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Robert and Helene Browning celebrate 50 years of presenting world music & dance.
April 28th of this year marked our 50th anniversary of presenting concerts of music and dance from around the world - an incredible journey with more than 2,500 concerts in New York and tours throughout the US by artists from Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. These presentations have been under the auspices of the Alternative Museum (previously called the ACIA), World Music Institute, and Robert Browning Associates. It was on April 28, 1976 that we presented the Andean group Tahuantinsuyo at the Alternative Center for International Arts (ACIA) on East 4th Street in Manhattan. "Their work set into motion nothing less than a seismic shift in the cultural terrain of New York City and beyond. " - The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage |
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UPCOMING FALL 2026/SPRING 2027 CONCERTS
© Oukool Creative
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present in association with Brooklyn Maqam
Firas Zreik
Tarabesque: New Journeys in Arabic Music
Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm
Composer & master qanun (zither) player Firas Zreik has performed and recorded across the world as a leader and highly sought collaborator. The Palestine-born New Yorker has transformed global perception of the qanun. Zreik recently received recognition for his songwriting collaboration with Puerto Rican artist Residente on the song “Bajo los Escombros,” which was part of the Grammy-winning Best Musica Urbana Album 2024. Over the years, he has collaborated with a cross-section of leading artists, including Simon Shaheen, Amir ElSaffar, Roger Waters, Residente, G.E. Smith, and Fabrizio Cassol. MORE INFO...
Firas Zreik
Tarabesque: New Journeys in Arabic Music
Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm
Composer & master qanun (zither) player Firas Zreik has performed and recorded across the world as a leader and highly sought collaborator. The Palestine-born New Yorker has transformed global perception of the qanun. Zreik recently received recognition for his songwriting collaboration with Puerto Rican artist Residente on the song “Bajo los Escombros,” which was part of the Grammy-winning Best Musica Urbana Album 2024. Over the years, he has collaborated with a cross-section of leading artists, including Simon Shaheen, Amir ElSaffar, Roger Waters, Residente, G.E. Smith, and Fabrizio Cassol. MORE INFO...
Max ZT photo credit: Shervin Lainez
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present in association with
Sneh Arts
Max ZT, Kunal Gunjal
& Amit Kavthekar
Strings of Soul
Friday, October 16, 2026 at 8:00pm
Hammered dulcimer virtuoso Max ZT, santoor (zither) master Kunal Gunjal, and Amit Kavthekar, a top-ranking tabla (drums) player of his generation, unite in a groundbreaking and unprecedented musical journey combining Western jazz, ambient music, American folk, and traditional Indian classical music. MORE INFO...
Sneh Arts
Max ZT, Kunal Gunjal
& Amit Kavthekar
Strings of Soul
Friday, October 16, 2026 at 8:00pm
Hammered dulcimer virtuoso Max ZT, santoor (zither) master Kunal Gunjal, and Amit Kavthekar, a top-ranking tabla (drums) player of his generation, unite in a groundbreaking and unprecedented musical journey combining Western jazz, ambient music, American folk, and traditional Indian classical music. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Sahba Motallebi & Ensemble
Persian Music: An Evening of Solidarity and Harmony
Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 8:00pm
Sahba Motallebi, known as the "Queen of the Tar," is recognized internationally for her exquisite performances of Persian music on the tar, a lute-like stringed instrument central to one of the world’s great musical traditions. Widely recognized as a master of the Persian tar, she has dedicated her life to preserving the rich traditions of Persian classical music while expanding its expressive possibilities through original composition and interdisciplinary artistic work. With a career that spans decades, she has been acclaimed for her solo performances and collaborations with such renowned artists as Hossein Alizadeh, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Yo-Yo Ma, and Kayhan Kalhor, and her work on the Grammy-winning Fandango at the Wall album. MORE INFO...
Sahba Motallebi & Ensemble
Persian Music: An Evening of Solidarity and Harmony
Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 8:00pm
Sahba Motallebi, known as the "Queen of the Tar," is recognized internationally for her exquisite performances of Persian music on the tar, a lute-like stringed instrument central to one of the world’s great musical traditions. Widely recognized as a master of the Persian tar, she has dedicated her life to preserving the rich traditions of Persian classical music while expanding its expressive possibilities through original composition and interdisciplinary artistic work. With a career that spans decades, she has been acclaimed for her solo performances and collaborations with such renowned artists as Hossein Alizadeh, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Yo-Yo Ma, and Kayhan Kalhor, and her work on the Grammy-winning Fandango at the Wall album. MORE INFO...
l.to r: Julie Lemberger; Bla Go, Richard Termine
Lotus Music & Dance in partnership with Robert Browning Associates presents
World Dance Festival
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 4:00pm
This annual dance festival, now celebrating its 11th anniversary, highlights a culturally diverse spectrum of distinctive expressions through music and dance. This concert features three exciting ensembles. The Balam Dance Theatre will present the action-packed story ballet “Abduction of Sita,” its signature Balinese fusion dance work. Elissaveta Iordanova’s Gorana Bulgarian Dance, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, shows the differences in the various folk regions of Bulgaria, with a program characterized by complex tempos, cheerful energy, and uneven rhythms. Feraba: West African Rhythm and Tap explores rhythm as a shared language that connects cultures, generations, and histories. Rooted in West African rhythms and American tap technique, Feraba, now in its 30th year, presents “Memory of Tomorrow,” which celebrates rhythm as memory,
communication and a living tradition that continues to evolve. MORE INFO...
World Dance Festival
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 4:00pm
This annual dance festival, now celebrating its 11th anniversary, highlights a culturally diverse spectrum of distinctive expressions through music and dance. This concert features three exciting ensembles. The Balam Dance Theatre will present the action-packed story ballet “Abduction of Sita,” its signature Balinese fusion dance work. Elissaveta Iordanova’s Gorana Bulgarian Dance, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, shows the differences in the various folk regions of Bulgaria, with a program characterized by complex tempos, cheerful energy, and uneven rhythms. Feraba: West African Rhythm and Tap explores rhythm as a shared language that connects cultures, generations, and histories. Rooted in West African rhythms and American tap technique, Feraba, now in its 30th year, presents “Memory of Tomorrow,” which celebrates rhythm as memory,
communication and a living tradition that continues to evolve. MORE INFO...
l.to r: Wirasandi Rusian, Ismael Fernandez
Lotus Music & Dance in partnership with Robert Browning Associates presents
World Dance Festival
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 4:00pm
The festival continues on this date with three outstanding ensembles.
Saung Budaya West Sumatran Dance Company invites audiences on a cultural journey through the Indonesian archipelago with its “Spirit of Spice Island” program that showcases the diverse traditions of West Java, the Maluku Islands and Aceh. Trinayan Odissi Dance Collective led by artistic director Bani Ray presents a program that asks the questions: How does the sacred become visible, tangible, felt? Kritya Kuchipudi Dance Ensemble presents a program of South Indian classical dance that features intricate footwork, athletic movement, expressive storytelling and an original choreography by Yamini Kalluri. MORE INFO...
World Dance Festival
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 4:00pm
The festival continues on this date with three outstanding ensembles.
Saung Budaya West Sumatran Dance Company invites audiences on a cultural journey through the Indonesian archipelago with its “Spirit of Spice Island” program that showcases the diverse traditions of West Java, the Maluku Islands and Aceh. Trinayan Odissi Dance Collective led by artistic director Bani Ray presents a program that asks the questions: How does the sacred become visible, tangible, felt? Kritya Kuchipudi Dance Ensemble presents a program of South Indian classical dance that features intricate footwork, athletic movement, expressive storytelling and an original choreography by Yamini Kalluri. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in partnership with Flamenco Festival present
Flamenco Festival
Friday, March 5, 2027 at 8:00pm
Artists to be announced
This program features artists direct from Spain in the 26th annual Flamenco Festival.
Flamenco Festival
Friday, March 5, 2027 at 8:00pm
Artists to be announced
This program features artists direct from Spain in the 26th annual Flamenco Festival.
©Jack Vartoogian/Front Row Photos
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present in association with Brooklyn Maqam
Simon Shaheen Ensemble
Music of the Arab World
Saturday, March 6, 2027 at 8:00pm
Simon Shaheen is one of the world’s greatest players of the ‘ud (lute) and one of the most influential Arab musicians and composers of his generation, has enthralled audiences with his mastery of both the ‘ud and violin and his brilliant improvisations. His concert credits include some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Cairo's Opera House, Theatre de la Ville in Beirut, and Belgium's Le Palais des Arts. MORE INFO...
Simon Shaheen Ensemble
Music of the Arab World
Saturday, March 6, 2027 at 8:00pm
Simon Shaheen is one of the world’s greatest players of the ‘ud (lute) and one of the most influential Arab musicians and composers of his generation, has enthralled audiences with his mastery of both the ‘ud and violin and his brilliant improvisations. His concert credits include some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Cairo's Opera House, Theatre de la Ville in Beirut, and Belgium's Le Palais des Arts. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Derek Gripper
Music from the Strings of Mali
Saturday, March 13, 2027 at 8:00pm
South Africa’s master guitarist Derek Gripper magically conjures anew a centuries-old ancient South African musical heritage interpreting kora (21-string harp-lute) compositions on solo guitar. It was 15 years ago that he did what everyone said was impossible: he recorded the works of Mali’s great Toumani Diabate on solo classical guitar. Since then, he has produced nearly 30 albums ranging from Diabate to Bach to Arvo Part to Keith Jarrett-style improvisations, and collaborated with Diabate, Ballake Sissoko, and classical guitar legend John Williams. MORE INFO...
Derek Gripper
Music from the Strings of Mali
Saturday, March 13, 2027 at 8:00pm
South Africa’s master guitarist Derek Gripper magically conjures anew a centuries-old ancient South African musical heritage interpreting kora (21-string harp-lute) compositions on solo guitar. It was 15 years ago that he did what everyone said was impossible: he recorded the works of Mali’s great Toumani Diabate on solo classical guitar. Since then, he has produced nearly 30 albums ranging from Diabate to Bach to Arvo Part to Keith Jarrett-style improvisations, and collaborated with Diabate, Ballake Sissoko, and classical guitar legend John Williams. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present in association with
Sneh Arts
Rahul Sharma & Amit Kavthekar
Tribute to Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain
Friday, March 19, 2027 at 8:00pm
Two extraordinary musicians, santoor (hammered dulcimer) player Rahul Sharma and tabla (drums) player Amit Kavthekar, pay tribute to two of the greatest musicians in Indian music in recent years. Shivkumar Sharma, India’s foremost master of the santoor, was responsible for developing the santoor from a little known Kashmiri folk instrument into a solo instrument in the classical North Indian repertoire. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, an international phenomenon, was one of the world’s most influential musicians and celebrated as the finest percussionist in world music. MORE INFO...
Sneh Arts
Rahul Sharma & Amit Kavthekar
Tribute to Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain
Friday, March 19, 2027 at 8:00pm
Two extraordinary musicians, santoor (hammered dulcimer) player Rahul Sharma and tabla (drums) player Amit Kavthekar, pay tribute to two of the greatest musicians in Indian music in recent years. Shivkumar Sharma, India’s foremost master of the santoor, was responsible for developing the santoor from a little known Kashmiri folk instrument into a solo instrument in the classical North Indian repertoire. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, an international phenomenon, was one of the world’s most influential musicians and celebrated as the finest percussionist in world music. MORE INFO...
© Annie Diotte
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Le Vent du Nord
Music of Quebec: 25th Anniversary!
Friday, April 2, 2027 at 8:00pm
cclaimed for its joyful and dynamic performances, Le Vent du Nord is a driving force of the Quebec progressive folk movement, as well as a leading group in the revival of traditional music in Quebec. Since its founding in 2002, it has performed more than 2,400 concerts on four continents, released 13 albums and received numerous prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros (France), and two Juno (Canadian Grammy) awards. The group, composed of Nicolas Boulerice, André Brunet, Réjean Brunet, Olivier Demers, and André Gagné, performs a vast repertoire of works from the traditional repertoire and original compositions. MORE INFO...
Le Vent du Nord
Music of Quebec: 25th Anniversary!
Friday, April 2, 2027 at 8:00pm
cclaimed for its joyful and dynamic performances, Le Vent du Nord is a driving force of the Quebec progressive folk movement, as well as a leading group in the revival of traditional music in Quebec. Since its founding in 2002, it has performed more than 2,400 concerts on four continents, released 13 albums and received numerous prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros (France), and two Juno (Canadian Grammy) awards. The group, composed of Nicolas Boulerice, André Brunet, Réjean Brunet, Olivier Demers, and André Gagné, performs a vast repertoire of works from the traditional repertoire and original compositions. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present in association with Brooklyn Maqam and the Yemeni Cultural Center
Fuad Al-Kibsi
Music of Yemen
Friday, April 9, 2027 at 8:00pm
Fuad Al-Kibsi, one of Yemen’s most celebrated artists, is a renowned singer and oud (lute) player noted for preserving the ancient scholarly and oral traditional regional styles of Yemen. Born in Sana’a, he is the son of the famous poet and musician Abdallah Hashim Al-Kibsi, with whom he studied music. He also was influenced by such Yemeni singers as al-Sunaidar, al-Anisi and al-Harithi, and his work has frequently been featured in the annual New York Oud Festival presented by Brooklyn Maqam. In addition to his performance in this program, artists from the Yemeni community will pay tribute to his extensive contributions to Yemeni music. MORE INFO...
Fuad Al-Kibsi
Music of Yemen
Friday, April 9, 2027 at 8:00pm
Fuad Al-Kibsi, one of Yemen’s most celebrated artists, is a renowned singer and oud (lute) player noted for preserving the ancient scholarly and oral traditional regional styles of Yemen. Born in Sana’a, he is the son of the famous poet and musician Abdallah Hashim Al-Kibsi, with whom he studied music. He also was influenced by such Yemeni singers as al-Sunaidar, al-Anisi and al-Harithi, and his work has frequently been featured in the annual New York Oud Festival presented by Brooklyn Maqam. In addition to his performance in this program, artists from the Yemeni community will pay tribute to his extensive contributions to Yemeni music. MORE INFO...
Kory Williams
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in association with Brooklyn Maqam present
Nibal Malshi
Songs of the Arab World
Saturday, April 17, 2027 at 8:00pm
This captivating program of Middle Eastern songs features the return visit of the exquisite Palestinian singer Nibal Malshi, who has been noted for her evocative vocals. Born in Haifa and raised in the village of Isfya on Mount Carmel, she began singing at the age of five and has devoted her life to the love of music inspired by many Arab and Mediterranean artists. She graduated from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and has performed with such virtuoso musicians as Simon Shaheen and the National Arab Orchestra under the direction of Michael Ibrahim. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was honored as an "Arab America Foundation 40 Under 40" award recipient in 2023. MORE INFO...
Nibal Malshi
Songs of the Arab World
Saturday, April 17, 2027 at 8:00pm
This captivating program of Middle Eastern songs features the return visit of the exquisite Palestinian singer Nibal Malshi, who has been noted for her evocative vocals. Born in Haifa and raised in the village of Isfya on Mount Carmel, she began singing at the age of five and has devoted her life to the love of music inspired by many Arab and Mediterranean artists. She graduated from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and has performed with such virtuoso musicians as Simon Shaheen and the National Arab Orchestra under the direction of Michael Ibrahim. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was honored as an "Arab America Foundation 40 Under 40" award recipient in 2023. MORE INFO...
2023/24 CONCERT VIDEOS
SPRING 2024
All our Winter/Spring 2024 concerts are now viewable on Youtube:
Hamza Akram Qawwal and Brothers Sufi Chants
Antonia Jimenez Inma La Carbonera A Gaya - Flamenco Festival 2024
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Blues from Mali – return performance -by popular demand!
Ara Dinkjian, Arsen Petrosyan and String Quartet: Music of Armenia
Firas Zreik & Ensemble: New Journeys in Arabic Music
Shahid Parvez Indian Masters
Alam Khan - Indian Masters
Hamza Akram Qawwal and Brothers Sufi Chants
Antonia Jimenez Inma La Carbonera A Gaya - Flamenco Festival 2024
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Blues from Mali – return performance -by popular demand!
Ara Dinkjian, Arsen Petrosyan and String Quartet: Music of Armenia
Firas Zreik & Ensemble: New Journeys in Arabic Music
Shahid Parvez Indian Masters
Alam Khan - Indian Masters
SPRING 2023
Five of the spring concerts are now viewable on Youtube:
Nibal Malshi
Rafael Riqueni
gamin
Bassekou Kouyate
Sahba Motallebi
Nibal Malshi
Rafael Riqueni
gamin
Bassekou Kouyate
Sahba Motallebi
IN MEMORIAM
© NPR/Tiny Desk Concerts at Home
Abdullah Ibrahim
October 9, 1934 – June 15, 2026
The legendary jazz pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim, the elder statesman of South African jazz whose career spanned eight decades, was one of South Africa's most treasured cultural icons. Born in Cape Town, he performed professionally by the age of 15 and went on to inspire new generations of jazz pianists and become an ambassador of the anti-apartheid movement. At the beginning of his career he was known as Dollar Brand, but he changed his name in the '60s after he converted to Islam. Nelson Mandala hailed him as "our Mozart," and his famed "Mannenberg" work was an unofficial anthem of the struggle for freedom. In 2019, he was honored with the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in recognition of his lifetime achievement in jazz.
Under the auspices of World Music Institute, we presented him in March of 1999 in what turned out to be an amazing performance.
"...a vital force onstage." - New York Times
New York Times obituary by Giovanni Russonello
October 9, 1934 – June 15, 2026
The legendary jazz pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim, the elder statesman of South African jazz whose career spanned eight decades, was one of South Africa's most treasured cultural icons. Born in Cape Town, he performed professionally by the age of 15 and went on to inspire new generations of jazz pianists and become an ambassador of the anti-apartheid movement. At the beginning of his career he was known as Dollar Brand, but he changed his name in the '60s after he converted to Islam. Nelson Mandala hailed him as "our Mozart," and his famed "Mannenberg" work was an unofficial anthem of the struggle for freedom. In 2019, he was honored with the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in recognition of his lifetime achievement in jazz.
Under the auspices of World Music Institute, we presented him in March of 1999 in what turned out to be an amazing performance.
"...a vital force onstage." - New York Times
New York Times obituary by Giovanni Russonello
© Josh Pullman
Toto la Momposina
August 1, 1940 - May 17, 2026
Toto la Momposina was known as the "Queen of Cumbia," the hypnotic drum-based rhythm of Colombia. Celebrated throughout the world for decades for her joyful performances, she was a commanding ambassador of Afro-Colombian music who was dedicated to preserving roots music. One of the highlights of her career was performing in Sweden at Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Nobel Prize in Literature ceremony. She made many recordings, and, in 2013, received a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Grammy Awards.
In April 2002, under the auspices of World Music institute in collaboration with the Caribbean Cultural Center, we presented her in an unforgettable transfixing performance at Town Hall.
"...a true soul singer - in the present sense of the word." Time Out, London
"She always lit up the stage with her warmth, musicianship and that extraordinary voice." - Peter Gabriel
New York Times obituary by Sarah Goodman
August 1, 1940 - May 17, 2026
Toto la Momposina was known as the "Queen of Cumbia," the hypnotic drum-based rhythm of Colombia. Celebrated throughout the world for decades for her joyful performances, she was a commanding ambassador of Afro-Colombian music who was dedicated to preserving roots music. One of the highlights of her career was performing in Sweden at Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Nobel Prize in Literature ceremony. She made many recordings, and, in 2013, received a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Grammy Awards.
In April 2002, under the auspices of World Music institute in collaboration with the Caribbean Cultural Center, we presented her in an unforgettable transfixing performance at Town Hall.
"...a true soul singer - in the present sense of the word." Time Out, London
"She always lit up the stage with her warmth, musicianship and that extraordinary voice." - Peter Gabriel
New York Times obituary by Sarah Goodman