Sitarist Anoushka Shankar continues her fusion of Indian classical and other world music traditions with a performance at Lisner. DCist interviewed her in advance of the show.

Sitarist Anoushka Shankar has always sought to infuse her classical Indian music with a more international sound. On Friday, she will perform at Lisner with an ensemble that combines her ancient traditions with Spanish flamenco.

Yamato blends theatricality and showmanship with the ancient traditions of Japanese taiko drumming. The 17-piece percussion ensemble will be at Lisner on Sunday for a 7 p.m. show.

Though I was born a few years after the band broke up, I grew up listening to The Beatles and their classic recordings laid the foundation of my musical taste. For people in my position, the closest we can come to seeing the band is by shelling out a good chunk of change to catch Sir Paul or Ringo when they tour, or catching one of the myriad costumed tribute acts that try to recreate The Beatles experience. These cover bands have become a cottage industry, but one ensemble, The Fab Faux, stands out.

Twenty-five years have passed since Ladysmith Black Mambazo first came to the attention of Western ears through their work on Paul Simon‘s seminal Graceland album. Since that time, the South African a cappella group has toured the world continuously, spreading its gospel of peace and harmony. Every Mambazo performance is a completely uplifting experience, presenting the audience a chance to witness a group of men whose goal is to attain pure joy, both for themselves and those listening.

When Kailash Kher starts talking about music, it is tempting to dismiss him as someone waxing philosophical about metaphysical concepts, without any substance behind his words. But after a few minutes of listening, it becomes clear that he is the real deal. This palpable enthusiasm comes from a man who sees music as food for the soul, and an ultimate expression of spirituality. “Music is to me is not just a source of entertainment,…

Two years have passed since we last saw Portuguese vocalist Mariza, who delivered a memorable performance at the Music Center at Strathmore. The Queen of Fado, as Mariza is known, will be performing this Sunday evening at the Lisner Auditorium. She is the world’s most prominent exponent of a style rooted in history and tradition, but fado clearly has universal appeal. Over the past decade, Mariza has not only performed in most of the…

Last week the Washington Ballet company concluded an impressive run of shows, but the D.C. dance scene continues to bring it in dynamic ways these days. This week there’s at least one set of dance shows looking to continue the momentum. Right on time for Valentine’s Day, the eighth annual Flamenco Festival will steam up the stage with four shows this weekend and next week at GWU’s Lisner Auditorium. Famous flamenco singers Carmen Linares and…