World Music Festival Chicago

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World Music Festival Chicago

The largest and longest-running festival of international music in the United States. Sept. 11–27, 2020 Citywide.

Enjoy global grooves by award-winning artists from around the world at the free, city-wide, multi-venue World Music Festival Chicago that has presented more than 750 artists and ensembles from over 80 countries since it began in 1995. The festival of international music embraces well-known stars and emerging artists in genres that span between the traditional to contemporary. You can hear everything from Indian classical music to Bulgarian bagpipes to Ethio-Jazz, and much more!

01/09/2024

Just announced! This year's will be September 20-29!
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/wmf.html

09/28/2023

Don't miss House of Waters along with several other amazing acts at this Saturday's FREE Global Peace Picnic as part of !

International fusion band House of Waters will be playing Chicago’s World Music Fest on September 30.

09/28/2023

Let's finish strong this Sunday at The Hideout with Madalitso Band (Malawi) and Luciano Antonio's Funk no Samba (Brazil/Chicago).
FREE!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/27/2023

THIS FRIDAY 4p-8p, stop by the for a rare AFTER HOURS Open House! FREE!
The event is inspired by and highlights South Asian culture with free music and dance activations throughout the building on September 29 from 4–8pm. Guests can enjoy food by Bombay Eats as they encounter engaging performances, films, artists and meetups across three floors of the Chicago Cultural Center.

Stay longer – or all night! – for Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music, an annual showcase that takes place September 29-30 in Preston Bradley Hall. Artists showcase rarely performed music and ragas from sunset to sunrise. Stop by for a bit, or bring a pillow and stay throughout the night for a truly memorable musical experience.

See the full lineup of activities at www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org

09/27/2023

Saturday 9/30 join us at Chop Shop for another great performance — this time with QUITAPENAS (Los Angeles/USA) Rudy de Anda (Chicago/USA) and DJ La Colocha (Chicago/USA). FREE!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/26/2023

Have you downloaded the printable version of the Chicago Reader's guide to World Music Festival Chicago?
There's still so many great FREE events happening through 10/1 in the city including the Global Peace Picnic, the all-night and more!
🌎 https://bit.ly/3rC9IiO

09/25/2023

This Thursday at The Promontory!
La Perla (Colombia) and Kafolike School of Percussion (West Africa/Chicago).
FREE as part of !
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/24/2023

Join us at Old Town School of Folk Music this Wednesday 9/27 with Farah Siraj, Karim Nagi & Huzam Ensemble. FREE for all ages!
. RSVP below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/23/2023

Tuesday 9/26 will see an exciting lineup at Constellation Chicago with San Salvador (France) and Silvia Manrique (Brazil/Chicago). FREE! RSVP below!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/22/2023

Start the week with an amazing FREE concert by Bab L’Bluz (Morocco/France) and Así Así (México/USA) at Empty Bottle this Monday as part of !
RSVP below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/22/2023

It all starts TODAY!
10 straight days. 34 bands representing 22 countries. FREE!

Celebrate music from around the world for 10 days straight at Chicago’s annual World Music Festival.

09/21/2023

Join us in person OR online for the livestream of the Ragamala — an all-night Celebration of Indian Classical Music taking place from 6pm Friday through 8am Saturday!

Streaming LIVE (with short intervals between performances) from 6pm on September 29th through 8am on September 30th, 2023! Ragamala, the largest all-night pr...

09/21/2023

This Sunday at Sleeping Village!
Ethiocolor (Ethiopia) + Clinard Dance's Flamenco Quartet Project meets Blues, Rap and Jazz (Chicago/USA). FREE as part of !
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/20/2023

HERE IT IS! The Chicago Reader’s guide to World Music Festival Chicago 2023!
With 11 FREE concerts in ten days, the festival gives us dozens of chances to participate firsthand in the way music builds kinship across borders. All beginning this Friday 9/22!

With 11 free concerts in ten days, World Music Festival Chicago gives us dozens of chances to participate firsthand in the way music builds kinship across borders.

09/20/2023

“We are happy to produce and curate events. But we're also equally happy to extend these opportunities to other cultural partners who do this work 365 days a year,” Tortolero told The TRiiBE.

09/20/2023

Join us this Saturday at Avondale Music Hall with Cheikh Ibra Fam (Senegal), Gizzae (Dominica/USA) and DJ TopDonn (Chicago/USA)!
The full lineup details and RSVPs at the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/19/2023

The annual Global Peace Picnic takes place SATURDAY 9/30 and we couldn't be more excited! FREE performances on 2 stages by local and international performers.

¡Súbelo! Stage, 1-6pm
In partnership with the Chicago Latino Dance Festival of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago
1-1:25pm - Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago with Mariachi Perla de Mexico
1:30-1:55pm - Samba 1 Brazilian Dance Group with Chicago Samba
3-3:25pm - Center of Peruvian Arts with SolAndino
3:30-3:55pm - Bomberxs D'Cora
5-5:25pm - Tamboula Ethnic Dance Company
5:30-5:55pm - Laruni Hati Garifuna Dance Group

Global Stage, 2-7:15pm
2-3pm - Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago (KPAC) (Chicago/South Korea)
4-5pm - House of Waters (NYC)
6-7:15pm - Amayo (NYC)

Learn more at worldmusicfestivalchicago.org and start making your plans!
In partnership with the Chicago Latino Dance Festival of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago

09/18/2023

kicks off this Friday 9/22 at Martyrs' with Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band (Burkina Faso), Magic Carpet (Chicago/USA) and DJ Onwa (Chicago/USA). Click through and secure your attendance!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcase-presents-world-music-festival-chicago-september-22-october-1-tickets-675584570637

09/14/2023

It all starts next weekend!
Featuring 10 days of live, global music, returns representing 22 countries, including 10 local music groups + the festival features performances in 11 venues across Chicago. Free admission!
www.worldmusicfestivalchicago.org

09/04/2023

Featuring 10 consecutive days of live, global music, World Music Festival Chicago returns with 34 bands representing 22 countries, including 10 local music groups. The festival features performances in 11 indoor and outdoor venues across Chicago.
FREE admission!
Learn more at www.worldmusicfestivalchicago.org.

08/24/2023

We are ONE MONTH AWAY for
𝟏𝟎 consecutive days of live, global music with
𝟑𝟒 bands
representing 𝟐𝟐 countries
including 𝟏𝟎 local music groups
at 𝟏𝟏 indoor and outdoor venues across Chicago!

Learn more and pick your shows at www.WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org

07/20/2023

Announcing the full lineup for the 2023 !
Details at WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org.
September 22 — October 1.
Bringing 10 days of global grooves by award-winning artists from around the world, this citywide, multi-venue festival will feature more than 30 artists and ensembles representing 20 countries and regions of the world. The festival also celebrates 11 years of Ragamala, the largest all-night presentation of live Indian classical music in the United States, hosted at the Chicago Cultural Center. The “Global Peace Picnic” also returns Sept 30 featuring international dance and music companies performing across two stages at the Humboldt Park Boathouse.
All concerts are FREE! Reservations for music venues encouraged.

03/13/2023

Mark your calendars! The 2023 will be citywide: Friday, September 22 – Sunday, October 1!

01/20/2023

Featuring everything from the Chinese ruan and the Indian veena to Afro-Peruvian percussion and Mongolian throat singing, the music troupe offers an incredible merging of sounds from across the globe.

01/19/2023

So exciting! Vote today!

chicagoreader.com/best

12/01/2022

Have a few moments? This short survey below applies to our web pages as well!

How can our websites better serve you?
DCASE websites survey 👇
https://chicago.gov/dcasesurvey
(Deadline to complete is Dec 7.)
As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, DCASE programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. Thank you for sharing your invaluable recommendations to improve the functionality, content, and design of our websites.

11/25/2022

11/07/2022

"But more than the music is showcased – Chicago's unique neighborhoods distinctively frame the musical offerings."

Blowin’ into the Windy City for the its annual spectacular of global sounds

10/07/2022

A HUGE show tomorrow at Chop Shop & 1st Ward with Kaleta & Super Yamba Band, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International & DJ Mwelwa. FREE!

The World Music Festival's 11 free concerts, spread out over ten days and 11 venues, offer more than inspiration and fun—they invite us to forge new bonds of community and care.

02/08/2022

Address

Chicago, IL

Website

http://www.WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org/

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Videos

Announcing the 2024 #WorldMusicFestivalChicago lineup! Taking place September 20-29, World Music Festival Chicago features FREE performances in 11 venues across the city — both indoor and outdoor! Globally curious music enthusiasts can experience the sounds of a wide variety of musical genres from diverse geographical regions including Colombia, Italy, Pakistan, Sweden and more. See the full lineup at WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org.

Open House at Chicago Cultural Center

THIS FRIDAY 4p-8p, stop by the #ChicagoCulturalCenter for a rare AFTER HOURS Open House! FREE! The event is inspired by #WorldMusicFestivalChicago and highlights South Asian culture with free music and dance activations throughout the building on September 29 from 4–8pm. Guests can enjoy food by Bombay Eats as they encounter engaging performances, films, artists and meetups across three floors of the Chicago Cultural Center. Stay longer – or all night! – for Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music, an annual showcase that takes place September 29-30 in Preston Bradley Hall. Artists showcase rarely performed music and ragas from sunset to sunrise. Stop by for a bit, or bring a pillow and stay throughout the night for a truly memorable musical experience. See the full lineup of activities at www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org

This Friday 6p-10p artist and peace activist Indira Freitas Johnson will facilitate the Community Blessings Rangoli drawing in the 1st floor Learning Lab at the Chicago Cultural Center and ALL are invited to participate! Stop by while also attending the nightlong Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music – Celebrating 10 Years on the 3rd floor Preston Bradley Hall. The Rangoli Drawing will continue October 14 and 15 from 11-3 pm.

EMME

A quick taste of East Meets Middle East - EMME before their segment on WBEZ's Worldview today. So much to enjoy this Sunday as the World Music Festival meets the World Dumpling Fest at Navy Pier to close out the Festival!