National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Globalfest, New York's annual world music blowout, enters its fourth year on Sunday, January 21, 2007, with a change of venue and an eclectic new lineup of musicians from around the globe.

Citing the festival's past success and growing annual attendance, Globafest organizers have moved the event from Joe's Pub and the Public Theatre to the more capacious Webster Hall. But festival co-founder Bill Bragin wants audiences to know that a change in venue won't mean a change in quality. "In terms of programming, fans can expect the same mix of established names and new revelations as in past years, that all address the unanswerable question of 'what is world music?' in their own way," says Bragin.

Among this year's peformers will be Brazilian pop star Lenine, Cape Verdean singer Sara Tavares, Israeli surf-rockers Boom Pam, Cambodian-American garage rockers Dengue Fever, Spanish flamenco-fusionists Chambao, Senegalese songstress Julia Sarr backed by French guitarist Patrice Larose, Palestinian oud ensemble Le Trio Joubran, Belizian punta-rocker Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective, Colombian singer Lucia Pulido, and African-American roots trio The Carolina Chocolate Drops.

The varied mix of artists is in keeping with Globalfest's original goal of "spotlighting underexposed hybrids, roots revivalists, and virtuosic performers from all corners," and exposing them to American audiences. "We launched the event in the wake of 9/11," explains co-founder Isabel Soffer, "when international artists were struggling to tour because of the increasingly restrictive American visa process, yet American audiences were expressing more interest in global culture."

For more information on Globalfest 2007, including complete lineup, showtimes, and ticketing, consult the festival's website.