This year’s theme is Legacies of Love: A tribute to bell hooks.
bell hooks once said “The word "love" is most often defined as a noun, yet all the more astute theorists of love acknowledge that we would all love better if we used it as a verb.” Love is the most vulnerable and selfless choice we make every day. But what is love and what does it mean to us? Since time immemorial, generations of people have expressed this feeling and action in various ways, in ways we still feel today. What legacy did they leave with us to carry on? Exploring Legacies of Love will be sure to bring up a lot of questions through the eyes of our campers this year. Peace Camp is in its 21st year! There are many legacies that have been left in the soil of our grounds. The earth holds onto the love that everyone carries when they come in and leave our amphitheatre and surrounding area. One thing for certain is that these kids will leave their mark on this world with their big and open hearts, leading with love. As Dr. L’Antoinette Stines so brilliantly once said, “It's about sensitivity, it's about passion. It's about unconditional giving of self to another person. And there's love of humanity. That's the love that is right now needed most.”
We will be exploring what it means to love in a world that has reduced the possibilities of love in most aspects of our lives. How have our personal, cultural and familial legacies influenced the ways we love and who we love? How has capitalism and colonialism reduced love to the realms of the harlequin romance, while prohibiting actions that would infuse the systems and structures that impact our lives with love? Building on the legacies of Black and Indigenous activists and scholars this year we honor the late author and social activist bell hooks who once said,” what we do is more important than what we say or what we say we believe.” This is true of both love and peace. They both demand action, and the actions we take every day, become our legacies. Collectively, we have a chance to build a legacy of love together.
We will be exploring what it means to love in a world that has reduced the possibilities of love in most aspects of our lives. How have our personal, cultural and familial legacies influenced the ways we love and who we love? How has capitalism and colonialism reduced love to the realms of the harlequin romance, while prohibiting actions that would infuse the systems and structures that impact our lives with love? Building on the legacies of Black and Indigenous activists and scholars this year we honor the late author and social activist bell hooks who once said,” what we do is more important than what we say or what we say we believe.” This is true of both love and peace. They both demand action, and the actions we take every day, become our legacies. Collectively, we have a chance to build a legacy of love together.
Meet the Directors of Peace Camp 2022
Emerjade Simms as our Theatre Director!
Emerjade Simms is a Jamaican-Canadian actor, storyteller and sometimes-director. She is a graduate of the Acting program at the University of Windsor and holds a BFA degree. Emerjade is also a 2016/17 graduate of the Mechanicals program at Factory Theatre. In her career as an actor so far, she has worked with many wonderful people and companies. Select theatre credits include Calpurnia (RMTC/NAC), The Mountaintop (Persephone Theatre), 1851: Spirit and Voice (Soulpepper/Myseum), 21 Black Futures: Omega Child (Obsidian/CBC), Peter Pan (Bad Hats/Soulpepper), School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play* (Obsidian/Nightwood), Wounded Soldiers (4th Line), The Bird Killer (Let Me In). Television credits include Forbidden, Fear Thy Neighbor, See No Evil and Paranormal 911. Emerjade enjoys napping in her downtime and thanks her mom for everything.
Emerjade joined the Peace Camp team in 2021 (yes, last year!) as an Artist Guide. The love of theatre, camp and the kids sucked her right back in. In an unexpected and blessed turn of events, she’s been appointed as Director for 2022! She is very excited and honoured to bring her theatre training and background to life in this new, but familiar way. She feels very activated by this theme (Legacies of Love) and can’t wait to create with these awesome people and honour the ones we love, present and absent. Emerjade is very inspired by the team that was gathered for this year and excited to share space and love together. This creation process and performance is dedicated to Coco, who we hold dearly in our hearts. <3
*Dora Award Winner for Outstanding Production
Emerjade joined the Peace Camp team in 2021 (yes, last year!) as an Artist Guide. The love of theatre, camp and the kids sucked her right back in. In an unexpected and blessed turn of events, she’s been appointed as Director for 2022! She is very excited and honoured to bring her theatre training and background to life in this new, but familiar way. She feels very activated by this theme (Legacies of Love) and can’t wait to create with these awesome people and honour the ones we love, present and absent. Emerjade is very inspired by the team that was gathered for this year and excited to share space and love together. This creation process and performance is dedicated to Coco, who we hold dearly in our hearts. <3
*Dora Award Winner for Outstanding Production
Uche Ama is our Assitant Director this Summer!
Uche Ama is a Black queer performer born on the stolen indigenous land Tkaronto. She is
passionate about cathartic art that intrigues and makes you ask questions. They are an anti
oppression facilitator, a 2019 Dora nominated graduate of the Music Theatre Performance
program at St Clair College and an alumni of 'Broadway Theatre Project'. Her previous
performances include 21 Black Futures (Obsidian Theatre),The Negroes Are Congregating (Piece
Of Mine Arts) & Obeah Opera (Asah Productions). Previous directing credits include Apology, My
by Keith Barker(New Harlem Productions) & Sincerely, Sincerity by Alicia Plummer( Obsidian
Theatre Playwrights Unit)
Uche is incredibly thrilled and honoured to be a part of this year’s Peace Camp and to be
Assistant Directing a powerful theme helping youth discover bell hooks and create their own
legacy of love.
passionate about cathartic art that intrigues and makes you ask questions. They are an anti
oppression facilitator, a 2019 Dora nominated graduate of the Music Theatre Performance
program at St Clair College and an alumni of 'Broadway Theatre Project'. Her previous
performances include 21 Black Futures (Obsidian Theatre),The Negroes Are Congregating (Piece
Of Mine Arts) & Obeah Opera (Asah Productions). Previous directing credits include Apology, My
by Keith Barker(New Harlem Productions) & Sincerely, Sincerity by Alicia Plummer( Obsidian
Theatre Playwrights Unit)
Uche is incredibly thrilled and honoured to be a part of this year’s Peace Camp and to be
Assistant Directing a powerful theme helping youth discover bell hooks and create their own
legacy of love.
Deon Mars is our Visual Arts Director this Summer!
Born in St Vincent, Deon Mars migrated to Toronto in the year 2000. She has always been a creative individual and started her journey in art administration, retail styling and visual merchandising before finding photography, her true calling.
She has focused on being a freelance photographer for the past several years, beginning as an assistant where she developed most of her experience. Deon has also displayed other forms of visual art for Toronto Pride where she showcased her own poetry surrounding love, queerness and Blackness on canvas art. Her aim is to explore and merge different art forms once again.
As a Black queer person, her photography includes editorial and portrait shots that elevate the individuality and uniqueness of other LGBTQ+ folks and Black people. Deon’s overall goal is to always strive to serve her communities and she would love to open her own studio/gallery one day.
What she's excited about:
I’m mostly excited about teaching a younger generation what it means to love. When people speak about love, they often think about romantic relationships but my definition also includes family, friendships, strangers on the street and especially nature. I just hope they are as excited about plant love as much as I am!
She has focused on being a freelance photographer for the past several years, beginning as an assistant where she developed most of her experience. Deon has also displayed other forms of visual art for Toronto Pride where she showcased her own poetry surrounding love, queerness and Blackness on canvas art. Her aim is to explore and merge different art forms once again.
As a Black queer person, her photography includes editorial and portrait shots that elevate the individuality and uniqueness of other LGBTQ+ folks and Black people. Deon’s overall goal is to always strive to serve her communities and she would love to open her own studio/gallery one day.
What she's excited about:
I’m mostly excited about teaching a younger generation what it means to love. When people speak about love, they often think about romantic relationships but my definition also includes family, friendships, strangers on the street and especially nature. I just hope they are as excited about plant love as much as I am!
Aaron Estridge is our Music Director this Summer!
Aaron Estridge (known professionally as Aaron Ridge) is a lifelong lover of music, learning, and art. Since starting piano lessons at 5 years old, he's been a dedicated musician and student of the craft. Eventually, he encountered poetry, rapping, and songwriting.
After being a part of the Scarborough Arts EAST Collective, Aaron made a major artistic shift from rapper to singer, and picked up the guitar. Since then, Aaron Ridge has performed all over Ontario, been featured in festivals, and spread his unique style of R&B wherever he goes.
Following a short bout of viral fame from a funny YouTube video, Aaron Ridge released his first EP "Of a Soul" in 2016. This was followed by his first studio album, "Love, in Moments" in 2018, and second EP "Cinq" in 2019. He's also released several singles, and recently received his first Juno nomination alongside fellow Toronto songstress Zenesoul for their song "Love and be Loved" released in late 2020.
Aaron Ridge is signed to indie label 10K Hybrid Media as an artist, songwriter, and producer, and is also a producer and recording engineer at U of T Scarborough's RadioFWD studio.
After being a part of the Scarborough Arts EAST Collective, Aaron made a major artistic shift from rapper to singer, and picked up the guitar. Since then, Aaron Ridge has performed all over Ontario, been featured in festivals, and spread his unique style of R&B wherever he goes.
Following a short bout of viral fame from a funny YouTube video, Aaron Ridge released his first EP "Of a Soul" in 2016. This was followed by his first studio album, "Love, in Moments" in 2018, and second EP "Cinq" in 2019. He's also released several singles, and recently received his first Juno nomination alongside fellow Toronto songstress Zenesoul for their song "Love and be Loved" released in late 2020.
Aaron Ridge is signed to indie label 10K Hybrid Media as an artist, songwriter, and producer, and is also a producer and recording engineer at U of T Scarborough's RadioFWD studio.
Lowel Alomar is our Videographer this Summer!
A self-taught artist, Queens native Lowel’s journey with the camera began back in 2016. From
working with companies such as Complex Ca, Black Ink Crew, BelAir, Cinematic Records & more,
Lowel’s experience with film and photography is rather extensive. Lowel is a polymath in the world
of the lens, and he has delivered varying content including branded social media content, music
videos, short films, and documentaries.
Lowel relocated to Toronto, Canada in 2019 and has been focusing on documenting BIPOC
experiences within East Toronto communities and artists.
Aside from his expertise behind the lens, Lowel is community-oriented and an exceptional event
curator and manager. He has worked his way to curate and manage over 20 event-based projects
that emphasize music, art and culture. He currently holds the title of Project Manager for the non
for profit based collective Behind the Art, and filmed his first documentary feature in 2021.
working with companies such as Complex Ca, Black Ink Crew, BelAir, Cinematic Records & more,
Lowel’s experience with film and photography is rather extensive. Lowel is a polymath in the world
of the lens, and he has delivered varying content including branded social media content, music
videos, short films, and documentaries.
Lowel relocated to Toronto, Canada in 2019 and has been focusing on documenting BIPOC
experiences within East Toronto communities and artists.
Aside from his expertise behind the lens, Lowel is community-oriented and an exceptional event
curator and manager. He has worked his way to curate and manage over 20 event-based projects
that emphasize music, art and culture. He currently holds the title of Project Manager for the non
for profit based collective Behind the Art, and filmed his first documentary feature in 2021.
Meet the Artist Guides!
Jackson NairJackson Nair is a Toronto-based arts educator and theatre maker with a passion for cross/multicultural theatre, digital theatre, and Theatre for Young Audiences. He holds a BA in DRAMA from Bishop's University where he also minored in Ancient Greek and Roman Civilizations. He has directed work for the InspiraTO Festival, the Alumnae Theatre Company, and The Villains Theatre. His solo show, Ganapati Stories, was performed as part of the 2021 Kidsfest at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Jackson currently works with Theatre Direct Canada as an Associate Producer for their Creation Warehouse department. When not making theatre, Jackson can most likely be found listening to whichever podcast or audiobook currently has a hold on his attention.
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Charlotte CarboneCharlotte Carbone (they/she) is a designer, dancer, and researcher. They hold a BDes in Fashion Design, and plan to pursue a MDes in Inclusive Design. They have worked in a variety of creative settings and roles, from costume assistant for CBC to apparel product development for international brands. They are dedicated to researching and designing solutions that reflect the lived experiences of marginalized people. Empathy is their strongest creative tool when working on interdisciplinary projects. Charlotte looks forward to disrupting and evolving design systems for an inclusive, accessible future.
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Ariel DasrathAriel Dasrath has over twenty years of dance experience, as well as 15 years of drama and music experience. She grew up completely submerged in all kinds of arts – she even paints, draws, and does graphic design – all of which are things that bring her great joy. While she adores working with the arts, Ariel has completed her Honours Bachelor’s of Science with a double major in neuroscience and mental health, and is now doing her Masters in Counseling Psychology with a focus on cultural responsivity and intersectional identities. Being able to incorporate her love of the arts, working with children, and taking on a culturally responsive approach to all of this has provided the perfect opportunity to combine all her passions, and she’s beyond excited to show everyone what we can work together to come up with at Peace Camp this year!
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Arin DasrathMy name is Arin and I am a recent graduate of the University of Toronto receiving my Bachelors of Business Administration. Growing up, the arts have always been a major part of my life, between training and performing as a dancer to learning and playing multiple instruments, such as the piano, violin, and guitar. My love for music led me to study at the Etobicoke School of the Arts, a high school in which I specialized in violin, and later on, the double bass. In university, I started dancing with the Silhouettes Dance Company where I eventually became the Financial Administrator before graduating. Although I am currently not performing, in my spare time I play the guitar to relax and have fun!
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Destinie Adélakun
Destinie Adélakun is an award-winning contemporary multi-disciplinary artist originally from the sun-kissed groves of West Africa and South India. Her work explores the themes of pre-colonized African/Indian history, mythology, religions, and spirituality in the forms of photography, film, paintings, and sculptures. Adelakun is the selected 2020 cohort of the Toronto Arts Foundation Launchpad bursary. In 2020 she was awarded the Canadian Women Artist Award by the New York Foundation for the arts. Being a community and mental-health advocate, in 2021 Destinie co-founded the collective called Behind the Art (BTA). The initiative's aim is to celebrate artists from the BIPOC diaspora and make mental wellness matter.