Worldbeat Sessions
The Backstage Lounge, 1585 Johnston, Granville Island, Vancouver Join DJ Michael Laycock (Electropical), guest DJ Nils (Beats Without Borders), and percussionist Kurai Mubaiwa (Zimbamoto) on Saturday, May 20 at the Backstage Lounge for Worldbeat Sessions — a night of danceable global grooves.
THE NIGHT
We’ll go deep into the space where African, Latin, funk, and electronic music meet as we explore the grooves we have in common. Plus, DJ Michael marks 50 laps around the sun on the long weekend, so there’s plenty to celebrate.
THE DJs
Guest DJ Nils has been DJing since the early ‘90s and is a founding member of Vancouver’s long-running Beats Without Borders collective. He’s played festivals like Diversity, Big Time Out, and Shambhala, and he’s opened for headliners like Nickodemus, Femi Kuti, and Gaudi. He’s an inspiring DJ with a knack for reading the energy of a room and giving the dance floor just what it needs. Nils last appeared at Worldbeat Sessions in January 2016.
DJ Michael Laycock launched Worldbeat Sessions in March 2015 and has shared the stage with some of the city’s best selectors of global grooves (including DJs Hubbz, Bassos Rancheros, and Julio Montero, to name just a few). In late 2014, he wrapped up a decade-long run as co-producer (with DJ Marc Fournier) of Electropical, an acclaimed monthly worldbeat dance party.
THE PERCUSSIONIST
Kurai Mubaiwa has been an established world musician and music teacher since 1994. He has toured across Europe, West Africa, Southern Africa, and Canada with artists such as Chiwoniso Maraire, Cesaria Evora, and Vusi Mahlasela at internationally recognized concerts and festivals. Kurai is a member of the Vancouver world music groups Zimbamoto and the Zhambai Trio. He has played the mbira since childhood in his native Zimbabwe and is perhaps the best mbira/marimba player in Canada today.
ABOUT WORLDBEAT SESSIONS
Michael teams up with an evolving roster of worldbeat DJs and musicians to explore the global soundscape. From Latin to funk, Arabian to Balkan, and Indian to African, each edition of Worldbeat Sessions is a new international dance floor journey.
COVER
$10