SAMBARANTHONY: a CommUNITY Catchup on thriving with the arts

Rhandy Adolphe, Founder and lead Photographer of SambaRanthony, is an incredible purveyor of the arts and multimedia creative I met at a podcast program last year. In addition to being an incredible photographer that captures many subjects and themes in an array of settings, Rhandy has his own podcast and media platform, Lupinore, which showcases Canadian lifestyle and social movements through art and music, and in discussion via the Just Facts Podcast where Rhandy and his partner, Yene, dive into happenings and roots of Toronto’s arts scene through candid, engaging conversations. As well as a branding team member of Toronto-based LOUD.army collective. Rhandy does SO much for his community and beyond, so I brought him into The Fold to discuss what has been keeping him inspired + creative and how he has been adapting his platform model in a meaningful way.

DANIELLE GRISCTI: a CommUNITY Catchup about support on two wheels

Danielle Griscti is a real gem in my life, and for those who know her and are in the chat, I’m sure you feel the same. She’s the Founder and Creative Director of her own photography brand and company, Fixed In Silver, a talented writer and music journalist – which is where I met her via Hellbound.ca. She’s been an Outreach Coordinator, a Youth Worker, involved in serious roles in the Tech Industry, and is an active volunteer, always helping others. AsShe is actively involved with The Bike Brigade, made up of over 600 volunteers, and is completing hundreds of FoodShare box deliveries, prepared meals, and grocery shopping for vulnerable individuals all over Toronto. Beyond all this and more, she’s an awesome being and that’s why she joined us on CommUNITY Catchup, so let’s bring Danielle into the Fold.

MELISSA HAUGHTON: A CommUNTY Catchup on Identity

Melissa Haughton is a writer, content creator and podcast producer I truly look up to (I urge you to listen to her array of series and docs, all exceptionally well produced and full of insight) but those three titles barely sum up the greatness. In addition to Melissa’s latest series, So What Are You?, highlighting our complicated and evolving relationships to cultural identities, we discussed her past and present projects and various endeavours, and how they have always, and continue to be, action methods to inspire change.

DJ SPIN SO NICE | RECORDS WITH MY DAUGHTERS: A Song For George Floyd

Friend of #TheFold (Episode 18!), Joe G, aka DJ Spin So Nice and Founder of Records With My Daughters, connected for a Friday edition of CommUNITY Catchup to send us into the weekend through song. We discussed his new mix, A Song For George Floyd, and the powerful array of tracks selected, keeping your spirits elevated through family and community, in addition to other resources and ways we can engage. Visit Sonic Fold's Anti-Racism Resources page here. Listen to A Song For George Floyd here.

TANYA MOK: Documenting community with compassion and purpose

Tanya Mok has always been a huge inspiration in not only my career, but my life. The journalist and multifaceted creative from Toronto has always brought innovative vision to the table. Now, she shares this with the communities around her. We get into the Fold of her Toronto upbringing, work ethic and storytelling method, city issues in focus and how we can show up for our community, and one another, with compassion, understanding and a vibrant lens.

CADILLAC LOUNGE: Steering a sonic legacy through Parkdale

Sam Grosso, owner and founder of Cadillac Lounge, in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood, embodies a work ethic and innate ability to connect with others that is rooted in his upbringing. A safe space to enjoy music and friends, the iconic institution takes its final spin down Queen Street West on July 14. We get into The Fold to discuss Cadillac Lounge’s legacy in Toronto and the community that will live on after the engine is turned off.

DUAL CITIZEN: for the culture

Ola got into The Fold with Marie Alcober of Dual Citizen, a documentary series exploring the eureka moments of the Filipinx diaspora. We sat down for a meal at Lamesa – a Toronto landmark that has been pushing the diaspora from time – to discuss Marie’s dual citizen upbringing, inspiration for the series, assurance vs. imposter syndrome, asking big questions, and the in-betweens when producing impactful, empowering work for a culture as a whole.