Bay View’s Humboldt Park is the scene for some serious music this Saturday, September 15, from 12-6 p.m. Alverno Presents is making the world seem a little smaller, just for one day, at its signature event Global Union. Moving from a two-day to a one-day format, Alverno Presents doesn’t want you to miss any of the excitement. David Ravel, Director of Alverno Presents, is so passionate about the artists and performances he brings to Milwaukee, so I asked him to tell us about this event.
JK: You’ve been known to discover some of these bands right before they get really famous. Which act this year do you think is on the brink of stardom?
DR: The four bands this year are a particularly strong line-up. We can never predict who will emerge as the crowd favorite, but if we were betting people, we’d take odds on Movits. Three words: Swedish. Hip. Hop.
JK: Many of these artists convey messages of social consciousness. Why is that such a popular theme with world artists and not always Americans as of late?
DR: Questions of social justice and equality go all the way back to Aeschylus. I don’t think this is the special provenance of global artists. Many American artists engage political themes in their work. Springsteen, Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone are classic examples. Younger artists such as Titus Andronicus, [and] Tune-Yards come to mind.
JK: Is there one country that hasn’t been represented or one artist you really want to bring to Global Union next year?
DR: I think we’ve covered all the continents except Antarctica. If you have a line on a penguin choir, we’d be interested – especially if they get the crowd dancing.
Here is the line up for the day:
12: 30 p.m. – M.A.K.U. Sound System (Columbia) – Afro-Colombian rhythms with a punk-jazz twist.
2:00 p.m. – MC Rai (Tunisia) – A fusion of Chaabi, Rai, rock and hip-hop.
3:30 p.m. – Rana Santa Cruz (Mexico City) – Alternative Mexican folk music with an accordion accompaniment.
5:00 p.m. – Movits! (Sweden) – The first Swedish hip hop/awing ensemble to perform at Global Union.
As long as you are going to be in Bayview, check out Bay View Bash, between Potter and Clement on Kinnickinnic Avenue until 10 p.m. There will be plenty more music, food, dancing and fun, but maybe a little less culture than Global Union. “We don’t have any formal partnership, but do think that the two events complement each other very well. Many people do both and move back and forth throughout the day,” says Ravel.
And in case you didn’t know, Alverno Presents, the performing arts series of Alverno College, is the longest running, continuous arts presenter in the city, specializing in contemporary dance, world music and jazz.
Global Union will happen Saturday rain or shine and again, this family-friendly event is free to attend.
Follow me on Twitter as @jkashou to stay on top of what’s happening around town or search #GirlAboutTown.
Photos courtesy of Alverno Presents.
