If you live in the NYC area, it becomes easy to take for granted all the treasures that we have access to. New York has always been a cultural mecca, especially for music.

Since 1985, the World Music Institute has been an integral part of keeping the tradition of musical diversity alive in New York City. Each year, the World Music Institue presents over 60 concerts in various theaters and venues in the city – from large concert halls to smaller rooms. At last count, the World Music Institute has presented music and dance from over 70 nations, and the list continues to grow.

In addition to music from other continents, the World Music Insitute has provided stages for homegrown cultural gems. This season, the WMI is presenting as series of concerts that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the National Heritage Awards – our nation’s highest recognition of traditional artists, created by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1982.

The National Heritage Masters is a 14 part concert series that began in earlier this month with a gathering of international fiddlers at Symphony Space – Kevin Burke from Ireland, Joseph Cormier from Cape Breton, Paul Cahlin from Sweden, Johnny Gimble representing Western Swing, and Simon Shaheen presenting Arabic fiddle traditions.

The next concert will take place this coming Saturday when “Appalachian Journey” will be presented at Town Hall. This stellar gathering includes Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Hazel Dickins, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

Ralph Stanley ‘s contribution to bluegrass and mountain music has made him one of the most beloved figures in music. Hazel Dickens has inspired new generations of singers and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have won the International Bluegrass Music Association “Vocal Group of the Year” Award for the last six years. This inspring gathering will offer New Yorkers a unique opportunity to witness one of the true forms of music to grow out of our country’s history – performed by some of the genre’s finest performers.

Another concert that should not be missed will be held on Wednesday November 7th at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space. The evening will feature Piedmont String Band Music performed by the Carolina Chocolate Drops with special guest, Joe Thompson.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops have been gaining attention across the nation as they tour the country showcasing the African-American Stringband tradition. The trio is tutored by Joe Thompson, believed to the last surviving black traditional string band musician.


Other concerts in the series, which will run until May of 2008, will include performances of Irish-American music, gospel, blues, Native American, plus a variey of ethnic communities including Chinese, Indian, Mexian and Southeastern Asian, among others.

For more information about this exciting series and other performances offered by the World Music Institute, visit http://www.worldmusicinstitute.org/.