Free lunchtime concerts—grab your lunch, grab a seat, and groove to live tunes

From February 19 to April 30 - every Thursday at 12 pm

 TO Live’s popular free concert series Sound Break returns this winter/spring with an exciting lineup of emerging and established artists spanning global sounds, indie pop, soul, R&B, jazz, rap, and more. 

Sound Break alternates weekly between Meridian Arts Centre (North York) and St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (downtown), offering 45-minute lunchtime concerts, beginning at 12 pm, in an intimate, accessible setting.

Running every Thursday from February 19 to April 30, the 2026 Sound Break series celebrates Toronto’s extraordinary cultural diversity and creative talent, featuring artists whose work draws from Arabic fusion, Persian folk, Indigenous traditions, Romani jazz, contemporary pop, hip hop, and beyond.

Listen to the Spotify playlist here.

Winter/spring 2026 Sound Break lineup:

February 19 - Kazdoura (Arabic fusion / Global / Psychedelic)

Meridian Arts Centre, 12 pm

Nominated for a 2026 Juno Award for global music album of the Year, Kazdoura is a high-energy collective that electrifies Arabic melodies with funk, disco, and psychedelic grooves, creating an irresistible sound made for dancing. 

IG: @kazdouramusic

February 26 - Luke Welch (Classical)

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts,12 pm

A dynamic pianist known for expressive interpretations and genre-spanning collaborations, Canadian Luke Welch is internationally recognized as a leading figure in the promotion and recording of repertoire by Black and BIPOC composers, including Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, R. Nathaniel Dett, and Florence B. Price. 

IG: @lukewelchpianist

March 5 – Neda Mohamadpour & Mehdi Rostami (Contemporary Persian / Folk / Fusion)

Meridian Arts Centre, 12 pm

Neda Mohamadpour, a vocalist deeply rooted in Persian and Middle Eastern folk traditions, and Mehdi Rostami, a performer of the Iranian setar and tanbour, come together for a rich musical dialogue rooted in Persian traditions and contemporary global influences. 

IG: @neda.mohamadpour & @mehdirostami80

March 12 - Nia Nadurata (Indie pop / Alt pop)
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 12 pm

Nia Nadurata is a Toronto-based indie pop artist crafting introspective songs with lush, modern production. Her debut EP, Still Living With My Parents, features standout tracks like “I Think I Like Your Girlfriend.” Nia has also been writing behind the scenes for some of your favourite artists, steadily making her mark in the industry. 

IG: @nianadurata

March 19 – Nimkii (Traditional / Pow Wow)

Meridian Arts Centre, 12 pm

Nimkii is a dynamic Odawa/Potawatomi hoop dancer and three-time Juno nominee from Wiikwemkoongsing, Unceded Territory. Today, Nimkii is blazing his own path, blending traditional singing, drumming, and dancing styles with contemporary music and modern dance.

IG:  @nimkii_

 

March 26 - Kubla (Soul / R&B)

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 12 pm

“A fresh perspective on soul/R&B” would be an understatement. Kubla brings a lifetime of experience onstage, breathing entirely new life into his recorded music through his sensational skills as a jazz musician and his charming presence. 

IG: @kubla

April 2 - Rhyan Douglas (Folk-soul / R&B)
Meridian Arts Centre, 12 pm

Rhyan Douglas is a Toronto-based folk-soul and R&B artist known for warm, expressive vocals and deeply personal songwriting. Blending soul, R&B, and folk influences, his music is intimate, reflective, and rooted in emotional honesty.

IG: @mrrhyandouglas

April 9 - Chynna Lewis (Pop / R&B)
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 12 pm

Chynna Lewis is a Toronto-based pop and R&B artist known for her soulful vocals, polished songwriting, and emotionally resonant sound. Drawing from contemporary pop and R&B influences, she creates music that feels both intimate and confidently modern.

IG: @chynnalewis

April 16 - Ankur Sinha (Alternative / Pop)
Meridian Arts Centre, 12 pm

Toronto-based artist Ankur Sinha crafts alternative pop songs rooted in introspection, emotional honesty, and modern pop sensibility. Blending intimate storytelling with polished melodies, his music explores identity, connection, and inner landscapes.

IG:  @ankrsnha

April 23 – Thelonious (Rap)

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 12 pm

Toronto-based rapper Thelonious delivers sharp lyricism and introspective storytelling with a powerful presence, giving listeners an unfiltered view of his perspective on every song.

IG: __thelonious

April 30 - Nat Beja Trio (Romani jazz)

Meridian Arts Centre, 12 pm

Drawing from the passion and intensity of Romani jazz, the Nat Beja Trio delivers vibrant performances driven by soaring melodies, rhythmic energy, and fearless improvisation. Their music honours tradition while embracing spontaneity and modern expression.

IG: @nat.beja

About Sound Break

Sound Break is TO Live’s free live music series showcasing local and Canadian artists across a wide range of genres. Presented in the public spaces of TO Live venues, the series offers audiences opportunities to encounter new music in welcoming, informal environments.

Dates & Venues
February 19 – April 30, 2026
Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge Street)
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front Street East)