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.

LAYLOW BREWERY: a CommUNITY Catchup on brews, beats and best friends

Laylow Brewery Co-founder/Co-owner, Dan Boniferro, and Ola get into #TheFold to discuss Toronto’s smallest brewery with big impact. We chat Hip-Hop, merchandise with commUNITY in mind, being for the people, collaboration, brews, humble beginnings and creative adaptations.

NABEEL PERVAIZ: (high)lighting the commUNITY from his lens

In this episode of The Fold Podcast, Toronto-based Photographer and CommUNITY cultivator Nabeel Pervaiz unfolds to share insight about his life and career to date, the inspiration that drives his work, being rooted in many communities, and the inherent values and intention he has to shape them with conscious compassion and fresh ideas.

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.

SUPERDRAMAGO!: A CommUNITY Catchup on Artistry, Change, Compassion and Action

SUPERDRAMAGO! shares perspective, resources and insight after the JUSTICE FOR REGIS RALLY, as well as supportive tools, including his latest track, When You Smile. He waxes poetic on the power of community, his collaborations with local artists and collectives, his experience as an essential frontline worker and how that has impacted him at this time, and how he is carrying a torch powered by resilience, mastery and triumph, passed through family lineage, shaping the incredible person he is today.

SARAH JANE RIEGLER: A CommUNITY Catchup on the healing power of culture and curation

On May 25, my pal Sarah Jane Riegler, joined me for a #CommUNITYCatchup to discuss the power of curation, and what opportunities for healing can occur through artistic connection, events and collaboration, how this work is done via her inclusive series and spaces @afrohausto + @hausorpheus, Sarah’s vast experience as a percussionist and work in ethnomusicology (S/O @johnorpheus), learning about other cultures and identity through collaborative projects, new mixes and what’s in the works. NOTE: The video cut off mid-way - please excuse any technical difficulties.

SABRE: A CommUNITY Catchup about choosing love over fear, and sharing this through song.

On April 14, Ola's dear pal, Toronto-via-San Diego artist and creatrix, Sabre, joined the CommUNITY Catchup on Instagram Live. They discussed the approach of choosing love over fear 24/7, how this acts as a foundation in her work, a recent online collab for IsoLab, created by award-winning producer, Rainer, and sharing insight with other artists on how they can share their art and explore opportunities to build and create with others in a meaningful way.

ANTIKKA CAFE & RECORDS: Siblings supporting community

It sounds like community at Antikka Cafe & Records in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood. Owners Raz and Shaunt Tchakmak are brothers in business who now share their bond with the people around them. Whether local regulars to traveling visitors, all are welcome in their cafe and record shop hybrid that celebrates music and art in a unique, inclusive way. For this episode in The Space mini-series, we discuss the concept around community spaces, the challenges and rewards in running + supporting local businesses, the power of music, family bonding and what Antikka has in the works this year, including a fresh new spot called The Oud and the Fuzz – it’s going to be big.

JOSEPH GALIWANGO (RECORDS WITH MY DAUGHTERS): all in the family

The Fold Podcast heads into a new direction this month as we kick off our mini-series covering music communities with Joseph Galiwango (aka DJ Spin So Nice), Founder/DJ/Dad of Records With My Daughters, who shows us how #ThePlatform can change the way we share art and culture within families to inspire greater connection.

RACHEL ROMU: Striding into an accessible scene

In this episode, we acknowledge International Day of Persons With Disabilities. My dear friend, and artist/activist/writer/model/musician + more, Rachel Romu, delivers insight on their experiences with disability, accessibility (in various forms) within the arts and creative industries and the spaces they have found inclusion and community in along the way.

CREATIVES CONNECT: Seat(s) at the table, space in the room

Rahel Beyene is a missing link. You learn this about her when she walks in a room. Introduces you to someone new. Recognizes and highlights your gifts. Pursues a new idea. Born and raised in Toronto, Rahel is a thread that weaves through the city’s fabric, showcasing creativity with meaningful opportunities to collaborate and share through her company, Creatives Connect. In this episode of the Fold, Rahel and I discuss industry ecosystems worldwide, family matters, leading by example and how fusing focus with passion manifests magic.