Second World Fest Event a Success
Tickets flew out the door as the World Fest concert series begins to gain momentum. A program of Arts Midwest, World Fest connects Midwestern communities to international musicians to foster an understanding and appreciation of our global uniqueness and differences. The musical group, Pamyua, Alaska’s most famous Inuit band, performed for the people of Marinette and Menominee throughout the week of February 20.
The eight-member group made stops at eight school districts and played in front of over 4,000 area students who represented schools throughout Marinette and Menominee Counties. The week culminated with a free public concert which hosted over 300 people at Theatre on the Bay on the campus of UWGB-Marinette.
“It was a success all the way around,” said Kim Brooks, local organizer of the event. “Students got a glimpse of Yup’ik Innuit music and culture. Parents were astonished to hear their children excited about the experience. Residents were enthralled during the concert. In just one week, World Fest left our communities with a greater understanding of global traditions — and it has only just begun.”
Brooks stated that school workshops were packed with students from surrounding schools and reached more students than any other World Fest community throughout the 12 years of the program. In addition, the community concert was the largest of this tour.
“Our hospitality meant so much to the group of musicians from Alaska,” continued Brooks. “At each workshop, the students and faculty made them feel welcome. It was a treasure to mutually share our small part of our world with them at the same time learning about their corner of the globe.”
The three-year music program known as “World Fest” will continue its residency in Marinette and Menominee Counties with the next ensemble, coming this fall from Ghana, called Okaidja Afroso. The group consists of a singer, guitarist, percussionist, and dancer and is deeply connected to the musical traditions of the African diaspora and devoted to bringing together diverse modes of expression in the pursuit of global harmony.
To learn more about the three-year World Fest residency and find information on subsequent concerts, visit the World Fest Marinette/Menominee Facebook Page by searching @worldfestmm.
The Stephenson National Bank & Trust (SNBT) is the title sponsor among a generous group of businesses and individuals: Provident Health Foundation, M&M Area Community Foundation, Riverfront Inn, Rusty Wolfe Studios, The Print Shop, and many other local donors. Together, their goal is to bring music from around the world to around the corner.
World Fest is a project of Arts Midwest and is sponsored by the National Endowment of the Arts and the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies that brings six international ensembles (approximately ten musicians per ensemble) to communities in Midwestern states. Marinette/Menominee has been selected as the city in Wisconsin to receive this incredible opportunity for the period of fall 2022 – spring 2025.
