Layālaya Global Arts Festival
October 10, 2026
Loos Center for the Arts, Woodstock, CT
The World is Coming to Woodstock…
Join us this October 10, 2026, for the inaugural Layālaya Global Arts Festival and immerse yourself in an unforgettable day of world-class music, art, culture, speaker spotlights, interactive conversations, and more.
Guided by the artistic vision of Guggenheim Fellow and Grammy-winning Tabla maestro Sandeep Das, seven renowned master artists representing the rich cultural traditions of Argentina, China, India, Japan, Mali, South Korea, and the United States will come together to cross creative boundaries, debut stunning new collaborative works, and connect with the local community. Witness the world premiere of new artistic creations and experience a cultural summit designed to unite global rhythms and contemporary artistry right in the heart of Woodstock, CT!
Tickets
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Artistic Director
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. Das is the founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Layālaya Arts Initiative, as well as the founder of Harmony and Universality through Music (a nonprofit in India), and a founding member of the Silk Road Ensemble in the US.
Artist Lineup
Festival Ensemble
Sandeep Das - Artistic Director, Tabla
Balla Kouyate - Balafon
Rajib Karmakar - Sitar
Kaoru Watanabe - Taiko / Fue
Solange Merdinian - Voice
Guo Yahzi - Suona
Mike Block* - Cello
*Artist sponsored by a NEST grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA)
Guest Speakers
To be announced.
Thank you to our supporters!
Layālaya is immensely grateful for federal, state, and community support of the festival.
The 2026 Layālaya Global Arts Festival is funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of the Arts; CT Eastern Regional Tourism District; SBM Charitable Foundation; and the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact us for details.
