THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Scholars and critics can debate the precise meaning of the phrase “world music” ad nauseam—and they no doubt will—but fans of exotic sounds can get a crash course at GlobalFEST, a one-night summary of what’s happening beyond our borders.  The shows are concentrated on three stages at the Public Theatre, sparing listeners jet lag and giving them a chance to hear the powerfully mesmerizing Malian vocalist Rokia Traoré, the electronica-tinged Argentinean folksinger Juana Molina, and Mory Kanté, a crossover success from Guinea who will be making his first New York City appearance in nearly two decades.  (Jan.8; see Night Life.)