.png)
TORONTO’S 2025 LULAWORLD FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 12 DAYS OF WORLD MUSIC MAGIC
MAY 28 – JUNE 8, 2025 | TICKETS & INFO: LULAWORLD.CA
In a time when music festivals across Canada are shrinking, folding, or reimagining themselves, one festival is standing tall, louder and prouder than ever. The 19th annual Lulaworld Festival is set to ignite Toronto from May 28 to June 8, 2025, offering a vibrant, soul-stirring celebration of Latin, Brazilian, and global roots music. This is not just a Toronto event — it’s a vital expression of who we are as a country: diverse, creative, and globally connected.
Hosted by Toronto’s legendary Lula Lounge, Lulaworld has evolved into a national cultural landmark — one that offers grassroots intimacy combined with international scope. Over the course of 12 genre-spanning days, more than 200 artists will gather from across Canada and the globe, sharing stages, stories, and songs from Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Turkey, Jamaica, Nigeria, Algeria, Uruguay, Guatemala, and beyond.
“Toronto has become the cultural heartbeat of global music in Canada,” says Lula Music & Arts Centre co-director Tracy Jenkins. “At a time when it’s increasingly difficult for Cuban, Brazilian, and African artists to tour the U.S., we’re proud to make space for those voices here — and to do it with Canadian collaborators, on Canadian soil.
_________________________________________________________
From intimate solo performances to massive dance-floor explosions, every Lulaworld show is designed to ignite connection, curiosity, and community. The lineup showcases established icons and emerging voices alike — including Selcuk Suna, Joaquin Nuñez, Ladom Ensemble, Aline Morales, Marcia Castro, and Dayramir Gonzalez — each telling stories that bridge tradition with today’s musical evolution.
“Long before artists like Bad Buny, Maluma and Daddy Yankee brought Latin music to the international mainstream, Lula has been creating a home for salsa and global music,” says co-artistic director Jose Ortega. “Now, with artists like Yani Borrell, OKAN, Ahmed Moneka, and Empanadas Ilegales going international, we’re proud to say those roots go deep — and they started right here.”
Visit www.lulaworld.ca for the full lineup and schedule, and secure your tickets via Eventbrite. Dinner reservations for Lula Lounge events are available at lula.ca/reservations or by calling 416-588-0307.
Lulaworld 2025 is more than a festival. It’s a movement. It’s Canada at its most soulful, its most joyful, and its most united — one beat at a time
LULAWORLD 2025 CONCERT LISTINGS
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert - $25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Lulaworld 2025 kicks off with a double (album release party featuring Selcuk Suna (Lulaworld Records) and Fethi Nadjem. The culmination of years of creation, the evening will bring together Turkish, Middle Eastern and North African global jazz, roots and electronica.
Selcuk Suna Instagram Selcuk Suna Facebook
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert $20 - 25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
An unforgettable night of soulful R&B and jazz as Kubla brings his dreamy West Coast sound and magnetic presence to the stage. Opening the night is rising star Gracie Ella, whose smooth vocals and heartfelt songwriting set the tone for an evening of groove, soul, and emotion.
Kubla Instagram Kubla Facebook Kubla Website
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 9 PM Dance Lesson, 10 PM Concert
Montreal pianist and vocalist Andy Rubal joins Toronto’s legendary Café Cubano for a high-energy night of Cuban music. Blending Rubal’s soulful vocals and contemporary timba flair with Café Cubano’s funky rhythms and fiery grooves, this powerhouse collaboration promises an unforgettable celebration of salsa, son, funk, and tropical dancefloor magic.
Andy Rubal Instagram Andy Rubal Facebook Andy Rubal Website
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 10 PM Concert $20 - $40 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Or reserve for dInner & Show $69 option at Lula.ca/reservations
With a sound that has no borders, singer Alx Veliz’s music reflects his upbringing in a Guatemalan and Jamaican home in Toronto with influences from reggae, dancehall, salsa and Latin pop. Prominent on the Latin Canadian music scene since his debut single "Dancing Kizomba," hit the Billboard charts in 2015, Alx has continued to build his crossover story as a composer, songwriter and producer — bridging the culture gap between Latin and urban pop music.
Alex Veliz Instagram Alex Veliz Facebook
SWA, short for Salseros With Attitude, is a dynamic Latin music group known for their exciting blend of salsa pop, and Latin rhythms. Having worked with Grammy-nominated artists such as Charlie Aponte, Ismael Miranda, Adonis Puentes and Fito Blanco, SWA has cemented their reputation, blending their Latin heritage with a variety of global musical genres, offering an exciting fusion that pushes creative boundaries and connect with new audiences.
SWA Instagram SWA Facebook SWA Website
A Pride Month Party Co-presented with Uma Nota Culture, the driving force behind Mixto Festival.
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert $25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Brazilian-born, Toronto-based Bruno Capinan previews two new songs and celebrates the re-release of his discography on vinyl. As part of this special night to launch Pride month, Bruno will be joined by three leading figures on Toronto's vibrant drag scene.
Bruno Capinan Instagram Bruno Capinan Facebook Bruno Capinan Website
Join Lulaworld Records in celebrating the launch of Ladom Ensemble's latest album Sofreh Tisch. Ladom Ensemble’s Sofreh Tisch is a musical tapestry woven from the rich cultural heritage of its members. Pianist Pouya Hamidi, originally from Iran, and cellist Beth Silver, of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, bring their respective traditions into a project where it reflects the Canadian ensemble’s spirit of friendship and artistic exchange.
Ladom Ensemble Instagram Ladom Ensemble Facebook Ladom Ensemble Website
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert $25-$30 ON EVENTBRITE
The Electric Storm Collective is a chamber ensemble that draws on the unique musical voices of its members to create a sound that is intimate yet expansive, nostalgic and new. Evocative lyrics are set to lush harmonies, organically shifting time signatures and intricate ostinatos, brought to life by strings, horns, Brazilian percussion, and bespoke female vocals.
The group genre-hops in the most reverent of ways between jazz, folk, rock, pop, and Brazilian traditional and contemporary styles like maracatu, bossa nova, MPB and Tropicalia, taking listeners on a narrative journey and a sonic trip. With opening set by Juno-nominated Brazilian Canadian singer-songwriter and bandleader Aline Morales with members of her large format percussion ensemble Baque de Bamba.
Electric Storm Collective IG Electric Storm Collective FB Electric Storm Website
Aline Morales Instagram Aline Morales Facebook Aline Morales Website
Don't miss an incredible night of Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin folk as Joaquin Nuñez & Habana Safari are joined by special guest pianist Dayramir Gonzalez, direct from New York City. Opening set by Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter Natasha Roldán. Co-presented with Latin Jazz Net.
Joaquin Nunez Instagram Joaquin Nunez Facebook
Dayramir Gonzalez Website Dayramir Gonzalez Instagram Gonzalez Facebook
Natasha Roldan Instagram Natasha Roldan Facebook Natasha Roldan Website
João Leão’s contemporary tribute Antonio Carlos Jobim with special guest Igor Caracas
Lula Lounge –7 PM Doors, 8 PM Concert - $20 - $25 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Passarim is a reunion of four Brazilian musicians and songwriters who share a love for Brazilian music, specially the Bossa Nova of Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto.
The project started in 2017 as a tribute to the 30th anniversary of Jobim’s first gold album Passarim (1987). From São Paulo’s intense indie music scene, João Leão, Tika, Kika and Igor Caracas carefully adapted the album’s original vocal and orchestral arrangements into a reduced formation with unique style, arriving at a renewed Bossa Nova vibe with vocal effects, electric guitars, synths and a touch of psychedelia.
João Leão Instagram João Leão Facebook Passarim Website
The 4th Annual International Samba Reggae Festival kicks off with performances by visiting blocos (drumming ensembles) and this year’s special guest percussion leaders Mestre Jair Rezende, Mestre Pato and Lenynha Oliveira alongside the celebrated Sao Paolo based singer Marcia Castro and Toronto’s own Tdot Batu stage band.
Marcia Castro Instagram Marcia Castro Facebook
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 10 PM Concert $20 - $30 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Or reserve for dInner & Show $69 option at Lula.ca/reservations
Lengaïa Salsa Brava is a Juno-nominated 12-piece multi-awarded Canadian orchestra based in Montreal and created in 2012 by French Guyanese trombone player Giany Huyghues-Despointes. As its hometown, the orchestra is multicultural and has 7 different nationalities: Colombia, French Guyana, Venezuela, Peru, Quebec, Spain, and the Dominican Republic. Lengaïa has collaborated with several international artists from the world of salsa such as Ismael Miranda, Ismael Rivera Jr and Jimmy Bosch, and is well listed in the new world-known emerging salsa orchestras. Lengaïa has 2 albums: Impacto (2018, Label IM) and The Gold Diggers (2020, Label Lulaworld Records).
Lengaīa Salsa Brava Instagram Lengaīa Salsa Brava Facebook
Lula Lounge – 7 PM Doors, 10 PM Concert $20 - $40 ADV ON EVENTBRITE
Or reserve for dInner & Show $69 option at Lula.ca/reservations
One of the most iconic salsa albums of all time gets the Toronto treatment as an all-star ensemble brings the explosive energy of Siembra to the Lula Lounge stage. Originally released in 1978, Siembra was a groundbreaking collaboration between Rubén Blades and Willie Colón, fusing irresistible rhythms with razor-sharp social commentary. At Lulaworld 2025, La Borinqueña Orquestra—known for their powerhouse brass and classic-meets-cutting-edge sound—reignites these salsa anthems with electrifying vocals by Venezuelan powerhouse Luis Franco. Expect nothing less than a full-on musical throwdown that will have dancers spinning and heads nodding all night long.
Before the band heats up the stage, take your salsa game to the next level with a pre-show lesson by local legend Oscar Naranjo. Whether you're a seasoned salsero or just finding your feet, this is your chance to get into the groove before diving into the fiery pulse of La Borinqueña’s tribute. A project born at Lulaworld in 2016 and rooted in Puerto Rican musical traditions, La Borinqueña has grown into a mainstay of Toronto’s Latin music scene—thanks to bassist and bandleader Ruddy Bolaños. This is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of salsa history, a love letter to Puerto Rico, and a sweaty, joy-filled night that’s pure Lulaworld magic.
SUN JUNE 8, 2025
LULAWORLD AT DO WEST FEST JUNE 6 to 8th
Once again, Lulaworld 2025 will culminate in a 3 day outdoor street party at the Lulaworld stage at Do West Fest. With performers hailing from El Salvador, Montreal, Vancouver, São Paulo, San Francisco and Ottawa, this year’s block party showcases a stunning line up of Latin jazz, Afrobeats, reggae, and salsa. Highlights include Boogát, Afrique Like Me, KAR33M, Norderlis Valdes, Marcia Castro, Chuskupura, Reggaddiction, Niña Volcán and Rachel Therrien. Part concert, part cultural exchange, Lulaworld at Do West is where local street party meets global celebration. Full lineup at lulaworld.ca.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Lulaworld Festival is made possible by generous support from Toronto Arts Council, The City of Toronto, The Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Creates, The Government of Ontario, Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, and The Government of Canada. The 19th annual festival will be presented in collaboration with Little Portugal Toronto BIA, Do West Fest, Drom Taberna, Uma Nota Culture, Latin Jazz Network and The International Samba Reggae Festival.
.png)
![千葉雄喜 (Yuki Chiba) ー 重てえ (Omote) [Official Music Video]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPa6kcLX2FlixQrlG9-3nOToRewAOfEVPmZWRnMneQxZof2iwiTpUJZ-k2UgxkcuRZYDdsNLezc0nuoDszxeKg-eRWRhZRuw37EQ-D-PM8jTUwwqVhgcKbd93xM0vQy1KHZKCkLxXq8mug8ng030GeTfxSMmLzA5kudAncTxAybxCRZbcbh1PxSQd7mQ/w72-h72-p-k-no-nu/_Yuki_Chiba___Omote__Official_Music_Video.gif)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png&description=TORONTO’S 2025 LULAWORLD FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 12 DAYS OF WORLD MUSIC MAGIC){kind=link}
0 Comments