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Khaira Arby at the Lula May 8
Great news, that Malian singer Khaira Arby is finally playing a concert in town with her band. Of course, given the situation in Mali, especially in her region, around Timbuktu, we can all hope not only that she gets here, but that the fighting is resolved soon, and the people there can enjoy peace. She, […]
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Summer (festivals): just around the corner: #1: Luminato
That early summer we had seems to have disappeared suddenly this week, but all the news of summer (and other) music festivals should keep you warm. Most notably, for this website is the news of the free music concerts at what may now be the premiere annual arts event in Toronto: Luminato. Its free concerts, […]
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Wazimbo at the Lula Lounge, March 8, 2012
A terrific show and performance by Wazimbo, the great Mozambique Marrabenta singer last week. A tremendous voice, and energetic performer, he kept the dance floor going, and also brought out the Mozambique community to celebrate his first Canadian tour. He will be back in the area this summer, hitting some of the festivals. Watch for […]
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Wazimbo: music from Mozambique – tonight at the Lula
A rare chance to hear some music from Mozambique tonight at the Lula Lounge. Wazimbo (Humberto Carlos Benfica)’s musical career in Mozambique goes back almost 50 years, and he’s now one of the most famous singers of the marrabenta style. This is his first trip to Canada. Tonight, he’ll be backed by some top local […]
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Some event notes
See the newly updated event listings (www.events.to-music.ca), for details of these and many other shows. A few items of note: The Lula Lounge has a number of interesting shows coming up: “world jazz” on Friday nights (early show before the salsa takes over) including& Haitian roots (Feb. 24) & Mexican jazz (Mar 2) in the […]
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Benefit concert for John Collins with Afrafranto: Dec. 11: Updated Dec 10
One of the greatest archivists and collectors of West African music, Professor John Collins of Ghana last month experienced a severe flood and mudslide, which damaaged and destroyed much of the material he has been assembling since the 1970’s. His home is in the same premises, and his family narrowly escapted drowning. The Bokoor African […]
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East Africa Relief concert: Aug. 25, Lula Lounge
Batuki Music Society invites you to ‘Msaada’, the East Africa Relief concert to benefit the Médicins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders Horn of Africa Crisis campaign taking place at the Lula Lounge on Thursday August 25th at 8 pm. ‘Msaada’ means help in the Kiswahili language, widely spoken in East Africa. The concert features a lineup […]
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Stella Chiweshe in town
It’s a big deal when the Zimbabwean mbira player/singer/healer is here. Last time she was in Toronto was 2007. (See my photos of her concert at the Berkeley St. Church). She’s back in town this month, and to date has the following appearances scheduled: Sat. Aug. 13: a solo performance at the Trane Studio Sat. […]
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Okavango African Orchestra concert broadcast on CBC’s Canada Live on April 20 & 22
From Batuki Music (www.batukimusic.com): Canada Live on CBC Radio will broadcast the Okavango African Orchestra concert featuring Daniel Nebiat (Eritrea – krar/vocals), Donne Roberts (Madagascar – guitar/vocals), Pasi Gunguwo (Zimbabwe – marimba/mbira/vocals), Kooshin (Somalia – kaban/vocals), Sadio Sissokho (Senegal – kora/tama/djembe/vocals), Waleed Abdulhamid (bass/vocals) and Walter Maclean (Ghana – percussion) on the following dates: Wednesday, […]