Events

Mbira Bhururu: Songs of the Shona People of Zimbabwe

in , /by

Hosted at the La Jolla Community Center

Experience the rich cultural and musical heritage of Zimbabwe through the traditional sounds of the mbira (Zimbabwean “thumb piano”), accompanied by the rhythmic pulse of hosho shakers. Played for over a thousand years, the mbira has been central to Shona spiritual ceremonies, storytelling, and community gatherings.

The ensemble Mbira Bhururu offers audiences an exploration of the instrument’s intricate layered melodies, the interplay between rhythm and tune, and the ways music fosters cultural continuity and connection to ancestry.

During the audience Q&A following the concert, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the musicians, learning about Zimbabwean musical traditions and the ways these artists carry forward a centuries-old cultural legacy.

About the Artists

Mbira Bhururu is a vibrant collaboration of mbira players united by friendship and the spirit of Zimbabwean tradition. The name Bhururu means “friendship born after connection through something meaningful.” Each member contributes their own unique playing style, blending traditional Shona mbira music with diverse rhythms and contemporary expression. Together, they create a rich and soulful sound that celebrates cultural unity and audience participation.

Founded by Dan Kusaya and Salani Matshoba, Mbira Bhururu naturally evolved from moments of playing together and discovering a shared musical passion. When Kudzi Jambwa later joined, the group’s energy and sound deepened further. Every performance invites the audience to become part of the Bhururu family—connected through the music of mbira and the friendship it inspires.

Image of mbira player Dan Kusaya

Dan Kusaya, Salani Matshoba, and Napoleon Kudzie Jambwa

Dan Kusaya is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist, composer, and cultural educator from Rusape, Zimbabwe. Now based in Indiana, Dan is a master of mbira, marimba, hosho, and ngoma. Performing with multiple ensembles—including the Dan Kusaya Band, Music Special, Sweet Dreamers Marimba Project, and Dance Africa Carolina—Dan brings the vibrant rhythms and melodies of Zimbabwean music to audiences across the United States.

Beyond the stage, Dan is deeply committed to arts education and youth empowerment. He leads workshops and music programs for children in Zimbabwe and the U.S., using traditional music to foster creativity, confidence, and cultural pride. Through his work with the Sweet Dreamers Marimba Project and other educational initiatives, Dan continues to inspire young learners to embrace their heritage and the unifying power of music.

For this San Diego Performance, Dan will be accompanied by two additional Zimbabwean master artists: Salani Matshoba and Napoleon Kudzie Jambwa.

Tickets

General Seating: $35
VIP Seating: $55

Complimentary valet parking is available for this event from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Please check in with an attendant near the venue entrance.

This is the first of six concerts in our 2026 Global Stage Passport Series. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter for more information about upcoming events.

2026 Sponsors

Corporate Ambassador

This programming is supported in part by Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Clinton Davis String Band: American String Traditions

in , /by

Hosted at the La Jolla Community Center

The Clinton Davis String Band brings the rich string traditions of America to life, performing old-time music, bluegrass, and ragtime, reflecting the rich complexity of our Appalachian heritage. Passed down through generations since the 18th century, these tunes are infused with both history and fresh, lively interpretations. The band delivers a joyous, soulful celebration of America’s musical legacy.

Following the performance, the audience is invited to engage with the artists in a Q&A to learn more about the traditions, stories, and musical influences that shape this enduring American art form.

About the Artists

Clinton Ross Davis is an old-time folk multi-instrumentalist currently based in San Diego. A fifth-generation Kentuckian, he grew up in rural Carroll County, immersed in the rich musical traditions of his family home. His guitar work has earned high praise, with Stefan Grossman calling him “a master . . . carrying on the traditional music torch of Mike Seeger.” Deering Banjos describes his playing as “simply sublime.”

Clinton earned his doctorate in music from the University of California, San Diego, with a focus on shape-note singing. He served as an associate instructor at UCSD, leading a survey course in American roots music.

Fellow multi-instrumentalists Tim McNalley and Ryan Finch teamed up with Davis to form the Clinton Davis String Band. The group showcases a high level of musicianship and artistry, making them a perennial favorite on the West Coast. They perform classic old-time tunes with fresh interpretations, blending elements of old-time, bluegrass, and ragtime, often presenting unexpected arrangements of rarely heard pieces.

Their performances celebrate the vibrancy and history of American roots music while bringing it to life for modern audiences.

Tickets

General Seating: $35
VIP Seating: $55

 

Complimentary valet parking is available for this event from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Please check in with an attendant near the venue entrance.

This is the second of six concerts in our 2026 Global Stage Passport Series. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter for more information about upcoming events.

2026 Sponsors

Corporate Ambassador

This programming is supported in part by Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Oghlan Bakshi: The Bardic Traditions of Turkmenistan

in , /by

Hosted at the La Jolla Community Center

Step into the ancient musical world of Turkmenistan with Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad, known by the honorific Oghlan Bakhshi, roughly translated as “prodigious child bard.” In this rare solo performance, he brings to life a centuries-old tradition of dutar (two-string lute) playing and bardic singing passed down through generations of nomadic storytellers. His strumming evokes the galloping rhythms of horses across the steppes, while his guttural vocal ornamentation conveys the full range of nomadic emotions—from love and longing to sorrow and heroic struggle.

Oghlan Bakhshi vividly animates epic tales of romance, bravery, and resilience, offering audiences a rare glimpse into a musical heritage seldom heard outside Central Asia, where history, nature, and oral storytelling are inseparably intertwined.

Following the performance, audience members will have the opportunity to engage with the artist in a Q&A session, gaining a deeper insight into Turkmen musical traditions and culture.

About the Artist

Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad is at the forefront of Turkmen music. Born in 1993 into a musical family in Gonbad-e Kavus, in the Turkmen region of Iran, he began studying music at the age of six with his father, Abdolghaffar Geldi Nejad, a master of the gyjak (a type of spike fiddle).

At the age of ten, a council of Turkmen music masters conferred upon the young Geldi Nejad the title Oghlan Bakshi—by which, as mentioned above, he is now known. He is only the second person in the past century to receive this prestigious recognition. Trained by esteemed Turkmen musicians, he has performed widely at festivals and world music programs across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Committed to scholarship as well as performance, Oghlan Bakshi earned an MA in ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing a PhD in musicology and ethnomusicology at Brown University, further advancing the study and preservation of Turkmen musical heritage.

Oghlan Bakhshi is the first indigenous Turkmen musician and composer to bring the rich Turkmen traditional arts to Western audiences. His recent album, Journey Across the Steppes, marks the first international release of Turkmen folk music in 30 years.

Tickets

General Seating: $35
VIP Seating: $55

Complimentary valet parking is available for this event from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Please check in with an attendant near the venue entrance.

This is the third of six concerts in our 2026 Global Stage Passport Series. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter for more information about upcoming events.

2026 SponsoCorporate Ambassador

This programming is supported in part by Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ivan and Tzvetanka Varimezov: Music from the Villages of Bulgaria

in , /by

Hosted at Mingei International Museum

Immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds and soulful spirit of Bulgaria through a performance by Ivan and Tzvetanka Varimezov, two of that country’s most esteemed folk artists. Rooted in the musical traditions of the Strandzha and Thrace regions, their program showcases the haunting tones of the gaida (bagpipe) and the dazzling ornamentation of Bulgarian village singing.

Through their shared artistry, they bring to life centuries-old songs of love, celebration, and ritual—music that has long united communities and marked life’s most meaningful moments. Interwoven with their artistry are stories of the regions and traditions that shaped this music, offering audiences a rare glimpse into Bulgaria’s living folk heritage.

Following the concert, audience members will have the opportunity to engage with the artists in a Q&A session, gaining a deeper insight into the cultural roots and expressive power of Bulgarian folk music.

About the Artists

Ivan VarimezovIvan and Tzvetanka Varimezov are master musicians and educators from Bulgaria, internationally recognized for their artistry and leadership in preserving and sharing traditional Bulgarian folk music. They directed the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s renowned Balkan Ensemble for some twenty years, inspiring generations of students through their teaching, choral direction, and ensemble work.

Ivan Varimezov was born in Bulgaria, where he was raised in the rich folk traditions of the Strandzha region. He studied folk music at the Kotel High School for Folk Music and earned a B.A. in folk instrument pedagogy and choral conducting from the Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance. Recognized as one of the most outstanding gajda (bagpipe) players of his generation, Ivan has performed as a soloist with leading Bulgarian ensembles including the Trakiya Folk Ensemble, Ensemble Pazardzhik, and the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Orchestra. He has also toured internationally with The Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria, The Angels Choir (Angelite), Les Grandes Voix Bulgares, Balkanfolk, and Trio Bojura.

Ivan taught at UCLA from 2001 to 2021, where he served as Professor of Bulgarian Folk Music and directed the UCLA Balkan Ensemble. During that period, he organized numerous concerts across California and led multiple study tours to Bulgaria, providing students with firsthand experience of Bulgarian music and culture. In recognition of his artistry and leadership, Ivan received the Golden Lyre and Crystal Medal from the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers, as well as an Honorary Citizen Award from his hometown of Sredets for his lifetime contributions to Bulgarian folk music and culture.

Tzetanka VarimezovaTzvetanka Varimezova is a celebrated Bulgarian singer, conductor, and educator. Known for her brilliant, ornamented vocal style and her deep knowledge of regional song traditions from the Pazardzhik-Thrace area, she earned her B.A. in choral conducting and folk instrument pedagogy from the Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance. Early in her career, she directed the choir of the professional Ensemble of Folk Song and Dance Pazardzhik. Later, she served as a soloist and choral director with several of Bulgaria’s foremost women’s choirs, including Les Grandes Voix Bulgares, The Cosmic Voices, Trio Bojura, and The National Ensemble Filip Kutev.

From 2001 to 2021, Tzvetanka served as a professor at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, where she co-directed the UCLA Balkan Ensemble alongside her husband, Ivan. During that period, she trained and conducted choirs across the U.S. and internationally, including Kitka (San Francisco), Nevenka (Los Angeles), Dunava (Seattle), and Mila (Minneapolis). She has also led workshops throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Her artistic leadership has brought UCLA students and American choirs to Bulgaria for major performances, including appearances at the National Festival of Folk Art in Koprivshtitsa.

In recognition of her lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing Bulgarian folk music, Tzvetanka received numerous honors, including Bulgaria’s Voice of the Year Award (2017) and a national Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Bulgarian Folk Music (2018).

Together, the Varimezovs have led numerous international study groups, bringing UCLA students and folk ensembles from around the world to perform at major festivals in Bulgaria. Through their artistry, mentorship, and tireless advocacy, they have strengthened cross-cultural understanding and ensured that Bulgaria’s rich folk traditions continue to thrive on a global stage.

Tickets

General Seating: $35
VIP Seating: $55

Complimentary valet parking is available for this event from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Please check in with an attendant near the venue entrance.

This is the fourth of six concerts in our 2026 Global Stage Passport Series. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter for more information about upcoming events.

2026 Sponsors

Corporate Ambassador

Presenting Partner

Mingei International Museum logo

This programming is supported in part by Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Lernazan Ensemble: Revitalizing Armenian Heritage Through Music and Dance

in , /by

Hosted at Mingei International Museum

Experience the living pulse of Armenian folk culture through a captivating performance by Lernazang Ensemble, a collective of musicians, dancers, and ethnomusicologists dedicated to preserving and reimagining Armenian music and dance. Featuring the evocative sounds of duduk, oud, dhol, and voice, alongside Armenian dance, the ensemble brings to life the music and movement of post-Genocide Western Armenia (Anatolia) and the Southern Caucasus. Their approach aims to revitalize Armenian folk heritage by blending deep cultural research with striking artistic expression.

Members of the audience are invited to engage with the artists in a Q&A following the performance to learn more about the traditions, history, and contemporary significance of Armenian music and dance.

About the Artists

Lernazang is a nonprofit organization, cultural collective, and performance ensemble based in Los Angeles. Their mission is to decolonize Armenian dance and music aesthetics while strengthening Armenian cultural heritage in the diaspora.

Founded in 2017, Lernazang provides community dance classes, workshops, and performances throughout the Los Angeles area. Performing in the Armenian azgagrakan style, Lernazang merges critical academic inquiry and ethnographic research with intergenerational transmission in order to reshape Armenian identity in the post-Genocide diaspora. Through an artistic approach that is grounded in both historical perspective and contemporary critique, Lernazang’s music and dance grapple with current social issues while enriching the cultural landscape of LA.

Armen Adamian, co-founder and artistic director of Lernazang, is a PhD candidate in ethnomusicology at UCLA. His research examines the aesthetic and political dimensions of folk music in the post-Soviet Republic of Armenia. He also designed and taught the first-ever Armenian Music Ensemble course at UCLA, devoted to the practice and performance of Armenian folk music. He received his MA in ethnomusicology from UCLA, following a BA in Psychology and a BA in Music Composition from Humboldt State University.

Natalie Kamajian, co-founder and dance director of Lernazang, is a PhD candidate in culture and performance in the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance. She teaches Armenian azgagrakan dance classes throughout the LA area, including the first university-level Armenian dance course at UCLA. Her doctoral research examines how Armenians utilize dance and performance as a means to negotiate their ethnicity and racial otherness in America. She received her MA in culture and performance from UCLA, and a BA in international studies from the University of San Francisco.

Tickets

General Seating: $40
VIP Seating: $60

 

This is the last of six concerts in our 2026 Global Stage Passport Series. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter for more information about upcoming events.

2026 Sponsors

Corporate Ambassador

Presenting Partner

Mingei International Museum logo

This programming is supported in part by Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts.