Shake It: Soca at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON -- Thurs Feb 1st!

Welcome to 2018! In the darkness of February we launch the new year of First Thursdays with hopes to release the past, and resist in a continuous present. 'Shake It' is a unique program, that looks at tradition in a contemporary way, and as always through the eyes of the artists. In all this we honour the season, and history of Carnival.

Headlining is artist Juliana Huxtable with a DJ set at 10 pm. Juliana has occupied both clubs and galleries with her work which weaves history and body through gender, race and futurism. She is also the founder of the famous New York underground party, Shock Value. Before Juliana takes the stage DJ Nino Brown of Yes Yes Y’all, Toronto’s biggest and longest running inclusive, hip hop, R&B and dancehall party, will move the crowds in Walker Court.

Elsewhere in the building, theatre artist Rhoma Spencer will be recreating the custom of Viey la cou,or the old yard, where traditional Mas is performed. The Gallery will be transformed into a performative tableau inhabited by selection of traditional Trinidad and Tobago Carnival characters, specially scripted by the artist. Jasmyn Fyffe, an emerging choreographer and dancer will present a new work exploring her relationship to J'ouvert tradition and its emancipatory folklore.

Galleria Italia will be host to soca sounds all night courtesy of Toronto's leading soca DJ crew D’ENFORCAS, and don’t miss a specially curated selection of Out of the Vaults, themed interactive projects and talks, including Natalie Wood, throughout the evening. As well, this month’s unique artist-designed program will be created for the night by 19-year-old Toronto artist Alexis Eke.

Location: The Art Gallery of Ontario, 17 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON

Time: 10pm-2:30am

Tickets: $10-$15

For tickets click here

High Qualité Gumbo @ Mod Club, Toronto, ON - Sat Apr 15th!

High Power, Qualité De Luxe and Gumbo come together as HIGH QUALITÉ GUMBO, a night dedicated to Afrobeats, Dancehall, Soca and more. Three parties - one dance!

HIGH POWER is Manifesto's nomadic monthly party in Toronto. They go where they're needed, and they bring resident DJ Dre Ngozi and the best sound selectors with them to hit you with good music.

QUALITÉ DE LUXE is Montreal's premiere Afrobeats Dancehall and Soca party led by internationally recognized producer Poirier and resident DJs Kyou and Mr. Touré serving up a unique mix of African and Caribbean vibes.

Founded by hosts Wan and Chi, the GUMBO music series has traveled from Toronto to New Orleans to Montreal. Now going on its 11th edition, GUMBO has quickly gained notoriety as a sweaty dancey sure thing wherever and whenever it touches down. GUMBO pulls from a deep roster of DJs to make connections between Afrobeats, Soca and Dancehall and excursions into the worlds of Kompa, Soukous and Afro House music.

Revy B
Nino Brown
Kyou
Dre Ngozi
Poirier
Sean Sax
Mr. Touré

Three parties, seven DJs, ONE DANCE.

Tickets at Door = $20

TICKETS ONLINE SOLD OUT!

Location:  Mod Club - 722 College St., Toronto, ON

Doors 10:30pm

Notes on accessibility of venue:
*There is a ramp at the entrance for those using mobility devices, and the venue will have a wheelchair accessible washroom.*
*Please note: Fast moving lights, lasers and smoke machines will be used intermittently*

Follow the three parties on Instagram
@futurolibre
@highpowertoronto
@supafrik

Facebook event page here

High Power @ Miss Thing's, Toronto, ON - Sat Jul 30th!

We started in a basement. You were there with us, and you were kinda mad about it until you realized your life just changed a little.

But those days are over. We're grown, and we're sexy so we're moving, and you're coming with us.

New venue, same great taste. Eww. But also: sweet. This time around our featured 3rd DJ is Ms. Nix (New York, LA). And her music is nottttttt okay. Which means it's veryyyyyy okay. Stay focused.

This Caribana Weekend, find us in our new home at Miss Thing's in Parkdale. There will be rum. There will be blended pineapple. There will be cheap drinks.

OPTIONAL ATTIRE: All white. Why? Cause Nino brought it up and Dre said "Oooooo" and that was that. You can also wear anything you think is "Oooooo".

Saturday July 30th. Miss Thing's.

Nino Brown, Dre Ngozi, Ms. Nix. 19+.

Location: Miss Thing's, 1279 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

Time:  10p - 3a

$5 before 11pm, $10 afterwards.

*Unfortunately the accessible washroom is currently under construction. We apologize for the hassle, please be mindful of this limitation.

High Power Ep 3 @ Luanda House, Toronto, ON - Sat Jun 25th!

HIGH POWER EP. 3
JUNE 25TH: SLOPPY, SWEATY & SEXY

It's going down Saturday night inside Luanda House (read this in a cheesy radio voice!) - but actually, Nino Brown, Dre Ngozi and guest DJ Isis Salam will be throwing down the best of dancehall, hip-hop, soca, reggae, afrobeat and R&B all night long.

$5 Rum. $5 Vodka. $5 Beer. Priceless Memories.

(19+ Party)

Location: Luanda House, 974 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON

19+. $5 BEFORE 11, $10 AFTER.

Facebook event page here