Cultural Caravan's Fifth Annual June Festival 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact:

Josh Halpern, Founder and Artistic Director

The Cultural Caravan

josh@culturalcaravan.org  |  937-542-9323

June 4-14 at venues across Boulder County
CULTURAL CARAVAN’S FIFTH ANNUAL JUNE FESTIVAL OFFERS 12 CONCERTS AND EVENTS FEATURING WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS SPANNING GLOBAL MUSICAL TRADITIONS

Boulder County, CO – The Cultural Caravan’s highly anticipated June Festival returns June 4-14, 2026 to present an extraordinary lineup of world-class artists performing everything from jazz and classical music to music from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ghana, Taiwan, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. 

The Festival—now in its fifth year—brings together an eclectic roster of international virtuosos and favorite local artists for everything from a Latin music block-party to intimate artist Q&As, family-friendly hands-on instrument workshops to world-class MainStage performances. The Festival is appropriate for all ages, and MainStage concert tickets start at just $5.

MAINSTAGE CONCERTS are hosted at Mountain View United Methodist Church (355 Ponca Pl, Boulder). Tickets are pay-what-you-wish starting at just $5. The MainStage lineup includes:

Fri June 5, 2026  |  7:00 PM
Michelle deYoung: Twilight Journey. Schubert’s “Winterreise” is not simply a legendary song cycle—it’s one single dramatic monologue, rendered here in a unique string arrangement by multiple GRAMMY-winning mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung and a string trio including Siwoo Kim, Laura Liu, and Josh Halpern.

Sat June 6, 2026  |  7:00 PM
Adjei Abankwah: Rhythms from Ghana. Adjei Abankwah, master drummer and former principal dancer of the National Ghana Dance Ensemble, presents an electrifying night of music and dance from his native Ghana, featuring vibrant costumes, traditional instruments, and dynamic choreography performed by artists from Ghana and members of Boulder’s Mokomba Ensemble.

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CULTURAL CARAVAN’S FIFTH-ANNUAL JUNE FESTIVAL OFFERS 12 CONCERTS AND EVENTS FEATURING WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS ACROSS MUSICAL GENRES – continued p2

Sun June 7, 2026  | 7:00 PM
Peter John Stoltzman: Bridge to Peace. Master jazz pianist Peter John Stoltzman assembles a multi-genre ensemble including bansuri flutes, saxophone, and percussion to debut a brand-new composition offering an urgent message of unity in this fraught sociopolitical moment.

Fri June 12, 2026  | 7:00 PM
Henrique Eisenmann & Josh Halpern: A World Premier. Henrique Eisenmann—prolific composer, Juilliard teacher, and member of the internationally-renowned Paul Winter Consort—and Cultural Caravan Artistic Director Josh Halpern have been friends for years. Their first-ever musical collaboration spans everything from ancient Congolese rhythms to music by French modernist Olivier Messiaen to a brand-new sonata for cello and piano co-created by Henrique and Josh.

Sat June 13, 2026  | 7:00 PM
MinTze Wu: Let’s Tango! Taiwanese-American violinist MinTze Wu, a Cultural Caravan favorite, returns for a thrilling program of Astor Piazzolla and Argentine Tango—complete with the exotic sound of the Argentine bandoneon! 

Sun June 14, 2026  | 4:00 PM
Festival Finale: Community Makes The Culture. After ten days of concerts celebrating their diversity, the Cultural Caravan’s MainStage headliners unite for one extraordinary celebration of all they have in common. Now a beloved tradition, the joyful Festival Finale is the Caravan’s marquee culmination of the season. Featuring Adjei Abankwah, Colin Crake, Josh Halpern, Zivanai Masango, Helen Masvikeni, Peter John Stoltzman, Gonzalo Teppa, and MinTze Wu.

POP-UP EVENTS throughout the festival take place at venues across Boulder County; most are free or pay-what-you-wish.

Thurs June 4, 2026  |  5:00 PM
Festival Kick-off: Latin Music Block Party
outside at The Read Queen Bookstore & Cafe, 129 N Harrison Ave, Lafayette
A vibrant evening of community and fun, featuring Afro-Cuban drummer Alejandro Castano, Mexican conga player Leo Corona, Venezuelan singer Alfred Gomez, saxophonist John Gunther, trumpeter Shane Endsley, Venezuelan pianist Victor Mestas, and Venezuelan bassist Gonzalo Teppa. Enjoy treats from Tip Top Pies and Eats & Sweets, get creative with the Craft Place, and browse the shelves inside the Read Queen.

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CULTURAL CARAVAN’S FIFTH-ANNUAL JUNE FESTIVAL OFFERS 12 CONCERTS AND EVENTS FEATURING WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS ACROSS MUSICAL GENRES – continued p3

Sat June 6, 2026  | 1:00 PM
Zimbabwean Marimba Workshop
at the Lafayette Public Library, 775 Baseline Rd, Lafayette
Join Zimbabwean marimba master Zivanai Masango Experience for a hands-on, family-friendly workshop. Participants of all ages are invited to learn about Zimbabwean rhythm and dance.  

Weds June 10, 2026  |  7:00 PM
Behind the Music: Henrique Eisenmann & Josh Halpern
at the Center for Musical Arts, 200 E Baseline Rd, Lafayette
Brazilian jazz pianist Henrique Eisenmann and cellist Josh Halpern discuss Henrique's new composition, debuting June 12 on the Cultural Caravan MainStage. Join in and bring your questions and suggestions on creativity, music, and life!

Thurs June 11, 2026  |  5:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Dinner and a Show
at Gemini Restaurant, 1115 Pearl Street, Boulder
Virtuoso guitarist Gabriel Santiago brings his signature Brazilian jazz to Gemini’s intimate space for an unforgettable evening of live music and fine dining inspired by the flavors of Spain and Colorado’s seasonal bounty. Reservations required.

Sat June 13, 2026  |  1:00 PM
Zimbabwean Marimba Workshop
at the Erie Community Center, 450 Powers St., Erie.
Join Zimbabwean marimba master Zivanai Masango Experience for a hands-on, family-friendly workshop. Participants of all ages are invited to learn about Zimbabwean rhythm and dance.  

Founded in 2021, the Cultural Caravan is a 501(c)3 that integrates high-level performance into the everyday life of Boulder County—activating parks, bookstores, libraries, cafés, galleries, and underserved public spaces through curated pop-up concerts and world-class MainStage experiences. The Caravan’s year-round season draws together local artists and those from around the world in partnership with area businesses, municipal organizations, and social-service nonprofits. Cultural Caravan concerts dissolve traditional barriers between artist and audience, and are often framed by storytelling, conversation, and food. The Caravan is grounded in the belief that diverse world-class artistry should meet people where they are—without compromising depth or quality. 

To learn more, to get event tickets, to donate, or to get involved, visit www.culturalcaravan.org.  

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