Small World Music Festival brings global beats to Toronto
Credit to Author: Ramya Ramanathan| Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2019 21:52:34 +0000
The 18th Annual Small World Music Festival returns to Toronto from September 19 – 29, bringing a captivating mix of sounds to stages across the city.
The signature annual program is known for showcasing an eclectic mix of artists from around the globe and around the corner representing the state-of-the-art in global sounds. The programming is informed by the notion of ‘intersections’ – connecting communities, juxtaposing traditional and cutting-edge forms, looking to the past and the future of culturally diverse music.
Over the course of two weekends, and in partnership with a number of like-minded presenters, the events will feature the high-quality, genre-busting presentations that the festival is renowned for and engage with a diverse range of audiences and communities, with international and local artists from a huge range of backgrounds.
This year’s performers range from a Beijing-based band merging Mongolian music with rock to South Asian strings on Hindustani slide guitar and sitar to Tuareg musicians from Mali. While events are ticketed, Sunday, September 22 offers a free day of global music celebrating the equinox promising an eclectic array of international sounds.
The full line up follows. For up-to-date event information or to check schedules, visit the festival website.
Hanggai (China)
Thursday, September 19, 9:00, Revival Bar, 783 College St.
Tickets $20 advance / $30 door
Presented in partnership with ADEM Media and the Canada-China Cultural Development Association. Beijing-based Hanggai merges Mongolian music with rock creating “… transcendently powerful music that anyone from anywhere can understand.” – (Pitchfork)
Sina Salimi, Barzin & Hassan El Hadi – Experimental Link Music Night II
Friday, September 20, 8:00, Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw St.
Tickets $25 advance / $35 door
Co-presented with Link Music Lab. Exploring the intersection of Persian, Moroccan and Western musical styles through santur, oud, guitar, vocals, and more.
NAMU (Korea) – Toronto Debut
Saturday, September 21, 8:00, Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw St.
Tickets $25 advance / $35 door
Presented with the support of Center Stage Korea, the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korea Arts Management Service. NAMU combines rigorous training in Korean tradition with experimentation for a powerful blend of precision and playfulness.
Small World @ stackt
A Free Day of Global Music Celebrating the Equinox!
Sunday, September 22, 12:00 – 7:00, free admission, stackt, 28 Bathurst St.
Presented in association with stackt and the Fall Equinox Festival. The ‘modular market’ made up of shipping containers will host an eclectic array of international sounds – from African rhythms and DJ grooves to Brazilian drumming and Balkan beats.
Women in Percussion Festival – Opening Night
Thursday, September 26, 8:00, Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W.
Tickets $15 advance / $20 door
Presented by Lula Music & Arts Centre and part of the Women in Percussion Festival. The 2019 Women in Percussion Festival kicks off with a night of tropical / Caribbean vibes with special guest Adriana Portela from Brazil.
Rhitom Sarkar (India) & Rakae Jamil (Pakistan)
Friday, September 27, 8:00, Small World Music Centre,180 Shaw St.
Tickets $20 advance / $30 door
Two rising stars of South Asian strings on Hindustani slide guitar and sitar. The two will combine
forces for a rousing ‘jugalbandhi’ to finish the evening.
Tinariwen (Mali)
Saturday, September 28, 7:00, Danforth Music Hall, Danforth Ave.
Tickets $34.50 – $64.50
Presented by MRG concerts. The Tuareg band that pioneered the hauntingly heavy ‘desert blues’ sound, launching a wave of Saharan groups over the past two decades.
Teto Preto (Brazil) – Toronto Debut
Sunday, September 29, 9:00, Revival Bar, 783 College St.
Tickets $20 advance / $30 door
Presented in association with Uma Nota Culture. Teto Preto is a unique, politically provocative force that Boiler Room has called ‘Brazil’s most innovative band’.