Thursday, July 9 | 5 - 10 PM
Enjoy free live concerts featuring a curated mix of emerging artists and beloved homegrown icons. At Sankofa Square, this weekly celebration brings the vibrant energy of Toronto’s music scene right to the heart of downtown for an unforgettable #HotSquareSummer evening.
The Q Musicale Festival Takes Over the Square!
For the entire month of July, we are thrilled to partner with The Q Musicale – a growing, multi-day live music festival dedicated to celebrating queer creativity and connection. Officially designated as a Major Cultural Event of Pride Toronto 2026, this artist-first, inclusive community festival is taking over Sankofa Square bringing an electrifying, diverse lineup of emerging and established queer talent to the downtown stage.
The July 9 presentation features: Taylor Abrahamse, Micah Barnes, Count Klassy, Aman Dhesi, el Hashem, HERDD, J3M, Serafin LaRiviere, nuépa, The Sling Sisters, Sherry Sylvian, and SU.
FEATURED ARTISTS & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
5:00 PM — Serafin LaRiviere
With a 5-octave vocal range that runs the gamult from tender to tempest, Serafin LaRiviere has cultivated a cross-genre audience that embraces Jazz, Torch, Adult-Contemporary and even Classical music. @serafinlariviere
5:30 PM — Sherry Sylvain
Sherry Sylvain is a mature, mobility-challenged transwoman who has been singing since she could speak. She has been active in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally for more years than she cares to count. @thesherrysylvain
6:00 PM — SU
Su is a proud trans woman immigrant from the Bengal region of India. From a very young age, she was surrounded by Indian classical music. Her uncle was a music teacher and her mom would play the harmonium and sing at community events. She always loved the freedom and joy singing brought her but couldn’t quite relate or fit in the traditional music scene. Years later she’d discover Western pop music through Lady Gaga, and then a taste of soul through Aretha and things were never the same. She started singing and performing all the great diva anthems and today is a fully realized pop vocalist, mixing R&B and soul with her unique style. @sutherightthing
6:15 PM — nuépa
nuépa is a Queer, Non-binary Portuguese-Canadian artist whose music is a captivating fusion of genres, seamlessly weaving together infectious pop melodies, pulsating dance beats, and raw rap verses. nuépa fearlessly explores the intersections of identity, sexuality, and mental health through their music, leaving listeners unable to anticipate their next move. @nuepa_555
6:30 PM — Aman Dhesi
Aman Dhesi is a Toronto-based queer pop artist whose music channels desire, vulnerability, and self-liberation. His songs invite you to dance, to feel — and to unleash the fire you were never meant to hide. @amansdhesi
6:45 PM — Count Klassy
Count Klassy is a new age hip hop artist bringing glitter to the game. Mentored by Tone Loc and George Brown of Kool & The Gang, he writes for other artists in between his own projects. @countklassy
7:00 PM — HERDD
Born in Montreal, raised in London (UK) and living in Ontario, HERDD is an artist with a truly unique lens. Ever since his debut release in 2019, HERDD has been serving up eclectic electro-pop vibes that Billboard lovingly likened to ‘early Gaga with shades of Daft Punk’. @iamherdd
7:30 PM — Taylor Abrahamse
Taylor Abrahamse is a Singer/Songwriter/Ham making joy and freedom with music & V.O. Gender. @taylor.writes.music
8:00 PM — The Sling Sisters
A perfect blend of Country, Americana and Blues, the Sling Sisters are bringing the love to every audience at every show! From big harmonies to talented songwriting, the Sisters have it all! @slingsisters
8:30 PM — el Hashem
Canadian Lebanese artist el Hashem was born to a well known and respected Lebanese family, and inspired by trailblazing aunts hailed for their contribution to women in music in Lebanon, with one being considered one of the most stunning voices in the country from the 50’s to the mid 80’s. He has always been passionate about songs, but a career in queer media took his time, until 2020, when he decided to pursue his passion for singing and songwriting. (el Hashem, who’s real name is Antoine Elhashem is also the founder and co-producer of The Q Musicale). @elhashemmusic
9:00 PM — J3M
Blending pop, disco & R&B, J3M shares stories & melodies that’ll live in your head rent-free. The award-winning singer/songwriter/producer has been featured on eTalk & CBC Q. He’s collaborated with Canada’s most promising artists (LU KALA, Tanika Charles, Zaki Ibrahim) & performs locally & internationally. @j3msings
9:30 PM — Micha Barnes
Born in Vienna and raised in Canada, Micah Barnes cut his teeth in the cabarets and jazz clubs of Toronto in his teen years, before joining The Nylons in 1989. In his days since the Nylons, Micah has launched an active solo career, which included touring the USA with his international club hit “Welcome To My Head” - which placed #1 on the Billboard charts. His solo career also marked his long-awaited return to the jazz genre of his early years, resulting in a series of critically acclaimed recordings, including New York Stories. @micahbarnes01
About The Q Musicale
The Q Musicale is a growing, multi-day live music festival and not-for-profit organization created to showcase queer artists and build meaningful cultural experiences in Toronto. Now in its third year, this artist-first, community-driven festival provides a vital platform for emerging and established queer talent in an inclusive, all-ages space. This summer's festival programming at Sankofa Square will culminate in the inaugural The Q Music Awards—a partnered initiative with INSPIRE Awards celebrating queer musical excellence across Canada through an independent, juried process. Learn more at theqmusicale.ca.
Upcoming Music in the Square Dates:
July 9, 16, 23 & 30
August 6, 13, 20 & 27
Go to sankofasquare.ca/hotsquaresummer to see the full season of free weekly events.