Ashkenaz Festival

08/24/2026

The final Summer Jam of the season is here and once again the weather gods are smiling upon us. Forecast is clear for this evening and we have an incredible evening of Pop/Soul/Motown lined up with Ethiopian-Jewish dynamo AvevA Dese here from Los Angeles, and Toronto's own The Intentions. A perfect end to the series and a push-off to the Ashkenaz Festival starting next Sunday Aug 30. We'll have our printed festival schedules hot off the press to distribute this evening. Come join us for an amazing evening. https://ashkenaz.ca/event/summer-jam-iv-soul-pop-rnb-night/

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

Nine years ago Ashkenaz introduced Ethiopian-Jewish soul singer AvevA Dese to Toronto audiences. Next Monday August 24 we’re pleased to welcome her back as part of the final Summer Jam event of the summer. With Toronto’s own 10-piece powerhouse The Intentions on the back end of the bill delivering a set of Soul and Motown classics, it will be an epic night of music and community in Earl Bales Park. And a perfect segue to this year’s Ashkenaz Festival running from August 30 to September 6. https://ashkenaz.ca/ashkenaz-2026/

08/10/2026

It's been raining here and there around the city today but not at all at Earl Bales Park and the forecast looks clear for the evening's Summer Jam III: Bob Dylan Night. Here's a little snippet from New Morning's soundcheck. See y'all tonight!

08/09/2026

Have a listen to Eric's interview on ZoomerRadio earlier this week about Summer Jam III: Bob Dylan Night, taking place tomorrow evening Monday Aug 10 at Earl Bales Park, featuring Daniel Kahn, Paul James and New Morning.

08/05/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Daniel Kahn back to Toronto next Monday August 10 for Summer Jam III: Bob Dylan Night. As a singer and songwriter Kahn is known for satirical and socially conscious work rooted deeply in the Yiddish tradition, but also informed by the spirit of iconic bards like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Woody Guthrie. For Summer Jam ’26 Kahn will perform some of his Yiddish translations of those artists’ songs, along with selections from his new trio album “UMRU / Unrest,” joined by NYC-based violinist Jake Shulman-Ment & German multi-instrumentalist Christian Dawid on sax, clarinet and percussion. Here’s Daniel with his own translation of Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released”. https://ashkenaz.ca/event/summer-jam-iii-celebrating-bob-dylan-at-85/