Devised and Performed by Velvet Wells (Velvet Duke Productions) for the 2021 Primetime Festival
“dJerald the Djinn is the definition of people-pleaser — working around the clock to grant wishes to make others happy. Unfortunately, an impending deadline for a million-wish contract threatens his chance at retiring. Help is only a wish away.“
Through humorous songs and storytelling, Djinn Joint explores Velvet’s inner conflict between people-pleasing and erasing the “magical Black man” trope.
Djinn Joint is a musical, all ages, audience interactive adventure in the world of genies, developed and starring Velvet Wells. There are many ways for you to participate!
Velvet Wells is a Black, autistic, queer velvet-voiced entertainer from Toronto. He wrote and performed “Personal Demon Hunter” at the Toronto Fringe Festival and Victoria Fringe Festival (2019) and “Personal Demon Hunter: Divine and Conquer” as part of Fringelivestream (2020).
Media Engagement
Reviews
“A charming premise for a compelling show” (Parton and Pearl)
“Velvet Wells dazzles in Toronto Fringe Festival show ‘DJINN JOINT.’ A very memorable experience” (The Cord)
“The songs are improvised and short and delightful. Charming and it’s suitable for the entire family” (Mooney on Theatre)
“Wells’ voice is undeniably soothing and the created space feels very warm and accepting” (Istvan Reviews)
Interviews with Velvet Wells
Kelly & Company (AMI Audio) – Velvet introduces the Primetime Festival and Djinn Joint during the live arts check in segment (Replay of 11/02/2021, 14 minutes)
SesayArts Magazine (Arpita Ghosal) – Velvet shared their thoughts on improvising a light musical comedy with important underlying themes. (11/2021)
Featuring the Djinn Joint artwork (Velvet Wells)
NOW Magazine – The best things to do in Toronto this weekend: October 29-31
TO Times – Toronto Fringe lineup announced for New Primetime Festival
Djinn Joint Audience Testimonials
Audience members were able to write testimonials in a Gather.town app after the show:
“Am I saying Velvet is an actual magical being? Yes!”
Stephanie Rae
“The coolest and most accessible show curation I’ve ever seen.”
Peter Chiykowski
About the Primetime Festival (2021)
The Primetime Festival, presented by Toronto Fringe, featured five digital theatrical experiences. The goal of this festival was to provide financial support and a producing platform to Fringe artists who were ready to offer digital, interactive experiences to audiences. The festival ran from October 28 through November 30, 2021.
Tickets started at CAD$5 and pay what you can upward from there. There was a CAD$3.50 order fee and you signed up to the the Toronto Fringe Festival site to complete the ticket order request.
Djinn Joint had five (5) performances, plus a preview and dress rehearsal.
| Show schedule and tickets (festival is over) | Accessibility Walkthrough (video: 9m13) |
| Make a Wish (Your wishes were granted at the performance you attended!) | Memorabilia Get Velvet Duke Productions merchandise (this show and others) |
| Djinn Joint theatre program (PDF) | Djinn Joint press release (PDF) |
Velvet Duke Productions 