SOUTHGATE - The Southgate House is the home of the first World Music Festival of Greater Cincinnati, an event that offers patrons a night of music from around the world. The event will bring together 13 acts playing everything from Celtic and Reggae music to Salsa and Middle Eastern fusion sounds. "This festival started out of the ashes of World Jam," said event organizer Zach Mechlem, who came up with the idea for the festival.
Mechlem's band Mohenjo Daro, played at World Jam in 1999 and 2000, but bad weather both years lead to little success and the event was discontinued. "When World Jam ended, I couldn't believe no one picked up the ball and started another world music festival," Mechlem said. "That's why I got the idea to have a festival at The Southgate House.
" The Southgate House is the perfect venue for this kind of festival, said event organizer Liz Wu. "The Southgate House has three stages, so we can have music playing at all of them all night," Wu said. Along with the music, the event includes an art exhibit with an international theme and a VIP dinner at Mammoth Cafe before the concert.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Global Center of Greater Cincinnati, a non-profit organization with a mission to help local residents discover the world by hosting educational programs and creating international networks. "This is something this area has needed for a long time," Mechlem said. "It's like a working metaphor for unity.
News RSS