Alicia's September Picks

Alicia has been with Likely in some iteration since day one! She created our first wallpaper in 2013 and became an employee of Likely in 2016 after helping out throughout our 2015 holiday season. Alicia will be leaving us to focus on her art practice full time this October and we'll miss her terribly but we are over the moon for her growth. An artist whose work impacts us daily, you can find moments of Alicia's elements throughout this websites emblems and within our brick & mortar. Browse her Likely favourites below!

 

Playlist most often played in-store: COMO LA FLOR W/ JAZMIN
Recommended community organization to support: Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction Most memorable Likely moment: Being asked to make and install a custom screenprinted wallpaper for the shop.

Brooke's September Picks

Brooke is the owner of Likely General, selecting artists and makers to work with within the shop and gallery, as well as programming workshops and events. She is also a poet and musician, studying end of life care since 2017.

 

Favourite shop music: Forever listening to Zakia via Questing on NTS or, a favourite daily adventure, The Do!! You!!! Breakfast Show with Charlie Bones. I also love making playlists: Synonyms of Beauty.

 

Community organization to support: I recently began doing deliveries for the Parkdale Foodbank, an organization that Likely donates to monthly. The Parkdale Community Foodbank works tirelessly to help our community and they could always use fresh produce and donations. Regular donations to Sistering & Community Fridges are a top priority as well.

 

Favourite Likely General memory: I love our annual Kids Art Show. Seeing bright minds under 12 support each other without competition to raise money for a cause of their choice reminds me to listen, to slow down, to trust in every process, to lean into our source of real hope for the future - the kids, and their ideas.

 


Justine's September Picks

Justine started at Likely in October of 2020. We were lucky enough to host her work in the gallery at the same time. A dear longtime friend, Justine is a powerful compassionate force here at the shop and we're so grateful for her presence.

Favourite playlist to play in the shop:
My go-to is a Spotify playlist called Liming, which is an extensive ongoing collection of music from Brooklyn based Sudanese-American artist Ahmed of Sinkane (@sinkane). Ahmed adds to this mix every week and has everything on it from John Prine to François Hardy to William Onyeabor. It's really endless, has introduced me to a lot of great musicians, and always puts me in a good mood. Hear it here: Liming Playlist

Community Organization in Toronto you admire:
Native Arts Society, lead by Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction is an organization I find really beautiful. They are an Indigenous 2S/Queer/Trans collective working hard right now to crowd source funds to open a gallery space and studio this fall. This space would highlight the works of some of the Indigenous unhoused folks in our city and help advocate for fair pricing for their art. The studio would be a safe space to build community and promote healing through art. Keep an eye out for one of their amazing art raffles! 

Memorable Likely moment:
Having the privilege to showcase my stained glass work and short film I created, Emotional Armour in the Likely General Gallery space for the month of October in 2020. Which was also the month I conveniently started working in the shop! I had created a series of wearable stained glass pieces, half of which were in Iceland for a group exhibition that I couldn't attend, that Brooke kindly invited me to share in the shop. In the short window of time between lockdowns when we were open to the public I got to shyly sit back and watch folks come in and experience my work. Very memorable and very meaningful. 

Mo's September Picks

Melissa (she/her) is a longtime employee of Likely and damn, do we love her! Always playing the music of friends and channelling east coast energy. Check out Mo's picks below!

Favourite album to play in the shop: The Breeders, Last Splash

 

Favourite playlist to play in the shop:  NTS LIQUID MIRROR W/ OLIVE KIMOTO

 

Favourite community organization:  Food Share 

 

Favourite Likely memory: Even before I worked at Likely, I always loved how versatile and inviting the space was. I remember fondly an evening where Jennifer Castle performed an intimate set after the store closed. "There's new colours/peach, lavender, emerald, alizeran and black" rings even truer at Likely. We all sat cross legged on the floor quietly absorbing the music. The space was filled with a beautiful tenderness. Whether it's a store, gallery show, workshop or concert, the space is always buzzing with potential and ready to take shape.

Mashal's September Picks

Mashal is a longtime customer of Likely but a new employee as of this month. A beautiful spirit, advocate, musician, poet, and friend, we are so grateful to welcome them to the Likely fam. Shop her favourites below! 

 

Favourite Shop Music: So far, the playlist that I made Eternal Evolution and Alicia's favourite NTS Playlist that she introduced me to: COMO LA FLOR W/ JAZMIN

Community Organizations I love:

Favourite Likely Memory: A couple of weeks ago after a long day at work, I visited Likely. I was in a really anxious and burnt-out headspace. I was brushed with Justine's sweet, validating energy and we ended up having a long, wonderful conversation about revelationary life experiences in our lives, in our relationships to ourselves and others, as well finding a workplace that fits your values. Fast forward to today, I now work here among very talented and loving individuals. I love this space and everyone I work with & that conversation will always hold space in my heart.


 

Salina's September Picks

Salina is a long time customer but new employee of the shop as of this month. She is incredibly caring with infectious energy and possesses a keen and awakened artistic eye. We're so lucky to have her in our sphere. 

Favourite playlists for the store: Sade all day! 

Recommended community organization to support: ESN Toronto (Encampments Support Network) 

Memorable Likely moment: Meeting Brooke for the first time at Likely was a moment I'll never forget. How she creates such a welcoming environment and treats everyone that enters as friends in her home makes the space so special for the whole community.