. From our busy and meticulously scheduled lives, to timeless ancestral storytelling, this event managed to entertain the whole family! “What We Remember”, hosted by Maysam Ghani, featured acrobatic performance by Eman Hillawi, storytelling by Indigenous grand-mother Kim Wheatley, captivating drums by Njacko Backo, live music by Waleed Abdulhamid, face painting by Linda Epp, painting exhibition by Darwin Peters, an indigenous emerging artist/painter from Pikangikum. With "What We Remember", we also dived deep into our individual memories tied to The Esplanade to nurture our connection to our community! Esplanadians took the mic and shared a memory of the Esplanade from their past. As one of the remembrance aspects of the event, we had a craft table with postcards and everybody will be encouraged to write a piece for a beloved one and mail it following the event. At the end of the day, we are all about what we remember! We thank all Esplanadians who joined us on this rainy weekend for a whirlwind of unforgettable performances between September 23 and September 25 from 5pm to 7pm in David Crombie Park! "Live at The Kisanii Hub as part of ON Culture Days" on Media "Live at The Kisanii Hub as part of ON Culture Days" was highlighted on the October 2022 issue of a local newspaper, The Bridge , with an article written by Ignazio Colt Nicastro. Credits Aerialist: Eman Hillawi Musician: Njacko Backo Musician: Waleed Abdulhamid Storyteller: Kim Wheatley Face Painting: Linda Epp Host: Maysam Ghani and community members to share their memories of The Esplanade! Organized by Jamii Team: Afnan Yakot, Iris Unlu, Isorine Marc, Jonelle Sills, Nadifa Daud Mohamed, Yusra Yacout Event Videographer: Laura Dittman Event Photographer: Anushay Sheikh Acts of Remembrance on The Esplanade Author: Ignazio Colt Nicastro It was only the second day of fall, yet the cool breeze of the season had already swept through the city. As I stepped off the street car and bared autumns chill, my ears picked up on a nearby celebration just a few blocks away. Like a siren’s call, the rhythmic beating of Njacko Backo’s drum lured me over to ‘What We Remember,’ an event presented by Jamii as part of ON Culture Days, where I found numerous community members playing music together. Throughout the night, visitors used storytelling, music, and art, to consider diverse acts of commemoration. Taking place within The Esplanade, there was a degree of care put towards celebrating and honouring the history of this Toronto street. Historically, The Esplanade reflected the meaning of its name: a wide-open space near a body of water. However, through time the physicality of this Toronto strip changed. To remind us of that, postcards featuring archival images of The Esplanade were laid out. Each postcard was an invitation for a memory or personal message to be shared with loved ones across the world. To further the acts of remembrance, local Esplanadians were invited to share memories of their life in The Esplanade. More stories were then shared by Kim Wheatley, an Ojibwe Anishinaabe Grandmother, who first welcomed us into the space with a smudging ceremony. Together we sat around the fountain listening to Wheatley’s stories and songs as the water behind us gushed gracefully. The space also hosted Darwin Peters, a Pikangikum First Nation emerging artist. His traditional Woodlands inspired work was vibrant, alluring pedestrians in off the sidewalk and into the festival of remembrance. As the event came to a close and everything was packed back into the Kisanii Hub, we could only wonder where this travelling cart might end up later this year. At least for today we were left with a new memory of The Esplanade to hold onto. Photos by Anushay Sheikh Eman Hillawi, Aerialist Eman is an award winning performer and professional aerialist based in Toronto, she is the founder of Dancing in Circles: Aerial Dance Studio, and co-founder at CirQular Motion (focussing on rehab and conditioning for circus artists and dancers). She works as an actress, dancer, aerialist and model for companies such as Paramount, LG, the CEBL,Samsung and much more! Eman discovered aerial arts in 2016 and was hooked immediately. She specializes in bar apparatus' such as aerial hoop, lollipop lyra and pole. Check out Eman on Instagram Waleed Abdulhamid, Musician Waleed is a Canadian Multi-instrumentalist; Composer; Vocalist; Music and Film Producer, known for his striking vocals, innovative bass technique, and his speed and precision on percussion. He has been an active member of the Toronto music scene since his arrival, in 1991 from Sudan, where he began to perform as early as six years old. He is the recipient of the Canadian New Pioneer Award; African Tama Award; Reel World Film Festival Award and Canadian Film Board of Excellence Award. In addition, he has not only received other international awards, but was also twice honoured with a DORA Award. Check out Waleed on Instagram Njacko Backo, Musician Juno-nominated Njacko Backo is a storyteller, songwriter, singer, musician and composer who has been performing for children and adults since his childhood in Cameroon. He has a lifetime of practice in capturing the subtlety of storytelling and dance with his music – an essential part of the African performing arts. His programs for children and youth draw on parallels and differences between Canadian and African family life while introducing a passion for the French language. Check out Njacko on Instagram Kim Wheatley, Storyteller Kim is Anishinaabe Ojibway from Shawanaga First Nations located in Georgian Bay Ontario. She is a multi award winning speaker, presenter, author, ceremonial practitioner, singer & handdrummer. Darwin Peters, Painter Darwin is a painter based in Pikangikum First Nation, a community in Northern Ontario. His paintings combine traditional Woodlands art techniques with his own personal experiences and stories. As a result, his subject matter ranges from personal storytelling to pop culture references. When he is not painting, Darwin works at the Eenchokay Birchstick school as a tutor escort to support the young generation of Pikangikum. Linda Epp, Face Painter Linda is a face painter for approximately 10 years. Her story with face painting began with her two children went out for Halloween one year when they were quite young. She went and bought some terrible (non FDA approved) paint at the dollar store and thought she could magically transform them. She later figured out that it didn’t quite work out that way, but she fell in love with the art of face painting. She has since honed her skills with workshops and many hours of practice. Linda has worked with many organizations such as the St. Lawrence BIA, Jamii, long term care facilities, local festivals and private birthday parties. Caring Connections 2021 In partnership with Ontario Culture Days Caring Connections: From my heart to yours FREE workshops & live musical/dance performances Friday Sept 24 to Sunday Sept 26, 2021 David Crombie Park - Esplanade & George St South CREATIVE WORKSHOPS: Visual artist Saira Ansari guided participants in the creation of a collective fabric collage to be gifted to the Pikangikum community. This is part of a continued community sharing process between residents of the Esplanade, and those in Pikangikum First Nation in Northern Ontario. LIVE MUSIC Creative workshops were accompanied by live music with amazing artists: Lauren Barnett, Veronica Lee, Tangi Lion, Jerusa Leao, Katy Moonbean and Beny Esguerra. LIVE DANCE PERFORMANCE Jamii was delighted to present “Two x 30”, a contemporary dance/live art performance directed by Michael Caldwell. Two x 30 explores the inextricable link between our collective and unconscious patterns of movement and our environment. Director: Michael Caldwell Sound Designer and Composer: Robbie Grunwald Creative Collaborators and Performers: Pulga Muchochoma, Roberto Soria, Heidi Strauss Production and Stage Managers: Helin Gungoren, A.J. Morra Photos by Jae Yang I am me. I am mighty. 2019 In partnership with Ontario Culture Days & Toronto Public Library - St Lawrence Branch "I am me. I am mighty." was a celebration of culture as a thread that weaves our community together. FREE workshops & live music September 2019 Toronto Public Library - St Lawrence Branch Activities included crafting led by May Massijeh; live music by Arlene Paculan and Aline Morales; drawing workshop with Connie Wang; live portraits drawing by Alison Garwood ;and story times by Sharon McMillan, St Lawrence Library and Parent Resources EarlyON CFC staff.

Once a month on Tuesday, The Jamii Hub is home to a book club! Join our book club, engage with fellow book lovers in Toronto. Monthly discussions led by authors. Book Club INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Book Club WHEN | First Tuesday of each Cycle 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 our community of book enthusiasts! Immerse yourself in the world of literature as we embark on a thrilling literary journey together. Our book club offers a delightful escape into diverse genres and captivating narratives, and with a new book featured every month, there is something for everyone. Engage in lively discussions, share your thoughts, and connect with fellow readers at our monthly meetings. Whether you are a seasoned bookworm or just starting your reading adventure, our book club is the perfect place to discover new stories and make new connections. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED May 2025 I HOPE WE CHOOSE LOVE May 6, 2025 Facilitator: Lee Stone MORE INFO November 2024 REVIVING THE PALESTINIAN VOICE November 12, 2024 Facilitator: Sarah Abu-Sarar MORE INFO May 2024 HAFEZ POETRY May 21, 2024 Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James MORE INFO April 2025 SONGS OF VIOLETA PARRA April 8, 2025 Facilitator: Paulina Muñoz MORE INFO October 2024 REUNITING WITH STRANGERS October 8, 2024 Facilitator: Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio MORE INFO April 2024 THINGS FALL APART April 16, 2024 Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James MORE INFO March 2025 SANKOFA March 4, 2025 Facilitator: Glodeane Brown MORE INFO September 2024 WE WILL REMEMBER THIS September 10, 2024 Facilitator: Brannavy Jeyasundaram MORE INFO March 2024 A ROSE FOR WINTER March 5, 2024 Facilitator: Judith Cohen MORE INFO February 2025 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS February 4, 2025 Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James MORE INFO June 2024 CONNECTEDNESS June 18, 2024 Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James MORE INFO February 2024 CORDEL LITERATURE February 6, 2024 Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James MORE INFO Calendar No events at the moment UPCOMING DATES

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / SEWING STUDIO SERIES SPECIAL EVENTS Fundraising For Beginners SEWING STUDIO SERIES January 25, 2026 - 10am SEWING STUDIO SERIES: LEARN • CREATE • MASTER Facilitated by Diséiye Thompson Sunday, January 25 – Beginners – Denim Tote Bag – 10AM to 3:30PM TIME: Includes a 30-minute lunch break (12:30 PM to 1:00 PM). Please bring your own lunch. The Jamii Hub provides cutlery, a fridge, and a microwave if needed. LOCATION: The Jamii Hub – 264 The Esplanade, Toronto ON M5A 4J6 COST: $150 per session This is a fundraising initiative for Jamii. By participating in this workshop, you are helping sustain Jamii’s free arts programming. Thank you for supporting creative opportunities in our community! Your payment includes $75 for the workshop cost and a $75 donation toward Jamii’s future free programs eligible for a tax receipt. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS BEGINNERS | Sunday, January 25 | 10am to 3:30pm Learn essential sewing techniques, including how to operate and thread a sewing machine, and practice foundational stitches. You’ll apply these new skills by creating a simple patchwork denim tote bag! Cut your patchwork pieces from recycled jeans, follow a pattern, and construct your own bag - a fun introduction to sewing while making something practical for everyday use. No prior experience necessary - just bring your enthusiasm! WORKSHOP’S SESSIONS BREAKDOWN: 10:00 am – 12:30pm: First session of the day 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch break (bring your lunch) 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Second session of the day CAPACITY: Maximum 10 participants per session. Each participant will have their own sewing machine provided. You are welcome to bring your own machine if preferred. SUPPLIES: All materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own fabric if they wish to personalize their project. Questions? Email us at info@jamii.ca GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Photos by Ghader Bsmar Born in Nigeria, Diséiye Thompson discovered her love for tailoring by repurposing fabrics with her mother’s tailor. She moved to Toronto at 15 and studied Contemporary Arts at Ryerson University, then trained in design at The Toronto Academy of Design, graduating in 2016 and showcasing her collection at Toronto Fashion Week. Drawing on her Nigerian heritage and involvement in the ballroom community, Diséiye’s designs celebrate vibrant colors, bold silhouettes, and self-expression. She has honed her skills through apprenticeships with Greta Constantine, designing for Lea-ann Belter Bridal, and creating her own line showcased at Fashion Art Toronto and Brosche Bridal. Now specializing in custom, made-to-order clothing to reduce the fashion industry’s impact, Diséiye also works as a celebrity stylist, styling artists such as Aiza, SATE, Ceréna, and DVSN for music videos and live performances.

2020 < Back to Events Wind Stories CREDITS: WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

OUTDOOR EVENTS / ÉCOUTE POUR VOIR - 2021 Écoute pour voir June 2021 1-on-1 dance performances Location: David Crombie Park Date: June 4, 5, 6 2021 In 2014 & 2015, Jamii had invited Danse Carpe Diem and their moving performance “Écoute pour voir” to the neighbourhood. We were excited to bring them back to The Esplanade for a series of 1-on-1 dance pop-ups! Écoute pour voir is made up of various solos dispersed throughout the space and danced simultaneously. Dancers and spectators wear headphones connected to an iPod and share in a choreography for the duration of a piece of music. United for a moment and bound up together in movement, dancers and spectators engage in singular encounters and each solo becomes a close dialogue, an interaction that is at once unique and momentous. CREDITS: "Écoute pour voir" Artistic Direction: Emmanuel Jouthe A show created by Emmanuel Jouthe/Danse Carpe Diem Performances produced and presented by Jamii Choreography: Emmanuel Jouthe in collaboration with performers Performers: Elise Bergeon, Andrea Nann, Syreeta Hector, Kaitlin Torrance, Swahdi Ranganee and Irma Villafuerte In partnership with Supported by PHOTO CREDITS

The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! In April, join us to explore music from Egypt led by Maryem Hassan Tollar. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / MUSIC FROM EGYPT - APRIL 2024 SINGING Friday 7 pm MUSIC FROM EGYPT April 2024 April 12 - 19 - 26, 2024 Facilitator: Maryem Hassan Tollar Come and learn folk songs and traditional songs from Egypt with Maryem Hassan Tollar. You will learn a range of music from folk songs from the rural south of Egypt to songs of revolution to beautiful love songs. In this workshop, Maryem will teach some of the basic rhythms and scales that are found in Arabic music through Egyptian songs and repertoire. Participants will have the opportunity to share a piece at the Thursday Mingling event on May 2nd. Photos by Isorine Marc Maryem Tollar Maryem Tollar is a renowned Egyptian-Canadian vocalist, known for her world music performances. Her voice has been heard on the theme of CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie and A.R. Rahman’s Bollywood hit, Mayya Mayya. Maryem toured with the musical "The Cave" and the stage adaptation of the book "Fall On Your Knees" by Ann-Marie MacDonald. In the classical world, Tollar worked with Tafelmusik, Christos Hatzis, and The Gryphon Trio. She performs with several Toronto musical groups including: Al Qahwa; Turkwaz; LuA; and Tabiba. Maryem works regularly with storyteller Dawne McFarlane, adding music and sounds to her stories. Maryem was awarded the inaugural 2019 Johanna Metcalf Prize for Performing Arts. Photo Credit: Unknown UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Tue, Feb 17 February Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing freely and follow what feels right. A four-part community singing series led by Martin Gomes. Free with registration. +16 more Mon, Feb 23 February Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing freely and follow what feels right. A four-part community singing series led by Martin Gomes. Free with registration. +9 more

2017 Community Projects / Film Projects / Feetprint Documentary 2017 FEETPRINT is a multi-layered storytelling project that engaged artists and residents of The Esplanade (Esplanadians of all ages and cultures) in a co-creative process to design over 150 shoes throughout the summer of 2017. This project offered participants an opportunity to share their personal stories to one another, and brought our diverse voices together: each participant were asked three questions as a source of inspiration for their design: Who am I? Where do I belong? How do I behave? TRAILER This artist-led project is inspired by Markd't Celebrating Art on Sneakers. DOCUMENTARY Shoes were designed through a series of artist-led workshops in partnership with Market Lane Public School, St Lawrence Daycare Co-Op, and The Toronto Public Library - St Lawrence Branch. The growing collection of shoes was displayed at Jamii’s event throughout the summer: > Multicultural Day Celebration (June 27); > Jamii’s movie nights (June 17, July 22, August 26); > Culture Days (Sept 30); > Scotiabank Waterfront Toronto Marathon (Oct 22) Estimated total audience of 3000+ Feetprint Documentary 2017

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 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, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +4 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +3 more

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

Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SEWING / QUILTED PILLOWCASE SET - MARCH 2024 SEWING Sunday 11 am Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects March 2025 QUILTED PILLOWCASE SET February 26 - March 5 - 12 - 19, 2025 Artist: Anita Boey In March at "Wednesday Sewing" we are making together a Quilted Pillowcase Set with the leadership of Anita Boey and support from Ghader Bsmar. Quilted Pillowcase Set This March, our theme is "Grounded" , curated by lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo . As Zarita describes, “being grounded  is a shared reflective experience of what we hold onto—within or around us—that sustains our personal journeys, making life’s phases fruitful while refreshing those around us.” To bring this theme to life, sewing facilitator Anita Boey  will guide participants in creating a Quilted Pillowcase Set . Why a pillow? Because it offers comfort, a place to rest, and a sense of home—where we return to, find shelter, and feel grounded. You'll have access to a curated selection of fabric from Jamii, and we will provide poly fill, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Each pillow insert and quilted pillowcase  will require 1.5 yards of fabric  plus poly fill . Throughout the workshop, sewing workshop assistant Ghader Bsmar will support you in mastering sewing machine basics while working on this engaging and meaningful project. Join us in a warm and encouraging space where creativity, skill-building, and connection thrive. By the end of the series, you'll leave not only with a beautiful Quilted Pillowcase Set but also with newfound sewing skills and community! Workshop plan: February 26  – Introduction to Grounded  and the inspiration behind the Quilted Pillowcase Set. Participants will choose fabric, transfer pattern pieces, and cut fabric. March 5  – Sew the pillow insert and enjoy stuffing it with poly fill. March 12  – Sew the quilted pillowcase top. March 19  – Assemble and finish the pillowcase. Let’s stitch together and create something both meaningful and practical. See you on Wednesday evenings! Sewing participants are highly encouraged to attend “Saturday Mingling” event at Jamii, to show off their mirror bag to the rest of the Jamii community! The capacity for this workshop series is 16 people without a machine, and we can accommodate 4 more people if they bring their own sewing machines. While you are only required to register for the February 26 session, participants are expected to join all four sessions on March 5, 12, and 19 . If you register for the February 26 session, you do not need to register again for the sessions on March 5, 12, and 19. New registrations will not be accepted throughout the month. We expect a high number of registrations, so please let us know immediately via email at info@jamii.ca before Monday, February 24 at 12 PM if you foresee that you will not be able to join all four sessions , so another participant from the waitlist can take your spot. We apologize if the workshop is filled before you register. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Anita Boey Photo Credit: Unknown Anita Boey Business Professor by day, sewist by night. I am a passionate sewist with a deep interest for sustainability and creativity. As an advocate for reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly practices, I utilize rescued materials in my sewing projects. I hope that my sewing serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can emerge from diverted waste, while inspiring others to join me in the quest for a more sustainable world, one stitch at a time. Instagram UPCOMING DATES Participants must commit to one full month. You must register separately for each workshop session within that month to complete your registration. If we don't receive your registration for each workshops within that month, we will not be able to complete your registration. Wed, Feb 11 February Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sew at your own pace and create a handmade kimono. A four-part sewing series led by Diséiye Thompson. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Feb 18 February Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sew at your own pace and create a handmade kimono. A four-part sewing series led by Diséiye Thompson. Free with registration. +12 more Wed, Feb 25 February Cycle - Sewing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sew at your own pace and create a handmade kimono. A four-part sewing series led by Diséiye Thompson. Free with registration. +12 more

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

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 / SONGS OF VIOLETA PARRA - APRIL 2025 DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Book Club SONGS OF VIOLETA PARRA April 2025 April 8, 2025 Facilitator: Paulina Muñoz Join us for an intercultural reading experience where we explore the life and songs of one of Chile's most influential singer-songwriters, Violeta Parra, through the lens of Andean wisdom. In this free, thought-provoking session, we will explore how Parra’s music reflects the Andean principle of Suma Sarnakaña, which embodies the idea that you do not walk alone; you walk with the community, in nature, with your culture, your ancestors, and the spirits. The guiding symbol for our session is the Chakana, a central figure in Andean cultures. This stepped cross represents the interconnectedness of upper world (Hanan Pacha), the earthly world (Kay Pacha), and the inner world (Uku Pacha). This workshop will give you insights into how Violeta Parra connects with these values and her commitment to social justice and the Andean worldview that celebrates interconnectedness. Led by Paulina Muñoz, a Visiting Researcher at CERLAC, York University, and creator of the "Mi Historia en Palabras" methodology, this workshop invites you to connect deeply with Parra’s lyrics, which will be provided in both English and Quechua. Paulina’s background in narrative therapy and her work with diverse communities, including Latin American senior women, Chilean exile survivors, and LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, ensures a safe, reflective, and empowering space for all participants. Before the workshop, you’ll receive the lyrics of one of her songs, translated into both English and Quechua, along with discussion questions to help guide our conversation. This session is perfect for anyone interested in culture, history, and the power of music to unite communities across generations. Join us to connect with others and explore the shared stories that shape us all. This workshop is free to attend, but spots are limited, so register today! This Book Club is part of Jamii's April cycle, guided by lead artist Carolina Rojas, and centred around the theme of the Chakana—an ancestral Andean symbol representing the connection between the spiritual, earthly, and inner realms. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing,singing and creative writing, we’ll reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of the Chakana, connecting its ancient wisdom with our modern experiences.” – Carolina Rojas. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Afnan Yakot Paulina Muñoz Paulina Muñoz is a Visiting Researcher at CERLAC, York University, and the creator of the "Mi Historia en Palabras" methodology, a structured yet flexible approach to autobiographical creative writing. Rooted in Paulo Freire’s pedagogy of liberation and narrative therapy, her methodology helps individuals organize their memories, thoughts, and emotions into meaningful written narratives. Throughout 2024, Paulina has facilitated workshops in Toronto, working with diverse groups, including Latin American senior women, Chilean exile survivors, Latin American women who have experienced domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Her workshops provide a safe and empowering space for participants to reflect, heal, and reclaim their personal histories through writing. With a deep understanding of Andean culture, Paulina integrates Indigenous worldviews into her approach to writing and identity exploration. She is currently developing a creative writing workshop in English for anglophone participants, offering a unique one-session experience where individuals will explore the SELF through Andean philosophical principles. This workshop invites participants to reflect on their personal journeys using Andean concepts of balance, reciprocity, and interconnectedness as guiding themes. Photo Credit: Unknown

2021 Community Projects / Film Projects / Seven 2021 A series of daily 7-min dance solos (structured improvisation) A project supported by the Government of Ontario. Jamii launched its 2021 theme, “LOOKS LIKE US”, with “SEVEN”, a series of 7 different dance solos, which were live-streamed on its Facebook page from Feb 1st to 7th at 7pm. “LOOKS LIKE US” is an invitation for everyone to step into Jamii’s world, tapping into our personal empathy reservoirs and to ask ourselves important questions like ‘what do we see in the “other”?’, ‘how much of “us” is in “them”?’, and ‘how do we mix?’. “SEVEN” featured seven professional dance artists who were invited to offer the audience a retrospective through movements and words, reflecting on how they have been shaken to the core through the past year. As a mirror to their movements and words, we invite 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. February 1st: Michael Caldwell Michael is a Toronto-based choreographer, performer, curator, director, producer, and arts advocate, working in site-responsive and community-engaged contexts to subvert traditional ways of viewing and experiencing dance and performance. Music by James Bunton. February 2nd: Yvonne Ng Peranakan Chinese descent, Yvonne Ng, B.F.A., M.A. artistic director, choreographer, performer and arts educator of tiger princess dance projects. February 3rd: Jaz Fairy J Jaz Fairy J is a Creative Entrepreneur, Healer, Performing Artist and Mother. She is the founder and CEO of her luxury natural skincare brand ‘Rub of Luv’ She believes that art is a portal to the divine and in that she is in a constant investigation around how her work can create more space for healing. February 4th: Irma Villafuerte Irma Villafuerte is a dance artist, educator and first-generation daughter of refugees from Nahuat Pipil Territory Kuskatan, post-colonial El Salvador, based in Tkaronto. She’s had the honor to perform at renowned festivals in Canada, Cuba and the U.S.A. and work with outstanding dance companies. As a Latin American woman, her passion for social justice and human rights, is the driving force for creation in Irma’s choreographic and performance work. February 5th: Lua Shayenne Lua is artist who tells stories, through dance, song and word. Her goal is to “effect a spiritual conquest” by establishing a relation with the human hearts and create art that is original but preserves the authentic spirit of her culture and Faith. February 6th: Jane-Alison McKinney Jane-Alison McKinney is a dancer, choreographer, and producer whose work has been presented nationally at a variety of festivals and residencies. A recipient of a Metcalf Foundation Internship with adelheid under the mentorship of Heidi Strauss, who she currently works with as a dancer and producer; and co-director of the collective Bare Nerve with Emma Kerson. February 7th: Nicola Pantin Nicola Pantin is an independent dance artist, choreographer and dance instructor based in Toronto, Canada. PRODUCTION TEAM: Filmed by Isorine Marc.Stage hand: Afnan Yakot Jamii team: Isorine Marc, Artistic & Executive Director - Jasmin Linton, Program Manager – DeeAnn Sagar, Philanthropy Manager. SUPPORTED BY Seven 2021

WINDSTORIES BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation Wind Stories in Pikangikum 2020 WINDSTORIES In February 2020, the Jamii team traveled to Pikangikum First Nation in Northern Ontario to bring to life "The Stories The Wind Carries", Jamii's intra-provincial project. We partnered with the Pikangikum Education Authority and Eenchokay Birchstick School to invite people to create a portrait of fellow community members. In total, we created 18 portraits, involving 36 people in the project. Through sharing our stories together, the project intends to create bridges between 4 communities: Toronto, Wawa/Michipicoten First Nation, Wolfe Island and Pikangikum First Nation. This initiative was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. PROJECT TEAM Director: Isorine Marc Lead Artists: Mahlikah Awe:ri & Gillian Mapp Community Ambassador: Asmita Pal Filmed by Isorine Marc Edited by Laura Dittmann Music by Mahikah Awe:ri SUPPORTED BY INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

2021/03, 04 < Back to Events Allegra CREDITS: WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

The Jamii Hub turns into a crafting sanctuary twice a month on Thursdays! WOOL AND CROCHET - MARCH 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / CREATING Thursday 7 pm Crafting Nights WOOL AND CROCHET March 2025 March 13 - 20, 2025 Facilitator: Seema Anwar, Abi Akinlade & Nyokabi Muchuku WOOL AND PATTERNS OF LIFE Artist: Seema Anwar Thursday, March 13 at 7pm Join us for a cozy evening of creativity, conversation, and connection at this beginner-friendly crafting workshop! Using colourful wool, glue, and canvas, we’ll explore the patterns that shape our lives, lines, textures, and hues that reflect what keeps us grounded. Guided by artist Seema Anwar, the workshop begins with a brief introduction to the techniques, then opens up into a free-flowing space where you can experiment, reflect, and create at your own pace. As you craft your own unique square pattern, you’ll have the chance to express what anchors you, whether it’s memories, people, places, or dreams. This is more than just a hands-on workshop, it’s a moment to slow down, immerse yourself in creative expression, and share in the experience of making alongside others. You’ll leave not only with a piece of art that represents your personal grounding but also with new techniques, fresh inspiration, and warm memories of crafting together. For those who want to take their experience further and display their artwork, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on March 22, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. No experience needed, just bring your curiosity, and we'll provide the rest! This workshop will take place on March 13, at 7 p.m. FOR MARCH 13 Please note that the March 13 workshop is now full . Join the waitlist and we will contact you if there are spots open up. We encourage you to look out your email inbox (including "Promotion" / "Other" inbox) closer to the workshop date. GROUNDING PRACTICE: CROCHET BOOKMARKS Artist: Abi Akinlade & Nyokabi Muchuku Thursday, March 20 at 7pm Crochet has a way of slowing things down, letting your hands find rhythm while your mind settles. In this workshop, Abi and Nyokabi will guide you through the basics of crochet as you create your own handmade bookmark, something small yet meaningful, stitched with intention. Whether you’re new to crochet or have experience with yarn, this session is a space to pause, reflect, and connect, both with the craft and with others. We’ll start with a demonstration, and from there, you’ll have time to explore the process at your own pace, with guidance available along the way. For those who want to take their experience further and display their artwork, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on March 22, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. All materials will be provided. Just bring yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to try something new. Spots are limited, register now and join us for an evening of creativity and reflection! This workshop will take place on March 20, at 7 p.m. FOR MARCH 20 Crafting Night is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Monday Dancing, Tuesday Culture Cloths, Tuesday Book Club, Tuesday Creative Writing, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Painting, and Friday Singing. “Through these workshops, we let art and community exchanges guide the discovery of what grounds us, or what we need to find grounding on, and pass this discovery to someone else's journey.” - Sharon Zarita Adhiambo. Photos by Hadeal Karrar Seema Anwar Seema Anwar has a diploma in textile design. She was under the tutelage of Mr. Azer Zubi and Mohammad Ali Bhatti, both well-known artists in Pakistan. Seema uses various mediums such as watercolor, pen work, pastels, glass, and oil paints. Seema believes art can be used as a therapy to relieve stress, trauma, and other daily struggles. Ever since she moved to Canada she has been working with many communities such as the Flemington Community Centre, Arts in the Park, Malton Women Council, Making Art Making Change, Voice of Toronto, Afghan Women, Toronto Green, TNO organization, FHC and Flemingdon Community Support Services. She has worked on various projects such as gender-based violence, green earth initiatives, and art therapy with the TNO organization in the senior group and Early On, Autism Thorncliffe group and Alzheimer Society. In 2023, she did 2 exhibitions, one was Wedbi and one was Scarborough's topic on Islamic heritage. She did one event with the Art in the Park organization in 2023 at Burgess Park Thorncliffe to reduce climate change and recycle textiles. She leads art workshops for physical and mental health and wellness in the community. She has aimed to use her artwork to spread joy and happiness. Abi Akinlade Abi Akinlade is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto, Ontario. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 2023 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Drama. As a creative, she has experience in acting, writing, makeup artistry, and, most recently, fibre artistry. Represented by AMI Talent Agency, she has performed in both film and theatre productions, worked as the Web Marketing Coordinator for Driftwood Theatre, and is currently a freelance writer for She Does The City . She is honoured to have co-founded Crochet Gardens with Nyokabi Muchuku and is passionate about exploring the connectivity and synthesis between various art forms. Nyokabi Muchuku Nyokabi Muchuku is an artist passionate about self-expression, exploring creativity through braiding, crochet, and dance. She thrives in spaces that foster connection, creation, and inspiration. A 4th-year Human Biology student at the University of Toronto, with minors in Anthropology and Immunology, she seeks to merge her scientific curiosity with her artistic spirit, always striving to uplift those around her. Photo Credit: Unknown

2019/08 < Back to Events I am me. I am home. CREDITS: WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

The Jamii Hub turns into a singing sanctuary on Fridays! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / CARNATIC SINGING - SEPTEMBER 2024 SINGING Friday 7 pm CARNATIC SINGING September 2024 September 13 - 20 - 27, 2024 Facilitator: Ganesh Iyer Carnatic singing and improvisation Over three sessions, participants will use their voice to perform and tell their stories through ragam-based improvisation. They will learn the foundational elements of why Carnatic music sounds the way it does, and enter a meditative state as you immerse yourself into those sounds individually, and as a group. Led by musician Ganesh Iyer, participants will use those foundation elements to compose and perform jatiswarams and nottuswarams during Saturday's Mingling. Expect to experience the therapeutic joy of singing in a group, as well as be given the opportunity to improvise as individuals. Photos by Mariana Hernandez Ganesh Iyer is a vocalist, improviser, and composer trained predominantly in Carnatic classical music, who also actively performs in genres like classical, ghazals, jazz, blues, rock, metal, and R&B. His work emerges from an intent to create music that's more evocative than our day-to-day life experiences. Join Ganesh as he takes you through an interactive introduction to Carnatic music in which you'll not only come out with an appreciation for the classical form as a listener, but also wield its magic in composition and improvisation. Photo Credit: The Lightsmiths UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Tue, Feb 17 February Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing freely and follow what feels right. A four-part community singing series led by Martin Gomes. Free with registration. +16 more Mon, Feb 23 February Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing freely and follow what feels right. A four-part community singing series led by Martin Gomes. Free with registration. +9 more

The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / TEKA LANG - OCTOBER 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm TEKA LANG October 2024 October 10, 2024 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Ephraim Velasco In this workshop, inspired by the theme of TEKA LANG , participants will explore the value of slowing down and taking time to reflect through painting techniques. Under the leadership and guidance from Ephraim Velasco, the group will focus on using acrylic paint and pencil crayons, learning how to control the amount of water and paint applied to create various desired effects, from rich and bold opaque layers to soft, translucent washes. Doing this process, specifically waiting for the paint to dry, mirrors that theme of patience and mindfulness taken from TEKA LANG . Participants will also experiment with creating gradients and using tape to create clean, satisfying shapes! During the workshop, Ephraim will share personal stories related to the theme. For example, his mother would remind me as a child to find his “happy place,” when feeling overwhelmed which for him was the beach in the Philippines. Through this exercise, participants are able to discover and draw back to their own stories and emotions, using color as a means of expression. The goal is to create meaningful, yet simple pieces that reflect our individual journeys while grounding us in the present moment. Join us on this workshop on Thursday, October 10th at 7pm for a beautiful painting night together. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown Ephraim Velasco Ephraim Velasco is an interdisciplinary visual artist and aspiring illustrator who specializes on identity formation, concept art, self expression, empowerment, gender & sexuality in the realm of fashion, pop culture, ancestral stories/designs, nostalgia, consumerist desires and cultural hybrids. Through traditional and digital drawing, painting, and collage, he creates playful, bold, unapologetic, dramatic and vibrantly coloured compositions of hybrid identities and characters. Recently graduating with a BFA in Visual Arts at York University, he seeks to facilitate conversations around belonging and culture through his work relating to personal experiences of Filipino diaspora and neurodivergence. UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +4 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +3 more

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

Partner with Jamii for custom arts-based team building and workshops. Support your team’s growth while funding free arts programs for all ages. COMMUNITY PROJECTS / Partnerships PARTNERSHIPS Projects with other organizations Making change in our communities - at workplaces, in schools, older-adult homes, or in our neighbourhoods - takes partnership and collaboration. Since its inception, Jamii has always valued partnering with local groups, arts organizations, businesses, philanthropists, schools, and many others to design a wide range of arts-based creative workshops that bring people together in meaningful ways. These creative partnerships are built collaboratively, with each program shaped around shared goals - whether that’s sparking fresh ideas, igniting creativity within, building trust, deepening connections, supporting individuals' well-being, encouraging meaningful conversations, or bringing life to your workplace, collective, school, older-adult home, or neighbourhood. Funds raised through these partnerships go directly toward our free arts workshops and events for all ages, staying true to Jamii's mission of keeping creativity accessible to everyone. Partner with us to build something meaningful for your community. Contact us HERE to discuss ideas and collaborations. TECH SUPPORT SESSION Older Adults Specific PARTNERSHIP WITH REPRISK CHECK OUT DUMP TO DOUGH Arts & Crafts Workshops PARTNERSHIP WITH SLNA REMARKET CHECK OUT DRAWINGTO Visual Arts Workshops PARTNERSHIP WITH ARTISTS CHECK OUT SHE AMONG MANY Photographic Exhibition PARTNERSHIP WITH WEBER SHANDWICK CHECK OUT HEARTISTRY Visual Arts Workshops PARTNERSHIP WITH BRUSSAUX ART GROUP, AND SISTERS CIRCLE CHECK OUT

A free visual arts workshop in Toronto led by Andrew Patterson. Explore painting, identity, and creative expression. All materials provided. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / PAINTING ACROSS IDENTITY AND FORM VISUAL ARTS Cycles Workshops PAINTING ACROSS IDENTITY AND FORM September 2026 Wednesday, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Andrew Patterson This visual arts workshop series is part of Jamii’s September Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by Andrew Patterson, the workshops centre painting as a way to explore identity, connection, and creative process in a welcoming community setting. Participants engage with a range of painting approaches and techniques that support experimentation and reflection. The sessions encourage curiosity and personal interpretation, allowing participants to explore how colour, form, and symbolism can express lived experience and shared questions. All materials are provided by Jamii, removing barriers and allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. These workshops are open to participants of all experience levels. No prior painting experience is required. Participants are encouraged to engage in ways that feel reflective, expressive, and supportive. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website . Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s September Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATIONS OPEN ON AUG 10 Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown ANDREW PATTERSON Andrew Patterson is a Toronto-based artist and designer whose work examines mixed-race identity and the overlapping spaces between cultures and communities. His practice often draws on portraiture, abstraction, and geometric symbolism to explore how meaning is formed and shared. Andrew has an ongoing relationship with Jamii and has contributed to numerous projects, including workshops, exhibitions, murals, and public artworks across The Esplanade and beyond. His work has been featured in Mixed Blood Manifesto , FORTY ONE , Wind Stories , Kisanii Hub , The Esplanade Sign , and several large-scale mural collaborations. UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +4 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +3 more

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

MULTICULTURAL DAY CELEBRATIONS / 2024 MULTICULTURAL DAY Jamii's Annual Celebrations 2024 - 6th Year! June 27 at 6 pm David Crombie Park | The Esplanade & Princess St The evening featured a grand community potluck organized by Jamii and community partners. The event marked the first "Esplanade Cultural Potluck," hoped to become an annual tradition, with a vibrant array of dishes brought by community members. To complement the picnic, attendees enjoyed live music by Kuné, Canada’s global orchestra. Conceived by the Royal Conservatory of Music and Mervon Mehta, Kuné celebrated cultural diversity with eleven musicians from around the world, each playing unique instruments to create a distinctly global sound. Their music was joyful and uplifting! The celebrations included a market featuring local artisans displaying their work: Amberlee King’s paintings, Ana Figo’s earrings, Ayami Terasawa’s Mizuhiki craft, Steve Cornelsen’s cutlery, Carmen Chan’s jewelry, May Yu’s postcards, Mariana Hernandez’s paintings, Eleshia Thomas’s cards and jewelry, AfroMousse’s Afro-print goods, and Liselle Yorke’s ceramic and woodwork. For families, face painter Linda Epp and henna artist Noshin Hussain were on hand to add a creative touch. The St. Lawrence Market provided a barbecue feast, and St. Lawrence Daycare Co-Op offered crafts for young attendees. Canadian Stage was also present, giving attendees a chance to win tickets to their 2024 season. A lot happened on June 27th in David Crombie Park and the crowd showed up in big numbers! This vibrant and joyful celebration brought the community together to embrace its cultural diversity, making it a beautiful event for all who attended. Photos by Jae Yang

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

A free community singing workshop in Toronto led by Aki Takahashi. Learn Japanese folk songs inspired by Sakura celebrations. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / SINGING / SAKURA: SPRING SONG SINGING Cycles Workshops SAKURA: SPRING SONG May 2026 Monday, May 4 and 11, Tuesday, May 19, and Monday, May 25 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM Facilitator: Aki Takahashi This singing workshop series is part of Jamii’s May Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . SAKURA: Spring Song draws inspiration from Japanese cherry blossom celebrations, where voice and music are shared collectively to welcome the season of renewal. Participants are introduced to traditional Japanese folk songs connected to Sakura festivities and explore the voice as both melodic and rhythmic expression. Through singing, chanting, and simple vocal patterns, the group shapes a contemporary version of a Sakura Viewing Festival. The workshops emphasize listening, participation, and collective sound rather than performance, allowing participants to engage in a way that feels natural and supportive. These workshops are open to participants of all experience levels. No prior knowledge of Japanese music or singing is required. Participants are encouraged to take part with curiosity and openness. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website . Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s May Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATIONS OPEN ON APR 10 Photos by Hadeal Karrar AKI TAKAHASHI Aki Takahashi is a taiko and shamisen player, folk singer, and composer with a deep practice rooted in traditional and contemporary Japanese music. She is a member and co-artistic director of NAGATA SHACHU and the founder of the ensemble TEN TEN. Aki’s work spans performance, collaboration, and teaching, and she currently instructs shamisen and voice through the Bachido Schoolhouse: International Shamisen Community. Her facilitation centres care, musical tradition, and shared experience. Photo by Jae Yang UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Tue, Feb 17 February Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing freely and follow what feels right. A four-part community singing series led by Martin Gomes. Free with registration. +16 more Mon, Feb 23 February Cycle - Singing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Feb 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Sing freely and follow what feels right. A four-part community singing series led by Martin Gomes. Free with registration. +9 more

7 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SATURDAY MINGLING / TEKA LANG (JUST WAIT) - OCTOBER 2024 MINGLING Saturday 7 pm Monthly Community Gathering: A night filled with music, dance, and other art forms! TEKA LANG (JUST WAIT) October 2024 October 26, 2024 Lead Artist: Patrick De Belen On Saturday, October 26th, at 7pm at The Jamii Hub, join the final closing event of “TEKA LANG (Just Wait)” curated by Patrick de Belen. Celebrating a month of arts programming and exhibitions by Filipinx artists across Toronto, enjoy some poetry (Patrick De Belen), dance (Candace Kumar) and musical performances (Victoria Sawal, Martin Gomes, Elijah Reyes), sing some karaoke, eat local Filipino cuisine, and pick up a book, painting, textile art, and a snack at our “TEKA LANG: Sari Sari Store”. Explore Filipinx culture and take a moment to reflect, relax and revel in the joy of community art. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Jae Yang 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

Discover the impact of Jamii, a Toronto-based arts organization fostering community and connection through creative initiatives in The Esplanade. Explore how our arts programs bring people together and make a lasting difference. Beyond Numbers Jamii's Impact At Jamii, we believe in the power of the arts to bring people together, spark meaningful conversations, and build a stronger, more connected community. Since 2011, we’ve created spaces where creativity flourishes, stories are shared, and people of all ages and backgrounds feel seen, heard, and inspired. Whether it’s a mural co-created by neighbours, a youth-led storytelling project, or an outdoor performance that turns a familiar street into a stage, our work transforms everyday spaces into places of connection and expression. Through deep community relationships and collaborations with artists from Toronto and beyond, we design programs that are not only engaging but also deeply responsive to the people we serve. Our commitment to accessibility means that all of our programs are free, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of participation in arts. From intergenerational workshops that bring youth and elders together to initiatives that amplify diverse voices, every project is a reflection of the rich, evolving identity of our neighbourhood. Our impact goes beyond numbers—it’s in the friendships formed at a workshop, the sense of belonging felt at a performance, and the lasting memories created through shared experiences. Whether it’s through live performances, hands-on art programs, or community-led projects, we are committed to fostering social cohesion and celebrating the voices of our neighbourhood. As we continue to grow, we remain rooted in our core values: care, inclusivity, curiosity, and collaboration. Every program we offer is designed with intention, ensuring that art is not just something to observe but something to actively participate in. We invite you to explore our impact reports and see how Jamii’s work strengthens our community, one artistic experience at a time. JAMII'S IMPACT REPORTS THE IMPACT OF JAMII ON ARTISTS/STAFF, PARTICIPANTS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS, 2024 CHECK OUT LAINI EXPLORATORY REPORT, 2021 CHECK OUT JAMII'S IMPACT, 2019: A SELF-STUDY REPORT CHECK OUT

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / OUR BEST SELF LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! OUR BEST SELF June to September 2021 - Ages: 13-15 yrs old Led by Arlene Paculan Under the artistic leadership of Arlene Paculan, participants were invited to learn loving ways to create the greatest masterpiece - THEMSELVES! Through activities, discussions, and experiences, young women from the Esplanade neighbourhood got together each Tuesday through the Summer to explore ways to be their own greatest fan and showcase their best self, through different mediums of art forms. Curation process facilitated by Elle Alconcel, assisted by Isorine Marc Arlene Paculan is a singer, songwriter, musician, TV Host, and executive producer of her company Let’s Make Good Productions, Arlene was awarded the 2020 Urban Hero people's choice award in the arts category. She is a mentor and motivational speaker. Photo by White Balance Photography

2023/07 < Back to Events To my Past Present and Future Live Event - Dance, Music, Workshops July 27 to 29, 2023 The Jamii Hub & David Crombie Park Jamii invited audiences to experience "To My Past, Present and Future" - a multidisciplinary solo exploration by Nickeshia Garrick. This series of evenings in the park with live music and dance were an invitation to explore our sense of identity through our journeys. Leading up to the performances, Nickeshia led a series of workshops on breathwork, clay pottery, and creative writing at The Jamii Hub. This was the perfect way to wholistically enrich audiences' experience before they enjoyed Nickeshia’s dance performance in the park. Nickeshia Garrick is a settler on the stolen land of Tkaronto and has performed on this land for over 25 years. They are unapologetically a Black, Queer Artist, who believes in the healing power of breath through raw emotion and movement. Nickeshia received their dance training at the NYIDE (New York Institution of Dance and Education), National Ballet School of Canada (Tkaronto), Toronto Dance Theatre (Tkaronto), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver). Nickeshia is a Dora Mavor Moore, winning and multi-nominated artist who holds a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University and is a Movement Teacher at the Toronto Film School. CREDITS: Choreographer & Performer: Nickeshia Garrick Workshop Lead: Nickeshia Garrick Music performers: Kazdoura Band, Zaynab Wilson WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

A free visual arts workshop in Toronto led by Janice Garel. Learn silk painting techniques and create a mounted artwork. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / VISUAL ARTS / SILK PAINTING: COLOUR, LINE, AND FLOW VISUAL ARTS Cycles Workshops SILK PAINTING: COLOUR, LINE, AND FLOW March 2026 Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 7 PM to 9 PM Facilitator: Janice Garel This visual arts workshop series is part of Jamii’s March Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by artist Janice Garel, the workshops centre around silk painting as a practice of focus, patience, and expression through colour and line. Participants learn a traditional silk painting approach using the French Serti method, beginning with designing on paper before transferring imagery onto silk. Using black, silver, and gold gutta resist, participants define their compositions before applying richly coloured silk dyes. The process allows colour to move naturally within each outlined form, creating a finished piece that reflects both intention and spontaneity. Each participant completes a 12” x 15” silk painting mounted on foam core, suitable for framing or tabletop display. All materials are provided by Jamii, removing barriers and allowing participants to focus fully on the creative process. These workshops are open to participants of all experience levels. No prior painting or silk work experience is needed. Participants are encouraged to engage at their own pace and in a way that feels comfortable and supportive. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are offered free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website . Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. Jamii’s March Cycle is sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTER NOW Photos by Afnan Yakot Photo Credit: Unknown JANICE GAREL Janice Garel is a visual artist with formal training from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica and the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. Her practice spans over two decades, with a focus on silk and oil painting. Janice has exhibited her work locally and internationally, received the Markham Mayor’s Award for Community Service, and completed mural and banner commissions for schools across the York Region. Through her long-running Art Adventure Studio, she has taught art to children and adults, and she has been a returning facilitator with Jamii through the Belonging Older Adults programs. UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Wed, Mar 04 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 04, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 11 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +4 more Wed, Mar 18 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +2 more Wed, Mar 25 March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Paint on silk using vibrant dyes and traditional techniques. A four-part visual arts workshop led by Janice Garel. Free with registration. +3 more