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The World Music Institute Announces 2014-2015 Season, Featuring AFRICA NOW: SOUTH AFRICA!, WORLD TO BROOKLYN and More

By: Aug. 27, 2014
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World Music Institute announces its 2014-15 season, a year of "lively, edifying musical bridge-building" (Time Out New York) from this pioneer of the world music and dance scene. The richly curated season brings to life the cultures of more than 22 different artists and ensembles from Israel, South Africa, Ireland, Mali, Honduras, Tibet, India, and beyond-all through unusual, electrifying and interactive concerts.

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Under the leadership of artistic director Karen Sander, World Music Institute's goal is to reveal these cultures not only through remarkable performances, but by adding lectures, demonstrations, personal stories, family events, and artist accessibility before and after the shows, to make the evenings even more alive. Whether with a rare find like Bengal's Baul master Shafi Mondol or an international star like Angelique Kidjo, WMI seeks ways for the audience to engage more deeply with its artists.

The season kicks off with Africa Now: South Africa! at the legendary Apollo, part of a city-wide celebration of South African music. Africa Now: South Africa! stands out by showcasing the post-Apartheid generation of socially-conscious fresh young artists who are now shaping their country. WMI and the Apollo will play host to three radically different but equally exciting stars, all in their 20's and early 30's: the Xhosa singer/songwriter Simphwe Dana; rapper and poetTumi Molekane in his American debut; and the uplifting 3-member a cappellagroup, The Soil.

Throughout the 2014-15 season, WMI offers outstanding artists a stage for premiering their latest projects. In addition to the performers in Africa Now, notable highlights include two other fall shows-the enchanting Garifuna musicianAurelio Martínez, and the inimitable Israeli-Malian collaboration the Toure Reichel Collective. Both will perform new material in support of their highly anticipated new albums.

In one truly unique evening, the godly Indian dance company Nrityagram can be seen in a new light in a site-specific performance at the Temple of Dendur, presented in collaboration with The Met Museum Presents. While Nrityagram regularly performs in stunning architectural temples in India, they have never had the opportunity to share that side of their work with NYC audiences.

Returning to WMI are three recently developed series that have delighted audiences with their creative and immersive formats. The "living-room" intimacy of the Thalia is ideal for the three-part Global Salon series, which this year presents the beautiful and little-known traditions of Nordic folk fiddling, Tibetan healing music, and Bukharian singing and dance. Down in Brooklyn, Roulette will host WMI's raucously fun dance-party series World to Brooklyn, complete with a specific region's cocktail, dance lesson, DJ and headliner band. This year the three shows will cover Haiti, Cuba and Colombia.

And finally there's the exquisite and celebrated Indian classical dance festival Dancing The Gods at Skirball Center in the spring, always full of discoveries and "truly godlike dancers" (The New York Times).

Photo Credit: The World Music Institute's Photo of The Soil



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