Layālaya Global Arts Festival
Festival Concept
The Layālaya Global Arts Festival (formerly Woodstock Global Music Festival) seeks to build a year-round incubator for world-class music, performing arts, and culture in the Northeast region of Connecticut. Guided by the artistic vision of Guggenheim Fellow and Grammy-winning Tabla maestro Sandeep Das, the festival will serve as a hub of global artistry and exchange, immersive education, and community engagement.
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Mission & Vision
To create a vibrant platform for global music and the performing arts that nurtures creative excellence, fosters intercultural dialogue, and connects artists and communities through education, performance, and innovation.
Our Long-Term Vision includes:
Concerts featuring world-renowned artists and regional talent
Artistic residencies and camps for schools and universities
Innovative lecture series
A Community recording studio
Commissioning of new work
A Young Artist Initiative and mentorship platform
Interdisciplinary and experimental performance labs blending tradition with innovation
The Layālaya Global Arts Festival is an initiative of Layālaya, a nonprofit organization* that creates arts experiences connecting people across time, place, and culture. Through resonant stories, inspiring performances, and community-rooted programs, Layālaya deepens understanding, nurtures belonging, and ensures the arts thrive for generations.
Layālaya is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization (EIN: 39-3075557) based in Massachusetts. Contributions made to Layālaya are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
5 Year Plan
Year 0
Launch the Festival Vision Showcase
Year 1
Curate an immersive and themed day of events involving world-class musicians, local talents, educational workshops for students, and engagement opportunities for local businesses and partners.
Year 2
The above plus:
Pilot artist residencies in schools and community settings
Launch IL-Logical Minds (Intelligent Learning = IL): an Arts & Ideas Lecture Series exploring the intersections of arts and various disciplines, where artists, thinkers, and audiences come together in meaningful conversation.
Year 3
The above plus:
Launch a full-scale artist-in-residence program
Introduce the mentorship program: Young Artist Initiative
Commission new interdisciplinary works
Year 4
The above plus:
Pilot year-round programming, building on concerts, residencies, and community events
Year 5
The above plus:
Establish year-round cultural offerings, including seasonal festivals, artist residencies, youth showcases, and regional tours
Position the festival as the anchor site for Layālaya’s cross-cultural performance and learning initiatives
Launch accredited programs in partnerships with schools and colleges
About Sandeep Das
Sandeep Das is a Grammy-winning tabla virtuoso, composer, educator, and cultural ambassador with a career spanning 30+ years of performing globally with luminaries such as Yo-Yo Ma, Paquito D’Rivera, and Bobby McFerrin. His cross-genre collaborations span five continents, from the BBC Proms to Carnegie Hall. He has performed for Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, and the UN General Assembly. As a committed educator, Das has led learning initiatives at Harvard, Juilliard, Berklee, and beyond. He is also a founding member of the Silkroad Ensemble in the United States and Harmony and Universality through Music nonprofit in India.