With the last First Thursday of 2017 we are excitedly looking at what has formed us, what moves us through the world, and what we have to let go. With exhibitions like Florine Stettheimer: Painting Poetry and the AIMIA/AGO Photography Prize, the notion of self-made, self-projected and manifest identities, what forms us is both generative and discerning. And what moves us is set to a backdrop of emotive vocals and old-soul dancehall orchestrations by the beloved local duo, Bonjay.

A fixture on the Toronto scene whose sound blurs the lines between musical genres and cultures, Bonjay is set to release their debut full-length, Lush Life, in early 2018 after premiering its first single “Ingenue” at The FADER earlier this fall. The theme of Lush Life is the beauty and the chaos of the way we live in cities today. Expect to also encounter an immersive video element inspired by their explorations of home, and some invited conversations about how diversity leads to great innovations. 

Also part of the program is AGO Artist-in-Residence Zun Lee whose photography is more alike visual storytelling. Lee embeds himself in situations and relationships so intimate that the aspects of quotidian life unravel with layers of mystery and poetry. And Younger Than Beyonce Gallery collective has its own manner of articulating community and heritage, having built their own foundations over the past few years on engaging and representing emerging voices. Together with multimedia storyteller Bee Quammie, creative and writer Sharine Taylor, and producer and host Tony 'Master T' Young, Bonjay's Alanna Stuart moderates a conversation about Jamaican innovation and how diversity can lead to greatness.

Featuring DJ sets by AndyCapp and Vibrant Matter, an artist-designed program by MIFI MIFI, pop-up conversations in Stettheimer salon-style environments, artmaking and as always, delicious food and drinks in the AGO’s Night Market are not to be missed.