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Graphic shown of a black background and a gradient border moving between blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, along with bold text reading, "MUSICAL MOMENTS". Underneath that in smaller pink text reads, "Grant Recipients Revealed!"

MUSICAL MOMENTS Grant Recipients

Posted on June 24, 2021
by Cameron Vindua

Musical Moments is a new initiative of The Musical Stage Company that brings musical experiences to local communities by harnessing the imagination and creativity of artists. After a year of isolation, disconnection, and shuttered performing arts centres, we dream of a summer where artists bring joy, magic and togetherness back into people’s lives through musical acts of creativity.

The submissions are over, and we are full of excitement and gratitude for the outpour of people that applied! After going through an incredible list of talented creators, we have awarded $25,000 in grants to artists to develop, produce and execute dynamic ideas across Toronto neighbourhoods.

Check out the fantastic line-up of Musical Moments we have in store for you this summer!

** Please note, the MUSICAL MOMENTS artists’ show times/information listed below may have changed since this publication (June 24, 2021). Check out our MUSICAL MOMENTS show page for more up to date information.

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold orange text reading, "BITTERJUICE PRESENTS: THE 'SAY YOUR PEACE' SHOW". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Performed by BITTERJUICE / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows BitterJuice; a grassroots artist collective focused on organic freestyle music, jamming out at OBJX Studios in Toronto, ON. From left to right: Yoshinori Aoyama (DJ, Vocalist, Guitarist of “BitterxBroke”), Tyreek “B1Gjuice” Phillips, Aaron Diaz (DJ, Producer, Instrumentalist of “BitterxBroke”), and Carray “Ray HMND” Hammond.

BitterJuice Presents: The SAY YOUR PEACE Show

Artists Involved

Tyreek Philips “B1GJuice” (he/him)
Aaron Diaz (he/him)
Yoshinori Aoyama (he/him)

Melissa Estor “xomellokitty” (she/her)
Ray Hammond “Ray HMND” (he/him)

Overview

SAY YOUR PEACE is an intimate outdoor event composed of live band performances, singing, and freestyle rap performances used to invite spontaneous collaboration and “jamming” of guest artists that will be invited and selected to represent Toronto’s young and diverse communities as an interactive audience. This event invites all artists to come out and remember the joy of “jam sessions” as a vehicle of promoting inclusivity in the culture and sector.

Show Date & Information

July 23rd, 2021 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET
OBJX Studios* (100 Symes Road, Unit 200A, Toronto, ON)

*Contingency location confirmed, pending Covid-19 safety guidelines changing

Click here to get your SAY YOUR PEACE tickets today!

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold pink text reading, "THE SONGS OF MY ELDERS". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Performed by BRITTANY MIRANDA, SAMUEL TURNER, & AARON EYRE / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows Brittany Miranda is a mixed-race singer-actor in her late twenties. She has light brown skin, big curly dark brown hair, and is wearing a long black skirt with a pink shirt tucked in. Brittany is crouched, holding a microphone and singing to her 95-year-old grandmother, Mia, who is wearing a blue checkered shirt and sitting on a deck chair outdoors with a smile on her face.

THE SONGS OF MY ELDERS

Artists Involved

Brittany Miranda (she/her)
Samuel Turner (he/him)

Aaron Eyre (he/him)

Overview

This project aims to reconnect residents of long-term care homes with their loved ones through a personalized song and story experience. Live outdoor concerts weave together anecdotes of the attending residents with their favourite tunes, celebrating the past and creating more memories for the post-pandemic future.

Show Dates & Information

July 21st, 2021 @ 2:00 PM ET
St. George Care Community* (225 St George Street, Toronto ON)

July 26th, 2021 @ 10:00 AM ET
West Park Long Term Care Centre* (82 Buttonwood Ave, York ON)

July 29th, 2021 @ 2:00 PM ET
Main Street Terrace Long Term Care* (77 Main Street, Toronto ON)

August 6th, 2021 @ 2:00 PM ET
Altamont Care Community* (92 Island Rd, Scarborough, ON)

*Audience size limits may vary, pending Covid-19 safety guidelines changing

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold butter text reading, "A MOMENT IN THE (SECRET) GARDEN". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Directed by KATHERINE CAPPELLACCI / Produced by SEAN YAUK / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows Boxes of text are set in front of a bush of yellow flowers in a field outside with the sun shining in the background.

A MOMENT IN THE (SECRET) GARDEN

Artists Involved

Producer/Musician: Sean Yauk (he/him)
Director/ Musician: Katherine Cappellacci (she/her)
Arranger/ Music Director/ Musician:
William Li (he/him)
Musician: Kryslyne Mai Ancheta (she/her)

Designer/ Assistant Producer/ Site Manager:
Sophie Koehn (she/her)
Sound Designer: Sam Deeth (he/him)
Musician: Lydia Claire Wilton (she/her)

Overview

Discover a curious musical installation in an urban garden outside of 462 Wellington Street West in Toronto! A tiny team of artists descends upon the space on Friday evenings to bring it to life with musical storytelling, performing folksy classics from an iconic piece of musical theatre. Will they make the garden grow?

Show Dates & Information

July 9th, 2021 @ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
July 23rd, 2021 @ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
August 6th, 2021 @ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
August 20th, 2021 @ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sidewalk / Street level* (462 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON)

*Audience size limits may vary, pending Covid-19 safety guidelines changing

Click here to learn more about A MOMENT IN THE (SECRET) GARDEN!

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold blue text reading, "PARTYPEOPLE". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Performed by JORD CAMP & ELIZABETH STAPLES / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows Jord Camp stands outside in a park, out of focus behind some brown leaves. He is wearing a wig cap, blue face mask, and a sparkly silver dress. He has his arms up behind him doing up the back of dress. Photo credit: Robin Gaudreau.

PARTYPEOPLE

Artists Involved

Jord Camp (he/him)

Elizabeth Staples (she/her)

Overview

5 Queer people gather in a park.

They are guided by synchronized iPods and a performance-artist-club-kid-drag-creature from beyond, Jord Camp. They go on an interactive journey of dance, reveals and surprises.

Together, they choose what the future will look like.

Show Dates & Information

Lottery link will be live, July 7th (click here for updates)
*Exact locations & chosen audience will be revealed by a lottery draw on their Instagram Live, on July 14th & 15th

July 21st, 2021 @ 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
Toronto Parks (Exact Park location TBA)

July 22nd, 2021 @ 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
Toronto Parks (Exact Park location TBA)

Click here to learn more about their shows!

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold blue text reading, "BEAT MAKERS!". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Camp by LUIS ANSELMI, MEHEL CAZI, CAMILA LOZADA, ANASTASSIA IRINA, & JONATHAN NVITA / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows On top, there are two hands, one fuchsia(on the left) and one turquoise(on the right). They are holding white musical notes, on a black background. Below, there is a collage of all the team members smiling, on a white background. Starting from the left is Mehek, a filmmaker wearing a traditional Indian turquoise dress. Next is Luis, holding a Venezuelan cuatro (musical instrument) and wearing a white shirt. Next to him is Anastassia, a creative writer, wearing transparent glasses and a colourful scarf on a white shirt. Then is Jonathan, a multi-instrumentalist wearing a black shirt and scarf, giving a thumbs up. Finally there is Camila, a singer holding a Ukulele and wearing a light green shirt.

Beat Makers!

Artists Involved

Luis Anselmi (he/him)
Camila Lozada (she/her)
Anastassia Irina (she/her)

Johnathan Nvita (he/him)
Mehek Cazi (she/her)

Overview

Create your own instrument, learn about rhythm, composition and perform! Our goal is to introduce children to simple music concepts and engage them in a way that will spark their creativity!

Camp Dates & Information

July 10th, 2021 @ 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
July 10th, 2021 @ 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Humber College Lakeshore Campus [L Building]* (19 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr, Etobicoke, ON)

*Camp participants numbers are limited, pending Covid-19 safety guidelines changing

Click here to learn more about their camp and register!

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold orange text reading, "STREET PARTY". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Performed by THE GOODTIMES, LOWELL WHITTY, & JOSH BIRD / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows three colourful hearts coming together to party! One heart is upside down. A Hand-written in cursive Street Party is layered on top and jumping out of the hearts.

STREET PARTY

Artists Involved

Ian Goodtimes (he/him)
Lindsay Goodtimes (she/her)
Roxy-Jean Goodtimes (she/her)

Pepper Goodtimes (she/her)
Lowell Whitty (he/him)
Josh Bird (he/him)

Overview

STREET PARTY is a parade, a show & a celebration; a gathering of friends and neighbours led by The Goodtimes and starring everyone. Street Party is an opportunity for your community to get together with song and  dance. It’s been a long time so Let’s All Party Together!  

*safely respecting covid protocol of course*

Show Dates & Information

July 9th, 2021 @ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
South-East Alley* (Shaw Street & Harbord Street, Toronto, ON)

July 10th, 2021 @ 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Junction McMurray Avenue Alley* (McMurray Avenue & Quebec Street, Toronto, ON)

July 11th, 2021 @ 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Marchmount Road Alley* (Marchmount Road & Shaw Street, Toronto, ON)

*Audience size limits may vary, pending Covid-19 safety guidelines changing

Click here to learn more about their shows!

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold butter text reading, "A SONG FOR YOU". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Performed by VICKY WANG aka EARLY BIRD / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows Earlybird sitting cross-legged on the grass at a park, singing and playing her classical acoustic guitar. She wears a white blouse under a patterned dark blue vest, indigo blue pants, and boots. She smiles as she sings, and the scene is peaceful and warm.

A SONG FOR YOU

Artist Involved

Vicky Wang aka Earlybird (she/her)

Overview

A series of songs performed for next door neighbours in [Earlybird’s] suburban North York neighbourhood. Participants will also be invited to enjoy a longer acoustic show in the neighbourhood park at sunset.

Show Dates & Information

July 9th – August 27th, 2021 @ 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weekly performances every Friday
A.Y. Jackson Secondary School Field* ** (50 Francine Drive, North York, ON)

July 10th – August 28th, 2021 @ 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Weekly performances every Saturday
A.Y. Jackson Secondary School Field* ** (50 Francine Drive, North York, ON)

*Location may change to nearby residential streets, weather permitting
**Audience size limits may vary, pending Covid-19 safety guidelines changing

Click to learn more about Earlybird’s shows on Instagram and Facebook!

Graphic of a black background and a gradient border of blue, pink and yellow. In front of the background are assorted blobs with the same gradient, with bold pink text reading, "1:1 CONCERTS". Under that, smaller WHITE text reads, "Performed by OLIVIA SHORTT & JUSTIN MASSEY / As part of The Musical Stage Company's Musical Moments Initiative." A featured blob shows A picture of a person standing in the right half of the image and carrying an alto saxophone with no saxophone mouthpiece. They are looking straight at the camera with their jaw pointing towards their left shoulder, and are neutral in expression. Their hair is brownish red and wavy at the ends and falls just below their shoulders They are wearing a white dress with a green leaf pattern. There is a photoshopped effect of glitter radiating out from their body starting on their right arm and covering the left side of the image. Photo credit: Alejandro Santiago. Edit credit: Heshaka Jayawardena.

1:1 CONCERTS

Artists Involved

Olivia Shortt (they/them)

Justin Massey (he/him)

Overview

Improvised songs created with unique prompts for a single audience member. What’s more exciting than a personal and intimate one-on-one concert? Performed by Olivia Shortt and Justin Massey.

Show Date(s) & Information

July 11, 2021 @ 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Private Residence (Toronto, ON)

July 11, 2021 @ 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Private Residence (Toronto, ON)
**Back-up location to be confirmed as Bathurst Street & Dupont Street Carwash

July 11, 2021 @ 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Nearby Park/Green Space* (Rusholme Road, between Hepbourne Street & Dewson Street, Toronto, ON)

July 25, 2021 @ 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Private Residence (Toronto, ON)

July 25, 2021 @ 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Nearby Park* (39 Raglan Ave, York, ON)

*Audience size limits may vary, pending Covid-19 safety guidelines changing

Click here to learn more about Olivia’s work!

** Please note, the MUSICAL MOMENTS artists’ show times/information listed below may have changed since this publication (June 24, 2021). Check out our MUSICAL MOMENTS show page for more up to date information.

MUSICAL MOMENTS WILL START JULY, AND RUN THROUGHOUT SUMMER 2021 – TAKING PLACE LIVE, ACROSS TORONTO NEIGHBOURHOODS.