The 21st anniversary of the Gnaoua Festival is will host auditions for the 3-day musical event to take place in Essaouira, Morocco from the 21st – 23rd of June. Casting calls begin in Tangier (April 9), followed by Rabat- Sale (April 11), Marrakech (April 16), Safi (April 18), Essaouira (April 23), Tamanar (April 24), and Laayoune ( July 7 ). The Gnaoua Festival combines elements of African tradition with Islamic folklore. Since its a creation in 1998, the festival has propelled the status of the Maâlems enabling them to have worldwide recognition.