It’s certainly feeling more like winter in Toronto and it leads us to the skating rink. On the 23rd at Harbourfront Centre, it’s DJ Skate Night with the city’s premier global groove selector DJ medicineman. If you don’t own a pair of blades (or like me, have no idea where to find them after decades of storage) you can rent, so no excuses!

The same night uptown and indoors, the Aga Khan Museum has a compelling program. Ali Riza and Hüseyin Albayrak are modern-day troubadours and heirs of the Ashik tradition in Anatolia. They perform with Kiya Tabassian and Pooria Pournazeri, virtuosos of setar and tanbour.

Coming in February at the Small World Centre, World on a String combines their talents on the 6th and Noura Mint Seymali performs on the 13th and 14th with the support of Batuki Music. Early bird $30 tickets are available until the end of the month for what the Guardian newspaper called “gutsy, declamatory playing and singing…Impressive.”

Finally, check out the new Turkwaz video below to get a preview of their upcoming performance on February 20th.

Lots to look forward to as we hit the ground running in 2016. This week’s Big Announcement is the return to town of Noura Mint Seymali. A beloved star in Mauritania and one of that country’s foremost musical emissaries, she comes to rock the Small World Centre on February 13 & 14. So, if you’re making plans for Valentine’s Day weekend, consider a dance party with one of the up and coming stars of African music!

Coming up this month, we partner with the folks at Harbourfront Centre to present what I like to call ‘Global Grooves on Ice‘ with our friend DJ medicineman. Part of the their DJ Skate Night series, it’s a chance to get a good healthy workout, drink some hot chocolate and hear some of the latest transnational beats.

Coming in February at the Small World Centre, two superb events featuring some of the city’s finest players – on the 6th it’s World on a String and the Turkwaz quartet return on the 20th. Tickets for both are on sale now.

Harkening back to memories of last fall’s Small World Festival, you can check out the brand new video of Fanfarai below. This amazing French-Algerian brass band threw a kicking launch party at the Small World Centre. Enjoy!

As we wind our way toward Christmas and close up shop for a while, we’re pleased to announce some sweet shows in the new year.

In early February we remount one of the highlights of our festival program at Fort York – World on a String impressed audiences with their combination of cultural traditions expressed through string virtuosity. From Chinese erhu to Canadian fiddling, the five participating artists have some great chops to showcase.

Later that month, it’s Balkan and Middle Eastern music with the four members of Turkwaz. Their performance at the Small World Centre last spring was a revelation, so this is one to watch!

This Saturday at the Centre, a guitar recital by Siamak Valaei highlights music by George Bizet, Niccolo Paganini, Heitor Villa-Lobos and more.

And on Sunday at Lula Lounge, ‘We Sing For Their Supper; – A Holiday concert for The Daily Bread Food Bank’ features a great lineup of jazz and world artists performing for a great cause.

All the best for the holidays from all of us here at Small World – back at you in the new year!

Starting December 19th, yoga and music come together at the Small World Centre, with an Ujayi Pulse class, followed by an ‘Introduction to Tabla’ workshop, with proceeds supporting Students for Education, Empowerment and Development. Diane Bruni, will lead the class in exploring breath and movement, while the music provided by Rakkatak will capture the perfect mood for the practice.

Although the weather remains mild, winter will no doubt come, and with it, skating! Harbourfront’s DJ Skating Parties start up in the new year, and we’re delighted to partner for one of these fun, family events. On January 23rd, our favourite global beat selector, DJ medicineman will deliver a cross-cultural concoction to groove you around Toronto’s waterfront rink.

For those of you in and around Toronto, Small World‘s annual Holiday Party takes place tomorrow, Thursday, at the Small World Centre. Join us from 7:00 – 10:00pm for refreshments, music and merriment as we welcome Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Solstice and any other valid excuse to celebrate!

Meanwhile, this Saturday, the Aga Khan Museum‘s Arab Jazz Series continues with Jamey Haddad’s Jazz Ensemble. The master percussionist, who has collaborated with Paul Simon, saxophonist Joe Lovano, and many others is joined an eclectic group of musicians from Palestine, Afghanistan, and Toronto.