African Music Concerts Week of Jul 27 - Jul 31

I first heard about this group a month ago when they played Fais Do-Do, but I haven't had a chance to see them yet. The Temple Bar is a hip dark place to relax on a sofa and feel the groove. I'm interested to hear whether the jazz and funk lives up to their name.

Zimbabwe has had a tumultuous time, first eliminate the apartheid regime called Rhodesia and then dealing with Mugabe. Through it all, the spiritual music of the Shona has survived and even rallied the people in the face of difficulties. In the past, the music has always been the realm of men even to the point that women are forbidden from playing it. Stella has ignored the ban and shocked the critics by becoming the "Queen of mbira". She is the best player of this instrument, so if you are a fan or want to hear a new sound you can't miss this show! Be sure to arrive early because this venue always fills up.

The Santa Monica Twilight Dance Series had schedule Salif Keita, but he couldn't make it so they filled in with two of the local African heroes. Ricardo is debuting music from his new CD Ay Valeria! which continues in the Congolese rumba plus Cuban salsa style. Joining him is Blay Ambolley and his version of African jazz straight from Ghana.

The annual Reggae at the Greek show happens to fall the same evening as all the other excitement. Your choice is westside or eastside. On the east, at the Greek Theatre is the best of Jamaican reggae.