The Ventura, California-based iPhone application company, MachCUBED struck an exciting new chord Tuesday with world music fans with the kick off of its Apple iTunes launch of the iPhone and iPod Touch application the Pocket Sitar. The creative developer of Pocket Sitar, Alonzo Machiraju, also the mastermind behind the iPhone application Pocket Tabla, along with collaborator, sitar master and music teacher Aloke Dasgupta, has captured the playing technique and history of the Indian sitar, putting the Hindustani stringed instrument at any eager learner’s fingertips in an easy-to-use phone application.
 
 Downloaded from the Apple iTunes store and priced at $0.99 in the U.S, $0.99 in Canada, £0.59 in the UK, ¥115 in Japan, AU$0.99 in Australia, and €0.99 in the EU., the Pocket Sitar invites users to strum the sitar strings with its multi-touch interface, to meend, or glide from one note to another, and to explore the tutorial and the accompanying history of the instrument. Links to YouTube videos are also included for those wanting perfect their technique.

Musicians from the world music community throughout the United States will be performing benefit concerts in support of Haiti's earthquake victims. These events include The World Stands for Haiti (New York City), Haiti Mizik Relief Benefit Concerts (Miami) and San Francisco Hearts Haiti.

The small Caribbean nation of Haiti suffered a devastating 7.0 earthquake which crippled its capital, Port-au-Prince and destroyed much of Haiti's infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands dead or injured. Residents are still suffering aftershocks and are in desperate need of medical attention, emergency services, and basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.

WOMEX President Christoph Borkowsky announced that WOMEX will be headed by a board of 3 directors from now on, comprised of: Alexander Walter, Director of Music Programming; Anna Pötzsch, Director of Media & Communications; and Daniela Teuber, Director of Production.
 
 Both Alexander Walter and Anna Pötzsch have made successful WOMEX inhouse careers and already headed their own WOMEX departments for several years. Daniela Teuber left Tokio Hotel in early 2009 to join the team and delivered a top-notch first production with WOMEX 09.  "We are keen to take on the new challenge with joined forces," states
 Anna Pötzsch, Director of Media & Communications.

Senegalese world music superstar Baaba Maal unveiled the music video for his latest single “Dakar Moon.” Named for the Senegalese capital city, the song, the second single from 2009’s revered Television, is the most beloved English language tracks on the record not only for Baaba’s passionate delivery, but also for its powerful imagery and mix of flamenco guitars and modern instrumentation.
 
 Watch "Dakar Moon"

Music Voyager, a new music and travel series that gives viewers a firsthand look at the most popular and exciting sounds of the planet, will begin broadcasting in February 2010 on PBS through American Public Television, on Nat Geo Music & Adventure and other international television and broadband outlets. The series follows host Jacob Edgar as he explores the globe in search of unexpected adventures and surprising discoveries that unveil the magic and mystery of music from near and far.

With local musicians as his guide, Edgar tastes exotic and occasionally ghastly food, visits off-the-beaten path attractions and parties the night away at amazing concerts in hidden venues that only the locals know. Along the way, viewers are rewarded with a VIP pass to nightclubs, festivals, recording studios and rehearsal rooms, experiencing an ear-opening journey along the world’s musical heartbeat.

The Beat, one of the leading American publications in the areas of reggae, Caribbean and world music has shut down. Publisher and Editor CC Smith announced the closing on December 20th. "It is with a heavy heart that I make the official announcement that many of you have anticipated: The Beat magazine has ceased publication," said CC Smith in a press release. "The precipitous decline in the music business, publishing business and the economy has finally caught up with us after 28 years of existence."
 
 CC Smith provides a historical overview: "The Beat began as a handmade fanzine, a true labor of love, run on a shoestring and blessed by the good will and volunteer contributions by many many people over the years, among them our devoted, highly talented writers, photographers, artists and graphic designers. It was kept alive and strong by subscribers, advertisers, music fans and musicians, and a valiant network of grassroots distributors, independent record stores and bookshops, as well as our mainstream distributor RCS and our wonderful printer American Web.

One of Scotland’s top young folk bands, Bodega, will take Celtic Connections to the communities of Glasgow with a series of five concerts throughout the city this January as part of the festival.
 
 The Celtic Connections Education and Outreach Programme is working in partnership with Culture and Sport Glasgow to bring the festival to the communities of Barmulloch, Barlanark, Knightswood, Penilee and Langside, allowing the people of Glasgow to see one of finest young bands on the Scottish folk scene perform live in their local area as part of Celtic Connections.

The ten-time Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin will give a free concert for school children on 19th January of 2010 in a major coup for the Celtic Connections Education Programme.
 
 One of the world's best-known vocal innovators and improvisers, McFerrin is probably best-known for Don't Worry Be Happy. With over 20 million album sales, his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, the New York Philharmonic and Herbie Hancock have established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds. He is also a passionate spokesman for music education, and is the most high profile artist to ever be involved with the Celtic Connections Education Programme.

In a special event to mark the closing stages of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, Senegalese star Baaba Maal will be interviewed by BBC Hardtalk’s Stephen Sackur on Thursday, December 17, at 8pm CET at the Pumpehuset, Copenhagen. The interview will later be broadcast on BBC World Service’s ”The Strand”.

“In Conversation with Baaba Maal” will hear the acclaimed singer talk about his life, discuss his concerns about climate change in the developing world and play a short acoustic set. Baaba Maal is attending COP15 as the climate change ambassador for Africa Talks Climate, a research and communication initiative from the BBC World Service Trust, the BBC’s international development charity.

On Friday, December 4 of 2009, Malick Pathe Sow will perform in the premiere of Blindnote. The performance will be plunged into complete darkness for this concert, which will allow the audience to experience the pure beauty of music in the same way as a blind person. Performing in an environment where you can see nothing is intended to be a challenge for both the audience and the musicians.

Blindnote brings together some of the best Belgian world music musicians, who have worked with the likes of Yasmin Levy, Tiharea, Ialma, Goran Bregovic and Marlène Dorcena.