Coming this weekend, a highlight of this year’s Asian Music Series – Niladri Kumar and Aditya Kalyanpur in concert at the Glenn Gould Studio, presented in association with Raag Mala Toronto. Part of the new generation of Indian classical music stars, these two performers have impressed critics and fans worldwide with stunning virtuosity and a fair dose of youthful attitude. Niladri, whom we’ve had here on two occasions with Zakir Hussain, is quickly becoming the new face of the sitar. Building on a serious legacy and grounding in tradition, he’s also known for rocking out on his self-created, electric ‘zitar’. Certainly, his past appearances in town left us waiting for more. Kalyanpur’s tabla accompaniment will ensure a sizzling evening. Check out the video below to get a taste of what’s to come.Following that on the 21st, the Series brings Vancouver to Toronto, via Sound of Dragon. Combining Chinese instruments and traditions with forward-looking new musical approaches, the group features an array of some of Canada’s top artists joining forces with musicians from Taiwan. It features Toronto pipa virtuoso Wen Zhao in an eclectic program of intercultural music that even includes a Beatles cover!Lots of activity coming at the Small World Centre. On Friday, you can catch Toronto’s rising ‘trad fusion’ trio NUA. Bringing a fresh sound to traditional music, they create distinctive original compositions, balanced with tunes drawn from Irish and Scottish traditions. The interaction between the three is what really makes the music shine, with soaring melodies and tasteful grooves.

Tickets are moving for Monday the 25th. The Fundraiser for Nepalfeatures a truly impressive lineup. With all proceeds to UNICEF and being matched by the government, this is a great night of music for an important cause that deserves your support!

Now that May is here, Toronto is finally experiencing the glories of spring. We’ve also been basking in some wonderful music courtesy of the 13th Annual Asian Music Series, sponsored by TD Bank. Dorjee Tsering’s splendid concert last weekend reminded us of the tragic circumstances faced by people in Nepal, Tibet, and surroundings stemming from the recent earthquake there.We’re pleased to announce a way that you can help – on May 25, some of our favourite artists will donate their talent and energy in performance at the Small World Centre to raise funds for earthquake relief. Participants of the recent Voices of Asia project – Suba Sankaran, Bandana Singh, Vandana Vishwas, Amely Zhou, Ed Hanley and Dylan Bell – will be joined by Dorjee Tsering, Justin Gray, Debashis Sinha, Pushpa Raj Acharya, Anand Rajaram and Sheniz Janmohamed. All proceeds will go to the UNICEF Canada Nepal Fund, providing emergency healthcare in Nepal’s hardest hit regions – a wonderful night of music for a most worthy cause.Coming up this weekend the Series moves to at the beautiful Aga Khan Museum for a trip down the Silk Road. The Footsteps of Babur brings together musicians from Afghanistan, India and Tajikistan. Homayun Sakhi, the outstanding Afghan rubab player of his generation, is joined by Rahul Sharma (santur) and Salar Nader (tabla) forming a sublime trio that will transport audiences to the palaces and great rooms of Mughal India and Afghanistan.

Dancer Sashar Zarif presents a new work at the Small World Centre this weekend. Moving Memories – ‘Creating Living Steps Out of Ancient Traces’ is an intimate performance exploring mystical Sufi and Shamanic traditions of Western and Central Asia through a contemporary lens. Choreographed by Sashar and performed by him and Louis Laberge-Côté, the two new solos unlock the spirits of awakening and light through the revisiting of memories.