Volume 28 Issue 1 | September 20 - November 8, 2022

Farzad AttarJafari, and members of Rumi Canada
Members of the Haneen Choir of Toronto
performances from dusk to dawn, not only at the Museum but also in
the adjacent park and at the Ismaili Centre next door.
Confirmed acts as of press time include the Haneen Women’s Choir, a
Toronto Syrian collective established in 2018. Haneen means “nostalgia”
in Arabic, and their threefold mission includes bringing the feeling of
home to participants, preserving the lyrical and musical heritage of
Syria and enhancing social and cultural exchanges with Canadians. This
inspiring community choir’s guiding belief centres the essential value of
music to community: “singing is necessary to preserve Syrian cultural
heritage during a time of war and destruction.”
Following Haneen, Sufi performances will be presented in a sama
(Arabic for a ceremonial meditation and prayer practice) setting. These
performances often include singing, instrumentals, dancing, recitation
of prayers and poetry, all in symbolic attire. (The “Mevlevi Sama
Ceremony” of Turkey was inducted into UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the
Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2008.)
The professional Little Pear Garden Dance Company has long
specialized in creating a body of Chinese-inspired dance and music works
in Toronto. Their Nuit Blanche presentation embraces storytelling, dance
and music. The stage then shifts to the distinguished Indo-Canadian
dance artist and musician Bageshree Vaze and party who present a
program of kathak (North Indian classical dance) with live music.
Co-produced with pioneer Indian classical music presenter Raag-Mala
Toronto, the evening will be capped by a full-length Hindustani concert.
Rounding out the wee-hours programming is a series of TBA
pop-up music performances in the museum’s intimate Bellerive
Room and open air courtyard, long a signature of the museum’s music
programming.
All in all, it feels like a substantial music feast warranting a trip to
the heart of Don Mills – and perhaps staying there all night. I may
even see you there!
Andrew Timar is a Toronto musician, composer and music
journalist. He can be contacted at worldmusic@thewholenote.com.
2022-2023 Season: A Golden Anniversary Celebration
Join us at the cinema!
LA RUTA DEL SOL
PEREGRINO
or Sons of the Pilgrim Sun
NOVEMBER 10 at 7:30 pm | Tickets $25
Artistic Direction by Esteban La Rotta
Join us for the release of Sons of the Pilgrim Sun,
filmed July 2022 – an all-new digital production
exploring the virtually endless array of harmonies,
melodies, and rhythms that make up South
America’s captivating sentimiento. Don’t miss
our debut on the big screen!
Subscribe on TorontoConsort.org | Stream on EarlyMusic.TV
thewholenote.com September 20 - November 8, 2022 | 27