This year’s seventh annual globalFest, to showcase 12 artists on three stages at Webster Hall in Manhattan on Jan. 10, will expand upon the “local” aspect of the world music extravaganza.

“Every year we have a strong showing of local artists—artists who are based in the U.S.,” says Isabel Soffer, director of programming for the World Music Institute (WMI)—co-producer of the fest with Joe’s Pub and Acidophilus: Live and Active Cultures. “This year we’ve increased the number from four local acts to five—four from New York and one from Louisiana.”

As usual, globalFest is being held at the same time as the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) global arts marketing/networking conference.

“Local artists have huge potential in the North American touring market,” says Soffer, “and you wouldn’t know they’re from New York or any other North American city.”

She notes that New York-based Argentinian singer-songwriter Federico Aubele, described as “bolero and cumbia meets electro downtempo,” will return to his home country shortly after a year’s stay in New York. Coastal Columbian roots band La Cumbiamba eNeYé, she adds, has incorporated New York sounds into its music; Senegalese “old school reggae band” Meta and the Cornerstones also sings in English and French.

The other locals are La Excelencia—“easily one of the best salsa bands living here,” per Soffer—and Louisiana zydeco duo Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole.

“They’re all really strong, and it’s really important for arts presenters to be able to not deal with visa and travel issues and ease the cost,” continues Soffer. “And there’s a lot more flexibility when a band is based here, so it does make sense to feature local bands."

She adds: "In these economic times people are cutting costs and really thinking about whom to put on their calendars. Local bands don’t have the costs of bringing them in from overseas.”

But Soffer also expects “big surprises” from the international acts. “The Nightlosers are a very interesting blues band from Transylvania, who have taken their sound from B.B. King and Buddy Guy and East European gypsy music,” she says.

The other international artists on the globalFest bill are West African acoustic singer Alif Naaba, from Burkina Faso; Irish Celtic vocalist Cara Dillon; French electro gypsy swing band Caravan Palace; esteemed Guadeloupean folk music players François Ladrezo & Alka Omeka; Siberian shaman rockers Namgar; and Nguyên Lê’s Saiyuki, a Pan-Asian jazz trio led by the acclaimed French-Vietnamese guitarist.

“It’s a pariticularly strong year for new artists to the North American touring market,” Soffer concludes. “Other than a great night of music as always, I think we’ll be seeing a lot of globalFEST artists in the years to come.”