"Beautiful cinematography and incredible music … one coherent, jaw-dropping piece.’’ — Billboard Asia, Japan Experience a transcendent musical journey combining song, spoken word and cinematic visuals filmed over a multi-year voyage across 16 island nations. The musicians in Small Island Big Song would tell you that the ocean does not divide their island homes — […]

Celebrate 20 years of FirstWorks! Mix and mingle with fellow supporters and friends over thrilling performances, drinks and small bites in our pop-up nightclub. Raise a glass to FirstWorks and raise your pulse to the passionate dance and music of flamenco legends Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca, plus special appearances by FirstWorks friends Becky Bass […]

While Africa has blessed the world with many recognized female artists, Dobet Gnahoré has proven herself to be a truly special talent. Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Dobet is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her country in exciting new directions. A 2010 GRAMMY winner, Dobet Gnahoré […]

QUITAPENAS, one word – all caps, four syllables – all claps, gives you a taste of their rhythmic contagion. This tropical Afro-Latin combo was born under the warm California sun. They borrow aesthetics from the radical 60s, 70s and 80s. Each song echoes a remix of history and invites one to engage in the liberating […]

The third concert of this year’s FirstWorks Summer Beats concert series transports audiences to the dance floors of New York City’s Salsa scene with an electrifying performance by La Excelencia. The 12-piece Salsa Dura band is inspired by the salsa sounds of the 1970’s and the sociopolitical landscape of today. La Excelencia’s in-your-face sound and […]

Come dance with us during Food Truck Friday! Swanky Kitchen Band is on an essential quest to revive the traditional music of the Cayman Islands. Set amidst the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, the three tiny islands are home to Kitchen Dance Music, an infectiously danceable fiddle-driven style. The Kitchen Dance sound, created […]