Madison World Music Festival Features Global Sounds and Sights
The Madison World Music Festival will run from Sept. 13 to 29, with performances taking place around the city. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Union VMM.
After a lively summer of local entertainment on the Terrace, performers from around the globe will add foreign flair to the Union in the upcoming 13th annual Madison World Music Festival. This free festival gives Madisonians the unique opportunity to listen to music from all over the world, including performers hailing from Zanzibar, Hungary and Argentina.
The festival runs from Tuesday, Sept. 13 through Thursday, Sept. 29, with performances held at the following venues: the Wisconsin Union Terrace, Memorial Union Fredric March Play Circle, Shannon Hall at the Memorial Union and onstage at the Willy Street Fair.
Esty Dinur, Union Theater chair for the festival’s artistic selection, noted that one of the highlights of the festival will be the Mystical Arts of Tibet, which features a group of monk artists touring the world.
Following an opening ceremony, the monks will create an intricate mandala sand painting. This creative process will take place in the Memorial Union Sunset Lounge and will evolve over the span of several days. The mandala creation is open to the public to allow them to observe the experience. When the mandala is finished, the monks, according to tradition, will carefully brush the sand painting into a pile and disperse in into the lake.
“The philosophy behind it is about impermanence. That even the most perfect thing won’t last forever,” Dinur said. “So people watch in silence. It’s a very respectful and wonderful thing.” The monks will also perform at Shannon Hall, showcasing their spiritual music, dancing and costumes.
Many other artists will be bringing their diverse talents to Madison throughout the festival, with a focus on the Global South. Performances will include A-WA, three sisters from Israel who sing traditional Yemenite music mixed with hip-hop and electronic, and Troker, a jazzy rock band from Mexico.
For the full festival lineup, please visit https://union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/event-calendar/event/madison-world-music-festival-free
