10th Anniversary
Northbound Exhibition Program
Northbound 2019 Minhwa Canada | Photo by: Ricky Yu
NOTICE: All exhibitions have been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19. Please continue to check back for updates!
Northbound Exhibition Program is a free juried art program that was created in 2019 to support the professional development of emerging artists. The program prioritizes new-generation (18-29 years old) artists, newcomer artists, and artists with a connection to the North York community.
This year, Northbound will move from its old home at the Meridian Arts Centre to the bustling community hub of North York Centre. Northbound’s new location will foster new kinds of connections between artists and community members, and allow program participants to explore the impact and presentation of their work in a public space.
Northbound 2020 Jury members:
Adom Acheampong
Claudia Arana
Paola Gomez
Ely Lyonblum
Ely Lyonblum
Paola Poletto
Program Partners
Northbound Exhibition Program 2020 Lineup
Sahar Abdallah
Narrative lines
2021
Anahita Akhavan
Unsettled
2021
Aqsah Shah
Unraveling Dreamscapes
2021
Anna Kavehmehr
Lacrima: /ˈla.kri.ma/
2021
MERAKI Project
MERAKI Project
2021
Ashley Beerdat
A Series of Mythological Narratives
2021
Northbound Exhibition Program 2019
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About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Big Band Exchange (in lieu of Sunday Serenades)
Big Band Exchange 2021
Big Band Exchange is Back!
Last year, in lieu of our music and dance festival Sunday Serenades, we brought you Big Band Exchange – an online video series where musicians and community members came together to exchange knowledge and ideas about the importance of music.
After a successful run, we are back this year with a new iteration that brings an even more impact straight to your screen. NYA invited tap dancer Travis Knights and Holla Jazz founder Natasha Powell, in dialogue with jazz singer Jenna Marie Pinard, to share their love for social dancing and their vision for a future where jazz and dance are reunited.
Tune in this Fall, starting November 18th, as we delve deep in four short video conversations with the artists on the following topics:
Date: First episode launches November 18th
Episode 1 – The Contemporary Challenge: Striving Toward A New Identity
NYA is thrilled to launch the first episode of Big Band Exchange 2021! Episode 1, “The Contemporary Challenge: Striving Toward A New Identity” explores how jazz provides a blueprint for societal cohesion, celebrates individuality/authenticity, and promotes history and lineage.
Join Jenna Marie, Natasha Powell, and Travis Knights as they sit in conversation for improvised dialogues at Toronto’s own Lula Lounge, in between musical highlights showing how they honour the art of jazz!
Episode 2 – Friends Don’t Let Friends Clap on 1 & 3: The Rules of The Game
After a fascinating Episode 1 that delved deep into striving toward a new identity in jazz, join Jenna Marie, Natasha Powell, and Travis Knights for BBX Episode 2, “Friends Don’t Let Friends Clap on 1 & 3: The Rules of The Game.”
What are the rules to swing? Are there any? Who has been erased from the history of jazz? What can we improvise and bring to the classics? Join Jenna Marie, Natasha Powell, and Travis Knights in the Lula Lounge to explore these questions and more! You’ll gain insight on their knowledge through conversations in between musical breaks.
Episode 3 – Shout Out To The Mentors: The Gift of Passing It On
As we dive deeper into the future of Jazz today we’re taking it back in Episode 3 “Shout Out To The Mentors: The Gift of Passing It On.” Join us in the Lula Lounge as Jenna Marie, Natasha Powell, and Travis Knights show love to the elders!
In these conversations, with musical breaks in between, we learn that mentors don’t always mean major jazz influences but include all meaningful figures and experiences in between. Our artists will share how their influences helped to develop their practice today and how they bring their own artistic presence to these greats.
Episode 4 – The Playlist: The Soundtrack of Our Lives
We’ve been able to see and hear where jazz is going, what the rules are and how we can bring our own spin, and lastly who has influenced the artform. In our final episode for BBX, “The Playlist: The Soundtrack of Our Lives” we explore the question “what are the songs that change(d) our lives?”
In episode 4 we’re back in the Lula Lounge with Jenna Marie, Natasha Powell, and Travis Knights as they engage in improvised conversations and performances to close out the series.
Thank you to:
Travis Knights
Natasha Powell
Jenna Marie
Ewen Farncombe
Reknee Harrett
Lowell Whitty
Sophia Malbarosa
Mason Victoria
Simeon Taole
Danielle Ungara
Fanny Martin
Melissa Foster
Dancer
Dancer
Vocalist
Piano
Double Bass
Drums
Lighting Assistant
Sound Recordist
Filmmaker (Cinematoscape) Filmmaker(Cinematoscape)
Creative Producer (Art of Festivals)
Program & Outreach Director (North York Arts)
Thank you: Tracy & Juana at Lula Lounge All the staff at Bird Box Toronto, Pizza Azul, Flor Mexicana and North York Arts
Meet The Artsits
Jenna Marie Pinard (she/her)
At the vanguard of ‘The New Jazz Generation’ and freshly graduated from the University of Toronto’s prestigious jazz studies program, Jenna Marie Pinard possesses a signature jazz and blues voice that hints at Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Aretha Franklin, but is distinctly her own. She is best known for her smooth-sounding jazz and rich R&B vocals, her wide vocal range, and passionate performances. She is quickly gaining reputation in Toronto as a uniquely warm spirit and engaging performer. Originally from Montréal, Jenna Marie now lives in Toronto and plays weekly all over the city. Jenna Marie is also the radio-host and co-producer for “Orange Grove Radio”, a 24-station syndicated radio show that plays “The latest and greatest in Canadian jazz”.
Instagram: @jennamarielive
Tik Tok: @jennamarielive
Facebook: jennamarielive
Natasha Powell (she/her)
Natasha Powell is a dance artist. She is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of HOLLA JAZZ in Toronto, Canada, presenting historical jazz dances in a new light. No stranger to the stage, Natasha has collaborated and created over 20 dance works for live performance. FLOOR’D, her company’s first full-length production was nominated for four (4) Dora Mavor Moore Awards and named one of the top 10 dance shows of the recent decade by NOW Magazine.
Instagram: @tashapowellto
Website: natashapowell.com
Travis Knights (he/him)
I’m a Tap Dancer of the Ethel Bruneau and Mary Bruce lineage. The DaNcE has allowed me to play rhythms on stages around the world. It feels like the more experience I get within Tap, the more questions I have. I explore these questions as the host of the Tap Love Tour Podcast. The DaNcE is my way of connecting with people. For that reason, I am both grateful and dedicated to rhythm and movement.
Website: Travisknights.com
Instagram: @tkxperience
Facebook: Tap Love Tour
SoundCloud: Tap Love Tour
Patreon: travisknights
Big Band Exchange 2020
For the first time in over 25 years, we couldn’t gather on Mel Lastman Square to dance to the sound of the best Big Bands of Toronto and beyond. The safety of our community is always of utmost importance.
While the physical festival didn’t take place, we didn’t let that stop us from finding a way to bring the music to you. So, in lieu of Sunday Serenades, we launched a special project called Big Band Exchange and had YOU participate.
Big Band Exchange is a one-of-a-kind experience for you to connect with and support Toronto bands and musicians through the “exchange” of memories and stories about jazz, music, dancing, and everything in between through conversations and video podcasts!
Participants had the opportunity to sign up for a 1-to-1 30-minute conversation with a big band musician to chat all things music! Had a question, comment, or idea? This was a unique opportunity to connect with local talents.
Then, Every Sunday in August we brought the jazz directly to you! Each band released a pre-recorded podcast on Facebook Live. Watch below as these amazing performers share stories. We encourage you to tune in to listen, sing along, and dance!
Jenna Marie Pinard
Advocats Big Band
Toronto All-Star Big Band
Martin Loomer’s Orange Devils
Supported by:
Sunday Serenades History
Big Band Exchange 2020 (in lieu of Sunday Serenades)
Due to COVID-19, NYA presented Big Band Exchange in lieu of Sunday Serenades. Big Band Exchange is a online program celebrating music and conversation. Four bands presented video podcasts to share and exchange memories and stories about jazz, music and dancing! Attendees tuned-in live on Facebook.
Dates: August 9, 16, 23, 30
Bands: Advocats Big Band, Jenna Marie Pinard Ensemble, Martin Loomer’s Orange Devils, and Toronto All-Star Big Band.
Video Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxStEv1SiMs&list=PLzyFf1zw4thv5Ie_9wO1AoBaBFa9JCcu0
Funded by: Government of Canada
Sunday Serenades 2019
Dates: July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2019
Bands: Metro Big Band, Toronto All Star Big Band, Swing Shift Big Band, Starlight Orchestra
Partnering Sponsor: TO Live
Community Partner: North York Seniors Centre
Funded by: Government of Canada
Sunday Serenades 2018
Dates: July 8, 15, 22, 29, 2018
Bands: George Lake Big Band, GTA Swing Band, Starlight Orchestra, Metro Big Band
Partnering Sponsor: Toronto Centre for the Arts
Supporting Sponsor: Delmanor
Community Partner: North York Seniors Centre
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Community Map Project
Community Map Project
As part of the action plan for the Arts Connects program, we identified a need to better understand the Indigenous and environmental landscape of North York.
This project would have 3 phases:
Phase 1: Research and Development (including Indigenous history, stories, physical landscape such as lost rivers and travel route)
Phase 2: Consultation with researcher and lead artist/ artist development of work
Phase 3: Community engagement, an Indigenous cultural day of learning and unveiling of the map
Program Consultants :
Funded By:
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Mother Africa – Rhythm and Movements Dance Program
Mother Africa – Rhythm and Movements Dance Program
About the program
Please note, registration is now full.
Rhythm and Movements Dance Program is a creative, innovative and hands-on program that will provide a safe space for young people to voice their concerns, share their opinions and acquire knowledge about healthy living through rhythm and movements.
Students ages 14-18 will gain physical education, social skill development, and they will learn about the different forms of creating rhythms and movements from African Traditional form to Urban hybrid style. The program consists of 4 sessions workshops and presentation/ performance (all via Zoom).
Note: This program is open to Black Youth living in Toronto all youth living in North York.
Workshop 1
Dates: May 10 – 14, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Age: 14-18
Where: Zoom
Price: Free
Deadline to Apply: May 2, 2021
Workshop 2
Dates: May 24 – 28, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Age: 14-18
Where: Zoom
Price: Free
Deadline to Apply: May 2, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTE: One Registration per participant, if you have multiple family members, please email Julian Carvajal at julian@northyorkarts.org
Meet your Instructor : Mafa Makhubalo
Mafa Makhubalo started dancing at the age of five and continued his training with Tony Campbell, founder and director of ZAPAC (Zamdela Performing Arts Centre) in South Africa. Mafa obtain a three-year National Diploma in dance at Tshwane University of Technology. After moving to Toronto, he completed a two-year training program at Ballet Creole School of Arts. In Toronto Mafa had the opportunity to work with choreographers like Milton Myers, Danny Grossman, Debbie Wilson, Gabby Kamino, and was also a company member of, COBA (Collective Of Black Artist), Ballet Creole, OMO Dance Company, Nyata-nyata in Montreal as well as his own Mafa Dance Village.
To learn more about Mafa, visit http://www.mafadancevillage.ca
Creative Wellness
Creative Wellness Strategies
About the program
A self-care and arts-based workshop to help participants build confidence and community, as they gain new skills and tools to help cope with the ongoing realities of the pandemic as well as being a newcomer.
Dates: April 7, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Zoom
Price: Free
Deadline to Apply: April 6, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTE: One Registration per participant, if you have multiple family members, please email Julian Carvajal at julian@northyorkarts.org
Meet your Instructor : Igho Diana
“Everyone gets better when you do” are words Igho Diana lives by; as a spoken word poet, community educator, and wellness consultant. Igho wholeheartedly believes that it takes a village—not only to raise a child, but also to support adults through our healing & wellness journey. Her chief aim is to teach—by example, how to prioritize (y)our wellness.
Igho is the founder of Ebony Girls Obsession prioritizes black women in healing, growth, and celebration. We create + hold space(s) for black women to practice self-care in sisterhood. We do this through our events, workshops, self-care sessions and the Young EGO Mentorship Program.
Social Media: @EGOInitiative | @ighodiana
Art at Home
Youtube for Beginners
YOUTUBE FOR BEGINNERS
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
YouTube for Beginners is a comprehensive and interactive course designed to teach young creatives how to start and grow their own YouTube channel. This 5-week program will cover the basic knowledge needed to understand YouTube.
Each 2-hour session is paired with tangible activities that participants will work on during and after class. By the end of the program, participants will learn how to plan, strategize, and create content, how to optimize their videos for growth, and how to remain consistent so they can reach their individual goals.
PROGRAM DETAILS
This program is for youth 17 – 25 years old. All youth are welcome to apply but priority will be given to North York and York residents.
Participants must have the following:
• 0 – 1,000 subscribers
• Access to a computer
• Smartphone or video camera
• Basic video editing capabilities
Spring Workshop
Dates: April 1 – 29
Time:4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Zoom
Price: Free
Deadline to Apply: March 14
Meet your Instructor : Jalen Nelson
Jalen Nelson also known as Lickmyfashion is a Stylist, Creative Director, Fashion influencer and Educator. His brand represents being comfortable in your own skin and pushing the boundary as far as you can go. He teaches people that breaking the boundary is necessary and in order to achieve what you want in life, hard work is the key to success. There’s no giving up in Jalen’s world, he keeps going and wants his audience to do the same. He teaches people and helps them understand that it’s never too late. Join Jalen Nelson as he’ll have you equipped and ready for Youtube!!
Youtube: lickmyfashion
Instagram: @lickmyfashion
In Partnership with:
From Drum to DJ
From Drum to DJ
From Drum to DJ is a hands-on music program that explores the influence of African and Afro-Caribbean/Latinx drumming traditions on the evolution of hip-hop music, turntablism and popular culture today. Participants explore the origins of the basic beat patterns and the different types of drum sounds still relevant in today’s music and showcase how music is part of a global family.
Upcoming Workshops
The Online Drum to DJ workshop is now OPEN! We’re inviting participants from 12-18 years old to join us online for three Saturdays starting March 13th for drum and DJ lessons. We’ll also be holding a final online performance on March 31st. See below for more details and click the link to apply!
This program is open to African, Caribbean, Black youth. Priority will be given to North York residents.
Date: Saturdays, March 13, 20 & 27
Time: 11 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Online
Price: Free
Apply by: March 7
Final Performace: March 31 from 4-5pm
For more information Contact Julian: julian@northyorkarts.org or call 647-561-6021
Program Creator and Facilitator:
Benjamin De Graaf
Benjamin de Graaf has executed over 300+ successful events ranging from weddings, corporate leadership series, fundraisers, and community events through his DJ business. He is a DJ, husband, father, sports fanatic and creator of a music and leadership program that uses the arts to make learning fun for kids called The Love Music Initiative – with a focus on DJing, drumming, dance and spoken word.
The Love Music Initiative is a multi-disciplinary and alternative education program that uses Hip Hop culture, contemporary music and popular culture as a tool for students to learn about civic engagement, history and advocacy.
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network