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Meet World Fest Artists Okra Playground, Pamyua, and Okaidja Afroso

by Katie Ortman

From left: Okra Playground, Pamyua, and Okaidja Afroso.
Photo Credit: Arts Midwest
From left: Okra Playground, Pamyua, and Okaidja Afroso.

Hailing from around the world, Okra Playground, Pamyua, and Okaidja Afroso will spend a week in various Midwest communities this fall offering educational workshops, engaging with communities, and performing in concerts.


We’re thrilled to welcome three incredible ensembles to the Midwest as part of World Fest this year. Take a look below to learn more, and then see them in person in a community near you!

Finland

Okra Playground

Okra Playground plays traditional Finnish music with a fresh approach, combining classic folk with modern instruments to create unique tunes with hypnotic beats and a homegrown feel. While rooted in the traditions of their homeland’s music, the project also serves as a musical “playground” for its members to experiment with new instruments and techniques, just as the group’s name suggests!

Learn more about Okra Playground
Finnish music group Okra Playground stand together for a photo, holding various instruments including a jouhikko.
Photo Credit: Antti Kokkola
Finnish music group Okra Playground holding various instruments, including a jouhikko.

Meet the Ensembles

Learn more about our current World Fest ensembles, through interviews with the groups themselves.

A program of Arts Midwest, the 2022 World Fest artist tours are generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies. Arts Midwest is also generously supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Indiana Arts Commission, Iowa Arts Council, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, North Dakota Council on the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, South Dakota Arts Council, Wisconsin Arts Board, 3M, Crane Group, and individual donors and partners.