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Harbourfront's Mexican weekend:

Most notable are the "lucha libre" events (Mexican "free wrestling") as noted in this week's NOW (article includes video interview).

I also recommend, for those who like their music wild, Los de Abajo ("Those from below") who perform their full-throttle ska/"punk salsa" at 9:30 Friday night. Psychotripical Orchestra opens.

Both concerts are broadcast live on CIUT FM (89.5 or www.ciut.fm), but they won't capture Abajo's visuals. (Photo at right from their 2004 Toronto concert).

Details and times of all the Harbourfront events are posted here.

 

 

Anacona at the Lula:

A legendary, all-women Cuban orchestra, originally formed in 1932, they made their Canadian debut last month at the Art of Jazz festival. The 16 member group should be impressive in the Lula Lounge this weekend. Friday and Saturday night. Details (and video) here on the Cuba in Toronto.com website.

Photos from their Art of Jazz show here.

 

Also upcoming of note:

• Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women at Hugh's Room, Jul. 21 (Listen to his newest album in its entirety on his website)
• Novalima: Afro-Peruvian rhythms at the Lula, Jul. 22 (A Small World show. Video taste here)
• July 24 has three notable shows: Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko bring their great banjo/kora kollaboration back to town at Hugh's; the legendary zouk group Kassav play the Phoenix; and the Lula hosts Filo Machado from Brazil
• The annual Jamaica Day on Jul. 25 at Downsview Park features among others, The Mighty Sparrow & Percy Sledge. Broadcast live on CIUT from 3-11pm
• Masaisai, the local Zimbabwean group whom I highly recommend, play Clinton's July 31.
• Some August notables include Harbourfront shows by Kiran Ahluwalia (Aug 7) and Tanya Tagaq (Aug 22)

See www.to-music.ca/events.htm for details on these and other shows.

The incomparable Mavis Staples turned 70 on July 10. Given her (and her family's) long-time commitment to the civil rights struggle, it was notable that her birthday fell on the same day that the first African-American President arrived in Ghana.

A fitting video celebration of those two events is an excerpt from the documentary, Soul to Soul of a 1971 concert in Ghana. That was was the first trip to Africa for most of the performers.

Watch the Staples Singers perform "When Will We Get Paid": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Fudv9bT3I

 

John Leeson
www.to-music.ca