by Mike Telin
The Standing Rock Cultural Arts’ Around the World Music Series kicks off its third season later this week at the North Water Street Gallery, located at 300 North Water Street, Suite H in downtown Kent. “We’re so lucky that audiences have turned out in significant numbers during the past two seasons,” ethnomusicologist and series curator David Badagnani said during a recent conversation. “It’s nice to have a space to present these musicians who people will love, but have never had a chance to hear.” All concerts are preceded by a 7:30 pm meet-and-greet featuring light food and drinks. A donation of $10 at the door is suggested.
On Saturday, September 23, Pittsburgh-based trio, AppalAsia (above) — Mimi Jong, Jeff Berman, and Susan Powers — will explore the intersections between traditional Chinese and American Mountain music, using erhu and zhonghu (Chinese fiddles), lap dulcimer, clawhammer banjo, and voice.
“There are a lot of world-music performers in the area that I would have loved to present over the years if I only had a space,” ethnomusicologist, world-music enthusiast, and promoter David Badagnani said during a recent conversation. “And with this series there is an additional opportunity for audiences to hear world-music performers in a different way.”