Lula Lounge Presents: Lulaworld 2023 – May 16 to 21

Lula Lounge announced the lineup of the 2023 edition of the annual Lulaworld festival, celebrating Canadian and international artists and many of the partnerships that animate Lula throughout the year.

From the “new=aged hip house and pow-wow step beats” of The Ra11n to Eastern/Western  music mashups of Palestinian singer-songwriter Noel Kharman and the Afro-Soul sounds of Ottawa-based Kar33m, the festival offers something for every musical taste. Local contributors include salsera Adis Rodríguez with Hilario Durán and the much-anticipated return of Cuban singer ‘El Elegante’ Yani Borrell.

International guests include Slavic Soul Party direct from NYC and Miami-based cuatro virtuoso Jorge Glem!

Enter to win one of 5 pairs of tickets to the opening night celebrations by sending an email to info@lula.ca

MAY 16 – LULAWORLD 2023 OPENING NIGHT

Featuring Dichotomy, The Ra11n and dj5rivers, presented in collaboration with Pineapple Express media. 

MAY 17 – NOEL KHARMAN with MALAYKA

Lulaworld & MARSM Canada co-present the Amman-based, Palestinian singer songwriter Noel Kharman, known for her unique mashups of Middle Eastern & Western music. With opening set by Egyptian Canadian composer and vocalist Malayka.

MAY 17 – CAFE CUBANO & FRIENDS AT TD MUSIC HALL

Lula and TD Music Hall team up to present Toronto’s most influential Cuban salsa ensemble with very special guests TBA! Led by piano player Jorge Betancourt and featuring some of the city’s top players, Cafe Cubano was one of the first all-Cuban, full salsa bands formed in Canada. The group has spawned numerous other projects and continues to be a trailblazer in Toronto’s timba scene.

MAY 18 – KAR33M & SIKH KNOWLEDGE

Nigerian Canadian KAR33M is an Afro-Soul artist who incorporates Afrobeat, Rap, Pop, R&B in lyrical works about Black Identity, love, and existentialism.

MAY 19 – YANI BORREL WITH SPECIAL GUEST ROJITAS
 
With his unique style, powerful voice and distinguished look, Yani Borrell “El Elegante” is considered one of the foremost exponents of modern day salsa and has shared the stage Andy Montañez, Cándido Fabré, Pupy y los que Son Son, and Los Van Van.

MAY 20 – ADIS RODRIGUEZ WITH HILARIO DURAN

Powerhouse Cuban vocalist Adis Rodriguez and her 13-piece, all-star big band play classic repertoire from this seminal period in Cuban music, alongside originals inspired by Havana in the early 50s. Multi award winning pianist, composer and bandleader Hilario Duran will act as special guest conductor for this evening.

MAY 21 (7PM) – ELIANA CUEVAS & JORGE GLEM

Latin Grammy Award-winning and Grammy nominated cuatro player, mandolinist and musical producer, Jorge Glem is without a doubt one of Venezuela’s musical treasures. Glem will perform classic repertoire with Venezuelan Canadian Latin jazz vocalist Eliana Cuevas. With dance piece by Victoria Mata.

MAY 21 (10PM)  SLAVIC SOUL PARTY DIRECT FROM NYC
with special guest Nizo Alimov.

Fiery Balkan brass, irresistible beats, Roma (Gypsy) accordion wizardry, and virtuoso jazz chops make Slavic Soul Party! NYC’s official #1 brass band for BalkanSoul GypsyFunk. Presented in collaboration with our good friends at BLOCK.