July 26, 2008
Khayal Darpan: A Mirror of Imagination

1:00PM Saturday, July 26, 2008
Studio Theatre
235 Queens Quay West

Khayal Darpan is an exploration of classical music traditions of urban Pakistan by an Indian filmmaker. The documentary seeks to answer the question of what impact the Partition has had on the classical music traditions of South Asia. Delhi-based filmmaker Yousuf Saeed spent about 6 months in Pakistan in 2005 interviewing musicians and scholars, attending music concerts, and observing the teaching of music in various institutions. His travels through Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad enabled him to capture images of practitioners and patrons of classical music. Khayal Darpan features many well-known as well as many lesser known but talented musicians of Pakistan.

Prices: FREE EVENT

July 26, 2008
M-DO Dance (partnership) - “Horizons” a program of South Asian dance

1:30pm | Kuchipudi dance with Ravi Moni
3:00pm | Odissi dance with Ankita Sarker
7:00pm | Kathak dance with Kiran Phull

Toronto Star Stage
235 Queens Quay West

M-DO, established in 1988, grew out of the shared visions of Kathak dancer Joanna de Souza and Tabla drummer Ritesh Das. Within their chosen disciplines, Joanna and Ritesh have facilitated a greater artistic/cultural awareness in Toronto by creating the opportunities needed for artists to bring world dance and music to new audiences, students and educational partners throughout Toronto.

Prices: FREE EVENT

July 26, 2008
Riffat Sultana and Party

3:30 PM
Sirius Stage
235 Queens Quay West

Borders: Riffat Sultana is the daughter of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, one of the most respected classical singers in India and Pakistan. She channels the musical wisdom of 500 years and eleven generations of master musicians in her family in India and Pakistan. But in all those years, she is the first woman in her family to sing in public.

The amazing voice of Riffat Sultana, daughter of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, one of the most respected classical singers in India and Pakistan, is now being heard around the world. She was featured in the 2004 “We Are The Future” concert produced by Quincy Jones in Rome and appeared on the renowned Cheb I Sabbah’s latest Devotion disc. Riffat Sultana has taken Classical Indian music across international borders and fused it with many western types of music.

Prices: FREE EVENT

July 26, 2008
“B2” a collaboration between Sampradaya Dance Creations and Ballet Jorgen

8:30PM
Sirius Stage
235 Queens Quay West

Borders: Classical South Asian Dance meets Classical Ballet. B² is a daring exploration of the confluence of bharatanatyam and ballet choreographed by Lata Pada Sampradaya Dance Creations and Ballet Jorgen Canada.

A cross-road of cultural traditions, the daring B2 (pronounced "B-squared") explores the classicism of ballet and bharatanatyam, while examining the counterpoints of both forms of artistic movement. Shaped by the perpetual introspective questioning of bharatanatyam's meaningfulness to her own life, Lata Pada asked England's virtuoso soloist and avant-garde choreographer Mavin Khoo to create a piece that challenges bharatanatyam and forges a new realm of possibilities, imagery and virtuosity.

Prices: FREE EVENT

July 27, 2008
Toronto Tabla Ensemble

4:30PM Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sirius Stage
235 Queens Quay West

This critically acclaimed independent band from Toronto brings together the North Indian percussive tradition of Tabla, with some of Canada's best music and dance groups. Staying true to form, content and feeling, the TTE moves what is traditionally a solo instrument to an unparalleled level of ensemble work. The intricate rhythms and abundant tonal variations possible on the tabla combine to make it one of the most expressive of all percussion instruments. The Ensemble has performed at all of Canada's best folk, jazz and art festivals, and in 2003 was commissioned to create the current theme music for the CBC RADIO 1's daily morning show Metro Morning.

Prices: FREE EVENT