Two sweet events to launch us into the new year, starting with sultry Brazilian sounds at the Small World Centre on Friday. In his music, Toronto-based, Bahia, Brazil ex-pat Bruno Capinan confronts the challenges faced by the LGBT community in his homeland. Threads of celebration mix with longing for acceptance via samba, bossa nova, and Tropicália influences. His recent CD, Divina Graça has won praise internationally and we’re pleased to have him back.

The following night, we’re back in Kensington Market, at Round. On the heals of a truly inspiring December party, Globetrotter soars into its 2nd year with a sense of celebration and a spirit of cooperation. For the event, dubbed Convergence, we’ve invited some fellow promoter friends onboard – Lovelution’s J Roy and SUMA’s Kristian Sunflower mix up some slinky, bassy beats, alongside resident DJ medicineman and the decor of Calabra.

Last call for marketing mavens! As previously mentioned, Small World is hiring and time to apply is coming to a close. If you love world music (well, that much we can assume!) and have interest and experience in cultural marketing, take a look here before January 16th!

Bruno Capinan – Vicente

Happy winter solstice! It only gets brighter from here!

Looking beyond the holidays, our friend Bruno Capinan returns to the Small World Centre on January 6th, for the Toronto launch of his new album ‘Divina Graça’. Based here and in Rio, Bruno already has two records released, with music that blends traditional Brazilian rhythms with a sophisticated palette of sounds and influences. It’s a combination that has earned Capinan widespread positive  reviews and taken him to stages around the globe.

That same weekend, Globetrotter returns to Round in Kensington Market. The December version was packed with sinuous dancers slinking their way into the wee hours, and we’re looking forward to more great grooves with DJ medicineman and guests in 2017.

If you’re still looking for last-minute gifting ideas, you can’t go wrong with tickets to the great Goran Bregovic, who plays Massey Hall March 4th. A party is on tap whenever he hits the stage with his Wedding and Funeral Band!

From all of us here at Small World – Kayla, Jeff, Adam, Reza and Rodrigo, plus Gizmo the office cat, and myself – best wishes for Christmas, or the holiday of your choosing, as well as a wonderfully musical new year!

Some gorgeous sounds to warm up your evening on Friday at the Small World Centre, called the Ancient Waves of the New Age. Inspired by traditions of Greece, Iran and India, this quartet captures the rich diverse culture of our city. Poems of Rumi set to beautiful maqams and raags, explore the common ancestry of these musics and journey towards a new common language. The band is Pejman Zahedian on setar, percussionist Naghmeh Farahmand, Justin Gray on bass vina and Demetrios Petsalakis on oud.

Looking into the new year, today’s big announcement is… Goran Bregovic returns to Toronto on March 4th! And we have an exclusive Pre-Sale for newsletter subscribers. When grabbing tickets, use the code GORAN for access to tickets.

The trans-Balkan musical extravaganza that is Goran Bregovic and his Wedding and Funeral Band has been dubbed a “musical spectacle unlike anything else on stage” (San Francisco Chronicle). The astounding group features killer Gypsy brass players and Bulgarian vocalists all led by legendary guitarist and composer Bregovic.

Lastly, a bit of internal news. Small World is hiring! If you’re a marketing expert with the right stuff, check out the job posting here before January 16th!

Ancient Waves of the New Age

We’re looking forward to this weekend’s Globetrotter event. It’s going to be a cracking party, featuring the Toronto debut of two of the buzz acts in global electronica.

CloZee is a Toulouse-based producer of ‘glitch-hop’, a quirky post hip-hop electronic sound characterized by funky grooves, syncopated rhythms, world-music instruments and an array of sampled noises. Informed by the sounds of Bonobo, eDit, and Amon Tobin, she’s known for cinematic soundscapes that have taken her to premier events including festivals like Coachella, with music that sounds at home anywhere, always dreamlike and a little out of place.

The night also features electronic producer Psymbionic, who explores the range of multi-tempo Bass Music, turning non-traditional sound design and infectious rhythms into dance floor heat. Of course, resident groove-ologist DJ medicineman and the evocative decor of our partners at Calabra round out what should be a memorable night to launch us into December!

For a very different experience, the weekend also offers a glimpse of the richness of modern Chinese culture and a chance to discover some of its leading contemporary artists. The Sony Centre presents Enchanting China, featuring a dazzling 60-piece orchestra and renowned singer Gong Linna alongside special guests including the Ottawa Bach Choir. We have two FREE pairs of tickets for this extravaganza. The third & fourth replies to adam@smallworldmusic.com take ’em!

CloZee and Psymbionic Saturday, December 3rd!