WeTropolis is a time travel journey into our imaginations. A collaborative ideation of a future that will liberate us all.
Starting July 8, 2019 -50 children, youth and artists will explore lessons from the land about the past, the future, the folly in our notions of time. What knowledge do we need to create the world we dream of?
In a time when scientists say human life has only 30 more years on this planet, it’s hard to think about the future. Children and youth must be inspired to dream beyond the fear. How can we best be in relationship with constantly changing conditions and imagine new worlds that challenge the existing ideologies and norms. What future do children want to be a part of creating?
How can we, future ancestors, align and adapt to the most resilient practices of emergence and relationship as a species and create the new WeTropolis?
WeTropolis will culminate in a final production for the community. See showtimes below.
WeTropolis is inspired by the work and writings of Octavia Butler, Adrienne Marie Brown, Grace Boggs, Margaret Wheatly and Indigenous knowledge systems and communities that have always understood that social cohesion, peace, justice, liberation and harmony with the universe comes from critical connections not critical mass, that relationships are everything not GDP, or perpetual growth. Who understand as Brown articulates in Emergent Strategy that, “there is not one perfect path forward but an abundance of futures, of ways to manage resources together, to be brilliant together”.
Thursday July 25 1pm Dress Rehearsal
Friday July 26 1pm Matinee PWYC
Saturday July 27 5pm Gala Performance
Followed by Reception
Adults: $20/Seniors Students and Artists $15/Under 14 $10/ Under 2 free
Book your tickets Here for WeTropolis
Meet the Directors of WeTropolis
Sedina Fiati is our new Theatre Director
Sedina is a multidisciplinary artist and producer for stage and screen. She is proudly black, queer and femme. She comes from a family legacy of art, activism and spirituality and has over 15 years experience as an artist. Favourite credits in recent memory: Switch: The Village, a devised political street art project (collective member), Lukumi, a dub opera by d'bi young, Feminist F*ck It Festival, a multidisciplinary feminist art festival (co-creator and producer), All You Can Hold a multidisciplinary music/dance show (producer). Upcoming: Last Dance, a web series and Switching Queen(s) at the SummerWorks festival. Sedina means a gift from god in the Ewe and she hope to be that to the world.
"Instead of asking children/youth what they want to be when they grow up, let's begin asking how they want to contribute to a better world. WeTropolis asks us what teachings does the land and nature have and how can those teachings create a harmony between technology/progress that brings us closer to nature, instead pulling us further away. How can we use art and creativity to imagine a better future before it's too late?, " Sedina
Sedina is a multidisciplinary artist and producer for stage and screen. She is proudly black, queer and femme. She comes from a family legacy of art, activism and spirituality and has over 15 years experience as an artist. Favourite credits in recent memory: Switch: The Village, a devised political street art project (collective member), Lukumi, a dub opera by d'bi young, Feminist F*ck It Festival, a multidisciplinary feminist art festival (co-creator and producer), All You Can Hold a multidisciplinary music/dance show (producer). Upcoming: Last Dance, a web series and Switching Queen(s) at the SummerWorks festival. Sedina means a gift from god in the Ewe and she hope to be that to the world.
"Instead of asking children/youth what they want to be when they grow up, let's begin asking how they want to contribute to a better world. WeTropolis asks us what teachings does the land and nature have and how can those teachings create a harmony between technology/progress that brings us closer to nature, instead pulling us further away. How can we use art and creativity to imagine a better future before it's too late?, " Sedina
Ruben 'Beny' Esguerra is returning as our Music Director
Born in Colombia - JUNO Awards Nominee - Ruben 'Beny' Esguerra is a multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, arts educator, community worker and Ryerson Prof. who has composed original scores for the CBC, City Life Film, Amnesty International and the National Film Board of Canada; presented his pieces in festivals held in Canada, US, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and is currently the music director of several program based in Jane-Finch, Toronto. Ruben is a PhD (ABD) candidate in Musicology/Ethnomusicology specializing in traditional and urban music.
Born in Colombia - JUNO Awards Nominee - Ruben 'Beny' Esguerra is a multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, arts educator, community worker and Ryerson Prof. who has composed original scores for the CBC, City Life Film, Amnesty International and the National Film Board of Canada; presented his pieces in festivals held in Canada, US, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and is currently the music director of several program based in Jane-Finch, Toronto. Ruben is a PhD (ABD) candidate in Musicology/Ethnomusicology specializing in traditional and urban music.
Kay Joan is joining us again as our Visual Arts Director
Kaya is a multi-disciplinary Afro Carrobean (Jamaican/ Vincentian)-Indigenous (Kanien’kehá:ka/ Cree/ Garifuna) artist living in T’karonto (Dish with One Spoon treaty territory). Kaya’s work focuses on healing, transcending ancestral knowledge and creating dreamscapes rooted in spiritualism from the lands of their ancestors (Turtle Island and the Caribbean). Afro and Indigenous futurity and pedagogy are also centred in Kaya’s practice-working through buried family histories to explore how creation can heal 7 generations into the past and future.
Kaya has been working in community arts for 5 years as a facilitator and artist and is in the process of completing a BFA through the Indigenous Visual Culture program at OCAD.
Kay is currently showing work-https://www.facebook.com/events/2272235239659729/
"WeTropolis is an imagining of the future we want to manifest.
An imagining that honours 7 generations into the past and future.
What will the future look like if we centre land, seasons, community? If we abolish capitalism?
What will it take to manifest this future? What will we have to sacrifice?" Kaya
Kaya is a multi-disciplinary Afro Carrobean (Jamaican/ Vincentian)-Indigenous (Kanien’kehá:ka/ Cree/ Garifuna) artist living in T’karonto (Dish with One Spoon treaty territory). Kaya’s work focuses on healing, transcending ancestral knowledge and creating dreamscapes rooted in spiritualism from the lands of their ancestors (Turtle Island and the Caribbean). Afro and Indigenous futurity and pedagogy are also centred in Kaya’s practice-working through buried family histories to explore how creation can heal 7 generations into the past and future.
Kaya has been working in community arts for 5 years as a facilitator and artist and is in the process of completing a BFA through the Indigenous Visual Culture program at OCAD.
Kay is currently showing work-https://www.facebook.com/events/2272235239659729/
"WeTropolis is an imagining of the future we want to manifest.
An imagining that honours 7 generations into the past and future.
What will the future look like if we centre land, seasons, community? If we abolish capitalism?
What will it take to manifest this future? What will we have to sacrifice?" Kaya
