Organized by Bill Braegin to coincide with the Arts Presenters Conference, Globalfest juggled 13 acts in the space of five hours. And what a five hours that was! Blasting open the doors, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra led by Oscar Hernandez demonstrated old-style big band energy determined to get people up, dancing and smiling.

The intimate dance company, Noche Flamenca, sizzled as Soledad Barrio drilled the stage with her heelwork and drama. On a cooler note, Paris Combo featured Belle, a blond, pixie haired vocalist singing with an old Parisian flair against a nostalgic, cofe house jazz sound. Kicking up the beat a notch or two, Mory Kante from Guinea, West Africa put down some laid back dance band music woven through Afro-folk-pop and griot (storytelling) traditions.

Softening the amps, Juana Molina from Argentina built her voice over the melodies of an acoustic guitar. Another act that got the crowds jazzed was Rokia Traore of Mali as celebratory music swayed the audience and performers into a trance like collective bob. One of the more novel groups was the Warsaw Village Band composed of strong technicians using folk instruments to produce what they call "hardcore folk" -- an exciting blend of ancient riffs and modern rhythmic volleys.

As for womanpower, look no further than the husky voiced and voluptuous Eva Allyon of Peru who mesmerized her audience with vocal and performance charisma. Flinging her long black hair and grinding the floor with the stamps and spins associated with flamenco the audience howled with pleasure.

At some point you think that maybe you cannot hear another sound because your ears are so packed with music, but then along come two remarkable musicians and you are plunged in a state of awe.

This is what happened when, at the end of the long evening, the Yoshida Brothers sat side by side on the stage at Joe’s Pub. Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida play the Samisen; a banjo like lute with an elongated neck. What they do with this instrument is remarkable in that they actually conjure a new sound. It is one of those rare instances when a musician successfully bridges ancient traditions with contemporary inflections. The audience sat stunned as these brothers played these banjo-like instruments with octopus-like fingers, exhibiting the finesse of classical guitarists and the muscle of martial artists.

The rest of the fine performers included Lokua Kanza of the Congo, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra of Brooklyn, Ollabelle of Australia and DJ Rekha of New York.

Now don’t think you have to wait until next year for another international, multi-culturally soaked evening at Joe’s Pub, just drop in most any night and your will be treated to music, spoken word and dance acts with multiple personalities.

Globalfest happened through the efforts of Isabel Soffer of World Music Institute, Maure Aronson of WorldMusic/CRASHarts in Boston, and again, Bill Braegin or Joe's Pub.

it was a true three-way collaboration. I worked with >Isabel Soffer of World Music Institute and Maure Aronson of World Music/ CRASHarts in Boston.