The World Music Foundation

The World Music Foundation A 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a simple mission: to open minds through Music!

Could there really be a dinosaur hiding in Lake Michigan? Join Mary on an adventurous treasure hunt to discover the lege...
08/23/2026

Could there really be a dinosaur hiding in Lake Michigan? Join Mary on an adventurous treasure hunt to discover the legendary "Dinosaur of Lake Michigan"—also known as the mighty sturgeon!

Featuring hyper-realistic puppets crafted from recyclable materials, live music, and interactive storytelling, this magical outdoor performance celebrates imagination, community, and caring for our environment. Perfect for little explorers ages 3–6 and their caregivers! 💙♻️

📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026
⏰️ 5:30–6:30 PM
📍 Lane Beach Park (5915 N. Sheridan Rd.)
🎟️ FREE admission

Bring the whole family for an evening of theater, creativity, and lakeside fun! 🌿🎭️

08/21/2026

🎶 Reveal Time! ✨ The mystery instrument was the Ayoyotes!
Ayoyotes, also called ayoyotl or huesos, are hard seed pod shells harvested from the ayoyote tree. Once dried and hollowed, the pods are strung together and fastened around a dancer’s ankles and wrists, turning every step into percussion.

They’re important to Azteca (or Concheros) dance, a tradition still practiced today in Mexico and in Mexican American communities across the U.S. Many Azteca dancers perform barefoot, either as a form of sacrifice or as a way of staying connected to the earth.
The tradition itself carries deep symbolism. Dancers wear feathered headdresses and regalia of animals. Clothing colors represent sacred elements like fire, earth, and water. Azteca dance saw a major resurgence during the Chicano movement of the 1960s and 70s, when hundreds of dance groups formed throughout Mexico and Mexican American communities in the U.S.

Thank you to Tlalla (.esparza on Instagram) for the beautiful and educational performance!

🌟 Did you guess it right?

Looking to learn the ukulele? We offer affordable Ukulele Lessons for people of all ages and experience levels. ✨• Kids,...
08/20/2026

Looking to learn the ukulele? We offer affordable Ukulele Lessons for people of all ages and experience levels. ✨
• Kids, teens, and adults welcome
• Beginner-friendly instruction
• Private and group lesson options
• Available online or in person
Lessons are offered online or at our Chicago location.
Enrollment is now open. Register today: https://theworldmusicfoundation.org/lessons/ukuleleclasses/

🎶 What’s That Instrument Wednesday! ✨Hint 1: this instrument has cultural and historical origins and it’s still used tod...
08/19/2026

🎶 What’s That Instrument Wednesday!
✨Hint 1: this instrument has cultural and historical origins and it’s still used today in traditional Mexica dance ceremonies.
✨Hint 2: It gets name from a tree, and the tree’s hard seed pods are what give the instrument its rattling sound often compared to falling rain.
✨Hint 3: It’s not held in the hands — it’s tied around the ankles or wrists of a dancer. Performers are often barefoot to connect with the earth or as a form of sacrifice.
Think you know what this mystery instrument is? 🎶 Drop your guess in the comments!
The instrument will be revealed this Friday! 🌟

Spend an evening by the water with a free outdoor screening of Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere as part of Chicago's...
08/19/2026

Spend an evening by the water with a free outdoor screening of Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere as part of Chicago's Movies in the Parks series. Based on Warren Zanes' acclaimed book, the film explores Bruce Springsteen's creative journey while making his iconic 1982 album Nebraska.

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰️ 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
📍 500–5700 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60614
🎟️ FREE admission

Bring a blanket or lawn chair, settle in along the lakefront, and enjoy an unforgettable night of film, music, and storytelling beneath the stars. 🌟

🎶 Whether you're a lifelong Bruce Springsteen fan or discovering his story for the first time, this is a movie night you won't want to miss!

Adventure is hopping into Berger Park!Enjoy a free outdoor screening of Hoppers as part of Chicago's Movies in the Parks...
08/18/2026

Adventure is hopping into Berger Park!

Enjoy a free outdoor screening of Hoppers as part of Chicago's Movies in the Parks series! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for a fun-filled evening under the stars with family, friends, and neighbors. 🎬️

📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
⏰️ 8:30 PM – 10:15 PM
📍 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660
🎟️ FREE admission

Follow Mabel, a 19-year-old animal lover who uses groundbreaking technology to transfer her mind into a robotic beaver, opening the door to an unforgettable adventure—and the chance to communicate with animals in ways she never imagined.

Pack your favorite movie snacks, find a cozy spot, and enjoy a magical summer movie night outdoors. 🌳🍿

Who's your favorite animated animal character? Let us know in the comments! 🦫

📢 Performance Announcement! 📢We are proud to bring Chicago blues icon Fruteland Jackson back to the stage at Edgewater M...
08/17/2026

📢 Performance Announcement! 📢

We are proud to bring Chicago blues icon Fruteland Jackson back to the stage at Edgewater Music Fest 2026!

Join us on August 30 from 2:45–3:45 p.m. for an unforgettable performance from this celebrated musician, storyteller, and educator as we come together to celebrate the wonderful Edgewater community.

This performance will take place on the North Stage by Broadway and Throndale. Come by our booth before or after the show to say hi!

08/17/2026

B.B. King’s words remind us that knowledge is one of the few things that truly belongs to you. Skills, lessons, and experiences stay with you, shaping how you think, create, and move forward no matter where life takes you.

Learning isn’t always fast or easy, but every step adds something lasting. The effort you put into understanding, growing, and improving becomes a foundation you can carry for a lifetime.

What’s something you’ve learned that continues to guide or influence you today?

08/14/2026

The mystery instrument is... the Irish bouzouki! 🇮🇪 🎶

Though its roots can be traced to the Greek bouzouki, the Irish bouzouki is a modern adaptation that found its place in traditional Irish music during the folk revival of the 1960s. Irish musicians were looking for fresh ways to accompany traditional tunes while honoring the music's rich heritage. By modifying the instrument with a longer neck, a flatter back, and tunings better suited to Irish music, they created a version that blended seamlessly into sessions and performances.

Today, the Irish bouzouki is valued less as a melody instrument and more for its rhythmic and harmonic support. Its bright, resonant sound and ringing paired strings provide a rich backdrop for fiddles, flutes, pipes, and other traditional instruments, helping drive the rhythm while adding depth and texture to the music. Though it isn't one of Ireland's oldest traditional instruments, it has become an unmistakable part of the modern Irish folk sound.

Did you guess it correctly? Let us know in the comments! 👇️

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Chicago, IL

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+17738500087

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