14th Annual World Music Festival Returns To Chicago In September

The 2012 World Music Festival will offer a city-wide, multi-venue, seven-day festival with more than 70 performances from acclaimed musicians representing countries from around the globe beginning September 21 through September 27.  New this year, all scheduled performances and family friendly events will be free admission for the first time. "The 2012 Chicago World Music Festival presents a fantastic lineup of high-quality, diverse performances throughout the city, including two shows in Millennium Park, said Commissioner Michelle T. Boone.  “All shows are free this year and the Festival will extend its reach into more Chicago neighborhoods than ever before through partnerships with the Chicago Park District and other community-based venues." New venues for 20121 include Austin Town Hall, Gage Park, Little Black Pearl, David and Reva Logan Center for the Arts and Ping Tom Park. The World Music Festival will showcase global artists in Chicago’s neighborhoods and notable performances include songstress Maria de Barros on Friday, September 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the Mayne Stage with Amala con Jazz and Saturday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.  With African roots firmly planted in the rich culture and traditions of the islands of Cape Verde, her musical sound is a combination of Latin pop and African soul, a testament to her mass global appeal. 2012 World Music Festival The eclectic Spanish ensemble Canteca de Macao creates an infectious sound with its multicultural musical style that borrows from flamenco, rock, jazz and reggae.  Catch their energetic performances at The Old Town School of Music on Sunday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. and the Institute Cervantes Chicago on Monday, September 24 at 9:00 p.m. Celtic Connections Presents Transatlantic Sessions at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park on Wednesday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m. features a steller line-up of Scottish and Gaelic artists collaborating with their peers from the United States.  Artists scheduled to perform include Kathleen MacInnes, Dan Tyminski, Tim O’Brien, Dirk Powell, Bruce Molsky and Karen Matheson among others.  With Chicago’s rich Celtic traditions this will be a must see for all. Terakaft, a desert rock band whose name means “caravan” in Tamasheq, draws inspiration from the Sahara to create its wild riffs and free expression on the electric guitar. Catch their unique sound at the Mayne Stage on Sunday, September 23 at 8:00 p.m. and Ping Tom Park on Monday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. Formed 70 years ago, the Grammy® award-winning group Los Gaiteros de San Jocinto has provided audiences with the melodies of indigenous Colombian gaitas (flutes).  This legendary group of Colombian folk music artists will perform at the National Museum of Mexican Art on Tuesday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. and 2012 World Music Festival The highlight of the festival will be an all day finale of global artists on Thursday, September 27 with “One World Under One Roof” at the Chicago Cultural Center.  The day will include performances from 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. throughout the building, kicking off in the Randolph Café, continuing in Preston Bradley Hall and the Claudia Cassidy Theater. The 2012 Chicago World Music Festival is presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and sponsored by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs with generous support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.