Tiny Concert Series — Zaki Ibrahim
Featuring Zano and Michael Shand. Part of The Theatre Centre’s Tiny Concert Series
Known for making music that defies any one genre — the distinguished singer, songwriter, and producer Zaki Ibrahim brings two concerts to The Theatre Centre!
July 28 at 7pm — Beat-driven, outdoor house party style concert with set will consisting of rhythms that nod to Afro-house, inspired by modern African sounds and diasporic influence. The DJ set by Zano will be a sampler platter of the Afro-sub-genres that make there way into urban pop and afrobeats, spreading through the global market and social media trending sounds.
July 29 at 7pm — Piano and song concert including selections from Zaki Ibrahim’s five studio albums as well as songs written and featured on various recordings across several genres of music. Piano accompaniment will be by Michael Shand.
“Zaki Ibrahim has gathered new methods, sounds, and communities, recombining old ideas to make something all her own. This analog/digital, past/future, sensory/tactical approach to music-making is her hallmark.”
— Pitchfork
“futuristic soul at its best, blending retro R&B vibes with electronic production that will take you out of this world.”
— Afropunk
Described as “a retro-Afrofuturist vision sending listeners on a journey through 40 years of electronic music” (Nuvo), Ibrahim’s music brings elements of spoken word, hip hop, soul, house and 70s pop together, filtered through the prismatic and often contradictory lenses of personal, historical and scientific relativities.
Ibrahim has emerged as one of Canada’s hip hop and soul icons, collecting two Polaris Music Prize nominations (shortlisted in 2013 and longlisted in 2018) and a Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year in 2009.
Michael “The Hand” Shand has performed for over 30 years worldwide, earning his place in the upper echelon of keyboardists in all of Canada. Despite, in just four years, having achieved a grade 9 Royal Conservatory of Music classical piano certification, his musicality has been deeply rooted in jazz, having been immersed in it since birth in the home. He then went on to study jazz at York University where he was a recipient of the Oscar Peterson Scholarship Award. However, it is the diversity of his musical influences that have uniquely moulded his playing style and made him a top choice for so many artists, across so many genres. Shortly after leaving York, Michael, then 22, was pianist and musical director for the quintet, Kollage, which featured Archie Alleyne and Dougie Richardson, pillars of Canada’s jazz community. His professional career was on it’s way. The people he has worked with since, on the road and in studio, are some of the ‘who’s who’ of the Canadian music scene.
Photo by Yannik Anton
Zano is from the Cape Flats in South Africa. He grew up on South African House, Kwaito, HipHop, 80’s RnB and African Jazz Music. He plays music that let’s you feel like you’re at home with him, dancing like you didn’t know you needed to.
July 28-29, 2026 — 7pm
Tickets are Pay What You Want, starting at $0
Patio, Green Roof
The second floor spaces at The Theatre Centre will temporarily be accessible via stairs only. Our accessibility lift is under renovation in order to be replaced. This update will help us improve wheelchair access for the building in the long term! Thank you so much for your patience. For any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
This performance is part of events that we’re calling our Tiny Concert Series for Torontonians, increasing the community’s access to shared arts and culture experiences.
We will be hosting free and low-cost, outdoor music events over the spring/summer months, moving them indoors if the weather is poor. The music programming will span a range of genres including R&B, soul, reggae, and jazz and will feature the dynamic talents of local musicians.
Check out upcoming concerts:
- July 17, 2026 – Jay Douglas at The Theatre Centre’s Community BBQ & Hangout
- July 21 – Adria Kain & Dre Ngozi (Details coming soon!)
November 25, 2025
From Artistic Director Aislinn Rose “We, and the artists and community who have found a home at 1115 Queen Street West, shall be forever grateful. Thank you Lindy.” Lindy Cowan and Chris Hatley being celebrated at the naming event for The Theatre Centre’s Franco Boni Theatre in 2016, and the closing of our capital campaign. I...
