Buy Tickets

Presented by Geneva Centre for Autism

UNSCRIPTED:
An Evening with Jully Black

 

JUNO Award winner and Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee, Jully Black, takes the stage for an unscripted conversation led by 3 autistic panelists: Robbie, Rick and Roshanak. 
Second City alum, Nigel Downer, leads off the night with a live improv performance.

 

Get Tickets

 



• Thursday, November 12, 2026

• Doors open 6:30 pm

• Event start time 7:30-9:30 pm

• Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
• $50 per ticket, all-in pricing
• Casual dress
 


Content coming soon.

The Twist:
It’s Completely UNSCRIPTED.

There's no concert and no red carpet. It's Jully Black sitting down for a candid, unscripted conversation,
designed and led by Roshanak, Robbie, and Rick.

Toronto comedian and Second City Alum, Nigel Downer, opens the show with a live improv performance.

 

newspaper icon

Unscripted and unrehearsed

Only the panelists know what’s coming.

newspaper icon

Led By Autistic Voices

Robbie, Rick, and Roshanak design and ask the questions, not a publicist.

newspaper icon

Hosted With Heart

Expect good energy and plenty of laughs with host, Nigel Downer.

evening icon

Improv Comedy

Nigel leads a live improv performance to kick off the night.

How The Night Unfolds

6:30 pm

 

Doors Open
Grab a drink at the cash bar and browse the artisan market, featuring autistic artists and makers.

7:30 pm

 

Take Your Seat

The Event Begins: Second City alum, Nigel Downer, leads a live improv performance, every scene made up on the spot.

The Conversation: Jully Black takes the stage along with the panel: Rick, Robbie, and Roshanak, to answer questions only they know are coming.  Nigel moderates, and the unscripted conversation goes where the panel takes it.  We may even be lucky enough to hear an impromptu song from Jully.

9:30 pm

 

Event Ends


Come exactly as you are.

Meet Jully Black

The voice you know.

Jully Black is a multi-JUNO Award winner, a platinum-selling recording artist, and a Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee, named one of CBC Music’s “25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever.”  Off stage, Jully is a wellness advocate, a philanthropist, and a sought-after speaker. 

/site_files/content/images/unscripted-landing-page/jully-headshot.jpg
/site_files/content/images/unscripted-landing-page/nigel-downer.jpg

Hosted By Nigel Downer

Nigel Downer is one of Toronto’s most recognizable comedic faces, a Second City alum and co-creator of the award-winning series Bit Playas, winner of a Canadian Screen Award for its writing. You may also know him from Ghosts, Baroness von Sketch Show, or a national commercial.

Nigel brings warmth and quick wit to everything he does, and this night is no exception.

The Panelists: Robbie, Rick, and Roshanak

Robbie Tanco


Robbie Tanco (he/him)
 

Robbie was diagnosed with autism at 15 months, and Robbie's family was told he might never speak. Robbie's first words came at age five, and they were sung. Today Robbie is a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Vaughan, with perfect pitch, a new single, and performances and galas across the GTA. Robbie plays piano and guitar, writes pop, soft rock and R&B, and is working toward his own sold-out show.

In Robbie's words: "I want to inspire others to follow their dreams and believe in themselves."

@robbie_tanco

Rick Peckham


Rick Peckham (he/him)
 

Rick is an graduate of Geneva Centre for Autism and has spent years in front of audiences as an MC and public speaker. Rick has worked as an extra on film and TV sets, trained in Acting One at Second City and has taken voice-over lessons. On November 12, Rick is excited to be the one asking the questions instead of hosting.

Roshanak Aktefan


Roshanak (she/her)
 

Roshanak is a queer Iranian-Canadian singer-songwriter, based in Toronto.  Her music draws on life as an autistic artist. Roshanak works at Unity Charity, a youth-focused arts organization, where she supports finance and studio coordination. She also facilitates creative writing circles that welcome queer and neurodivergent participants.

Roshanak is coming to the panel to talk about stories, creativity and what autistic people accomplish.


@roshanakmusic_

Come As You Are. All Welcome

$50 Tickets, all in pricing


We want this night to be something everyone can say yes to. Casual dress means exactly that: come in jeans, come in your favourite outfit, whatever makes you comfortable.

If you need an accommodation to fully enjoy the evening, reach out to us ahead of time at unscripted@autism.net and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
 

Get Tickets

Frequently Asked Questions
 

No. This is a separately ticketed evening, open to everyone. No Symposium ticket required.

This isn't a concert but it is unscripted so we can hope for an impromptu song. 

Doors open early so you can enjoy the cocktail reception and artisan market before the conversation begins at 7:30. The bar is cash bar, pay-as-you-go.

The show runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the reception and artisan market.

Casual. Come as you are.

The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel is accessible. If you need an accommodation to fully enjoy the evening, email us ahead of time at unscripted@autism.net and we'll do our best to make it happen.

Every ticket purchased directly supports Geneva Centre for Autism Foundation and the Geneva Centre for Autism's clinical and recreational programs for autistic children, youth, and adults across the Greater Toronto Area. Geneva Centre for Autism has proudly worked with the autism community for more than 50 years.

Refunds are not available. Tickets are transferable.

About Geneva Centre For Autism

For more than 50 years, Geneva Centre for Autism has provided clinical and recreational programs for autistic children, youth, and adults across the Greater Toronto Area. This event is presented by Geneva Centre for Autism to bring the wider community together for one memorable night.

 

One Night Only. Tickets $50