*George Weston Recital Hall Open House with Mali Obomsawin and Ahmed Moneka*
Experience the newly refreshed George Weston Recital Hall at a free Open House filled with live music. Discover what’s new while enjoying performances by Mali Obomsawin, Ahmed Moneka, the Fraser String Quartet, and The Jerome Tucker Band.
Come rediscover the George Weston Recital Hall as we celebrate the completion of Phase One renovations with performances by Mali Obomsawin and Ahmed Moneka. Made possible through a generous donation from the Weston Group of Companies and the support of the City of Toronto, Phase One of the renovations includes new audience seating, refreshed paintwork, new flooring and new drapery. These improvements preserve the character of the George Weston Recital Hall while creating a more welcoming experience for audiences and artists.
Phase Two is planned to begin next summer and will complete the renovation of the George Weston Recital Hall, with additional improvements designed to enhance this important performance space.
*The evening's lineup:*<br>
7 pm: Doors open
7:15 pm: Fraser String Quartet
8 pm: Mali Obomsawin
9 pm: Ahmed Moneka
10 pm: The Jerome Tucker Band
“A breath of fresh air.” —JazzTimes
Bassist, composer, and singer Mali Obomsawin (Odanak First Nation) presents her highly anticipated new album, Automatic. Refusing to fit into a single genre, Obomsawin performs with an outstanding group of musicians and vocalists to create an electrifying live experience that brings together resistance and beauty.
Next on this double-bill evening is Ahmed Moneka, with a vibrant, one-night-only musical journey that crosses borders, cultures, and genres. Ahmed features an extraordinary lineup of guest performers: Brazil’s electrifying Aline Morales, Iranian artist Saba Zamani, Tara Moneka, and rising Iraqi-Canadian voice Ebril. Each artist brings their own distinct colour and spirit, joining Ahmed and his all-star world music ensemble in a series of unique collaborations throughout the evening. Together, they weave a rich sonic tapestry—blending Arabic fusion with jazz, indie, and traditional influences, while drawing from Brazilian rhythms and East African Lewa sounds. The result is a powerful, genre-defying performance that celebrates connection, storytelling, and the transformative energy of live music.
Ticket pricing
*Free!*<br>
Listen On Spotify
Hear Mali Obomsawin on Spotify.
Hear Ahmed Moneka on Spotify.
Ways To Save
See more and save with package options designed to help you build your perfect season! Save 20% when you purchase tickets to two or more eligible shows.
Music package—pick two from:
• Canadian Golha Orchestra and Sepideh Raissadat
• Joshua Redman Quartet
• Minsoo Sohn - JS Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier
• Swing Into the Holidays ft. Caity Gyorgy & Christian Wiggs
• Yoann Bourgeois & Patrick Watson
• John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell: Ella, Joe, and Oscar
• Emmet Cohen Trio
• Silkroad Ensemble featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant
• Gustavo Santaolalla
The Stage is Yours package:
• Mix and match any two shows from [TO Live’s 2026-27 season](tolive.com/season-26-27 "Link to TO Live's 26-27 webpage")
Looking for even more value? A limited number of 2-for-$50 tickets are also available on select performances throughout the season. Offer excludes ‘Twas the Night Before… and Gustavo Santaolalla, and is subject to availability.
Sweet Tooth
“Obomsawin reminds listeners constantly that folk music shouldn’t be about pliant, pretty subservience, and that Abenaki culture is loudly, proudly living and expanding.” —The Guardian
“The most auspicious album I heard this year.” —NPR
“A breath of fresh air…It not only works as a potent commentary on Indigenous heritage, autonomy and experiences, but as gripping, dynamic, and thunderous music in and of itself.” —JazzTimes
“Obomsawin aims to shine a light on the largely hidden history of Indigenous jazz.” —WNYC
“One of those albums that utterly defy expectation or convention—it occupies its own universe, arriving from leftfield to blow your mind.” —Folk Radio UK
Friday, October 30
8:00 p.m.
George Weston Recital Hall · 5040 Yonge St
Venue details →