World Music Institute (WMI) marks its 40th anniversary with a new season celebrating world music and dance in New York City. The Fall/Winter 2025–26 program features returning artists, emerging talents, and tributes to the organization’s legacy and founders.
Executive Director Gaby Sappington announced the first half of the season, highlighting a new Legacy Series that honors artists central to WMI’s history. The program reinforces WMI’s mission to foster cross-cultural understanding through music and dance.
Another addition this season is the Sacred Sounds of Healing Series, supported by GRAMMY-winning vocalist and philanthropist Chandrika Tandon. This series presents cross-cultural performances and interactive events rooted in spiritual and ethnic traditions.
The season continues to reflect WMI’s guiding principle, Many Cultures – One World, by promoting global cultural traditions and expanding access to diverse artistic experiences across the city.
Let’s Dance Series
Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East with Gamelan Dharma Swara
Friday, August 15, 2025 – Bryant Park
A double bill featuring South Asian–American fusion by Sunny Jain and Balinese gamelan by Dharma Swara.
Counterpoint Series
Muireann Bradley and Marisa Anderson
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 – First Unitarian Church, Brooklyn
An evening of solo acoustic guitar performances mixing blues, folk, and global influences.
Sacred Sounds of Healing Series
Chandrika Tandon – Divine Ecstasy
Saturday, September 20, 2025 – The Town Hall
Chandrika Tandon presents music from her new album alongside Sanskrit mantras and storytelling.
Women’s Voices Series
ganavya
Friday, September 26, 2025 – First Unitarian Church, Brooklyn
ganavya performs spiritual jazz and South Asian devotional music with an expansive ensemble.
Origins Series
Saami Brothers Khayal with Ustad Naseeruddin Saami
Saturday, October 4, 2025 – Kaufman Music Center
The Saami family presents a rare live performance of the Khayal tradition with microtonal vocals and traditional instruments.
Changemakers Series
Mali Obomsawin – Live Score to the Film Sugarcane
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – Roulette, Brooklyn
Mali Obomsawin performs a live score for the documentary Sugarcane, followed by a discussion.
Women’s Voices Series
Aynur
Sunday, November 2, 2025 – Peter Norton Symphony Space
Aynur returns to New York with a performance of Kurdish and Alevi music fused with modern elements.
Women’s Voices Series
Mariza
Saturday, November 15, 2025 – BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
Mariza celebrates 25 years in fado with selections from her latest album, Amor.
Changemakers Series
Mariam (of Amadou & Mariam) – Tribute to Amadou Bagayoko
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Sony Hall
Mariam honors her late husband Amadou with a retrospective of their celebrated career and new material.
Collaborations Series
Ablaye Cissoko & Cyrille Brotto
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph
Senegalese kora master Ablaye Cissoko and French accordionist Cyrille Brotto perform music from their album Djiyo.
Sacred Sounds of Healing Series
Yuval Ron
Saturday, February 21, 2026 – Judson Memorial Church
Yuval Ron presents a concert and workshop on interfaith musical traditions and healing sounds.
Counterpoint Series
DakhaBrakha
Sunday, March 1, 2026 – Pioneer Works, Brooklyn
Ukrainian quartet DakhaBrakha returns with their signature amalgam of folk, theater, and global sounds.
40th Anniversary Legacy Series
Solas – 30th Anniversary Concert
Saturday, March 7, 2026 – Sony Hall
Irish-American supergroup Solas reunites to celebrate 30 years of Celtic and contemporary fusion.
Flamenco Festival NY
Celebrating Maestro Sabicas
Saturday, March 14, 2026 – The Town Hall
A tribute to flamenco legend Sabicas featuring leading guitarists and dancer Olga Pericet.
40th Anniversary Legacy Series
Ravi Shankar Ensemble
Friday, March 20, 2026 – The Town Hall
A multi-generational ensemble performs Ravi Shankar’s compositions with archival visuals.
40th Anniversary Legacy Series
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Friday, March 27, 2026 – Peter Norton Symphony Space
Ladysmith Black Mambazo celebrates 65 years of South African vocal harmony and cultural advocacy.
(Headline image: Clockwise from top left: Chandrika Tandon, Ablaye Cissoko and Cyrille Brotto, Saami Brothers Khayal, Mariza, Solas, Aynur. Photo Credits: Chandrika Tandon by Shervin Lainez; Ablaye Cissoko and Cyrille Brotto by Cedrick Nöt; Mariza by Eduardo Ramos Photos; Solas by Anna Colliton; Aynur by Jean Baptiste Millot. All other photos courtesy of the artists.)
More information at worldmusicinstitute.org
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central