Covington, KY – The third annual World Music Fest is moving from Newport, KY to Covington – and expanding from a single evening concert to a full weekend of festivities in the process. World Music Fest has been incorporated as the third event in Covington’s new Full Spectrum series (which features a large-scale arts/culture event every weekend in October) and will showcase more than 150 performers during 40+ performances at seven venues in Covington from Oct. 16-18, 2009.
Friday Oct. 16, 6-10 pm: World Music Fest kicks off with a VIP Mixer at Baker Hunt Cultural Center. $30 admission includes food, wine and live music by Faux Frenchmen (Gypsy Jazz) and Kyle Ferguson (steel drums) as well as a World Music Fest Mainstage ticket (for the Oct. 18 show at Madison Theater), a Global Afterparty ticket (for the dance party at Leapin Lizard on Oct. 17) and a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a CCM performance. Seating limited, reservations required. RSVP to worldmusicfest@gmail.com or 859-292-2322.
Saturday Oct. 17, 9 am-midnight: On Saturday, the festival spans a full 15 hours at six venues, from 9 am to midnight. The day begins at Baker Hunt with a complimentary continental breakfast with Celtic and Early European Music and ends with a Global Afterparty at Leapin Lizard, featuring DJ Roma Boombox. All entertainment is free (donations accepted) except for the Global Afterparty, 9 pm – midnight at Leapin Lizard ($5 cover).
The schedule is as follows, with a more detailed version viewable here (and also available for download on the website: www.worldmusicfest.org):
Baker Hunt, 620 Greenup St: Complimentary continental breakfast provided by Taste from Belgium Waffles and Coffee Emporium with European music from 9 am – 1 pm and Kids Zone with storytellers, hands-on workshops and children’s entertainers from 10 am – 3 pm
Step-N-Out Studio, 721 Madison Ave: Dance showcase with Chinese, Indian, Caribbean, Salsa and Video Pop demonstrations and workshops. Noon – 5 pm
Artisans Enterprise Center, 25 W 7th St: Asian music with Asian tea, featuring Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Asian fusion music with Asian teas served by Essencha. 1 – 7 pm
Leapin Lizard, 726 Main St: Moroccan-style Bazaar with vendors/info tables and two stages with live music featuring a mix of genres with an emphasis on Middle Eastern music. Noon – 6:30 pm Also the location of the Global after-party from 9 pm – midnight featuring DJ Roma Boombox. $5 admission.
Chez Nora, 530 Main St: Latin, Gypsy and Worldbeat Jazz with Poco Loco, Passage and Triage. 2:30-7 pm
The Avenue, 411 Madison Ave: Tropical music with Steel Drums, Cajun and Reggae music. 4-9 pm.
Sunday, October 18, 4:30 – 10:30 pm: World Music Fest Mainstage at Madison Theater
Headlining acts at Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave, 5-10 pm (doors open at 4:30).
Featuring Javier Mendoza, Nicholas Tuttle, Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters, Acarya, and Super-Massive. $12 pre-sale, $15 day-of show. All ages, nonsmoking concert. Tickets available now at www.madisontheateronline.com
Javier Mendoza, a nationally touring musician from, St. Louis, MO has been voted Best Latin, Best World, Best Pop and Best Rock performer. He has appeared on MTV, and has performed with Willy Nelson, Los Lobos, The Smithereens, Blues Traveler, Ben Folds, The Roots and many others. While with Chappell-Warner Records, Javier wrote for Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Carlos Robles & Rosario. Javier plays World Music Fest as a preview to the CD release concert of his new album, “Tu,” which he will host at the Madisonville Arts Center Theater (The MAC) on Sat. Dec 5th, 2009. www.javiermendoza.com
Opening for Javier is an extremely talented local guitarist and singer, Nicholas Tuttle, who performs Nuevo Flamenco music. Nicholas combines soulful singing with haunting melodies … layered over flowing rhythms evocative of far away lands and distant times. www.nicktuttle.com
The show continues with Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters, one of the area’s most energetic Celtic bands. Described by Irish Music Magazine as “Air Punching Acoustic Rockers,” their hallmarks are thought-provoking lyrics, beautiful melodies and thunderous live performances. www.rogerdrawdy.com
The night keeps rocking with Acarya, an original acoustic rock band with international and Worldbeat influences. With a unique instrumentation incorporating cello, tabla and hand percussion into an acoustic “unplugged” rock setting, this ensemble creates a pulsing, tribal sound. www.myspace.com/acaryaband
The good and deep vibes of Super-Massive will round up the night with a set of their infectious, grooveable Reggae music. This fun local band will flood the airwaves with tunes that make you move. www.myspace.com/thesupermassive6
World Music Fest proceeds benefit the 501c3 nonprofit organization Play it Forward.
For more information on World Music Fest 2009: www.worldmusicfest.org
