Why do food and performance so often go hand and hand? Examining two unique projects, MABELLEpantry in Toronto and Embrace in Whitehorse/Winnipeg, this podcast interviews artists and community advocates about the essential role of food in their communities and practices. Members of MABELLEarts speak to a food pantry program that began as a response to COVID-19 related food insecurity. Designed as an artful, inviting and playful farmer’s market, MABELLEpantry provides community connection and affordable food to vulnerable community members. Winnipeg artist Hazel Venzon of UNIT Productions is also featured describing her project Embrace which weaves together cooking lessons, karaoke and stories of immigration. Exploring her own roots as a Filipino Canadian, Venzon engaged the Filipino communities in Whitehorse to understand what brought them to the Yukon and was surprised to discover that preparing food was a means by which to learn and share those stories.

Featured Speakers:

Leah Houston - Executive Director of MABELLEarts

Elizabeth Rucker - Director of Co-creation at MABELLEarts

Ayal Dinner - Former Pantry Co-ordinator at MABELLEarts

Hazel Venzon - Co-founder of UNITogether Productions

Featured Music:

Aaron Collier

Callum Gaudet