NEW/UPDATED LISTINGS:
Events that
are new or updated in the past week or so have been
marked in
red.
Jul. 29: "The Road to Kashgar" in the
Toronto Music Garden
Vancouver's
Orchid Ensemble
performs on ancient traditional musical instruments from China
and elsewhere, to play traditional and contemporary music from
China and around the world. Free. More details
here.
Updated: Jul.
28
Jul. 30-Aug. 2: Caribana weekend in Toronto
For parade & festival info see
http://www.caribanatoronto.com/. Some other related
events include:
Jul. 30:
Humble at Yonge
Dundas Square
Winner of the 2009 Juno Award
for Reggae Recording of the Year as well as Best Artist in the
Reggae Achievement Awards.
Part of
Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.
Updated: Jul.
28
Jul. 30-Aug. 2:
"Island Soul" at Harbourfront Centre
Caribbean culture: music, food
and art through Caribana weekend. All free. A couple of notable highlights:
Fri. Jul 30:
Lord Nelson: 79
year old calypso legend This performance has been
CANCELLED
Roy Cape and the Kaiso All-Stars: one of the world's top
calypso bands. 8pm.
Info
Sat. Jul. 31: Roots/reggae singer
Queen Ifrica, 9:30.
NEW: Jul. 28
Jul. 30-Aug. 2:
Irie Music Festival
at three locations
Yonge-Dundas Square, Nathan
Phillips Square and Queen's Park. See festival website for
performers and schedules
Aug. 2: Seu Jorge at the Phoenix
Brazilian singer and actor
(City of God, The Life Aquatic). $30adv,
Tickets, info, audio & video clips on
Small World Music
website. Also see
Union Events.
Aug. 3: Shelby Lynne at Hugh’s
Room
Wonderful singer of soulful country, rock,
blues,... . She won a Grammy as best new artist for her 2000
album I Am Shelby Lynne, she's just released Tears,
Lies and Alibis.
Here's
a video taste of her doing "Leavin'" $40/$42
Aug. 4:
The Holmes
Brothers at Hugh’s
Room
The trio
has been performing gospel, blues, soul & R&B for over 30 years,
have won multiple Blues Music Awards, and have performed and
recorded with a huge list of musicians including Bob Dylan,
Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Levon Helm, Odetta, Merle
Haggard and many others. $35/$40
Aug. 5:
Nagata Sachu
at the Toronto Music Garden
Toronto's
top Japanese taiko drumming group (formerly the Kiyoshi Nagata
Ensemble) has been playing since 1988. 7pm, Free. Details
here.
NEW: Jul. 30
Aug. 5:
One Hundred Dollars at the
Horseshoe
Toronto
alt-country band. Michelle McAdorey & guests open. $12
Aug. 6:
Kobo Town at the
Gladstone Hotel
The Toronto
group, founded by Drew Gonsalves, draws its music from
Trinidad's traditional calypso, roots reggae and dub poetry.
Part of the monthly
“Gladstone World” series, sponsored by the Gladstone and
Batuki Music Society, on the first Friday of each month.. 7-10pm
in the Melody Bar. Free
New: Jul. 30
Aug. 6: J.D. Souther
at Hugh's Room
A key part of the southern
California country-rock sound of the 80's, he wrote numerous
songs for the Eagles & Linda Ronstadt. Video
here.
$30/$32.50.
NEW: Jul. 14
Aug. 6:
Mamaya Concert at the
Centre Matonge
The kick-off to the annual
Mamaya Festival (a Guinean tradition), hosted by Toronto-based
Guinean griot, Katenen
"Cheka" Dioubaté (see Aug. 8). Featuring Cheka and her band
the Snow Griots (Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, Kassoum Diamoutene,
Tamsir Seck). with guest performer, singer and kora player
Amadou Sodia. Tickets $25. 224 Parliament St at Shuter.
Doors 8, show 8:30.
Updated: Jul.
28
Aug. 6-8:
"What is Classical?" at Harbourfront Centre
"The evolution of classical
music". This weekend is becoming one of Harbourfront's most
interesting summer festivals. Some musical performances include: (all FREE)
Aug 6: A triple bill:
8pm:
Vidushi Sumitra Guha -
Indian classical singer of Hindustani and Carnatic music.
Info
9pm: "The Tabla Guy" (Gurpreet
Chana) & Mason Bach use their classical training in tabla
and violin and explore genres like tech house, drum 'n' bass,
dubstep and more.
9:30:
Harry Manx with The
Tabla Guy, Vidushi Sumitra Guha and Hans Christian. Manx, who
studied for five years with the Rajasthani musician, VM Bhatt,
Manx combines blues, pop and Indian classical music on guitar,
slide guitar, and Bhatt's own invention, a 20-string
sitar/guitar hybrid, the Mohan Veena.
Aug 7:
"A Global Tour": a musical tour of the world, 2pm.
Info
Djoumbush &
Warhol Dervish
Quartet. A mix of Turkish, Roma, baroque and
classical music. The performance will include workshops fin
Turkish and Egyptian styles of Oriental dance throughout the
performance. 6pm.
Info
Orchestra
Piazza Vittorio: (Their Canadian première). An ensemble formed with new immigrants
to Italy from 11 countries, including Brazil, Cuba, Hungary,
Ecuador, Senegal, Tunisia, and others) speaking 8 languages. The group comes highly recommended by
Ken Stowar of CIUT's "Global Rhythms" They can be
seen three times this day:
- Open rehearsal, 3:30pm
- Film: The Orchestra of
Piazza Vittorio: documentary about the birth of this
orchestra (Studio Theatre).
Info
- Concert: An adaption of
Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute. 8pm.
Info.
NOTE: The concert will be broadcast live on
CIUT-FM, 89.5
Aug. 8:
Gamelan
Gong Sabrang &
Seka Rat Nadi. Javanese concert and dance music. 1pm
"A Global Tour": a musical tour of the world, 2pm.
Info
Djoumbush &
Warhol Dervish
Quartet workshop 3pm.
Info
Updated: Jul.
28
Aug 6-7:
Tamsir Seck's Senegalese
Xawaré
Senegalese griot, drummer and
dancer Tamsir Seck holds his third annual "Soirée Senegalese".
The meaning of "Xawaré" is a party event, organized by the royal
elite of Senegalese Kingdoms centuries ago, as a way to entertain
their guests and invitees. There are two nights to this event
this year:
Aug. 6 Sabar workshops at 25
Cecil St. (Steelworkers Hall, near Spadina & College):
- 7pm: Sabar drumming
workshop by Tamsir Seck. $15
- 8-9:30: Sabar dance class
workshop, by Papa Ndiaye (from New York). $20
Aug 7: Gala International Afro
Canadian night at 237 Sackville. Performers (besides Tamsir)
include Thiokh Diagne, Papa Ndiaye, Elage Mbaye, El hadj Diouf,
many more. Tickets $20adv, $25 door. For info, call Marc 647
686-3549 or Orkaia 647 834-2191.
Aug. 7-8:
Toronto Turkish
Festival at Yonge Dundas Square
Two days, 10am-10pm, of music, exhibitions,
arts, crafts, dance and food, all free.
Program schedule is
here
NEW: Jul. 28
Aug. 8: An Evening of Indian
Classical Music at the
Meadowvale Theatre (Mississauga)
Featuring
Abhik Kumar Sarkar on Sarod (Senior Disciple of Ustad Amjad
Ali Khan) from New Delhi and
Ramneek Singh-Vocal (Disciple of Pt. Baldev Raj Verma,
Indore Gharana) fromToronto. 6pm. Presented by the
Jhankar Centre of Performing Arts. For information and
tickets, contact Karanjeet Singh,
jhankar.centerofperformingarts@gmail.com, 416 899 0843. 6315
Montevideo Rd
NEW: Jul. 14
Aug. 8:
Mamaya Festival
at Metro Hall
The fourth annual festival, a
Guinean tradition, founded and hosted in Toronto by Guinean
griot, Katenen "Cheka"
Dioubaté. The festival, as always, is free. Musicians
include Cheka and her band the Snow Griots (Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison,
Kassoum Diamoutene, Tamsir Seck), along with Richard Brown, plus
Davide Mobio & group; Mohamed Diaby & Manding Foli Kan Don;
Kasoum Gnamountenen; Baro Dounoumba; Aboulaye Cone Bolokan,
Michel deQuevedo Drum & Percussion, "and more". 55 John
St. at King St. W. 1-9:30pm..
Aug. 9:
David "Honeyboy" Edwards
at
Hugh's Room
One of the original Delta
acoustic blues performers (he's now 95 years old),
$28.50/$32.50. Video
here.
Aug. 9: Adam Solomon
at Highway 61
African blues from the
"Professor", also a member of the African Guitar Summit and his
own band, Tikisa. 7pm.
Aug. 11-12: Ramblin' Jack Elliott
at Hugh' Room
A legend, indeed. $37.50/$40.
Aug. 13:
Les Gitans de Sarajevo
at Yonge-Dundas Square
Part of
Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.
Updated: Jul.
28
Aug. 13-15:
"Hot & Spicy Food Festival" at Harbourfront Centre
One of Harbourfront's
longest-running summer traditions. Hot music, hot food, and an
overall spicy weekend. Below are a few musical highlights,
but there is much more going on there over the weekend. Check
the link above.
Aug. 13:
Film: Spread The Word: A
Persuasions Documentary. 6pm, Studio Theatre.
Info. The group performs live at 9:30
Hilario Duran:
Toronto-based, Havana-born, pianist Duran is one of Canada's
greatest Cuban musicians.
The Persuasions:
One of the greatest -- and longest surviving - -a capella groups
in the world. (They were discovered by Frank Zappa in 1968).
9:30.
Info
Aug. 14:
"Square Dancing to an
African beat" with Stan Dueck and Madagascar Slim. 6:30.
Who needs to say more? But more info is
here
Delhi 2
Dublin. Bhangra, Celtic, dub and electronica. 9:30. Info
here.
NEW: Jul. 28
Aug. 15:
Toronto African Dance Festival at Nathan Phillips
Square
The 8th annual
“celebration of African dance, music and culture”. Performers:
Moto Kapia du Congo, Akwaba Cultural Exchange, Aya Dance
Collective, Kintana Gasy (Madagascar), Manding Foli Kan Don, the
Esan Mudia Association and more. 1-5pm, Free.
Aug. 18: Buckwheat Zyedeco at the Horseshoe
$20/$25. Tickets at the Horseshoe, Rotate This,
Soundscapes, Ticketmaster
Aug. 19:
Aruna Narayan at the
Toronto Music Garden
Originally from Mumbai, Aruna
plays the Sarangi, an ancient North Indian bowed instrument, one
which is considered one of the most difficult to play. She is
the daughter of Pandit Ram Narayan, one of the instruments great
masters. 7pm, free. Details here.
Aug. 20: Eliades Ochoa at the Lula Lounge
This is a show not to be missed
-- see the guitarist with the Buena Vista Social Club (and before
that with Cuarteto Patria) in an intimate club setting!
Earlier this year, he sold out (or close to), two nights at the
Royal Theatre on College. $45. Info
here
Later this fall, he'll be
touring with
AfroCubism, along with Djelimady Tounkara, Bassekou Kouyaté,
Toumani Diabaté and Kasse Mady Diabaté. No sign of Toronto...
but they are playing in Montreal, Nov. 5 at the Metropolis.
Watch for the CD too.
Aug. 20:
Roberto Lopez Project at
Yonge Dundas Square
His Nu Afro
Latin style mixes Afro-Columbian and Afro_Cuban music with
Hip-Hop, Boogaloo, Jazz and Electronica. Part of
Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.
Aug. 20-22: "Fortune
Cooking Food Festival" at Harbourfront Centre
Performances include the
Canadian Tibetan Traditional Performing Arts Group.
NEW: Jul. 15
Aug. 21: Michèzo
Festival, Hanlan's Point (Toronto Islands)
The annual event where you can
"get to Africa in 15 minutes". Featuring African Island Village,
Soccer on the Savannah, plus live music, workshops, drumming
dancing and games.
Hanlan's Point, Toronto Island Park. Take the Hanlan's Point
ferry, NOT the Centre Island ferry from the ferry terminal
at the foot of Bay St (Ferries leave the city at 15 minutes
after and to the hour).
1-9pm. Details TBA (see Michèzo link above).
Aug. 26:
Maryem Tollar Ensemble at Nathan
Phillips Square (noon)
Egyptian-Canadian singer, composer and musician, and former
member of Maza Meze. Noon-2pm. Part of the "Tasty
Thursday" weekly event at City Hall featuring concerts and
foods from local restaurants. Free.
Aug. 27:
Souljazz
Orchestra at Yonge Dundas Square
Ottawa-based Afrobeat big band. Part of
Global Grooves, free Friday concerts through Sep. 3, 8pm.
Aug. 27-29:
TaiwanFest: Crossover at Harbourfront Centre
Aug. 28:
Adam Solomon
at Highway 61
African blues from the
"Professor", also a member of the African Guitar Summit and his
own band, Tikisa. 8pm.
NEW: Jul. 28
Sep. 1: The
Sojourners at
Hugh’s Room
Blues singer Jim Byrnes joins
gospel singer Marcus Mosely and others in a new project. Watch
video
here. $18/$20
Sep. 3: House of
David Gang at the Gladstone Hotel
Classic reggae
sounds from the 70's and early 80's, the group was founded in
Toronto over 15 years ago, and is fronted by King Selah. Part of
the monthly
“Gladstone World” series, sponsored by the Gladstone and
Batuki Music Society, on the first Friday of each month.. 7-10pm
in the Melody Bar. Free
Sep. 3-6:
Ashkenaz at
Harbourfront Centre
The 15th annual festival. See
link above for more details; one of the musical highlights is
Balkan Beat Box,
Sep. 5, 9:00pm
Sep. 7:
Dave Alvin & The
Guilty Women at Hugh's Room
A great night for
fans of Americana music. Check some of his sounds in the link
above. $34.50/$37.
NEW: Jul. 28
Sep. 15:
Lynn
Hanson at
Hugh’s Room
Canadian country/roots singer.
Watch video
here.
Sep. 17 & 19:
Raul Malo at
Hugh's Room:
Former member of The Mavericks,
his sold-out show in May was cancelled following the serious
flooding in Nashville. Video
here. $29.50/$32.50
NEW: Jul. 28
Sep. 18:
Rita Chiarelli
at Hugh's Room
$30/$32.50
Sep. 23-Oct. 3: The annual
Small World Music Festival.
Details TBA
NEW: Jul. 15
Sep. 26: "World Jazz for
Haiti"
at Hugh's Room
Featuring John McDermott, Laila Biali, Aaron
Davis, Mike Janzen, Luanda Jones, Maninho Costa, Mark Mosca, DK
Ibomeka, Shuffle Demons, Andre Roy, Tom Reynolds Trio, Jane
Bunnett and more TBA. Musical direcdtor, George Koller.
$22.50/$25. Proceeds to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund
Sep. 29: Van Dyke Parks
at the
Music Gallery
Singer, songwriter, arranger and producer
Parks certainly deserves the much-abused term "legendary", from
his work co-writing lyrics to the Beach Boys' Smile LP, to his
own critically-acclaimed (but poorly selling) 1968 Song Cycle,
called "an audacious and occasionally brilliant attempt to mount
a fully orchestrated, classically minded work within the context
of contemporary pop, he has continued to work, producing,
arranging or playing on albums by a huge range of artists, as
well as scoring a number of films. $30. Details
here.
Oct. 1:
K'naan at The Kool
Haus
The Somali-born hip-hop poet has come a long,
long way over the past few years. $34.50. Details
here.
Updated: Jul.
28
Oct. 1: Elito Revé y su Charangon at the Courthouse
First time in Toronto for the band that
has been one
of the roots of Cuban salsa for over 50 years, and has produced
many of the stars of Cuban music including Chucho Valdez, Los Van
Van and more. $35/$40. ($30 before Sep. 6). Doors 8:30, first of
two sets, 10:30. More info
here;
Ticket info
here
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 2: Jimmy Webb at Hugh’s Room
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 5: Strawbs at Hugh’s Room
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 13:
One Hundred Dollars at Yonge-Dundas Square
Toronto alt-country band. Part
of
“Serenades in the Square”. Free, 12:30pm
Oct. 13: Jayme Stone
CD Release at Hugh's Room
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 14: Alex Pangman CD Release at
Hugh's Room
Oct. 15: Justin Townes Earle
at the Horseshoe
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 16: Tom Paxton
at Hugh's Room
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 16: Buika at Koerner Hall
The Spanish singer performs
flamenco, jazz, gypsy rumba, and Afro-Cuban music (her parents
were from Equatorial Guinea). She has been drawing a lot of
international attention over the last couple of years. This is
her Canadian debut. $30-$60. Details and some video
here.
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 20: Mambuco at Koerner Hall
The Mexican percussion group
performs with four Canadian singers. Presented by Soundstreams
Canada. $15-$60. Details
here.
NEW: Jul. 28
Oct. 23: Hugh Masekela at Koerner Hall
The great South African trumpet
player and singer. $25-$65. Details and some video
here.
Oct. 24-25:
Tom Rush at
Hugh's Room
Updated: Jul.
28
Nov. 27: Los Van Van at the Sound Academy
This will be the place for
Cuban music fans that night. Doors 8:30, performance (opening
acts) 10pm. $40/$50. ($35 until Oct. 5). VIP tickets also
available. More info
here.
Ticket info
here
NEW: Jul. 28
Nov. 27: “New Orleans Nights” at Koerner Hall
Featuring Allen Toussaint,
Nicholas Payton and the Joe Krown Trio. The musicians reflect a
lot of New Orleans jazz and R&B heritage. $35-$60. Details and
some video
here.
NEW: Jul. 28
Jan. 22: Kiran Ahluwalia & Rhythm of Rajasthan at Koerner Hall
$30-$50. Details and some video
here. Presented with
Small World Music
NEW: Jul. 28
Mar. 6: “Acoustic Africa” at Koerner Hall
This promises to be a special
show, featuring rare acoustic performances by three of Africa’s
top musicians: Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe, and Habib
Koité and Afel Bocoum both from Mali. While Tuku is finally
becoming a regular visitor to town with his band the Black
Spirits, Habib has only played here twice, and Afel (nephew of,
and former band member of Ali Farka Touré) has, I believe, only
performed here once on his own, about 10 years ago. $30-$50.
Details and some video
here. Presented with
Small World Music
NEW: Jul. 28
Mar. 11: Kodo Drummers of Japan
at the
Sony Centre
NEW: Jul. 28
Apr. 13: Johnny Clegg Band at
Koerner Hall
“Singer, songwriter, dancer,
anthropologist, and musical activist”, he is well known for his
musical mix of South African Zulu and Western pop musics. He’s
sold over 5 million albums over his 30 year career. $30-$60.
Details and some video
here.
