Old Town School

Old Town School

Date Posted: May 15 2008

Written By: Chicago Jazz

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OLD TOWN SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC
WEDNESDAY CONCERTS - WORLD MUSIC SERIES: SPRING/SUMMER 2008

PLUS SPECIAL EVENT - Cuban group 3 DE LA HABANA @ LOGAN SQUARE AUDITORIUM

WORLD MUSIC SERIES

The World Music Series is in its second year and is part of the Wednesday Night Concert Series. It will run from May 28, 2008 through August 13, 2008. This unique series is a free community series that explore the rich diversity that exists in the Chicago community. This series will present music, dance and culture of Africa, Europe, Asia, The Middle East and The Americas.



Every Wednesday from May 28th to August 13th 8:30 to 10:30 PM
(except June 18th and August 13th which will run 9:30 to 11:30 PM)
Where: The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL
Call (773) 728-6000 or visit oldtownschool.org
FREE (suggested donation of $5)

WEEKY LISTINGS:

Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 8:30pm
Voyage the Pacific: A Polynesian music & dance theatre performance (Polynesia)

In celebration of Asian Pacific Island Heritage Month, the Old Town School, in collaboration with Pacific Soundz Productions and Kupa`a-Pacific Island Resources, presents Kumu Hula (Master Teacher), Carole Lanialoha Lee-Sumberg's Voyage The Pacific: This return performance and tribute will showcase the finest Polynesian artists who were among the first to migrate to the Midwest, and who played great roles in the development of our Midwest Pacific Island Communities. This event will feature live performances of dance, percussion, strings, and vocals featuring special guest artists from New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti, and Samoa. Artist link: http://www.kupaa-pacificislandresources.org/


Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Tcheka (Cape Verde Islands)

Join us for the Old Town School debut of Tcheka, the most recent artist out of the Cape Verde Islands to explode on to the international scene following on the successes of artists such as Cesaria Evora and Lura. Tcheka hails from Santiago, the most African of the formerly Portuguese archipelago off the coast of West Africa, and has a unique, modern style based around the African Batuque rhythm. He has followed up his award-winning album Nu Monda with a brilliant new release, Lonji.



Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Goran Ivanovic and Fareed Haque Duo (guitar)

Chicago is home to this multi-ethnic guitar duo. Both have extensive resumes having studied extensively and performed with many high-profile artists over their rich musical careers from Eliot Fisk to Sting to Paquito D'Rivera. Together, their style has been described as "Macedonian blues for two guitars" seamlessly blending a wide range of guitar traditions. Their inventive, inspired collaboration has earned them the reputation of presenting a fresh, new show at every performance. Artist links: www.goranivanovich.net and www.fareed.com.


Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 9:30pm - 11:30pm
Hi-Jazz (World/Jazz)

Hi-Jazz is a spectacularly rich musical experiment that defies categorization. The inspiration of renowned Syrian percussionist and Old Town School instructor, Omar al Musfi, Hi-Jazz is a distinctive blend of jazz, Arabic, Brazilian, Latin and Indian music. The members of this eclectic group hail from Syria, South America and the U.S. with extensive recording and performing experience in a broad range of genres. Artist Link: www.hijazzband.com


Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Accordion Summit (Mexico/Colombia/Europe)

The accordion is the unlikely backbone of an extraordinary number of musical traditions from around the globe. Join us for this celebration of notable Chicago accordion bands and artists featuring Mexican Norteño band La Ley del Norte, Juliano Milo previously of the former Yugoslavia's Orchestra Romalen with his gypsy/jazz band, Polish accordion with Mazurka, Colombian Vallenato artists Juvenato Vallenato, and the accomplished Italian duo Joe Martino and Luigi Lenzi. Artist links: www.myspace.com/juvenato1, www.julianomilogypsyjazz.com, www.joemartinoaccordion.com, www.eurofolktunes.com


Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Tum Balalaika (Klezmer)

This authentic Russian folk orchestra has been performing in Chicago for more than 15 years and features accomplished musicians from Russia, Belorussia, and Ukraine. Tum Balalaika performs on a wide range of instruments including; the Bayan (Russian accordion), violin, clarinet, flute, sopilka, koval, tzimbali and performs polkas, waltzes, kadrils, gopaks and other traditional Russian styles.


Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Sama-Sama: Project Pinoy (Philippines)

Sama-Sama or united brings together an extraordinary group of artists to perform traditional and modern Filipino music. This project features award-winning singers and musicians that have performed around the world representing the Philippines with such world-renowned companies and groups as the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company Theaterworks, Ltd (Singapore), and the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Enjoy a fusion of traditional Pinoy and contemporary folk music with indigenous Filipino instruments.


Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Lamajamal and Erika Ochoa Dance (Middle Eastern/world)

Lamajamal is another unique Chicago phenomenon that brings together musicians representing diverse cultures and traditions, all dedicated to the survival of traditional music. Lamajamal will present an evening of Middle Eastern music and dance featuring special guest musician James Stoyanoff and Old Town School's very own Erika Ochoa Dance Group. Join us for an evening of enchanting melodies and sensual moves worthy of a Sultan. Artist links: www.lamajamal.com www.erikadance.com


Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
David Gweshe (Zimbabwe)

David Tafaneyi Gweshe is a leading figure in Zimbabwean Shona music and culture and an untiring ambassador for African culture. He is a master of African dance, the founder, director and choreographer of the internationally recognized Boterekwa Dance Troupe and a multi-instrumentalist, inventor of a 52 key multi-octave Mbira (thumb piano). He has been invited back to Chicago by the Garfield Park Conservatory with his 5-piece group of musicians/dancers to share Zimbabwean culture with the Chicago public. Artist link: http://www.leesavory.com/davidgweshe/


Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Yang Ying (China)

Yang Ying is a multi-talented musician that has tested the musical boundaries of several musical genres with astounding success. A master of the Erhu, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, she traveled the world for 18 years as the featured solo instrumentalist with the former Central Song & Dance Ensemble, the premiere traditional music and dance troupe in China. Then she dramatically changed courses to become the founder, bass, player, and singer for Cobra, China's first all female rock band gaining international success. Arriving in the U.S. in the late 90's, she began fusing Chinese styles with Western classical, jazz, funk, rock and Nashville influences producing groundbreaking CDs. Ying's improvisational skills and commanding stage presence make her live performances truly unforgettable. Yang Ying with her band is an obvious "must see". Artist link: www.yangying-music.com


Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Mamadou Diabate (Mali)

Grammy-nominated musician, Mamadou Diabate comes from a long line of Malian griots, or Jelis, as they are known among the Manding. His father, N'fa Diabate and his cousin, Toumani Diabate, inspired and tutored Mamadou as he mastered the Kora, the 21-string harp of the Jeli. After great success performing and touring internationally, Mamadou decided to call the U.S. home where he has collaborated and recorded with an astonishing array of popular musical figures. In the tradition of his cousin Toumani, he produced a solo Kora recording in 2005 that resulted in a Grammy nomination. It is with a solo performance that we will enjoy one of Mali's most renowned musicians. Artist Link: www.mamadoukora.com


Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 9:30pm - 11:30pm
Parampara: Tradition (India)

The Old Town School of Folk Music in partnership with the Kalapriya Foundation, present a musical event as part of the ongoing Kalapriya series "Parampara" (Tradition). This series explores the master/practitioner relationship and how the process enlivens the art form as it is passed along to the next generation. In this segment, Sitar musician Sharmistha Sen, one of the few women instrumentalists to
attain prominence in Indian Classical music, performs with one of her most highly accomplished students Rahul Neuman of Chicago. The Old Town School's tabla master, Maninder Singh, will accompany them. Artist link: www.kalapriya.org


SPECIAL EVENT at LOGAN SQUARE AUDITORIUM

This is a special event co-sponsored by Old Town School and Eddie Ortiz Entertainment

Saturday, June 14, 2008, 9:00pm - 3:00am (performance at 11pm)
3 de la Habana (Cuba)
THIS CONCERT WILL BE HELD @ THE LOGAN SQUARE AUDITORIUM,
2539 N. Kedzie Blvd. Chicago
$20 General Admission (Tickets available through OTS box office and through TIX)

Cuban superstars, 3 de la Habana achieved international fame as "one of the most versatile and dynamic bands of the new generation of Cuban musicians". After acclaimed recordings and successful tours throughout Europe and Latin America, this 7-piece group received political asylum in the U.S. at the very end of 2007. They exploded onto the musical scene in the U.S. on the strength of their Cuban recordings, and immediately flooded the airwaves in Miami and New York. The band's extraordinary vocal harmonies and their ability to flow between musical styles such as salsa, timba, reggaeton and alternative, combined with their explosive live performances have created enormous demand with a U.S. public starved for authentic Cuban music. This is only their third major market performance following on the heels of their sold out shows at New York's premiere world music club, S.O.B.'s. Check out Chicago's first glimpse at this Cuban phenomenon. Early dance lessons by Isa plus salsa with the Aguzate DJ crew and DJ Mateo. Artist link: www.3delahabana.com.

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