Fiery dance, powerhouse vocals and spine-tingling compositions 鈥� prepare to be mesmerized.

From the heart of Toronto鈥檚 vibrant music scene, a unique ensemble is gearing up to take over the Sid on Friday, Feb. 9.

Presented by the Sid Williams Theatre Society as part of its Blue Circle Series, Tamar Ilana & Ventanas is an award-winning six-piece world music group that weaves flamenco, Sephardic and Balkan influences to create a spellbinding performance.

The ensemble has been a force on the world music stage for more than a decade. Founded by Tamar Ilana, the charismatic vocalist and dancer at the helm of Ventanas, together they have honed their craft to not only produce stirring, beautiful music but also create a message of peace, harmony and the possibility of coexistence.

鈥淓specially during these times, we want to show that peace and harmony is possible, and we can achieve it through music鈥� we can achieve it through sharing and compassion, understanding and listening to each other,鈥� said Ilana. 鈥淎s players, we鈥檙e all from different backgrounds. There鈥檚 Jews, Muslims, Christians and we all have different languages, different places that we were born and different musical backgrounds, but it doesn鈥檛 matter. It works, and we鈥檝e been together for over a decade. We鈥檙e living proof that it is possible to live together, work together and be happy together. So, we really want to get that across.鈥�

With contemporary interpretations of ancient ballads as well as original pieces, the collective draws upon a rich tapestry of influences to deliver a show that transcends cultural boundaries. Performing in more than 20 languages, including Ladino, Spanish, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Hebrew, French, Romani and Arabic, the group both embodies and conveys a message of unity through diversity.

Ventanas鈥� performances are an intricate dance of cultures, showcasing a lineup of diverse instruments. Considering Ilana鈥檚 own diverse musical and cultural heritage, it makes sense that this project is the result.

Of Jewish-Indigenous-Scottish-Romanian descent, Ilana grew up on stage, raised by her ethnomusicologist and performer mother.

鈥淎t the age of four, I was singing with her, in multiple countries and multiple languages.鈥�

Simultaneously, she embraced flamenco.

鈥淚 started dancing flamenco at about seven with various schools in Toronto and in Spain, moving back and forth.鈥�

After a childhood spent gathering songs from small villages on the edge of the Mediterranean, Ilana initially aimed for a 鈥榥ormal鈥� life as a young adult. But she eventually followed her destiny, leaving a budding career in biology to immerse herself in dance at a flamenco academy in Spain in 2010.

Upon returning to Toronto in 2011, Ilanafelt the need to merge her childhood experiences with her professional development as a flamenco artist.

鈥淚t was a moment to use it all together. So I found some musicians that were working together within the community here, and the project was basically born under the fusion of those cultures鈥� and Toronto is a great place to do that.鈥�

Finding their groove in the Queen Street bars, their endeavours have since led to performances across Canada, North and South America and around the world, including a recent tour in Spain.

While they weren鈥檛 sure how the group鈥檚 distinctive approach to dance and world music would go over in the birthplace of flamenco, they needn鈥檛 have been worried. 鈥�

We brought this energetic, almost punk rock vibe mixed with intricate music, and it was really well received.鈥�

Ilana admits that navigating the world music landscape hasn鈥檛 been without its challenges. In their early days, Ventanas faced skepticism about performing music from diverse cultures in Canada, with some questioning why audiences would seek out flamenco or Turkish music from a Canadian ensemble.

鈥淚t鈥檚 better now because we鈥檝e been doing it for so long and people can see our skill and dedication,鈥� she said.

And over the years, Ventanas鈥� performances have evolved, transitioning from traditional repertoires to an emphasis on original compositions. The forthcoming fourth album promises a groundbreaking video piece and atmospheric surround sound, marking a new milestone in the ensemble鈥檚 artistic journey.

鈥淥ur new album is also going to have a video component to it, so we鈥檙e thrilled about that.鈥�

Together with bandmates Benjamin Barrile (flamenco guitar), Demetri Petsalakis (oud), Andrew Pacheco (bass), Jaron Freeman-Fox (violin) and Matias Recharte (percussion), Ilana is excited to be back performing in BC, while also preparing for a series of upcoming shows in Ireland, the Maritimes, and potentially Estonia.

No matter where they are, Ventanas remains dedicated to creating a magical atmosphere on stage.

鈥淲e just want to transport the audience into a world where cultures, languages and sounds converge,鈥� said Ilana.

With a profound commitment to showcasing the beauty of diversity and fostering harmony through every note, every dance step and every moment on stage, Tamar Ilana & Ventanas promise an unforgettable performance.

World music and dance enthusiasts, mark your calendars for an evening of rhythmic enchantment and cultural celebration. Get your tickets now online, by phone or in person at the box office. For additional information about Tamar Ilana & Ventanas, please visit www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.