Event venue in downtown Toronto for workshops, meetings, weddings, and celebrations. A 1,870 sq ft furnished venue with kitchen, sound system, and flexible layout. Book The Jamii Hub. A Creative Event Space A warm, 1,870 sq ft heritage venue in Downtown Toronto for workshops, celebrations, meetings, and community events. Address: 264 The Esplanade, Toronto ON M5A 4J6 • Contact: info@jamii.ca HOW BOOKING WORKS PRICING OPTIONS BOOK A TOUR PHOTO GALLERY VENUE REQUEST FORM SIZE & CAPACITY SURFACE SIZE | 1870 sq ft CAPACITY STANDING | 100 people AUDOTORIUM | 50-60 people CLASSROOM STYLE | 40 people AMENITIES Fridge, freezer, dishwasher, toaster oven, microwave, kettle, and coffee maker A red couch set, seven folding tables (6-ft long by 36-in wide), one folding table (4-ft long by 26-in wide), one kitchen table (6-ft long by 36-in wide), one wooden table (8-ft long by 24-in wide), 43 chairs, coat hangers, red metal bistro set with five 30" round tables and 10 chairs High-speed internet Projector and 75" Screen A sound system An executive stage (add-on) PRICING Flexible and affordable rates for different occasions. Scroll down to see full pricing list. SEE FLOOR PLAN 11 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BOOK THE JAMII HUB NOW: The Jamii Hub is more than an event venue – it's where creativity meets community. Whether you're looking for the best party venue in Downtown Toronto for workshops, meetings, celebrations, a birthday party, wedding, photoshoot, or artistic events, our space is designed to inspire. All in the heart of the vibrant St. Lawrence neighbourhood, and only a few steps away from the Distillery Historic District of Toronto. The Jamii Hub is surrounded by cafés, parks, and cultural landmarks, making it one of Toronto’s most accessible venues. Located steps from the Distillery District and David Crombie Park, within a CommunAuto Flex Zone , and just 1.7 km from Union Station , it’s easy to reach by TTC, GO Transit, bike, or car with the parking lots nearby. 1 UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE Exposed brick, wood beams, and an open-concept layout in the historic Berkeley Castle, part of Old Town Toronto's St Lawrence Neighbourhood Swipe or tap the arrows to navigate. Most dates book 1–3 months in advance. Submit a request early to secure yours. We’ll confirm availability, pricing, and next steps within 1–2 business days. SUBMIT A BOOKING REQUEST Swipe or tap the arrows to navigate. BOOK A 15-MIN VENUE TOUR RENTAL OPTIONS & PRICING REGISTERED CHARITIES Available for registered charities hosting community events at The Jamii Hub. Rate (4 hrs*): $250**  Extra hour: +$50** This option helps support local organizations working toward community impact. *Minimum rental period: 4 hours for all options. Each booking includes access to the space, available furniture and amenities, and on-site support from a Jamii site representative. **Same rate applies for weekdays and weekends, except on Public Holidays. Check the last dropdown for statutory holiday pricing. A warm evening of music and community at The Jamii Hub, a welcoming Toronto venue that offers affordable rentals for registered charities and nonprofit events. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a9470_356d6191c28b477baf89225a58326abd~mv2.png COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES For corporate, ticketed, or profit-generating events. Weekday Rate (Mon – Thu, 4hrs*): $500**  Extra hour: +$100** Weekend Rate (Fri – Sun, 4 hrs*): $750   Extra hour: +$150 Professional space in a heritage building — ideal for launches, team gatherings, meetings, team bounding activities, and holiday celebrations. *Minimum rental period: 4 hours for all options. Each booking includes access to the space, available furniture and amenities, and on-site support from a Jamii site representative. **Except on Public Holidays. Check the last dropdown for statutory holiday pricing. Renters are required to pay a deposit fee of $300 to safeguard any damages. This amount will be e-transferred back to you within 5 business days after your rental. A City of Toronto press conference with Former Mayor John Tory held at The Jamii Hub in 2023. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a9470_118205e32cc444e4b21531527e68cc03~mv2.png EQUITY-DESERVING GROUPS Reduced rental rates are available for groups who experience barriers to equal access, opportunity, or resources, and who actively work toward social justice, inclusion, reparation and community representation. To be eligible as an equity seeking group you must meet all the requirements below. Rate (4 hrs*): $250**  Extra hour: +$50** This option supports groups whose events reflect Jamii’s values, from arts-based practices to gatherings that strengthen equity and belonging in our community. Requirements: • You, or your group, identify as part of an equity-deserving group*** • You, or a group member of the event, lives in The Esplanade neighbourhood • The space will be used for an arts-based practice • The event being held is free or at an entrance price with the only intent to recover costs • The event is aligned to Jamii’s values (these include: intention, care, curiosity, inclusivity, responsiveness, collaboration) • The event is open to the Jamii community to attend *Minimum rental period: 4 hours for all options. Each booking includes access to the space, available furniture and amenities, and on-site support from a Jamii site representative. **Except on Public Holidays. Check the last dropdown for statutory holiday pricing. ***Equity-deserving groups are those that identify barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination and actively seek social justice and reparation. Renters are required to pay a deposit fee of $300 to safeguard any damages. This amount will be e-transferred back to you within 5 business days after your rental. A joyful gathering at The Jamii Hub, a safe, inclusive Toronto venue supporting equity-deserving groups and cultural communities through accessible space rentals. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a9470_d44e70d473a449ac9fa43df37d1bd17e~mv2.png PERSONAL USE Perfect for baby showers, birthdays, and private gatherings (excluding weddings). Rate (4 hrs*): $500**  Extra hour: +$100** A welcoming venue to celebrate life’s special moments with friends and family. *Minimum rental period: 4 hours for all options. Each booking includes access to the space, available furniture and amenities, and on-site support from a Jamii site representative. **Same rate applies for weekdays and weekends, except on Public Holidays. Check the last dropdown for holiday pricing. Renters are required to pay a deposit fee of $300 to safeguard any damages. This amount will be e-transferred back to you within 5 business days after your rental. A joyful birthday celebration at The Jamii Hub, a cozy, modern Toronto venue perfect for personal gatherings, milestone parties, and special occasions. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a9470_b6afb53de4ec4a7cafc8411cc053a633~mv2.png WEDDINGS For wedding ceremonies or receptions, with weekday and weekend options. Weekday Rate (Mon – Thu, 4hrs*): $500** Extra hour: +$100** Weekend Rate (Fri – Sun, 4 hrs*): $750   Extra hour: +$150 A charming downtown venue with rustic beams and warm atmosphere. Ideal for intimate weddings. *Minimum rental period: 4 hours for all options. Each booking includes access to the space, available furniture and amenities, and on-site support from a Jamii site representative. **Except on Public Holidays. Check the last dropdown for holiday pricing. Renters are required to pay a deposit fee of $300 to safeguard any damages. This amount will be e-transferred back to you within 5 business days after your rental. PUBLIC HOLIDAY RATES Holiday rates apply on statutory holidays (New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve). Rate (4 hrs*): $750  Extra hour: +$150 Public Holiday Rates apply for all rental types. *Minimum rental period: 4 hours for all options. Each booking includes access to the space, available furniture and amenities, and on-site support from a Jamii site representative. Renters are required to pay a deposit fee of $300 to safeguard any damages. This amount will be e-transferred back to you within 5 business days after your rental. A cozy holiday gathering at The Jamii Hub, a bright, welcoming Toronto venue available for seasonal rentals and festive celebrations. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a9470_2d181ba926e44f8f940b8b149bbe40ce~mv2.png BOOK YOUR VENUE NOW Space Rental Tour Book a 15-Min Venue Tour Check out to see if The Jamii Hub is a good fit for your event. Calendar opens 1 week in advance. This calendar is only for 15-minute venue tours and doesn’t reflect rental availability. Calendar opens 1 week in advance. If you can’t find a time that works for you, email info@jamii.ca and we’ll do our best to help. WHAT PEOPLE SAY The moment we walked in, it felt like home. The Hub has this calm, welcoming vibe that makes people instantly comfortable. Our community gathering turned into something really special because of how thoughtful the space feels. - Neighbourhood Member We hosted our team retreat at The Jamii Hub, and it was the perfect setting to think, collaborate, and recharge. The layout encouraged conversation, the tech setup worked flawlessly, and everyone appreciated being in a space that supports creativity and community instead of feeling corporate. - Social Committee Team We used the Hub for an arts workshop, and it was perfect. The space is bright, flexible, and fully equipped, from sound and lighting to tables and kitchen access. Everything worked smoothly, and the team was a joy to collaborate with. - Art Facilitator SUBMIT A BOOKING REQUEST HOW BOOKING WORKS STEP 8: We return your deposit STEP 1: You fill out the form Start by completing the venue request form. If you’d like to see the space, you can book a 15-minute venue tour before or after submitting the request form. STEP 2: We follow up We’ll confirm availability within 1 to 2 business days and send the booking form plus all important policy information, such as cancellations, cleaning, access, overtime, noise, decorations, alcohol licence, and insurance. STEP 3: You c onfirm STEP 4: We send contract and invoice Once you’ve reviewed the information, you will fill out the booking form. We’ll send a rental contract and invoice for you to review and sign. STEP 5: You make the payment Your booking is confirmed once payment is received. STEP 6: You submit documents One week before your event, please send proof of insurance and, if applicable, your alcohol licence (SOP) and smart serve. STEP 7: Your event day! A Jamii site representative will be on site throughout your rental to open and lock the space, welcome your group, and assist with any questions. Access is through the main entrance at 264 The Esplanade, and all guests are required to enter and exit through the same doors. After your rental, the space will be inspected to make sure everything is in good condition. Your $300 security deposit will be returned by e-transfer within five business days. BOOK YOUR VENUE NOW VENUE REQUEST FORM Most dates book 1–3 months in advance. Submit the booking form early to secure yours. We’ll confirm availability, pricing, and next steps within 1–2 business days. First Name Last Name Email PURPOSE: What is the intended use of the space? For personal use For equity-deserving group* use For commercial / business / registered charity use What type of business is this event for? Please choose one of the options *Equity-deserving groups are those that identify barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination and actively seek social justice and reparation. To be eligible as an equity deserving group, you must meet all the requirements. Click all that apply. * Required Myself, or my group, identify as part of an equity-deserving group* Myself, or a group member of the event, lives in The Esplanade neighbourhood The space will be used for an arts-based practice The event being held is free or at an entrance price with the only intent to recover costs The event is aligned to Jamii’s values ( these include; intention, care, curiosity, responsiveness, collaboration) The event is open to the Jamii community to attend EVENT TYPE DATE * required START TIME: Including prep time 12:00 AM 12:15 AM 12:30 AM 12:45 AM 01:00 AM 01:15 AM 01:30 AM 01:45 AM 02:00 AM 02:15 AM 02:30 AM 02:45 AM 03:00 AM 03:15 AM 03:30 AM 03:45 AM 04:00 AM 04:15 AM 04:30 AM 04:45 AM 05:00 AM 05:15 AM 05:30 AM 05:45 AM 06:00 AM 06:15 AM 06:30 AM 06:45 AM 07:00 AM 07:15 AM 07:30 AM 07:45 AM 08:00 AM 08:15 AM 08:30 AM 08:45 AM 09:00 AM 09:15 AM 09:30 AM 09:45 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 11:15 AM 11:30 AM 11:45 AM 12:00 PM 12:15 PM 12:30 PM 12:45 PM 01:00 PM 01:15 PM 01:30 PM 01:45 PM 02:00 PM 02:15 PM 02:30 PM 02:45 PM 03:00 PM 03:15 PM 03:30 PM 03:45 PM 04:00 PM 04:15 PM 04:30 PM 04:45 PM 05:00 PM 05:15 PM 05:30 PM 05:45 PM 06:00 PM 06:15 PM 06:30 PM 06:45 PM 07:00 PM 07:15 PM 07:30 PM 07:45 PM 08:00 PM 08:15 PM 08:30 PM 08:45 PM 09:00 PM 09:15 PM 09:30 PM 09:45 PM 10:00 PM 10:15 PM 10:30 PM 10:45 PM 11:00 PM 11:15 PM 11:30 PM 11:45 PM 02:30 PM END TIME: Including cleaning time 12:00 AM 12:15 AM 12:30 AM 12:45 AM 01:00 AM 01:15 AM 01:30 AM 01:45 AM 02:00 AM 02:15 AM 02:30 AM 02:45 AM 03:00 AM 03:15 AM 03:30 AM 03:45 AM 04:00 AM 04:15 AM 04:30 AM 04:45 AM 05:00 AM 05:15 AM 05:30 AM 05:45 AM 06:00 AM 06:15 AM 06:30 AM 06:45 AM 07:00 AM 07:15 AM 07:30 AM 07:45 AM 08:00 AM 08:15 AM 08:30 AM 08:45 AM 09:00 AM 09:15 AM 09:30 AM 09:45 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 11:15 AM 11:30 AM 11:45 AM 12:00 PM 12:15 PM 12:30 PM 12:45 PM 01:00 PM 01:15 PM 01:30 PM 01:45 PM 02:00 PM 02:15 PM 02:30 PM 02:45 PM 03:00 PM 03:15 PM 03:30 PM 03:45 PM 04:00 PM 04:15 PM 04:30 PM 04:45 PM 05:00 PM 05:15 PM 05:30 PM 05:45 PM 06:00 PM 06:15 PM 06:30 PM 06:45 PM 07:00 PM 07:15 PM 07:30 PM 07:45 PM 08:00 PM 08:15 PM 08:30 PM 08:45 PM 09:00 PM 09:15 PM 09:30 PM 09:45 PM 10:00 PM 10:15 PM 10:30 PM 10:45 PM 11:00 PM 11:15 PM 11:30 PM 11:45 PM 02:30 PM Are you flexible with your event date depending on the venue availability? Choose an option What is your back up date? NUMBER OF ATTENDEES Will you serve alcoholic drinks at the event? Choose an option ALCOHOL LICENCE (SPECIAL OCCASION PERMIT) If you plan to serve alcohol, you’ll need a Special Occasion Permit (SOP ). The permit costs $50 if alcohol is not being sold, and $150 if alcohol is being sold. EVENT INSURANCE Event insurance is required for all rentals. The policy must include third-party bodily injury and property damage coverage of at least $2,000,000, and must list Jamii Esplanade as an additional insured. You’ll need to provide us with a certificate of insurance showing this coverage. You’re welcome to use any insurance provider you like. If helpful, our partner Duuo Event Insurance offers policies that typically range from $7 to $150, depending on your event and whether alcohol is served. Please confirm by checking the box that you will provide Jamii with your certificate of insurance and Special Occasion Permit (only required for events where alcohol is served) not less than 1 week prior to the rental date. SUBMIT Looking for a birthday party place for your kids? We have something for you! CHECK ART BIRTHDAY PARTIES Address: 264 The Esplanade, Toronto ON M5A 4J6 • Contact: info@jamii.ca "The Jamii Hub" is a creative space where Esplanadians share agency over the multidisciplinary artistic interventions and our collective storytelling. Gratitude to the Canada Council for the Arts for making this endeavor possible. SUBMIT A VENUE REQUEST

Artists Jamii works with shape what our programming is. We are grateful to be working with hundreds of talented artists. who we work with Artists LEAD ARTISTS ARTISTS EMERGING ARTISTS LeadArtists Lead Artists who curate monthly themed programs at The Jamii Hub In February 2024, Jamii embarked on a transformative journey towards fostering community bonds through shared leadership and agency of what’s happening at The Jamii Hub. For three weeks every month, daily at 7pm, Jamii gives the keys to lead artists tasked with curating diverse immersive activities at The Jamii Hub. As such, each month, one artist is entrusted with shaping the Jamii experience, intertwining their voice with our collective narrative. The selection of our lead artist prioritizes relationality, trust, and a commitment to nurturing genuine connections within our community. We seek talented artists who appreciate engaging communities through creativity and are eager to share their talents and networks. It's about fostering meaningful engagement and dialogue through art. Lead artists are empowered to conceive a thematic vision for their three-week tenure, supported wholeheartedly as curators of the Jamii Hub. This opportunity offers a platform for curatorial expression, collaboration, and deeper community engagement in the arts. Thanks to the support oof Canada Council for the Arts, Metcalf Foundation and Rama Gaming House, we rejoice in opening our space to these artists, witnessing their brilliance illuminate our community with fresh perspectives and practices. Meet our lead artists and their visions below. Heidi Chan "Small and Mighty" - May 2025 MORE INFO Jonelle Sills "Mirrors" - February 2025 MORE INFO Nova Bhattacharya "Storybeing" - September 2024 MORE INFO Waleed Abdulhamid "Motherland" - April 2024 MORE INFO Carolina Rojas "The Chakana" - April 2025 MORE INFO Razan Samara "Return" - November 2024 MORE INFO Nickeshia Garrick "Connectedness" - June 2024 MORE INFO Tamar Ilana "Migration" - March 2024 MORE INFO Sharon Zarita Adhiambo "Grounded" - March 2025 MORE INFO Patrick de Belen "Teka Lang (Just Wait)" - October 2024 MORE INFO Takako Segawa "Roots" - May 2024 MORE INFO Aline Morales "Forró" - February 2024 MORE INFO who are featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists At Jamii, we consider ourselves fortunate to collaborate with over a hundred artists each year—some joining us for the first time, while others have engaged in years of artistic dialogue within our community. These artists, whether leading workshops, gracing our events with performances, showcasing their works through photo exhibitions, or beautifying our community with murals, are pivotal in defining the essence of Jamii. They weave together the fabric of our shared experiences, crafting memories, narrating stories, and enriching our collective identity. Their contributions resonate deeply, shaping the very soul of what Jamii represents. Aline Morales Singer, Musician MORE INFO Ayelen Liberona Dancer, filmmaker MORE INFO Andrew Patterson Visual Artist MORE INFO Brescia Nember Reid Puppetry MORE INFO Anita Boey Sewing MORE INFO Daniel Hamin Cellist MORE INFO LOAD MORE artists with the support of RBC's Emerging Artist Program Emerging Artists In 2023, thanks to the support of RBC’s Emerging Artists program, Jamii launched its first Emerging Artists Initiative that invited 6 artists, from different arts forms, in the emergence of their artistic career for a one-year programme that supported their artistic growth. This one-year (about 88hrs/artist) programme was customized to each artist participating and offered: 1) Artistic practice support (through mentorship and access to a creative space); 2) Creative industry management and networking support; 3) Public exposure with exhibition, screening, performance and more. This initiative follows in the footsteps of Laini, a 2022 RBC funded initiative that supports young women in creative leadership programme. This is also an initiative the community has directly requested Jamii to pursue as part of a strategic planning initiative in the Summer of 2022. The six emerging artists who benefited from this exceptional programme are Sabrine S Hakam (photographer), Yasmine Omar (photographer), Karen Lam (visual artist and actress), Gillian Mapp (photographer), Darwin Peters (painter) and Morningstar Quill (photographer) - all 6 identifying as BIPOC. Based on the success of the programme, we foresee Jamii’s Emerging Artist Initiative growing in 2024 and beyond. AKRAM YACOUT Photography MORE INFO TINA ABDELBASIT Visual Arts & Murals MORE INFO JONELLE SILLS Music MORE INFO AMBERLEE KING Visual Arts MORE INFO VRUNDA UPADHYAY Dance MORE INFO KURRI QUILL Photography MORE INFO SHILPA SHAH Visual Arts MORE INFO LEAH KING Photography MORE INFO ANA HIGUERA Music & Visual Arts MORE INFO ANA DA SILVA Photography MORE INFO NOOSA ZEIN Dance MORE INFO KAREN LAM Acting, Visual Arts MORE INFO emergingartists

Jamii is offering FREE leadership programs for girls and young women of The Esplanade community. Jamii's What, Why, and How About Us Since 2011, Jamii has been fostering connections among Esplanadians, a diverse community of individuals spanning all ages who reside, work, study, and walk on The Esplanade. Through immersive artistic experiences, we breathe life into public spaces within The Esplanade neighbourhood and our home, The Jamii Hub, crafting whimsical environments that not only cultivate shared memories among our community members but also strengthen the social bonds woven throughout our neighbourhood's fabric. Jamii's What WHAT To date, we have organized over 200 events, worked with hundreds of artists, organized more than 400 workshops, engaged over 1000 participants in projects, counted over 20,000 audience members and more than 30,000 exhibit viewers. SEE YEAR-IN-REVIEWS OUTDOOR EVENTS INDOOR ACTIVITIES PHOTO EXHIBITS MURALS WAYO ANNUAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL FILM PROJECTS COMMUNITY PROJECTS BARAZA BEYOND THE ESPLANADE WHY Because we believe in the power of the arts to enrich lives, foster connections, and build a stronger, more inclusive community for all within The Esplanade and beyond. Our driving force is a profound commitment to our community of Esplanadians and beyond. We strive to address the diverse needs of every individual, from our dynamic youth seeking avenues for self-expression to our seniors facing isolation and invisibility. Our dedication stems from a belief in the transformative power of the arts. We are driven by the conviction that our programs have the capacity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbours. By fostering social cohesion, nurturing a sense of belonging, and instilling pride and identity within our community, we aim to create a space where everyone feels valued and included. Through our inclusive, inter-generational programming, offered freely and openly to all, we endeavor to create a welcoming environment where people of all ages can come together to connect, share, and create. We believe that by providing accessible opportunities for engagement with the arts, we contribute to the cultivation of a more cohesive, united, and supportive community. Jamii's Why Vision, Mission, Values HOW At Jamii, we bring our mission to life driven by our core values with the passion of our leadership team, the board of directors, artists, and the community. Every step along the way, we are grateful for the support provided by our funders, partners, and donors. VISION Enhance togetherness within the communities we engage. MISSION We initiate, welcome, enable, facilitate and produce creative experiences with, for and by the people of the Esplanade and beyond to create shared memories. VALUES INTENTIONALITY We are intentional with invitations and programs. INCLUSIVITY Everyone is welcome at Jamii. CARE We care for our relations with empathy. CURIOSITY We make space for imagination, creativity and magic in our lives. COLLABORATIVE AGENCY We encourage collaborative agency with, by, and for the people engaged in our ecosystem. RESPONSIVENESS We respond with agility and enthusiasm. LEADERSHIP TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARTISTS COMMUNITY FUNDERS PARTNERS DONORS WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / MUSICAL JOURNEY LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! MUSICAL JOURNEY July 2021 - Ages: 8-10 yrs old Led by Raha Javanfar Under Raha's guidance and leadership, participants formed a musical group, exploring various styles and sounds, and discovering innovative ways to find expression on a variety of instruments. Sessions revolved around the desires and goals of the group, and included diverse activities in addition to playing instruments. 7 participants - 27 hours of workshops. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Raha is a musician, performer, theatre designer, and educator. She has worked as lighting/projections designer, writer, director, music director, and performer for many prestigious companies including Tafelmusik, Soulpepper, Canadian Stage, Crows Theatre, and Opera Atelier, amongst others. Raha is currently a Slaight Music Associate at Soulpepper Theatre for which she was the Creator and Music Director of Sympathy for the Devil. She was one of six co-creators of Now You See Her, an anti-patriarchy, Dora nominated play by Quote Unquote Collective, produced by Nightwood Theatre, in which she also performed the role of Daria. She co-wrote and co-directed Kensington: The Musical, along with Beau Dixon, for the students of Sheridan College. The Shape of Home, a musical song cycle co-created and co-music directed by her, Beau Dixon, Hailey Gillis, Frank Cox-O’Connell, Andrew Penner, and Marni Jackson won a Dora award for Best Musical Direction. Photo by Zahra Saleki

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

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." REGISTRATIONS CLOSED -

A weekly confidence-building program where girls and non-binary youth explore self-love, media literacy, friendship, and more through hands-on activities led by trained BeaYOUtiful mentors. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / BeaYOUtiful: SIX-WEEK CONFIDENCE PROGRAM LAINI Youth After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! BeaYOUtiful: SIX-WEEK CONFIDENCE PROGRAM Feb to Mar 2026 - Ages 8-12 Led by BeaYOUtiful Foundation Jamii is proud to partner with the BeaYOUtiful Foundation to offer a Six-Week Confidence Building Program for girls and non-binary youth ages 8–12 in The Esplanade community. This free program provides a beautiful opportunity for young people to connect weekly with caring mentors while exploring essential topics such as self-love, confidence, media literacy, friendship, and goal-setting. Through guided discussions, creative crafts, movement, and fun interactive activities, participants will develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence. The program is designed to inspire young people to recognize their value, embrace their individuality, and build meaningful connections within a safe and supportive community. Each session led by BeaYOUtiful mentors blends conversation with hands-on activities in a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space. Activities may include creative arts and crafts, worksheets, movement, role-play, and group dialogue. Saturdays | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST Saturday, February 7 Saturday, February 14 Saturday, February 21 Saturday, February 28 Saturday, March 7 Saturday, March 14 IMPORTANT INFORMATION: While you are only required to register for the session on February 7, participants are expected to join all six sessions on February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7 and 14. If you register for the session on February 7, you do not need to register again for the sessions on February 14, 21, 28, March 7 and 14. New registrations will not be accepted throughout the program. We expect a high number of registrations, so please let us know immediately via email at info@jamii.ca before Friday, January 30 at 12 PM if you foresee that your child not be able to join all six sessions, so another participant from the waitlist can take your spot. We apologize if the workshop is filled before you register. SIX-WEEK PROGRAM BREAKDOWN Week 1: Confidence & Self-Esteem Main Activity: Creating Affirmation Bracelets Week 2: Media Literacy – “Seeing Beyond the Surface” Main Activity: Cyber Safety Worksheet Week 3: Friendship Exploring healthy friendships and navigating conflict Main Activity: Role-Play Friendship Scenarios Week 4: Positive Body Image Main Activity: Creating & Decorating Body Positivity Affirmation Cards Week 5: Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting Main Activity: Creating Dream Boards Week 6: Sisterhood & Safe Spaces Main Activity: Creating & Decorating Self-Love Gratitude Letters Program Development & Support This program was co-created by Laurie Joy, Parent Coach and Early Childhood Educator with over 20 years of experience supporting families and youth ages 1–14. The curriculum was reviewed by Shaiya Nagur, a BC-based Social Worker, prior to launch. About the BeaYOUtiful Foundation The BeaYOUtiful Foundation is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to empowering female and non-binary children and youth ages 8–12 through free confidence-building and positive body image programs. Through mentorship and community engagement, BeaYOUtiful creates safe, inclusive spaces where young people can develop self-worth, resilience, and lasting friendships. Learn more: https://thebeayoutifulfoundation.com/our-story/ REGISTRATIONS CLOSED

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 REGISTRATIONS CLOSED 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

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / ACROSSDIMENSIONS LAINI Youth A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! MURAL PROJECT July 2025 Lead Artist: Jieun Kim Supporting Artist: Tina Abdelbasit Jamii Team: Isorine Marc, Iris Unlu, Yusra Yacout, Afnan Yakot, Karen Lam, Tyson Hubschmann Participants - Design: Aéla, Daniela, Dario, Faith, Francesca, Jacqueline, Jada, Kandi, Lisa, Lucky, Maryam, Maya, RuthMarie, Santana, Zélia Participants - Painting: Aéla, Daniela, Dario, Faith, Francesca, Jacqueline, Jada, Kandi, Lisa, Lucky, Maryam, RuthMarie, Santana, Sitara, Suhanna, Zélia In July 2025, sixteen youths from The Esplanade neighborhood came together to create a mural at the St. Lawrence Market, under the guidance of established artist Jieun Kim and emerging artist Tina Abdelbasit. The mural, titled Across Dimensions and unveiled on July 19th, explores the theme of living together while coming from different spaces, with our beloved market at the heart of it all, a central gathering place in our shared community. The participants were involved in every step of the process, from the initial design brainstorming to the final unveiling of the mural. ARTIST STATEMENTS: By Participants As young artists from the Esplanade, we came together to imagine a universe that reflects our own - one filled with diversity, beauty, and connections. Our mural, Across Dimensions, is a galaxy where every planet, alien-astronaut, and sparkle represent the people in our neighbourhood. The St. Lawrence Market is at the heart of our mural, just like it’s at the heart of our community. It’s where people meet, share stories, shop, and connect. For many of us, it’s a place of nostalgia - something that’s always been there, holding us all together like gravity in our own local galaxy. Every detail in the mural expresses a part of who we are. From the planet with purple trees that symbolizes our personal growth, to the swan planet that represents beauty and protection, each element was designed by us, with care and imagination. Even the alien with the tentacles at the top of the mural is a symbol - a quiet protector, watching over our cosmic community. We see ourselves as small sparks in the vastness of the universe and together, we shine. By Jieun Kim: This mural is the result of a joyful collaboration with the local youth. Over the course of two weeks, we held workshops to explore what community, diversity, and what shared spaces mean to us. Together, we imagined something playful and unexpected: what if St. Lawrence Market existed in outer space? The design began with simple sketches. Birds representing freedom, planets symbolizing diversity, and the sun and sky as expressions of joy. These ideas grew into a vibrant, imaginative mural that feels like looking through a portal into another world. By Tina Abdelbasit: St. Lawrence market is a source of joy and a symbol of togetherness for the community and this mural is a way for that joy to be reflected. The participants were able to channel their positive memories and associations into the design growing their sense of community pride. Through the process of painting the mural, they were able to share this pride with the rest of the community. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Photos by Laura Dittmann, Akram Yacout, Isorine Marc Jieun Kim, a Korean-born street artist based in Toronto, draws inspiration from Korean folk arts and the natural world to create imagined landscapes in her work. With international exhibitions and a focus on community, she co-founded KJ Bit Collective, fostering collaboration through murals and local street art events. Tina Abdelbasit is a Sudanese painter based in Toronto where she is currently undergoing her undergraduate degree at York University in visual art. Her work is heavily inspired by her relationship with her family and all the different cultures she was exposed to growing up in the middle east. Tinas paintings often draw from her real life or childhood memories and focus on representing human beings beyond what is on the surface. Photos by Laura Dittmann

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / FASHION SHOW LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! FASHION SHOW January to April 2023 - Ages 13-15 Led by Sveltana Bassauer One of the things we love doing and that holds a place of importance in our work, is to continue finding new ways to connect and engage with the girls and young women in the Esplanade community and instill in them leadership skills and experiences through arts projects. After a few creative months led by fashion designer Sveltana Bassauer and with the precious nurturing of Nadifa Mohamed, on Saturday April 29th, the LAINI teens presented their first fashion show: "Throwback to the 90's" The teens went through the full fashion experience. They began with creating vision boards and designs, transformed thrifted clothes into 90 styles, had a photo shoot and organize the show itself. During the show, parents, friends and community members saw the exhibit, enjoyed 90's songs sung by LAINI teen Janessa, and had snacks including Dunkaroos! Artist and video created by Svetlana Bassauer REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Svetlana is a professional fashion design modeler and marketing director turned textile crafts course creator. She specializes in educational classes for children and youth, creating experiences aimed to inspire and enrich kids' learning journeys. She truly believes that it is the art and the experiences around it that become fundamental to how we perceive the world and interact with it. Every new discovery, from seeing art to learning it's history, sewing a Christmas tree ornament or creating your very own toy from scratch, opens a new perspective of the world and the beauty it holds in every corner. It is the kind of beauty that we carry within ourselves and put into everything that we do, making the world a more connected, bright, and beautiful place. Photo Credit: Unknown

Join us for Girls' Movie Night at The Jamii Hub in Toronto! Enjoy 'In My Dreams', pizza, popcorn, and fun in a friendly space. Free entry! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / MOVIE NIGHT: IN MY DREAMS LAINI Youth After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! MOVIE NIGHT: IN MY DREAMS Age: 6 to 11 Jamii is hosting a Girls’ Movie Night on Saturday, January 24 at 6pm at The Jamii Hub (264 The Esplanade). We’ll be watching In Your Dreams with plenty of pizza and popcorn to share. It’s a free, easygoing evening where girls can spend time together in a warm and friendly space. If you know a young girl who’d enjoy it, we’d love for her to come by! Designed for girls aged 6 to 11, this is a drop-off evening led and supervised by Jamii’s team. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED

Join us for Girls' Movie Night at The Jamii Hub in Toronto! Enjoy 'Abominable', pizza, popcorn, and fun in a friendly space. Free entry! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / MOVIE NIGHT: ABOMINABLE LAINI Youth After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! MOVIE NIGHT: ABOMINABLE Age: 6+ Jamii is hosting a Girls’ Movie Night on Thursday, December 5 at 6pm at The Jamii Hub (264 The Esplanade). We’ll be watching Abominable with plenty of pizza and popcorn to share. It’s a free, easygoing evening where girls can spend time together in a warm and friendly space. If you know a young girl who’d enjoy it, we’d love for her to come by! Designed for girls aged 6 and up, this is a drop-off evening led and supervised by Jamii’s team. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED

An empowering workshop series tailored for girls and young women of The Esplanade seeking to discover their leadership skills through the world of theatre! INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / DRAMA WORKSHOPS LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! DRAMA WORKSHOPS March to May 2024 - Grades 1 to 12 Led by Alix Sideris Embark on a transformative 12-week journey with LAINI Drama Workshop Series for girls and young women of The Esplanade community, a unique and empowering program tailored for participants seeking to discover and hone their leadership skills through the enchanting world of theatre. The workshop series culminates in a show for parents, showcasing the girls' newfound talents and the outcome of their creative endeavors. Weekly Workshops: Over the course of 12 weeks, participants will engage in dynamic, hands-on weekly workshops, each meticulously designed to unlock a specific aspect of theatrical excellence. Lead Artist Alix Sideris: The workshops will be led by Alix Sideris. Alix is a professional actor, writer, director, movement director, writer and art education facilitator. She has performed in numerous theatre, TV, and film productions. A graduate of Concordia University, Alix has worked as an acting/movement instructor at many institutions across Canada. She is also a proud mentor to many emerging artists. Scriptwriting Mastery: Our lead artist will guide the girls in the art of scriptwriting, helping them develop narratives that captivate the audience and reflect their unique voices and perspectives. Costume Creation Extravaganza: Participants will explore the art of costume design. From conceptualization to realization, they will learn to express their characters visually and craft costumes that bring their stories to life. Set Design and Construction: The girls will create the perfect backdrop for their stories, learning the the importance of visual storytelling and attention to detail. Character Development Workshop: Through exercises and activities, girls will explore the intricacies of character development, learning to infuse their roles with authenticity and emotion. Grand Finale – A Theatrical Triumph for Parents: The 12-week journey culminates in a theatrical production where the girls take center stage to showcase their achievements. Free of charge - Register now! Tailored for girls grades 1 - 12. This workshop series fosters creativity, teamwork, and leadership, encourages self-expression and confidence and provides a supportive and inclusive environment. LAINI Theatre Workshop Series is more than just a drama class; it's a platform for girls to embrace their leadership potential while discovering the joy of storytelling. Grade 1 & 2: From March 21 to May 30 - Every Thursday at 5:30pm - 6:30pm Grade 3 to 5: From March 21 to May 30 - Every Thursday at 3:30pm - 5pm Grade 6 to 8: From March 20 to May 29 - Every Wednesday at 3:30pm - 5pm Grade 9 to 12 (Volunteering Program): From March 20 to May 29 - Every Wednesday at 5:30pm - 7pm - Volunteer hours for high school students! REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Alix Sideris is a professional actor, writer, director, movement director, and educator. She has performed in theatres across Canada, was also a resident actor in the National Arts Centre’s English Theatre Ensembles, voiced characters in Assassins Creed: Odyssey, Valhalla, and her latest film, Better Days, can be streamed on Apple TV. Alix has had the blessing of teaching at the Stratford Festival, The Royal Conservatory of Music, the Glen Gould School, Randolph Academy, York University, Young People’s Theatre, and the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, to name a few. Alix had the joy of facilitating movement dramaturgy for Jamii’s 41 Neighbours in 2015 and they are very happy to be back and working with the wonderful young artists at LAINI! Photo by Trish Lindstrom

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

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / LAINI LAND LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! LAINI LAND August 2023 - Ages 7 - 15 Led by Ayelen Liberona, Zaynab Wilson, Isorine Marc, Afnan Yakot Jamii offered girls and young women - who are local to The Esplanade - a wonderful 5 days camping on the land! In partnership with Becoming Praxis, 15 girls made lifelong memories through artistic experiences in the outdoors. For some it was the first time leaving the city, going camping, swimming in a river or being close up to cows. They made arts, spent time outdoors, played, shared, recharged, and (re)connected with nature. At Jamii, we are so proud to see such a project, Laini Land, coming to life for a second year in a row and watching first hand the impact it has on the girls. Participants who enjoyed Laini Land have been involved with Jamii through the year doing various programming and this is part of our intent to nurture long-term relations with these youths. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED - Photo Credit: Unknown

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / JEWELLERY MAKING LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! JEWELLERY MAKING September to October 2023 - Grades 7 to 12 Led by Erin Ademoğlu Artist Erin Ademoglu led youth through the world of jewellery making that led to the creation of a mini-showcase to share with family and friends. Through out these 7 weeks, participants learned many new techniques of basic jewellery making, including connecting accessories or other items together, how to use pliers, and opening/closing of jump rings in order to connect pieces. Erin also held a discussion on sustainability, reusable, and up-cycled items. Workshop Activities: Up-cycled multi-purpose keychain from new and old items. Earrings (dangly studs). Materials: Plier, metal pins, learn to bend and shape pins, glue work. Bracelets: pliers, jump rings, wires, using ends to finish wire and chain work. Using new and old items to create. Discussing design, layering. Necklaces, chain, and wire work with new and up-cycled items. Combination everything learned, finishing up projects, and creating new designs and styles of choice. Ring and Cufflink bases will be provided for some glue play, for more unique and possible abstract pieces. Participants can use their own creative instincts, design skills and the techniques that they learned. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Erin Ademoğlu weaves elagance through the wreckage of forgotten factories and graveyards of oyr favourite things. Handcrafted jewelry for women and men. Wearable. Modern & timeless. -Basic Jewellery workshops are available for educational centers and parties for all ages. -Jewelry Styles and techniques: Up-cycled, costume, lost wax carving and silver smiting. Erin has experience teaching young people and people of all ages, sharing her passion of jewllery making. Photo Credit: Unknown

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

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / WISDOM RIPPLES LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! WISDOM RIPPLES November & December 2021 - Ages 14-20 Led by Gillian Mapp & Isorine Marc Inspired by our 2020 theme "Water Is Memory", "WIsdoM ripples" features the work of three Toronto-based photographers: Roya DelSol, Brianna Roye and Zahra Siddiqui. This exhibit was curated by 9 young women of our community, under the leadership of Gillian Mapp and Isorine Marc. "Water, like memory, has a rhythm; it ripples in water like time and music on a page. A souvenir from a trip taken long ago. The scents from childhood. The familiar sound of laughter from your loved ones. Memories from the past rushing in and out like waves, crashing and flowing like a storm of culture." Curation process: Our group of young women curated this exhibit and crafted its title and artistic statement. They were initially presented with 30 photos, 10 by each of the three photographers. Through a series of 8 workshops, under the artistic leadership of Gillian Mapp and Isorine Marc, they worked together to select 10 photos only. Through the exchange of ideas, perspectives and opinions, they explore the “why” and "how" to present this exhibit to their community and to you. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED - Photo Credit: Unknown

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / HIP HOP WORKSHOPS LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! HIP HOP WORKSHOPS November to December 2023 - Grades 1 to 12 Led by Noosa This workshop series welcomed girls in different grade ranges to learn from basic to challenging hip hop moves. Led by Noosa, an amazing hip-hop dancer and choreographer from Regent Park, participants created and designed their own show including the choreography and outfits to present their friends and family members. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Noosa is a member from the Regent Park community who has a passion for the art of dance. Many of her fondest memories and greatest friendships revolve around dance, and she plans on starting her very own dance crew for young kids in the community.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / MUSIC WORKSHOPS LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! MUSIC WORKSHOPS January to March 2024 - Grades 1 to 12 Led by Raha Javanfar Attention parents of girls with a passion for music! This electrifying musical expedition is designed exclusively for children from grades 1 to 12. Our series of free music workshops are set to unlock the secrets behind sound's evolution into captivating melodies and how music becomes a profound language for self-expression. By tinkering with an assortment of both DIY and existing musical instruments, your daughter will uncover the mysteries of melody, rhythm, and dynamics while mastering the art of collaborative band play through the essential skill of active listening. Beyond just mastering musical techniques, these workshops aim to cultivate leadership, teamwork, and attentive listening skills. The grand finale will showcase a performance where the young maestros will unveil their collaborative musical masterpieces to their families. We recommend participants bring a water bottle, any instruments they might have (though not mandatory), and, of course, an insatiable curiosity! Join us as we embark on this exhilarating musical journey where imagination and creativity take centre stage! REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Raha is a musician, performer, theatre designer, and educator. She has worked as lighting/projections designer, writer, director, music director, and performer for many prestigious companies including Tafelmusik, Soulpepper, Canadian Stage, Crows Theatre, and Opera Atelier, amongst others. Raha is currently a Slaight Music Associate at Soulpepper Theatre for which she was the Creator and Music Director of Sympathy for the Devil. She was one of six co-creators of Now You See Her, an anti-patriarchy, Dora nominated play by Quote Unquote Collective, produced by Nightwood Theatre, in which she also performed the role of Daria. She co-wrote and co-directed Kensington: The Musical, along with Beau Dixon, for the students of Sheridan College. The Shape of Home, a musical song cycle co-created and co-music directed by her, Beau Dixon, Hailey Gillis, Frank Cox-O’Connell, Andrew Penner, and Marni Jackson won a Dora award for Best Musical Direction. Photo by Zahra Saleki

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / LAINI DANCE LAINI Youth Wednesdays After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! LAINI DANCE March to May 2026 - Ages 8-12 Led by Nickeshia Garrick WHEN | Wednesdays from 4pm to 5:30pm: March 25, April 1, April 8, April 13 (Monday), April 22, April 29, May 6, 2026. Plus performance dates below. WHERE | The Jamii Hub (264 The Esplanade) FACILITATOR | Nickeshia Garrick LAINI Dance is a free dance series for girls ages 8–12 in downtown Toronto. It’s a warm, supportive space to move, build confidence, and feel connected to your body, your ideas, and your community. Each session blends Afro-Caribbean and contemporary movement with age-appropriate conditioning and creative choreography, guided in a way that’s welcoming for all experience levels. Across the series, participants will start with body conditioning, dynamic stretching, and core-strengthening to build body awareness and strength. From there, the group moves into rhythm and musicality through Afro-influenced movement, exploring cultural expression while having fun together. The creative portion invites choreographic exploration inspired by land, nature, and personal connection to place. Girls can contribute their own movement ideas, practise collaboration, and develop their artistic voice in a way that feels encouraging and pressure-free. Performance dates Friday, May 8, 2026 : Optional public performance at Jamii’s Joy in the Park in David Crombie Park Wednesday, May 13, 2026 : Informal performance for parents, family, and friends at The Jamii Hub Free to attend for participants. Registration is required and spaces are limited. LAINI Dance is designed as a series, and participants are asked to commit to the full set of sessions. Spots are limited, so be sure to register today! Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. REGISTER NOW Photos by Iris Unlu, Isorine Marc, Carolina Rojas NICKESHIA GARRICK Nickeshia Garrick (they/them) is an award-winning performing artist and a Dora Mavor Moore Award–winning, multi-nominated creator with over 25 years of performance experience in Tkaronto. Their training includes the New York Institution of Dance and Education (NYIDE), Canada’s National Ballet School, Toronto Dance Theatre, Carousel Dance Centre, and Simon Fraser University, where they earned a BFA in Dance. Nickeshia’s work is grounded in breath, raw emotion, and the healing power of movement, and they bring that care into how they guide young dancers. Photo by Jae Yang

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / MOVIE NIGHTS LAINI Youth A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! MOVIE NIGHTS March to August 2026 - Ages 6 to 11 These events are led and supervised by Jamii staff Upcoming 2026 dates: Saturday, March 28, 2026. Ballerina Saturday, May 2, 2026. The Sea Beast Saturday, May 30, 2026. Over the Moon Friday, July 24, 2026. The Wild Robot Saturday, August 22, 2026. Encanto All events are from 6pm to 8pm at The Jamii Hub (264 The Esplanade). LAINI Girls’ Movie Nights is a free series of drop-off movie evenings for girls ages 6 to 11 at The Jamii Hub. Each screening brings girls together to watch a family film, share pizza and popcorn, and spend time in a warm, welcoming space led and supervised by Jamii’s team. It is a chance to relax, laugh, and enjoy a fun night out that feels easy, social, and special. As part of Jamii’s LAINI program, these movie nights are shaped by the same spirit of connection, creativity, and belonging that runs through our work with girls and families in Toronto. While each evening centres on a different film, the heart of the series stays the same: giving girls a place where they can feel comfortable, included, and excited to spend time together. Across the series, participants will watch animated films that are thoughtful, visually engaging, and full of heart. The movie choices lean into themes like courage, family, friendship, imagination, and finding your place, which makes each screening feel fun, meaningful, and easy to connect with. Together, they create the kind of movie night experience that feels exciting for kids while still holding the warmth and care that families have come to expect from Jamii. For families looking for free programs for girls in Toronto, kids’ movie nights in downtown Toronto, or welcoming community programs on The Esplanade, LAINI Girls’ Movie Nights offers a simple and joyful way to take part. These evenings are designed especially for girls ages 6 to 11 and are held as drop-off events, with Jamii staff present throughout the full screening. These events are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. REGISTER NOW These events are led and supervised by Jamii staff

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / VISUAL ART SERIES LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! VISUAL ART SERIES September to October 2023 - Grades 1 to 6 Led by Janice Garel A series of visual arts and hands on activities such as tie dye, fabric painting, acrylics, and various crafts, that will lead to the creation of a mini-showcase to be presented to families and friends. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Janice Garel studied at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica and the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. She has exhibited her work in Toronto and abroad. Janice has worked mainly with silk and oil paintings for the last 25 years. Her work is drawn from a wide range of subject matter as she sees art in all that surrounds her. Janice is also very involved in her community. In 2002, she was a recipient of the Markham Mayor's award for community service. Janice has also been commissioned by various schools in the York Region to paint large murals on walls or to create painted silk banners. For years, Janice has been running the Art Adventure Studio. The art studio offered art classes through the year to, workshops, elective programs to schools and summer camps to children and adults. The studio also allows Janice to pass on her love of art to her students. As an artist, she strongly feels that it is not only in the end result that an artist finds the greatest of pleasure, but also in the enjoyment of the journey. Photo Credit: Unknown

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 REGISTRATIONS CLOSED 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

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

Jamii Esplanade is a Toronto nonprofit arts organization offering free workshops, festivals, and outdoor events for all ages at The Jamii Hub (The Esplanade) SEE OUR IMPACT What 's on? One event at a time, we are claiming public spaces in The Esplanade to bring arts at no cost to audience members. All workshops at The Jamii Hub is either free or affordable! CYCLE WORKSHOPS SINGING | SEWING | DANCING | VISUAL ARTS | THE JAMII COFFEE GATHERINGS For all ages. Registrations open on the 10th every month REGISTER NOW LAIINI DANCE - EIGHT-WEEK WORKSHOP SERIES For girls and non-binary youths between the ages of 8 to 12 REGISTER NOW PASI - COMMUNITY PROJECT Photo Exhibition Marking the 2026 World Football Tournament APPLY NOW YEAR IN REVIEW 2025 Check out Jamii's 2025 Highlights CHECK OUT About Us Jamii, founded in 2011, is a not-for-profit arts organization based in the Esplanade community, Toronto. Our vision is to enhance togetherness within the communities we engage. We initiate, welcome, enable, facilitate and produce creative experiences, arts events and workshops with, for and by the people of the Esplanade and beyond with an intent of creating shared memories. SEE MORE Load more What ' s Upcoming? Multiple Dates Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along Mar 19, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Multiple Dates 4 days to the event March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Multiple Dates 5 days to the event Belonging Older Adults - Movement Mar 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Multiple Dates 5 days to the event Belonging Older Adults - Visual Arts Mar 24, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Multiple Dates 6 days to the event LAINI Dance Mar 25, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Multiple Dates 6 days to the event March Cycle - Visual Arts Workshop Series Mar 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info Details Multiple Dates 7 days to the event Belonging Older Adults - Sing-Along Mar 26, 2026, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Multiple Dates 9 days to the event The Little Esplanade - Miniature Workshop Series #1 Mar 28, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Multiple Dates 9 days to the event LAINI Girls' Movie Night - Screening Ballerina Mar 28, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada More info REGISTER Load More upcomingevents-main Highlights Since 2011, Jamii has proudly brought multiple forms of arts and The Esplanade community together. Check out some of Jamii's highlights below. Indigenous Peoples Day Annual intentional celebration of National Indigenous People's Day at the heart of our community. MORE INFO Cycles Arts workshops at The Jamii Hub for three weeks every month, daily at 7pm during the week. MORE INFO Mural Toronto's iconic mural located at the David Crombie Park Basketball Court, in The Esplanade neighbourhood. MORE INFO WAYO Children's Festival Annual children festival designed as a parkour through the Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage. MORE INFO SEE PAST PROGRAMS

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / LAINI MURAL LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! LAINI MURAL July 2023 - Ages 7 to 20 Led by Kseniya Tsoy A group of fifteen youth from The Esplanade came together, under the artistic leadership of Kseniya Tsoy to create a marvelous mural on the Hydrobox, at the corner of The Esplanade and Berkeley St. The Hydrobox had been vandalized years ago and was, simply put, an eye sore for the community. The youg women transformed the box into a whimsical underwater world where everyone is welcome. Unveiled in July 2023. MURAL CREDITS: Lead artist: Kseniya Tsoy Supporting artist: Karen Lam Curator: Isorine Marc Coordination and community outreach: Maryam Alireza Participating youths: Design: Asmaa, Collean, Gennavive , Hafsa, Helena, Kandi, Larissa, Morgan, Nada, Pushpa, Vijaya Painting: Aéla, Alex, Asmaa, Collean, Hafsa, Kandi, Larissa, Morgan, Nada, Nancy, Pushpa, Vijaya, Zélia REGISTRATIONS CLOSED "My name is Kseniya, but I go by K. I am a self-proclaimed artist born and raised in Uzbekistan. For almost a decade I have been working on a variety of international projects with World Culture Open - a global network of cultural creatives, based between Beijing and Seoul. I moved to Canada in 2018 and I am currently based out of Toronto, but available worldwide. Today, I am a freelance hustler doing a bunch of things. Perhaps, I'm best known for my whimsical community murals, but I also facilitate workshops, design and lead team building activities, manage creative projects, and yes, sometimes I do my own art too! My work is always about community, spaces we inhabit, and the ways we connect with each other. Ultimately, I hope that whatever I do makes someone's day a bit brighter and, most importantly, brings us together." Photo Credit: Unknown

May 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / YOSAKOI FROM JAPAN - MAY 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 May 2024 YOSAKOI FROM JAPAN May 6 - 13 - 20, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Takako Segawa In May, join us and discover "Yosakoi," a timeless Japanese dance form, with rich history and vibrant energy. Derived from the ancient Japanese phrase meaning "come and visit at night," Yosakoi has transcended generations, evolving into a dynamic expression of movement cherished by people of all ages. Whether you're a novice or seasoned dancer, come to learn the basic steps of Yosakoi with dancer, choreographer, and instructor, Takako Segawa, as your guide. Takako's own cultural heritage is intimately intertwined with the origins of this dance form and she will bring Naruko for you to try – it is instruments that used to scare away birds in rice fields in Kochi, Japan, and will be our dance instruments! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar, Jae Yang Photo Credit: Laura Dittman Takako Segawa Takako Segawa is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, theatre performer, and director of Japanese dance arts. Born in Japan, Takako trained in traditional arts and contemporary Japanese movement styles, before graduating from the London Contemporary Dance School. Takako’s 25-year career includes performances throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. She was nominated outstanding female for the Dora Award in 2015, and has been honoured by two All Japan Kobe Dance Festival awards, and by the Stuttgart SoloTanz festival. Recently she performed in "Universal Child Care" at the Canadian Stage in Toronto. Takako also performs worldwide with the Corpus theatre group and is currently directing the multimedia piece “Echoes: Vibrations from Japan to Canada,” premiering in Ottawa in November 2024. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

June 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / AFROCARIBBEAN DANCE MOVES - JUNE 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 June 2024 AFROCARIBBEAN DANCE MOVES June 3 - 10 - 17, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick Join us for Monday Dancing at The Jamii Hub for a series of movement-based workshops led by Nickeshia Garrick, Jamii's lead artist for June! The workshops offer a contemporary take on a fun-paced, Afro-Caribbean-influenced dance workshop that introduces polyrhythms, helping you understand the innate rhythms that flow within all of us. Participants work on small movement combos that will expand every week! ALL movers are welcome to this movement workshop, beginners and advanced! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam Nickeshia Garrick Nickeshia Garrick is a settler on the stolen land of Tkaronto and has performed on this land for over 25 years. They are unapologetically a Black, Queer Artist, who believes in the healing power of breath through raw emotion and movement. Nickeshia received their dance training at the NYIDE (New York Institution of Dance and Education), National Ballet School of Canada (Tkaronto), Toronto Dance Theatre (Tkaronto), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver). Nickeshia is a Dora Mavor Moore, winning and multi-nominated artist who holds a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University. Recently, Nickeshia became the Co-Founder of the dance collective CinnaMoon Collective which premiered their full-length work, Surrendered Spirits at Canadian Stage. Instagram Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

March 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / FLAMENCO FROM SPAIN - MARCH 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 March 2024 FLAMENCO FROM SPAIN March 4 - 11 - 18, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Tamar Ilana Candace Kumar is offering a series of creative Filipino cultural dance workshops rooted in Igal dance. Igal is a meditative dance form originating from the Sama Indigenous communities across the Philippines and Maritime Southeast Asia. Igal connects us to land and the environment around us, encouraging us to slow down, move intentionally and listen to our breath. Participants will be guided through a sensory meditation, and exploratory movement exercises, and will learn a short structured piece. Embodying the theme TEKA LANG, come explore slowing down in the community and movement! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Je Yang, Karen Lam, Mariana Hernandez Photo by Cassandra Popescu Tamar Ilana Tamar Ilana is a Jewish-Indigenous multilingual singer and flamenco dancer. Tamar's music and fierce talent reflect her life growing up in multicultural Toronto; accompanying her ethnomusicologist mother, on village fieldwork expeditions and on stage as a child; and living in Ibiza, Barcelona, Paris and Seville. Tamar is a renowned flamenco dancer and multilingual singer, and in 2011 she founded her flamenco/global roots project, Ventanas. Together they have released three albums, been nominated for four Canadian Folk Music Awards including Best Traditional Singer, and toured Canada, US and Colombia. They are currently working on their 4th album and will be embarking on their first European tour in October 2023. Tamar has collaborated with such renowned artists as Jesse Cook, Measha Brueggergosman, Anna Colóm (Rosalía), Manu Soto, Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies), Suba Sankaran, Meesha Shafi, and Margaret Atwood. Tamar has also been featured in award-winning international musicals in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, the UK and Germany. Tamar Ilana is the Executive and Artistic Director of FabCollab, a performing arts organization based in Toronto, Canada. Tamar was one of the first Toronto-based artists to pivot to live-streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully making the transition to online as a presenter and performer. In August 2020 she co-founded FabCollab in order to continue this work, and, with FabCollab, has since created numerous programmes and presented over 200 IBPOC womxn and minority artists at iconic Toronto sold out venues, live streaming to audiences of 40,000+ in partnership with the National Arts Centre, Lula Lounge, Koerner Hall, Small World Music and the Aga Khan Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum. Instagram Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

October 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / IGAL FROM PHILIPPINES -OCTOBER 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 October 2024 IGAL FROM PHILIPPINES October 7 - 14 - 21, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Candace Kumar Discovering Igal Dance Candace Kumar is offering a series of creative Filipino cultural dance workshops rooted in Igal dance. Igal is a meditative dance form originating from the Sama Indigenous communities across the Philippines and Maritime Southeast Asia. Igal connects us to land and the environment around us, encouraging us to slow down, move intentionally and listen to our breath. Participants will be guided through a sensory meditation, and exploratory movement exercises, and will learn a short structured piece. Embodying the theme TEKA LANG, come explore slowing down in the community and movement! We expect you to come and join us to discover (or explore further) Igal dance in this series of unique dance workshops for all levels. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang, Hadeal Karrar Photo Credit: Unknown Candace Kumar Candace is a Filipino cultural dance artist, educator and choreographer. She has trained for over 18 years in Filipino dance, researching and performing diverse styles from all across the Philippines. Candace has toured throughout North America and Europe, sharing and teaching Filipino dance traditions. Her work aims to reimagine traditional dance forms from the Canadian diaspora. As a diasporic artist, Candace believes cultural dance can guide us through the future as we navigate life on land that is not our ancestral home. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

April 2026 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / MOVING WITH RHYTHM AND EXPRESSION DANCING Cycles Workshops April 2026 MOVING WITH RHYTHM AND EXPRESSION Monday, April 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick This dance workshop series is part of Jamii’s April Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by Nickeshia Garrick, the workshops centre around Afro-Caribbean and Contemporary movement practices that support embodiment, expression, and connection through shared motion. Participants engage in guided movement combinations that emphasize rhythm, breath, and physical awareness. The workshops support feeling grounded in the body while moving with energy and intention. Each session ends with a moment of self-creation, where participants work together to build a short choreographic phrase based on what has been learned and experienced in the room. These workshops are open to participants of all movement levels and abilities. No prior dance experience is required. Participants are encouraged to move at their own pace and engage in ways that feel supportive and authentic. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTER NOW Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo by Jae Yang NICKESHIA GARRICK Nickeshia Garrick is a Black, Queer dance artist with over two decades of experience as a performer, choreographer, and educator. Their training includes studies at the New York Institute of Dance and Education, Canada’s National Ballet School, Toronto Dance Theatre, and Simon Fraser University, where they earned a BFA in Dance. Nickeshia is a Dora Mavor Moore Award–winning artist and currently teaches Movement at the Toronto Film School. Their ongoing relationship with Jamii includes serving as lead artist of the June Cycle in 2024, facilitating Monday Dancing workshops and movement sessions within the Belonging Older Adults program, and performing as part of Joy in the Park. They presented To My Past, Present and Future during the July 2023 outdoor program and returned in December 2023 with the outdoor performance Mudlark. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

February 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / FORRÓ FROM NORTHERN BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 February 2024 FORRÓ FROM NORTHERN BRAZIL February 5 - 12 - 19, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Vinicius and Joseane In February, Vini Dantas de Limo Melo and Joseane Maria Da Silva will lead an introduction to Forró, a dynamic Brazilian partner dance known for its energetic footwork and lively music. No need to bring a partner. Participants will be encouraged to switch partners during the class and dance with others in the workshop. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Mariana Hernandez Photo by Forro Vini Dantas de Limo Melo Vinicius started dancing forró in 2014 as part of the Forró in Toronto group. He returned to Brazil in 2015, where he started a group called Forró na UFRN, which, to this day, has taught more than 1000 people. Later Vinicius returned to Toronto and re-joined the Forró For All crew in 2022. He is extremely passionate about forró as dance but also as a cultural manifestation, studying its history, artists, and contemporaneity. Instagram Joseane Maria Da Silva Joseane is a forró instructor and holds a master’s degree in scenics arts. She is keenly passionate about the popular culture from the Northeastern or Brazil. Since her childhood, she has have forró as a part of her life, participating in quadrilha festivities, Brazilian’s manifestation of square dance, for more than 3 years. She joined Forró na UFRN in 2016 as a student, and became a forró instructor starting in 2017, with a focus in the development of body awareness. In 2022 she joined Forró For All as an instructor, and started teaching private lessons in 2023, intertwining dance knowledge with music and body for a conscious dance. She constantly seeks to rediscover and research forró as a dance, as a cultural manifestation and a rediscover of one’s self. Instagram Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

May 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / BUTOH - MAY 2025 DANCING Cycles 2025 May 2025 BUTOH May 5 - 12 - 19, 2025 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Mayumi Lashbrook Discover the art of mindful movement in this welcoming series with dance artist Mayumi Lashbrook. Rooted in the Japanese avant-garde dance style of Butoh, these workshops offer a space to slow down, tune in to your body, and explore movement as an expression of inner awareness. Whether you are a dancer, a creative spirit, or someone looking to reconnect with yourself through movement, this is a unique opportunity to experience dance as a pathway to presence. Under Mayumi’s gentle guidance, you will dive into improvisation exercises inspired by Butoh’s philosophy of uncovering the dance already within you. Through mindful attention and creative limitations, you will explore how slowing down can open up surprising new forms of expression. Mayumi brings years of experience as a performer, choreographer, and facilitator, and shares her journey of learning Butoh with renowned dance artist Denise Fujiwara. No dance experience is needed. Just bring your curiosity and willingness to move. For those who want to take their experience further and perform, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on May 24, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. Spots are limited, so be sure to register today! This Monday Dancing - Finding Presence through Butoh workshop is part of Jamii's May cycle, guided by lead artist Heidi Chan, and centred around the theme of Small & Mighty. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing, singing, and creative writing, we will reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of Small & Mighty, finding the joy and value in doing one thing, but doing it well by slowing down and zooming in.” - Heidi Chan. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar, Heidi Chan Photo Credit: Unknown Mayumi Lashbrook Mayumi Lashbrook (she/her) is a mixed race Japanese Canadian settler who seeks to create transformative dance theatre experiences that invite attentive presence. Her practices span performance, choreography, curation, and facilitation. Mayumi is a 2024 nominee of the Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Award and the Artistic Director of Aeris Körper, recipient of the 2024 Hamilton Arts Creator Award. As mentee of renowned dance theatre artist Denise Fujiwara, she has been studying choreographic composition, the Japanese dance form Butoh, and is a company member of Fujiwara Dance Inventions. She aims to create spaces that pursues an equilibrium of artistic excellence and compassionate care. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

November 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / DABKE FROM PALESTINE - NOVEMBER 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 November 2024 DABKE FROM PALESTINE November 4, 11, 18, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Mona Ayesh In Arabic, Dabke means "stomping of the feet" or "to make noise". During this dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh, participants will practice the group dance and learn about the origin and history of the steps, many of which are rooted in the land and agriculture. Learning and performing traditional Dabke is a form of preserving Palestinian identity and a form of cultural resistance. Dabke signifies hope, struggles, and the history of the Palestinian people, making it one of the most important cultural forms of art in Palestinian culture. Join us for this beautiful series of three dancing workshops with Mona, stomping your feet through culture on Mondays, November 4th, 11th and 18th at 7pm at the Jamii Hub. WE REACHED THE FULL CAPACITY FOR THIS WORKSHOP. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU WHEN A SPOT BECOMES AVAILABLE. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang Photo Credit: Unknown Mona Ayesh It is an honor to welcome in the space the respected Mona Ayesh who is a Palestinian Dabke instructor. She has been training youth and adults for over 7 years. Mona Ayesh and her youth team (@dabke4palestine) have performed Dabke Shows at various events across the Greater Toronto Area, including at Muslim Fest 2023, Ramadan Expo 2024, Eid Expo 2024, Hawa Canada, and other cultural events and festivals. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

October 2026 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / TAP INTO RHYTHM DANCING Cycles Workshops October 2026 TAP INTO RHYTHM Monday, October 5, Tuesday, October 13, and Monday, October 19 and 26 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM Facilitator: Elise McGrenera This tap dance workshop series is part of Jamii’s October Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by tap dancer Elise McGrenera, the workshops centre rhythm as a shared language that connects body, music, and collective movement. Participants explore foundational tap steps, coordination, and musicality through guided exercises and creative play. The workshops emphasize feeling rhythm through the whole body and building confidence through repetition and exploration. The space is welcoming and supportive, encouraging participants to move at their own pace while staying connected as a group. Comfortable shoes are welcome, and participants may bring tap shoes if they have them. These workshops are open to participants of all experience levels. No prior tap or dance experience is required. Participants are encouraged to engage in ways that feel comfortable and expressive. Important registration note: Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATION OPENS ON SEPT 10 Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo by Hadeal Karrar ELISE MCGRENERA Elise McGrenera is a tap dancer from Vancouver, BC, now based in Toronto. She is an alumna of the School at Jacob’s Pillow, where she joined the 2019 tap dance program and performed in the school’s annual fundraiser at the Ted Shawn Theatre. Elise was a featured dancer in the Vancouver premiere of Danny Nielsen’s On Foot and returned for its 2023 BC tour. She has also performed in Jeffrey Dawson and Friends and co-founded the tap dance collective Boys’ Club in 2022, presenting work across Canada and Europe. Most recently, Elise was selected as an artist researcher for Dancemakers’ Shoe Dreams project, designing custom tap shoes featured in a performance during Nuit Blanche 2025. She has an ongoing relationship with Jamii, having facilitated Monday Dancing workshops during the March Cycle in 2025 under the leadership of Zarita Sharon Adhiambo. Elise continues to be active in Toronto’s tap dance and jazz music community through performance, research, and teaching. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

September 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / STORYBEING - SEPTEMBER 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 September 2024 STORYBEING September 9 - 16 - 23, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: N. Jayarajan, B. Buan, R. Joshi Exploring Bharatanatyam dance Monday, September 9 Artist: Neena Jayarajan Bharatanatyam, a dance form from Southern India, beautifully tells stories and conveys emotions through gestures, facial movements, and rhythmic footwork. Join Nova Dance Associate Artist Neena Jayarajan for a gentle and enjoyable journey into creativity and storytelling, where participants can express themselves in a fun and supportive environment. Neena Jayarajan has trained with Guru Dr. Menaka Thakkar for over 28 years, and holds an MA in dance from York University. She served as Assistant Artistic Director, principal dancer, and rehearsal director of the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company (MTDC). Neena has toured across North America and Asia, and has performed in over 200 schools. Philippine-inspired dance practice Monday, September 16 Artist: Blessyl Buan Join multidisciplinary dance artist Blessyl Buan in a choreographic workshop that begins with intention and reconnection to the Land. Guided by the ancient Philippine Script of Baybayin, an embodied movement practice will emerge. The energetic charge of dried palm symbolizes the Philippine weaving traditions of the “banig” (mat) and will facilitate wayfinding of ancestral storytelling. Her process explores Philippine Indigenous traditions, joy, and "Kapwa" (community with humans, nature and the cosmos) rooted in contemporary dance. Blessyl Buan, a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and visual artist, crafts colourful interdisciplinary works echoing rhythm, movement, and land-based spirituality. With a Kinesiology degree (2001) and a Chiropractic doctorate (2005), her academic background provides a deep understanding of the human body. Blessyl combines in her practice both her academic backgound with over two decades of professional dance experience. Discover a Garba Class! Monday, September 23 Artist: Rachana Joshi Join Rachana’s Garba class! Garba is a vibrant community circle dance from Gujarat, India. Dancing in concentric circles with snaps, claps, and twirls, fosters both personal and communal experiences. As movements repeat and speed increases, enjoy a meditative state while getting a great workout. Garba celebrates the feminine divine and has deep roots in village traditions, making it a joyful and culturally rich experience for all. Rachana will guide partcipants through this beautiful experience. Rachana Joshi is an emerging dance artist based in Toronto. She completed her Bharatanatyam arangetram under Lata Pada in 2017 and trained in the Tanjavur bani with Guru H.K. Kalyanasundaram and Guru Harikishan S Nair. Rachana graduated with honors from York University’s B.F.A program in Dance. She has earned the Monorama Thakkar Award in Indian Classical Dance and the Kondor Fine Arts Award. Rachana is a company dancer with Nova Dance. As co-founder of Kala Collective, she aims to share South Asian diasporic identity REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang, Hadeal Karrar Photo Credit: Sabrine S. Hakam Neena Jayarajan has trained with Guru Dr. Menaka Thakkar for over 28 years, and holds an MA in dance from York University. She served as Assistant Artistic Director, principal dancer, and rehearsal director of the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company (MTDC). Neena has toured across North America and Asia, and has performed in over 200 schools. Blessyl Buan, a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and visual artist, crafts colourful interdisciplinary works echoing rhythm, movement, and land-based spirituality. With a Kinesiology degree (2001) and a Chiropractic doctorate (2005), her academic background provides a deep understanding of the human body. Blessyl combines in her practice both her academic backgound with over two decades of professional dance experience. Rachana Joshi is an emerging dance artist based in Toronto. She completed her Bharatanatyam arangetram under Lata Pada in 2017 and trained in the Tanjavur bani with Guru H.K. Kalyanasundaram and Guru Harikishan S Nair. Rachana graduated with honors from York University’s B.F.A program in Dance. She has earned the Monorama Thakkar Award in Indian Classical Dance and the Kondor Fine Arts Award. Rachana is a company dancer with Nova Dance. As co-founder of Kala Collective, she aims to share South Asian diasporic identity through dance. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

March 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / LEARNING AND TRYING TAP DANCE - MARCH 2025 DANCING Cycles 2025 March 2025 LEARNING TAP DANCE March 3 - 10 - 17, 2025 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Elise McGrenera Step into the rhythm and explore the joy of tap dance in this all-levels workshop with dancer Elise McGrenera! Whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience, this movement-based class will introduce you to the fundamentals of tap dance, focusing on rhythm, coordination, and musicality. Guided by lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", we’ll explore how rhythm connects us to ourselves and each other, feeling the beat not just in our feet but throughout the whole body. Through traditional tap steps, movement exercises, and creative exploration, you'll discover the grounding power of dance in an open and welcoming space. No tap shoes? No problem! Wear comfortable shoes or bring tap shoes if you have them. For those who want to take their experience further, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on March 22, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. Come move, make some noise, and find your rhythm—one tap step at a time! This dancing workshop is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Tuesday Creative Writing, Tuesday Book Club, Tuesday Culture Cloths-Artist Talks, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Crafting, Thursday Painting, and Friday Singing. “Through these workshops, we let art and community exchanges guide the discovery of what grounds us, or what we need to find grounding on, and pass this discovery to someone else's journey.” - Sharon Zarita Adhiambo. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo by Dayna Szyndrowski Elisa McGrenera Elise McGrenera is a tap dancer from Vancouver, Canada currently living in Toronto, Ontario. Elise is an alumna of the School at Jacob's Pillow where she was accepted into the 2019 tap dance program and graduated with the Professional Advancement in Dance Award. She was a featured dancer in the 2019 Vancouver premier of Danny Nielsen’s On Foot and joined the cast again in 2023 for their BC tour. Elise was featured in both the 2021 and 2022 productions of Jeffrey Dawson and Friends presented by the Vancouver Tap Dance Society. In 2022, Elise co-founded the tap dance collective Boys’ Club which was invited to showcase their first full-length work throughout Europe. Currently, Boys’ Club is creating a new work through the 2024/2025 cohort of the Process+Practice residency produced by TOES For Dance and Elise continues to immerse herself in the tap dance and jazz music community in Toronto. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

March 2026 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / SOCA & CARIBBEAN RHYTHMS DANCING Cycles Workshops March 2026 SOCA & CARIBBEAN RHYTHMS Monday, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM Facilitator: Michael Mortley This dance workshop series is part of Jamii’s March Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by Michael Mortley, this dancing workshop series explores Soca and Caribbean movement as expressions of rhythm, culture, and collective joy. Participants are invited to move with energy, curiosity, and presence while connecting to music rooted in Caribbean traditions. Across five sessions, participants build endurance, coordination, and musical awareness through dynamic movement sequences inspired by Soca and Calypso. The workshop welcomes a wide range of bodies and abilities, with seated movement options available for those who need them. The focus is on moving with intention, finding your own rhythm, and sharing space with others through dance. This workshop is open to all movement levels and abilities. No previous dance experience is required. Come ready to move, create, connect, and have fun. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTER NOW Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo by Jae Yang MICHAEL MORTLEY Michael Mortley is a multidisciplinary movement artist, educator, and choreographer with formal training from the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the Beijing Dance Academy. His practice spans Caribbean folk, contemporary, ballet, and global movement forms, and his teaching reflects a deep commitment to cultural storytelling through the body. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

February 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / CONTEMPORARY DANCE - FEBRUARY 2025 DANCING Cycles 2025 February 2025 CONTEMPORARY DANCE February 3 - 10 - 17, 2025 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Ysabel Garcia Contemporary dance is a style of interpretive dance that combines techniques from various genres, including ballet, jazz, modern dance, and lyrical dance. It's characterized by a lack of stylistic standards, similarly to human beings - contemporary dance is constantly changing and evolving. In this workshop, participants will explore contemporary dance as a means of self-expression, connecting with others through exploratory and collaborative partner work while engaging in meaningful moments of self-reflection. Using the theme of mirrors as a guiding thread, the workshop invites participants to look inward, embrace their individuality, and see themselves in a new light through the power of movement. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo Credit: Unknown Ysabel Garcia Ysabel Garcia is a Toronto-based emerging dance artist, choreographer and dance educator. Ysabel graduated in 2023 from York University’s Dance programme wherein she was the recipient of the York Dance award and trained under many prominent Toronto contemporary dance artists including Tracey Norman and Syreeta Hector. Prior to this, Ysabel graduated from the Pre-Professional Programme at the Toronto School of Ballet and trained at the Prima Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Most recently, Ysabel was a featured alumni choreographer for O’Neill Collegiate Vocational Institute’s “Creations” showcase and was the 2023 Emerging Choreographer for Kingston’s “Ground Up” Dance Festival. Presently, Ysabel works as a Dance Teacher in the city and at The National Ballet of Canada in Education and Community Engagement amalgamating her dual passions for dance and inclusion and equity. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

April 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / CACHARPAYA AND TINKU - APRIL 2025 DANCING Cycles 2025 April 2025 CACHARPAYA AND TINKU April 7 - 14 -21, 2025 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitators: Carolina Rojas, Ximena Loayza Join us for an exciting three-part workshop that will transport you to the Andean Altiplano, where you will discover two vibrant traditional dances. This free workshop series welcomes all levels, whether you love to dance or are stepping onto the floor for the first time. Week 1 – Cacharpaya with Carolina Rojas Carolina Rojas, a seasoned dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator, will guide you through Cacharpaya, a collective Andean dance performed to mark the final farewell to festivities and carnival. Feel the rhythm of community as you take part in this collective dance. Holding hands, moving in sync, and sharing energy, Cacharpaya is all about connection and celebration. With her extensive background in dance education, Carolina will immerse you in the communal joy of this captivating tradition. Weeks 2 & 3 – Tinku with Ximena Loayza Learn the dynamic movements of this traditional Bolivian dance, led by Ximena Loayza, a passionate Bolivian dance instructor with over 15 years of experience. Originally a Bolivian Quechua ritual that began as a form of ceremonial combat from North of Potosi, Tinku brings energy, tradition, and storytelling to life through movement. With Ximena’s deep knowledge of Bolivian folklore and her talent for bringing cultural traditions to life, you will learn the dance steps and experience the powerful symbolism behind the Tinku. You’ll also have the chance to wear traditional costumes, immersing yourself in the full experience. Join us at this space to share, move, and create memories that will stay with you long after the music fades. No dance experience is necessary; just bring your enthusiasm. For those who want to take their experience further and perform, we invite you to join Saturday Mingling on April 26, a lively evening of artistic sharing where community members and artists come together to celebrate the creative journey. This workshop is free to attend, but spaces are limited, so be sure to register today! This Dancing workshop is part of Jamii's April cycle, guided by lead artist Carolina Rojas, and centred around the theme of the Chakana—an ancestral Andean symbol representing the connection between the spiritual, earthly, and inner realms. Through these workshops in dancing, painting, crafting, sewing,singing and creative writing, we’ll reflect on how these ancient teachings resonate with our modern lives, connecting us to nature, the cycles of life, and our community. “This is an invitation to reinterpret the meaning of the Chakana, connecting its ancient wisdom with our modern experiences.” – Carolina Rojas. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Hadeal Karrar Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam Carolina Rojas Carolina Rojas, a dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator. She earned a Dance Interpretation degree from Las Americas University in Santiago de Chile. In 2012, she co-founded 'Danza Independiente Antofagasta,' aiming to expand dance horizons in her hometown. Carolina initiated the 'Interpreters in Dance School' project in 2013, providing free training to aspiring dancers, fostering community growth and education. Since moving to Canada in 2017, she has expanded her repertoire, contributed to the Dance Migration Company, and volunteered with Chilean associations, sharing her cultural heritage and commitment to community empowerment. Carolina’s vision prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for Latin American communities in Toronto facilitating artist exchanges. Carolina is not only our Lead Artist for April at Jamii, she is also our Metcalf Intern, managing programs such as Belonging and Laini, excelling in arts management. Ximena Loayza For the past fifteen years, Ximena Loayza have been shaping the lives of children and adults through dance. She grew up in a very traditional and cultural country named Bolivia where she learned about Bolivian folklore and traditions. Now as a dance instructor in Canada, she has the pleasure to teach about Latin dances but specially about Bolivian folklore. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

June 2026 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / DABKE: STOMPING, RHYTHM, RESISTANCE DANCING Cycles Workshops June 2026 DABKE: STOMPING, RHYTHM, RESISTANCE Monday, June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM Facilitator: Mona Ayesh This dance workshop series is part of Jamii’s June Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . Led by Palestinian Dabke instructor Mona Ayesh, the workshops centre around Dabke as a communal dance practice rooted in land, rhythm, and shared history. Participants learn traditional Dabke steps and movement patterns while exploring their cultural origins and meaning. The dance emphasizes stomping, grounding, and collective timing, reinforcing Dabke’s role as both celebration and expression. Practised together, the movements highlight unity, presence, and connection across the group. Dabke has long served as a form of cultural preservation and resistance. Through movement, participants engage with stories of resilience, hope, and continuity carried within Palestinian cultural traditions. These workshops are open to participants of all movement levels and abilities. No prior dance experience is required. Participants are encouraged to move at their own pace and engage in ways that feel respectful and supportive. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATION OPENS ON MAY 10 Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang Photo by Jae Yang MONA AYESH Mona Ayesh is a Palestinian Dabke instructor with over eight years of experience teaching youth and adults. She performs regularly with her youth team, Dabke4Palestine, and has appeared at numerous cultural events and festivals across the Greater Toronto Area. Mona has an ongoing relationship with Jamii, having facilitated Monday Dancing workshops during the November Cycle in 2023 under the leadership of Razan Samara. Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

April 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / DANCING / KUKU FROM GUINEA - APRIL 2024 DANCING Cycles 2024 April 2024 KUKU FROM GUINEA April 8 - 15 - 22, 2024 from 7pm to 8:30pm Facilitator: Mabinty Sylla Join us to learn the basic steps and movements of Kuku, a traditional West African dance from Guinea. Originally danced by women celebrating the fishing harvest, Kuku has evolved into a popular rhythm featured at various festivals, including full moon celebrations. This women's dance is performed in a circle, and under the guidance of dancer Mabinty Sylla, participants will delve into not only the steps and rhythms but also the cultural significance of this traditional art form. For those inclined, participants will have the opportunity to share a short choreography at our Thursday Mingling event on May 2nd. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME Photos by Jae Yang, Isorine Marc, Mariana Hernendez Photo Credit: Unknown Mabinty Sylla Originally from West Africa Guinea, Mabinty Sylla has been dancing in Africa for sixteen years, beginning her dance training at the age of 12 in Conakry with Mamadouba Camara her dance instructor, who is the first soloist for the Ballet Djoliba and former soloist for the Ballet Africans-two of West Africa’s most respected traditional groups. Also she learnt and performed with a group Ballet Tayelly directed by Fode Gassama. She moved to Toronto Canada since 2008 and continued her dancing & networking in Toronto with associations such as A.F.C.Y.. ..now named vibe arts and Lula Lounge french schools african dance program. She has presented her work in most of Canada’s provinces and cities e.g sunfest London Ontario and Halifax African festival. In Toronto she performs at numerous festivals such as Afro Fest from 2009 to the present and Muhtadi International Drumming. She also performs in most of the mega-city's African and Caribbean cultural programs such as Oshawa African Pavilion fiesta week, Carrisaga, Habari African Festival at Harbour Front and is a member of the extraordinary Okavango orchestra. Mabinty Sylla teaches and choreograph West African dancing in many areas e.g. schools and community programs, she also does private workshops for individuals and groups. Instagram Upcoming Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / THE JAMII COFFEE / A Cup Remembered for Forty Years THE JAMII COFFEE Cycles Workshops Drinking coffee the Jamii way! A CUP REMEMBERED FOR FORTY YEARS Sunday, March 8, from 10 AM to 11 AM Facilitator: Elif Birbiri This gathering is part of Jamii’s March Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . This month The Jamii Coffee explores the tradition of Turkish coffee, a practice shaped by hospitality, conversation, and time. Prepared unfiltered and served with intention, Turkish coffee has travelled across continents while holding its place at small tables where stories are shared and relationships are formed. Guided by Elif Birbiri, participants experience coffee preparation alongside stories of its cultural roots, reflections on migration and memory, and the tradition of reading fortunes from the cup. The focus is not instruction, but connection, presence, and shared experience. The Jamii Coffee welcomes all who are interested in gathering, listening, and sharing. Spots are limited. Registration is required for each The Jamii Coffee gathering. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME ELİF BİRBİRİ Elif Birbiri is a cook and anthropologist from Turkey, now based in Toronto. As a PhD researcher in anthropology, her work explores how food travels, transforms, and connects people across borders. Through scholarship and practice, she traces the movement of ingredients, recipes, and rituals, revealing how food carries history within it. Outside academia, Elif brings people together through shared meals, conversation, and curiosity. Photo Credit: Unknown

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 MOVIE NIGHTS 2026 MOVIE NIGHT: ABOMINABLE 2025 MUSIC WORKSHOPS 2024 LAINI DANCE 2026 MURAL PROJECT 2025 HIP HOP WORKSHOPS 2023 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 UPCOMING DATES Wed, Mar 25 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 25, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. +3 more Sat, Mar 28 LAINI Girls' Movie Night - Screening Ballerina / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 28, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free girls’ movie night with pizza, popcorn, and Ballerina at The Jamii Hub for ages 6 to 11. Wed, Apr 01 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Apr 01, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. Wed, Apr 08 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Apr 08, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. Mon, Apr 13 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Apr 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. Wed, Apr 22 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Apr 22, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. Wed, Apr 29 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub DETAILS Apr 29, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. Sat, May 02 LAINI Girls' Movie Night - Screening The Sea Beast / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 02, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada A free girls’ movie night with pizza, popcorn, and The Sea Beast for ages 6 to 11 at The Jamii Hub. Wed, May 06 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub DETAILS May 06, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. Wed, May 13 LAINI Dance / The Jamii Hub DETAILS May 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free LAINI Dance for girls 8–12. Move, create, and build confidence with Nickeshia Garrick. Limited spots. Register now. Sat, May 30 LAINI Girls' Movie Night - Screening Over The Moon / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW May 30, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada A free girls’ movie night with pizza, popcorn, and Over the Moon for ages 6 to 11 at The Jamii Hub. Fri, Jul 24 LAINI Girls' Movie Night - Screening The Wild Robot / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jul 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Free girls’ movie night with pizza, popcorn, and The Wild Robot for ages 6 to 11 at The Jamii Hub. Sat, Aug 22 LAINI Girls' Movie Night - Screening Encanto / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Aug 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada A free girls’ movie night with pizza, popcorn, and Encanto for ages 6 to 11 at The Jamii Hub. WAYS TO BE PART OF THE LAINI PROGRAM 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.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / MOVEMENT / LATIN DANCE BELONGING Movement Workshops For Older Adults MAY & JUNE 2026 LATIN DANCE Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM Facilitator: Carolina Rojas Bring some rhythm into your Tuesday morning. Carolina Rojas returns to The Jamii Hub to lead Belonging Older Adults movement sessions that keep you active, smiling, and connected to the people around you. Using accessible Latin dance rhythms and steps, this class supports cardio health, muscle strength, and coordination in a supportive space where everyone can move at their own pace. Across the series, participants will work with continuous, repetitive movement that builds stamina and coordination over time. The pacing is designed with older adults in mind, with options to take breaks, adjust intensity, and participate in a way that feels right for your body. The vibe is caring and community-focused. You’ll move together, get your heart rate up, and leave feeling more awake in your body. These sessions are part of Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults program for older adults in downtown Toronto. Participants register for the program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them. Support free community arts Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in movement and dance is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW Photos by Iris Unlu, Ghader Bsmar CAROLINA ROJAS Carolina Rojas is a multifaceted dance artist with a lifelong relationship to movement and performing arts. Her training includes rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, music, and modern dance, followed by Dance Interpretation studies in Santiago, Chile. She has performed in works by established choreographers, co-founded Danza Independiente Antofagasta to promote dance in the region, and taught in schools while supporting young dancers as they developed their practice. Carolina also trained in Silvestre’s Technique in Brazil. Now based in Canada, she is a member of Dance Migration Company and continues to dance, teach, and volunteer, including sharing her Chilean heritage through folk dance classes. Photo Credit: Jae Yang

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / BELONGING - OLDER ADULTS / MOVEMENT / SOCA DANCE BELONGING Movement Workshops For Older Adults JULY 2026 SOCA DANCE Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM Facilitator: Michael Mortley Bring some summer energy into your Tuesday morning with Soca. This July, Michael Mortley returns to The Jamii Hub to lead a high-energy movement series for Jamii’s Belonging Older Adults community. Through Soca dance, participants will move to vibrant Caribbean rhythms, build cardio endurance, and enjoy a class that feels joyful, social, and full of momentum. Each session offers a supportive structure that welcomes all dance levels. You can participate standing or seated, with options throughout for people who prefer or require a chair. The focus is on moving together at a comfortable pace, listening to your body, and letting the music carry you. Expect upbeat songs, simple phrases you can follow, and a group atmosphere that makes it easier to try something new, even if you haven’t danced in a long time. This workshop is a great fit for older adults in Toronto looking for a lively movement class that supports stamina, coordination, and confidence. Soca is rooted in celebration and rhythm, and these sessions invite participants to enjoy that spirit in a caring, community-first space. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in movement and dance is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them. Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited. Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association. REGISTER NOW Photo Credit: Unknown MICHAEL MORTLEY Michael Mortley is an educator, movement artist, storyteller, costume designer, choreographer, and photographer. He graduated from the University of Trinidad and Tobago in 2015 with a BFA and from Beijing Dance Academy in 2016 with a Certificate in Chinese Contemporary. Michael has trained in Trinidad and Tobago folk, ballet, contemporary, Chinese contemporary, modern, Horton, Kathak, Soca and calypso dance, and hip hop. His work in Canada includes collaborations with KasheDance, Ronald Taylor Dance Inc., Fujiwara Dance Invention, Dusk Dances, Theater Aquarius, Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, and more. He also works as a photographer and videographer for dance companies and artists, including Ronald Taylor Dance Inc., Dance Immersion, Bakari I. Lindsay, and Pulga Muchochoma. Photo Credit: Jae Yang

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

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / THE JAMII COFFEE / Gabena THE JAMII COFFEE Cycles Workshops Drinking coffee the Jamii way! GABENA Sunday, May 10 from 10 AM to 11 AM Facilitator: Muna Elbadri This gathering is part of Jamii’s May Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right . This month, The Jamii Coffee explores the gabena coffee ceremony, a ritual centred on care, memory, and gathering through shared preparation and presence. Guided by Muna Elbadri, and alongside one of her Ethiopian aunties, participants are invited into a ceremonial coffee experience rooted in Ethiopian and Sudanese traditions. Coffee will be roasted on-site, brewed in traditional clay gabena pots, and served with Hambasha bread, Sudanese lega’imat, dates, and frankincense smudging as part of the ritual. Beyond tasting, the gathering includes storytelling and shared learning about coffee’s origins in Ethiopia, its movement across continents, and how ancestors cultivated and honoured the plant. The session invites reflection on how everyday rituals carry history, resilience, and connection across generations. This gathering welcomes all who are curious about coffee, culture, and shared ritual. Spots are limited. Registration is required for each The Jamii Coffee gathering. Support free community arts Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now. Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming. REGISTRATION OPENS ON APRIL 10 Cycle Workshops Reminders 🔔 Want a heads-up? Sign up to receive a monthly email reminder when Cycle workshop registrations open. First name* Last name* Email* REMIND ME MUNA ELBADRI Muna Elbadri is the co-owner and operator of Esra’s in Moss Park, a community-rooted space dedicated to holistic wellness. Her knowledge of herbal medicine and food traditions comes from ancestral teachings passed down through her grandmother in Sudan, as well as lived experiences across the Caribbean. Through Esra’s, Muna brings people together around nourishment, care, and cultural knowledge. Photo by Jae Yang

Jamii offers free dancing workshops in downtown Toronto led by artists. Join one session or a full series. Registration required per session. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / CYCLES / Dancing DANCING Cycles Workshops Jamii’s Dancing workshops invite participants to move, connect, and build confidence through guided, community-based dance series. Each month features a specific style or cultural tradition led by a professional dance artist, offering a welcoming space to learn, sweat a little, and share rhythm with others. You can register for the full month to build familiarity over time, or sign up for a single session to get a taste of the dance form. Registration is required for each individual session you plan to attend, and spaces are limited. Workshops change throughout the year. These sessions are designed to be accessible and beginner-friendly, with options to adapt movement for different bodies, abilities, and comfort levels. Workshops are free to attend. Registration opens on the 10th of the previous month at 12:00 AM. FREE ADMISSION | REGISTRATION REQUIRED | NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NEEDED AGE GROUP | All Ages - Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult REGISTER NOW October 2026 TAP INTO RHYTHM October 5 - 13 - 19 - 26, 2026 Facilitator: Elise McGrenera MORE INFO May 2025 BUTOH May 5 - 12 - 19, 2025 Facilitator: Mayumi Lashbrook MORE INFO November 2024 DABKE FROM PALESTINE November 4, 11, 18, 2024 Facilitator: Mona Ayesh MORE INFO May 2024 YOSAKOI FROM JAPAN May 6 - 13 - 20, 2024 Facilitator: Takako Segawa MORE INFO June 2026 DABKE: STOMPING, RHYTHM, RESISTANCE June 1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29, 2026 Facilitator: Mona Ayesh MORE INFO April 2025 CACHARPAYA AND TINKU April 7 - 14 -21, 2025 Facilitators: Carolina Rojas, Ximena Loayza MORE INFO October 2024 IGAL FROM PHILIPPINES October 7 - 14 - 21, 2024 Facilitator: Candace Kumar MORE INFO April 2024 KUKU FROM GUINEA April 8 - 15 - 22, 2024 Facilitator: Mabinty Sylla MORE INFO April 2026 MOVING WITH RHYTHM AND EXPRESSION April 6 - 13 - 20 - 27, 2026 Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO March 2025 LEARNING TAP DANCE March 3 - 10 - 17, 2025 Facilitator: Elise McGrenera MORE INFO September 2024 STORYBEING September 9 - 16 - 23, 2024 Facilitator: N. Jayarajan, B. Buan, R. Joshi MORE INFO March 2024 FLAMENCO FROM SPAIN March 4 - 11 - 18, 2024 Facilitator: Tamar Ilana MORE INFO March 2026 SOCA & CARIBBEAN RHYTHMS March 2 - 9 - 16 - 23 - 30, 2026 Facilitator: Michael Mortley MORE INFO February 2025 CONTEMPORARY DANCE February 3 - 10 - 17, 2025 Facilitator: Ysabel Garcia MORE INFO June 2024 AFROCARIBBEAN DANCE MOVES June 3 - 10 - 17, 2024 Facilitator: Nickeshia Garrick MORE INFO February 2024 FORRÓ FROM NORTHERN BRAZIL February 5 - 12 - 19, 2024 Facilitator: Vinicius and Joseane MORE INFO Calendar Dancing-Upcoming-Dates UPCOMING DATES Participants must register separately for each workshop session they wish to attend. Mon, Mar 23 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +14 more Mon, Mar 30 March Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Mar 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with energy and joy in this high-energy Soca dance series. All levels welcome. Seating option available. Free to attend with registration. +11 more Mon, Apr 06 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 06, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. +8 more Mon, Apr 13 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. +4 more Mon, Apr 20 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 20, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. +3 more Mon, Apr 27 April Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Apr 27, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move with rhythm and intention. A four-part dance workshop led by Nickeshia Garrick. Free to attend with registration. +3 more Mon, Jun 01 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 01, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 08 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 08, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 15 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 15, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 22 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Jun 29 June Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Jun 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Move together through Dabke. A five-part Palestinian dance workshop led by Mona Ayesh. Free with registration. Mon, Oct 05 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 05, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration. Tue, Oct 13 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration. Mon, Oct 19 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration. Mon, Oct 26 October Cycle - Dancing Workshop Series / The Jamii Hub REGISTER NOW Oct 26, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Jamii Hub, 264 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5A 4J6, Canada Feel the beat and move together. A tap dance workshop series led by Elise McGrenera. Free with registration.