The Genesis of Project T-Dot

Ajani Charles, a Toronto-based photographer, lauds hip-hop’s vibrancy and cultural significance through his works. The project, detailed on his website ajani.ca, highlights a rhythmic synthesis of sound, movement, and visual artistry unique to Toronto’s hip-hop scene.

The project began back in December 2006 and has continued ever since. Through connections, backstage visits, chance encounters and photography gigs in the scene, Charles has managed to capture significant milestones in the careers of artists like Drake, Shawn Desman and The Weeknd while also featuring culturally substantial individuals in the scene like Play Da Record’s Eugene Tam, 1 LOVE T.O.  and E-Talk’s Tyrone “T-rexxx” Edwards, and MuchMusic’s Master-T. The exhibit is not just about people but also organisations such as Hong Shing Restaurant, MuchMusic, Roots Rhymes Collective, The Circle, The Forgiveness Project, The Toronto Raptors, and Too Black Guys, all of which play a significant role in the cultural mosaic of Toronto’s hip-hop scene.

Through Charles’ lens, each black and white snapshot immortalises ephemeral and expressive moments, thus preserving hip-hop’s fluid narratives. Each photograph’s meticulous framing and timing indicate Charles’ deep understanding and respect for the culture and its participants.

The Exhibition Dynamics

What was introduced through an insightful display at City Hall has now transitioned into a similarly impactful and more interactive exhibition at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The City Hall exhibit showcased 34 images featuring 60 participants, while the current exhibition at the airport boasts 60 vinyl prints capturing over 80 individuals. This expansion enriches the visual narrative and offers spectators a broad spectrum of the community’s artistic endeavours.

Some of my favourite images capture the lesser-publicised aspects of hip-hop, such as Graffiti and Breakdancing. Breakdance crews like Bag of Trix and Ground Illusionz, with members like Benzo, are featured in the imagery. Artwork from arguably Canada’s most well-known Graffiti writer, SKAM, is also featured.

Technological Integration

A standout feature of the current exhibition is the 55-inch touchscreen accompanying the displayed prints. This digital interface offers visitors detailed descriptions of the images, delving deeper into the backgrounds of the individuals and contexts depicted in the photographs. Further enriching the experience, a short film related to the exhibit continuously streams via this touchscreen. Through a partnership with PATTISON Outdoor Advertising, the film will be showcased across Toronto’s transit lines and the PATH this summer, making the exhibit of Toronto’s hip-hop scene accessible to a broader audience.

Highlighting Community Impact

Project T-Dot frames artistic expressions and signifies the influence of organisations that contribute immensely to the community. Initiatives like Honey Jam, The Remix Project, Operation Prefrontal Cortex, and Manifesto Community Projects play pivotal roles in nurturing and fostering talents within the hip-hop arena in Toronto.

The displayed images and the embedded stories illustrate the transformative power of such supportive networks in the lives of artists, who utilise these platforms to amplify their voices and skillsets in creative, constructive modes.

Short Film

In addition to the powerful visual narratives crafted through photography, Ajani Charles has produced a compelling short film that extends the narrative of Project T-Dot within the exhibition at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The cinematic portrayal of the themes captured in the static images is embodied in the film, which delves into the making of the exhibition, offering behind-the-scenes clips of prominent figures featured in the photographs, including renowned personalities like Drake, Director X, and Eugene Tam. Viewers are treated to intriguing footage of the pictures being printed and prepared for display, providing a glimpse into the technical and creative processes involved.

Additionally, the film includes a short biography of Ajani Charles, shedding light on the creative mastermind behind the project and an introduction to the exhibition’s setup at the airport. Through these elements, the film outlines the background and history of the exhibit. It expands on its scope, offering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural tapestry that Project T-Dot represents. It celebrates Toronto’s hip-hop culture through a multidimensional showcase.

Foreseeing the Cultural Trajectory

As Project T-Dot continues to woo and engage visitors at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport until 2025, its legacy is already taking shape. By capturing the raw, uncensored narratives of hip-hop, Ajani Charles doesn’t just document a subculture; he celebrates an evolving cultural revolution. These narratives’ ongoing and increased exposure, mainly through additional mediums like digital displays in public spaces and continuous looping short films, forecasts a robust dialogue about cultural diversity, artistic expression, and community dynamics.

Ajani Charles’ Project T-Dot transcends the traditional boundaries of a photo exhibit. The project serves as a cornerstone of cultural preservation and education by powerfully intertwining visuals with technology and heartfelt narratives within Toronto’s hip-hop community. It involves far more elements than is evidenced by the current exhibit, such as a coffee table book and a full-length movie that are currently in the works. This exhibition documents the evolving landscape of hip-hop and sets a precedent for future cultural documentation, underscoring the potent blend of art, technology, and community engagement.

This article encapsulates Project T-Dot’s vitality and impact, comprehensively covering this culturally significant exhibition.

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Hip Hop Fun For The Whole Family

Breakin’ Convention is a family-friendly event and a terrific opportunity to introduce children to dance and hip hop music. Each night, before the main show got started and during intermission, we saw moms dancing alongside their kids in the choreography dance sessions, grandparents learning new steps with their grandkids, and old school breaker dads bust out their freestyle. It’s amazing how the energy of this event inspires dancing across all generations. On the Saturday night we even saw a second dance circle open up in the lobby from the overflow of kids (all ages) who wanted to dance and demo their moves. That didn’t happen on the last Toronto tour, so it was something of a phenomenon this year!

The majority of Breakin’ Convention crews and performers are adults, however the event does include one local dance school or youth group each night. Again, another way to get kids inspired – seeing kids their age dancing on stage to huge applause! On the Friday, Jade’s Hip Hop Academy from Brampton performed a dance number with a social message for kids about child poverty and homelessness. Jade’s choreography often features narratives with powerful social messages. On the Saturday, Scarborough’s Simply Swagg Dance Studio’s Mini Militia gave a fun and energetic performance; a dance mash-up between modern gimmicky moves and classic hip hop style.

Breakin’ Convention Highlights

Over the two days of performances, dance styles ranged from hip hop, breaking, popping to locking, robotics, and animation. All these expressive styles helped to narrate a showcase of varied stories. The stand out Canadian crews included Montreal’s Vic Versa and Ör Pür Dance Company, and Vancouver’s Now or Never Crew.

The International crews were also diverse in their story telling. From the UK, Far From The Norm’s performance gave you chills with its experimental elements, almost like hip hop ballet. Choreographer and performer Antoinette Gomis delivered the only solo performance of the festival through an expressive narrative using the words of a Waring Cuney poem sung by Nina Simone. The crowd pleasers of the festival were clearly The Ruggeds from the Netherlands. This b-boy crew slayed with the most acrobatic performance of the festival and lots of silly physical comedy.

Breakin’ Convention is sure to be back in 2019! Mark your spring calendar for the return of this incredible dance event for all ages.

Here’s the lineup of Sony Centre main stage performing talent for Breakin’ Convention 2018.

Day 1 Talent – Fri, 1 June

Jade’s Hip Hop Academy Performance Company (Brampton) – youth

Compagnie Phorm (France/Argentina)

Vic Versa (Montreal)

Far From The Norm (UK)

Femme Fatale (United States)

Now or Never Crew (Vancouver)

Compagnie Antoinette Gomis (France)

The Ruggeds (Netherlands)

Day 2 Talent – Sat, 2 June

Simply Swagg Dance Studio (Scarborough) – youth

Rebels de la Soul (Toronto)

Compagnie Phorm (France/Argentina)

SaMel Tanz (Toronto)

Femme Fatale (United States)

Ör Pür Dance Company (Montreal)

Far From The Norm (UK)

Compagnie Antoinette Gomis (France)

The Ruggeds (Netherlands)

Besides two nights of main stage hip hop dance theatre, the Breakin’ tour had live DJs and freestyle sessions in the Sony Centre lobby before the show and at intermission, and a free open-air Plaza Party right outside on Front Street on Saturday afternoon which featured more DJs and breaking, afro house and popping dance workshops for the whole family.

A suggestion for next year, it would be great if the Sony Centre and the event organizer could use the large screen in the lobby entrance to broadcast the live dancing going on before the show and on break, as the circle of people trying to watch the freestyle and choreography sessions gets so large, people at the back can’t see from the ground level. If there was a live feed on the massive lobby monitor, more people could see the dancing.

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The second Breakin’ Convention Toronto tour took place Fri, June 1 and Sat, June 2, 2018.

For additional information visit: http://www.breakinconvention.com/touring/toronto

Presented by Civic Theatres Toronto, Breakin’ Convention is a Sadler’s Wells Project and is curated and hosted by UK hip hop pioneer Jonzi D. Joining Jonzi D and supporting the Toronto tour is local Judi Lopez, Founder and Collective Director of Toronto-based KeepRockinYou.

Upcoming show! Ladies Of Hip Hop Toronto, Nov 9-11, 2018

Visit the Sony Centre website for performance schedules and tickets: http://www.sonycentre.ca/

About Civic Theatres Toronto

In 2015, Toronto’s City Council approved the consolidation of the governance and operations of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, and Toronto Centre for the Arts into one new organization under the direction of a City appointed board called Civic Theatres Toronto. The mandate of Civic Theatres Toronto is to provide quality performance and event facilities and to promote its contribution to the artistic, cultural and social vitality of Toronto and its communities.

The post Family-Friendly Hip Hop Dance Festival Back For 2nd Year! appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Dance Festival Highlights: Who Stole The Show!

Over the two days of performances, dance styles ranged from hip hop, breaking, popping, house, boogaloo, to locking, tutting, robotics, and animation! All these expressive styles helped to narrate a showcase of varied stories. For instance, BirdGang from the U.K. used hip hop to illustrate a man’s struggle with vice and addiction. The Toronto Surgeons used breaking to explore the inner feelings of a dancer including fear and insecurity.

With almost twenty acts performing in the convention, it’s hard to detail everyone – let it be known they were all fantastic! Here are some honourable mentions from day one and day two.

Day 1 Stand Outs!  

Tentacle Tribe from Montreal performed a beautifully futuristic piece; an interconnected soft sculpture in constant flux – like origami in motion. Also from Montreal, Juxtapose performed a captivating piece about addiction to social media and technology. Juxtapose used popular song, I Put A Spell On You, with haunting and disturbing effect.

Day 2 Stand Outs!

Jade’s Hip Hop Academy performance was powered by the energy of almost 30 youth, ages 8 to 20, who despite being young captivated the audience with their energy and spirit. Clearly the next generation of hip hop dance in Canada is coming from Brampton! Toronto street dance crew, The Moon Runners, mesmerized with geometric steez and tuts – their performance intensified by the wearing of spooky hazmat suits.

Overall crowd favourite on both days was the Soweto Skeleton Movers from South Africa. These dancers are experts in the art of pantsula dance; an African dance style used as an expression of resistance during the political struggle against the Apartheid government. The Soweto Skeleton Movers wowed the audience with extreme contortionism and mystifying flying hat tricks.

Here is full list of Sony Centre main stage performing talent from Breakin’ Convention 2017!

Day 1 Talent – Friday 23 June
BirdGang Dance Company (UK)
Footnotes (Toronto, Canada)
Gomo and Anyo (Calgary & Ottawa, Canada)
Just Dance (South Korea)
Juxtapose (Montreal, Canada)
Involuntary Movement (Toronto, Canada)
Soweto Skeleton Movers (South Africa)
Tense Image (Toronto, Canada)
Tentacle Tribe (Montreal, Canada)

Day 2 Talent – Saturday 24 June
BirdGang Dance Company (UK)
JHHA Performance Company (Brampton, Canada)
Just Dance (South Korea)
LockUnity (Montreal, Canada)
The MoonRunners Dance Crew (Toronto, Canada)
RoyaLazyness (Montreal, Canada)
Soweto Skeleton Movers (South Africa)
The Surgeons (Toronto, Canada)

Besides two nights of main stage hip hop dance the Sony Centre had Breakin’ take over the whole building with dance workshops, graffiti, DJs, and freestyle sessions. On the Sunday of the event Breakin’ Convention moved outdoors to David Pecaut Square for a free park jam – a funk-filled, open-air dance, music and art extravaganza.

Breakin’ Convention took place Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25, 2017. For more information on the tour please visit: http://www.breakinconvention.com/touring/toronto

Shout-out to Toronto bar the Rivoli and its dance event Footprints for hosting the Breakin’ Convention afterparty! Many dancers came out after the Saturday night show to bust out more dance moves and celebrate the convention. Footprints is Toronto’s longest running open format dance night, and takes place the last Saturday of each month.

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Looking for more dance events to add to your social calendar? Visit the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts website for upcoming shows: http://www.sonycentre.ca/

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The eight weekly community programs will take place in Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough and are organized by UNITY Charity founder, and breakdancer, Michael Prosserman (Bboy Piecez). “We are so excited to be expanding UNITY Charity’s community programs to create more accessible arts programming across our city and safe spaces for youth in the critical hours after school,” said Michael Prosserman, Founder and Executive Director of UNITY Charity. “These programs meet youth where they are at, while providing opportunities for youth to express their stress in a safe, positive and encouraging space almost every day of the week.”

UNITY Charity was founded in 2007 by Prosserman and has reached over 100,000 youth across Canada with their messages that integrate urban art forms that engage youth and help them find their path amongst their peers and their community when dealing with social issues that arise such as bullying, violence, school life and cultural issues.

The new expansion of UNITY Charity’s programming was made possible by a partnership with Tangerine bank and their President and CEO Peter Aceto. “We are so excited to be expanding UNITY’s community programs to create more accessible arts programming across our city and safe spaces for youth in the critical hours after school,” said Michael Prosserman, Founder and Executive Director of UNITY Charity. “These programs meet youth where they are at, while providing opportunities for youth to express their stress in a safe, positive and encouraging space almost every day of the week.”

UNITY CHARITY – COMMUNITY DROP-IN PROGRAMS

Malvern All-Elements Hub
Every Tuesday • 6-8pm
Malvern Family Resource Centre, 1321 Neilson Road

Writer’s Block MC/Spoken Word, and Beatboxing Drop-Ins
Every Tuesday • 5-7pm
SKETCH, 180 Shaw Street, Lower Level

Hip-Hop Drop-in
Every Wednesday • 7:30-10:30pm
Rightfoot Dance Studio, 370 Yonge Street

Downtown Breaking Drop-In
Every Wednesday • 4-7pm
Art Gallery of Ontario, Weston Family Learning Centre
317 Dundas Street West

Mississauga Hub
Every Thursday • 6:30-8:30pm
City Hall Fitness Studio, 4th Floor Mezzanine
300 City Center Drive, Mississauga

Yorkdale Breaking Drop-In
Every Friday • 5-9pm
Art Starts, 3401 Dufferin Street Lower Level

Scarborough Breaking Drop-In
Every Saturday • 3-6pm
Don Montgomery Community Center, 2467 Eglinton Avenue East

Steeles-L’Amoreux Hub
Every Sunday • 3:30-5:30pm
St. Aidan Catholic School, 3521 Finch Avenue East

Program, dates and times are subject to change, please check the UNITY Charity website for any updats – unitycharity.com/weekly-events

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