The World Within a Little Guitar is a musical multimedia project. Latin Grammy nominated artist Enrique Chi takes the audience through a journey challenging the understood history of American music through the lens of a unique folkloric Panamanian instrument, the Mejorana. Chi, the only person touring a Mejorana in the United States, will create a concert experience giving the audience an opportunity to hear a unique musical expression from Central America. The performative work will be Chi's first performance only using the Mejorana for a unique and special night of music.

The story of the Mejorana is connected to the history of colonization. When Spaniards brought guitar like instruments to the land now called Panamá they did not allow the indigenous communities to play their European instruments. The Mejorana is a rebellious response to this injustice showing us both human ingenuity and resilience. It makes beautiful music and plays a key role in the folkloric music of Panamá.

As a part of this project, Chi will host a folkloric rhythms class for any guitarist or ukelele players. This intro to the rhythms of Latin America will be a collaborative and interactive class for instrumentalists of all skill levels. All are welcome to attend regardless of skillset.

This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.