World Music Series

About

WORLD MUSIC SERIES

Fall 2026

WEDNESDAYS | 12 PM | MUSIC BOWL | FREE

Experience rhythms, cultures, and sounds from around the world with the World Music Series featuring a vibrant lineup of global and local music traditions, performed live on campus throughout the Fall 2026 quarter.

Wednesdays, Noon, Free at the Music Department’s Outdoor Amphitheater, the Music Bowl

Presented by the UCSB MultiCultural Center & the Ethnomusicology Program in the Department of Music

NORTEÑO MUSIC with LOS CATANES DEL NORTE Wednesday, Oct. 7th Los Catanes del Norte will perform music from different regions in Mexico including corridos, rancheras, and boleros norteños.

Mariachi Las Olas de Santa Barbara Wednesday, Oct. 14th Santa Barbara-based Mariachi Las Olas, founded and directed by Juan Zaragoza, will perform various music genres from Mexico including rancheras, boleros, corridos, sones and gustos.

UCSB Middle East Ensemble Wednesday, Oct 21st Scott Marcus leads a performance by the UCSB Middle East Ensemble of music and dance from a variety of Middle Eastern cultures, performed on traditional Middle Eastern instruments.

UCSB GAMELAN ENSEMBLE Wednesday, Oct. 28th Directed by Richard North, the UCSB Gamelan Ensemble will showcase an ancient style of gamelan from Cirebon, West Java, featuring dynamic drumming, delicate melodies, and lively interlocking rhythms.

UCSB GOSPEL CHOIR Wednesday, Nov. 4th Directed by Victor Bell, the UCSB Gospel Choir will perform traditional and contemporary songs drawn from African American religious traditions.

Wednesday, Nov. 11th VETERANS DAY!!!! No concert

UCSB SON JAROCHO ENSEMBLE Wednesday, Nov. 18th Directed by Jorge Mijangos, the UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble presents music and dance from Veracruz, Mexico that blends Mexican, Spanish and African elements. Largely focused on fandango–a space that promotes community and cultural identity through song, dance and verse–the music is deeply tied to nature, rural life, and social justice.