Southern Indiana Pipes and Drums - Scottish bagpipes

Southern Indiana Pipes and Drums emerged in 2005, as a band of Merry Pipers and Drummers from the scattered corners of Indiana (and beyond). One of the largest bagpipe bands in the region, the active membership includes over 30 individuals ranging in age from 7 to 78 and in experience from fresh beginner to competition grade piper. http://www.southindianapipes.com/

North Star Capoeira - Brazilian Martial Arts

Capoeira Angola is an Afro-Brazilian cultural art that was developed in Brazil by Africans from the West Coast of Africa, who were enslaved by the Portuguese as early as the 16th century. Out of a will to preserve traditional rituals, spirituality, and musical rhythms and the need to secretly practice martial arts to fight for freedom, Capoeira Angola was born.

Capoeira Angola is played in a circle called a “roda”(pronounced “hoda”) The roda consists of a circle of players who are playing instruments, singing, and doing a series of dance and martial arts movements. Theatrical antics, competition, and trickery make for an exciting show, while the traditional African rhythms and singing keep the energy levels high and lead the game from its slow, somber beginning to its lively crescendo.

The importance in preserving Capoeira Angola lies in remembering and respecting the forefathers who created this beautiful art while living in a time suffering and slavery, as well as in the benefits to mind body and spirit that it brings to its practitioners.

Blue Django - Gypsy Jazz -

Bleu Django is a gypsy jazz quartet which performs the music of the Quintette of the Hot Club of France, Europe's first jazz combo created in Paris in the 1930s by gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and French violinist Stephane Grappelli. The group has played at such venues as the Chatterbox Jazz Club, the IU Art Museum, the Chautauqua Jazz Festival in Chautauqua, N.Y., the Battleground Fiddlers' Gathering, and the Uptown Jazz and Blues Festival in Lafayette.

Its members are Carolyn Dutton, violin; Daryl Jones and Bob Foster, guitars; and Hunt Wiley, bass. www.myspace.com/bleudjango

Afro Hoosier International - Afropop and world music

Afro Hoosier International is an Afropop and World Music dance band that has been performing for over 10 years in the Bloomington area. The current line-up features strong vocal harmonies, horns and auxiliary percussion to create an authentic African sound. Musical selections include music from all over the African continent and African-influenced music from around the world. Styles include Afropop, Reggae, Funk, Rumba, Bossa Nova, Afrobeat and more. The music is presented with lots of energy and fun, making it easily accessible to any audience and almost impossible not to dance to! www.afrohoosier.com

Duo Espanas - Flamenco guitarists

The story of Duo Espanas is the story of two guitarists who travelled around the world to establish themselves in the US at a young age. Atanas Tzvetkov, from Bulgaria, and Espen Jensen, from Norway, arrived in Bloomington, IN two years apart in the 1990s where they both enrolled in the graduate guitar program at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music. They have since earned master’s degrees, diplomas, and doctoral degrees in guitar performance and have firmly established themselves as classical guitarists in the city of Bloomington, the state of Indiana, and far beyond. After collaborating musically at many occasions while in school, Atanas and Espen permanently joined forces and established the guitar duo Duo Espanas in 2006. Since then, they have performed regularly and have built an exciting repertoire with a strong emphasis on music from Latin America and Spain. Their repertoire builds bridges between popular, traditional, and classical music, and is known for the range of expressions and display of guitar technique. www.atanasguitar.com

RAAT Band - Contemporary music from India

Raat Band was formed by two friends, Syed Bukhari (Keyboards & Backup Vocals) & Sam (Vocalist) in 1995. Later on 2 other members, Raju (Lead Guitar & Vocalist) & Ikki (Drummer & Percussionist) joined Raat to complete the Band. Raat Band performed in 45 US States, Canada, UK, Middle East & Europe with Various singers from India & Pakistan. Raat performs a variety of songs from Bollywood Films and private albums from various singers. Band sings Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi & Bhangra songs. The Band also accepts requests from the audience. Currently Raat Band is working on its album at Raat Production Studios which will be released in the summer of 2011.