World Fest begins again

By TOM LAVENTURE

tlaventure@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood - With a little pandemic imagination the partnership that brings international performers to Ironwood will continue to educate in the schools and entertain the community.

The Historic Ironwood Theatre (HIT) contracted with Arts Midwest World Fest program that is designed for international musicians to perform in small and mid-sized communities of the Midwest as a cultural exchange. The two-year Ironwood agreement with HIT has support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and had one 2019 performance with Paulo Padilha of Brazil but the COVID-19 pandemic has since prevented the schedule of performers that were to come every six months.

"We had such a fun week with Paulo and his band," said Zona Wick, HIT board president.

World Fest is now taking a new approach to providing international performers for entertaining and educating via a video series that connects artists with classrooms and communities. A new virtual experience will provide community access to a concert and an off-stage video where the performer talks about their life and culture, and a direct connection with artists and local schools in a workshop.

Throughout October and November, Arts Midwest will release videos featuring the Hadar Maoz Ensemble from Israel; Paulo Padilha e Bando from Brazil, and Hikaru from Japan. Padilha had already performed in Ironwood but the other performers had to cancel.

"So this is a way to keep World Fest in the hearts and minds of our community until we can gather again someday," Wick said.

The Hadar Maoz "Off the Stage" documentary and workshop video was posted for public viewers Tuesday, Oct. 27 at artsmidwest.org/

worldfestonline. Her concert performance will premiere at 7:30 p.m. tonight on the organization's Facebook and YouTube pages.

The Hadar Maoz' ensemble performs the musical traditions of Israel, but is also inspired by a range of influences from ancient Persia to rock and roll. The ensemble also includes Marina Cohen on oud, Roi Avitol on guitar, and Itamar Asaf Tal on percussion.

The Paulo Padilha e Bando documentary and workshop will be available Tuesday, Nov. 10. The concert will premiere at 7:30 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Padilha's humorous lyrics and nimble guitar playing have filled several albums. His group includes Leonardo Mendes on guitar, along with Samba Sam, Dani Fried and André Magalhãez on percussion.

The Hikaru documentary and workshop will be available Tuesday, Nov. 17. The concert performance will premiere at 7:30 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Hikaru (Japanese for shine) is led by Nobuto Yamanaka, a premier Tsugaru Shamisen player. The ensemble includes Tomoko Tekeda on the shinobue flute, Toen Hibiki on the taiko drums, and vocalist-dancer Takemi Kakizaki.

Other World Fest partners include Williston, North Dakota; Huron, South Dakota; Fairmont, Minnesota, Menomonie, Wisconsin; Ames, Iowa, Carbondale, Illinois; Rushville, Indiana and Bellefontaine, Ohio.

"We're excited to be able to connect these incredible artists to Midwestern communities through these videos, which will be useful in school, at home, at the library - so many different applications," said Torrie Allen, president and CEO of Arts Midwest in a press announcement. "It's a chance to travel around the world when we can't do so personally."

Bruce Greenhill, HIT operations director, is reaching out to music instructors at Ironwood and Hurley schools to find students to participate in the exchange. This portion of the program provides videos for educators and parents in the classrooms or at home.

"We will allow the schools to determine what will work for them," Wick said.

The goal of World Fest is to bring International music to communities that may not be able to travel and experience the cultural joy of music in person, Wick said. The artists would normally spend a week in the community and travel to schools and organizations to sing, perform, share and teach.

"It's an amazing program," Wick said. "We are thrilled to be chosen as a participant."