Welcome to ImaniArtsBiz.com Please note this is a temporary site as our main website is under construction. But you can still book us for workshops, coaching or creative consulting contracts, and you can see what exciting events or projects we are currently engaged in. For Bookings Contact us at w_imani@hotmail.com
Artist Bio
Anne-Marie Woods aka Amani is an award winning multi-disciplinary artist, arts educator, producer, poet, playwright, director creative consultant and creativity coach. With roots in London, England and Trinidad; her life and career has always challenged boundaries and blended multiple genres or styles. In 2001, she held the honour of being the first African Canadian to have a featured play Waiting to Explode at the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina. Voted as one of 100 Black Women in Canada to Watch and the 2013 winner of the BBPA Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Entertainment, she has performed and presented in all across Canada, in the UK, Trinidad West Indies, and the World-Famous Nuyorican Café in New York City. In 2016, her play described as a Theatrical Rhapsody, She Said/He Said was produced by Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) in Montreal where it had a very successful World Premiere at the MAI. In 2019 BTW also produced the World Premiere of her youth production on the history of African Nova Scotians, Scotian Journey. Her other youth production, The Three Friends that focuses on African Canadian History and race relations was produced as part of the Education Series at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing arts in 2017 and 2019. For the past few years she has also worked as an Educator for Outreach and Public Programming at the City of Toronto Archives, where she brings her passion for equity diversity and inclusion to the job.
In 2022 she was hired to create and teach Africentric Curriculum on Sheroes and Heroes of African descent who were significant to Black History in Canada. This virtual education course entitled Black History Shouldn’t Be a Mystery (a title that comes from a monologue in her play The Three Friends) was a huge hit with the Pre School and Middle School audience it was designed for. “Being booked to teach Black History all year is so rare for me in my line of work.” say Woods. But this program ended up being one of the highlights of 2022. The Heroes and Sheroes she developed the courses on were:
The Honourable Jean Augustine
Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Viola Desmond
Mathieu Da Costa
Portia White
The Honourable Lincoln Alexander
“I chose Historical and Herstorical figures that I learned about that made an impact on my life when I was younger.” says Woods
Most recently she received funding from Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council to further develop her new script ‘Why Black Women Whisper.’
My Spring Newsletter is available now Live and Direct Click and see what I’ve been up to.
I Started a New Scholarship for Black Disadvantaged Youth in Nova Scotia
| Media Release: Talent Trust announces new Anne-Marie Woods / Imani Enterprises African Diaspora Travel Scholarship View email in your browserFebruary 28, 2023 – MEDIA RELEASE[February 28, 2023 – K’JIUPUKTUK/HALIFAX, NS] Nova Scotia Talent Trust announces new Anne-Marie Woods / Imani Enterprises African Diaspora Travel Scholarship K’JIPUKTUK/HALIFAX, NS – Anne-Marie Woods, aka Amani, received a Talent Trust scholarship in 1996 and went on to build a successful career as an activist, playwright, director, producer, poet, lyricist, educator, creative consultant and composer. She never forgot what contributed to her success, so making a $2000.00 donation to be used towards a travel scholarship for emerging African-Nova Scotian Youth Creatives between the ages of 18- 35 was a need in the industry she knew needed to be filled. The Anne-Marie Woods/Imani Enterprises African Diaspora Travel Scholarship will award an African-Nova Scotian, Black, Caribbean or youth of African Descent, based in Nova Scotia $1000 towards travel to present, teach, perform or take part in professional development through a residency, internship or working with a mentor; provincially, nationally or internationally. The Award will be available in 2023 and 2024 for disadvantaged Black youth between the ages of 18 – 35 who are working on an artistic career in Spoken Word, or Theatre Arts. Eligible emerging artists can express interest in applying via the online scholarship application. Artists who have expressed interest will be contacted with further instructions regarding how to apply for this special Travel Scholarship. Ms. Woods discusses what inspired her to create this scholarship: “Growing up in Nova Scotia has had a huge impact on my life. It is the source of my creativity and the place that nurtured my love for arts and culture.” She used the Talent Trust scholarship she received in 1996 to attend a nine-month residency at Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia in 1997, one of the oldest Black Theatres in Pennsylvania. That residency changed her career path forever. Describing herself as a British Born Trini with Scotian Overtones, Woods’ work and creativity always has multi-disciplinary style storytelling with original penned songs and compositions. She is also credited with introducing Spoken Word as an art form to Nova Scotia in the mid 90’s. It was the pandemic that had her not only thinking about her career but also about what the word legacy means: “I lost my dad during the pandemic which took a real toll on me because I could not travel to Trinidad to attend his funeral. I became transfixed on history/herstory and how our names live on after we are gone.” Woods decided to create her own legacy and donated $2000.00 to the Nova Scotia Talent Trust to establish the African Diaspora Travel Scholarship in her name. “I’m not rich by any means and have not been born with a silver spoon,” says Woods, “As a matter a fact I was kicked out of my house in High School, and as a self-employed Creative, paying bills and making ends meet was often a challenge. One thing I always had in my favour though was my administrative skills and business acumen. And it was my ability to write grants and create diversity programming, presentations, plays and arts education outreach programming that afforded me the ability to travel to other parts of the world primarily through Canada Council for the Arts. But it was my skills as a playwright that got two of my plays professionally produced by Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal. In all those instances being able to attain funding to aid in travel allowed me the chance aid in my professional development as a Creative in a way that was not always available to me where I resided. And after attending a workshop at Nova Scotia Music Week this past November that looked at the disparity and marginalization that exists in funding available to African Nova Scotian Artists… I can see that the decision and donation I made last summer made sense as an investment toward the success of the next generation.” Woods hopes to gain public interest and raise support for this scholarship so it can continue beyond the two years of her initial donation. Contributions can be made on the Anne-Marie Woods/Imani Enterprises African Diaspora Travel Scholarship donation page, or by cheque/e-transfer specifying this particular fund. About Anne-Marie Woods: Amani is an award winning multi-disciplinary artist. She is a womanist, arts educator, producer, playwright, director creative consultant with roots in London, England and Trinidad, who spent her formative years in Nova Scotia. She was voted as one of 100 Black Women in Canada to Watch, winner of the 2013 BBPA Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Entertainment and most recently with her singing group Four The Moment – winner of the Polaris Heritage Prize. For more about Anne-Marie Woods aka Amani, visit our blog or her website.  Photo credit: Linda Marie Stella MEDIA CONTACTS: Imani Enterprises C/O Anne-Marie Woods Tel : 416-706-7694 E: imanienterprises@rogers.com Andrea Urquhart, Executive Director NSTT Tel: 902-492-6801 E: director@nstalenttrust.ns.ca About Nova Scotia Talent Trust Since 1944, the Talent Trust has provided more than $2,5 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country. For more, visit our website: nstalenttrust.ns.org |
| TALENT TRUST COMMUNITY PARTNERSThe Nova Scotia Talent Trust recognizes the support of Arts Nova Scotia. We are pleased to work in partnership with the province to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.Copyright © 2022 Nova Scotia Talent Trust, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have supported NSTT in the past or have opted in at our website. Our mailing address is: Nova Scotia Talent Trust P.O Box 575, 2307 Clifton Street / 902-492-6801 Halifax, NS B3J 2R7 Canada Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
BOOKINGS, GIGS AND PRESENTATIONS
The City of Toronto Archives Presents… Beyond The Archives: Black Writers Lunch ‘n’ Learn Series
Beyond The Archives is an outreach initiative that highlights the authenticity of the City of Toronto Archives collections while connecting them to living stories, people, places and partnerships that can take the collections beyond the research hall.
Join host Anne-Marie Woods, City of Toronto Archives, alongside Rachelle Gooden, Toronto Public Library and Timaj Garad, Toronto Arts Council, for an online Lunch ‘n’ Learn series where Black writers/creatives of any genre are introduced to the City of Toronto Archival Collections, the Toronto Public Library’s Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection and Toronto Art Council’s funding resources.
Registration is required. Participants can register for one, two or three sessions.
This initiative is in partnership with the Toronto Public Library and Toronto Arts Council.
Monday, February 27, noon – 1 p.m.
Rachelle Gooden, Senior Services Specialist, Equity and Inclusion, Toronto Public Library, will highlight the many resources available at TPL, including the Digital Archives, online services, and research databases. Rachelle will show participants how to use The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star newspaper archives and share about the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection, an iconic resource 50 years in the making.
Monday, March 27, noon – 1 p.m.
Timaj Garad, Outreach and Access Program Manager, Toronto Arts Council, will lead participants through an informative and interactive one-hour session that explores funding resources, grant-writing and project planning for Black writers interested in funding their projects. Participants will also be invited to ask questions, learn about successful projects and get advice on their own grant-writing and preparation.
Monday, April 24, noon – 1 p.m.
Anne-Marie Woods, Educator for Outreach and Public Programming, City of Toronto Archives, also a playwright and poet, will introduce participants to the basic vocabulary used in archival searches. Participants will also be lead on an interactive creative writing journey using Black history images, documents and other hidden gems of the Archives collections as inspiration.
For more information, please contact archivesoutreach@toronto.ca
Booked in Tkaronto February 16, 2023
MGH INCLUSION ALLIANCE HOSTS 2023 SPEAKER EVENT SERIES FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Michael Garron Hospital’s (MGH) Inclusion Alliance and Black History Month Planning Committee would like to invite the East Toronto community to an Inclusion Alliance Speaker Event Series.
In celebration of Black History Month, join us for important conversations highlighting diverse voices and dialogue in arts, education and healthcare.
Join Amani as part of the SPEAKER EVENT #1: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 FROM 12 TO 1 P.M.
Featured Speakers: Robert R. Small and Anne-Marie Woods aka Amani
Topic: Robert will talk about the importance of African-Canadian contributions, focusing on history, societal influences, introspection, reflection and forging a path for honest dialogue.
Amani will share spoken word poetry and read from her new script called Why Black Women Whisper, which is in development.
Artist, author and educator Robert R. Small, C.M. is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader who gives speeches across Canada and delivers powerful workshops on the importance of Black history. He is the creator of the LEGACY poster, which has been a staple seen across Canada in schools, businesses and organizations for 28 years. In 2022, he was appointed to the Order of Canada for his long-standing commitment to highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of Black people in all sectors of Canadian society.
Anne-Marie (Amani) Woods is the 2013 Winner of the BBPA Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Entertainment, the Bob Marley Day Award and an East Coast Music Award. She is a creative consultant and multi-disciplinary artist known for her spoken word, arts education outreach, producing, directing, comedy and writing. In 2014 and 2015, she was the Creative Director and playwright for the Daniels Corporation Regent Park production The Journey.
Her two new youth productions Scotian Journey and The Three Friends were both on-stage in 2019. Scotian Journey had a World Premiere at Black Theatre Workshop and The Three Friends was part of the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Education Series. Her play She Said/He Said, described as a theatrical rhapsody, had a world premiere at the MAI in Montreal produced by Black Theatre Workshop in 2016 to rave reviews.
Robert Small and Anne-Marie (Amani) Woods, will bring aspects of African-Canadian history to life through their reflective messages and stories during this event.
JOIN THE WEBINAR ON FEBRUARY 16, PASSCODE: 120391 <- Link to the Webinar
Booked in Tkaronto February 11, 2023
We are excited to be working with Jamii again!
Jamii is partnering with the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association and organizing a creative writing workshop for letter writing in participation of 1000 Love Letters to the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood! Come join the workshop, led by Amani, aka Anne-Marie Woods, to complete your love letter in the most poetic way!
A little about Amani:
Amani is an award winning multi-disciplinary artist, arts educator, producer, playwright, director creative consultant, spoken word artist, singer, and lyricist. Of British origin, Trinidadian descent and spending her formative years in Nova Scotia – Toronto is now the place she calls home. Voted as one of 100 Black Women in Canada to Watch, winner of the 2013 BBPA Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Entertainment and most recently with her singing group Four The Moment – winner of the Polaris Heritage Prize.
WHEN: Saturday, February 11 at 1pm to 4pm
WHERE: The Jamii Hub @ 264 The Esplanade
Register now to show your love for our neighbourhood! www.jamii.ca/register
Don’t forget to share your #TheJamiiHub experience on Instagram! Create a post during the workshop and share it on
www.instagram.com/thejamiihub (The Jamii Hub’s new Instagram group!)
December 2022
The VIRTUAL Public Reading of ‘Why Black Women Whisper is almost here!
Imani Enterprises Presents… the ‘Why Black Women Whisper’ Virtual Public Reading
When? Sunday, December 4th at 6pm (EST)
What is needed? You will need to Register as there are limited spots available and you will also need a laptop, tablet, or desktop to view.
Estimated Show Time with Q & A approx. 2 and a 1/2 hours
You will be off camera so COME AS YOU ARE! (Bonnets welcome)😊😊😊
Cost: $10.00
Rated: PG 13 as well as for Adults and Elders
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TIX <—- Look Tickets are right here
Virtual Reading Cast:
d’Taborah Johnson
Shelley Hamilton
Dominique Brownes
Konima Parkinson-Jones
Gabrielle Cohen
Amani (Anne-Marie Woods)
About Anne-Marie Woods and ‘Why Black Women Whisper’
If you are close to playwright, poet, and creative consultant Anne-Marie Woods or Amani as many know her… you know that she’s been working on this new script for years and that plays take quit a bit of work to get from the page to the stage. Well the time is finally here to virtually find out where this piece is now.
Why Black Women Whisper is a Script in Development and thanks to funding from both Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council, Anne-Marie has been able to hold a series of development workshops in 2022. There have been various iterations of this script to date and various actors/poets/performers that have taken part. So, here’s what you should know… A reading is very different from a full production. It’s a chance for you the audience to be invited into the work in progress of a new piece of theatre. A Dramaturg is who supports the work that the playwright is doing.
Anne-Marie is currently working with Dramaturg – Alison Sealy-Smith and Assistant Music Coordinator – Rudi Quammie Williams. She also worked with two Youth Production Assistants on this version of the script – Sydnie Paris and Marissa Trott. The actors who were part of the Development Workshops Part 1 were: Shelley Hamilton, Imani Monetta James, Samantha Walkes, Manouchka Elinor and Kelisha Daley. We also had an invited guest artist, Mahlika The Moonrise Poet who did a spoken word workshop with the cast.
SISTAHS IN DA BIZ 2022
On Sunday October 23rd from 3pm – 5:30pm (EST)… Get ready for the Virtual/Interactive Business In The Arts Experience that highlights Creatives of the African Diaspora who are Boss Ladies in their industry. This year’s event will feature one Sistah from the United States making moves in the Theatre, Film and TV Industry in Toronto. Another Sistah who left her full time job to create her own PR Marketing and Communications Agency and one incredible 18 year old Sistah who is taking the world of comedy by storm. All hosted by Anne-Marie Woods aka Amani the Managing Director of Imani Enterprises and facilitated by Marissa Trott a youth creative who is a playwright and arts administrator. Get ready to learn from each of the panelists and take part in an abridged workshop that features their talents. Come prepared to ask questions, engage and network.
Join Host, Amani aka Anne-Marie Woods alongside Youth Cohost and Facilitator, Marissa Trott with guest panelists/presenters… Alicia Richardson, Precious Iz and Natassia Morris for presentations, live performances, poignant advice and an abridged workshop.
Cost: Regular Rate – $50.00 Gen Admission (Already Reduced)
Regular Rate: $40.00 for Gen Admission (Open to anyone interested in the Creative Industry, BIPOC, Artpreneurs and Entrepreneurs)
Early Bird Tickets $30.00 (Already Reduced)
$25.00 for Early Bird General Admission Tickets (Sale Starts Sept. 23rd at 5pm and ends October 8th at 11pm)
$20.00 for Youth Tickets (ages 15 – 25) (Youth Tickets go on sale September 23rd at 5pm)
Tickets and Registration take place HERE Advance Registration and Payment Required, there is a limited amount of spots and no Drop Ins.
I am a very proud Nova Scotia Talent Trust Alumna. I received a scholarship from then in 1996 and have been a supportive Creative of their initiatives for many years. They have featured Sistahs In Da Biz on their Blog Post read it here
Booked in Nova Scotia
Coming up on March 12th we will be sharing the VIRTUAL stage with some incredible performers for the Africa Festival of Arts and Culture Black History Then & Now Event. Show time is 6-8pm (Scotian Time – AST) OR 5-7pm (Toronto Time – EST) This event is FREE but you must register in advance via their Zoom Link to get a spot. I’m so excited to not only hear Amadou, one of my favourite African Drummers or El Jones a Sista Poet who always leaves you at the edge of your seat. But, I am also going to be performing some new spoken word pieces.
Booked in Toronto
Check out Sistahs In Da Biz 2021
On Saturday October 16th we held Sistahs In Da Biz a Virtual a very successful International Business In The Arts Experience.
Full Bios for Amani, Paulina, Kat, Arielle and Sydnie available here
ImaniArtsBiz.Com 