The multicultural nature of the U.S. is evident in every field of activity in the country. The 19th Annual World Music Festival, Chicago, is an illustration of this. To be held from September 8 to 24, the fest will showcase diverse art forms from across the world.
Billed as the largest of its kind in the U.S., this festival is produced by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and held at 23 venues in the city. The best part is that the events are open to all. This is in keeping with the democratic tradition of the U.S. and Chicago's own reputation as a culturally vibrant and inclusive society. Since it began in 1999, the Chicago fest has presented over 600 artistes and ensembles from over 80 countries and attracted over six lakh art-lovers.
From ultra-funky sounds to sacred chants, and folk to classical, there is a rich spread on the festival menu. A close look helps one understand how wide the scope is with the variety of genres represented. Since the Indian community is an important part of the economic and cultural fabric of the country, there are several events featuring the Indian classical arts. In fact, one of the opening events is titled ‘Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music’; it will be held in Preston Bradley Hall at Chicago Cultural Center. This is an all-night event following the tradition of early Indian classical music concerts that began in the evening and went on till daybreak and sometimes even a little beyond that.
Actually, such all-night classical performances are becoming rare in India. So it is heartening to see this tradition being honoured in a far-away land. Among the interesting line-up of events for Ragamala are: Bharatanatyam by Priya Venkatraman and her troupe. She will perform ‘Stories of Ahimsa: Non-Violence’ with music by Shiv Subramaniam; a tabla duet between the father-son pair Anindo Chatterjee and Anubrata Chatterjee; Mythili Prakash’s Bharatanatyam with Aditya Prakash’s vocals; Abhang music as well as a santoor concert by Satish Vyas.
Young artistes Alam Khan and Ambi Subramaniam will perform their first-ever jugalbandhi to commemorate the collaboration between their fathers — the late Ali Akbar Khan and Dr. L. Subramaniam — about 25 years ago.
It’s not all Indian classical dance and music. Cinema gets its due too in Ragamala with a programme titled, ‘The 85 Year Evolution of Music in Indian Films.’ Fittingly, the sun will rise to the chants of Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam. How can an India-theme programme not feature yoga? So, there is a Yoga + Gong Meditation Lab too.
What's more there will be a special event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Indian Independence with the world premiere of Bharat Symphony, especially written and scored by Dr. L. Subramaniam. Later at the Chicago festival, audiences will get a taste of the energetic, rousing Bhangra with the Bhangra Blowout plus Dhol presented by Kalapriya.
Mexican IDay
There is yet another country whose Independence Day will be commemorated. To celebrate Mexican Independence Day, the festival will present the well-known Mariachi Flor de Toloache from New York and Los Hijos de la Montaña. Salif Keita, legendary African artiste from Mali, will be a star attraction as will be a performance by singer and saxophonist Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 from Nigeria.
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is on the same day as the latter. Music-lovers can also look forward to well-known singer Betsayda Machado and her Afro-Venezuelan music. She is slated to perform with La Parranda El Clavo. Audiences will also be treated to Lunasa from Ireland and La Tribu de Abrante (Puerto Rico) besides Yao Ye (China). Two interesting inclusions are The 606 Walk + Global Peace Picnic with Juicebox Concerts; and Chicago Gypsy Jazz Festival and Caravan Art Festival.
It is not just entertainment, the festival aims to educate audiences about the complexities of the instruments that are used to make the music. So, there are sessions on instrument making with South Korea’s Hong Sung Hyun's Chobeolbi.
The World Music Festival Chicago is in keeping with the One Chicago campaign (a multimedia representation) recently launched by the City of Chicago which believes and asserts that Chicago is a city of promise and that it welcomes everyone.
Visit www.worldmusicfestivalchicago.org for the full schedule.
Follow the festival on Facebook and on Twitter @WMFChicago #WorldMusicFestChi #ChicagoIsOne.
