Local musician David Michael playing Celtic harp is joined by Sean Gaskell on Kora, a 21-stringed harp from West Africa, in a concert at the Upstage, 923 Washington St., at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16.

Publisher of 23 original CDs and known for decades as a pioneer in world-fusion music, Michael presents original melodies and stories, while Gaskell sings and plays traditional Mandinka music.

Michael is also well known for his 17-year stint playing his harp on local ferries until Washington State Ferries ordered him to stop in 2007 for security reasons.

The Kora is a soft and melodic instrument from West Africa that has been around for 300 years, although some of Gaskell’s songs date back to the founding of the Mande Empire in Mali in the 13th century.

Gaskell released his first solo album, "Kora Music of West Africa," in March 2012. He has performed at the Kartong Festival in Gambia, the Dombondir Festival in Senegal, the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle and across the United States.

Admission is $5-$10. For reservations, call 385-2216; for information, call 379-9732.