BLOOMINGTON -- There is a sense of pleasant disorientation at the sheer abundance of musical choices when the downtown of a midsize Indiana town hosts so many musicians from around the globe that it takes seven venues to house them. The Lotus Festival World Music Festival in Bloomington is a feast.

But despite the scope of the event, it feels quite manageable, even laid back, and you can wander comfortably between the venues that are all within a few blocks of the town square.

The heart of Lotus occurs on the evenings of Sept. 28 and 29 when a wrist band gives you entrance to all seven venues that vary in size and atmosphere and include a theater, churches, a nightclub and three large tents.

Since most artists perform more than once, it's usually possible to see almost everyone. And if you're smitten with someone, you can often see them play a completely different set later in the schedule.

Though some artists perform in very traditional styles, others focus on innovation. On Sept. 29, one tent will feature a number of DJs whose turntables mix between World music styles.

Now in its 14th year, the festival was named in homage to Southern Indiana fiddler and farmer Lotus Dickey. Dickey's spirit meant so much to Bloomington's community of musicians that they decided to keep it alive with this celebration of global music.

"We have music from three countries never represented at Lotus before," said festival director Lee Williams. "Brina performs a mix of traditional Slovenian styles. Two quite different Tunisian performers will meet at Lotus. Dhafer Youssef is a gifted improvisational vocalist, while MC Rai's music sends audiences running to the dance floor."

Williams predicts that 17 Hippies, the first Germans to play Lotus, will likely be a festival favorite, playing "an assortment of European string and brass music, with a little Cajun thrown in for good measure."

One local connection is that Toubab Krewe, from Asheville, N.C., a band that adeptly blends a range of West African guitar styles plus some Jerry Garcia influence is playing the Lafayette Brewing Co. on Sept. 28 and will be at Lotus on Sept. 29.

Expect to be surprised. You'll hear the familiar but also the quite unexpected. Here is a sampling of the 23 ensembles performing at this year's festival.

By: Richard Fudge