'The show must go on': Honey Jam turns 30 amid financial challenges
Non-profit will have special concert at Massey Hall Wednesday
A Toronto-based non-profit celebrating a milestone this year says they are facing a significant shortfall that could put the program in jeopardy.
Launched in 1995, Honey Jam has mentored young emerging Canadian female artists with workshops, educational programs, vocal and performance coaching, and opportunities to perform and network in a safe space.
Honey Jam will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Wednesday with a special concert at Massey Hall showcasing 17 Canadian artists.
The program's founder and executive director says the anniversary reflects the community's determination and perseverance.
"I don't know of any other program like what we're doing that's free, that's non-profit, that is women-centred, and part of why it was started as women-centred 30 years ago was to create a safe space," said Ebonnie Rowe.
However, Rowe says the milestone comes during a financially challenging year for the program due to U.S. President Donald Trump's dismantling of DEI initiatives and tariffs.
She says she committed to doing the anniversary concert at Massey Hall before the U.S. elections, without knowing that the expenses would rise and some of her usual sponsors would back out due to economic uncertainty.
'Forever sisterhood without the traveling pants'
But the show must go on, Rowe says.
"You don't get to 30 years if you're the type of person who gives up and says 'boohoo' and goes and cries in a corner, so the show must go on. I need all those tickets sold, though, so I'm not washing dishes at Massey Hall for 20 years," she said.
She says that while the future of Honey Jam as it exists in its current iteration is at risk, the sisterhood is forever.
"It's the forever sisterhood without the traveling pants," she said. "We will have our website, our socials, and our social media platforms forever."
Honey Jam alumni include Nelly Furtado, Jully Black, Lu Kala, Melanie Fiona, Savannah Ré, and Haviah Mighty.
Rowe says seeing her alumini's growth makes her feel like a "proud momma."
"I don't have any children of my own, so I feel very protective, and when I'm scrolling through social media, I literally have whiplash at 'oh my God, you're doing what? You won that award? You're touring with who? You're going to Paris for what?' So I'm very, very proud of all that they've accomplished," she said.
Alumni says program was a personal growth
Alternative soul artist Fafiélla is one of Honey Jam's alumnus. She says she joined the program in 2022, and it was a great opportunity to connect with other women in the industry.
She says the program was a "personal growth" for her, and she still applies the lessons she learned from it in her career.
"Having that mentorship and guidance really showed me that I have to communicate and I have to be very strict and stern on my boundaries, my standards, what I offer, my value," said Fafiélla.
Losing the program would be a huge loss, she says.
"Honey Jam is a women's space. It's for a female artist. I think losing such a big platform in the city that supports women of colour or women at all in the music industry would be a huge loss," said Fafiélla.
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With files from Britnei Bilhete