After yesterday’s press event at Ontario Place, the in/future project is generating more notice and excitement. We’re working hard on a lineup of artists that will continue the legacy of the Small World Festival as it celebrates its 15th anniversary. From September 15 – 25, over 40 performances will feature international and local artists, such as Dhol Foundation (London), Wally Badarou (Paris), Doom Squad (Toronto) and Luisa Maita (Brazil) as part of this unique arts event. More announcements to come!

Our Globetrotter monthly will take a break for summer, so Saturday is the last chance for a while to sample some of the best global dance floor action. We’re happy to welcome Montreal’s Poirier for a modern spin on the classic dancehall soundsytem! He’s bringing along MCs Face-T and Fwonte to ramp up the energy, while DJ Spyne of 40hz sound system and resident DJ medicineman round out the night.

Lots going on around town as we begin June: The annual Lulaworld program kicks off tonight to launch a couple weeks of exciting shows at one of our fave venues; Lemon Bucket Orkestra’s Counting Sheep is being remounted to big praise in the Toronto Star; and closer to home at the Small World Centre, there’s a night of funky vibes Friday as Masters of Love & Sound take the stage alongside guests beatmap & Nik Beeson.

As summer weather hits Toronto (and the Raptors head for a showdown!) we’re winding up our 14th Annual Asian Music Series, sponsored by TD Bank. It’s been a remarkable two months with some great events in partnership with premier stages across the GTA.

It comes to a close with events at the Small World Centre and Lula Lounge. On Saturday, a culture-crossing collaboration brings together a group of top-notch string players in Strings Across Asia. Erhu player Amely Zhou leads a quintet that co-mingles Chinese, Persian and Indian traditions with an eye to innovating new sounds. Finally on Sunday, we have Mekaal Hasan’s band with special guest Haniya Aslam. Among the most influential popular artists in recent Pakistani music, the two will combine for a rousing finale.  Preceding the concert, PakathonTO will host Pathways: A Pakathon Baithak featuring local poets and artists to highlight some of the social and developmental issues affecting Pakistan, with the aim of sparking conversation and change.

Speaking of Lula Lounge, our friends kick off their annual Lula World festival a next week. A great lineup will showcase some of the best local and international sounds through the first half of the month.

As dedicated Small World Music fans Early Bird Festival Passes are available to you for in/future, our 11 day spectacular of world music and multidisciplinary art at Ontario Place, September 15 – 25. These limited specially priced full-fest passes are being offered at only $70 to you until 9:59 ET on Tuesday May 31, so get them while you can!

This week our 14th Annual Asian Music Series, sponsored by TD Bank, takes over the Small World Centre with some of the best global jazz players in town. Avataar’s music has drawn comparisons to Mahavishnu Orchestra and Keith Jarrett. Hypnotic rhythms, cinematic sonic landscapes and soaring melodies marry ancient eastern and modern western sounds. Led by Sundar Viswanathan, the band is known for first-rate improvisation highlighting guitar, saxophone and vocals. The following week at the Centre, it’s cross-cultural blending with Strings Across Asia, before the series ends Sunday the 29th with Mekaal Hasan Band and Haniya Aslam at Lula Lounge.

Looking down the road, we’ve got something really special in the works for our 15th Annual Small World Festival. Some of you may be aware of in/future, a unique multidisciplinary arts festival that will open the gates of Ontario Place West Island to the public. We’re delighted to be partnering with Art Spin to realize this once-in-a-generation experience. And as newsletter subscribers, you get exclusive access to the first release of tickets!

Early Bird Festival Passes On Sale Now – in/future: a transformative art experience presented by Art Spin in partnership with Small World Music. We have a limited amount of Early Bird passes available so get them while you can.

The festival and exhibition will re-imagine Ontario Place, transforming the14-acre waterfront park from September 15 to 25. In addition to the music, over 60 of the most exciting contemporary artists and organizations from across the province will be presented in this iconic space via installations and performance. For a limited time, you’ll be able to purchase Early Bird Festival Passes, giving you entry for the entire 11 days for only $70. This is an amazing deal and as programming comes together, we’re getting more and more excited at the prospect!

A busy week, so we’ll try and keep it concise!

The big event, part of our 14th Annual Asian Music Series sponsored by TD Bank, is Abida Parveen, presented by Roy Thomson Hall and the Aga Khan Museum. I can’t remember the last time this celebrated performer appeared in town. The spiritual heir, it could be said, to the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, will take the audience on a Sufi-inspired musical journey.

Three events worth noting at the Small World Centre this week, starting tomorrow with Bruno Capinan. The singer joins forces with fellow Brazilian artists Domenico Lancellotti and Bem Gil on drums and guitar. On Friday, a tabla recital by Yogesh Samsi will showcase his remarkable way with Indian rhythm. On Saturday, it’s a global jazz groove with ZimZum featuring Ian Lazarus on saxophones, Jay Danley guitar, Colin Flint bass, Ilios Steryannis drums, Steve Vincent percussion.

Elsewhere, this weekend at Harbourfront Centre, the Toronto Tabla Ensemble is celebrating 25 years of rhythm.  The event will showcase a new generation of artists who represent the future of tabla in Canada. Original works composed by the ensemble and youth members will be presented for the first time.

And finally, if you’re vocally inclined, the annual Sing! festival hosts their Global Voices Workshop at Little Trinity Anglican Church. These participatory sessions are led by some fine voices, including our pal Suba Sankaran, on South Indian Classical Music and Hussein Janmohamed: Taking New Musical flights: sharing, combining and expanding our sonic world.