Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024
5-7 p.m., Historic Church
Tickets: $15-35
On Nov. 17, 2024, World Music Encounters at St. David’s is excited to feature Abou Sylla and his drumming and dance troupe, Bramaya.
Sylla is a master percussionist, musician, and teacher of West African music and dance, as well as a traditional instrument builder. Based in Austin, Abou has been performing professionally for over 20 years. He teaches and shares the music, dance and culture of West Africa throughout the United States and the world. Bramaya, his dance and drum ensemble, is named after his father’s village in Guinea, West Africa.
Abou plays five traditional instruments: djembe drum, balafon (cousin to marimba), krin (log drum), and doundoun (rope-tuned cylindrical drum). He has been named Master Folk Artist by Texas Folklife.
Bramaya is the second performance in the second season of World Music Encounters which is staged inside our beautiful 170-year-old church sanctuary in the heart of downtown Austin.
On Sept. 22, we spotlighted Austin’s homegrown flamenco company, A’lante Flamenco, featuring the classically trained Cuban guitarist José Tejeda along with a trio of gifted dancers. A’lante aspires to expose Austinites to this centuries-old art form in fresh ways, using multimedia and addressing relevant social issues. A’lante Flamenco has won numerous dance awards from Austin Critics’ Table and is a member of the Texas Commission on the Arts’ touring roster.
On Feb. 2, we welcome the brilliant, eclectic local violinist, Javier Chaparro, born in Peru, with his band, Salud.
And on April 27, WME presents a U.S. exclusive: two world-class Japanese traditional musicians will trek to Austin (from College Station where they’re participating in a Japanese traditional music festival) to perform on our stage. They’ll take the audience on a chronological journey from ancient Japanese music—played on the shakuhachi, koto, and shamisen—and conclude with a swinging jazz trio.
In its inaugural season, from September 2023 to May 2024, the concert series featured rhythms and harmonies from Niger, Ghana, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, El Salvador, Egypt, Iran, Cuba, Morocco, India, Mexico, and Ireland. (A couple of the bands were from out of town.) World Music Encounters turned into a roaring success. With 200-plus crowds every night, the church puts as much money as possible into musicians’ pockets. The nonprofit series is produced by volunteers and the church staff.
St. David’s is delighted, humbled, and energized by the response to our concert series that now has a loyal following. Come join the audience as St. David’s brings global music and conversation center-stage in downtown Austin. The family-friendly Sunday concerts are from 5 to 7 p.m. with free garage parking.
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