It’s that time of year, when choirs are everywhere! One very special group returns to town Friday as the Soweto Gospel Choir performs in a Sony Centre presentation. The Grammy-winning group have brought their joyful sounds to audiences the world over and their all-new holiday-themed ‘Celebrate!’ tour offers a chance to join alongside the choir as they sing both the beautiful African Gospel Music and holiday favourites. We have a FREE pair of seats for this great event. First response to laura@smallworldmusic.com will get them!

The following evening, Saturday, it’s a family-friendly journey into the magic musical realm of ancient Andalucia at Koerner Hall. Join Juno Award-winning trumpeter David Buchbinder, dynamic divas Roula Said and Tamar Ilana, and their crew of cross-cultural musicians in a participatory parade of music and dance ideal for people 6-13 years old, parents, and grandparents, a convenient afternoon time.

On Monday at the Small World Centre, a concert by Rob Simms (tanbur, setar, oud) and Araz Nayeb Pashayee (daff, tombak) explores Kurdish, Persian and Arab modal music through improvisations that show the close ties linking these key family members of ‘Maqamistan’ (sounds like a lovely place!)

A busy weekend with lots of intriguing sounds to choose from.

On Saturday at the Small World Centre, the Circle Band performs a CD release concert for their second album ‘My Enigma’. A fusion of jazz and pop mixed with elements of Persian tradition and Eastern instruments, Circle Band focuses on classical and contemporary Persian poetry, such as Rumi, Hafez and Sohrab Sepehri. Two shows to choose from at 6:30 and 8:30.

On Sunday at 7:00, Roam, led by our friend Lisa Patterson, launches ‘The Citizen Suitcase‘: a musical grassroots effort to support refugees at home and abroad. Facilitating arts & healing based services, the plan is easy to support. Bring an item for Lesbos-bound suitcase and/or sign up to Arts-based services bank. Guest speaker Jenny Davis from ‘The Grove & Friends’, sponsors of a Syrian family to Toronto.

Elsewhere around town, on Friday and Saturday, the Music Gallery presents pianist David Virelles’ Gnosis. This futuristic Afro-Cuban chamber music project brings Cuban Abakuá drums into the concert hall for the first time. Compelling stuff.

For a taste of Indian music dance and spectacle, Markham is the place to be Saturday for Spirit of India. The Bollywood Masala Orchestra present a bold vision in Indian live music and dance taking the audience on a lively musical journey from Rajasthan to Mumbai. A matinee and evening performance to choose from at the Markham Theatre.

Friday at the Opera House marks the return home of Lemon Bucket Orkestra after 3 months on the road on 3 continents. There may still be a few tickets left for this homecoming bash, but you’d better hurry!

That was some night at Koerner Hall last Friday with Youssou N’Dour. Tremendous seeing him back in town after so many years. Another intriguing event coming up there on December 4th with Routes of Andalucia, a family-friendly journey into the magic musical realm of ancient Spain.

On Sunday, guitarist and singer Marcio Faraco brings his quartet to Lula Lounge for an evening of Brazilian sounds, melding the language of the samba, bossa nova and choro in his evocative songs. We have a pair of FREE tickets for the first person to respond to laura@smallworldmusic.com!

This weekend, a compelling dance work is presented by runs at Harbourfront Centre. Sunya features four dancers, three musicians and a visual artist experiment here, guided by choreographer Roger Sinha and composer Kiya Tabassian of Montreal ensemble Constantinople.

Coming up at the Markham Theatre, the Bollywood Masala Orchestra brings a spectacular night of Indian music, dance and culture. More on that soon!

On Friday at the Small World Centre, it’s a superb evening of guitar with Eloy Zúñiga Guinea. An artists know for blurring the boundaries between classical guitar, Mexican folk, introspective songwriting and jazz, he will be giving his first solo guitar concert outside of Mexico. Eloy captivates audiences with impeccable technique and his emotive voice.

Next weekend at our venue, two sold out concerts by the Ladom Ensemble mix Persian elements with jazz, tango and more for a sound that CBC’s Errol Nazareth called “a fascinating mix (that) really works well. The music can be very elegant and contemplative and it can also be rocking and fiery.”

The following day, Sunday the 22nd, it’s another exceptional guitar event, as Márcio Faraco returns to town. Encompassing a range of Brazilian sounds, he melds samba, bossa nova and choro in his evocative songs. Featuring delicate and masterful guitar work, his vocals are beautiful and engaging.

Lastly… it’s CONTEST TIME! Yes, it’s true – we have a pair of tickets for you, our subscribers, from our friends at Koerner Hall to Friday’s sold-out concert by the great Youssou N’Dour. This one is being done on Facebook, but you’re getting fair warning here. So, go to Small World’s Facebook page and comment on the related post in order to qualify.