April 4-6, 2014: Alaska World Music Festival

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

Celebrating India Friday, April 4, 7-9 p.m. Alaska 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. Alaska 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 Alaskan Native Dance," featuring Aassanaaq Kairaiuk
• 2:30-2:55 p.m. "African Drumming," featuring Jesse Wright, lead drum instructor at the Alaska Afro Art Center, and Johnnie Wright III, lead dance instructor at the Alaska Afro Art Center
• 3-3:25 p.m."Qashqai Scarf Dance," Silk Road Dancers of Alaska
• 3:30-3:45 p.m. "Latino Music in Alaska," Dave Luera, host of Alaska 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 Anchorage Concert Association here. Registrants of any Alaska 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. Alaska 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 Alaska 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 Alaska World Affairs Council? Join or renew with the Ultimate Alaska World Music Pass. For $180, you receive admission to all Alaska World Music Festival events, plus an Alaska 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 Alaska World Music Festival website and scroll down to the register button at the bottom of the page.

Follow the Alaska World Music Festival Facebook page for daily highlights leading up to the festival weekend.

Questions? Contact the Alaska World Affairs Council at info@alaskaworldaffairs.org or (907) 276-8038.

March Archive