Hollywood Jade Presents: DIVA, Hand Awnya. Photo courtesy of the artist
February is Black Futures Month
We will be live and back in person this KUUMBA! Celebrate Black Futures at Harbourfront Centre through music, dance, theatre, film and literary arts, strengthening Toronto’s Black community by connecting our future to its past February 3–11.
The festival launches with Hubert Davis’ award-winning documentary Black Ice, followed by a choreographed show of outstanding drag artists curated by Hollywood Jade. Listen to diverse storytelling with Letters to My Future Self, presented in partnership with JAYU, take in real talk at When Sisters Speak, hosted by Dwayne Morgan and enjoy JUNO award-winning R&B singer/songwriter Sean Jones’ Valentine’s Day special, The Love. Affair.
Jada Shada Hudson, Vitality Black, Manny Dingo and Hand Awnya join resident choreographer and recurring guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race, Hollywood Jade, for a night celebrating the quintessential foundation of classic drag: impersonation! All charisma, glamour and diva, their performances will feature Lizzo, Whitney Houston, Prince and Tina Turner.
Enjoy an evening of classic and original R&B and soul songs with Sean Jones and his ten-piece band, The Righteous Echo. Offering a dose of romantic inspiration for Valentine’s Day special, the night continues with the Afterparty Affair hosting drop-in style live performances by Avery Raquel, Gary Beals and Jackie Richardson.
Beautifully raw and uncensored, Canadian and American poets share the stage and their stories. Catch MasterPiece, Shanelle Gabriel, Desiree Mckenzie and Sydellia Ndiaye at North America’s longest-running showcase of Black female spoken word artists that Dwayne Morgan continues to curate, produce and host.
An urgent, award-winning documentary by Canadian documentary filmmaker, Hubert Davis, examines the history of anti-Black racism in hockey and the role of Black players in Canadian hockey from pre-NHL contributions to the game as it’s played today. A panel discussion with celebrity hockey players follows the screening.
A diverse range of stories told by ten artists writing letters to their future selves, the afternoon holds space for dreams to highlight Black futures and all their possibilities. The uplifting event, presented in partnership with JAYU, offers a chance to focus on hopes and aspirations. ASL interpretation included.
Montreal-based Compagnie Virginie Brunelle brings their expressiveness and vigorous physicality to the Ontario premiere of a performance with the Molinari Quartet. Seven dancers explore power relations, inequalities and social upheaval against a backdrop of resilience and hope set to live classical music. Limited tickets remain!
Going into its 13th year, DesignTO celebrates art and design across the city of Toronto with over 100 exhibitions and events, bringing people together to design a future that is more sustainable, just and joyful. Start planning your DesignTO Festival today!
Link Music Lab Presents Polotechnics: AIDA, Kehdo, Ensoul
January 27
Polotechnics returns with the Toronto debut of AIDA (Aida Rez), San Francisco-based DJ and founder of the collaborative project Apranik Records, Kehdo (Kate Mcintosh), Toronto-based DJ and one-third of On Earth Presents and Ensoul (Kourosh Dehghani), curator, promoter and organizer of Pillow Talk fame, for three supercharged live sets.
Toronto Blues Society Presents The Maple Blues Awards
January 30
Canada’s blues music all-star concert and annual awards event will feature performances by some of the hottest blues musicians from across the country and an afterparty with the musicians. Hosted by renowned soul-singing activist Quisha Wint, the twenty-sixth edition has Gary Kendall leading the remarkable ten-piece Maple Blues Band.
ArtReach grantee Victoria Bacnis. Photo courtesy of the artist
ArtReach Grants
Deadline: February 1
ArtReach grants fund community-based arts programming led by young artists and organizations or collectives led by youth ages 13–29. Programs must engage youth from equity-deserving populations in Toronto who face systemic barriers to accessing high-quality arts opportunities.
Amartey Golding. Still from Bring Me to Heal 1, 2021. Video projection, 9:29. Image courtesy the artist
Opening Party of Winter 2023 Exhibitions The Power Plant
February 2
Celebrate the opening of three new exhibitions, including solo shows by Brenda Draney and Amartey Golding and a group exhibition by Ontario-based artists. Golding’s In the comfort of embers features video, photography and garment-design drawing on Black hairstyles. Register for your free ticket to attend.
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