Summer’s in full musical swing and this weekend is dense with ‘hot’ sounds and beats in town and beyond. Here’s a sampling:

Future Routes at Harbourfront Centre sees performers from around the globe forge new paths and smash stereotypes while drawing on traditional roots music to create bold sounds. Among the highlights is Orlando Julius & The Afro Soundz on Saturday night. It’s also Afrofest weekend – a full slate of music takes place at Woodbine Park.

Also Saturday, our old friend Aditya Verma returns to town from Montreal for a sarod recital presented by Raag Mala. It must be close to 15 years since Small World put on our first concert with Adi and we’ve both aged well! He performs at the SVBF Hall in Etobicoke.

Out of town, Sunfest takes over London this weekend. This free one‐stop travel portal transports patrons around the globe, thanks to more than 30 of the world’s most iconic performers and over 300 exhibitors. Close by, the Kultrún World Music Festival features a ticketed opening gala Friday and two days of free live music at Kitchener’s Victoria Park.

Next Wednesday: a note-worthy event at Lula Lounge. Betsayda Machado is a fantastic group of singers and drummers out of an isolated village in Venezuela. Not only has the ensemble not toured before, they’d basically never left their village. So, it’s a pretty special opportunity to witness something truly original and deeply rooted.

Tonight, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival presents Devil’s Tale featuring Adrian Raso and Fanfare Ciocarlia with Lemon Bucket Orkestra. We have a pair of tickets for our newsletter readers! The first responder to adam@smallworldmusic.com gets to party!

Fanfare’s eastern funk groove has torn up halls and festivals across the planet, delivering the wildest parties, the phattest Balkan beats and the deepest Gypsy soul. This should be quite a night! Check out the video from their appearance at our festival a few years ago.

The jazz continues on the weekend with Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, described by the legendary Quincy Jones as ‘one of the most prolific and gifted jazz pianists of the 21st century’, with a sound that cross pollinates his Cuban tradition with the cultures he has experienced throughout his musical journeys.

Also on Saturday as part of Pride celebrations, Middle Eastern culture is showcased with a headliner we presented a while back. Mashrou’ Leila is among the most compelling and provocative bands in the Arabic world, earning international praise for their unparalleled sound, unflinching sociopolitical convictions, and searing live performances.

More tidbits on the in/future front. A good reason to take advantage Single Day Any Day passes for in/future – on Chilean Independence Day, September 18th, the festival will present one of that country’s premier musical exports as Nano Stern and his group perform. A great celebration is anticipated.

Speaking of celebrating, happy Canada Day weekend!

in/future update! We are now offering Festival Passes and Single Day Any Day tickets for our new world music + art festival at Ontario Place.  Youth/Senior/Student pricing is also available.

In our ongoing look at the best of summer events,  this evening at the Hearn as part of Luminato, Music in the Barns presents Sounds of Extinction. The Toronto Star preview made it look pretty compelling.

It won’t be long till the city will be in the midst of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and a week from today, one of the great Gypsy brass bands returns to town. Fanfare Ciocarlia has won fans around the world with their eastern funk groove, relentless energy and ingenuity, tearing up halls and festivals across the planet. The night begins with Lemon Bucket Orkestra opening.

Speaking of the seemingly ubiquitous Lemon Bucket band, they’ll kick it up at Roy Thomson Hall’s Live on the Patio program tomorrow evening. A great way to enjoy the longest days of the year!

As we approach the solstice, there’s an abundance of great music coming our way in and around Toronto. To help you find some of the best, we’ve highlighted our picks of the ‘Top Sounds of the Summer‘ in our Community Events list. From Harbourfront Centre to Bollywood in Mississauga and Sunfest in London, there’s something to satiate anyone’s live music needs.

Some of these events coming soon include this weekend’s Indigenous Arts Festival at Fort York. This is a great, family-friendly program for a sunny weekend, celebrating National Aboriginal Day with an outdoor powwow Saturday afternoon.

Next Wednesday, as part of Luminato, the people from Music in the Barns present Song of Extinction at the Hearn Generating Station. A multi-disciplinary work that explores the impact of humanity on the ecosystem, it promises a unique immersive experience.

Speaking of unique experiences, our in/future project will be just that come September and you have one day left to get early bird tickets at the special $80 price. Festival passes go up tomorrow and single day tickets will be on sale for $30+ soon.