"Archives of the Heart": A Night of Poetic Resonance and Community Connection at Happy Hands

It’s a beautiful feeling to have people gather with a common purpose – to enjoy a night of poetry and music, express their thoughts and feelings, and connect with one another. Here at Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio, our recent “Archives of the Heart” Poetry Open Mic & Networking Night embodied this sentiment perfectly. As Angelica, your event coordinator, I’m still feeling the ripple effects of such a profound and inspiring evening.

“Archives of the Heart” refers to the emotional records we carry within us — the memories, relationships, and experiences that shape who we are but often remain unspoken. For this special poetry open mic theme, we created a welcoming sanctuary where nearly 40 attendees could speak what has long been unsaid, trace the outlines of their private histories, and honor the emotional artifacts that memory alone has kept alive. It was truly a full house of heartfelt expression, a testament to the power of shared vulnerability and artistic resilience.

A Journey Through the Heart with Incredible Talent

The evening, held on May 30th from 7 PM to 9 PM, was expertly guided by our two phenomenal hosts, Maya Ali (@mayakhodrali) and Ramneek Panchi (@ramneek_panchi). They not only introduced the spoken word event but also graced us with their own deeply moving performances. Adding another layer of serene beauty to the night, Sebby and Bona provided enchanting cello music throughout the show, weaving a rich tapestry of sound around the spoken word.

The poetry night began with the immensely talented Maya Ali, a poet, artist, and designer based in Toronto. Maya performed a few of her pieces, including “Let Me Love You,” “Postcard,” and “Hopeless,” offering us a glimpse into her romantic side and intricate mind. Her poetry delves into passion and pleasure, romance and heartbreak, pain, healing, and transformation. During her performance, it felt as though we were lost in time from past to present as she tells us about what partnership meant to her. “Let me love you with my noetic mind. Let me love you with my poetic words” – Maya Ali.

Voices of Resilience and Connection

After Maya’s captivating performance, the first round of open mic performers began. Each individual bravely stepped forward, expressing their hearts with poems that touched upon journeys of love, political tensions, transformation, mindfulness, and healing through poetry. Every brave sharing was met with warm snaps and appreciative applause from the supportive audience, creating an atmosphere of genuine encouragement and solidarity.

We then took a refreshing 20-minute break. During this time, we enjoyed a round of “We’re Not Really Strangers,” sparking meaningful connections and lighthearted fun. Attendees also took the opportunity to grab refreshments, enjoy some delicious food, and browse the vibrant merch table. This mini-marketplace featured an array of creative expression, including paintings, prints, books, jewelry, and ceramics, showcasing the diverse talents within our community artsphere.

Once everyone had settled back in, Ramneek Panchi began her performance, delivering words full of emotion that resonated deeply and will undoubtedly be engraved into our hearts. Ramneek shared how, growing up, she struggled to make sense of the world, human nature, and her cultural identity, ultimately turning to the arts as a way to explore and understand these complexities. During her performance, we got to see a glimpse of lovely poetry, each one inviting the viewer into her journey. One particular moving part was when she said, “Falling in love with you was never falling at all. It was a hug to my heart that reassured me that Not everything was meant to fall apart.” A truly heartwarming moment followed when her boyfriend dedicated and performed a poem based on her name – a pure embodiment of love and connection in that very moment.

The second round of performers continued to enrich the night with even more soul, expression, and community engagement, proving that the “Archives of the Heart” run deep within us all. Similar to our past open mic event, “Love and Loss,” we were once again met with a sense of connection to one another as we shared our feelings and experiences (read about the last open mic here).

A Peaceful Close and Future Possibilities

As the night drew to a close, we ended with a simple guided meditation. This allowed everyone to settle into their minds, bodies, and emotions – offering a precious time and space to reconnect with themselves after such a potent evening of shared experience. People left feeling refreshed by the end of the night and eager to learn about future events. At Happy Hands, what we aim for is to create an inclusive and supportive space for connection within the community, with other creatives, and beyond, embracing each individual.

Overall, organizing another event at Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio was a truly rewarding experience, and I eagerly anticipate many more in the future. We are so proud to be a hub for creative expression and community building in Brampton art events. For more inspiring classes or upcoming events, be sure to visit our Events Page. And if you’re keen to dive deeper into the world of art, explore more of our insightful blog posts!

Angelica Candido is an event coordinator, painter, and author. For “Archives of the Heart,” she organized the show, securing the hosts and musicians.

Thank you for being a part of the Happy Hands Community – together, we continue to foster a space where creativity thrives and hearts connect.