December 2015 Concert Calendar

December's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. From Morocco via New York City, Innov Gnawa (pictured above) makes three appearances in Washington DC this month: Friday Dec 4 at the Hill Center, an early show Sunday Dec 20 at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, and then a late gig that night at Bossa Bistro
2. Bio Ritmo celebrates the release of their latest single "Oriza" with a performance at the Broadberry on Friday Dec 18
3. East African retro-pop act Alsarah & The Nubatones, just back from touring Europe and Morocco, play Tropicalia in DC on Friday Dec 18

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire December calendar.

November 2015 Concert Calendar

November's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Richmond's No BS! Brass celebrates the release of their new album Brass Knuckles with a full weekend of performances at Balliceaux, Thursday November 12 through Saturday November 14
2. Youssou N'Dour (pictured above), African superstar and the man who almost became president of Senegal, makes an appearance at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on Tuesday November 17
3. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' Best Cafe is a perfect venue for the Afro-Zen Allstars' take on Ethio-jazz, Thursday November 19
4.  The legendary Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra take over DC's Howard Theatre on Friday November 27

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire November calendar.

October 2015 Concert Calendar

October's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. The big one in October is always the Richmond Folk Festival, free to all Friday October 9 through Sunday October 11 on Richmond's historic downtown waterfront; world music artists to watch this year include Georgian chorus Zedashe (pictured above), Afro-Colombian ensemble Grupo Rebolu and DC-based Ethio-jazz combo Feedel Band
2. There's a big Folk Festival after-party at Capital Ale House on Sunday October 11 featuring Bio Ritmo, the aforementioned Zedashe, Capoeira Resistencia and possibly some special guests
3. The amazing Czech singer-violinist Iva Bittova plays DC's Atlas Performing Arts Center on Thursday October 22
4. A cool world music double-bill at the Camel on Monday October 26, with Richmond's one-of-a-kind Indo-Appalachian string band Rumput and Fado Nosso, RVA's homegrown fado combo

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire October calendar.

September 2015 Concert Calendar

September's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Bio Ritmo and Miramar play Richmond's Broadberry on Wednesday September 2 along with Orquesta El Macabeo, one of Puerto Rico's hottest salsa combos, and the Peace & Rhythm DJ Crew
2. Two ways to celebrate the Ethiopian New Year: on Thursday September 10 here in Richmond with the Afro-Zen Allstars at Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream, or in DC on Friday September 11 with the legendary singer Mahmoud Ahmed at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium
3. The outstanding Cambodian-American band Dengue Fever (pictured above) makes a rare East Coast appearance at the Rock & Roll Hotel in Washington on Saturday September 12
4. Tuareg desert blues rockers Terakaft, touring behind their brand-new album, play DC's intimate Bossa Bistro on Tuesday September 15, along with Cheick Hamala's Griot Street

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire September calendar.

August 2015 Concert Calendar

August's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. The legendary Los Van Van of Cuba (pictured above) celebrate their 45th anniversary and a new era of USA-Cuban relations with an American tour that stops at DC's Howard Theatre on Friday August 7
2. Fado Nosso, Richmond's only Portuguese fado combo, continues their summer residency at Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream on Thursday August 20

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire August calendar.

July 2015 Concert Calendar

July's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. The Smithsonian Institution's 2015 Folklife Festival features the music and culture of Peru, including a performance by Susana Baca on the National Mall on Thursday July 2 and chicha legends Los Wembler's De Iquitos at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on Friday July 3 and on the National Mall on Saturday July 4
2. It's the Richmond Summer Reggae Jam on Saturday July 18 at the Broadberry with the Itals, Mighty Joshua, New Kingston, Buddha Council and Ricochet Red
3. Bomba Estereo (pictured above), Colombia's hottest band, are touring the world in support of their new album Amanecer; they visit the Howard Theatre in Washington on Saturday July 25
4. Desert blues superstar Bombino from Niger plays DC's intimate The Hamilton on Friday July 31

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire July calendar.

June 2015 Concert Calendar

June's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Balliceaux is closing this summer for renovations, but not before the next installment of the Richmanian Ramblers' Travelers Series on Tuesday June 2, with special guests the Afro-Zen Allstars
2. An amazing double bill of Hungarian music on Thursday June 18 at DC's Sixth & I Historic Synagogue: folk-rock legends Muzsikas plus Frank London's Glass House Orchestra
3. Paul (DJ Spooky) Miller presents another of his mind-expanding global mashups: this one, called "DJ Spooky's Electric Imaginary: Compositions Inspired By Nam June Paik" happens at the Smithsonian's Freer & Sackler Galleries Meyer Auditorium on Sunday June 21
4. Nigeria's legendary King Sunny Ade (pictured above) & His African Beats, the pioneers of juju music and 20 members strong, play DC's Howard Theatre on Saturday June 27

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire June calendar.

May 2015 Concert Calendar

Photo by Ricardo Trabulsi

May's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. The one-of-a-kind singer Lila Downs (pictured above), who makes indigenous Mexican music and culture larger than life, appears at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on Friday May 1
2. New York's Easy Star All Stars and London's The Skints, two of my current favorite reggae bands, share the bill at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville on Wednesday May 6 and at Gypsy Sally's in DC on Saturday May 9
3. Bio Ritmo appropriately headlines Friday Cheers' RVA Music Night, Friday May 22 on Brown's Island
4. An unlikely double bill at an unlikely venue: DC Balkan brass powerhouse Black Masala and Richmond Ethio-jazz combo Afro-Zen Allstars at the Cary Street Cafe on Saturday May 23

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire May calendar.

April 2015 Concert Calendar

https://luminatofestival.com/festival/2013/dakhabrakha

April's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Ukrainian "ethno-chaos" combo DakhaBrakha (pictured above), who wowed a Richmond audience in November, return to the region on Thursday April 2 with a performance at DC's Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
2. Amazing Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux makes a rare appearance in the USA on Wednesday April 15 at the Black Cat in DC
3. Powerhouse dance band Tal National from Niger will have the crowd moving at Tropicalia in DC on Friday April 17
4. The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain, who must be heard to be believed, visit Strathmore in Bethesda on Sunday April 26
   

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire April calendar.

March 2015 Concert Calendar

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaoru-Watanabe/371557296258030

 March's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Kaoru Watanabe (pictured above), the former artistic director of Kodo, plays both Japanese drums and transverse flute; he performs his music, integrating Japanese folk traditions with contemporary improvisation, on Thursday March 5 at the University of Richmond's International Center Commons
2. Brooklyn-based dhol-and-brass band Red Baraat brings its Festival Of Colors to DC's Howard Theatre on Thursday March 5
3. Mighty Joshua and the Zion #5 bring roots and culture to Balliceaux on Friday March 20
4. Fado Nosso and Claves Unidos presents "Amalia: An Evening Of Fado And Dance" at the Dogtown Dance Theatre, Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22
5. Two excellent local-band double bills at Balliceaux: Yeni Nostalji and the Afro Zen All Stars on Wednesday March 25, and Miramar and the Richmanian Ramblers on Tuesday March 31

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire March calendar.

February 2015 Concert Calendar

Photo by Sarah Lee for The Guardian

February's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Richmond's own Fado Nosso bring their Portuguese sound to Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream on Friday February 6
2. Aurelio Martinez, the great hope of garifuna music, returns to our area with a gig at Artisphere in Arlington on Friday February 13
3. It's Brazilian Carnival Night at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Friday February 20 with Dende & Band from New York City plus Richmond's own Bio Ritmo and Capoeira Resistencia and WRIR's own Mike Murphy spinning Brazilian vinyl
4. Two South African legends from two different generations, Hugh Masakela (pictured above) and Vusi Mahlasela, team up for a concert at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on Sunday February 22
5. Miramar has a Valentine's Month residence every Tuesday night in February at Balliceaux, playing boleros about love and anti-love

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire February calendar.

January 2015 Concert Calendar

January's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. The University of Richmond's Gamelan Raga Kusuma will perform a Balinese wayang kulit (shadow puppet play) with master puppeteer Gusti Sudarta at Balliceaux on Thursday January 8; they'll perform it again in DC at the Indonesian Embassy on Saturday January 10
2. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, America's number one salsa repertory ensemble, visits the University of Richmond;s Alice Jepson Theatre on Thursday January 22, as part of the Modlin Center's performance series
3. Zap Mama and Antibalas (the latter is pictured above) are on tour together: they visit Richmond's Carpenter Theatre (in another Modlin Center event) on Wednesday January 28 and DC's Lisner Auditorium on Friday January 30
4. George Lowe (ex-Rattlemouth) premieres his new 7-piece Ethio-funk-jazz band Afro-Zen Allstars at Balliceaux on Thursday January 29

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire January calendar.

December 2014 Concert Calendar

December's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Mexico's tribal sound (aka the music behind the pointy boots craze) comes to DC -- 3bal MTY visits the Fillmore in Silver Spring on Thursday December 11
2. Fulton's own Corey Harris has a rare hometown show at the Camel on Friday December 12 with his band the Rasta Blues Experience, Mighty Joshua and Lost Dreads
3. Gogol Bordello (Eugene Hutz's guitar pictured above) returns to DC to rock the 9:30 Club on Saturday December 27 and Sunday December 28

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire December calendar.

November 2014 Concert Calendar

November's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Yeni Nostalji, who wowed the Global A Go-Go audience with their in-studio performance on October 24, have two dates in November: Sunday November 2 at Balliceaux and Sunday November 23 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, both times with Miramar sharing the bill
2. The Budos Band (pictured above), Staten Island's best Afrobeat band and so much more, visits DC's 9:30 Club in support of their new album Burnt Offering on Friday November 7
3. Ukrainian "ethno-chaos" (their description, not mine) combo DakhaBrakha makes their first trip to the USA, including a stop at Richmond CenterStage's Gottwald Playhouse on Sunday November 16, part of the Modlin Center's current season
4. Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento plays at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on Thursday November 20

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire November calendar.

October 2014 Concert Calendar

October's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Of course, the big event in October is the Richmond Folk Festival, Friday October 10 to Sunday October 12.  The headliner (for me at least) is the Boban & Marko Markovic Orkestar from Serbia (pictured above), one of the world's truly great Balkan brass bands.
2. Just a boatload of great artists from Mali are visiting our area in October: Oumar Konate, Mamadou Diabate and Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba.  See below for all the details.

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire October calendar.

September 2014 Concert Calendar

September's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. The University of Richmond's Modlin Center for the Arts kicks off its 2014-15 performance season with an outdoor brass band festival on Sunday September 7 featuring Rebirth Brass Band, Red Baraat, Slavic Soul Party and No BS! Brass
2. Vieux Farka Toure, who blew away listeners at the Richmond Folk Festival a few years ago, visits Artisphere in Arlington on Friday September 12
3. DC-based Balkan brass blasters Black Masala return to Balliceaux on Saturday September 13
4. Two of African music's legends are appearing this month at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium: Youssou N'Dour on Sunday September 14 and Salif Keita (pictured above) on Sunday September 21

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire September calendar.

August 2014 Concert Calendar

August's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Mauritanian singer Noura Mint Seymali (pictured above) tours the USA supporting her new album Tzenni, one of the year's best; she and her band (led by amazing guitarist Jeiche Ould Chighaly (also pictured) perform at Artisphere in Arlington on Friday August 1
2. Omar Souyleman, the king of Syrian dabke wedding music, plays the Howard Theatre on Tuesday August 5
3. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, still on tour, return to DC at the Black Cat on Friday August 22

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire August calendar.

July 2014 Concert Calendar

July's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival continues on the mall in DC with free shows of music from Kenya and China on Wednesday July 2, Thursday July 3 and Saturday July 5
2. Gogol Bordello returns to central Virginia after a long absence: they're at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville on Thursday July 17
3. Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso and his band Los Que Son Son (pictured above), maybe the hottest aggregation in Cuba, make a rare stateside visit to the Howard Theatre in DC on Friday July 25

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire July calendar.

June 2014 Concert Calendar

June's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (pictured above), Fela's old band and still the baddest Afrobeat ensemble on the planet, stop in at the Howard Theatre in DC on Wednesday June 11
2. Black Masala, a gypsy brass band from DC, performs live on Global A Go-Go on Friday June 20, then plays later that night at Balliceaux
3. The Ethiopian music event of the year: Debo Band and DC's own Feedel Band at Artisphere in Arlington on Friday June 27; then Debo Band comes to Richmond's Broadberry on the following night, Saturday June 28
4. The record release party for Bio Ritmo's brand-new album Puerta Del Sur happens Sunday June 29 at the Broadberry

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire June calendar.

May 2014 Concert Calendar

 May's Global A Go-Go picks:

1. Kokanko Sata (pictured above) is a musician from the Wassoulou region of Mali who may be the only woman in the world who plays the kamele ngoni (youth harp, something like a small kora); see her at The Haven in Charlottesville on Thursday May 1 and at Sub Rosa Bakery in Richmond (with Hotel X) on Friday May 2
2. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars set up camp at Artisphere in Arlington on Friday May 2
3. Israeli-American hipsters Balkan Beat Box visit DC's Howard Theatre on Saturday May 10
4. Northern Mali guitar hero Oumar Konate performs at Tropicalia in Washington on Friday May 23 and at Balliceaux in Richmond on Saturday May 24

Have an event you'd like me to include, or a suggestion for the concert calendar?  Just drop me a line at globalagogoradio [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a message right here.

Click "Read more" to see the entire May calendar.