We welcome the promise of May with our third Globetrotter event, Saturday night. Part of Small World’s 14th Annual Asian Music Series, sponsored by TD Bank, we’re delighted to bring Adham Shaikh back to Toronto from his BC home. The ‘Basswala’ as he’s known, will weave his unique mix of organic and electronic sounds into global music tapestries that evoke ancient spirits anchored by modern beats. Joined by resident DJ medicineman, and opening guest Davey Boom, the night will take the audience on a sonic journey via the dance floor

Next week’s big concert, presented by the Aga Khan Museum and Roy Thomson Hall, showcases one of Pakistan’s premier artists in Abida Parveen. Tickets for this remarkable event are going fast, but some are still available here.

In keeping with a South Asian theme, our friends at Raag Mala have an event this weekend. Santoor player Shreyas Ambikar is joined by Ravi Naimpally on tabla, as well as vocal recital by Arshad Ali Khan.

This week our 14th Annual Asian Music Series sponsored by TD Bank resumes. with events in Markham and North York. Tomorrow, Thursday evening, Kiran Ahluwalia returns home. The two-time Juno-winner, presented by Flato Markham Theatre, will showcase a unique hybrid of Indian and Pakistani grooves, Saharan blues and jazz that the  Washington Post called ‘austerely lovely’.

On Friday at the Aga Khan Museum, Shujaat Khan and Ramneek Singh team up for what should be a beautiful concert, part of their Great Poets Series. The master sitarist and singer interpret the poetry of beloved Sufi masters. Shujaat’s musical pedigree goes back seven generations, while Ramneek’s presentation style that has won her much acclaim.

Looking toward next week, our monthly Globetrotter series stays with the Indo theme, when The Basswala returns! (I love that name!). Adham Shaikh makes the trip from the west coast Saturday May7th to take the audience on a deep sonic journey via the dance floor.

This weekend at the Small World Centre, a fundraiser in support of music education in Tanzania takes place. The Bridging Worlds Through Music Fundraiser features singer/songwriter Giselle Janette, the pop/rock song stylings of Christie Ulicny plus The Roaming Coyotes, all in support of the Canadian African Partnership Network.

A great weekend of music from two of our presenting associates brings remarkable sounds and images to stage. On, Saturday at Koerner Hall, Los Lobos, the legendary ‘wolves’ of Latin music present their ‘Disconnected’ show. The concert is sold out, but there are generally a handful of rush seats available the evening of the show.

The same evening, another sold out event uptown has Ukraine’s DakhaBrakha performing at the Aga Khan Museum. The following day, on Sunday afternoon, you can still get tickets for a special presentation with the band, doing a live film soundtrack. ‘Earth’, Aleksandr Dovzhenko’s 1930 silent film, has long been recognized – alongside Battleship Potemkin by Sergei Eisenstein – as one of the great Soviet-era films. This Toronto premiere combines its power with a score performed live by DakhaBrakha.

Our Asian Music Series resumes next week, with some great music on tap. More to come soon!

With a three-night kick off at three of the GTA’s premier venues, the 14th Annual Asian Music Series got off to a great start. A good number of attendees used our Explorer Passes to get multiple, discounted admissions and thanks to all who bought into the idea. There are still plenty of good reasons to grab a pass, as the Series picks up later in the month and continues to the end of May, with some superb concerts.

Our friends at Koerner Hall and the Aga Khan Museum both have terrific programs coming up. Two great global acts – the legendary Los Lobos and Ukraine’s DakhaBrakha are on next weekend, the latter including a live film soundtrack performance on Sunday afternoon.

Word of our plans for the 15th Annual Small World Festival have been leaking out in bits and bites so some of you are aware of our partnership with the Art Spin crew for a massive multi-arts festival at Ontario Place in mid-September. ‘in/Future’ is going to be a truly unique experience that we anticipate will generate a big buzz. We’re taking this opportunity to offer our community a chance to get involved in an open call for submissions. Musical artists with a global outlook are encouraged to apply here and maybe you’ll find yourself on stage in/Future!