April 4-6, 2014: Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Music Festival

by Michelle Saport  |   

Enjoy a weekend of music from Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ and beyond at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Music Festival, presented by the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Affairs Council, in partnership with UAA, Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Public Media, Bridge Builders of Anchorage, KNBA and the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Native Heritage Center. Several UAA professors will also host lectures and workshops throughout the weekend.

Celebrating India Friday, April 4, 7-9 p.m. Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Public Media (3877 University Dr.)

Join us for a mystical evening of Indian culture with delicious cuisine from Bombay Deluxe, enchanting Bhangra music, a classical Indian dance performance and a Bollywood film.

Tickets are $55/person in advance and $60 at the door.

Lectures, Exhibitions and Workshops Saturday, April 5, 1-4:30 p.m. Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Public Media (3877 University Dr.)

Experience and explore world music with local experts. Schedule:

  • 1-1:25 p.m. "Intro to World Music," featuring Maria Williams, ethnomusicologist at UAA, and Laura Moscatello, host of KNBA's World Voices.
  • 1:30-1:55 p.m. "African-Brazilian Fusion," featuring Noemia Howell, dance instructor at UAA
  • 2-2:25 p.m. "Recharge Your Batteries with Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æn Native Dance," featuring Aassanaaq Kairaiuk
  • 2:30-2:55 p.m. "African Drumming," featuring Jesse Wright, lead drum instructor at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Afro Art Center, and Johnnie Wright III, lead dance instructor at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Afro Art Center
  • 3-3:25 p.m."Qashqai Scarf Dance," Silk Road Dancers of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ
  • 3:30-3:45 p.m. "Latino Music in Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ," Dave Luera, host of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Public Media's "Algo Nuevo"
  • 3:50-4:30 p.m. "Rumba Cuban Street Music-Do you want to Guaguancho?" featuring John Danberg, percussionist

Attend one or all workshops for one price: $10/person in advance or $15/person at the door.

International Blues Express featuring Cedric Watson and Sidi Toure Free pre-performance talk with Brian DeMarcus: Saturday, April 5, 6:30-7 p.m. PAC Atwood Hall (621 W. 6th Ave.)

Concert: Saturday, April 5, 7:30-9:30 p.m. PAC Atwood Hall (621 W. 6th Ave.)

From Africa to the Delta and back again, take a journey that showcases the powerful ties blues music has had across different continents. Moving with ease between fiddle and accordion, Cedric Watson's strong blues-inflected vocals and creative style make him an engaging and exciting performer with a unique take on traditional Creole music. Sidi Toure both captures and challenges his roots. While the music and rhythms remain authentically West African, Sidi's music sounds modern coming from his beautiful guitar playing that crosses into western folk and blues.

Concert tickets can be purchased separately from the . Registrants of any Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Music Festival event will receive a discount code for concert tickets in a confirmation email.

World Music After-Party Saturday, April 5, doors open at 9:30 p.m. Anchorage Lofts Music Cafe (239 W. 4th Ave.)

Join us after the International Blues Express concert for a party with fellow concertgoers. Admission includes light appetizers and live jazz music by EZ R&B. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Purchase the evening package (admission to the International Blues Express concert and the World Music After-Party) to save $25.

Local Talent Showcase and Talkback Sunday, April 6, 1-4 p.m. Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Public Media (3877 University Dr.)

Listen, learn and fall in love with local world musical talent. Join us for an afternoon of music and conversation, featuring four local bands performing a variety of music styles from around the world. Each group will perform for 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute interview with Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Public Media's Torrie Allen. International Blues Express, featuring Cedric Watson and Sidi Toure, will make a special appearance. Schedule:

  • 1-1:30 p.m. Son Latinos
  • 1:30-2 p.m. Crooked Road
  • 2-2:30 p.m. Tomodachi Daiko Drummers
  • 2:30-3 p.m. Break between performances
  • 3-3:30 p.m. Hmong Singing and Dance
  • 3:30-4:30 p.m. International Blues Express, featuring Cedric Watson and Sidi Toure

Attend one or all performances for one price: $15/person in advance or $20/person at the door.

Not a member of the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Affairs Council? Join or renew with the Ultimate Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Music Pass. For $180, you receive admission to all Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Music Festival events, plus an Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Affairs Council Family Membership valid through June 30, 2015, for a total savings of $25.

To register for any of the above events, visit the  and scroll down to the register button at the bottom of the page.

Follow the  for daily highlights leading up to the festival weekend.

Questions? Contact the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ World Affairs Council at info@alaskaworldaffairs.org or (907) 276-8038.

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