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Collective Study Presents k-os Joyful Rebellion

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 · 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.·Toronto Public Library - Palmerston Branch·Free
Collective Study Presents k-os Joyful Rebellion event
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Date

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Time

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Venue

Toronto Public Library - Palmerston Branch

Address

560 Palmerston Ave, Toronto, ON M6G 2P7, Canada

Join a thought-provoking exploration of k-os' seminal album, "Joyful Rebellion," at the Palmerston Branch of the Toronto Public Library. This unique "Collective Study" event, led by acclaimed artist, writer, and designer Ian Kamau, positions the album as a vital "sonic theory of Black Canada," challenging conventional categories and celebrating Black creative freedom.

Kamau, a distinguished visitor at the University of Toronto, will guide attendees through a lecture, listening session, and open discussion, dissecting how "Joyful Rebellion" masterfully blends genres and crafts its own language for cultural belonging. The event aims to re-examine the album's enduring lessons, exploring its role in resisting fixed expectations of Black Canadian identity and fostering a more nuanced understanding of Black creativity in the country.

This free event invites both long-time fans and newcomers to listen with fresh ears, appreciating the album's layered complexities and its contribution to a plural, improvised, and ever-evolving Black Canadian narrative. The Palmerston Branch, nestled in the vibrant Annex neighbourhood, provides an accessible and welcoming space for this important cultural dialogue. It's an excellent opportunity to engage with critical ideas about music, identity, and community, and perhaps discover new perspectives on a Canadian classic.

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