Virginie Dembelé: Free Concert in Parque Doramas on the Road to WOMEX

Mark your calendars for a special summer evening in the capital. On Tuesday, 4 August 2026, the lush surroundings of Parque Doramas will host a free concert by Virginie Dembelé, a rising star of contemporary Malian music. The event, billed as “Camino a WOMEX” (Road to WOMEX), is a wonderful chance to experience world-class music under the open sky without spending a cent. The show starts at 19:30 in the park’s charming open-air venue, the Auditorio José Antonio Ramos, and entry is completely free until the space is full.

This is not just another pleasant evening in the park; it is the first public step towards one of the biggest cultural events to hit the island in years. The concert serves as a public presentation and a local celebration ahead of WOMEX 2026, the planet’s most important world music fair, which will once again turn Las Palmas de Gran Canaria into a global music capital this October.

A voice from Mali, a sound for the world

Virginie Dembelé is a singer, songwriter, and composer whose music feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly modern. Her style weaves together the rhythmic pulse of afrobeat with the soulful depth of Malian roots blues, creating a sound that is entirely her own. She has been described as a new international ambassador for her country’s rich musical heritage, and her journey to this stage in Parque Doramas is a story of talent recognised on a global scale.

Her path to Gran Canaria was paved through prestigious international programmes. She was selected to represent Mali at the SPOT Festival in Aarhus, Denmark, which led to a full tour of Scandinavia. Crucially, she was also chosen as a winner of the “Vis a Vis Mali” programme, an initiative by Casa África and Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that builds bridges between African and Spanish music scenes. This connection is exactly why she is the perfect artist to open the road to WOMEX, an event that champions cultural diversity and global musical dialogue.

Your perfect evening in Parque Doramas

Parque Doramas is one of the most beautiful spots in Las Palmas, and its open-air auditorium provides a magical setting for live music. Imagine the warm August evening, the scent of the park’s famous dragon trees, and the sound of Virginie Dembelé’s band filling the air. The atmosphere promises to be relaxed and welcoming, a true gift to the city’s residents and visitors alike.

The evening will reportedly begin with a performance by Lula Mora, the winner of the Sonora de Bronce 2026 competition at the Festival Sonora. As with any festival-related event, these line-up details are provisional and it is always wise to check the official cultural agenda at lpacultura.com closer to the date. The key thing to remember is that access is free and on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving a little early is a smart move to secure a good spot.

WOMEX 2026: The world comes to Gran Canaria

To understand the significance of this concert, you need to know about WOMEX. Short for Worldwide Music Expo, it is the most diverse global music meeting on the planet. Think of it as a huge, vibrant gathering that combines a trade fair, thought-provoking conferences, film screenings, and spectacular showcase concerts. Around 2,600 music professionals from over 90 countries are expected to descend on Las Palmas for the event, which is officially scheduled for 21 to 25 October 2026.

This will be the second time Las Palmas has hosted WOMEX, after a hugely successful edition in 2018. The city’s selection as the host again confirms its status as a leading international cultural hub. The event holds a UNESCO Global Alliance Cultural Diversity certification, marking it as a key player in promoting intercultural dialogue through music. For one week in October, Gran Canaria will be the epicentre of the world music industry, with dozens of concerts lighting up stages across the city.

Why this concert is a big deal

This free concert is more than just a lovely night out. It is a symbolic and accessible opening of a major international event to the local public. It brings a high-quality, international artist directly to the people, without any barriers. The choice of Virginie Dembelé, an artist championed by Casa África’s Vis a Vis programme, sends a clear signal that African voices and contemporary sounds from the continent will be a prominent part of the WOMEX 2026 narrative.

For the city, hosting WOMEX again is a major coup, expected to bring thousands of delegates, significant international media attention, and a boost to the local creative economy. This concert is the first taste of that energy, a moment where everyday audiences can connect with a global music network in their own beloved city park. It is a celebration of Gran Canaria’s role as a bridge between continents and cultures, all set to an irresistible Malian groove.