Back after a month’s hiatus, we’ve got lots of exciting announcements for the coming Small World Festival as well as some great stuff happening ’round town. Starting September 24th (not that we’re looking for the end of summer!) for the 14th year, we’ll present our 10-day musical journey around the globe and around Toronto stages.

From Ethiopia to Korea, Estonia to Palestine, the festival is chock-a-block with great artists and full of Toronto debuts. There are returning favourites too, such as the great Vieux Farka Toure, who rocked the Celebrate Brooklyn festival last weekend. Estonian fiddle sensation Maarja Nuut has been making waves across the festival circuit with her 21st Century electro-folk. We’re delighted to host her Canadian debut.  Lots more to announce in the upcoming weeks (including a weekend of free programming!). Check the links to our recently revamped website and refresh your memory of last year’s fest with the video below.

For those of you who aren’t completely wasted by the musical marathon of PanAmania, there’s a super free show tomorrow (Thursday) on the Roy Thomson Hall patio. A band that I’m a big fan of – Tamikrest are playing. It’s a rare opportunity to experience some of the finest desert blues / rock from one of Mali’s top Tuareg bands. As with recent music by their forebears Tinariwen, this crew has expanded the scope of this powerful and evocative music. Should be a winner.

Also this weekend, guitarist extraordinaire Levon Ichkanian performs his work Mediterraneo at the Noor Centre, featuring an impressive array of guests. Enjoy the sounds and sun!

Small World Music Festival 2014 Recap

Starting indoors before we head outside, this Friday at the Small World Centre, Bruno Capinan performs. Sensuous Brazilian vocals and guitar combine in his finely crafted songs. His first Canadian show after a successful tour of Brazil, this solo concert will showcase one of the city’s finest up and coming artists.There’s just a bit of activity coming up in town. With Luminato, the Toronto Jazz Festival and Pride celebrations all overlapping in the coming weeks, you’ll forgive us for laying low and just grooving along from the side lines.Staying with a Brazilian theme, on the 27th of the month, our pals at Uma Nota Culture team up with Luminato to present a one-of-a-kind Block Party.

A free family event at the Distillery District, it celebrates the tradition of festive gathering at an all-day public Block Party with food, drink, music and dance. Whether Carnaval, São João, or any one of the myriad of the country’s festivals, outdoor daytime street parties are a beloved part of the Brazilian cultural landscape. Dance the forró or samba and swing to a set of talented DJs and musical acts.

We’re pleased to be part of an exciting new venture presented by out friends at Roy Thomson Hall –  Live on the Patio. Every Thursday this summer, starting on the 25th of June, the newly renovated and thoroughly swank outdoor patio off King St. at RTH will be animated by some of the most exciting acts from in town and beyond. With sets starting at 6:30 it’s a perfect opportunity to drop by for a drink and some tunes to start the evening.

That’s just a start – we haven’t even talked about the coming insanity of July and Panamania. With two major music venues – Nathan Philips Square and the Pan Am Park on the CNE grounds, this summer will see more live music in town than I can ever recall. Some of our favourites and friends, from Calle 13 to La Bottine Souriante;  Choc Quib Town and Bajofondo to A Tribe Called Red, it’s going to be nuts. Just stay out of the HOV lanes!

We’ll be back soon with a fall festival update. Enjoy the sounds!

As mentioned previously, two superb evenings of music take place at the Small World Centre this week. Tomorrow, Akasha Five takes the stage. Merging the ancient traditions of Persia with a modern approach, they bring Sufi poetry together with jazz, folk, and rock – reinterpreting the traditional in a compelling and accessible way. Should be a fine evening.It’s followed on Friday by Bazar Project. The trio presents a contemporary sound rooted in melodies and motifs from Middle East and Asia with modern arrangements and experimental atmospheres. The group features Reza Moghaddas on bass and keyboards, drummer / percussionist Morgan Doctor and multi instrumetalist Sina MomtahanNext week at the Centre, it’s Brazilian sounds, as singer and songwriter Bruno Capinan releases his sophomore, samba- inspired album, Tudo Está Dito, in a solo performance. The show will be his first appearance in Toronto in 2015, marking his return to North America after a successful Brazilian tour. Acclaimed by critics, Capinan’s supple vocals and poetic wordplay on Tudo Está Dito have already garnered positive coverage in Brazil’s largest newspapers. Check out the video below to get a taste.

Speaking of Portuguese voices, we’re excited to announce the return of the one-and-only Mariza. Tickets go on sale this Saturday the 13th for the diva’s October  29th appearance at Massey Hall. Based on previous experience, these are sellouts, so here’s your chance to get in early. Coisa boa!