Free Chicago World Music Festival Shows This Weekend

Posted by Alex Yablon on Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 3:23 PM

World Music Festival: Chicago kicks off Friday, and a total of 60 artists will play 21 venues over the course of the next week. Many of the shows are free, including several this weekend; see our comprehensive festival guide for a complete schedule and reviews of every act by Reader critics.

Friday at noon, Markus James & the Wassonrai bring their fusion of African music and American blues to the Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater (78 E. Washington) for a show with French dance band the Watcha Clan and Japanese pop-rock outfit the Pai No Pai. The latter two also perform at Navy Pier, the Pai No Pai at 7 PM and the Watcha Clan at 9 PM.