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It’s happens to all of us: your CD collection, rich though it is, suddenly feels stale and overplayed. Nothing’s fresh or satisfying, and you’re left searching for a new inspiration. Problem is, you don’t quite know what you’re looking for, just that enigmatic something that sparks as instant connection. But take heart: a world of music is all around you. Here are a few places to look:
–Streaming Internet radio—it’s portable and free.
Songlines Magazine
www.songlines.co.uk/links/links_cat.php?cat_id=4
Sky.FM – The World Channel
www.sky.fm/world/
BBC Radio 3 – World Music
www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/
RFI Musique
www.rfimusique.com/musiqueen/pages/001/ecouter.asp
–Raid your friends’ music collection. Find out what music appeals to them and ask them why. Bonus: Are your friends or their parents from a different culture than yours? What traditional music do they listen to?Â
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–Compilation albums are a great way to get a taste of an artist without having to commit to 60+ minutes of him or her. Create your own mix CD by downloading MP3s from the Internet. Here are a few websites to try:
Smithsonian Global Sound
www.smithsonianglobalsound.org
Calabash
http://calabashmusic.com
Download.com
http://music.download.com/2001-7990_32-0.html
–Movie soundtracks are a great source for world music—and not just foreign films, either. Many American movies are set in exotic or fantasy locales and use world music to immerse the viewer in the experience. Think films like “The Darjeeling Limited†and “The Fifth Element.â€
–Seek out live music performances. Be it Bolivian street musicians in the heart of Washington, D.C., or a small Mexican neighborhood on the other side of town, music is all around. Try catching live music at an ethnic restaurant or checking a community bulletin board to see what musical events are coming up.Â
–Learning to dance to a foreign beat can deepen your understanding and appreciation for world music. From the earthy roots of Middle Eastern music springs belly dance, a sensuous and passionate art form. The various forms of Latin dance (tango, salsa, cha-cha, etc.) reveal the palette of emotions that Latin music can evoke.Â
–Speaking of dance, getting out and shaking your groove thing at a night club can also prove inspirational. Many clubs, particularly in big cities, feature a Latin or Middle Eastern night. Besides the intriguing music, the scene usually draws people from myriad cultures—a good opportunity to make those international friends that we mentioned earlier.
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–Festivals and music just go together. Whether the festival celebrates strawberries, garlic, or frog legs, music is almost always a key ingredient. Keep your ears open for American bluegrass, folk, or country. Some festivals celebrate the music itself. Check out these world music festivals around the nation:
San Francisco World Music Festival
www.sfworldmusicfestival.org
Festival International de Louisiane
www.festivalinternational.com
California Worldfest
www.worldfest.net
World Music Festival: Chicago
www.cityofchicago.org/worldmusic
Lotus World Music & Arts Festival (Bloomington, IN)
www.lotusfest.org