Toronto’s drumming community will gather at Wychwood Barns on Sunday, August 23, for a free multicultural festival honouring Muhtadi, the musician and cultural organizer who founded the event and helped shape the city’s drumming scene for more than 20 years.

The special edition, titled A Living Tribute to Muhtadi, is being held as the festival founder faces an advanced stage of Parkinson’s disease and requires round the clock care. Organizers say the gathering will allow friends, artists and communities connected by his work to recognize his contribution while he can share in the celebration.

“Muhtadi has spent decades bringing people and cultures together through the drum,” said his brother and longtime festival organizer, Joe Thomas. “Now the community he helped build is coming together for him.”

The all ages event will bring together performers representing traditions from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Brazil and Japan, among other cultures. The lineup includes Samba Squad, Isshin Daiko, Hummingbird Tassa, Maracatu Mar Aberto, Joaquin Hidalgo Nunes and Toronto’s Rumberos, Muhtadi World Drummers, Steafan Hannigan Family, Baque de Bamba and Amara Kanté.

Organizers said the free event reflects the broad community Muhtadi has nurtured, bringing audiences and performers together in a celebration centered on gratitude, friendship and legacy through shared music.

EVENT DETAILS: Sunday, August 23, 2026,12 p.m. – 6 p.m at Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto; admission: Free — Donations welcome.

Info/Tickets: Eventbrite – Muhtadi International Drumming Festival: Special Edition

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