Summer Sounds: Caravan World Rhythms Spotlight

Venue: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn

SUMMER SOUNDS: FREE OPEN-AIR CONCERTS

Caravan World Rhythms Spotlight - Thursday July 24, 2025 from 5:00-7:30pm

Celebrate 25 years of Caravan World Rhythms with a dynamic double-bill of Middle Eastern and Brazilian musical ensembles. AL Qahwa (Toronto) weaves original compositions and beloved Arabic classics, from Sufi devotional love songs and vibrant folk melodies to the timeless hits of Egypt’s golden age. Flávia Nascimento (Quebec City) & Tio Chorinho (Toronto) are an epic pairing of two of Canada’s top Brazilian roots artists whose upbeat danceable collaborations combine Brazil’s soul music and their own original tunes.

AL Qahwa

Toronto-Based Al Qahwa is a dynamic ensemble of virtuoso musicians, for an unforgettable musical journey that bridges cultures and hearts. Led by the mesmerizing vocals of Egyptian-born Maryem Tollar, who also enchants audiences with her mastery of the riqq (Arabic tambourine) and qanun (Arabic table harp), the band features Ernie Tollar on evocative wind instruments, Iranian-born Naghmeh Fahrahmand on dazzling percussion, and Sudanese-born Waleed Abdulhamid on bass and vocals. Al Qahwa weaves together original compositions and beloved Arabic classics—from Sufi devotional love songs and vibrant folk melodies to the timeless hits of Egypt’s golden age. Prepare to be transported by Al Qahwa’s rich tapestry of sound, where every note celebrates the power of music to unite, inspire, and move us all.

Flávia Nascimento & Tio Chorinho

Experience a festive showcase of Brazilian regional music genres, including Choro, Samba, Forro, Bossa Nova, and Jazz. Learn to dance to the various rhythms with Flávia! Flávia Nascimento & Tio Chorinho is an epic pairing of two of Canada’s top Brazilian roots music artists. Hailing from the rich musical wellsprings of Bahia in northeastern Brazil, Flávia is a prolific performer at major festivals, concert halls, and street parties everywhere, wowing audiences with her soulful voice and boisterous presence. Tio Chorinho is Canada’s first ensemble dedicated to choro, the “New Orleans Jazz of Brazil.” Fashioning their own distinctive approach to Brazil’s seminal music, listeners are charmed and thrilled by the group’s virtuosity, dynamics and unique repertoire. Together with Flávia they explore Brazil’s original soul music along with their own original tunes.

About Caravan World Rhythms

Caravan World Rhythms is celebrating its 25th year of presenting the best in World Music and Dance in the Metro Vancouver region, featuring world-renowned artists such as Ravi Shankar, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Dakhabrakha, Salif Keita, Nuevo Ballet Espanol, Huun Huur Tu, and much more. Our year-round series has also featured many of Vancouver and Canada's world music and dance artists, featuring flamenco, Balinese gamelan, African percussion and dance, Persian and sufi music, Indian music and dance, Arabic fusion, and much more. Caravan brings diverse audiences together in the spirit of celebration of the world's rich cultural diversity in the spirit of appreciation and joy! Come join us in our celebration.

Learn more at caravanbc.com

ABOUT VCT PRESENTS: Summer on šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn

Vancouver Civic Theatres is excited to present Summer on šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn, a series of FREE outdoor events taking place in July and August 2025 at 650 Hamilton Street! 

Summer Sounds FREE Open-Air Concerts - Thursdays July 10-August 14 at 5:00pm to 7:30pm

Dance Dance Dance FREE Pop-Up Dance Classes - Fridays July 18-August 15 at 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Sunset Cinema FREE Outdoor Movie Screenings - Every Wednesday in August at dusk