CalArts is your passport to global rhythms at the 2025 World Music and Dance Festival. The 45th edition of the festival features music from Iran, Indonesia, Ghana, and cross-cultural fusions from throughout the world.
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From a celebration of longtime faculty I Nyoman Wenten and Nanik Wenten to a memorial concert dedicated to Aashish Da Khan, this is a special concert series not to be missed!
The World Music and Dance Festival takes place as part of CalArts MAYhem on May 2 and 3! Over one whirlwind weekend, enjoy a program encompassing our MFA Open Studios, the Spring Dance Concert, School of Theater productions, and much more.
Visit the MAYhem website for the full list of events.
The North Indian Student Ensemble presents contemporary Indian classical music by Alam Khan, performed by a dynamic ensemble of mixed instruments, vocals, and Tabla.
The North Indian Faculty Concert features Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri (Tabla) and Alam Khan (Sarod) in an evening of Hindustani Classical music honoring the late Aashish Da Khan and his legacy at CalArts. The Evening Raga will be announced from the stage.
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Location: Roy O. Disney Theater | Open Theater Seating | Livestream Link
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Location: Wild Beast Outdoor Concert Pavilion | Open Lawn Seating | Livestream Link
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Location: Wild Beast Outdoor Concert Pavilion | Open Lawn Seating | Livestream Link
 Location: Wild Beast Outdoor Concert Pavilion | Open Lawn Seating |  Livestream Link
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Longtime faculty Miroslav Tadić and Thomas Leeb have each developed a unique guitar style shaped by their time at CalArts. Acclaimed worldwide, they have performed and taught across every continent except Antarctica.
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Each will perform a short solo set and will join forces for the finale with special guest Kevin Moran on drums.
Location: Roy O. Disney Theater | Open Theater Seating | Livestream Link
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The CalArts African Ensemble presents the vibrant sights and sounds of Ghana, West Africa! Students perform traditional music and dance from the Ewe (Southeastern Ghana/Togo), Fon (Benin), and Dagomba (Northern Ghana) cultures. Each style features unique instruments, movement, and song, reflecting its regional roots.
Location: Sharon Disney Lund Theater | Open Theater Seating
The CalArts World Percussion Ensemble, led by Randy Gloss, explores global drumming traditions through experimental collaboration. Blending cultures and musical ideas, the ensemble creates unique works ranging from fixed compositions to extended improvisations.
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The Persia Electric Ensemble intersects between ancient and new forms, the ensemble will perform works from Persian repertory, alongside the newest analog drum machines, controllers and digital software, reflecting on electronic genres and sampling that mangle, de-construct, and splice back together a new music yet to be defined.
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Location: Roy O. Disney Theater | Open Theater Seating | Livestream Link
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Directed by master artists I Nyoman Wenten (Musical Director) and Nanik Wenten (Dance Director), Balinese Gamelan Burat Wangi presents traditional and contemporary music and dance with more than 40 performers.
Join us for a special celebration of I Nyoman and Nanik Wenten celebrating their 50th Year of teaching in the US.
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Location: Sharon Disney Lund Theater | Open Theater Seating
To ensure a lively and full audience, we slightly oversell free events in the Sharon Disney Lund and Roy O. Disney Theaters. Seating is first-come, first-served, so we encourage early arrival to secure your spot. Once we reach capacity, entry will be based on availability. Thank you for your understanding—we look forward to seeing you there!Â
Friday, May 2: 7:30 am–10 pm
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Saturday, May 3: 10 am–7 pm
 Steve's Cafe is offering a special World Music and Dance Festival inspired lunch entrée for purchase on May 3!Â
Beef and/or Tofu Rendang over steamed rice and cucumber, onion, lime salad.Â
Rendang is an Indonesian dish that is slowly braised until meltingly tender in a mixture of spices and coconut milk.
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If you have questions about the event or your tickets, kindly email us at communications@calarts.edu and include the concerts you are attending in your message.
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