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TESSEL

An Esie Mensah film

Co-Commissioned by Fall For Dance North and Harbourfront Centre

A national initiative of unity, led by Toronto’s Esie Mensah, features the stories and lived experiences of 14 pioneering Black artists. Public Energy Performing Arts is a co-commissioning partner on the film, along with numerous dance presenters across Canada. The film will be streamed exclusively by these partners on June 1.

Watch TESSEL for free at tessel.film beginning at 9 am on June 1, 2021.

An Affirmation of Unity Between 14 Black dancemakers from Across Canada 

A national initiative conceptualized by Dora-nominated choreographer and creator Esie Mensah (Shades, A Revolution of Love), TESSEL explores the complexities of movement and voice as a form of resilience – and to achieve truth and honesty in sharing its participants’ lived experience as Black dance artists.

Premiering across the country on the one-year anniversary of Blackout Tuesday (June 1) – a day when organizations worldwide publicly expressed their commitment towards institutional change to support the Black community – the film aims to amplify Black voices by providing a platform for the artists to share their truths. Public Energy Performing Arts is honoured to be supporting and co-presenting TESSEL along with a network of 21 Canadian performing arts organizations.

TESSEL is now available to watch at tessel.film

Featuring:

Eugene “GeNie” Baffoe (Winnipeg), Livona Ellis (Vancouver), Kevin Fraser (Vancouver), Alexandra “Spicey” Landé (Montréal), Gabrielle Martin (Vancouver), Esie Mensah (Toronto), Raoul Pillay (Toronto), Natasha Powell (Toronto), Liliona Quarmyne (Halifax), Lua Shayenne (Toronto), Crazy Smooth (Ottawa), Ronald A. Taylor (Toronto), Lisa La Touche (Calgary), Ravyn Wngz (Toronto)

Join TESSEL‘s director Esie Mensah in a Bantaba artist talk and community gathering, hosted by Toronto’s dance Immersion and moderated (in English) by Nicole Inica Hamilton. Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 7:30 – 9:00 PM over Zoom. Participation is free. Learn more and register here.

Esie Mensah

Esie Mensah, photo by Mikka Gia

Thank You!

Public Energy gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our 2023-24 Season Funders and Sponsors.

Season Sponsors & Funders

V Formation logo. Text reads: "V Formation. Thought-provoking work for charities."

Jo Pillon Royal Lepage logoHi Ho Silver Logo
Kawartha Now LogoWedesign logo
Canadian Heritage logo Peterborough logo
Ontario Arts Council logo Canadian Council For The Arts logo
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Accessibility Sponsor

Lloyd Carr Harris Foundation logo