Event Details

Founded in 1997 and incorporated in 2001, the Small World Music Society was formed to present world music to Toronto audiences and raise the profile of the world music genre. A charitable organization, its vision is based on sharing cultural experience and ultimately, building bridges between cultures. It has presented over 400 events ranging in scale from small clubs to 1000-seat concert halls.

"This application is for the “Global Toronto Music Festival”; a new five-day live music and cultural event taking place at multiple venues in Toronto September 28 to October 2, 2024. The Festival begins with a free two-day public event at the Aga Khan Park, followed by three days of ticketed shows and industry-specific events across six to eight venues in Toronto. This festival merges the essence of the Small World Music Festival with the Global Toronto Conference and Showcase, along with the Aga Khan Museum’s Fall Family Festivities into a unique celebration of diversity and artistic expression.

Programming includes:

(1) Free public programming (Sep 28–29 at Aga Khan Park): Open to people of all ages, families, kids, pets, and individuals with all abilities and disabilities. This part of the Festival focuses on inclusivity and community engagement, offering a range of activities and performances. 24 bands will perform on the two outdoor stages especially erected for this event (one largely dedicated to children’s entertainers), and the weekend will also include kids' crafts, mini-pong, a dog spa, dance and music workshops for families, special gallery installations, and food and craft vendors;

(2) Ticketed Shows and Industry Events (Sep 30–Oct 2 across various venues): The latter part of the Festival features ticketed performances and professional development sessions at a mix of venues across the city such as Lula Lounge, Koerner Hall/RCM, Drom Taberna, Harbourfront Centre, TD Music Hall/Massey Hall, and Toronto Metropolitan University. These events cater to a more targeted audience, including artists and industry professionals. 40-plus bands, representing more than 150 artists, will feature a blend of genres, like classical, traditional Arabic, hip-hop, Afro-jazz, electronic, and other contemporary forms. To date, more than 290 artists/bands from across Canada have applied and the lineup will be revealed on May 30th, 2024;

(3) Professional Sessions: These sessions, planned for the ticketed portion of the Festival, will be aimed at artists and cultural industry professionals. They will focus on important themes such as equity, accessibility, and sustainability in the arts and culture sector; and

(4) Global Toronto Conference and Showcase including a showcase of some of Canada’s most exciting talent to more than 150 delegates from more than a dozen countries who come to scout these artists with the goal of hiring them to perform at festivals and concert halls around the world. Last year’s showcase had international delegates from France, Mexico, Norway, Taiwan, and Korea."