👋🏽 Ahlan / Hello
🌟 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🗓️ Full List of This Week’s Events
👋🏽 AHLAN / HELLO
Happy Thursday and welcome to issue #3 of khamsa.
When I started putting this newsletter together earlier this year, I knew it would be rooted in Arabic language and culture, and centered here in Toronto, the city I’ve called home since moving from Cairo eight years ago. I also knew it wouldn’t feel complete without recognizing the Indigenous Peoples who have lived here long before us.
Toronto sits on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat. It’s covered by Treaty 13 and remains home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
This isn’t just a land acknowledgment for the sake of it. Over time, I’ve been learning more and connecting with folks and organizations doing meaningful work, and I hope that khamsa becomes one way to show real allyship.
Next week, I’ll be sharing a special collaboration with the Orange Shirt Society in support of Orange Shirt Day. I’m looking forward to telling you more about it in the July 10 edition.
In the meantime, I hope you find something in this week’s events that speaks to you. If you’ve gone to anything from a past issue or have plans for this week, hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear about it.
🌟 FIVE EVENTS WORTH CHECKING OUT
🎶 SARĀB Live in Toronto
A genre-defying night of Arabic jazz, rock, and poetic storytelling from one of Paris’ most exciting musical collectives. Their hypnotic sound blends Syrian verse, jazz improvisation, and Middle Eastern melodies into something entirely their own.
🌟 SARĀB
💬 Language: Arabic, French, and Instrumental
🗓️ Date: Thursday, July 3 – 7:30 to 10:00 PM
📍 Venue: Small World Centre – 180 Shaw Street, Toronto, ON
🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite (Save 25% with code SARABTO25)
🎥 The Encampments
An urgent and intimate documentary on the student-led uprising that began at Columbia University and spread across campuses worldwide in protest of the war in Gaza. Featuring powerful voices from inside the movement, including activist Mahmoud Khalil.
🌟 Hot Docs
💬 Language: English, Arabic, and Hebrew (with subtitles)
🗓️ Date: Friday, July 4 – 6:00 to 9:00 PM
📍 Venue: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema – 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
🎟️ Tickets: Hot Docs
🪩 Laylit Toronto – Late Night SWANA Dance Party
The legendary Arab/SWANA party lands in Toronto for one unforgettable night of genre-defying beats and community joy. From shaabi and mahraganat to techno and hyperpop, this dance floor is for everyone.
🌟 Featuring: Hamzz, Heebiejabi, MNSA, Nadim Maghzal
💬 Language: Music is the language
🗓️ Date: Friday, July 4 – 10:00 PM to Saturday, July 5 – 3:00 AM
📍 Venue: Standard Time – 165 Geary Ave, 2nd Floor, Unit A, Toronto, ON
🎟️ Tickets: Resident Advisor
🪁 2025 Burin Kite Festival – Toronto Edition
Join families, friends, and allies for a joyful kite-flying gathering in solidarity with the Burin Land and Farming Cooperative in Palestine. Bring a kite, a picnic, and your community spirit for a peaceful afternoon celebrating Palestinian livelihood and resistance.
🌟 Organized in solidarity with the Burin Land and Farming Cooperative
💬 Language: English
🗓️ Date: Sunday, July 6 – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Rain date: July 13)
📍 Venue: Riverdale Park – 425 Carlton St. #381, Toronto, ON
🎟️ FREE Event: Signal Group for Updates
💚 Optional: Donate to the Burin Kite Festival in Palestine
🖋️ Tattoos + Matcha: Temp Tattoo Workshop
Unwind your Sunday with matcha and creativity. This hands-on workshop uses plant-based ink to create beautiful, commitment-free tattoos that last 8–12 days. No experience needed, and you’ll leave with your own DIY kit to keep the ink flowing at home.
🌟 Nadine Daff
💬 Language: English
🗓️ Date: Sunday, July 6 – 7:00 to 8:30 PM
📍 Venue: Carbonic Coffee – 37 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON
🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite
🔓Looking for more? Every issue of 🖐🏽 khamsa features five staff picks plus even more events organized by day. If you’re a subscriber, keep scrolling. If not, sign up (it’s free!) to unlock the full list.