ABOUT US Rhythm Foundation is non profit organization

About us

Rhythm Foundation is a non-profit organization celebrating its 19th season of presenting outstanding international artists in South Florida. We are the foremost presenter of "world music" in South Florida - presenting more than 250 concerts, events and festivals by established and innovative artists from around the world. Special focus is given to those cultures connecting to South Florida audiences - music from Brazil, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe. We present an average of 15 concerts and festivals each year at various venues in South Florida.

Visit our list of past concerts to see a scope of our work. We specialize is presenting the great masters of world music, artists working in the most ancient styles, and new artists creating music in the beautiful collision between electronica and traditional sounds. The middle ground - we will leave that for others.

Programming highlights include the Heineken TransAtlantic Festival ("Best Festival", New Times Best of Miami 2004); Fete de la Musique and a year-round performance series in Miami's theaters and clubs of major international artists. The Rhythm Foundation works closely with civic and cultural institutions on programs, and is proud to have been named "Arts Partner" by the Miami Performing Arts Center.

And what is "world music?"
A quote from an article David Byrne wrote for New York Times put into words some goals of the Rhythm Foundation: "Western pop is the fast food of music, and there is more exciting creative music making going on outside the Western pop tradition than inside it. To restrict your listening to English-language pop is like deciding to eat the same meal for the rest of your life. Maybe it's naïve, but I would love to believe that once you grow to love some aspect of a culture - its music, for instance - you can never again think of the people of that culture as less than yourself. I would like to believe that if I am deeply moved by a song originating from some place other than my own homeland, then I have in some way shared an experience with the people of that culture. I have been pleasantly contaminated. I can identify in some small way with it and its people."