National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

For over two decades the World Music Institute has been a fixture of the New York music community, presenting some of the biggest names in international music on some of the city's most prestigious stages. On Wednesday, September 10th New Yorkers will have the chance to give something back to the venerable non-profit organization with a holiday "Benefit Bash" for WMI.

Held at East Village nightspot Drom, the evening will feature DJs spinning music from around the world, including DJ David Medina spinning Latin music, DJ Cato aka Congri spinning afrobeat/Brazilian sounds, DJ Joro-Boro spinning gypsy joints/Balkan breaks, DJ Karsh Kale spinning Asian underground, and DJ Funmi spinning "Delights of the Diaspora". In addition to the DJs, special guest artists will also be performing, and guests will have a chance to meet, mingle and dance with the WMI staff and members. Early birds can enjoy complimentary drinks from 7 to 8 pm, sponsored by Sagatiba Cachaça.

The evening's $20 cover charge will go towards a challenge grant from the Cary Trust, a long-time supporter, to help WMI create a cash reserve. The Cary Trust will match gifts on a 1:1 basis, and any funds raised by December 31 will draw a matching gift of equal value.

Founded in 1985, the World Music Institute is a not-for-profit organization "dedicated to the research, documentation and presentation of traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world. Since its founding, World Music Institute has built the most comprehensive concert series of traditional music and dance in the United States. Through its concerts WMI seeks to entertain, educate and to provide spiritual nourishment. Music and dance in their myriad forms are both a means to communicate social values and a measure of a society's aspirations. WMI's programs of traditional music and dance are intended to reinforce the cultural values of the communities and to communicate to outsiders the unique power of each individual culture."