Grass Valley >> The annual California WorldFest returns with a full lineup of live performances and much more.
The event, now in its 20th year, will be July 14-17 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley.
The festival attracts more than 6,000 people each year with more than 2,500 people camping on-site. As usual, several stages will be set up for music concerts, children’s programs, vocal, dance and instrumental workshops, international foods, crafts and yoga.
At California WorldFest, the focus is on music and creating a sustainable global community.
“In any kind of festival with a strong curatorial perspective, it’s crucial to find that balance, the flow of the event from one performer to another,” said festival head Julie Baker in a press release. “It’s about phenomenal quality, first and foremost, we want people to have a great time, discover new artists and come away feeling connected on a global level.”
There will be live performances from big-name crowd pleasers like Boz Scaggs to new discoveries like My Bubba, Eva Salina, Suitcase Junket, Boogat and Liz Vice. Rebel voices such as Third World, Nano Stern and Emel Mathlouthi to celebratory pleasures like Mariachi Flor del Toloache, who have recently been on the road with members of the Black Keys, Los Pinguos and Delhi to Dublin will also be at the festival.
WorldFest creates an intimate connection with unexpected music and people from across the planet and arranges times for them to meet and talk with performers in the Global Lounge, as well as hear novel combinations of musicians jam.
In the Global Indigenous Village, festival-goers will get to hear several young Native American bands play together, including activist musician collective Earth Guardians who will be teaming up with Nahko & The Medicine for the People for musical (and non- musical) conversations.
“WorldFest is a place for people to engage. To disconnect from the world of gadgets and technology and instead connect with people on a global scale,” Baker said. “The music is amazing. If you look at the lineup, if you’re very into world music, you’ll know some of these names. If you’re a general music fan, there won’t be a whole lot of names you’ll recognize, necessarily.
“It’s about artists who will be able to open music fans’ eyes and ears and minds. You may not hear this music on commercial radio, but you’ll be blown away in person. You will walk away with a brand new playlist.”
Tickets start at $65. For information or to buy tickets, go to worldfest.net.
