A few new events have been added to the Events calendar, including Apr. 7: Tribute to, and fundraiser for the late Achilla Orru (and his family) Mar. 14: Kae Sun May 25: Bonga & Don Nikas bring Angolan music to The Opera House Some more Small World Music Asian Music Series events More to come. Femi Kuti in town July 3. And don’t forget Oliver Mtukudzi on April 6!
Radio?? How…. 20th century! Well… maybe, but radio is not only important for providing [fill in: information, news, music, social connections, etc., etc. …], it’s now scientifically established that radio makes you feel better! (Thanks to Mediazoic for the Twitter tip!) You’ll actually feel better than if you spend your time surfing the Net. And it’s also a great social experience. But, it is also, as always, an immediate source of that information/news/music mentioned above. And, if your interests, tastes, viewpoints on those areas, are not well-served (I hope not!) by “mainstream radio”, if Internet streams and radio stations provide little, if any, information about … Continue reading
You won’t be able to sleepwalk through this guitar extravaganza. The 2nd annual Sleepwalk Guitar Festival at The Great Hall on the weekend of Nov. 2-4, sponsored by Six Shooter Records and curated by Luke Doucet will be filled with guitar stars and legends: in concert, in workshops and in interview sessions. The festival website with schedules, ticket info and more is here. The Six Shooter Facebook page has more information, and a raft of videos of some of the performers. Some more about a couple of the artists is below. James Burton Many years ago, whenever I read anything … Continue reading
A few to watch for. See www.to-music.ca/events for details on these, and many other concerts and shows. Sat. Oct. 13: Reception for José Ortega’s art exhibit opening at IndexG Sun. Oct. 14: Royal Drummers of Burundi (2 shows) Markham Theatre Thu. Oct. 17: Be Good Tanyas at Great Hall Fri. Oct. 18: Béla Fleck & Marcus Roberts Trio at Koerner Hall Sat. Oct. 20-21: Iris Dement (she’s just released her first album of new songs in 16 years) at Hugh’s Room. Both shows standing room only. Listen to a recent NPR profile. Sat. Oct. 20-21: Uma Nota Festival of Tropical Expressions: … Continue reading
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 performs at the Dakota Tavern as part of her CD Release of Sister of Mine. I wasn’t familiar with her music until now, but having listened to the CD, and some of her earlier music, I’ve been really impressed with her sound, her singing and … Continue reading
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 been any time for any significant updates here. There are more listings now, including: Grammy winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sep. 26 at Hugh’s Room The last week of the Small World Music Festival, running through Sep. 30 A notable pairing of Brownman & Jason Wilson, in the … Continue reading
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 of these are close to selling out already. www.hughsroom.com Free online course: “Listening to World Music” Really.. from the University of Pennsylvania. A seven week course, involving 5-7 hours per week, it started July 23. Details and enrollment here:https://www.coursera.org/course/worldmusic African music, African food While much … Continue reading
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 a wide variety of stringed instruments, and, Harbourfront suggests, asks questions such as: What is modern classical music? Why are some folk melodies and pop tunes called classics? And who gets to call them that? Can sonorous instruments from different cultures talk to each other? … Continue reading
I’ve posted several items about Afrocubism here and in the newsletter over the past couple of years, but it’s worthwhile commenting again about what a remarkable collection of musicians will be assembled on the stage at Luminato on the evening of June 12, for a free concert. This website has a particular focus on African music, and much of it on West African music; Mali may have some of the greatest musicians on that continent. If I were to try to pick an “all star team” of Malian musicians, it might end up looking like these guys. Much publicity about … Continue reading
Part 1 of the summer festival notes. Check www.events.to-music.ca for details on these and many other events. Summer festival time kicks is here, kicking off this weekend with The Afrofest launch event tonight Beginning Friday, 10 amazing days of free Luminato concerts & the annual free Muhatadi International Drumming Festival Saturday. Afrofest launch: June 7 Tonight in the Ballroom of the Gladstone Hotel, Music Africa announces the lineup for the 2012 Afrofest, this year moved to Woodbine Park. A few names have already been announced including Sam Fan Thomas (Cameroon) and Wazimbo (who put on a terrific show at the … Continue reading
