Albuquerque (New Mexico), USA - Albuquerque becomes the center of the world for one weekend in September when ¡Globalquerque!, New Mexico's Third Annual Celebration of World Music and Culture, returns to the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) September 21 and 22, 2007. Presenting acts from five continents on three distinct stages over two days plus dance, films, and free family activities, ¡Globalquerque! has become one of the premiere festivals in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Region.
 
 The festival announced this year’s headline acts, with legendary “Queen of the Blues” singer Koko Taylor on Friday and renowned borders-busting percussion ensemble Global Drum Project featuring the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart  joined by tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, legendary conga player Giovanni Hidalgo and master African drummer Sikiru Adepoju  performing on Saturday.

Just added to the lineup is Anjani's Kathak Dance of India, featuring 4 dancers with accompanying musicians; Hassan Hakmoun, a renowned master of Morocco's Gnawa tradition; Cambodian Music Fusionists Dengue Fever and NEA Fellows Dragon Art Studio, who will present the 1000 year old tradition of Chine Rod Puppetry. The four join recent additions, distinguished 83 year-old Dominican Republic guitarist and traditionalist Puerto Plata and his sextet; Kevin Locke, indigenous Northern Plains flute player and visionary Lakota/Anishinabe hoop dancer; Afro-Colombian legend Petrona Martínez and her seven-piece ensemble; and Mande Djele kora master Lankandia Cissoko from Senegal.

Other confirmed perfomers include the spine-tingling vocals of Tibetan goddess of melody Yungchen Lhamo, Celtic-meets-Cameroon global grooves of Baka Beyond, the DJ beats-and-bagpipes of Italy’s Fiamma Fumana, and the hypnotic folk-rock of Latvia’s Ilgi. Other performers are being added and will be announced as confirmed.

¡Globalquerque! 2007 is also  the official New Mexico event for the 25th anniversary of the National Endowment of the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship program. Koko Taylor, Zakir Hussain, Anjani, and Kevin Locke are all recipients of this award, America’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Additional recipients from New Mexico and beyond are expected to be part of the weekend’s festivities.

Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster outlets, 505-883-7800, including all Smith's stores in New Mexico), and in Albuquerque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) Box Office. Early Bird Ticket prices are available until June 23.

More information at www.globalquerque.com.