Evergreen Ignite Speaker Series

The Evergreen Ignite Speaker Series is a series of experiential talks that showcase how public space can be used to build community and connection to one’s city. Through arts, social culture and public performance, this series of three exploratory conversations introduces ideas that will spark thought and action around creating sustainable, animated, and inclusive public spaces in our cities.

All Ignite Speaker Series events are FREE to attend, just register below!

Inclusive Performance and Public Space

SEPTEMBER 20th 2022, Doors open at 5:00 pm & drinks will be available on-site for purchase

After two years of isolation and staying indoors, people are looking for experiences to come together and engage with others in their community in public, outdoor settings. Now, more than ever, public events and performances offer a reprieve and space to engage. There is a real opportunity for people who animate public space to leverage this new enthusiasm and to do so with inclusion and accessibility at the forefront.  

This session, presented in partnership with Fall For Dance North, will explore:

• How Covid-19 changed our relationship with public space?  
• Why it is important to bring performance and the arts into the public sphere?  
• The political, social and cultural dimensions of performances staged in public spaces.  
• Who gets included and excluded in society’s definition of ‘the public’?  
• We will discuss how we can strive to make public performances more accessible to diverse audiences.  

Confirmed Panelists:   

Anna Gallagher-Ross, The Bentway   

Syma Shah, Union Station/Osmington    

Moderator: Leah Houston, Mabelle Arts

More to come!  

Following the discussion, Fall For Dance North will showcase a site-specific celebration of dance, music, and physical storytelling with their premiere Heirloom performance – In Blue Rooms by Zack Martel and Santiago Rivera (Solo un Duelo – Montréal), with live music arranged by Daniel Hamin Go (cello) and Michael Bridge (accordion) from The Royal Conservatory.

Fall for Dance North works to elevate the popularity of dance by presenting a diverse, world-class dance festival of established and emerging talent from Canada and around the globe through accessible ticket prices. 

Doors Open - 5pm and food will be available on-site
Panel Discussion - 6pm
Premiere of In Blue Rooms - 7:30pm

Register for this event

The Black Experience, Art and Public Space

OCTOBER 16th 2022, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

This is a walking tour with Jacqueline Scott, Black Outdoors.  

This session will explore:  

Black people have a long history of being in the outdoors in Canada. This history has been whitewashed not just in outdoors advertising but also in conservation, outdoors education and environmental education. Jacqueline Scott will discuss Race and nature in the city.   

• The myth of the great Canadian outdoors  
• How to make public spaces safer and more inclusive 
• What should be done when nature space is perceived as white space?
  
  *Note: To respect the personal nature of this event, space is limited.*

Register for this event 

Who should attend?    

• People working or interested in city building
• People passionate about public space and its potential   
• People advocating for more inclusive and accessible community spaces   
• People interested in arts and culture  
• People who enjoy thought-provoking discussion about issues that impact their community