Concerts & Events

From the Chicago Cultural Center to neighborhood spaces across the city, the 26th World Music Festival Chicago will activate multiple citywide venues to celebrate diverse heritages through music. Throughout the 10-day festival, musical genres from geographical regions including Puerto Rico, Japan, Brazil, Pakistan and more will be presented for free to the public.

The annual festival celebrates the sounds, traditions and artistry of musicians from Chicago and around the world, offering audiences opportunities to experience musical traditions spanning continents and generations.

All events are free and open to the public. Some venues have age and capacity limitations. Entry is first-come, first-served; early arrival is highly encouraged. Where noted, RSVPs are optional and do not guarantee entry.

More information and the full schedule can be found at http://worldmusicfestivalchicago.org

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/wmf.html

Ballaké Sissoko and Piers Faccini (Mali/England)

The exchange between Ballaké Sissoko and Piers Faccini began almost 20 years ago when the two artists met at the same record label: Label Bleu. Immediately, an engaging dialogue emerged between the London folk songwriter – passionate about African music – and the musician from Bamako – inheritor of the great tradition of the kora and Mandingue music.

https://www.madminutemusic.com/en/artistes/ballake-sissoko-piers-faccini-2

Minyo Crusaders (Japan)

Minyo Crusaders sing historic Japanese folk songs (min'yō) with Latin, African, Caribbean and Asian rhythms. Originally sung hundreds of years ago by working-class Japanese people such as fishermen, coal miners and sumo wrestlers, these min'yō songs are now forgotten in Japan, but Minyo Crusaders want to make them popular again.

https://en.minyocrusaders.com