We’re bringing Kiran Ahluwalia’s LOVEfest to Toronto!

February winds its wet and windy way to an end and we’re looking toward spring and the 16th Annual Small World Asian Music Series. Once again, with the support of TD Bank, we’ve got a lineup of superb concerts at multiple venues to showcase a breadth of amazing creativity in a variety of genres. We’ll be telling you more about the full program soon but first off, here’s a highlight:

Kiran Ahluwalia’s LOVEfest on April 14th at Harbourfront Centre Theatre is a multifaceted celebration of love and diversity through music and dance designed for the times we live in. It combines the talents of sacred and secular artists from both Muslim and Sikh traditions (two communities experiencing an alarming rise in hate crimes) to advocate for a diverse world of cultural expression and an opportunity to ‘Welcome The Stranger.’ The night features Kiran’s passionate vocals (India) and the inspired Arabic songwriting of Souad Massi (Algeria), united with Sikh temple singers (for the first time on the concert stage) and the colorful whirling of Egyptian Tanoura Sufi dancers. Watch Kiran Ahluwalia’s “Jaane Na” performed live at The Iridium in New York City and meet her gorgeous voice and progressive style.

Next up at Small World Music Centre it’s Tamar Ilana & Ventanas on March 1st hitting the stage once more before heading into the studio to record a new album. The week after, Israel’s Bint El Funk make their Canadian debut through Polyphonic Ground Presents with celebrated dj and sound artist Shifra Rifka at Revival. Harvard Rock Review profiled them as their featured new artist, commending their mixing of cultures and languages, as well as their energy and inspiring arrangements. Read the full review here, and book your tickets in advance!