Open Heart

What a dreamy first couple days at ICAF Rotterdam.

We kicked off Wednesday evening with an opening performance of An Fara from Nigerian dance company about the links between environmental damage and societal conflict. Could watch this again and again!

On Thursday, Rose spend all day at ’s experience in Laurenskerk medieval church, visioning, planning, and building a world where plants, animals, and humans flourish together. Lots of focus on shared spaces and community kitchens, providing lots of juicy inspiration from some new projects we’re dreaming about. (hint: it involves food!)

And Kelly hip-hopped around to several events including a panel on Imagination in the Climate Crisis, focusing on how artists can make it visible but more than that, our imagination about the future is our strongest tool for change-making.

Next up was Recovery Street (), a workshop from an organization offering art-based therapies for folks facing mental health challenges, addiction, and homelessness. Key takeaway: Re-story-ing is a way to come back to who you are, and to always carry your ancestors with you.

And then Whisper of Unity from , a group from Tanzania exploring gender identity reclaiming joy and independence through dance.

We came back together for dinner and finished off the night with another dance performance, Yelkaram: Weaving the Ancestral Body, about the living heritage of Honduras’ Lenca community (), and finally a stirring and challenging film from , a group of Palestinian and Israeli activists using non-violence to end the occupation in Palestine. The film was followed by a recorded conversation with members of Combatants for Peace that was full of wisdom we’ll be taking with us, especially a reminder to fight oppression in our own communities and that “Non-violence is art.”

All that with a whole lot of meeting new artists, practitioners and academics who share our love of community arts. Our heads and hearts are full to the brim and we can’t wait for more in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates!

📣 LAND, PLACE, HOME OPENS THIS FEBRUARY 📣

Since Spring 2025, this ensemble of newcomers have been talking, writing, playing, and moving—shaping the stories they want the world to know. The result is a rich collection of voices and experiences about this new circle of friends and how they exist here in this place. No matter where you come from or how you got here, we hope these stories speak to you. Appearing as part of HFTco’s Frost Bites!

❄️ WHEN: 7:30pm | Friday, February 27* and Saturday, February 28

❄️ WHERE: Theatre Aquarius Studio Theatre (190 King William St)

❄️ TICKETS: Pay-what-you-can, available online in advance. Seating is limited so get ‘em while you can - click the link in our bio.

🎭 THE TEAM:

Creators/Performers: Elie Assaf, Cyprian Ontita, Pravash Pandey, and Wend Yasen

Director: Ahmad Meree

Set & Costume Design: Jenna Bakri

Sound Design: Vik Arunmozhi

Stage Management: Sofia Smith

Writing Facilitation: Marie Beath Badian

Promo photography: Alex Jacobs Blum

✨ Land, Place, Home is a co-production between Open Heart Arts Theatre, ABAR Trauma and Mental Health, and Hamilton Festival Theatre Company — community collaboration for the win!

We are looking for new Board Members! As some of our fantastic members’ terms end, we’re looking to welcome people who believe in community-engaged arts, social change through performance, and the power of many voices coming together.

ABOUT THE BOARD: Open Heart’s Board is advisory in nature. Members meet four times per year (quarterly on Zoom) to offer guidance, thought partnership, and support. Board members are encouraged to support Open Heart’s public events as their interest and capacity allow.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR: We’re especially interested in people with knowledge or experience in:

Theatre or community-engaged arts
Equity, accessibility, and anti-oppressive practice
Arts management or producing
Community-building and mentorship

We aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with. We especially welcome applicants who are newcomers to Canada, people with lived experience of disability, racialized folks, and artists and arts workers. (Board members cannot be paid for Board service, but may be compensated for project-based work with Open Heart.)

How to express your interest? Fill out the Google form that’s linked in our bio to tell us a little bit about yourself, followed by a call with one of board members to answer any questions you may have.

More details available at the link in our bio, get in touch if you need support.