Category Archives: Events

Concerts and other musical events: upcoming and notes/photos/videos of just-past shows.

The crisis in Mali, Tuareg music and rebellion

  April 11, 2012 - 11:19 pm | , , , ,
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For some people, when you say “Timbuktu”, it is like the end of the world, but that is not true. I am from Timbuktu, and I can tell you we are right at the heart of the world. — Ali Farka Touré. from the liner notes to his 1994 album, Talking Timbukutu In 1994, I was looking forward to seeing the great Malian guitarist for the first time, in a concert with American Ry Cooder, with whom he had recorded the above CD. However, not long before that concert, word came out that Touré had cancelled his tour, because of … Continue reading →

CANCELLED: Bombino concert at Lula Lounge, April 12

  April 11, 2012 - 9:33 pm |
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Sadly, it looks like the return of this great Tuareg guitarist to Toronto won’t be happening. From Small World Music: It’s with considerable regret and frustration that we’re forced to cancel tomorrow’s Bombino performance at Lula Lounge. Due to visa complications, the band was unable to enter Canada for this show. We hope for their sake, that they’re able to cross the border in time for some of their other Canadian dates. Obviously, we’ll look for another opportunity to present this wonderful artist and will keep you informed. If you’ve bought tickets for the event, refunds are forthcoming. You can … Continue reading →

Khaira Arby at the Lula May 8

  April 4, 2012 - 11:51 am | , , ,
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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, Vieux Farka Touré, Bassekou Kouyaté have just released a new single, “La Monde Pour La Paix” pleading for peace. Khaira first played North America in the late summer of 2010 (and in fact, it was almost the first time she’d ever travelled outside Mali), and … Continue reading →

April treats

  April 1, 2012 - 1:02 pm |
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A gloomy start to the month of “April showers”, but the musical forecast is anything but. Check the full event listings at www.to-music.ca/events A few goodies picked out from there below. (Details and links for all these shows are in the events calendar) April 5: Brazilian/Mexican grooves at the Lula: Aline Morales and Quique Escamilla. April 6, Batuki Music continues its new “Africa Up Close” series at the intimate NOW Lounge, with Malian griot Sountougoumba “Tapa” Diarra. Only $10 April 11: Jane Bunnett’s “Spirit of Music” benefit for Cuban musicians with a raft of guests including Molly Johnson, Njacko Backo and … Continue reading →

Summer (festivals) #2: other notables

  March 29, 2012 - 10:58 pm | ,
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Besides the Luminato announcement, there’s much more coming, including: Lulaworld, May 9-19 The Lula Lounge over 10 years has been indispensable  as a live music venue, and as a contributor to the music and wider community of this city. This year’s annual Lulaworld festival will celebrate a decade of… that Lula world. Their website describes the festival best: For a decade now, Lula Lounge distinguished itself as Toronto’s home for groundbreaking international latin, jazz, and world music. In celebration, Lula Music and Arts Centre has programmed a series of collaborative concerts that will bring together artists from around the globe. … Continue reading →

Summer (festivals): just around the corner: #1: Luminato

  March 29, 2012 - 10:29 pm | , ,
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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, organized by Derek Andrews are often among the best of the year, and this year promises to be the best yet. (Enjoy the riches while you can… the recent provincial budget called for cutting Ontario’s contributions to Luminato over the next 2 years by 40%!) … Continue reading →

Wazimbo at the Lula Lounge, March 8, 2012

  March 15, 2012 - 12:13 pm | , ,
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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 him… He was backed by some excellent Toronto musicians: Tich Maredza (rhythm guitar) Larry Lewis (lead guitar) Sam Petit (bass) Gordin Mapika (drums) Ruben Esguerra (congas) Thanks to Batuki Music Society for this rare to chance to hear a great artist from Mozambique. Two video … Continue reading →

A night of Zimbabwean rhythms: March 3, 2012

  March 8, 2012 - 5:17 pm | ,
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Last Saturday night, two excellent Toronto-based Zimbabwean bands played at Placebo Place on Bloor St. (A small, funky artist loft, located above an auto mechanic garage). Nhapitapi Mbira opened, followed by the Tich Maredza Band. For the final set, all 9 musicians played together. The audience had long since given up the cushions on the floor, and everyone was moving to the music. Band members: Nhapitapi Mbira: Mutamba (Moyo) Rainos: vocals, mbira, percussion & dance Memory Makuri: vocals, dance & percussion Evelyn Mukwedeya: mbira & percussion Pasi Gunguwo: vocals, mbira, percussion The Tich Maredza Band: Tichaona Maredza: vocals, guitar Larry … Continue reading →

Wazimbo: music from Mozambique – tonight at the Lula

  March 8, 2012 - 1:36 pm | , ,
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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 musicians (Tich Maredza, Larry Lewis, Ruben Esguerra — all from the Tich Maredza Band — plus Gordin Mapika and Sam Petit). Wazimbo was interviewed last Sunday by Nadine McNulty on Karibuni (CIUT). That program is still online for a few more days. (Link is below). … Continue reading →

Random recent musical notes

  February 23, 2012 - 1:01 pm | , , , , ,
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A few odds and ends from the musical world recently… A new double CD out on Stern’s of the late Guinean great Sory Kandia Kouyaté. Info, and some music here. Feel free to crank up the volume. Baaba Maal on the food crisis in Mauritania Reports from Senegal recently are that Youssou n’Dour was injured in the leg by a tear gas canister in the unrest over the election situation (and the court decision to not allow him to run for president). See also earlier post on this site And taking another musical perspective on serious political struggles, while the … Continue reading →