Now a nonprofit organization with satellite events, the organizers (all respected locally and internationally) originally looked at it as an opportunity to serve world music artists and fans as well as the greater U.S. by getting more world music acts into more communities. They maximized the impact of the night by holding it during the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference (APAP/NYC), which draws thousands of arts professionals to the city each January.
"We founded it in 2003—this was still during the early wake of 9/11, and the drums of war were sounding, and with that, we saw a rising sense of xenophobia," Mr. Bragin recalled. "So we also wanted to make a positive stand to support international cultural exchange and a more global perspective."
The Wall Street Journal recently caught up with the organizers to get their thoughts on this year's globalFEST and highlights of years past.
Bill Bragin, director of Public Programming at Lincoln Center, 46, is responsible for curating Midsummer Night Swing, Lincoln Center Out of Doors and some of the Target Free Thursdays performances at the David Rubenstein Atrium.
Prediction for this year:
We always book a few artists who are making their U.S. or N.Y. debuts at globalFEST, so even the three of us haven't seen the Bombay Royale or Brushy One-String before. Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta is another group that is unknown here—I accidentally ended up seeing their set at SXSW and it knocked me out.
Favorite globalFEST moment:
When we're down to the last artist of the night, in the Studio space in the basement, and people are dancing and buzzing on all the music they've seen.
Isabel Soffer, founder of Live Sounds, 48, produces 20-plus concerts in New York City and collaborates with musicians, dancers, curators and organizations world-wide.
Prediction for this year:
Several artists have already secured U.S.-based agents to represent them. It's one of the biggest hurdles for international artists and most have already been able to start building tours knowing that globalFEST will bring more dates.
Favorite globalFEST moment:
Producing N.Y. Day at Festival d'ile de France where we invited eight bands to celebrate the history of N.Y.C. through music; the globalFEST stage at Bonnaroo; getting our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization status.
Shanta Thake, director of Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, 34, is responsible for the day-to-day operations, programming and artistic vision of Joe's Pub.
Prediction for this year:
I'm a huge fan of banjo player Abigail Washburn and am really looking forward to this new even deeper exploration of Chinese music with her incredible collaborators. I loved Baloji at Joe's Pub and can't wait to see him rock the Grand Ballroom stage.
Favorite globalFEST moment:
Wang Li, the virtuoso Chinese jaw harp and sheng player. He was very nervous performing in the Studio space because it's typically the most raucous party room, and you could hear a pin drop.
