Grass Valley, California, USA – California Worldfest will take place July 15-18, 2004, in Grass Valley, California.
Many well known artists are scheduled to play: including Youssou N’Dour & the Super Etoile, Tommy Emmanuel (Australia), Les Yeux Noirs (France), Alasdair Fraser (Scotland), Mary Youngblood (Native American/USA), Samite (Uganda), Badi Assad (Brazil), Habib Khan (India), Joe Craven (USA), Radim Zenkl (Czech Republic), Wild Magnolias (USA), Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum (USA), Bluehouse (Australia).
The festival will also include vocal, instrumental, dance and percussion workshops, the renowned children’s program, international artisans and food from around the world. Tickets can be purchased online or at +1 530-891-4098. For information or to purchase tickets via phone, the office is open Monday-Friday, 10am to 5pm. RV (recreational vehicles) sites with full hook-ups are available in the camping area ($60 all Festival for full hook-ups and $40 all Festival for water/electricity only) with the purchase of 3-day or 4-day tickets.
Here is the current lineup to date:
Youssou N’Dour & the Super Etoile (sat) ~ Senegal’s world music superstar combines an enchanting blend of traditional percussion and griot singing with Afro-Cuban and indigenous dance flavors.
Lucinda Williams (fri) ~ Multi-Grammy winner is equal parts blues, folk, alt-country and rock driven by deeply poetic lyrics. From Car Wheels on a Gravel Road to World Without Tears she will touch your heart.
Tommy Emmanuel (fri/sat) ~ Australia’s guitar wizard extraordinaire took last year’s WorldFest by storm and was the “most requested to return.”
Stars of the Peking Acrobats (sun) ~ International superstars, these awe inspiring gymnasts, jugglers and acrobats are an extraordinary kaleidoscope of entertainment and wonder…just right for the young at heart.
Les Yeux Noirs (sat) ~ This Paris-based octet offers an irresistible mix of Gypsy, klezmer and swing jazz in a dizzying vortex of European sounds and images.
Mary Youngblood (sun) ~ Equal parts Aleut (Alaska) and Seminole (Florida), Mary’s Best Native American Album Grammy acknowledges her virtuoso flute playing and inspiring vocals. She is joined by guitarist/vocalist, Jerry Daub.
Alasdair Fraser (fri) ~ Irrepressible Scottish fiddle guru returns with more jigs, reels and improvised good times…along with his “everyone’s welcome” Kitchen Party.
Badi Assad (sat/sun) ~ Daughter of the famous Assad Family of Brazil, her impeccable guitar work and vocal gymnastics are described as Bobby McFerrin meets Michael Hedges.
Joe Craven (fri-sun) ~ Master of all, Joe Craven is a whirling dervish of percussion madness, mandolin expressionism and fiddle fever, this time exploring Django Reinhardt with Latin rhythms.
Samite of Uganda (thu/fri) ~ One of Africa’s finest voices, Samite mesmerizes with his original compositions played on kalimba, marimba, litungu and various African flutes.
Tiempo Libre (sun) ~ Seven extraordinary Cuban musicians explore jazz, traditional Cuban and Afro/Cuban sounds with percussion driven horns, keyboards and soaring vocals. Get ready to dance!
Naomi Ruth Eisenberg & Maryann Price (thu/fri) ~ Definitive Lickettes from Dan Hicks fame, their rollicking, good-times tunes and exquisite harmony are propelled by a swinging 6-piece jazz ensemble.
Radim Zenkl (fri/sat) ~ Squarely at the forefront of the modern mandolin movement, this Czech master touches bluegrass, jazz, blues, folk and ragtime.
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum (thur/fri) ~ Americana’s own vocal diva (twice bluegrass vocalist of the year) joins forces with impeccable mandolin in pure musical nirvana.
Habib Khan & Emam (sun) ~ The “Jimi Hendrix” of the sitar joins a master of the tabla in a virtuoso combination sure to evoke beautiful images of India.
The Bluehouse (sat/sun) ~ Swooping across the Pacific in three part harmony, their quick wit, biting commentary and stellar musicianship make them a WorldFest favorite.
Webster Sisters with Scott Nygaard (Sun) ~ Sweet Sister vocals of Chris and Cassie are backed by achingly beautiful guitar to explore old-time harmony with new twists.
O-Maya (sat) ~ 10-piece ensemble will rock WorldFest with Afro/Latin Hip Hop that breathes hints of reggae and cumbia into dancing son and hip hop.
Samba Ngo (sun) ~ Sweet Congolese sounds with layers of guitar, percussion, and call & response lyrics…Samba’s motto is “let’s dance today, because tomorrow who knows?”
Wild Magnolias (sun) ~ Part Latin, part African-Caribbean, part Jazz, and part Native American, the Magnolias are 100 percent New Orleans soul and their sound defines Mardi Gras.
Banana Slug String Band (fri/sat) ~ True environmental messengers, the Slugs use music, theater, puppetry and audience participation for a fun-filled learning experience.
Christine Bonner & Friends (thur-fri) ~ Exquisite folk harpist joins with friends to explore the passion of flamenco and the gentleness of a lullaby.
CrazyGrass (thur/fri) ~ Hot licks and a jam band mentality are led by musical pied piper Sid Lewis, playing bluegrass, jazz and rock n’ roll.
* artists subject to change
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
