The Big Announce – Small World Fest 2018!

Mark your calendars and get ready for a new party by the lake! We’re delighted to announce that for its 17th edition, the Small World Music Festival is moving squarely into the heat of summer from its traditional September slot. And it’s taking place at Harbourfront Centre, one of the city’s most cherished cultural destinations. And… it’s free!

It’s been a long held goal to offer up the Small World vision in a free outdoor festival format. We’ve had great experiences at Fort York and Yonge-Dundas Square over the years, and our memories of in/future at Ontario Place are still fresh. So… we now invite you to join us August 17 – 19 for a weekend immersion in the state-of-the-art in global sounds.

There’s lots to talk about but plenty of time to fill in the details, so we’ll keep it short. You can expect the usual passionate, genre-busting programming the festival is renowned for and we’re please to have a mix of old friends and new faces in the program. The nights resonating with beats from Morocco to LA, film screenings, along with workshops, food and drink in the day, and the stage rocking with Malian guitar hero Vieux Farka Touré and Cuban singer and rapper La Dame Blanche to name but two. This is La Dame Blanche‘s “Esa Noche” – much to get excited about.

Coming more immediately, some sweet concerts at the Small World Centre, starting with Bulgarian and Turkish sounds this evening. Ihtimanska is Montreal duo Ariane Morin on saxophone and accordionist Yoni Kaston, with a unique take on the traditions. Singer extraordinaire Brenna MacCrimmon and storyteller Ariel Balevi open.

Saturday it’s a party vibe to celebrate the Tich Maredza Band‘s 10th Anniversary! Tich is joined by Tichaona Gombiro on electric bass, Gordin Mapika on drum kit and vocals and Larry Lewis on lead guitar. Expect favourites from their record “The Journey,” and new work. Here’s to the next ten years!