2023 World Music Festival at CalArts

2023 World Music Festival at CalArts

Event DateEvent Date

Event LocationLocation

CalArts Campus

The Wild Beast

CalArts 50th Anniversary

Design by Kento Shirotsuka

2023 World Music and Dance Festival at CalArts 

April 28-30, 2022


From Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30, 2023, the CalArts World Music Festival brings traditions from around the globe to Southern California. Over one spectacular weekend, audiences will experience a variety of world-class world musicians, on the campus of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia.

This year CalArts celebrates its 50th Anniversary and in doing so, the World Music Program is joining the celebration. The World Music Program has been an embodiment of different cultures that are shared through humanity.  With this idea as our foundation, the World Music Festival began shortly after the opening of the Institute.

Presented by The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts, the 2023 festival features music from; Iran; Bali & Java/Indonesia; India; Ghana/West Africa, Japan; as well as cross-cultural fusion.  Come and immerse yourself in a vibrant world and be part of a movement that celebrates the diversely rich and beautiful cultures of the World! 

2023 Festival Schedule

CalArts World Music Festival 2023

FREE Concerts of Music from around the World

Wild Beast Stage

Friday, April 28, 2023

  • 7:30pm: World Percussion Ensemble

  • 8:40pm: Balinese Gamelan (Music and Dance)

Saturday, April 29, 2023

  • 5:00pm: Persia Electric Ensemble

  • 7:00pm: North Indian Faculty Ensemble
  • 8:30pm: African Ensemble (Music and Dance)

Sunday, April 30, 2023

  • 5:00pm: Tabla Ensemble & North Indian Music Ensemble
  • 7:30pm: Javanese Gamelan (Music and Dance)

Clark's Field Stage

Friday, April 28, 2023

  • 5:30 pm: Salsa Band

Saturday, April 29, 2023

  • 11 am: Baltic Ensemble SKAN & Folk Singing Ensemble
  • 3:45 pm: Japanese Ensemble

All programming is subject to change, including start times. This program listing will be updated as performing ensembles are confirmed.

Concerts at the Wild Beast will be live streamed via the CalArts Music YouTube Channel


CalArts Concert Tips

  • Admission and parking are free at the World Music Festival.
  • The festival is a family-friendly event with content safe and appropriate for all ages.
  • Bench-seating is limited at the Wild Beast and available on a first-come, first-served basis. CalArts encourages you to bring your own low lawn chairs and blankets.
  • Picnics welcome: The lawn outside of The Wild Beast Music Courtyard is a perfect place for a picnic. Please leave the alcohol at home, however; open containers are not allowed on the CalArts campus.
  • The CalArts campus is located in Valencia, Calif., approximately 30 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles.

Directions and Information

California Institute of the Arts

CalArts 50 logo design: FISK and Bijan Berahimi (Art BFA 13)