BE 2026

Kaoru Watanabe’s Bloodlines Interwoven (Concert III)

featuring Cyro Baptista, Fay Victor, gamin, Kweku Sumbry, Mafer Bandola, Marika Hughes, Seamus Eagan, Shahzad Ismaily, Sunny Jain, and Yuniya Edi Kwon

Sat   Mar   28   2026 - 1:00 PM TBA

What is the sound of our personal histories? What happens when our family stories become melody and rhythm, and when that music fills the air in a room of listeners? 

Join Kaoru Watanabe and a dynamic ensemble of artists for Bloodlines Interwoven — an evocative evening of original music and storytelling that honors the beauty of cultural inheritance and collective memory.

Bloodlines Interwoven is a multi-year, multi-venue performance project that brings together artists from a wide range of backgrounds to share their family histories and create new music inspired by those personal narratives. Conceived by artistic director Kaoru Watanabe, the project uses an intensive, collaborative music-making process to explore the richness of our diverse experiences–and uncover the deep connections that bind us together.

BIG EARS
03.26_03.29.26
Knoxville, TN · USA

Festival

Learn more about what The New York Times calls “one of the world’s greatest music bashes.”

Support

Be part of what makes Big Ears possible—give, volunteer, shop, or support emerging artists through scholarship to keep the music and mission alive.

Connect

Discover, learn, and get in touch—connect with Big Ears through stories, updates, and the people behind the festival.

Beyond

Explore ideas, concerts, and collaborations that take Big Ears beyond the festival stage.