February is Black History month and with it comes PAFF every year. Once again the films are at Magic Johnson Theaters. The opening night this year is at the new Culver City Pacific with an after party nearby in downtown Culver City. The showpiece this year is a South African entry about miners who want to put their earnings together to buy their own mine, and the naysayers that try to discourage them.

Support the films that Hollywood ignores. Choose one and come out dressed for the event.

http://www.paff.org/

I'm always impressed by the talent of Cameroonian musicians. Gino is another multi-talented singer. His style is jazz in a unique fashion. He can run his voice around any other singer, he can scat and call, he can imitate instruments and just about anything he puts his mind to. In addition, he "plays" his body. Slapping, tapping, pulling and clicking he can make sounds that you thought were coming from something else, all in the tune of the jazz.

He will be playing with his quartet at the Jazz Bakery for an entire week from Feb 16 - 22. This is a big break for him, being his West Coast debut, so show him a warm welcome.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/concerts/2004-02-w3.html

Habib Koité returns to the Conga Room on Feb 1. This is his third annual appearance there. Habib brings an electric band, a fantastic guitar hand and a rich voice. His songs encourage Africans to follow their roots and be proud. He is one of the new generation of Africans that will become the next musical leaders. Catch him while you can still get up close and personal.

On Feb. 4 he will also perform at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, joined by the Gnawan trance dance musician Hassan Hakmoun.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/concerts/2004-02-w1.html

Another returning group is Perú Negro. They will be performing at Royce Hall on Feb 8. The ambassadors of the Afro-Peruvian sound are masters at blending the South American dance with the African rhythm. When you hear their music you know where its roots lie, but you also won't confuse it with anything else you have heard.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/concerts/2004-02-w2.html

The biggest news for longtime fans is the reopening of the legendary dance club Bamboo! DJ Clement is back with the latest African dance grooves at his new digs in downtown Culver City (the budding new hotspot in LA). The club is open every Saturday night at the San Gennaro Italian restaurant.

http://www.afropulse.com/music/concerts/2004-02-recur.html

I'm not sure how this year will turn out yet. Hollywood Bowl has nothing scheduled this summer and March is currently dry. The big coup of the summer is the Los Angeles debut of the Africando All Stars at Albert Torres' 6th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress May 27-30 at the Hollywood Park Casino.

http://www.alberttorresevents.com/congress/2004/

For an overview of 2004, keep an eye on http://www.afropulse.com/music/concerts/2004.html

jay