JAMES MARGOLIS
1.00
His songs combine his Sinatra-esque vocal delivery with clever lyrics that evoke comparisons to Elliott Smith and Bob Dylan. His guitar playing draws inspiration from the likes of Skip James, Jimi Hendrix, and Wes Montgomery, just to name a few. A very soulful performer, James breathes fresh life into old songs, and expresses his passion for music with every performance. A very powerful force whether playing solo, or with his band.
FREEDOM ZONE (inside)
3.00
3:00–3:30 PM | Opening & Guest Arrival
Introduction to the Letter Space and Art Corner (memorial presentation).
3:30–3:40 PM | Official Opening Welcome speeches by Victoria and Kseniya.
3:40–4:15 PM | Voices of Political Prisoners’ Families Up to three relatives of political prisoners share their stories: Who their imprisoned family member is. What actions led to their conviction? The disproportionate nature of their sentence and its political motivation. Current needs and ways to support them. Note: Looking for relatives who can tell their stories in English
4:15–4:45 PM | Art Auction and music (Part 1) DONE Participating artists introduce their works and share their motivation for joining the event.
(3-4) 5:00–5:45 PM | Special Speaker Session (Online) (30 мин речь+15 мин вопросы) Speaker: Zalina Marshenkulova Topic: истории про женщин политзеков из разных стран (still need to discuss). DONE (Ekaterina Shulman (Gendered Repression in Authoritarian States Specific laws and policies that disproportionately affect women (e.g., restrictions on reproductive rights, targeting feminist activists).
6:00–6:35 PM | Blackout Poetry Performance (тайминг требует уточнения) (заменим, если согласится топ. Shaveddinov, online speech plus questions)
6:35–7:00 PM | Dinner & Drink Break (music)
7:00–8:30 PM | Speakers set
🎙 Speakers: Strategies for democratic governments and watchdog organizations to counter disinformation.
🔹 1. Naomi Klein – Author, filmmaker, activist, and public intellectual specializing in political analysis, ecofeminism, and criticism of corporate globalization (15 min) The rise of Trumpist rhetoric and its global impact on democracy. How Trump’s “law and order” and “enemy of the people” narratives align with authoritarian tactics.
Strategies for activists and policymakers in the face of declining U.S. global leadership.
🔹 2.Peter H. Solomon – professor of UofT and author. Areas of interest are Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Politics of Criminal Justice in Various Countries. Author of Soviet Criminologists and Criminal Policy (1978); Criminal Justice Policy, From Research to Reform (1983); Soviet Criminal Justice under Stalin (1996); co-author of Courts and Transition in Russia: The Challenge of Judicial Reform (2000); and editor of Reforming Justice in Russia, 1864-1996 (1997). His current research includes (1) judicial and legal reform in contemporary Russia and Ukraine; (2) courts, law and politics in authoritarian and transitional regimes; and (3) criminal policy in post-communist states.
🔹 3. Olga Babina – Co-founder, Russian-Canadian Democratic Alliance (RCDA), Voices of Resistance. Campaign #Free120political prisoners How can Canadian civil society and policymakers effectively support Russian political prisoners and exiled activists?
HARTZEDIKE-LIDER (HEARTSONGS) (patio)
5.00
Hartzedike-Lider (Heartsongs) features celebrated Yiddish singer Allan Merovitz—who rarely preforms in Toronto—joined by long-time collaborator, acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Brian Katz and DROM favourite, ace klezmer clarinettist, Jonno Lightstone. The trio brings together well-loved Yiddish songs and klezmer in new and exciting arrangements, as well as original compositions flowing out of this beloved tradition. Hartzedike-Lider has thrilled audiences world-wide, experimenting with the Yiddish gems, “bluesing,” reharmonizing, changing the forms, to find new riches in the music. For this special show at DROM, there will be some opportunities to sing/scat along! Audience participation is not mandatory— but we cast our bets that you’ll want to join in!
AURORA’S REEF (patio)
7.15
"OTTAWA'S REGGAE BAND."
Aurora’s Reef is a six-piece reggae collective straight from the soul of Canada’s capital. Their fresh fusion of reggae, ska, and rocksteady is a signature of their electrifying performances.
They've been featured at Ottawa's legacy venues like The Rainbow Bistro, municipal events like Ottawa Ribfest and Kinaxis InConcert, and were keynote performers at provincial and internationally acclaimed events such as the Ontario Moonshine Festival, North Buxton Homecoming Celebration, and the IndieCity Patio Live Summer Music Series.
Summer 2024 saw them trekking across Ontario and Quebec on their inaugural Reefer Tour '24 from Montreal to Windsor, where listeners connected to their soon-to-be classic originals like Sarsaparilla, Road Burn, and Event Horizon.
Now, they are crafting their self-titled album Aurora’s Reef.
15$ cover after 10pm, with all proceeds going directly to the musicians performing.
FERVO BRÉSIL COLLECTIF
11.30
In a spirit of encounter, come discover different Brazilian rhythms and celebrate the joy of life and music with André Galamba, Bianca Rocha, Diogo Ramos, Lara Klaus and Gabriel Schwartz + Special guest Xocô.
A unique and majestically rich celebration in Toronto Drom Taberna to which you are all invited!
ASINA GUÉ
2.30
Nestled in the northern coastal region of Colombia, el Palenke de Benkós was founded in the 17th century by the first free afro community (Cimarrones) of the Americas. It has pioneered a distinct mix of Afro – Colombian culture. The community speak their own Creole language called “Palenkero”, a blend of African Bantu, Portuguese dialects, French and English.
The artists invited to perform at Drom are coming directly from Palenke. They experiment with the instruments created by their ancestors, layering them between new sounds. Over traditional percussion, handmade steel drums of his own design and marímbula, they rhyme and rap in Spanish and the traditional Palenkero. They have performed at wonderful venues such as the Kennedy Center, the Tiny Desk NPR, the Festival Petronio Alvarez (Cali, Colombia).
The dawn of June 15 in Drom Taberna will be a journey to Palenke (one hour to Cartagena, Colombia), it will be a non-stop dance to the sounds of resistance and the black power identity of the first free black community of the Americas.