Celebrating 3 years of hip shaking, foot stomping, beat breaking, global grooves – LIVE!
We hope that by now you’ve heard about LULA WORLD, the ten-day world music festival that Lula Lounge has put together to mark it’s third anniversary. Lula Lounge has asked Small World Music, Music Africa, David Buchbinder, Jane Bunnett, Daniel Stone to work with us to present a series of concerts that will reflect the diversity of Toronto and the musicians who have graced the Lula stage since we opened in the spring of 2002. Other contributors to the series include Franco-Fete and Borealis records. With performances by The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, Donné Robert, Turkish world beat artists Oojami, Jane Bunnett, Le Vent du Nord, Chango Family and a fabulous Brazilian Dance Party. LULA WORLD will be like a ten day trip around the globe - all here at Dundas and Dufferin.
Saturday June 4
We present our own contribution to the festival is "La Salsa de Hoy" an all-star salsa night that will bring together representatives from Toronto’s top salsa orchestras. Over twenty musicians will perform the original compositions of bands such as Caché, Proyecto Charanguero, Luis Mario Ochoa, Ricky Franco and Evaristo Machado. Internationally, Toronto is becoming recognized as one of the salsa capitals of the world. Celebrate with us our local talent and Toronto as a place where contributions from musicians originating from all over the world are welcomed and appreciated. Members are free on this evening. (Those purchasing new memberships in May and June will receive a pass to the entire Lula World festival. Call 416 588 0307 for details.)
Karina Stone, Anima Fado and Wave
For this Wednesday, May 26, Karina Stone has organized an evening of Brazilian music and Portuguese Fado. Venezuelan born Stone is well known around Toronto for her sophisticated renditions of Brazilian bossa standards. Nuno Cristo’s Anima Fado and Brazilian band Wave will join Karina for what will be her last concert in Toronto before leaving for the U.S. To pursue her career in medicine.
Father’s Day Concert
MPC Music and Lula Lounge have the perfect Fathers Day evening planned for you. Treat Dad to a dinner from Lula’s new spring menu while enjoying an evening of classic jazz with the Norman Amadio Band. Featuring the vocals of Tommy Ambrose with Guido Basso on trumpet, Rick Wilkins on tenor sax, Rosemary Galloway on bass and Don Vickery on drums, it will be the perfect way to catch up, kick back and enjoy an evening of jazz standards performed by an all-star Canadian lineup!
Latin Jazz Double Header!
On June 22 and 23, Lula keeps the Latin Jazz sizzling with presentations by Eliana Cuevas and Hilario Duran’s All Star Big Band. Venezuelan born Cuevas is a rising star in Canada’s global jazz scene. While best know for her versatile vocals, Eliana is also really coming into her own as a songwriter and band leader. June 23: fresh off a JUNO win for his recording New Danzon, Hilario will bring to Lula’s stage, one of his most ambitious projects to date. (A bit of Lula trivia: Lula owner and creative director Jose Ortega designed the cover art for the award winning New Danzon CD.) The Lula Latin Jazz series will continue in the fall and will feature both international and local artists.
2005 Juno Award winner Adam Solomon and Tikisa
African music fans will be excited to know that Adam Solomon and Tikisa will be back to Lula on June 30. Tikisa means "shake your body" in Swahili which is just what you’ll want to do when you hear Tikisa’s intoxicating blend of Worldbeat, Afropop and Soukous. The evening is a fundraiser for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.
MAY UPDATES AND JUNE SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY MAY 25
KARINA STONE WITH WAVE AND ANIMA FADO
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 8:00pm, Admission $10
Anima Fado brings you the music of urban Portugal followed by Wave's delicious blend of Brazilian popular music.
THURSDAY MAY 26
INFUSE FESTIVAL WITH GALITCHA + TANTRA
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission $15
Music with a strong North Indian footprint overlaid with influences from western folk and jazz and instrumentation from around the world.
FRIDAY MAY 27
SALSA FRIDAY W/ CACHE
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10, MEMBERS FREE! , $45 - 3 course dinner + dance class + show
TORONTO’S FIERCEST SALSA BAND!
CACHÉ plays hardcore Salsa music inspired by the art of vintage salsa sound of the 1970's. Salsa dance class at 9pm.
SATURDAY MAY 28
CUBADISCO SALSTOUR PARTY W/ CAFE CUBANO!
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10, $45 3 course dinner, dance class and show
We’re proud to welcome back a brand new band in Toronto with five performers formerly with Valentin y los del Caribe. They have joined up with other great Toronto musicians to form "Cafe Cubano!". Dance lesson at 9pm.
SUNDAY MAY 29
LES COQUETTES
Doors @ 8:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission
The courtesans of this smart and saucy burlesque group will transport you to 19th Century Paris.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 1
LULA WORLD FESTIVAL: FEAST OF THE EAST
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission $15 or $50 dinner and show package., Package includes three course latin fusion meal.
Featuring the infectious sounds of the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band and belly dancing by Roula Said and the Roulettes.
THURSDAY JUNE 2
LULA WORLD FESTIVAL: MUSIC AFRICA
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission $10 or $45 dinner and show package., Package includes three course latin fusion meal.
A festival preview party for Afrofest 2005 featuring the Malagasy Soul of Dieu-Donné, led by Donné Robert, the guitarist-extraordinaire from Madagascar recently on Lula's stage as a member of the African Guitar Summit CD group, winner of the 2005 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year.
FRIDAY JUNE 3
LULA WORLD FESTIVAL: OOJAMI
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission $15, $55 dinner and show package
Oojami fuses Turkish elements with a myriad of cultural traditions, providing a whirling dervish cyclone of sound with an uncompromising attitude towards musical freedom of expression.
SATURDAY JUNE 4
LULA WORLD FESTIVAL: LA SALSA DE HOY!
Doors @ 7:00pm, Admission $15, Members Free!, $55 includes 3 course dinner, dance lesson and cover
Toronto's top latin musicians will form a Lula super group for one amazing night to perform original material by your favourite Lula bands. We're going to prove that Toronto is one of the most important salsa centres in the world today!
SUNDAY JUNE 5
LULA WORLD FESTIVAL: JANE BUNNETT PRESENTS
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission $25, $65 with 3 course, tropical fusion dinner
Jane Bunnett will celebrate Lula Lounge's 3rd anniversary by gathering together some of her favourite jazz and world music artists. This very special evening will feature performances by three stunning vocalists - Jose Aguilles, Dione Taylor, and Laura Ocampo.
TUESDAY JUNE 7
BOREALIS RECORDS PRESENTS LE VENT DU NORD
Doors @ 7:00pm, Admission
New traditional music from Québec that will put a smile on your face and quicken the pulse rate. The energy emanating from these four excellent musicians is unstoppable and audiences everywhere find it impossible to sit still!
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8
OASIS VOCAL JAZZ
Doors @ 6:00pm, Show @ 8:00pm, Admission
An eclectic ensemble, these thirteen singers share a love of the close harmonies, quirky rhythms and smooth sound that is uniquely vocal jazz.
THURSDAY JUNE 9
LULAWORLD FESTIVAL: FRANCO-FETE WITH CHANGO FAMILY
Doors @ 6:00pm, Show @ 8:00pm, Admission $15
Originally from Quebec, the Chango family truly honours the deity from which it borrows its name: Chango, the god of celebration and revolution. Drawing on reggae, salsa, african beats, punk and gypsy violin, Chango family presents a veritable Babylon of melody and rhythm. With Improtiéne.
FRIDAY JUNE 10
LULA WORLD FESTIVAL CLOSING NIGHT: BRAZILIAN DANCE PARTY!
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10, Members FREE! , $45 - includes 3 course dinner + dance class + cover
A night in Rio for only $45! Lose yourself in the rhythms of Brazil with Carnaval Braza lead by Maninho Costa. The cheapest tropical vacation going! Samba class @ 9pm.
SATURDAY JUNE 11
SALSA SATURDAY W/ MARRON MATIZADO
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10, $45 includes three course dinner + dance class + show
Nick “the brownman” Ali brings his all-star salsa unit to Lula! Salsa dance class with Ana Machado.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 15
RED A NIGHT OF LIVE PERFORMANCE
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 8:30pm, Admission $10, Bar menu available
Curated by Lisa Pijuan welcomes you to it's THIRD SEASON. RED showcases some of Toronto's most eccentric and talented performers wrapped within an evening of music, dance, theatre, spoken word, film and puppetry.
THURSDAY JUNE 16
KITSCH/N/SYNC
Doors @ 8:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission $7, $5 in advance, Ticket reservations: kitch_n_sync_artists@hotmail.com
A night of performance including poetry, spoken word and music. Featuring original works and performances by Shannon Macguire, Jen Calder, Noa, Katharine McLeod, Julie Auerbach and others.
FRIDAY JUNE 17
SALSA FRIDAY W/ CACHE
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10, Members FREE! , $45 includes three course dinner + dance class + show
TORONTO’S FIERCEST SALSA BAND! CACHÉ plays hardcore Salsa music inspired by the art of vintage salsa sound of the 1970's. Salsa dance class with Ana Machado.
SATURDAY JUNE 18
SALSA SATURDAY W/ CAFE CUBANO!
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10, $45 includes three course dinner + dance class + show
We’re proud to welcome back a brand new band in Toronto with five performers formerly with Valentin y los del Caribe. They have joined up with other great Toronto musicians to form "Cafe Cubano!". Dance lesson at 9pm.
SUNDAY JUNE 19
FATHER'S DAY JAZZ - NORMAN AMADIO & FRIENDS
Doors @ 6:00pm, Show @ 7:00pm, Admission $20
Internationally renowned jazz pianist Norm Amadio and vocalist Tommy Ambrose headline this evening of jazz in support of The Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation. (www.mpcmusic.com)
MONDAY JUNE 20
BURY THE DEAD
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 8:00pm, Admission $20, proceeds to War Resisters Support Campaign, and Artists Against War.
A staged reading of the anti-war play by Irwin Shaw. Directed by Laurel Smith, featuring RH Thomson, Steven Bush, Guillermo Verdecchia, Darren O'Donnell, Vikram Sahay, Jovanni Sly, Bobby Del Rio, and Diane Flacks.
TUESDAY JUNE 21
SKY'S THE LIMIT FUNDRAISER FEATURING MATISSE
Doors @ 7:00pm, Admission
Support Sky's The Limit and catch to hip-hop funk fusion of Matisse.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 22
ELIANA CUEVAS QUINTET
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 9:00pm, Admission $10, $45 dinner and show package.
Special concert by beautiful world jazz singer Eliana Cuevas. Eliana's recent Canadian tour for her new CD Ventura was a huge success we are very honoured to welcome her back to Lula.
THURSDAY JUNE 23
HILARIO DURAN ALL STAR BIG BAND + TRIO!
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 8:00pm, Admission $20, $55 for 3 course dinner and show
Fresh off of a JUNO win for his recording New Danzon, Hilario undertakes one of his most ambitious and exciting projects with the creation of this big band!
FRIDAY JUNE 24
SALSA FRIDAY W/ CAFE CUBANO!
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10, Members FREE! , $45 includes three course dinner + dance class + show
We’re proud to welcome back a brand new band in Toronto with five performers formerly with Valentin y los del Caribe. They have joined up with other great Toronto musicians to form "Cafe Cubano!". Dance lesson at 9pm.
SATURDAY JUNE 25
SALSA SATURDAY w/ RICKY FRANCO
Doors @ 7:00pm, Dance Class @ 9:00pm, Show @ 10:00pm, Admission $10 Includes dance class, $45 includes Dinner, Dance Class and Show
This multi-instrumentalist comes with a powerful band that blends a mixture of vibes ranging from sultry R&B slow jams to powerful Salsa Descargas featuring some of Toronto's best musicians. Salsa class with Ana Machado.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 29
EVARISTO MACHADO + FRIENDS
Doors @ 7:00pm, Admission
THURSDAY JUNE 30
ADAM SOLOMON & TIKISA IN CONCERT
Doors @ 7:00pm, Show @ 8:30pm, Admission $35 Single $50 Couple
Adam Solomon and his multicultural band, Tikisa ('shake your body' in Swahili), delivers a fresh, eminently listenable sound, an intoxicating blend of Worldbeat, Afropop, Soukous and Fiesta rhythms that will lift your soul and make your feet move!
Lula Lounge
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