Author: john

  • Art exhibit by Jose Ortega (Lula Lounge)

    José Ortega, the Artistic Director of one of Toronto’s musical gems, the Lula Lounge, has just opened his first solo art exhibit,”thinkin’ one thing and doin’ another” at IndexG Gallery, 50 Gladstone Ave. The exhibit runs opened Oct. 11-Nov. 18, 1-6pm Wed-Sun. The opening reception is Sat. Oct. 13, 3-6pm.   No doubt José is […]

  • Cuban food — and music — where??

    My neighbourhood of Bloor West Village is not known for particularly interesting restaurants, and certainly not for live music. But things have begun changing recently, at least in one case. Bloom — a restaurant until recently under the same ownership of the Bloor/Yonge Focaccia — after a somewhat promising start, had (in my opinion) regressed […]

  • “Music in Mali” documentary

    Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good: Via Afropop Worldwide, I came across information on this recently completed documentary about Malian music (filmed before the tragic fighting and repression in that great country). The film is produced by Kanaga System Krush (KSK) Records, but at this point, I don’t have any information on any screenings or […]

  • Sherry Ryan at The Dakota: Oct. 6 / Ticket, CD giveaway

    NOTE:  I have a pair of tickets to her Saturday show & a CD to give away to the first to contact me. Email info@to-music.ca This site tends to focus mostly on “world”, and especially African music, but I do periodically report on other music, notably some country/American artists. This Saturday, Newfoundland singer Sherry Ryan […]

  • Back online, Event updates & Concert for Wangari Maathai

    After a lengthier-than-anticipated absence, I’ve begun updating event listings again. See www.events.to-music.ca for details on the shows noted below and others. More updates will be coming. Between my trips to north & south Africa this summer, preparing photo/video/journal reports, and then a PC and hard drive that died as soon as I returned, there hasn’t […]

  • No updates for a while… back to Africa

    Apologies again to those who use the website, especially the event listings. I’ve had to put things on hold for a while again, preparing for a South African/Zimbabwean holiday. (Earlier this summer, it was a week in Libya as an election observer, so travels to that continent have been eating up most of my spare […]

  • Using (American) “world” musicians to sell America

    Interesting article on CBC News website about an interesting new US advertising campaign using its diversity to sell America as a tourist destination. It’s an intriguing approach for what is the first national tourism ad  campaign since the days of Ronald Reagan. Read the article here.  Video featuring Roseanne Cash and a world of accompanying […]

  • Odds and Ends… July notes

    Trying to catch up on things happening musically. A few items that caught my eye (or ear): Hugh’s Room Fall Sale This is the last week to save money on some of Hugh’s shows September through November by Jul 31, and get coupons for $10 (3 shows), $20 (4 shows), or $30 (5 shows). Some […]

  • Harbourfront’s “Classical IV” weekend featuring Masters of Mali with Sidi Touré

    I’ve often found this themed weekend (in the past, appropriately titled “What is Classical”) one of Harbourfront’s most interesting each year, as it poses that musical question. One of my favourite Harbourfront concerts in recent years was Orchestra Piazza Vittorio performing their unique take on Mozart’s Magic Flute. This year’s “Classical IV: Strings” focuses on […]

  • Event updates delayed for Libyan election

    I sent the note below in a newsletter on Monday (July 2). This note is being posted from Tripoli. (Note: that updates on my Libya blog www.libyatoronto.com (or Libyan twitter account, @libyatoronto may be a bit limited until after election day, July 7) Apologies for the lack of updates (website, events or newsletter) lately. It’s […]