Bill Carson and Uncle Sam bring a team of international musicians to the Holy City

The diverse squad includes a Russian beatboxer and a Nigerian guitarist

Posted by Kalyn Oyer on Mon, Aug 26, 2013 at 4:33 PM

In an age where the things that divide us are more perceivable than things that we have in common, music is here to remind us that we aren't so different after all. One Beat is bringing people together through a cross-cultural community cooperative effort that joins an eclectic array of musicians from around the globe for a month of collaborative shows across the United States. This music diplomacy program is facilitated by Found Sound Nation and the U.S. State Department and encourages dialogue, creativity, and social engagement beyond the boundaries of nationality, gender, age, or skill level.

"I feel that it's one of the most amazing musical projects that most of us have ever been part of," says One Beat's Bill Carson, a member of the New Music Collective, Garage Cuban Band, and Lindsay Holler's Western Polaroids, among others. "Not many things like this happen anywhere, and I'd like for more Charlestonians to know about it."

This year's performances involve three stops in the Holy City, and the acts include an oud player from Nazareth, a hip Nigerian guitarist, and a Russian beatboxer, among 22 other diverse talents.

The shows are set to take place Sept. 23-25 at Redux, The Pour House, and Circular Congregational Church. For more info, visit 1beat.org.