Free Midweek Pick: Zakir Hussain Opens World Music Fest

By Alexander Hough in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 20, 2010 5:40PM

The last time tabla player Zakir Hussain came to town, in March, we could barely keep our pants on while previewing his Masters of Percussion show at Symphony Center. That concert exceeded even our lofty expectations, and we'd already removed our belt before finding out that his June show with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer was canceled, apparently due to low ticket sales. Our disappointment was slightly tempered by the enormity of the accompanying acts - playing adjacent to Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett, and Roy Haynes, as well as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, we were worried the trio would get short shrift. The venue was also a concern: the ideal setting would be as small a room as possible, not at a large outdoor amphitheater.

Well, we've switched to our elastic-waist sweatpants because tomorrow night Hussain will be kicking off the World Music Festival with a free concert in Millennium Park. The versatile Hussain will be returning to his Indian roots, performing with sitarist Niladri Kumar, and will be the show's centerpiece. And while the venue isn't perfect, it could be a lot worse than the Pritzker Pavilion, with its evenly distributed amplification. The concert, which begins with a dance program by Mythili Prakash and Ensemble, also marks the beginning of India Calling!, a three-day celebration of Indian culture.

Tomorrow at 6:00 p.m., Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, FREE