It's certainly appropriate that the 7th annual World Music Festival occupies more than one stage. A staggering number of venues throw their hat into the ring for this celebration of all things foreign and delightful, which runs from Sept. 16-22. But don't be too quick to assume that it encompasses a mass of family-friendly "vanilla" venues and performers (in fact, the city's Web site mentions that only 46 of the 60 events are for the kids-in-tow group). DJs take the decks at Sonotheque, the Logan Square Auditorium packs them in and the good ol' HotHouse does more of what it does so splendidly all year round: showcase excellent international performers. These picks, some free, some not, certainly won't disappoint.
Friday, Sept. 16
Africa Hi-Fi featuring DJ Ron Trent and Future World Funk
Sonotheque
10 p.m.; free
"Future World Funk" is no misnomer. Brits Michael Clifford (aka the even better sounding DJ Cliffy) and Russ Jones may be regulars at London's Notting Hill Arts Club, but the pair's sound often seems better built for the Carnivals of Rio and the street of Jamaica. Expect Latin ragga-meets-Japanese funk-meets Arabic hip-hop, and then some. The drum n' bass undertones keep it completely danceworthy, heating things up amid the cool-as-a-cucumber decor of Sonotheque. The fact that it's free makes it an astounding treat, and Sonotheque's modest-man drink prices make this the cheapest world tour you're likely to find.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Nouvelle Vague and A Moving Sound
Schubas
10 p.m.; $12
Translation has never revealed such an appropriate meaning: "Nouvelle Vague" is French for "new wave" and "bossa nova" in Portuguese, a double whammy that sheds quick light on the group's approach. Remaking new wave classics (like Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart") with a Brazilian spin, French producers Oliver Libaux and Marc Collin pair the songs with chanteuses who haven't already committed the tunes to memory, keeping the sound totally unique, completely French pop-esque and entirely lovely. With A Moving Sound, a Taiwanese-based quintet with Brazilian, American, Belgian, Chinese and Taiwanese origins.
Sunday, Sept. 18
Seu Jorge and Boubacar Traore
Logan Square Auditorium
9:30 p.m.; $12
Don't know Seu Jorge? How about Bill Murray? Though Jorge's quirky David Bowie covers (in Portuguese, no less) carried "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," the actor/singer/musician did the same for the stellar "City of God." But he certainly doesn't need a picture to back him. From a past as a homeless kid in Brazil's favelas (slums), Jorge's social awareness and grittiness meet with a barebones acoustic sound that has made him a favorite of music lovers in Brazil and beyond. Low on dough? You can also catch him Monday at 12:30 p.m. for free at the 830 N. Michigan Borders and at 6:30 p.m. in Millennium Park. With Boubacar Traore, an international name who dominated the airwaves in the early '60s, following Mali's independence from France.
Monday, Sept. 19
Balkan Beat Box and Victoria Hanna
Empty Bottle
9:30 p.m.; free
Victoria Hanna may be a thoroughly modern Millie in some regards, presenting a take-your-breath-away experimentation with sound and the boundaries of language. But when it comes to the words, tradition outpaces modernity. Presenting sacred Hebrew texts in a true performance that steals from the worlds of spoken word and theater, the Israeli singer certainly demands attention. Then go from electrifying to electronic with Balkan Beat Box. Describing its shows as three- to four-hour "semi-circus" events, the group, composed of Tamir Muskat and Ori Kaplan (in tandem with a slew of international collaborators), puts an electronic spin on the music of Spain, Morocco, Israel and Bulgaria for a dance party of global proportions.
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Domenico +2 and On Fillmore
Museum of Contemporary Art
8:30 p.m.; $12
You gotta love it when the heirs to the throne show they're more than worthy. Moreno Veloso, son of Brazil's much-loved Caetano Veloso, joins with Domenico Lancellotti and Kassin, all successors to a family heritage of tropicalia and samba. Pleasantly, the trio has no qualms borrowing from, rather than relying on, tradition, combining the best of old Brazil with quirky electronic beats. Move to the beat, then move northward with On Fillmore. Darin Gray (of Jim O'Rourke's band) and Wilco's Glenn Kotche produce an experimental sound that relies largely on bass and a smorgasbord of percussion and field recordings.
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Martires del Compas and Son Trinidad
HotHouse
9 p.m.; $12
Year-round international music supporter the HotHouse shows that there's no end to its good taste. It's probably safe to say that most homegrown music lovers haven't considered "experimental flamenco." One up considering by listening to Spanish outfit Martires del Compa, who dubs its own sound "flamenco-billy," a blend of flamenco and jazz, blues, pop, tango, rap, reggae, you name it. The playful ethnic fusion keeps streaming with Son Trinidad, a group that pairs the rhythm of Latin with "the powerful expression of folk, and the spontaneity of jazz."
Thursday, Sept. 22
One World Under One Roof
Chicago Cultural Center
6-11:30 p.m.; free
You can quit darting around the city: The final night of World Music Fest collects plenty of acts under a single roof. Wander throughout the Cultural Center's Cassidy Theater, Preston Bradley Hall, GAR Hall and Randolph Cafe to get an earful of any one of the nine acts performing throughout the evening. You'll see Gipsy Kings-like Las Guitarras de Espana; the ritual singing and dancing of Sidi Goma, a tribal Sufi community of East African origin that migrated to India eight centuries ago; Brazilian vocalist Badi Assad; Portuguese vocalist Ana Moura; New Delhi, India-based MIDIval PunditZ, who combine electronica with a raga influence; roots-based fusion singer Nawal, who sings in Cormoran, Arabic, French and English; acoustic Nordic folk group Frigg; and ukulele master Jake Shimaburkuro.
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