African Music Concerts Week of Feb 1 - Feb 7

This is the third performance of Habib at the Conga Room. We first met him on the Africa Fête tour downtown maybe 4 years ago. He returned to play a sold out show with Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne taking the stage as two of his strongest supporters. Once again this will be a good show in a small venue, with a stage so low you can touch the performers if you are in the front.

Habib is the leader of the new generation of Malian musicians. He sings about his country and its special attractions, but in the context of the world, technology and cultural choices. He chose to stay and promote Mali as opposed to emigrating to one of the large Western countries that can provide him with recording studios, record labels and rich fans. He is a proud African who works to empower other Africans to be proud of their countries, their heritage and themselves. Let us hope that more of his generation join him in creating the new Africa.

Habib is still in town, but tonight's opener is our resident Moroccan Gnawa musician Hassan Hakmoun. These two desert masters together will span the gamut from spiritual trance music to jump up and dance guitar rock.

Who doesn't remember the Motown songs on the radio growing up? If you're looking to reminisce about being young again come down to HOB and remember what things were like in simpler times.