March Madness kicks off with a new monthly event – “Globetrotter” takes Small World back to the dance floor with the finest local and international globally-tuned DJs at Round in Kensington Market. We’re excited to announce that the launch party, Saturday March 5th will feature LA-based sonic shape shifter David Starfire alongside resident selector DJ medicineman. DJs without borders – 1st saturday of every month – early bird tix at GlobetrotterTO.com!

The week after, it’s all brass all the time, as the BRASH Festival takes over the Opera House. With the world’s premier Balkan Gypsy brass band, Boban Markovic and his Orkestar, the Lemon Bucket Orkestra and special guests, it’s gonna be a blast!

Meanwhile a busy weekend to take the chill off at the Small World Centre. Celebrate Valentine’s & Family Day weekend with spectacular music from West Africa and Northern Europe (not at the same time!). On Saturday and Sunday immerse yourself in psychedelic roots music from Mauritania with Noura Mint Seymali, presented in association with Batuki Music Society. The Guardian (UK) remarked on her “gutsy, declamatory playing and singing….”, while NPR said “the arrival of… Seymali in front of Western audiences feels like the start of a new era.”

On the holiday Monday, three stars of Swedish folk music combine forces in a new band called ODE. Combining vocals, nyckelharpa, guitar and percussion, the trio have extraordinary chemistry. With captivating songs, contagious grooves and charming stage presence, they merge influences from Sweden, West Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, from traditional music, contemporary folk and pop.

The buzz is building for BRASH – TO’s baddest brass bash, coming March 11 & 12 – featuring a scorching lineup of the most energized gypsy / Balkan brass players in the world. Boban Markovic and his Orkestar from Serbia, Toronto’s own Lemon Bucket Orkestra and a bunch of special guests will blow the doors off the Opera House over that weekend. Not to be missed!

We’re very much looking forward to Noura Mint Seymali‘s return to town in two weeks. Advance ticket pricing lasts only until this Friday, so get ’em while you can!

This weekend at the Small World Centre, it’s very much a ‘string thing‘, as five of the city’s most talented players bring their respective instruments and traditions to a collaboration that was first presented last September during our festival. The combination of guitar, baglama, fiddle, erhu and qanun proved so compelling that we’re remounting it on Saturday. A few seats are still available.

Friday the Alliance française presents Hampaté & Sahel Blues performing music from Senegal, at Spadina Theatre, in association with Batuki Music.

Lots of excitement over the big brass blow-out announced last week alongside a bunch of offerings coming up at the Small World Centre. All the info you need is below.

If you’re looking for romantic ideas for Valentine’s Day weekend, you could certainly do with some romantic West African desert rock! And Noura Mint Seymali is just the artist to delver. Not only are tickets on sale now, if you’re quick and geographically savvy, you can attend for FREE. The 5th response to Laura@smallworldmusic.com correctly identifying the band’s country of origin, and you’re in the door!

On Sunday at the Small World Centre, Drone Doctor perform one in a series of musical meditations, fusing the influence of the West in their choice of instruments – banjo, accordion, bass recorder, double bass, tabla and dholak — with the East in the creative use of a free-flowing Indian drone style.

We’re excited to announce a feast of brass music in March. We’re teaming up with the Lemon Bucket Orkestra for a weekend-long Gypsy-Balkan party culminating in the Toronto return of the one-and-only Boban & Marko Markovic Okestar! The Kings of Gypsy Brass will blow the roof off the Opera House on Saturday March 12. The previous night, LBO – Toronto’s Best Band as picked by NOW Magazine – will kick off the celebration in style, along with special guests. We can’t wait! Early bird discount tickets are on sale now but won’t last long. 

February is shaping up to be a busy month at the Small World Centre, highlighted by Valentine’s weekend with Mauritanian star Noura Mint Seymali, among other events. The month also features the return to town of one of world music’s sweetest voices, as Bebel Gilberto performs on the 25th.

Lots to choose from this weekend, with Saturday evening being overloaded with good sounds. We’ll be down at Harbourfront Centre with a hot chocolate and our mittens for DJ Skate Night, featuring Toronto’s finest global grooves as spun by DJ medicineman. Come slide around! Meanwhile, compelling events at both the Music Gallery and Aga Khan Museum range from worldly improv to passionate Persian poetry.