Bringing the World’s Music to San Diego
Welcome to the Global Stage, a beloved Center for World Music (CWM) program that brings authentic music and dance from traditions around the world to communities across the San Diego region.
Since our founding in San Francisco in 1963 as the American Society for Eastern Arts, the Center for World Music has made meaningful contributions to the lives of people across cultures, introducing them to rich experiences of music and dance and nurturing a lasting passion for the traditions behind each performance.
Much has changed since then, but we are still proud to say we continue to serve audiences’ needs. Today, CWM’s Global Stage presents both free and ticketed events in partnership with institutions throughout San Diego County, including the La Jolla Community Center, the Mingei International Museum, and the city’s and county’s public libraries. Each year, about 3,000 community members experience master artists up close, discovering the stories, histories, and cultural depth behind multiple traditions.
Passport Concert Series
Our Passport concert series presents musicians and dancers from diverse cultures to San Diego audiences each year. These ticketed performances take place at three venues: the La Jolla Community Center, the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, and Canyon Crest Academy. Featured artists represent a variety of traditions each season, ranging from West African percussion to Armenian dance, Japanese koto, Indonesian gamelan, and more.
Each concert offers audiences a chance to hear world-class musicians perform live in an intimate setting and learn about the cultural context behind their music. The series is curated for anyone interested in exploring performing arts traditions from around the world, both longtime world music fans and those new to the genre. We offer a welcoming space for all. CWM focuses on community engagement and often partners with local cultural institutions to reach new audiences and offer more meaningful experiences.
Free Library Concerts
Partnerships with branches of the San Diego City Library and San Diego County Library extend CWM’s mission of cultural exchange beyond the concert hall, making world music and dance accessible to families, students, and lifelong learners in the communities where they live, learn, and gather.
Library patrons enjoy free informal performances in Vista, Del Mar, La Mesa, Alpine, and other communities across the region. These programs often coincide with cultural heritage months or other meaningful community events. Depending on the library branch, performances take place midday or in the evening on different days of the week, making them a popular outing for seniors, young families, or busy professionals looking to expand their worlds. Be sure to check our calendar of events for upcoming performances near you.
In the Community
Special partnerships with community organizations allow us to broaden the Global Stage’s reach and bring world music and dance to more neighborhoods. Our partners include:
- San Diego Master Chorale: Collaborating to produce workshops that showcase vocal traditions from Bulgaria, India, Zimbabwe, and more for singers who enjoy expanding their musical vocabularies.
- Downtown San Diego Partnership: Hundreds of San Diego residents have enjoyed cultural music during lunch at Plaza Central.
- San Diego International Airport: Thousands of local and international travelers have experienced San Diego’s musical diversity while traveling through the San Diego Airport.
- Musical Instrument Museum: The CWM is proud to partner with the MIM in Phoenix, connecting our community with one of the world’s premier collections of musical heritage.
We’re always looking to grow these kinds of collaborations—if your organization shares our passion for intercultural understanding through the performing arts, we’d love to explore a partnership together.
Bring these Enriching Programs to Your Space
The Center for World Music is committed to making world music and dance available to everyone. We’re happy to work within your budget to bring these enriching experiences to your organization/community. For more details, please contact Hannes Kling, our public programming director.
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