In 2011, CORPUS and Jamii partnered to produce arts projects in The Esplanade neighbourhood, an inner suburb of Toronto.

In 2015, Queens of The Esplanade was a project that first and foremost celebrated individuality and the power of imagination. Through dance, object theatre and storytelling the 18 Queens and Princesses along with 12 Maestros transformed a simple premise into a magical and whimsical theatrical venue at The Esplanade.

The first summer, we produced Dance in my Hood and Dance on The Esplanade. Dance on The Esplanade was a series of 4 outdoors performances of CORPUS’ Machina Nuptialis in David Crombie Park (700 spectators).

In 2012, we produced both Live on The Esplanade and Transhumance on The Esplanade. The first project was a preview performance of CORPUS’ Nuit blanche in June, in front of 300 audience members who also enjoyed a music concert by local artists and an outdoor movie night. The second project, Transhumance on The Esplanade, was a bold initiative produced for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche in September: during one week, David Danzon trained eight community members in the physical play and technique of Les moutons. At the end of the week, community members joined CORPUS’ professional dancers to form a large flock of sheep (15 in all) in an adaptation of Les moutons, for a total of six performances throughout the night of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche (1000+ spectators).

In 2013, CORPUS and Jamii received support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to bring community-arts project to The Esplanade in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2013, CORPUS and Jamii produced Reflections of The Esplanade, The Esplanadians, ColOUR Esplanade, Patchwork Festival and Catwalkers.

In 2014, we’re producing two Live movie nights, another site-specific photo project, celebrations of the unveiling of a mural, and a special production of Écoute pour voir by Danse Carpe Diem/Emmanuel Jouthe for Scotiabank Toronto Nuit Blanche.