On Friday night (April 26), the World Music and Dance Festival returns to CalArts, bringing together revered musical masters, their students and special guest performers in six concerts over the next two weekends. Presented by The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts, this year’s edition features traditions from Ghana, Bali, Java, North India and Persia, among other influences.
The festival opens with three free outdoor concerts at the Wild Beast Pavilion: the CalArts Balinese music and dance ensemble Gamelan Burat Wangi (“Fragrant Offering”), under the direction of faculty I Nyoman Wenten and Nanik Wenten (Friday); the CalArts African Music and Dance Ensemble, led by faculty Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole and Andrew Grueschow (Saturday); and the CalArts Javanese gamelan Kyai Doro Dasih (“The Venerable Dream Come True”), directed by faculty Djoko Walujo Wimboprasetyo (Sunday).
Among the highlights this weekend is special guest Ghanaian drummer and dancer Prosper Nudzor, who joins the CalArts African Music and Dance Ensemble in a celebration of the music, singing and dance of the Ewe and Dagomba people of Ghana.
Dancer and choreographer Baghawan Ciptoning, a longtime instructor at the Institut Seni Indonesia, performs with CalArts’ Javanese gamelan. Ciptoning is renowned for his mastery of the filigree detail of Javanese ceremonial dance.
The following weekend (May 3–5), the festival continues inside the Walt Disney Modular Theater with the CalArts Tabla Ensemble and a performance of North Indian classical music by the faculty duo of tabla master Aashish Khan and sarode virtuoso Swapan Chaudhuri on Friday night. Next up on Saturday is the CalArts World Percussion Ensemble, led by faculty Randy Gloss and Houman Pourmehdi. The CalArts North Indian Ensemble and the CalArts Persian Music Ensemble—both large student groups of mixed traditional and Western instrumentation, guided by Khan and Pourmehdi, respectively—close the festival on Sunday night.
To learn more about all of the festival’s six concerts, visit the CalArts newsroom.
Below is a video of the World Percussion Concert, featuring acclaimed percussionist Pete Lockett, at CalArts’ 2012 World Music and Dance Festival:
Event Details
CalArts World Music and Dance Festival 2013
Schedule of Performances:- April 26 - Balinese Music & Dance, The Wild Beast, 7 pm
- April 27 - West African Music & Dance, The Wild Beast, 7 pm
- April 28 - Javanese Music & Dance, The Wild Beast, 7 pm
- May 3 - North Indian Classical Music, Walt Disney Modular Theater (MOD), 7:30 pm
- May 4 - World Percussion Ensemble, Walt Disney Modular Theater (MOD), 8 pm
- May 5 - CalArts North Indian Ensemble & CalArts Persian Music Ensemble, Walt Disney Modular Theater (MOD), 7 pm
- Concerts in the Walt Disney Modular Theater are $10 for general admission and $2 for students. Get tickets
- Concerts at the Wild Beast music pavilion are free with lawn seating