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Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Festival Takes Place at 11 Venues Across the City and Features 31 Artists from 16 Countries and Regions

CHICAGO—Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today the music lineup for World Music Festival Chicago, taking place September 20 — 29. Featuring 10 consecutive days of live, global music in 11 venues citywide, World Music Festival Chicago showcases 31 artists representing 16 countries and regions, including seven local music groups.

“World Music Festival Chicago is more than a celebration of music. It is a celebration of our shared humanity and the diverse cultures that make our city and world so beautiful,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “As we gather in the spirit of community, creativity and celebration, I look forward to experiencing the global sights and sounds alongside Chicagoans and visitors alike.”

“The diversity and talent showcased in this festival is a true reflection of the cultural fabric of this city,” said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “From Irving Park to Auburn Gresham to Millennium Park, World Music Festival Chicago travels across our great city, connecting residents and visitors with musicians from across the world, fostering greater cultural understanding through the power of music.”

Now in its 24th year of programming, World Music Festival Chicago features free performances in 11 indoor and outdoor venues across the city. Throughout the 10-day festival, globally curious music enthusiasts can experience the sounds of a wide variety of musical genres from diverse geographical regions including Colombia, Italy, Pakistan, Sweden and more.

Kicking off the festival, Ragamala at the Chicago Cultural Center is the largest all-night presentation of live Indian classical music in the United States. Returning for its 12th year, Ragamala gives guests the rare opportunity to hear the ragas (traditional scales or modes) during the early morning and late-night hours as they were meant to be played. The Ragamala celebration takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center from September 20 at 6pm through September 21 at 8am. Ragamala is presented by DCASE in collaboration with the South Asia Institute (SAI) and South Asian Classical Music Society (SACMS). Ahead of Ragamala, the Chicago Cultural Center will host a special Fall Open House from 4 to 8pm, featuring a variety of interactive art, live music and more throughout the building.

New this year, DCASE partners with the Old Town School of Folk Music to present Global Carnival, an immersive performance experience featuring Afro-Brazilian carnival block Ilê Aiyê, New Orleans Black Masking Indian artists Flagboy Giz & The Wild Tchoupitoulas and more in Millennium Park, Sunday, September 22 from 5–9pm. This program is also part of the Millennium Park Residency Program and 20th Anniversary Season.

Capping off the festival is a Global Peace Party at Navy Pier, bringing a full day of music from Chicago, Poland and Cuba beginning at 2pm on Sunday, September 29.

Full schedule below and online at WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org.

Friday, September 20 — Saturday, September 21
Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall
78 E. Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
6pm–8am
All ages

6-7:15pm: Carnatic
Ganesh Rajagopalan, violin; Sriram Ramesh, mridangam

7:45-9pm: Hindustani
Pandit Shubhendra Rao, sitar; Saskia Rao-de Haas, cello, Subrata Bhattacharya, tabla

9:30-10:45pm: Carnatic
S. Mahathi, vocal; V.S. Gokul, violin; Delhi Sairam, mridangam; Anirudh Athreya, kanjira

11:15pm-12:30am: Hindustani
Amaan Ali Bangash, sarod; Ayaan Ali Bangash, sarod; Amit Kavthekar, tabla

1-2:15am: Carnatic
Shashank Subramanyam, bansuri flute; Parupalli Phalgun, mridangam; Kamalakiran Vinjamuri, violin

2:45-4am: Hindustani
Debashish Bhattacharya, slide guitar; Anandi Bhattacharya, vocal; Subhasis Bhattacharya, tabla

4:30-6am: Carnatic
Mysore Brothers: Manjunath Brothers / Mysore Nagaraj, violin; Mysore Manjunath, violin; Srimushnam Rajarao, mridangam; Giridhar Udupa, ghatam

6:30-8am: Hindustani
Ashwin Rode, vocal; Praneet Marathe, harmonium; Dhananjay Kunte, tabla

Saturday, September 21
La Sonora Mazuren (Colombia)
DJ Lápiz & Valanze (Cuba)
Martyrs’
3855 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
8pm doors, 9pm show
21+

Sunday, September 22
Ustad Noor Bakhsh (Pakistan)
Luciano Antonio Acoustic Trio (Chicago)
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall
78 E. Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
1pm
All ages

Global Carnival
Presented by Old Town School of Folk Music
Featuring Ilê Aiyê (Brazil), Flagboy Giz & The Wild Tchoupitoulas (New Orleans)
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Parkwide
5-9pm
All ages

Monday, September 23
La Muchacha (Colombia)
Vivian Garcia (Chicago)
Empty Bottle
1035 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
8pm doors, 9pm show
21+

Tuesday, September 24
Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (Italy)
Ana Everling and Taraf de Chicago (Chicago)
Constellation 
3111 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
6pm doors, 7pm show
18+

Wednesday, September 25
Fränder (Sweden)
Maryna Krut (Ukraine)
Old Town School of Folk Music, Maurer Hall
4544 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
7pm show
All ages

Thursday, September 26
Sara Curruchich (Guatemala)
Menjunje (Chicago)
The Promontory 
5311 S. Lake Park Ave W
Chicago, IL 60615
6pm doors, 7pm show
All ages

Friday, September 27
Ana Crisman (Spain)
Maracatu Atômico (Chicago)
The Rhapsody Theater
1328 W Morse Ave
Chicago, IL 60626
6pm doors, 7pm show
21+

Saturday, September 28
Kavita Shah/Cape Verdean Blues Project (USA/Cape Verde)
Hamilton Park Cultural Center 
513 W. 72nd St.
Chicago, IL 60621
3pm
All ages

Yallah Yallah (New York)
La Tosca (Chicago)
Chop Shop + 1st Ward Events
2033 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
9pm doors, 9:30m show
21+

Sunday, September 29
Global Peace Party at Navy Pier
Hosted by Sonal Aggarwal
La Dame Blanche (Cuba)
Surabhi Ensemble (Chicago)
Johnny Blas and the Afro Libre Orchestra (Chicago)
Cloud Farmers (Chicago)
Navy Pier Beer Garden
600 E. Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
2-8pm
All ages

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World Music Festival Chicago is sponsored by Chicago Transit Authority and Millennium Garages. The Global Carnival from Old Town School of Folk Music is part of the 2024 Millennium Park Residency Program, made possible with the support of the Pritzker Foundation and Millennium Park Foundation.

Chicago Cultural Center
Drawn by its beauty and the fabulous free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions, and family events. In 1991, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue. Every year, the Chicago Cultural Center presents hundreds of free international, national, regional, and local artists, musicians, and performers, providing a showcase where the public can enjoy and learn about the arts. ChicagoCulturalCenter.org.

Millennium Park
Discover a world-class collection of architecture, landscape design and art that provides the backdrop for hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, interactive art and family activities. Enjoy a broad range of food and beverage options from Eleven North Hospitality, the new concessionaire of Millennium Park. Millennium Park is located on Michigan Avenue, bordered by Randolph St. to the north, Columbus Dr. to the east and Monroe St. to the south. The Park is open daily during the summer from 6am to 11pm. Plan your visit at MillenniumPark.org; follow us on Facebook (@MillenniumParkChicago), Twitter and Instagram (@Millennium_Park); and join the conversation on social media using #MillenniumPark.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.