African Music Concerts Week of Jul 10 - Jul 16

Come out to see the Pulitzer nominated play about Black-on-Black discrimination in the Gullah-Geechee culture of South Carolina's Sea Islands. The play investigates the racism that favors lighter skinned individuals over their more African looking neighbors. Love, alcohol, generational chasms and other complexities of everyday life are intricately wound into a heart-wrenching story. Highly recommended. This show began in February and has been doing so well that it is in its final extension through August 28!

Mbalax is the "traditional" modern music of Senegal alongside their own brand of hiphop. Fallou Dieng is one of the best purveyors of mbalax music in Dakar. He will be bringing the great mbalax dancer Kajaa to the stage. Expect local drummer Aziz Faye to take a hand in the festivities, dancing and drumming. If you haven't been to a Senegalese show, this is the one to attend. The dancers have a wild jumping style unlike any other you've seen. Come out and join the fun!

Music from Mali hits the Santa Monica Pier. Tinariwen is a Saharan Touareg group that plays something similar to American blues but more relaxing and melodic. Ramatou is from the Wassalou region that has given birth to so much great music. Together they provide a unique night of desert music on the beach.

Straight from South Africa, the famous group featured on Paul Simon's Graceland album, bring their acapella sound to the stage of Grand Performances downtown. February 2005 they won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Album for Raise Your Spirit Higher. The evening lights and sparkling waterfall are a great backdrop for their powerful harmonies.