By Jeff McGilton

(please note this interview has been edited for length and clarity)

Picture a public park that is close to your home, one that you frequent, or one that you grew up visiting as a child. Now imagine that you are tasked with animating it with an artistic event, and in a way that directly engages the community. What would you create? What feelings would you hope to invoke?  

Artists across Toronto and its surrounding areas have been fielding these questions this summer through a multitude of events that make up a season of Arts in the Parks. Each summer, through the support of the Toronto Arts Foundation, Toronto Arts Council, and Park People, artists and art collectives pair with community groups to fill selected parks with a myriad of different artforms, benefitting both the creators and event attendees.  

Hoping to investigate the nature of outdoor arts and the impact they can have on a community, I sat down with Michelle Urbano, the newly appointed Artistic Director of Crossroads Theatre and a participating Arts in the Parks artist, for coffee at El Almacen Yerba Mate Café in Weston. Under Michelle’s guidance, Crossroads will present three offerings in Little Avenue Memorial Park this summer, featuring the work of Animacy Theatre and Theatre Direct, the Weston Silver Band, and Clay and Paper Theatre.  

To get the ball rolling, I ask Michelle about a fond memory she has experiencing art outdoors. She admits, “I immediately thought about a time where I was on the [Toronto] Island; my friends and I were taking this little path through a forested area, and all of a sudden, there were these giant sculptures and puppets. There was no signage for them, there was no explanation as to why they were there, it was like this secret that you only knew if you took the desire path. These giant, giant sculptures were so whimsical, and a little bit haunting, but not in a negative way, just like, what are these beings, suspended in the trees?” 

She continues, “When I think about my art, I think about the creation of the feeling of wonder, and that totally had that. It made me think, what are they doing here, who put them here, who are they, what do they signify? It brings up so many feelings, this boost in your imagination, and this excitement and wonder that I think is awesome. Really transporting you into a different world, that’s what it felt like.” 

Expanding on this transportation, Michelle notes some of the other benefits of experiencing art together. She explains, “Art offers respite, joy, reflection, [and] fresh perspectives. Whether or not you go by yourself, or talk to another human while you’re there, you still had this intimate connection with other people while experiencing [it]. I think community is the opposite of isolation, and anything that can bring people together is healing in that way.” 

Speaking of art as a communal act, I ask Michelle what she thinks makes for a strong community. She states, “If folks have needs that are not being met, then they cannot participate. They cannot be the healthiest versions of themselves; emotionally, physically, [or] mentally. Creating spaces for people to come together and have their needs met so that they can be at ease together, I think, is community care.” 

In hopes of meeting these needs, we speak about the inherent accessibility of public parks, and the effect they can have on the art being presented. Michelle mentions, “Public parks, in their definition, are spaces where people go to be free, to gather, to meet, and play. [They] already carry that meaning of relaxation and wonder, so it really is fitting to put free art in and allow people the opportunity to interact with it in that space. There are no walls, no doorway, no limitations to who can be there. Connecting our performances to the park, I think, vitally means that our work is for everybody.” 

Hosting performances in public parks also establishes a connection to the environment. She states, “We so infrequently stand with the ground under our feet. It feels like stepping outside of life a little bit, and into this really calm, beautiful, green space. That immediately gives you a sense of relaxation. And I like the ability for people to walk by and join in; there’s that open invitation throughout the entire event. And we get a lot of our audience from passersby. We didn’t do it with the Weston Silver Band, but with Finding Home, we had two days of rehearsal in the park, and the amount of people we were able to tell about the show because they just regularly pass through that park—it is a regular route for people, so people are used to going there already. It’s that space where they’re already going to relax, to gather, to rest. So, it’s a beautiful place to put some art in for people to enjoy.” 

Further expanding on her commitment to inclusion, Michelle mentions a new ‘access venture’ for Crossroads in the form of an Access Box. She describes, “In our Access Box, we have tissues, earplugs, fidget items, and a white board, so that anybody who might be non-verbal can write and communicate with us. Everything in there is free; if you need something, it’s there for you to take.” 

We have a laugh when she brings up the hesitancy that comes when offering something for free, and the attendees who are more open to accepting it than others. “Adults are so hesitant around the Access Box, and children just understand. And they’re not there taking a thousand things—like at the concert last week, every once in a while a child would walk up, grab a pair of earplugs, and walk back. No questions. Children just naturally understand this. They aren’t worried about what other people are thinking, who is watching, what it means to take a free thing. I don’t know what goes through peoples’ minds, but it’s very interesting to see how differently children interact with the Access Box than how adults do.” 

I mention that this might be a result of a culture of commodification, and a subconscious feeling that free things come with strings attached. She replies, “Right. And immediately, that creates anxiety, a sense of do I belong here, and stress about am I allowed to interact with this because I haven’t paid? The amount of stressors that money puts in front of access to the arts is huge, so it’s great to be doing something without that there.”  

In addition to being a free space for people to gather and build community, we speak about arts in parks as a tool to gain perspective. Michelle notes, “A lot of people say when you have a problem you’re working through, the best thing you can do is step away from it for a little bit and come back with a fresh perspective. I think the arts do that for us. No matter what the art is, whether political or not, transporting you out of your daily life, away from your stressors, away from the difficulties you’re having, gives you a fresh perspective on your life when you return to it. It is that movement away from and return to that allows us to gain a fresh perspective on what we’re going through, allows us to dream different things for ourselves, [and] break out of patterns.” 

Before heading off for her call time for the Weston Silver Band performance, Michelle brings it back to the importance of art as the facilitator for creating moments of wonder. “There is a connection between our imagination and our ability to experience hope. [In] being transported to a state of wonder, we are opening ourselves up to new possibilities; we can become dreamers, we can see different ways of being, we can imagine the world differently. And when the art is for everyone, that means everyone has that ability to experience the wonder and dream. I think that’s so important, for that to be everybody’s gift.” 

For more information on Crossroads Theatre’s programming click here.

By Cynthiya Sri

As we arrive at the halfway point of our 2024 season of Arts in the Parks, our city has become a beautiful canvas of diversity and cultural artistic expression. Significantly, the weekend of July 6th-7th, we experienced a celebration of African heritage and arts through three memorable events. Hosted by ICONS Dance Group, African Woman Acting, and Abebe Atlebachew & Team, each event was a vibrant showcase of culture and creativity that defines our community. 

Kicking off our weekend journey on Saturday, July 6th was ICONS Dance Group at Bell Manor Park in Etobicoke. Led by a talented group of Afro-Caribbean women, ICONS launched their “The Power of Movement” series with a dynamic first session. Participants of all ages and backgrounds got to explore the physical and mental benefits of dance by diving into the rhythms of various Afro-Caribbean dance styles. Starting off with dancehall and chutney, and then continued to Caribbean folk under the guidance of dancer and professor Shelly Ann. ‘The Power of Movement’ was such a vibrant gathering that brought together families, children, dancers, and many curious park-visitors, allowing them all to participate in a celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture within the heart of their neighborhood. ICONS will be returning to Bell Manor park on Saturday, July 20th, Saturday, August 10th, and Saturday, August 24th, all from 12pm-2pm.

At the same time, at Raymore Park in Etobicoke, African Woman Acting (AWA) continued their impactful ‘AWA Arts in the Parks’ series with their third session. AWA brought the community together through a lively Djembe drumming circle, led by expert Karen Lawrence, where participants immersed themselves in the rhythms of Djembe drumming, exploring sequences, harmonized rhythms, and call-and-response techniques. Following the drumming circle, was a Maori Haka dance lesson, led by expert Glenn Cruz, focusing on unity and celebration through basic movements and cultural significance. As well as instilling strength, respect, honor, discipline, focus, emotions, and control as a lasting impression on all who joined. AWA’s mission to empower and nurture artists through cultural initiatives shone brightly and left a lasting impression of community bonding through African music and dance.

The journey continued into Sunday, July 7th, at the Prairie Drive Park in Scarborough, with Abebe Atlebachew and his team’s ‘Circus and Cultural Ethiopian Dance Show.’ Draped with colourful Ethiopian attire and presenting eye-opening refugee stories, Abebe and his team of Ethiopian newcomer performers took the audience on a captivating journey of their history and culture. Stories of resilience and hope from different Ethiopian regions were told through their dynamic circus acts and traditional dance forms, accompanied by cultural Ethiopian music. Not only was it a performance, but it was also a transformative experience that united different generations and cultural backgrounds within the community to celebrate and appreciate Ethiopian heritage.

Throughout the weekend of July 6th-7th, these events were beyond workshops and performances. They were captivating expressions of cultural history and unity with our community. These three events showcased a rich variety of African arts and heritage and brought together people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy and learn them. As we continue forward into 2024’s season of Arts in the Parks, we continue to cherish and celebrate our diverse community and the beautiful lessons we receive through the power of art. Make sure you join our journey as we continue to explore, learn, and celebrate the many different cultures and artistic expressions within our city!

By Holly Hebert

The 2024 Arts in the Parks season has fully kicked off and events are happening all across Toronto. In these first few weeks of getting started, we’ve seen dancing, poetry, garden stories, and more. If you’re looking to catch up on any events, read along as one of our summer staff takes you through what she’s been able to attend.  

— 

Open Jam’s Belly of the Beatz, at Earl Bales Park on June 8, popped off with a dance workshop at the park’s amphitheatre. Bringing in American dancer Popula to lead, the afternoon’s workshop was a combination of his motivational speeches and popping techniques. He inspired the array of kids and adults in attendance to share their moves with confidence.  

Open Jam’s aim is “to keep the legacy of street dance culture, specifically “popping”, alive by creating spaces and opportunities for exchange, knowledge-sharing and growth” (Open Jam Collective). Keeping in touch with this, the 90-minute workshop spilled into an open jam session where anyone could remain on the stage and continue dancing. Many folks chose to stay grooving while others waited for the evening dance battle that was to come

Tender Possibilities, led by Farhia Tato, made its way to Guild Park and Gardens on June 9 for an intimate poetry workshop. Although pouring rain was on and off throughout the afternoon, participants said the dreary weather only added to the atmosphere. With two tents covering blankets for sitting, around 20 folks sat cozily together, attentively reading and taking inspiration from Tato.  With more to come throughout the summer, “this series explores six themes—Origin, Memory, Migration & Movement, Resistance, Nature, and Rebirth—in a cycle that aligns between the summer solstice and autumn equinox” (Tender Possibilities). Sparking creative thought and using a meditative environment, participants left the first workshop feeling reflective and thoughtful.  

Lastely, Described Toronto’s Hopewell Garden Audio Story took place at Walter Saunders Memorial Park Thursday, June 20. This guided walk around the park’s garden was led by native plant expert Lorraine Johnson who was mic’d up to make the presentation available online. Described Toronto “[welcomed] attendees, both in-person and virtual, to experience the fascinating world of native plants and be inspired by the hope that is cultivated when natural habitats are restored” (Described Toronto). 

Although last Thursday evening saw thunder and lightning, attendees and artists alike came equipped with rain gear and the audio story went on, with on-site listeners absorbed in Johnson’s talk. After a walk through and around the garden, the sun peeking out every so often, the group found a dry spot for the Questions and Answers segment. With the event being transformed into a podcast after the live walk and talk, in the Q & A, any folks who asked a question would also appear in the podcast.