Big City, Small World
with Garvia Bailey

Etobicoke's Al Spx is the voice and the force behind Cold Specks. She's a 24 year old singer songwriter, with a shy demeanor and a girlish giggle. She's already caught the eye of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork Media. The release of her new album, I Predict A Graceful Expulsion is sure to place the young singer directly in the spotlight. It should be fun to watch her career unfold. Listen here for our story on Cold Specks...Listen (runs 7:01)

There is still time to check out this incredible, city wide celebration of photography. A couple of picks for this week... Eamon Mac Mahon with his ruminations on our strained relationship with nature Circuit Gallery at Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren Ave. Until May 26, 2012 Bruce Gilden and his visceral street photography Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, 952 Queen Street West. Until May 30, 2012

A Sinting is a happening; a chance to get together, as Jamaicans love to dance and have fun. Summer Sintings are a weekly series of free-to-the-public interactive flash-mob-style events around the Greater Toronto Area that bring the fun to YOU! Sintings take place at public parks and squares during lunch hours with Caribbean food, surprise celebrity appearances, live interactive music and dance and free samples. A traveling dance troupe coaches onlookers to quickly learn a new dance called the JUMP DANCE and each event builds to a massive group performance. Memorabilia posters, buttons, bracelets and t-shirts celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence (1962-2012) and support the cause and bring the entire family! Christie Pits (Bloor and Christie St.) Monday May 21

Pick up the anthology TOK 7, from the fine group of writers who all represent the diversity of this city.

The members of this gospel accapella group come from Zambia, Kenya, Ghana and Zimbabwe, but it was here in Toronto that Soul Influence found their sound. They group will fete the release of their latest album Gigo on May 25 at Hugh's Room.

"For a decade now, Lula Lounge distinguished itself as Toronto's home for groundbreaking international latin, jazz, and world music. In celebration, Lula Music and Arts Centre has programmed a series of collaborative concerts that will bring together artists from around the globe." Tonight help the Lula crew close out another successful festival with the hottest Cuban band in the world right now, Pupy Y Los Que Son Son. Phoenix Concert Theatre Saturday May 19, 2012

This award winning show choir caps off a year of fine performances with the musical Hairspray. Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts May 23 - May 26

Listen

A musician, a producer, promoter, Dj and mentor Toronto's Billy Bryans is a major part of Toronto's musical mythology. He died on Monday April 23rd after a 7 year battle with cancer. Billy was best known as the drummer for Toronto's first multi-cultural pop band, The Parachute Club. He was an early champion of world music in this city and helped build the diverse musical landscape that Torontonians enjoy today. We spoke to Billy's friends and collaborators, gathered the music that has shaped the diverse sound of Toronto and put it all together in tribute to this influential artist. Listen (runs 54:01)

Credits:
Produced By Garvia Bailey
Additional production by Sonia Arab
Additional audio courtesy of Echo Media & Soapbox Productions with thanks to Nicholas Jennings

Our Show

Big City, Small World is your cultural connection to life in Toronto, this country's mecca of music and performance. Every Saturday at 5 p.m., Garvia Bailey will cover Toronto's arts scene like it's never been covered before on radio.

Whether it's music, dance, theatre, books, film, spoken word or visual art, Garvia will feature Toronto's top talent. She'll check out some of the more daring and unusual events around town, and she'll mine the scene for the bright lights of tomorrow.

To find out more about a song you heard on our show, check our Music Playists.

About the Host

Garvia Bailey moved from the world of independent video production into the world of radio because she wanted to hear voices like her own: the voices of young, socially, culturally and politically active women of color. Five years ago, without any prior radio experience she pitched a story to CBC Radio's personal documentary program Outfront. She had the chance to tell her story and has been helping others tell their stories at the CBC ever since, honing her skill both as a producer and as an on air personality.

Over the past few years her path has veered towards the cultural end of storytelling, covering the vibrant arts and music scene for both CBC Radio and TV. Garvia sees her role as host of Big City, Small World as the perfect way to continue in her passion for uncovering emerging talent and telling the stories of Toronto artists that are flying under the big media radar.

Garvia lives in Toronto.