Festival launch tomorrow! Free opening party and more!

Here we are one day before the launch of the 12th Annual Small World Music Festival and it’s shaping up to be a great run! Tomorrow’s opening party is FREE to the public, so if you’re in the area, come out to Lula Lounge and join us as lay down the groove, via the Brazilian sounds of Mar Aberto Sound Systemand global vibe of DJ medicineman. Doors are 8:30. We hope to see you there!

The following evening, the festival moves north, as we welcome the Iranian iconoclast Mohsen Namjoo the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Always a compelling artist, we expect Mohsen and his band to bring the passion they’re known for.

Saturday, of course, is our biggest single day of the year, as we present Small World in the Square and we’re sending our prayers out to the weather gods to be merciful as they’ve been the last two years. One thing we can be sure of is the musical lineup on offer. We’re delighted to be presenting reggae legendsThird World as they celebrate their 40th anniversary. They’re preceded on stage by Pakistan’s noori, one of the most influential South Asian rock bands.

The punk marching band What Cheer? Brigade will be animating the square with their crazy energy. And much more, starting at 1:00 and running ’till 11:00. This year for the first time, we’ll have a Beer Gardenin the square (another reason to hope for warm weather!) and we’ll be welcoming many of our friends fromCBC Radio & TV, who will be acting as hosts alongside yours truly. Make a plan to stay for the day!

Rounding out the first weekend, Sunday has multiple events taking place through the day. At the Al Green Theatre, a family-friendly concert by Mystic Drumz brings world rhythms for kids for two shows. Meanwhile just south west of there, we’ll be winding through Kensington Market’s Pedestrian Sundayduring the afternoon, with the What Cheer? band. Should be a perfect fit!

Finally, that evening we’re at Lula Lounge with David Buchbinder and Odessa/Havana. Celebrating the release of their new CD, this great world-jazz ensemble features piano star Hilario Duran exploring the deep connections between klezmer and Cuban music.

Here’s to a great festival!
Alan Davis
Executive Director