Ironwood Theatre to host world music artists

IRONWOOD — Arts Midwest and the Ironwood Theatre announced Thursday that Ironwood has been selected to participate in the 2019-21 cycle of Arts Midwest World Fest.

The program offers Midwestern communities, especially smaller and mid-size communities, an opportunity to experience music, language, and culture from across the world, according to theatre board member Karen Hagemann.

Arts Midwest and the theatre will collaborate for the next two years to bring four “high-caliber” international music ensembles to Ironwood, said Hagemann. Each of the four international ensembles will participate in an intensive week-long residency in Ironwood, presenting school workshops, community events, and a public concert.

“We’re thrilled to have been selected as a 2019-21 Arts Midwest World Fest partner community,” said Hagemann. “Ironwood has a rich cultural life, but many of us can’t travel around the world. Thanks to Arts Midwest and support from the National Endowment for the Arts and 3Mgives, this program brings the world to our doorstep.”

Arts Midwest World Fest activities will kick off in Ironwood in September with Paulo Padilha and Bando from Brazil.

“We are delighted Ironwood has accepted our invitation to join Arts Midwest World Fest,” said David Fraher, president and CEO of Arts Midwest. “We believe the people and creativity of Ironwood make it a perfect place to host this incredible series of performers visiting the Midwest from around the globe.”

The Brazilian group performs a lively dance music called samba with humorous lyrics and storytelling. Their concert at the theater is set for Sept. 28.

Other performers in the Arts Midwest series will share a variety of world music, including:

—Hadar Maoz, of Israel, will bring a fusion of music inspired by the many Mediterranean cultures that meet in Israel today.

—Hikaru, of Japan, presents Japanese folk music and dance with distinctive 3-string Tsugaro shamisen, taiko drums and Japanese flute. The ensemble is led by Nobuto Yamanaka.

— Choor, of Mongolia, features the sounds of Inner Mongolian horsehead fiddles and throat singing.

The Israeli group is scheduled to be in residency in April 2020. No dates were announced for the other two groups.

This series is also supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and similar groups in other Midwestern states.

More information on events can be found at artsmidwest.org and ironwoodtheatre.net.