Institut

Institut MUS | CIN | LIT | ART
Underground speakeasy at .toronto
620 Spadina Ave

On July 2, resident artists will be hosting an EPIC marathon dance social of traditional Balkan, Baltic, and Slavic vil...
10/06/2026

On July 2, resident artists will be hosting an EPIC marathon dance social of traditional Balkan, Baltic, and Slavic village folk music (with guest appearances by other local village dance pros).

What to expect: A community event with live music and dances for everyone who wishes to participate. A teacher will guide you through the steps (no prior experience needed, only vibes). Kick it village folk-style and make some new friends in the process.

Then, will keep you on the dance floor late into the night with a smoky, after-hours blend of Polish and Eastern European funk, disco and new wave cuts on vintage vinyl.

We’ll have plenty of drinks and kanapky available to fuel your dancing all night.

July 2 @ 5PM — late.
PWYC // RSVP to secure your spot.
🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

WHAT A NIGHT. Thank you to and our friends at for making this incredible night possible. We started the evening with ...
09/06/2026

WHAT A NIGHT. Thank you to and our friends at for making this incredible night possible.

We started the evening with a chat between GANNA and .marczyk where they discussed representing Ukrainian culture abroad, music and composition, identity, and art as activism.

Then GANNA took the stage for a special solo set full of mesmerizing melodies and powerful vocals. From soft lullabies to ecstatic dance parties, we experienced every emotion possible during this set.

Johnny Westcoast kept the vibes going late into the night with a set of Ukrainian and global electronic sounds on vintage vinyl.

Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We hope to see you in the space again soon (with special programming every Thursday this summer!).

Learn more about future events at 🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

📸

INSTITUT 012 feels less like a program and more like wandering into five different worlds at once.Resident artists are ...
08/06/2026

INSTITUT 012 feels less like a program and more like wandering into five different worlds at once.

Resident artists are back to help you master traditional Balkan, Baltic, and Slavic folk music and dance in their open rehearsal.

Then pairs together some of our favourite things: jazz and cinema. Witness a recreation of the iconic pairing of Miles Davis’ trumpet to the crime-noir classic, “Elevator to the Gallows” (Louis Malle, 1958).

After that, Estonia’s arrive with looping talharpas, folk harmonies, and what can only be described as zombie folk music.

Meanwhile, .x creates live paintings from found materials pulled from the INSTITUT archives. closes things out with vintage vinyl of Armenian folk, dessert blues, and Ethio-Jazz.

July 16 @ 5PM — late.
PWYC // RSVP to secure your spot.
🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

INSTITUT 005 was one for the books.The night started with resident artists who filled the room with village folk music,...
06/06/2026

INSTITUT 005 was one for the books.

The night started with resident artists who filled the room with village folk music, dancing, and the kind of energy that makes strangers feel like old friends.

Then, and transformed the basement into a Greek taverna, sharing songs from Northern Greece, Thrace, and Asia Minor.

Toronto accordion legend performed a rare solo set, full of stories and songs from around the world (and absolutely tore it up on the button accordion).

To close things out, took over with a vintage vinyl set packed with Polish funk and Eastern European disco.

Next up: joins us this Sunday for a special performance (very limited tickets remain!).

Or come by Thursday for INSTITUT 007: a conversation on the ethics of the art world with Graham Bowley and Alexandra Shkandrij, a live re-score of a classic Quebec film by and vintage vinyl selections from

🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

📸

‼️Y’all SOLD THIS ONE OUT ‼️so we’ve released a limited number of 20 extra tickets (because we love you). Don’t miss you...
05/06/2026

‼️Y’all SOLD THIS ONE OUT ‼️so we’ve released a limited number of 20 extra tickets (because we love you). Don’t miss your chance to catch a special solo set from this Sunday, June 7.

We’ll start the night with a chat between GANNA and INSTITUT’s Mark Marczyk (Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Balaklava Blues) exploring topics of folk, war, technology, and identity.

Then, GANNA will perform an intimate solo set blending voice, electronics, and the rare guitaret.

We’ll also have a limited number of extra tickets at the door for Johnny Westcoat’s DJ set, so you can groove to Ukrainian and global electronic sounds on vinyl.

Get your tickets now 🎫
🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

INSTITUT 009 drifts between surreal theatre, classic cinema, and dance floors built from memory.The night begins with a ...
04/06/2026

INSTITUT 009 drifts between surreal theatre, classic cinema, and dance floors built from memory.

The night begins with a dramatic reading of BOMB by Natalka Blok, a dark comedy about Dasha, a Ukrainian activist with a bomb inside her that could save Ukraine.

Curated by Lianna Makuch, Andrew Kushnir, and Mariya Khomutova. Directed by Lianna Makuch.

Then, Majd Sukar performs a live ambient score of pedal-soaked clarinet and voice over Al Mummia (one of the most mesmerizing films in Arab cinema) before Sonic Mirage brings Ukrainian flute folk fusion into the room.

Juana Go-Go closes the night with eclectic vinyl-rooted selections of Latin and global sounds connecting memory, diaspora and movement.

June 25 @ 5PM — late.
PWYC // RSVP to secure your spot.
🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

INSTITUT 009 drifts between surreal theatre, classic cinema, and dance floors built from memory.The night begins with a ...
04/06/2026

INSTITUT 009 drifts between surreal theatre, classic cinema, and dance floors built from memory.

The night begins with a dramatic reading of BOMB by Natalka Blok, a dark comedy about Dasha, a Ukrainian activist with a bomb inside her that could save Ukraine.

Curated by Lianna Makuch, Andrew Kushnir, and Mariya Khomutova. Directed by Lianna Makuch.

Then, Sonic Mirage bring Ukrainian flute folk fusion into the room before Majd Sukar performs a live ambient score of pedal-soaked clarinet and voice over Al Mummia (one of the most mesmerizing films in Arab cinema).

Juana Go-Go closes the night with eclectic vinyl-rooted selections of Latin and global sounds connecting memory, diaspora and movement.

June 25 @ 5PM — late.
PWYC // RSVP to secure your spot.
🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

At INSTITUT 007 you’ll find yourself in a conversation three-beers deep with an art journalist, living a day as a Montre...
03/06/2026

At INSTITUT 007 you’ll find yourself in a conversation three-beers deep with an art journalist, living a day as a Montreal plow driver, and dancing the night away to vintage vinyl.

We’ll start the night with a discussion about the art world between Graham Bowley and Alexandra Shkandrij on looting, provenance, and the ethics of museum collections.

Then, Montreal’s Les Passagers will rescore a film in real time as they play psychedelic indie-jazz grooves over a screening of “La Vie Heureuse de Léopold Z” (Gilles Carle, 1965).

Mira Mela will keep us dancing into the night with funk, soul, and disco on vintage vinyl.

June 11 @ 7 PM to late
PWYC // RSVP to secure your spot.
🔗 you know where

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

03/06/2026

Grab your friends, grab some drinks, and kick it village-folk-style in a Toronto speakeasy with open rehearsals led by

Learn traditional Balkan, Baltic & Slavic village folk for dance in an open acoustic jam.

This summer, Kryva Kosa take over the basement at .toronto for open sessions rooted in village folk traditions from Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. Come to listen, come to learn, come to warm up for what’s next.

See you there (and bring your dancing shoes!).

June 4
June 18
July 2
July 16

PWYC // RSVP to secure your spot.
🔗 you know where 

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

This Sunday, GANNA will take us a on a journey as she transforms her homeland’s folk traditions through improvisation, f...
02/06/2026

This Sunday, GANNA will take us a on a journey as she transforms her homeland’s folk traditions through improvisation, field recordings, and ritual songs.

What to expect: a transformative performance, a cozy speakeasy, good company, important conversations, drinks & kanapky to nourish the soul.

We’ll start the night with a chat between GANNA and INSTITUT’s Mark Marczyk (Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Balaklava Blues) exploring topics of folk, technology, and identity.

Then, GANNA will perform an intimate solo set blending voice, electronics, and the rare guitaret.

The conversations and dancing will continue late into the night as Johnny Westcoast plays Ukrainian and global electronic sounds on vinyl.

Limited capacity, be sure to get your tickets now!
🔗 you know where 

620 Spadina — around the back, through the lot, past the steel doors, down the stairs, through the wood laminate door.

Address

620 Spadina Avenue

M5S 2H4

Opening Hours

17:00 - 02:00

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