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May 2019
Jie Ma: Chinese Pipa Music
Join us for an evening of traditional and modern Chinese pipa (plucked lute) music, played by internationally acclaimed musician and educator, Jie Ma.
Find out more »February 2019
Bulgarian Village Music
EVENT SOLD OUT! Join us for an evening in an imaginary Bulgarian home full of traditional singing and music (and maybe even a bit of dancing and some snacks) with Tzvetanka Varimezova, a wonderful singer and tambura (lute) player, and her husband Ivan Varimezov, Bulgaria's best bagpiper.
Find out more »Nomsa Burkhardt: South African Music and Dance
Join Bonita-Sunnyside County Library for a lively performance of folk music, stories, dance, and language from the Zulu and Xhosa peoples. Nomsa Burkhardt, world music artist and educator, will bring us on a musical journey of South Africa.
Find out more »Soweto Gospel Choir in San Diego
Celebrate the season of giving with the inspirational power of South African gospel music. Dazzling and unified. . . Soweto Gospel Choir was as much to look at as to listen to. The human spirit—this you couldn't miss! —The Los Angeles Times Matinee and Evening Shows! December 20 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. General Admission $25, Preferred Seating $40, VIP Seating $50 Tickets and further information at jacobspresents.com. See the Soweto Gospel Choir website, plus this video on National Public…
Find out more »January 2019
An Evening of Middle Eastern Classical Music
Join us for an evening of Middle Eastern classical music with violinist and singer Luay Yousif, drummer Omar Alchi, and guitarist Jack Tamas. Luay will present traditional songs and instrumentals of the Middle East as well as his own original compositions.
Find out more »Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble: Music and Dance of the Southern Philippines
Join Bonita Sunnyside County Library for a free, family friendly, music performance of Pakaraguian (PAW-KAH_RAW_GIYON) Kulintang (Cool Lynn Tong) Ensemble. Using indigenous forms of instrumentation (gongs, kettles, and drums) the ensemble will fill the community room with rhythmic celebratory music and dances from the Muslim Societies of the Southern Philippines. Following the performance, the Ensemble will offer interactive hands-on opportunities to play the instruments and learn basic dance movements.
Find out more »December 2018
Throat Singing from the Altai Mountains of Southern Siberia
The Center for World Music is happy to present Altai Kai. The members of Altai Kai are throat singing virtuosos, skilled in the different styles and variations of kai (the Altai word for throat singing) and folk instruments.
Find out more »November 2018
Balinese Gamelan at the Museum of Photographic Arts
This exciting, free performance will be offered by students from the Museum School, which is located nearby in Bankers Hill, where students grades K–8 study this fascinating musical art form every week throughout the school year.
Find out more »An Evening of Koto Music with Kozue Matsumoto
Join the Center for World Music for an evening of koto (Japanese zither) music with Kozue Matsumoto. Matsumoto will guide the audience through a performance of traditional and contemporary koto music.
Find out more »October 2018
Odissi Dance School Fall Recital
You are warmly invited to join us for the Center for World Music Odissi Dance School's quarterly recital. The program will be directed by Sri Rajesh Kumar Palai, visiting teacher from the Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar, India.
Find out more »September 2018
Music From Zimbabwe: A Fall Celebration
The Center for World Music presents an intimate house concert of mbira music from Zimbabwe.
Find out more »Rajeev Taranath: Hindustani Ragas
An evening of North Indian classical music with internationally acclaimed artist Rajeev Taranath, sarod, accompanied by Abhiman Kaushal, tabla. A brilliant performer and award-winning composer, Taranath is today one of the world’s leading exponents of the sarod.
Find out more »September Southern California Mbira Player Get-Together
Advanced mbira players from around Southern California gather to celebrate and play this extraordinary instrument. Admission is free, but space is limited.
Find out more »2018–19 Concert Season
The Center for World Music is planning an exciting 2018–19 concert season. Be the first to find out the details of our next series of concerts and events by signing up for our electronic newsletter.
Find out more »July 2018
5th Annual Mariachi Women’s Festival
The Mariachi Women's Festival aims to recognize and empower mariachi women throughout the world. Don't miss out on the July 21 Festival!
Find out more »June 2018
June Southern California Mbira Player Get-Together
Advanced mbira players from around Southern California gather to celebrate and play this extraordinary instrument. Admission is free, but space is limited. Bring your instrument(s). Please RSVP to Lewis Peterman to reserve your space and get directions to the venue.
Find out more »Songs and Stories: Transformation through Rhythm & Word
This event highlights performers from within San Diego’s refugee communities. Join poet/performer Ari Honarvar and the Iraqi Refugee Drum Circle for lively performances, real conversations, and a participatory experience in the culture and journeys of a seldom heard segment of San Diego's vibrant and diverse population.
Find out more »Odissi Dance School Spring Recital
You are warmly invited to join the Center for World Music's Odissi Dance School for its spring recital. The program will be directed by Sri Rajesh Kumar Palai, visiting teacher from the Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar, India. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and skill through performance of various items.
PLEASE NOTE THE UPDATED VENUE INFORMATION.
Find out more »Songs and Stories: Musicians of the Middle East
The Songs and Stories: Musicians of the Middle East aims to highlight musicians from within San Diego’s refugee communities. Join Dlan Dary and Music House in lively performances and real conversations about the cultures and journeys of a seldom heard segment of San Diego's diverse & vibrant population.
Find out more »Songs and Stories: Voices of Hope from Africa
This event highlights musicians and artists from within San Diego’s refugee communities. Lively performances and real conversations with Marida Boazi, the Revelation Gospel Band, and Emmanuel Adamson immerse audiences in the cultures and journeys of a seldom heard segment of San Diego's vibrant and diverse population.
Find out more »Songs & Stories: Refugee Artists in San Diego
Songs and Stories: Refugee Artists in San Diego performing artists will include Matrida Umoja Band (Congo), Revelation Gospel Band (East and Central Africa), Emanuel Adamson (Congo), Shifaa: Iraqi Refugee Women’s Drum Circle (Iraq), Ari Honarvar (Iran) and Dlan Dary (Syria), and the Music House (Middle East).
Find out more »May 2018
Traditional Zulu Song, Dance & Stories
Nomsa Burkhardt is an extraordinary South African musician and dancer. She and her fellow musicians will be presenting traditional Zulu drumming, songs, and dance, intertwined with stories of the rich Zulu heritage and culture.
Find out more »April 2018
Classical and Folk Music of Iran
Dornob is a collective of musicians – now spanning two generations – who've been playing Iranian music in San Diego since 1984. The Dornob Trio will give you a delicious sampling of the classical and folk music of Iran and the Iranian diaspora.
Find out more »March 2018
Singing the Ancient Memories of Finland
Merja Soria, a native of Finland, performs the touching music of her Finnish heritage. She combines kantele (Finnish folk zither) and the ethereal sounds of the voice to sing the haunting songs of Suomi (Finland).
Find out more »Raga, Roots & Re-imaginings
An evening of reimagined music featuring Hindustani harpist, singer, and bansuri flutist Sheela Bringi, with longtime collaborator Clinton Patterson, tabla artist Miles Shrewsbery, and bassist Brent Kuecker
Find out more »February 2018
From Ireland to San Diego
A noted singer, dancer, and bodhrán (Irish drum) player, Máirtín de Cógáin has gathered a group of the finest Irish-American musicians around him. Together, this group brings the story of de Cógáin's native Cork to an appreciative international following.
Find out more »Passport to Worlds of Music Spring Series 2018
The Center for World Music presents an informal concert series of classical and folk music traditions that will introduce you to the sounds, aesthetics, and cultural significance of the music of select regions from around the world.
Find out more »October 2017
Magical Mystery Tour of the World’s Music
As a sincere thank you to those who faithfully support the CWM's programs, our new president, Tim Rice, will host several instances of a special donor appreciation program for Center for World Music invited guests in October and November of 2017. Each session will feature an informal, illustrated talk titled the “Magical Mystery Tour of the World’s Music."
Find out more »Odissi Dance School October Student Recital
Join us for the Monthly Dance Recital of the Center for World Music's Odissi Dance School. Each month the school hosts a performance in which students present dance compositions that they have mastered under the instruction of our master teacher from India, Sri Rudraprasad Swain of the Orissa Dance Academy.
Find out more »October Southern California Mbira Player Get-Together
Advanced mbira players from around Southern California gather to celebrate and play this extraordinary instrument. Admission is free, but space is limited. Bring your instrument(s). Please RSVP to Lewis Peterman to reserve your space and get directions to the venue. Download the flyer here.
Find out more »September 2017
Harmony & Motion International Music and Dance Festival
Harmony & Motion will celebrate the exquisite diversity of music and dance in San Diego. Show your support for cultural diversity by attending this year's festival! Blending professional and highly-skilled amateur live music with talented dancers, the festival offers a world tour of exciting music and dance.
Find out more »September Traditional Irish Music House Session
Come and join us at a private home in La Mesa for a participatory session of traditional Irish music. This gathering will take place in lieu of the Tijuana session.
Find out more »Odissi Dance Workshop
Join us for an Odissi dance workshop featuring master teacher, Rudraprasad Swain. Odissi is an exquisite classical dance form with ancient roots in northeast India. Rudraprasad, who comes to us from the Orissa Dance Academy, is currently resident instructor at the Center for World Music's Odissi Dance School.
Find out more »Traditional Music of Africa
Join us for a free lecture and short concert featuring the music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Lewis Peterman, our guide, was director of musicology and ethnomusicology in the School of Music and Dance at San Diego State University. He performs and writes about traditional Shona mbira (thumb piano) music.
Find out more »August 2017
Odissi Dance School August Student Recital
Join us for the Monthly Dance Recital of the Center for World Music's Odissi Dance School. This month's performance features dancers Sneha Panda, Mira Sur, and Meghana Bharadwaj.
Find out more »June 2017
North Indian Classical Sitar & Tabla Concert with Deobrat Mishra
Deobrat Mishra is an award-winning 11th generation Sitar player and founder-director of the Benares Academy of Indian Classical Music. He is touring with Prashant Mishra on tabla.
Find out more »June Traditional Irish Music Session
Come and join us at the pub for an evening of traditional Irish dance music! The session will be hosted by musicians Michael Eskin and George Rubsamen, and we expect some fine musicians to drop in and participate.
Find out more »Celebrating World Music Day with Choro Sotaque
This is the third and final concert of The Outdoor Summer World Music Series, presenting music from world destinations in relaxed outdoor settings. Join us to celebrate World Music Day with Choro Sotaque's vintage Brazilian jazz.
Find out more »Outdoor Summer Music Series: Music of Japan
Enjoy the calming melodic performance of Japanese traditional music with koto player Kyoko Takeda and shakuhachi player Jonathan Crick.
Find out more »Outdoor Summer Music Series: Caribbean Inspiration
Join the Center for World Music for a free and relaxed performance of music and stories from around the Caribbean. Let the ocean wind cool your skin while sounds inspired by the Cayman Islands delight your ears.
Find out more »May 2017
May Southern California Mbira Get-Together
Mbira aficionados gather to celebrate and play this extraordinary instrument. Admission is free, but space is limited. RSVP required.
Find out more »Javanese Gamelan: Music and Dance of Java
The 2017 SDSU-CWM World Music Series presents Javanese Gamelan: Music and Dance of Java, featuring the SDSU Javanese Gamelan. Pak Djoko Walujo, musical director of the ensemble, is an esteemed artist and renowned instructor of Javanese music. The performance will also feature a Javanese classical dance drama.
Find out more »