Three amazing events presented by three of the GTA’s finest venues mark the beginning of the 14th Annual Asian Music Series. We’re delighted to be partnering with them to bring two months of superb programming from across the Asian cultural landscape.

Tonight’s concert by Anoushka Shankar at Koerner Hall is sold out – not surprising given her status as one of the preeminent global music artists. There may be a few rush seats available, but you can also consider Thursday at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, where a top-notch trio offers three traditions featuring shamisen, taiko and folk song. The series heads to Markham on Saturday night as the Flato Markham Theatre hosts Wu Man & the Shanghai Quartet in an exquisite evening of ancient meets modern in Chinese strings.

Also this weekend, a worthy fundraiser takes place at Eastminster United Church. ‘Making the Rent 2‘ features Persian, Sudanese and Syrian music to raise funds for sponsoring refugee families from the middle east. The concert will be performed by percussionist Naghmeh Farahmand, multi-instrumentalist Waleed Abdulhamid, and singer Nawras Nader.

April is coming, the buds are budding and music is blooming – Uproot Andy is promising to be the party of the week. Advance tickets are still on sale for Saturday night at Round. The grooves will be sweet with Andy and resident DJ medicineman pairing up for a night of rhythmic delights!

Next Wednesday, Koerner Hall presents the kickoff event of our 14th Annual Asian Music Series – Anoushka Shankar. One of the most compelling figures in contemporary music of any genre, the sitarist and composer has built on her great father’s legacy to win her own fans worldwide. The concert is pretty much sold out, but you may still find a few of our ‘Explorer Bundles‘ available that feature her concert alongside other selections, all at very attractive prices.

The following night, the Series moves uptown to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre for Tsumugu – a trio of musicians bringing a cross-section of Japanese traditions to town.

If you want to get an early start on all things musically Asian, this weekend has two destinations – Saturday at Harbourfront Centre, the Nagata Shachu taiko group will join forces with Canada’s premiere percussion ensemble TorQ. These acclaimed groups will combine traditional Japanese drums with Western percussion in an exiting mash up of musical traditions. And, the Aga Khan Museum hosts concerts by Raag Maala, featuring sitar and vocal on Saturday, with sarangi and vocal in afternoon raags on Sunday.

Lastly, our friends Drone Doctor do their monthly music meditation at the Small World Centre on Sunday evening. A lovely musical way to finish the weekend.

The 14th Annual Asian Music Series is coming up fast and our Explorer Ticket Packages are the perfect way to experience it. Choose from one of six curated concert bundles at amazing prices, including bonus benefits and more. They’re only available in limited numbers so check out the options.

Our next Globetrotter event featuring Uproot Andy promises a night of great global grooves at Round in Kensington Market. Advance price tickets are available now for one of the most influential DJs around.

This weekend, Easter notwithstanding, we have a full slate of music at the Small World Centre. On (Good) Friday, it’s Batá: A New Language for Drumset, Derek Gray debuts his adaptation of ancient Afro-Cuban rhythms to drum set. Derek will joined on percussion by Reimundo Sosa & Magdelys Sav, Patrick O’Reilly (guitar/), Edwin Sheard (sax) and Justin Gray (acoustic bass).

Saturday brings the Dilan Ensemble. A duo of cellist and composer, Raphael Weinroth-Browne with Shahriyar Jamshidi, kamanche player and vocalist, they’re dedicated to explorations of Kurdish musical heritage.

Finally on Sunday Sina Bathaie and his ensemble return to the Centre to perform some of his latest works in a Easter / Nowruz concert. The band includes Alexei Orechin guitar, Orianna Barbatto bass, Cheryl Ockrant on cello and percussionist Siavash Mahdavi.

While we’re still recovering from last weekend’s BRASH festivities (that was one crazy weekend!) we’re looking toward spring and the imminent launch of the 14th Annual Small World Asian Music Series. Celebrating Asian and South Asian Heritage Month, alongside communities around the GTA, the program is supported by TD Bank

We’ll be partnering with the finest presenters across the region, from Koerner Hall to the Aga Khan Museum, Roy Thomson Hall to the Markham Theatre, to showcase the finest sounds on the best stages. The program is highlighted by a a strong female presence, with two of the most significant artists in South Asian music – Anoushka Shankar and Abida Parveen – performing.

New this year, the Small World Explorer program gives audiences access to the entire Asian Music Series through the Small World Ticket Hub. You’ll receive deep discounts, bonus packages and ‘one-stop shopping’, benefiting from our position at the heart of the global music scene.

Also coming up, it’s the second in our ongoing Globetrotter series. The launch event was a great night and we’re looking forward to more dance floor action with one of our favourite DJs, Uproot Andy. The Brooklyn-based spinner is one of the most influential figures in the tropical bass / global groove realm and New York night owls move to his turntables. Limited early bird tickets are only ten bucks!

This weekend at the Small World Centre Lenka Lichtenberg & Fray celebrate the release of ‘Live in America’, their new recording, capturing their infectious live energy and soaring lyrical performances while touring across America last fall. Should be a sweet one.