Enjoy free late-night music as part of Krannert Center's Global Transfer Afterglow series featuring Sonic Liberation 8, an eight-member ensemble that melds together sounds and time periods. Sonic Liberation 8 is deeply rooted in the traditions of Afro-Cuban music and has spent years fusing that grand tradition with new sounds including composed jazz, modern chamber composition, and the powerful Orisha spirit.

More information is available at the Krannert Center website link below.

In 1998, Richard Martin and Meagan Hennessey founded Archeophone Records, a label dedicated to restoring and preserving the music of the acoustic era. Their releases have been nominated for twelve Grammy awards, and their 2006 compilation "Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry, 1891-1922," won the Grammy award for Best Historical Album. Martin and Hennessey will discuss acoustic-era history and their process for restoring and releasing these forgotten pieces of American popular culture.

Library: Main Library, 200 W. Green St. Map
Location: Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Born and raised in La Rioja, Spain, guitarist Pablo Villegas is distinguished by performances as charismatic as they are intimate. With singing tone and consummate technique, his interpretations conjure the passion, playfulness, and drama of his homeland's rich musical heritage, routinely drawing comparisons with such legendary exponents of his instrument as Andrés Segovia. He has performed for both the Dalai Lama and the Spanish royal family, and it was he who gave the world premiere of Rounds, the first composition for guitar by five-time Academy Award-winner John Williams. A born communicator, Villegas explains: "Music is a social tool, and opening people's hearts, and helping them connect to the inner life of the emotions, is my mission."

In his new album and accompanying tour, Americano, Villegas treats audiences to a musical journey from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, featuring sensual Brazilian beats, vivid Venezuelan rhythms, and vibrant American bluegrass, and highlighting favorite composers of the Americas, including John Williams, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Agustín Lara, and Leonard Bernstein.

ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival special event

The crowning jewel of the country of Georgia's rich musical tradition is men's three-part singing, and the premier practitioners of this art are the members of Ensemble Basiani. Under the auspices of the Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir, these singers—many of whom were raised in families of traditional musicians—perform songs of work, celebration, worship, and more, with extraordinary vocal technique, striking harmonies, and powerful tone. This Georgian singing style that has infused and informed community life for over 1,000 years, yet sounds amazingly modern, has been proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

You know we like a good party—one with revelry all around, amazing outdoor food vendors, activities in each corner—and most importantly, you! Come get your first taste of the new season with a triple lineup and enough energy to last all year.

Grammy-nominated Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez brings to life the sophisticated and high-energy Afro-Cuban rhythms of his homeland. Seamlessly blending pop and folk music, Martinez is a first-rate, charismatic entertainer, prized in collaborations with Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, and Krannert Center favorite Wynton Marsalis, who says "Pedrito is a genius."

And speaking of favorites—if you were at OUTSIDE at the Research Park 2014, then we're sure you're eager for the rollicking return of the smoky-voiced Davina Sowers with the solid backing of her Memphis-meets-Chicago blues band, The Vagabonds. With dazzling keyboard skills, sultry soul swagger, and a dash of wit, Davina infuses the American Songbook with appealing panache and just the right amount of nostalgia.

Rounding out the night is the crew NPR called "the best party band in years." The pioneering eight-piece force of nature known as Red Baraat was founded in New York by dhol player Sunny Jain and merges the sounds of hard-driving North Indian Bhangra with a twist of rock, jazz, and go-go. A raucous horn section, three master percussionists, and don't forget the guitarist and sousaphone players, make it their mission to manifest joy and unity through scorching sets of unstoppable rhythmic fun. In other words, get ready to dance!

Fr Sep 9 at 6pm (food sales begin and doors open at 6pm)
The Pedrito Martinez Group, 6:30pm, Lobby (Stage 6)
Davina and The Vagabonds, 7:45pm, Lobby (Stage 5)
Red Baraat, 8:45pm, Lobby (Stage 6)
Lobby and Terraces

2016 Sweetcorn Festival
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 – 5PM – MIDNIGHT
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 – 11AM – 11PM

Wide array of musical artists with folk and world music including:

Almost "A" (Friday, 7:15-8:15p, Folk and Roots Stage)
Bones Jugs (Friday, 10:00-11:00p, Folk and Roots Stage)
Bali Lantari (Saturday, 2:15-3:00p, One Community Together Stage)
Djibril Camera and Ballet Allah Tantou (Saturday, 3:15-4:00p, One Community Together Stage)
Michiyoshi Sato (Saturday, 4:15-4:45p, One Community Together Stage)

2016 Sweetcorn Festival
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 – 5PM – MIDNIGHT
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 – 11AM – 11PM

Wide array of musical artists with folk and world music including:

Almost "A" (Friday, 7:15-8:15p, Folk and Roots Stage)
Bones Jugs (Friday, 10:00-11:00p, Folk and Roots Stage)
Bali Lantari (Saturday, 2:15-3:00p, One Community Together Stage)
Djibril Camera and Ballet Allah Tantou (Saturday, 3:15-4:00p, One Community Together Stage)
Michiyoshi Sato (Saturday, 4:15-4:45p, One Community Together Stage)

The talented trio Schlomo’s Schleppers are our UFLive! guests this month. They play Klezmer music – known as the mournfully happy music of the Jewish diaspora. Clarinetist Sol Baer will be joined by Derick Cordoba (on guitar) and popular bassist Josh Houchin.

UFLive! concerts are generously sponsored by The Urbana Free Library Foundation and are scheduled on the third Sunday of most months.

Location: The Busey-Mills Reading Room (First Floor)
Event Type: Arts & Music
Age Group(s): All Ages

Professional musical ensemble Jean René Balekita and Bomoyi will share African rhythms with flavors of gospel, jazz, and Congolese rumba. Jean René on acoustic guitar is joined by vocalists Laeticia Kyungu and Joyce Nkama with Victor Matondo on bass guitar and ibo.

Prairie Breezes concerts are scheduled once a month and are generously sponsored by Peggy and Bob Podlasek in memory of Greg Bliss.

Location: The Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)
Event Type: Children
Age Group(s): Family

The new UFLive! season is kicking off big with a performance by the Knights of Cabiria, a new 12-piece “super-group" from Central Illinois. The band plays high-powered music from all over the world: Bartok, Bechet, sambas, and Stravinsky, not to mention boleros, son montunos, waltzes, polkas, rocked out central European dance numbers, and Fellini film scores by the great Nino Rota. The music is compelling, virtuosic, and rocking.

Robin Kearton (violin), Amanda Harris(vocals), Chris Petterson (cello), Sal Percoco (trumpets), James Andrew Hutchinson (trombone), Todd Gallagher (bass), Sol Baer (clarinet), Celia Faux (accordion), Bob McEntyre (drums), Sally Hoffman (flute), Tom Faux (guitar), and Maria Del Toro (violin).

UFLive! concerts are generously sponsored by The Urbana Free Library Foundation and are scheduled on the third Sunday of most months.

Location: The Busey-Mills Reading Room (First Floor)