Small World Music Festival Toronto

Small World Music Festival
various venues - September 24 to October 4, Toronto

You can check out what the rest of the world is listening to - some of it - at the Small World Music Festival, offering up 13 shows without missing a date from September 24 to October 4. In addition to bringing in acts that may not hit town on a regular basis, the great thing about Small World is the way it's connected with some of the city's other arts fests' in creative intersections that let you make the most of your culture time.

And you can definitely shake off the end-of-summer blues with some hot tunes. Here's the line up in brief - check their website for details on how to get your tickets:
  • September 24 - Indo Jazz Fusion with Tasa and a CD release party at the Lula Lounge
  • September 24 - an evening of Balkan Swing with Electric Gypsyland & Funkabelly at the Gladstone Hotel
  • September 25 - I'll be there to check out Havana Reggae with Cuban vocalist Netto Man and live Reggae with Mountainedge, presented as part of the Havana Cultural Festival - at the Lula Lounge
  • September 26 - Hindi-pop meets ambient electronica in the music of Omnesia Live at the Miles Nadal JCC Al Green Theatre
  • September 27 - Small World on the Street hooks up with The Word on the Street with Rebel Rhythm and a fusion of cool jazz and hot soul in a free event at Queens Park in the company of many of Canada's best loved and noted authors, poets, storytellers and more (very much worth checking out - and the lit fest also taking place in Vancouver, Halifax & Kitchener)
  • September 28 - South American Bajafondo brings their blend of traditional tango elements with modern house, trance and more to the Opera House - bandleader Gustavo Santaolalla has won two Oscars for music he wrote for Brokeback Mountain and 2007's Babel & they have a huge following in Argentina
(Bela Fleck with Chick Corea in 2008, who, by the way, is also playing the Koerner Hall Opening Festival - see link below)
  • September 29 - Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck with Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer at the brand spanking new Koerner Hall as part of the Royal Conservatory of Music and their Opening Festival (which has a great line up and the Hall looks wonderful)
  • September 30 - Ukrainian folk rock with Ludy Dobri at the Lula Lounge
  • October 1 - Klezmer fusion from Toronto's Beyond the Pale at the Lula Lounge showcasing Postcards, their latest CD
  • October 2 - Gypsy/Greek/Balkan/Jewish beats at the Lula Lounge with Parno Graszt & UK based Max Pashm
  • October 3 - Saeid Shanbehzadeh Ensemble brings Persian dance and music to the Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre
And you can bring your small fry to Small World's kid friendly (and free!) events at Harbourfront:

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