The Tawoos Initiative

10/01/2025

Ishq festival is here! send us your favourite poetry for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a show!

✨ Introducing ISHQ ✨

This October, Toronto comes alive with a month-long celebration of art as devotion.

ISHQ is a bold new platform presenting powerful, heart-opening experiences that transcend language, culture, and form. Through music, dance, poetry, theatre, film, and conversation, ISHQ brings together internationally acclaimed artists and deeply rooted community voices in a shared spirit of devotion.

📆 October 1–26, 2025 | 📍 Toronto, Canada

Rooted in ritual and tradition yet reaching beyond borders, ISHQ invites you on a journey of connection and discovery.

🔗 Explore the full lineup: ishqfestival.com

Produced by Small World Music | In partnership with Aga Khan Museum & The Tawoos Initiative

04/25/2025

📢 Calling all musicians! 📢

The Small World Music Incubator is a program designed to support professional musicians from diverse backgrounds in the Greater Toronto Area, particularly those from immigrant, newcomer, and underrepresented communities.

It provides participants with professional development, mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to help them build sustainable careers in the music industry.

If you're a musician with a strong foundation in your craft and you're actively building your path in the Canadian music scene, this program is for you!

✨ Apply now — https://smallworldmusic.com/incubator/

Small World Incubator Program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.

We would also like to acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada’s private radio broadcasters.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier de FACTOR, du gouvernement du Canada, et des radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.

10/08/2024

07/25/2024

Get ready Toronto! 🪩💃🕺

Experience the magic of Lady Pista Live in Concert!

Join us for this immersive visual and sound experience, blending Afrobeat, Tamil, Amapiano, Dancehall and Bollywood sounds with a global South Asian vibe. ✨

Featuring special musical guests, live visuals by , and an exclusive afterparty with tunes by and , and custom cocktails by , it’s going to be a night to remember!

August 24

Live Concert: 8:30pm- 10pm

Afterparty: 10pm - 2am

📍 302 geary ave

[ Link in bio of ]

Don’t miss out on a night of vibrant beats and unforgettable energy! See you There! 🪩

This Event is Powered by the PrEP Clinic and Forte!

07/10/2024

Toronto! Dameer er basha khali, eshe poro taratari!

Kick off your shoes, grab a drink, and make yourself comfortable. Co-presenter with the lovely , come see fresh interpretations of .dk classics along with tabla maestro and percussion veteran . An intimate rooftop, cha inspired cocktails and close friends as the sun sets over the Toronto skyline - what more do you need for the perfect summer jam?

Ticket link in bio! Get them while they're going! It's going to be 🔥

Concept & Art Direction by and , Beautiful illustration by

Can you spot all the references??

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Ontario Arts Council and Province of Ontario for making this programming possible!

06/22/2024

As a part of this year’s Q***r Bolly Night, we have been lucky to have q***r and BIPOC artists generously donate art prints to us - all of which will be auctioned off to you lovely folks, and we will donate every dollar from this auction to support Palestinians who are both looking to either resettle and evacuate, or hoping to stay in Gaza and rebuild their lives and homes.

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Artist : Aidan

This photograph is part of a series of postcards I made from getting to travel to different cities over the years. This one is from visiting New York, and more especially Central Park, for the first time.

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The online link to bid on the auction is live in our bio, and pick up will be at our Q***r Bolly event on the 22nd of June at the Garrison!

06/22/2024

As a part of this year’s Q***r Bolly Night, we have been lucky to have q***r and BIPOC artists generously donate art prints to us - all of which will be auctioned off to you lovely folks, and we will donate every dollar from this auction to support Palestinians who are both looking to either resettle and evacuate, or hoping to stay in Gaza and rebuild their lives and homes.


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Artist : Cléo Sương Mai Richez

This photograph is part of a series of postcards I made from getting to travel to different cities over the years. This one is from visiting New York, and more especially Central Park, for the first time.

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The online link to bid on the auction is live in our bio, and pick up will be at our Q***r Bolly event on the 22nd of June at the Garrison!

06/22/2024

Hey Siri, play “It’s the Time to Disco” because I’m feeling leather pants and an androgynous top. Come to the Garrison tonight for and ’s fire tracks, set to jhakas visuals.

06/22/2024

we’re letting go of all Parampara, Pratishtha and Anushasan tonight. come to a Bollywood party exuding bi wife energy. performing live, and he’s promised us some retro fits 🪩

Tickets available at the door 🎟️