This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between September 8 and 14, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Tuesday Organ Recital: Widor: Sixth Symphony
Tuesday, September 9, 1 p.m.
St. James Cathedral, 106 King St. E., Open Donation
As we leave summer behind, many city-bustles, including noon-concerts, return to the city. The iconic St. James Cathedral’s S. R. Warren organ was initially built in 1888, making it the oldest surviving organ in Toronto that is still in use. With a few upgrades along the way, it currently consists of 87 ranks, with 5,101 pipes. Come by this Tuesday afternoon, and enjoy the majesty of this beast of an organ in this impressive Ontario Heritage building. The first of the series opens with Jean-Paul Feo, the current Wayne C Vance Organ Scholar of St. James, playing the Sixth Symphony by Charles Marie Widor. The piece was premiered by Widor at the Paris Exhibition in 1878, and Widor, who treats the organ as a symphonic entity, gave it plenty of panache. A work of significant length and material, it’s a lovely way to experience the true grandeur of the French organ repertoire. The organ has been making a strong comeback recently, thanks to superstars such as Anna Lapwood and Cameron Carpenter, and you may have seen these amazing musicians on screen — now this is your chance to come in person and experience the true sound of the organ. It is so much, oh so much larger than the best social media reels. Info here.
Opera Revue: Risqué at the Rivoli
Thursday, September 11, Friday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.
Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., $25.57+
Opera Revue, one of the small, nimble opera companies busy with experimentation on the opera format to see how to bring it alive and relevant in our own time, is taking two evenings at the familiar Queen St. West institution, Rivoli, with a mixed program and cheeky songs and dances. Musicians Danie Friesen, Alexander Hajek, and Chaire Harris, will be joined by light-footed dancers A’Slayna von Hunt, Cara De Melo, El Toro, and Tucker. If you are in the mood for some lighthearted fun without centuries-old tradition weighing heavily on your shoulder, this just might be the weekend ticket to get you humming gently in your seat, and experience beautiful arias under a different light. Info here.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Friday, September 12, 5 p.m., to Sunday, September 14, 7 p.m.
Neighbourhood between Jane Street and Glendonwynne Road, Toronto, between Jane and Runnymede TTC stations, open to public
The largest Ukrainian Festival in North America returns to the vibrant Bloor West neighbourhood. Ukrainians take their national identity seriously — especially in this difficult time of continued war, and their folk music and dancing, with their instantaneously recognizable costumes, are truly impressive. With the depth of the large Ukrainian population in Toronto, we are very lucky to have such easy access to high-calibre authentic Ukrainian culture in our own city. The three-day schedule is packed with a variety of performers, including Iveroni (Georgian traditional folklore dance and singing group), Barvinok (network of community-based Ukrainian dance schools celebrating their 55th year — there are many branches in Ontario), St. Demetrius Bandura Ensemble (celebrating their 40th year teaching bandura in Toronto, a Ukrainian plucked-string folk instrument), Kozak Siromaha (a Cossack traditional artist continuing the traditional Cossak dance, sabre fighting, shamanic rituals and music), and Victor Mishalow (a bandura player who has been awarded the Ukrainian Order of Merit); and Marichka and the Daughters of Donbas (see our Interview with Marichka here) so check out their website carefully — or just come on down, and spend the day soaking in this fiercely proud community with their music, dance, and of course, delicious food. Info here.
Toronto Contra Dance: Saturday Evening Dance
Saturday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.
St. Barnabas Church Hall, 175 Hampton Ave., Pay-What-You-Can
Social dances with live music, but without ear-crunching decibels do exist — even if they are a little hard to find. Along with Balfolk Toronto, Toronto Contra Dance holds regular sessions in the city. For this lovely dance event, there will be a beginners’ lesson from 7 to 7:30 p.m., and the rest of the evening will continue on, with happy people stepping and twirling through the evening. This week’s caller, Drew Delaware (Caller is the person who will ‘call out’ the steps, guiding the group through the physical sequences of the dance with directions and body gestures), will be accompanied by Montreal’s Les Quartre Patates’s live performance. I especially love that the event is open to everyone, including children — there are many ways in which we can build a true bond with our families, friends, and community; and moving in sync with laughter and music, must be one of the best ways to connect. Info here.
Toronto Independent Film Festival: Immersed, a cinematic album by Justin Gray
Sunday, September 14, 6 p.m.
Paradise Theatre, 1006c Bloor St West, $23.60
JUNO Award-winning bassist, producer, and engineer Justin Gray is presenting his groundbreaking album/film Immersed. It’s a cinematic album that was composed, recorded and produced for immersive audio, and features a global roster of 38 artists. As a listener, you’ll be at the centre of a 360-degree orchestra, paired with a full length film. It’s about expanding the audience experience to include immersive audio and visual storytelling in one event. Gray’s music draws on diverse influences, including jazz, Indian classical music, and other global traditions. The film’s visual connect the audience to the musicians as they create in the studio in a dialogue with dance, art, and the natural world. You can get a taste of the film here. Info here.
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Cecilia tumbled into ‘serious’ music study when she decided to avoid attending medical school. Currently working in the field of classical music, recording, and Korean-English interpretation, she tends to get her nose dirty in many different things in the city. Cecilia holds a DMA in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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