A spoken word, dance, and music performance series presented in partnership with R.I.S.E. Edutainment and Jane Street Speaks. Organized by Allyson Adley, Collections/Education Assistant, and curated by Randell Adjei and Nathan Baya.

https://www.instagram.com/a_g_y_u/

AGYU was excited to launch a new Instagram takeover, featuring two influential performance scenes of spoken word poets, singers, rappers, and dancers. Working in partnership with cultural visionaries—Scarborough-based R.I.S.E. Edutainment Director, Randell Adjei and Jane Street Speaks Founder, Nathan Baya— AGYU presented Remote Control, an online social media forum for performance that built virtual communities and creative solidarity in a difficult and unprecedented period of social distancing and cultural isolation.

Schedule:

April 14, 7 – 8 pm featuring Dynesti; Tracey Kayy; Azalyne Klukowski
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei

April 21, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Empara; Don Richie; Kibra, Lexxicon, Moose, Snipa, Txnic
curated and hosted by Nathan Baya

April 28, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Dejuan; Grier Munro; Rudy Ray; Zakisha; Shahaddah Jack
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei

May 5, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Terina Faye; Glowz; Kenny; Nova Lush; Terence Penny; Scribe; Spin
curated and hosted by Nathan Baya

May 19, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Maya Gabriel; Sasha L Henry; Ellevan; Aicha; Stretch; Moel
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei

May 26, 7 – 8 pm: featuring LolaBunz; Roshelle; Anika Marie; Keosha Love; Meika; Kaylyn Kewageshig; Lorne Pawis
curated and hosted by Nathan Baya

June 2, 7 – 8 pm: featuring This week’s Remote Control was cancelled as part of the action #TheShowMustBePaused in response to the murder of countless Black people at the hands of police.
https://www.theshowmustbepaused.com
#BlackoutTuesday #GeorgeFloyd #RegisKorchinskiPaquet #AhmaudArbery #BreonnaTaylor

June 9, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Amoya Reé; Faduma Mohamed; Jayda Marley
curated and hosted by Nathan Baya

June 16, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Tamir, EyeAmi, Charmie Deller, Vinsint, Zenesoul, & Zeegwon Shilling
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei

July 7, 7 – 8 pm: featuring CHINI, Judith Powerr, Maya Spoken, Mzundefined
curated and hosted by Nathan Baya

July 14, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Prince Rose, Prince Amoako, Renee Ashanta Henry, Siddartha, Sydellia
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei

July 21, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Janelle, Rosie Mensah, Natty-B, Dwayne Morgan
curated and hosted by Nathan Baya

July 28, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Jenna Bennett, Shqdel, Sydanie, Chantal Rose
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei

August 4, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Kareem B., Nathan Stern, Erik Flow, Jessie Simmons
curated and hosted by Nathan Baya

August 11, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Jungle Flower, Harmony Pike, Nicole Chambers, JERMAL
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei

August 18, 7 – 8 pm: featuring Vasthi, Kappa Mezu, Markus Jackman, Christina Smith
curated and hosted by Randell Adjei and Nathan Baya

Additional dates to be announced.

This Instagram takeover was a cultural bridge, virtually joining the often divided East and West ends of the GTA. Remote Control was a platform to continue the important work that Adjei and Baya do in promoting the diverse talents in their respective communities by hosting jam-packed and celebrated live performance events. With Adjei and Baya taking the lead, AGYU reimagined the performance format, bringing our audience into virtual contact with a roster of incredible local artists. Remote Control was conceived as an opportunity for artists to perform during a moment of mass social and economic upheaval, introducing artists to new audiences and supporters, and creating meaningful online cultural programming—all in an effort to connect and enliven communities through art.

[Photo credit: Anthony Gebrehiwot, @xvxyphoto]
A big shout out to Randell Adjei (left) and Nathan Baya (right) for organizing this incredible performance series, as well as to all the artists who perform over the next four weeks. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed numerous challenges for people around the world and the AGYU wants to thank these artists for sharing their talents and for contributing to a virtual event that demonstrates how culture is invaluable during difficult times.

AGYU thanks R.I.S.E. Edutainment and Jane Street Speaks for supporting this program.