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Toronto skyline at sunset. September 2025 | Photo by Gabriel Ogulu
📬 Issue 16 — Here’s what’s inside:
👋🏽 Ahlan / Hello
Happy October, friends! Your peronal invites have arrived. Over 30 chances to connect, celebrate, and discover across the city in this week’s newsletter events in this week’s newsletter. Which invite will you say yes to?
I’m thrilled to introduce two new community partners this issue: beehiiv and MIFF. Be sure to check out their special message below.
Thank you so much for sharing your ✨khamsa moments and amazing event suggestions. Keep them coming please 🙏 💙
Nassar
Chief Culture Guide — khamsa🖐🏽
📣 Community Partner: Muslim International Film Festival
khamsa🖐🏽 is partnering with the Muslim International Film Festival (October 10–13) in Toronto, celebrating Muslim excellence and diverse stories on film.
MIFF welcomes everyone to experience impactful cinema from across the Arabic-speaking world. All films feature English subtitles.
🇩🇿 Algiers | 196 متر
🇵🇸 Thank You for Banking With Us | شكرًا لأنك تحلم معنا
🇪🇬 Rat Hole | جحر الفئران
🇵🇸 All That’s Left of You | كل ما تبقى لكم
Use the promo code: MIFF50PROMO for a 50% discount on all film screenings at the festival.
🖐🏽 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🎶 Olive Branch Sessions: A Classical Jam for Peace
A heartwarming open mic night where Toronto’s top classical musicians gather to improvise, connect, and support the Gaza Soup Kitchen. Expect moving performances, not perfection—everyone’s encouraged to share the music that means most to them.
🌟 Toronto classical musicians, hosted by Reilly & Pamenar Cafe
💬 English
🗓️ Thursday, Oct 2 · 7:30–9:30 pm
📍 Pamenar Café, 307 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2M2
🎟️ Paid ticket
🎤 Paul Elia: Stand-Up Comedy in Toronto (2 Nights) 🇮🇶
Detroit-raised Iraqi-Assyrian comic Paul Elia brings his sharp, viral humor to the Comedy Bar for two nights, fresh off a whirlwind year with his hit special Detroit Player and millions of online fans. Catch him live as he shares stories and blends comedy with a unique perspective
🌟 Paul Elia
💬 English
🗓️ Friday, October 3 · 7:30–9:00 pm | Saturday, October 4 · 9:30–11:00 pm
📍 Comedy Bar. 2800 Danforth Ave, Toronto
🎟️ Paid tickets
🖌 Yasmeen Nematt Alla: Opening of the Mouth — Nuit Blanche 2025 🇪🇬
Experience dozens of vibrant kites suspended in mid-motion at this moving multimedia installation by artist Yasmeen Nematt Alla. The immersive exhibit mixes handmade kites and looping video to explore the border between hope and limitation—where the dream of flight meets resistance and effort continues, even when lift-off never arrives.
🌟 Yasmeen Nematt Alla as part of Nuit Blanche 2025
💬 Installation
🗓️ Saturday, Oct 4 · 7:00 PM –7:00 AM
📍 Croquembouche. 1494 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1N4, Canada
🎟️ Public event
🎶 Nile Nights Takes Toronto 🇸🇩
Celebrate the Toronto debut of Nile Nights—a vibrant evening of music and community supporting Sudanese relief.
🌟 Mustafa Idris, Mouraine, Safa, Love Bonez, Sudaneeya (Hosted by Akram & OsoChil)
💬 English / Arabic
🗓️ Sunday, Oct 5 · 4:00 PM –9:00 PM
📍 1320 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON M1P 2X9
🎟️ Paid tickets
🎤 To Come, or Not to Come: Mario Bassil Stand-Up Comedy 🇱🇧
Get ready to laugh out loud as legendary Lebanese comedian Mario Bassil brings his hit Arabic stand-up show straight from Beirut! The night features an opening act by Estroubia and an extra-special surprise guest to close out the show.
🌟 Mario Bassil, Estroubia, plus special guest
💬 Arabic
🗓️ Wednesday, Oct 8 · 9:30 PM –10:45 PM
📍 Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2M7
🎟️ Paid ticket (18+)
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🌡️ Weekly Vibes Check
That’s it for this week.
❌ Spotted an error or want your events added to the events calendar? Just email me.